Where the heck have I been for two weeks. I don’t even know how that happened.
Is it just me or does time FLY at the end of the summer?
I’d like to say we’ve been savoring it, but mostly we are counting down the days.
I think the girls have gotten on each other’s last nerves. There is such a thing as TOO MUCH time together in this house.
When the fighting, tattling, screeching, and whining reaches a crescendo…you can find me in the bathroom hiding and screaming into a pillow.
IT’S TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!
A little part of me feels guilty every time I think about how great it’s going to be with all four of them in school.
Sometimes I feel like there’s something wrong with me when I read all of the awesome moms that are dreading school starting because they are having such a great time with their kids.
Then I remember we are all different. What works for them (clearly) does not work for me.
I can admit this…I am a better mom when I can take care of me. I’m happier when I can exercise and be creative.
Getting work done without kids around is easier and more productive. And I am so much NICER and more patient when I get a little time to breathe.
The girls love school. They love making new friends and being with people other than ME. And other than EACH OTHER. It makes them nicer. And happier. And we have a better time when we are together.
So I’m ready.
I have some goals and I want to share them here. If I share them I’ll be more liable to reach them. Accountability is a great motivator for me.
Deep breath. I can’t do it all, but I can do some things really well. These are the things I’m striving for.
What about you? Do you have some personal goals that you hope to reach this school year? I’d love to hear about them!
xo
I can so relate! I’m looking forward to school starting again & have felt guilty about feeling that way….so nice to know I’m not the ONLY mom that feels that way!
Your goals are wonderful!!
There’s nothing wrong with you, sister. My God, you have FOUR young children. I think that takes work that I cannot even imagine. We are all different, and let me tell you: different ages bring different things. It’s very easy for me to sit here and soak in every minute of a delightful 18-year-old daughter as she’s just one week out from leaving for college. Not as easy when she was 8 and screamed at me every day.
I have goals, too. Exercise is up there. Working on my personal development. And, getting my ass to Italy.
Good Lord I love you.
Thank you sweet girl! xoxo
Recharged the best mother after girls in school all day!
do we feel guilty at the end of the school year when we can’t take one more project or signed folder or lost shoe? NO! we can’t wait for the change of pace, the different schedule, the change in scenery! Change is good! I always tend to do more “resolutions” when school starts than in January anyway…love the fresh start! Maybe that’s the school teacher in me…I loved my 3 going back to start a new year, even if it made me melancholy knowing they were another year older. oh PS- you’re allowed to have a life away from the kids! (turning 50 makes you so wise! 😉
very good list. I loved my kids dearly as well, but praised the Lord when school started and I got a little quiet in my day. Totally agree that we are all wired differently and putting them in school is not checking out as a mom. We are just sharing our blessings with others.
Love your list. I think during the summer everyone goes a little crazy and lets things slide…bedtime, eating, routine etc. The start of school brings the routine that we all need back again and that’s a good thing! We’ve had a wonderfully busy but still lazy summer but I think we’re ready to wind down and get back to some structure.
Sounds like a great list! I get the summers off because I work in an elementary school…so I look forward to the “no routines” deal for summer…but yes…I am craving routine again, I seem to eat better and do my yoga more diligently during the school year. But I will miss how often I can scrap when I’m not working, so that I will miss. We will be savoring and enjoying every last minute of these last two weeks before we all go back to school 🙂
I love this! Thanks for sharing. I also am a better mom when I can have some time for me. And yes (!!!) my kids need some separation. I’ll still have a little one at home this year, but with 2 in school, just 1 at home seems like cake. 🙂
Thanks for keeping it real. I always felt that way when my kids went back to school. All but one is out of college and I’m gratefully looking toward the day of sending that college sophomore daughter back to school, too.
I can relate, Stephanie, since I have two children under three and I am already looking forward to when they are in school. 😉 Don’t get me wrong– I love them dearly, but I also value my “alone” time!
I, too, feel guilty when I read rosy blog posts from moms who adore every waking moment with their children. I always wonder, though, is it *really* like that for them? Or are they painting a pretty picture for the internet audience?
Your list looks fantastic. I hope you find a great Bible study! I am always mentally making a list, but I’m trying to hold myself back these days when I can’t predict how well I’ll be able to accomplish it. Nothing worse than an unfulfilled list! A few things I’m hoping to do before Thanksgiving: start dropping some of my pregnancy weight, set up a new craft room (we’re finishing our basement!! wooooooo!), and try to make a quilt for my daughter’s “big-girl” room. They sound like BIIIIG tasks, but maybe-just-maybe I’ll be able to accomplish them!
Ya know what I see in this post. A healthy woman who knows what she needs and knows what her family needs. Love your goals!
I’m an “eclectic” homeschool mom – meaning that we’ve had years that we’ve homeschooled and others that we have not. Last year was the first year I tried to have all three of mine home together – in the past I had only one or two of them at home at the same time, and never my daughter. Oh. My. Goodness! It was HARD and it was really, really hard on me. I beat myself up pretty badly and then it dawned on me – I HAVE to do what works for me and my family. Needless to say my daughter is going back to school this year and I will only have the boys home with me. Since my boys are older (6th and 8th) and will pop into school for language and “specials,” I’ll still be able to carve out some time for myself, which is so important.
I mentioned on your IG, but I’m really, really tempted to join you in the Whole Life Challenge, but am struggling to pull the trigger.
PS: Hope you enjoyed Garmisch. It was nice that we had nice (in other words, NOT RAINY) weather here on Sunday. 🙂
i have felt the same way these last two weeks before school. everyone was having a little too much together time. i am ready for school but my sadness is the realization they are another year old and it’s going way.too.fast.
what’s a whole life challenge stephanie?
ah: http://www.wholelifechallenge.com/ 🙂
I told my husband when our kids were first starting school, that when my youngest went to school, I was planning on wearing my fuzzy slippers and bathrobe on the three block walk to the bus stop and then dancing when the bus rode away. He didn’t believe me, and took pictures when I did it. Our kids are teenagers now and on our family photo wall, we have two pictures- one of me walking with a backpacked kid holding each hand and another as the bus drove away while I danced… In my robe and slippers. Whenever I switch out the pictures, my husband and kids always make sure that those two pictures stay up. My daughter tells me it’s so I always remember that everyone will be ok when they’re at school and that it’s ok to celebrate my time alone. She’s the one who always reminds me that I need to take time for myself, especially after a long summer dealing with arguing kids and summer “fun”. And even though she’s a teenager, she still loves to ask me to wear my robe and slippers to the bus stop every first day of school. She says it reminds her that I deserve to have fun too.
I know you aren’t Catholic BUT….do you ever feel the urge to see the Vatican? Seems like it would be one of those “must see when in Italy” items.
I always marvel at how alike we are. I do so much better when I can have a little time to myself for a couple hours when the kids are at school. I just know that for me it makes me a better mom when I can re-charge for a bit & then put the Mommy hat back on.
Yes- I think we are going for Christmas!
Sent from my iPhone
Don’t worry about it; you’ve got four girls who are close together in age – that’s a nightmare when they’re all bickering! Growing up I was in the exact same situation (2 years or less between each of us) and I’m still surprised we didn’t kill each other by week two of the summer. It does get easier though… when the youngest hits 17 😉
I am right there with you. I started to feel like I was a little sad school was starting the Friday before (we started the 11th) but the boys were all over each other and screaming and tattling and that ended those thoughts. We all needed the space. I’m excited for September when my middles will begin preschool on Tuesdays and we’ll have MOPS on Thursdays. The away time means we all have a chance to love each other better.
Great goals. I have several floating around in my head. I think it’s time to take your cue and sit down, figure out the top few, write them out and share them.
I’d really like to get the house nice and neat and organised and all of those nagging little jobs done. And maybe do a writing course. But of course there’s never enough time for it all, I have a garden and an allotment that take up a bit of time too. Good to have a list of things to aim for though. Good luck with yours. CJ xx
All good things in moderation!! That’s what I tell my kiddos – you are the best ‘thing’ there is and I enjoy you all the more when we have a break from each other. Same goes for my husband and myself. That’s how it is for this family anyway 🙂 Enjoy your new routines Steph!
Hey Stephanie,
I’m enjoying your pics, it looks beautiful there. We’ve moved twice since the last time I saw you but just wanted to say HI and we have some similar goals, I’ll join you on the whole 30 Sept challenge (I’ve never done one of these but trying to convince a few people to join me), also stepping up the working out (last 3 months of internship = no gym time), bible study & finding a church (also find a place to serve in church), and actually making some friends here, haha (not sure any friends can compare to our Savannah experience but going to try). Oh one more goal, find time to start playing piano again, it’s been way too long. Take care, miss you guys!
What a beautiful time of year to go. I can’t wait to see your pictures and photoshop my head on your body….lol
Susan Aaron- I MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Ahh, thank you. I’ve been feeling guilty for wishing the baby to just NAP so that I can be me for 45 minutes and sometimes I cringe when the nap ends. It’s not because I don’t love him – I absolutely ADORE this child, but when I get 45 mins to sit and do nothing or, the horror, SHOWER before J gets home, i really appreciate it. I’ve been getting back to the gym 3-4 days a week and even though it’s a serious struggle to get in shape 2 months post baby, I am grateful for the time and REALLY want to keep at it.
I am SO with you!!! And there is NOTHING wrong with either of us:) We just have 4 kids who fight a lot when they spend too much time together. I would call us ‘normal’ for sure. I def could have written this post:) You are awesome!!! Thanks for keeping it real!
I sooo smiled and nodded my way through this post. So funny. We surprised the kids and took them to Disneyland Paris one Christmas, I was so excited but spent the whole holiday hating it, bickering kids, very rude french people pushing my kids about smoking and blowing it out in their faces. Not good. I am glad you can laugh about it together, shows a very strong marriage. I am also that Mum who so craves their kids to get back into school. 6 more days and counting people, I need some space. Keep posting loving your adventures. xx