Doing it alone

This week is gonna be tough. I wish I did not see it this way. I wish it would just gradually GET tough, if you know what I mean. It almost seems worst KNOWING it will be tough! Daddy is in Baltimore for Spring Break. He took a group of about 25 students from BSU on a mission trip. They are staying in the city and helping with outreach for a local church plant, doing some light construction and painting, and basically loving the people of the neighborhood. He will have such a good week. It is so refreshing to get away and love on people who need it. And more importantly show them the TRUE LOVE they need. I always loved going on mission trips and look forward to the day I get to go again. And wouldn't it be great if we could go as a family?!?

Anyway, back to the basis of this post...this week is gonna be tough. It is my first attempt as a mother of three to do a week, alone, all day, every day. There is something different about those words. Because I do do it all during the day everyday. But throw in nights and no super Daddy to help...that is the difference. I had thought we might spend the week in my hometown with my family but that did not end up working out for logistical reasons. And as the week got closer, baseball practice, the cabinet guy, the sheet rock guy, etc. started setting plans for us, so it is best that we are just around here. My mom may come later in the week. We'll see. So, I am doing my best to keep my cool. To keep organized and well planned so that we do not have a week of shot nerves and tears. I started our day with a big plan for us to go have a picnic at a local state park...but halfway into those plans Doll emerges from Dash1's room in an old pair of his shorts, black socks, and an old pajama shirt (all too small for Dash1 and already stored neatly, mind you!)...Dash1 has pulled out the table air hockey/pinball machine...and Dash2 is ready to eat. WHAT!?! I am in the middle of planning a perfect picnic. What do you mean you would just rather play dress up in your brother's old clothes? What do you mean you would rather pull out a big game that makes loud noises? What do you mean you are hungry, didn't I just finish feeding you?. Here I go again. Daydreaming perfect plans (in my mind) only to realize this picnic is best served in our own back yard! Yes, they peacefully ate in their tree house as I fed Dash2. And it was...perfect. Why do I feel the need to do so much, to try and make it better, almost bigger than real life? When, after all, better is just us. Just the backyard. Just family time. Around our own sweet house.

So, today has reminded me to not focus on doing it big and doing it better. Just do it. Do it the best way I can. Do it and Dash1, Doll, and Dash2 will all be happy. So, as I finish this post, Dash2 is ready to eat and Dash1 and Doll are blissfully enjoying each other's company...all in our own sweet house!