- Those are my kids right there: swimming and healthy and beautiful.
- Wait. Hold up. I'm not sitting in the too-warm baby pool, trying to pretend that it's not disgusting.
- And I'm not changing diapers in the sweltering summer heat because everyone in my family can wipe their own nethers.
- I haven't had to tell anyone not to drink the pool water this summer.
- I haven't used a stroller in over a year.
- We are all (mostly) sleeping through the night.
- They hardly ever scream "mommy mommy mommy MOMMMYYY!!!" every two minutes anymore.
- I can pee by myself (almost 40 percent of the time).
- They are sort of independent and (somewhat) helpful lately.
- Yet they still need me and want me to be with them.
- I can get hugs and kisses and snuggles whenever I want.
- But they can also take out the garbage.
- They're big, but they're still little.
It's surreal that your kids aren't babies anymore; a sweet sorrow I should say. I feel happy and I feel sad. Suddenly my kids can put their own pjs on and brush their teeth, I don't carry around large diaper bags everywhere I go, my kids are making their own friends, I can take naps without worrying about their safety, they can get their own drinks/snacks. Nick mows the lawn, Lauren vacuums, dusts, makes brownies. Independence has nestled into their beings, and therefore, I have a bit more time for me and other duties. This is The Sweet Spot. I'm still needed, but sometimes I'm not. This is a fun and unique stage in our family that I hope doesn't fly by in a blur like the past 8 years.
This Sweet Spot is also the predecessor to the teen years that I am loathing to parent thru. The author stated this is the time we brace ourselves and prepare for the next phase. She speaks of luck and hope. I'm putting prayer at the top of my priority list, because I don't have much faith in luck and hope, but I do have a ton of faith in the power of prayer.
As I've been enjoying my Sweet Spot these past few weeks, we've been having fun. Lauren continues to do well in Piano, and is learning to read music quite well. Nick continues to play quarterback during practices for flag football, and still loves the game. Day care has kept them busy with a trip to Dinosaur Land, the pool, a Hospital Tour, lunch at Mama's Kitchen, and the roller skating rink. Nick's last trip to the orthodontist has really lined his teeth up and closed up some of his gaps. I've kept up with my running, keeping my mileage up to about 16 miles per week. Volleyball Thursday nights are still in full swing with about 20 people playing each week. Ryan and I have had some time on the weekends to complete some yard projects around the house, but of course, there is always more to do.
An update to our bedroom closet - We have only a few last things to finish up this makeover. Touch up paint, a few electric covers, a threshold, and decorating. In an effort to find curtains, Ryan and I shopped, bought, and returned 5 pairs of curtains in the past few weeks, and finally agreed on the 6th pair. I just ordered a duvet set, and hope we have better luck with it than the curtains. I never knew Ryan would care so much about drapes on the walls. Who knew?! That man never ceases to amaze me.
The feature of fun for the week has been dog sitting Miss Maddie. Maddie (aka Madeline) is Kevin's golden lab. She is about 10 years old, sweet as can be, over weight, sheds like crazy and loves attention. If she walks 3 feet she is panting hard. Mostly she sleeps or rests, but when she is not laying on her belly, she is following Ryan around, and then Lauren follows Maddie around. Lauren has helped take care of her, and would love to have a dog of her own. She is attentive to letting her go potty, petting her, and vacuuming up the insanely enormous amounts of hair in the house.
Our Sweet Spot, doesn't allow for puppies or doggies. Maybe one day in our future, but right now, I'm happy dog sitting, and this happy place we are in as a family.
Feeling Blessed.
As I've been enjoying my Sweet Spot these past few weeks, we've been having fun. Lauren continues to do well in Piano, and is learning to read music quite well. Nick continues to play quarterback during practices for flag football, and still loves the game. Day care has kept them busy with a trip to Dinosaur Land, the pool, a Hospital Tour, lunch at Mama's Kitchen, and the roller skating rink. Nick's last trip to the orthodontist has really lined his teeth up and closed up some of his gaps. I've kept up with my running, keeping my mileage up to about 16 miles per week. Volleyball Thursday nights are still in full swing with about 20 people playing each week. Ryan and I have had some time on the weekends to complete some yard projects around the house, but of course, there is always more to do.
An update to our bedroom closet - We have only a few last things to finish up this makeover. Touch up paint, a few electric covers, a threshold, and decorating. In an effort to find curtains, Ryan and I shopped, bought, and returned 5 pairs of curtains in the past few weeks, and finally agreed on the 6th pair. I just ordered a duvet set, and hope we have better luck with it than the curtains. I never knew Ryan would care so much about drapes on the walls. Who knew?! That man never ceases to amaze me.
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| Lauren and Maddie |
The feature of fun for the week has been dog sitting Miss Maddie. Maddie (aka Madeline) is Kevin's golden lab. She is about 10 years old, sweet as can be, over weight, sheds like crazy and loves attention. If she walks 3 feet she is panting hard. Mostly she sleeps or rests, but when she is not laying on her belly, she is following Ryan around, and then Lauren follows Maddie around. Lauren has helped take care of her, and would love to have a dog of her own. She is attentive to letting her go potty, petting her, and vacuuming up the insanely enormous amounts of hair in the house.
Our Sweet Spot, doesn't allow for puppies or doggies. Maybe one day in our future, but right now, I'm happy dog sitting, and this happy place we are in as a family.
Feeling Blessed.
2 comments:
This post made me both laugh and get teary-eyed...sometimes simultaneously. I often think about being in this 'sweet spot'. It is so bittersweet. Although, as long as my kids keep crawling in my lap and snuggling me at the end of each day, I guess I can handle them growing up.
I knew you would appreciate this blog, Tracy...we've discussed this sweet spot without even knowing it had a name!
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