Rechargin' my Batteries

I've had writer's block!  I haven't been able to think of ANYTHING to share on my blog!  Even out in blogland, posts from my buddies have been fewer and farther between than usual.  Guess we're all going through a slump.  Today is a school holiday for the kiddos...WOOHOO!!!  I'm probably more excited than they are!  My alarm did not have to be set, we didn't have to rush to get something down their throats and in their stomachs, be dressed and at school by 7:35, lunch boxes are left on the counter this morning, it's a great day!!  What's even greater, is that it looks to be a pretty quiet week and weekend ahead for us too...not at all like last week or the last 48 hours!  I'm very excited!!  As I lay in bed last night thinking of our weekend, I just couldn't believe all that we did and everywhere we went.  Friday night started off with a family trip to Walmart and Lowes.  Friday night fun, right?  But these are the things that we do now...we're not single people out on the town or a young married couple getting dressed up for dinner.  We capped the night off with tv dinners, which the kids think is ABSOLUTELY an awesome treat!  Everyone, including me and Wes were in bed by 10!  The next day was chock full and we wanted to be rested!  

Saturday was reserved for Annie's First Reconciliation and retreat.  She is in second grade, and as Catholics, can make her First Communion this year, with confession being the first step.  We had completed the lessons, but still didn't really know what to expect, with her being our oldest.  It turned out to be a beautiful, beautiful process and ceremony!  The morning was spent decorating a candle, a stole, and practicing for the actual service immediately after.  Annie never expressed her nervousness, aside from chewing on her hair, and jumped right in when she felt ready to go.  We were very proud of her!  All 107 candles from all 107 children there, were lit on the floor of the church next to the Baptismal font and they were able to wear their stoles after completing the process.  It was truly a meaningful, moving event and one that I think she'll remember as not being scary or intimidating at all...quite opposite from my days!  Wes and I took her to lunch then headed home!  It was youth hunting weekend, and Jack got his first hunting license ready to go with Daddy.  All 3 kids piled in the truck with Wes for a little over 24 hour trip down to C-town to play with cousins and see grandparents and aunts and uncles.  I stayed behind...ready to recharge my batteries!  And what does a mom alone in her own house do for those 24 plus hours???  I didn't shop, read, go out with friends but I did do exactly what I wanted which was to tackle some of those little odd jobs around the house that have been on the back burner for quite a while.  I worked on bank statements, updated the checkbook, typed up my Secretary minutes for the preschool board, organized my binder, went to the grocery store for the week, went to Mass, cleaned the pantry & fridge...and did it ALL alone without needing to stop for anything or anyone!  It may sound pretty boring, but to get that all done and off my list, on top of the house looking in tip top shape now, really recharged my batteries and made me feel oh so good!  Now today, we'll be able to do fun things, like go out for a bike ride, make a fun snack I saw in my Family Fun magazine, and just hang out!  We moms don't ask for much, and you wouldn't know it, but having just one day to yourself, can add years on to our sanity!!

And how did Jack fair on his hunting trip??  It wasn't long Saturday evening before I got a call telling me that he got his first deer, and with his Buppo's gun!  Buppo and Jack were very close before he unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack almost 2 years ago, so this was a special thing!  I couldn't tell whose smile I could actually hear the loudest through the phone, Jack's or Wes'!  He was one proud Daddy!  After doing all the typical stuff you do with a deer, taking lots of pictures, and showing them off repeatedly, Jack told Wes, "When I grow up, I want to be a Daddy just like you!"  

Looks like I wasn't the only one who got their batteries recharged!

Although I was a "single" lady for a day, I really put this song on the blog today because it always gets me going & makes me wanna dance...that always gives me an extra jolt in my attitude & my day!!  The video is awesome!