I have been feeling like a single mom the last two weeks. Please don't get me wrong and think I am comparing myself to anyone who actually IS a single mom. I wouldn't go that far, but in my almost 17 years of marriage, my husband has had a 9-5 job. Granted, when we were young, he worked full time, went to school full time, and was the Elder's Quorum Pres. in a more "needy" ward, so it felt like he was never home (but he was). He rarely has had to travel for work, he never works weekends, and he is home every day by 5:30. I really live the good life. In addition, he works as hard as I do when he gets home, taking kids to activities, making dinner, washing dishes, fulfilling his calling at church, etc. But, the project they have been working on for 3 years at Honeywell is coming to an end on Monday morning. It is "going live," whatever that means. So, for two weeks or so, he has been working late at the office, or coming home and working from home. He works until after I've been asleep a while, and he's up before I am, either still working, or at work. It is a good thing he doesn't require much sleep.
Well, this week was an eye opener for me as to how much he helps around our house and with the kids. When you think I am so busy, please know that my husband helps me with EVERYTHING!!! This week, mostly all by myself, I drove the "0" hour carpool at 6:30am,had an OB appointment, took Drew and neighbor to science camp drop off and then picked them up two days later at the school, went to a birthday lunch with a friend, attended 8 baseball/softball games (two of which, I coached, and one I dragged after game snacks/drinks to), attended Skylar's cub scout pack meeting, worked about 6 hours at Vance's track meet on Friday night, had a dozen relief society visits, ran a sister into the storehouse, dropped off Drew for Scout day camp, made it to football sign ups, made it to the adult session of stake conference, made it to the grocery store, got all the kids laundry washed, folded, AND put away, slipped on the stairs carrying two loads of laundry and tweaked my back for a day or two, cleaned out the playroom and the little girl's room (I don't want to tell you how much trash there was), had a PPI with the Bishop(where I told him my life was fine and I was fine), and actually fit in a desperately needed pedicure and a trip to Dippin Dots on Saturday night.
While all of this seems like I should be Mom of the Year, Allison and Joe might tell you differently. I got Katy a ride to her ball game on Friday night and I got one of my coaches to cover for me (while I worked at the track meet), but I forgot to get her a ride home. Bad mom! Thanks to Allison for rearranging seats in her and her sister in law's car so Katy could get home. Thanks again to Allison and Joe for driving my bus to the ASU game Saturday night and taking their 5 and my two girls. Thanks to dad for ditching the Hicken wedding reception so he could help corrall all those little kids at the game. Also, I'm so sorry Joe, when you brought them back at 10:30pm or so, I never heard the doorbell ring or the knock on the door cause I was so sound asleep when you dropped them off. I even had modest p.j.'s on and I deliberately didn't read so I would stay awake so I could take you home so you didn't have to walk. I feel like a slug.
No wonder I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck this morning, not to mention my slight sunburn from 3 games yesterday. Thanks to the Chapmans for managing all my Diet Pepsi needs this morning cause I drank 2 cases this week and ran out lastnight. They also drove Marly to her games so I could show up later, and Katy too. Thanks to Joe and Allison for covering my softball issues, thanks to Drew for babysitting for 7 hours on Friday night, thanks to Marly for bathing and making sure the girls were ready for softball events, and thanks to all my kids for behaving while I was gone so much this week. (That's why you got Dippin Dots!)
It is crunch time at work this weekend. Ben left on Friday around 11:30am and got home Saturday night around 11pm. He slept about 3 hours on a blow up mattress in a conference room on Friday night. He made breakfast for everyone this morning (bad mom again!) and then left again for work. So here's to all my single mom friends, you are truly amazing. I don't know how you manage to keep it all together. And, here's to Ben, I don't think I truly appreciate you as much as I should. I can't wait for you to claim all that comp time, you deserve a round or two of golf and I won't even be mad about it:) And lastly, thanks also to the little leagues for making this week's schedule not so busy, I think I can do this one more week, no problem.
7 comments:
Having been a single mom at one time I can truly say THANKS to my hubby! He is truly a "help meet" to me! I'm glad that Ben is the same for you.
I have one bit of advice (I know you did not ask for it), but read over "Good, Better, Best" from October 2007 Conference. We have simplified our lives and everyone is MUCH happier. Also, "Daughters of God" stresses living in the moment and not over-scheduling ourselves or our children.
I do not think you are a bad mom at all, just an over scheduled one. :-) I hope you know I mean this with love and respect for you and your busy life. I remember when we were the same and I can say that everyone is happier after reducing the amount we did outside the home.
Sometimes I feel that way during baseball season. I think I just appear busier than some because each kid has their own activities. This week was abnormal for sure. I know my Grams would agree with you though. I have a hard time sitting still unless I have a good book to read:)
So what you're saying is, you haven't been busy at all. :) I agree with the shout out to the single moms. I'm definetly NOT an independent woman and am amazed by how those special women manage their families, lives, etc.
As much as I agree that we should all simplify our lives, we can't always take away all of the activities that our children love so much. At least it slows down for 9 months after baseball. I think that you do an awesome job and some day your kids really will see how much sacrifice you and Ben both made for them to be able to do all of the activities that they want to be involved in.
How can you NOT be busy with 6 and 1/2 kids? Even without sports you still have YOUR CALLING- one of the most demanding any woman in a ward can have, all of the church activities, scouts and school stuff. You are doing great. I don't want to trade places for a day, but I think you are fabulous.
Amen Sista!!!
I am so living the "single mom" life this week. I don't pretend to know what it's like, but I get tastes of it fairly often. And I do not enjoy it. I have a great respect for women who do this on their own. You're an awesome mom! And there is an end in site :) Let me know if you need anything. Really. Ok?
Amen Sista!!!
I am so living the "single mom" life this week. I don't pretend to know what it's like, but I get tastes of it fairly often. And I do not enjoy it. I have a great respect for women who do this on their own. You're an awesome mom! And there is an end in site :) Let me know if you need anything. Really. Ok?
P.S. I've been living by your motto for the past few days to help me get thru my days! Thanks!
It's a good thing Heavenly Father knows what "trials" we can handle. I don't know how single mothers do it. I need my very helpful husband!
You do a GREAT job Stacy!
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