As the years go by, I have noticed that our mornings have a different twist .. depending on who leaves when and how old our kids are.
Last year our morning routine was like this...
6 am-up, breakfast for Joe,
6:30-off to the bus at 6:30, and continue a quick walk/fun until about 7 am
7am- I would make breakfast, pray and read my scritpures.
7:30 am - Breakfast for Jon, Michael, and Jacob.
7:40 am - Take Jon to school at about 7:40 ish.
8:00 - Take Michael and Jacob to school
9:00-ish. Scott would get up. (I know this is so late.)
Years ago I was up at 6 am to walk with a dear friend Jennifer Spinti... that changed when Eric started middle school. I loved started my day this way.
This year..has been a bit more crazy.
6am- Joe and Jon up at around 6 am.
6:20 am- Jon showers and grooms, get ready for the day. Yes, it takes him about an hour.
6:35-Prayer at the door with Joe as he leaves for the bus.
7:00--ish Breakfast with Jon.
7:20 am Prayer at the door before we leave for Brighton High.
7:30 am-Michael and Jacob up.
8:00 am Breakfast with Michael and Jacob. We try to leave at 8:10 am, so I don't need to make two trips to Silver Mesa Elementary. Jacob's school starts by 8:20 am. Michael gets on the bus at the church across the street from the school by 8:30 am.
8:30 am Then I run back home and begin waking up Scott at 8:30, get him dressed, fed
9:00 am Scott off to preschool.
Whew! I breathe a big sigh of relief when I pull in the garage after the last child has been delivered to their designated school.
That is how it goes on a good day. But, many days this year this is how it really went:
7 am -I sleep in (stress)
6:15 - am Jon is already up showering (he gets up at 6:15 or so) I go downstairs and try to rouse my senior in highschool out of bed. Sometimes Jon too.. (but rarely)
7:25 - am Joe finally rolls out of bed.
7:40 - Eric to takes Joe or Jon to school. We have a very rushed prayer at the door.. but we do it.
7:30ish am-If I am taking Jon to school, he drives the car to school with me. I drive back home...
7:45ish - Michael and Jacob are still not out of bed even though I woke them at 7:30 and even though they have an alarm clock too! They roll out of bed, have a quick breakfast, prayer, and leave for school at about 8:15.. which made Jacob late a lot in the third quarter of school this year. Then I sit in the car and chat with Michael until his bus comes at about 8:30. Then I hurry home and work to wake up Scott who was up yet again too late... and we get him to preschool about 5 min late almost every day.
No.. I am not proud of this. But this has been reality this year... yes... that is how it is sometimes.
I am bound and determined to make things work better next year... even though it is only the end of May, I am already re-thinking and making new plans...
Ahhh such is life.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Fall 2009
The after school schedule is a killer....
Every single day I drive children multiple locations.
Football pick up and drop off every single day
Scouts-two cub scouts two separate den activities
two sets of piano lessons, one in which I must sit and watch
pick up a carpool at Churchill Jr High twice each week
drop off at friends
Soccer practice each week
Oh, and let's not forget the musical at Hillcrest. Lots and lots and lots of afterschool rehearsals requiring pick ups.
There are literally days when it is physically, logistically impossible for me to do it all.
We always close our eyes and push through September, October and November. By the end of November the musical is done, and football and soccer winds down. Then we just go back to our less insane schedule of JUST carpools, piano lessons, scouts, atleast for just a couple of weeks until basketball begins!
We have tried to figure out how to simplify... and can't see how we can. If each of our boys chooses a sport and a musical talent to participate that is all it takes to make my after school life INSANE.
I just try to move along and enjoy it all... really suck the marrow out of life and love each and every one of my boys and support each one of them. It will all end soon enough. For now, getting enough sleep is important. And the use of a good crock pot helps too!
The after school schedule is a killer....
Every single day I drive children multiple locations.
Football pick up and drop off every single day
Scouts-two cub scouts two separate den activities
two sets of piano lessons, one in which I must sit and watch
pick up a carpool at Churchill Jr High twice each week
drop off at friends
Soccer practice each week
Oh, and let's not forget the musical at Hillcrest. Lots and lots and lots of afterschool rehearsals requiring pick ups.
There are literally days when it is physically, logistically impossible for me to do it all.
We always close our eyes and push through September, October and November. By the end of November the musical is done, and football and soccer winds down. Then we just go back to our less insane schedule of JUST carpools, piano lessons, scouts, atleast for just a couple of weeks until basketball begins!
We have tried to figure out how to simplify... and can't see how we can. If each of our boys chooses a sport and a musical talent to participate that is all it takes to make my after school life INSANE.
I just try to move along and enjoy it all... really suck the marrow out of life and love each and every one of my boys and support each one of them. It will all end soon enough. For now, getting enough sleep is important. And the use of a good crock pot helps too!
Where is my Daughter Moment
you should know I love my boys...
but there are moments in my house when I feel like a stranger in a strange land. This can happen when the boys are hoopin it up, wrestling each other to the ground, or there is a high speed chase going on around and around. I mean it is all good and everything, but there are times when I just feel so lost and alone. I am the only girl in my house. Sometimes I really feel that... Where is my daughter(s)?
I know wahhhh.... whine...whine...whine... But, really where are those Christmas dresses, bows in the hair, a little companion to go with me to the Nutcracker Ballet (and actually love it) ? I feel this loss ...especially during Christmas. I guess it is all those things I thought I would do that I am completely missing out on.
And, hey I have sweet boys. I have had and do have little boys who love to cuddle and enjoy hanging out with Mom. I have a few boys who love to cook with me and I have had some fun sewing with a couple of my boys. I have a couple of boys who like crafts and who notice anything new I do to the house. I have a son who has an eye for decorating and notices details. This is all cool stuff and I am grateful but it just doesn't fill that empty spot..... that need I have to relate to someone who just sees things from a feminine view. Who approaches things with the feminine touch, who talks and thinks like a girl. Girls are just so different from boys...I sense it every time I am around my nieces. I hear about it when I talk with my sisters and my friends who have daughters.
Life isn't fair as we all come to find out... I know that.... So we just deal... and count our blessings.
but there are moments in my house when I feel like a stranger in a strange land. This can happen when the boys are hoopin it up, wrestling each other to the ground, or there is a high speed chase going on around and around. I mean it is all good and everything, but there are times when I just feel so lost and alone. I am the only girl in my house. Sometimes I really feel that... Where is my daughter(s)?
I know wahhhh.... whine...whine...whine... But, really where are those Christmas dresses, bows in the hair, a little companion to go with me to the Nutcracker Ballet (and actually love it) ? I feel this loss ...especially during Christmas. I guess it is all those things I thought I would do that I am completely missing out on.
And, hey I have sweet boys. I have had and do have little boys who love to cuddle and enjoy hanging out with Mom. I have a few boys who love to cook with me and I have had some fun sewing with a couple of my boys. I have a couple of boys who like crafts and who notice anything new I do to the house. I have a son who has an eye for decorating and notices details. This is all cool stuff and I am grateful but it just doesn't fill that empty spot..... that need I have to relate to someone who just sees things from a feminine view. Who approaches things with the feminine touch, who talks and thinks like a girl. Girls are just so different from boys...I sense it every time I am around my nieces. I hear about it when I talk with my sisters and my friends who have daughters.
Life isn't fair as we all come to find out... I know that.... So we just deal... and count our blessings.
Football Season 2011 Begins......
August was also the official killer start of Football. You can see Jonathan's reaction to one of his daily 5:30 am practices here...
Friday, May 25, 2012
Snapshot May 2012
I have a horrible memory. And I want to remember the day to day normal things that go on in this house. I want to somehow remember the details, the ordinary things of being in the thick of mothering. These days, all of the wonderful little things get smothered out so quickly by larger issues and begin to grow fuzzy in my mind. So, here's to remembering....by writing it down.
So, here's what is going on these days..
-Dropping off Scott to preschool each day is almost always such a treat. But, it involves hugs, waves, blowing kisses, saying, "Mom, I love you so so so so much." Every day I revel in the blessing of having this wonderful little boy in my life.
-Jon is on tour right now with the Brighton High Performing Arts. He is in San Francisco. I hope he takes a lot of pictures! What a great opportunity. I am thankful that my children have so many great experiences.
-Scott had his end of year preschool program and graduation yesterday. He has had an awesome year. He has grown leaps and bounds. Carol Wilkinson is such a gifted teacher. Every little paragraph I write here is worthy of its own blog post.. I can tell I haven't blogged in awhile.. this is supposed to be a simple little list.. but everything I write begs me to write more.
-Speaking of having an awesome year.. Michael has blown me away this year. He has been the most amazing 7th grader in our family yet! This young man has impressed me with his work ethic, drive to excel and his commitment to meeting his goals. Wow. He has had a GREAT year. He also has such wonderful friends. I love and respect this young man..
- The other night Michael needed a book for his honors reading class. He was absolutely insistent to have it so he could get his reading in. I decided after checking at the library that we would need to buy it. He said to me, "mom, I won't be able to go with you to get the book because I need to get the rest of my homework done." I was so impressed with his multi tasking ability and commitment to get his homework done.
-Steve and I have found tremendous peace in attending the temple. Again... this begs a complete blog post of its own.
-Scott has played on a soccer team this spring.. It was his first time ever playing on a team. He is a good little soccer player... when he goes for it. He is young and it has been fun to have him get started.. there is potential there and it is great to get him started.
-Joseph is preparing to perform in the big end of year "POPS" concert put on by Vocal Ensemble. He is performing in quite a few numbers. He has a great group of friends and they are very excited about their number. We look forward to this concert. He had a great concert choir concert the other night. These end of the year concerts are so bitter sweet for me. I am happy and sad that another year has come to an end. It was a great concert and I so appreciate that Joseph has had such a great experience in music !!!
-I make about 30 sandwiches each week. No exaggeration. I use up an entire loaf of bread in a day... easily. Sandwiches are just a staple around here... turkey and cheese, grilled cheese, and of course peanut butter and jelly.
-I love the calmness in our house in the afternoons after school. We don't allow the tv or computer to be on until 8:30 pm on most nights (Mon-Thurs) This has been a great idea that we started about March 1. This encourages our boys to find better things to do with their time. It is working and it changes the spirit in our home dramatically to cut down on the noise and help the boys do things with their time that brings them peace and purpose.
-Another thing we do which adds greatly to the peace in our home is family scripture study and prayer. We do this at night. Many nights that peace acts to heal and lift. It is such a blessing to have the scriptures.
-I love driving my children places. It gives me a great opportunity to talk with them while we drive in the car. I get to drive Jonathan to and from school. I drive Joseph often to school and work. I drive Michael to the bus each day. I drive Jacob to school and piano lessons. I drive Scott to preschool and to friends. It is a great time to talk.
-This week because our third car has been out of commission I have been driving 3 boys to 3 jobs, picking up and dropping off to rehearsals, picking up from school and the usual dropping off to lessons. I feel like I am in the car for half the day.
-Steve has been just amazing! He fixed our Suburban twice in the past month. These weren't minor little fixes either. He replaced the radiator, hoses of various kinds, and the water pump. He didn't really know how to do this. He read up on it, watched youtube videos and did a fabulous job and saved us, oh I don't know up to about $2000 dollars! It is so nice to be married to such a smart man.
-We are finishing the bathroom downstairs and Steve is doing that too. It is coming along and will be so nice when it is finished.
-I am working on creating a mudroom/office/craftroom. I have painted so far and waiting for the money train to roll in so I can put up mudroom lockers, bench, desks etc etc etc.
-We need a big review on household jobs and what is expected. The kids need a big kick in the pants to be consistent and dependable. We used to do a better job around here... we need to regroup, reset and begin again.
-We had some pretty awesome birthday parties around here in Feb, March , April, and May. See.. another blog post.. I have a lot of catching up to do!
I am not sure this post captures the little things.. but it is a good try and better than nothing.
Blogging is so therapeutic for me. It helps me to focus on the good, count my blessings and "see" things more clearly.
-Dropping off Scott to preschool each day is almost always such a treat. But, it involves hugs, waves, blowing kisses, saying, "Mom, I love you so so so so much." Every day I revel in the blessing of having this wonderful little boy in my life.
-Jon is on tour right now with the Brighton High Performing Arts. He is in San Francisco. I hope he takes a lot of pictures! What a great opportunity. I am thankful that my children have so many great experiences.
-Scott had his end of year preschool program and graduation yesterday. He has had an awesome year. He has grown leaps and bounds. Carol Wilkinson is such a gifted teacher. Every little paragraph I write here is worthy of its own blog post.. I can tell I haven't blogged in awhile.. this is supposed to be a simple little list.. but everything I write begs me to write more.
-Speaking of having an awesome year.. Michael has blown me away this year. He has been the most amazing 7th grader in our family yet! This young man has impressed me with his work ethic, drive to excel and his commitment to meeting his goals. Wow. He has had a GREAT year. He also has such wonderful friends. I love and respect this young man..
- The other night Michael needed a book for his honors reading class. He was absolutely insistent to have it so he could get his reading in. I decided after checking at the library that we would need to buy it. He said to me, "mom, I won't be able to go with you to get the book because I need to get the rest of my homework done." I was so impressed with his multi tasking ability and commitment to get his homework done.
-Steve and I have found tremendous peace in attending the temple. Again... this begs a complete blog post of its own.
-Scott has played on a soccer team this spring.. It was his first time ever playing on a team. He is a good little soccer player... when he goes for it. He is young and it has been fun to have him get started.. there is potential there and it is great to get him started.
-Joseph is preparing to perform in the big end of year "POPS" concert put on by Vocal Ensemble. He is performing in quite a few numbers. He has a great group of friends and they are very excited about their number. We look forward to this concert. He had a great concert choir concert the other night. These end of the year concerts are so bitter sweet for me. I am happy and sad that another year has come to an end. It was a great concert and I so appreciate that Joseph has had such a great experience in music !!!
-I make about 30 sandwiches each week. No exaggeration. I use up an entire loaf of bread in a day... easily. Sandwiches are just a staple around here... turkey and cheese, grilled cheese, and of course peanut butter and jelly.
-I love the calmness in our house in the afternoons after school. We don't allow the tv or computer to be on until 8:30 pm on most nights (Mon-Thurs) This has been a great idea that we started about March 1. This encourages our boys to find better things to do with their time. It is working and it changes the spirit in our home dramatically to cut down on the noise and help the boys do things with their time that brings them peace and purpose.
-Another thing we do which adds greatly to the peace in our home is family scripture study and prayer. We do this at night. Many nights that peace acts to heal and lift. It is such a blessing to have the scriptures.
-I love driving my children places. It gives me a great opportunity to talk with them while we drive in the car. I get to drive Jonathan to and from school. I drive Joseph often to school and work. I drive Michael to the bus each day. I drive Jacob to school and piano lessons. I drive Scott to preschool and to friends. It is a great time to talk.
-This week because our third car has been out of commission I have been driving 3 boys to 3 jobs, picking up and dropping off to rehearsals, picking up from school and the usual dropping off to lessons. I feel like I am in the car for half the day.
-Steve has been just amazing! He fixed our Suburban twice in the past month. These weren't minor little fixes either. He replaced the radiator, hoses of various kinds, and the water pump. He didn't really know how to do this. He read up on it, watched youtube videos and did a fabulous job and saved us, oh I don't know up to about $2000 dollars! It is so nice to be married to such a smart man.
-We are finishing the bathroom downstairs and Steve is doing that too. It is coming along and will be so nice when it is finished.
-I am working on creating a mudroom/office/craftroom. I have painted so far and waiting for the money train to roll in so I can put up mudroom lockers, bench, desks etc etc etc.
-We need a big review on household jobs and what is expected. The kids need a big kick in the pants to be consistent and dependable. We used to do a better job around here... we need to regroup, reset and begin again.
-We had some pretty awesome birthday parties around here in Feb, March , April, and May. See.. another blog post.. I have a lot of catching up to do!
I am not sure this post captures the little things.. but it is a good try and better than nothing.
Blogging is so therapeutic for me. It helps me to focus on the good, count my blessings and "see" things more clearly.
Mother's Day 2012
Mother's Day this year was simple..just the way I like it.
To me it isn't about material gifts, it means the most to me when it is about notes from my children, simple homemade gifts, a walk together, a shared meal. It is about treasuring our time together and slowing down to ponder about the relationships I have with each of my children. This year I got all of that. I don't need a big hurrah hurrah day for me...! Just some simple, sincere heartfelt expressions of love to recognize the sweet relationship I share with my kids.
The day began with Scott, finally being able to have me open his gift! I gathered him up close to me and sat on the couch. I read his little note, looked at the picture he drew and opened the gift. He was so "essssited" for me to open my present. And, I milked the moment for all it was worth.
Then he helped me cut a flower from the yard to wear in this homemade flower holder. I felt very special wearing a flower to church today. I smelled the beautiful fragrance of the delicate, feminine iris all day.
I then got to walk to church with my dear little Scotty boy... It was the most beautiful Mother's Day in memory. The weather was absolutely perfect and the walk to church was just so fine.
After church, I got to walk home with three of my boys... Eric, Jonathan, and Scott. It was another happy moment, walking at times with an arm around each other.. just chatting and laughing.
Dinner was Chicken Alfredo. And we just enjoyed being together. It was just so so nice. At the end of the meal, each boy expressed something they love about me:
Scott: I "preciate" mom because she lets me come with her to the store. She buys me a treat. We have fun. She gets me what I want for my birthday. She jumps on the tramp with me. We just have fun."
Jacob: "I love mom because she always gives me a 2nd chance when I do something wrong. She keeps me on track."
Michael: "I love mom because she helps me get thru school. She is so generous and takes good care of me. She loves me."
Jonathan: "Even though its not exactly they way I want, she helps me with almost anything. We have fun talks and laugh a lot, (said with a laugh) She generally supports me. She talks with me and supports my feelings with the opposite sex. (oh my such a typical 16 year old response.. ha ha!)
Eric: "I appreciate mom because she's fun. She's a beam of sunshine when there is no sunshine. She's happy most of the time. We like to have long debates and talks. We like to talk."
Joseph... was not there dinner. Too bad.
Steve: "I appreciate you mom and am grateful that she puts up with me."
Ha ha!
Later, I opened the homemade gift and card from Jacob and Steve and I took a walk. Then came home, had rootbeer floats together. And, everyone gave me a card. That was really sweet.
It was a good and wonderful Mother's Day!
Wish I had taken a few more pictures.
And, I must add that Saturday night when most everyone was gone..I spent the whole evening watching awesome girl movies and I loved loved every minute of it. Haven't had that much fun in awhile.
Mother's Day 2012 .. it was sweet
To me it isn't about material gifts, it means the most to me when it is about notes from my children, simple homemade gifts, a walk together, a shared meal. It is about treasuring our time together and slowing down to ponder about the relationships I have with each of my children. This year I got all of that. I don't need a big hurrah hurrah day for me...! Just some simple, sincere heartfelt expressions of love to recognize the sweet relationship I share with my kids.
The day began with Scott, finally being able to have me open his gift! I gathered him up close to me and sat on the couch. I read his little note, looked at the picture he drew and opened the gift. He was so "essssited" for me to open my present. And, I milked the moment for all it was worth.
Then he helped me cut a flower from the yard to wear in this homemade flower holder. I felt very special wearing a flower to church today. I smelled the beautiful fragrance of the delicate, feminine iris all day.
I then got to walk to church with my dear little Scotty boy... It was the most beautiful Mother's Day in memory. The weather was absolutely perfect and the walk to church was just so fine.
After church, I got to walk home with three of my boys... Eric, Jonathan, and Scott. It was another happy moment, walking at times with an arm around each other.. just chatting and laughing.
Dinner was Chicken Alfredo. And we just enjoyed being together. It was just so so nice. At the end of the meal, each boy expressed something they love about me:
Scott: I "preciate" mom because she lets me come with her to the store. She buys me a treat. We have fun. She gets me what I want for my birthday. She jumps on the tramp with me. We just have fun."
Jacob: "I love mom because she always gives me a 2nd chance when I do something wrong. She keeps me on track."
Michael: "I love mom because she helps me get thru school. She is so generous and takes good care of me. She loves me."
Jonathan: "Even though its not exactly they way I want, she helps me with almost anything. We have fun talks and laugh a lot, (said with a laugh) She generally supports me. She talks with me and supports my feelings with the opposite sex. (oh my such a typical 16 year old response.. ha ha!)
Eric: "I appreciate mom because she's fun. She's a beam of sunshine when there is no sunshine. She's happy most of the time. We like to have long debates and talks. We like to talk."
Joseph... was not there dinner. Too bad.
Steve: "I appreciate you mom and am grateful that she puts up with me."
Ha ha!
Later, I opened the homemade gift and card from Jacob and Steve and I took a walk. Then came home, had rootbeer floats together. And, everyone gave me a card. That was really sweet.
It was a good and wonderful Mother's Day!
Wish I had taken a few more pictures.
And, I must add that Saturday night when most everyone was gone..I spent the whole evening watching awesome girl movies and I loved loved every minute of it. Haven't had that much fun in awhile.
Mother's Day 2012 .. it was sweet
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I am going to do this someday!!! I wish I had already started. A collection of photographs document a British couple's travels over six years by just showing their feet.
A collection of photographs document a British couple's travels over six years by just showing their feet. The series takes on a twist with the addition of a third pair of feet--their daughter.www.tomrobinsonph...
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