Twas the first week of Christmas....

Kate and I hid away on small business Saturday while Greg yelled at the OSU/Michigan game. He needed no witnesses but Makenna and Noah showed up anyway to raid the fridge and declared the house "a freaking palace" because we had so much to eat. They are adulting. But we finally located lights for the tree and finished the decorating once it was safe to return. 

Noah poured over my everyplate recipes and was pumped when I gifted them to him with a binder for safe keeping. He is planning to impress the guys at the firehouse and Makenna is signing up for the delivery service too. I have all the recipes on the app so the hard copies will be better suited for Noah anyway. 

The cat misses the dog. His energy is entertaining but unusual as he insists on being the center of attention for the first time in his life. I too miss the dog and the quietness of the house is taking some adjusting. Who knew I'd almost miss the mess as well? We keep telling ourselves this is not an ideal season to add a furry family member but my heart pulls toward the old souls in shelters who deserve a happy ending. But whereas I love old dogs, my budget does not. Those old guys are pretty expensive and as much as I like our vet, keeping them in business isn't my first priority. 

One morning this week I escorted kindergarten students off the bus as they sang Jingle Bells. They were bouncing as they excitedly declared they'd had a sing along on the bus all morning. The last little guy in that cluster turned and looked at me with the most serious expression on his face, "it was awful." 

My shirt says, "you can't wait until life's not hard anymore before you decide to be happy." I love the message and the story behind it. If so inclined, look up Nightbird and the golden buzzer to decide for yourself. 

Thursday morning Kate text several messages about the school shooting in Michigan. She was processing. Makenna was texting that work comp has decided they aren't paying Noah after first insisting he must follow doctor's orders and not return to work until the dislocated finger has healed. Obviously they are stressed. Erin had an appointment that determined additional testing is needed. I desperately want peace for her. Lauren emotionally resigned from a toxic job and the middle school called me to get Ty who had vomited after lunch. I think the on-going chaos is simply the way it goes when one has so many kids. But there were redeeming moments that same day too. A co-worker jumped in to cover for me as I abruptly left. Ty felt great in between episodes and enjoyed a gorgeous sunny afternoon outside with his basketball and separately, his bow. We got homework and housework finished before we would usually get home from school so I had an hour on my swing while talking on the phone with a friend. This might be what the gurus call Balance. Perhaps.

Friday I had the most needed massage of my life and can't wait to return in January to continue working on the hip that keeps me awake at night. I had suspected it was a muscle and nerve issue and the intensity of the massage all but confirmed. This aging is happening a bit earlier than I expected. And then I sat on my swing while Makenna and Noah visited and both Kate and Ty flipped on the air track. Pip joined us for some fresh air while it was near seventy degrees. I waived making dinner to continue resting. It was a perfect ending to a long week.