Fighting for normal

Over the past weeks as we have gotten closer to travel and tensions have begun to build I have been focused like a laser on keeping things as normal as possible. I am fighting to keep routines the same. I am fighting to carve out enough time to balance the usual work load plus the preparations for the trip.

For the most part, I am pretty happy with my efforts. School work is getting done. House work is close to getting done. And we are still managing to keep up our crazy schedule of activities, commitments, family dinners and one-on-one dates.

When I am overwhelmed I tend to focus on the things I am not doing rather than what I am doing. So if any of my posts seem a little boastful, please keep in mind I am trying to convince myself that I am indeed accomplishing something these days amongst the chaos. Sharing the super fun moments here with you is my way of remembering the best.

The heart tradition continues...

Can you see it? That would be a heart-shaped grease mark on someone's snack paper towel.

Jacob and I have been having so much fun with home school. 

Another home school Ski day! 

One of our recent storms included a long yet gentle hail that felt a lot like snow. The kids were thrilled. Snowball fights ensued.

Ty at Skyzone on a date with Mom.

Date nights have been special the last two Fridays. Because I wont be here the next three weeks and Brad will, I have taken all six of the kids on dates in succession. They all picked something special to them: Drew chose to have a bike ride in the canyon, Amber chose to watch Studio C in the dark in her bed after the boys were in bed, Justin chose Coldstone, Ty finally got to use his Skyzone gift certificate from Nana, Jacob got to pick an ice cream treat at 7-eleven, and Caity and I watched stand up comedians on YouTube on the big screen while eating kettle corn. I am so glad I was able to spend these moments with them.

I am not trying to fool anyone. My bathrooms are certainly not company ready. My floors desperately need to be cleaned. Getting the cars washed this week was a revelation in the need to re-instruct the troops how to be responsible for their own spaces 'cause it was downright embarrassing prepping the car for vacuuming. I still have at least one child melting down or crying about something most days as emotions build up to mom's departure. It is not all roses and butterflies around here.

Two weeks ago I suffered an ankle sprain during a game. Some consistent frozen-veggie treatment and the companionship of Miss Belle helped the pain. But I have been unable to play since. It has been a rough 2 weeks without my favorite outlet. But I guess I needed the extra time with all of the travel prep. A blessing in disguise?

As I fight for normal each day I am finding plenty of reasons to be content with our efforts. And I want to remember, and I hope my kids will remember, the fun we have even in the crazy.