Busy Season?? Slow down

I have had a cold since last Monday. It started off as a sore throat and now is hanging around just to be annoying. The weekend was rough because I just want to be let alone but, the kids just wanted to be with me. It occurred to me just how selfish I have been being with my time. I have two bright and beautiful kids who are growing up way to fast. So I have made an effort to stay focused on them this week. No television for me, no telephone for me, no computer for me, no time hiding in my closet (just kidding). I'm always with Cam at school so this week I have spent equal time with Matt at school. What a difference it has made. I don't want parenting to only be what I do, it needs to be what I am. We have been so busy going and going that it is nice to be able to slow down and enjoy the little things. I am so excited about Christmas. Normally we get kinda bogged down with activities. I think there is something on the calender every night the week leading up to Christmas. Guess what? I'm not doing it all! Especially the stuff on nights that Jeff will be at work. I can't imagine that God is pleased when we use Christmas as an excuse to stand around and talk and eat while the kids are stuck off in a corner somewhere. If they're not shoved off somewhere they are running around mostly unsupervised. How is that being a family? Not this year. We are having a FAMILY Christmas. Some of the decisions are going to be difficult to make. I will probably hurt someones feelings. That is not my intention, I just have to do what I know is right for my kids.

So Proud

Tonight was a wonderful night. Matt and I have truly bonded this football season. He has an incredible understanding of the game, for a five year old. How many kindergartners do you know that get excited when their team is running the option, or tries desperately to warn the quarterback that he is about to get blitzed? We are both horse from yelling at the tv during the first half. Matt told me during halftime, "Mommy, I LOVE being a Gator." I am so proud!!! I'm glad that our family has things that we can bond over. While the years may pass and the memories may fade, the kids will remember that daddy and mommy stopped what we were doing, turned away from the cares of the world, and we enjoyed being together.

Tebow da Man

Today was my first day of subbing. I had a really good time. I had forgotten how slimy four year olds could be. Used lots and lots of hand sanitizer. I am currently fighting off a cold. My throat is killing me and my voice keeps coming and going. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving if someone in our family wasn't sick. (Last year it was all of us.) We are planning on spending Wednesday with my family and Thursday with Jeff's family. We should get to spend Friday doing "not much of anything." And then on Saturday is the UF vs FSU game. The game is really the part I'm looking forward to. TIM TEBOW FOR HEISMAN!!!! If your are not a true football fan you just aren't going to understand. Jeff and I actually planned our wedding around Gator football. We were both listening to the game in separate rooms of the church. Florida was behind to Vandy. If they had lost, I honestly don't know if we would have went ahead with the ceremony. We probably would have sent everyone home, had the pastor sign the marriage license and have gone back to our new home to mourn. Like I said, if you aren't a true football fan, you just aren't going to understand.

Laundry Day

I don't believe I've done laundry in a week. It has really piled up, so I'm spending today washing, drying and folding. I may or may not get around to putting it away. It is still kinda cool outside. The kids are willing to play out a bit more now. I've been very busy with the kids schooling. I will begin substituting at Matt's school on Monday. I am really looking forward to it. I love his school and the staff is awesome. Plus, it will give me an insiders view to what Matt is really up to during the day. Not much else is going on. I've been busy just going and not accomplishing much. Isn't that what the holiday season is about???

Anniversary

Tomorrow is my 11th wedding anniversary. We have nothing special planned. I'm taking the kids over to the co-op (home school group) in the morning. I'm dropping them off so that Jeff and I can spend the morning together. Jeff is off all weekend, so at least we will have some time together. Lately we have been having trouble finding any time to just be. We are both so busy that when we do stop to rest, we fall to sleep. Eleven years.... sometimes it feels like no time at all, at other times it feels like it has been a very long eternity. I am happy to say that after everything, he is still my best friend and I love him very much. I love the way he will look at me and I know that he loves me and that I am safe to be vulnerable with him. I love the way he loves our kids. They will never doubt their daddy's love for them for he tells them several times a day. Our relationship has grown and matured so much that when I look back at our wedding pictures, I almost don't recognize the people staring back. (Maybe it is because Jeff has lost so much hair and that it use to be dark brown????)