company, party, and fun

On my last post, my in-laws had just left and I was about to get my best friend from growing up, Alethea from Nashville.  It seemed like we had little to do according to my calendar.  Well, that quickly filled up with field day (the one that got rescheduled), grocery shopping, church supper, dance, and the Southside Spirit Fest.  So, Alethea came on the 17th (Tuesday) and just left today.  I am sure she is looking forward to some true quiet.  I am beginning to question my routines.  They are good for us girls while we don't have company but not conducive to guests.  Our bedtime routine is the one that has me frazzled.  I am sure I have posted about this co-sleeping stuff before.  I didn't like it when they were infants and I don't like it now.  But, it sure beats getting up 3-4 times a night due to nightmares.  The girls' counselor (Rebecca) suggested that I embrace it.  I could modify it to fit my needs but try to relax and "go with it."  It is obviously something the girls need to feel secure right now but....I am having a hard time embracing it.  I WANT to but can't.  We all go to bed at around 8:15.  The girls read until about 8:30.  Then, lights, etc. out.  Well, I have my computer on so I can do things I want to do.  This is good until we have company.  Well, two girls (sisters) in a bed together with no adult supervision can cause problems.  So, staying up and having adult conversation can be interrupted by breaking up arguments over who touched whom and why one sister has to sleep facing the other because the one can feel the others' breath!  REALLY?  ROLL OVER!!  So, it is a difficult position.  The girls really want to be in here and I really do enjoy watching them sleep.  When one girl moves, the other does too.  It is really sweet how connected they are as sisters.  Oh, wait, I figured out the problem!!!  If they had on/off switches, it would be perfect!  I could turn them "off" at night and "on" in the morning....  So, that is my struggle as a mom.  Embrace what is uncomfortable for another 8 months (minus 3 nights with Alethea in Denver and 14 nights E will be back for r/r). 
I really hate to complain about this.  It sounds so petty.  My biggest struggle as a mom is the fact that my kids argue at bedtime????  REALLY?  Ok, so they argue in the car, at church, upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside... you get the picture if you're a mom.  And, we actually do have one routine.  The girls switch who gets to sleep beside me each night so it's fair.  I like sleeping next to D because she doesn't try to kick me off of the bed.  But, she doesn't snuggle either.  I like sleeping next to RJ because she snuggles and it's sweet.  But, by 3 am, she is trying to sleep sideways and kick me off of the bed.  If you are a proud co-sleeping parent and have suggestions, let me know!  BTW, they are 8 and 6 (if you didn't know).... They are ready to sleep on their own when Dad gets home.  I love all the power a man in the house holds!  The "Protector of All from Evil" the "Hero Dad" the...walks in the door and they do what they are supposed to at bedtime!  What gives?
On to more fun stuff.....I did get over the guilt (thanks Kendall) and enjoy the Southside Spirit Fest.  We had a total of 54 guests who all came with drinks and side dishes.  I had great cooks (thanks Rick and Mike)......  And, everyone seemed to have a good time!  I think May is the perfect time for this.  So, mark it on your calendars now!  The Saturday before Memorial Day, my house, WITH "Hero Husband" AKA "Bestest Brewer" will be here to celebrate........ 
I do want to mention a few things before signing off.  It is off topic because it isn't relevant to my blog topic.  But, the reason I feel the guilt when I can't embrace this bedtime thing....  My friend Mary's son Luke (D's BFF in Korea) has a tumor and has been treated for it for a while now.  But, they were at Vandy for 6 hours today trying to run tests to see if it is growing again or not.  (And, I worry about bedtime??)  My friend, Heidi's neighbor, Doug (also a GREAT friend to her) has cancer and also had an accident this weekend at his house and broke the L1 vertebrate. (and, going to bed 10 min. later is a BIG deal?), So many lives were lost in Joplin, MO.........I think I need to hug these girls a little tighter...
Afterall, I am a mom who has and will continue to make mistakes.  I will do this while my husband is home, training, or deployed.  It is one of the cons of motherhood.....your mistakes are highlighted in the faces of your children......But, every day I wake up and try to do the best I can for these girls.  I hope they look back and remember the time when I slept in bed with them and we were all at peace.  Not the one night of the month I yelled at them for not going to sleep.......

busy, busy, busy

I can't believe it has been 13 days since I last blogged.  Since the last blog I fell and hurt my foot (ouch! Happy Mother's Day!!!), cleaned out most of the basement, prepared for a recital, hosted my in-laws (from last Friday until this morning),  helped the girls with their recital, and prepared to have one of my best friends to come tomorrow.  It's been good to be busy but also exhausting.  I am looking forward to slowing down some and enjoying time with Alethea.  But, those of you who know me, know that slowing down is not stopping....  I have to go shopping and prepare for a party on Saturday night.  This is something I have been looking forward to since I began planning it about 1 1/2-2 months ago.  Usually I have a group of friends at a time over.  This time, I am inviting friends from all of my walks of life.  I have friends from childhood coming, family, friends from teaching, friends from church, etc... It is going to be great!  I can't wait!!!  I kind of feel like I am in high school again.  I remember being a senior in high school.  I sat in child psychology between a friend who went to see Rocky Horror Picture Show, rented hotel rooms, smoked pot (?or used other drugs) and a friend who wouldn't do anything illegal if her life depended on it.  Well, I know where each of them are now (thanks to Facebook) and it isn't where I expected back in high school!!!!  I knew that there was one who was much smarter than the other and hoped that she would recognize and fulfill her potential (NOTICE THE TEACHER LINGO!!!  I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL THINKING THAT!!!).  Thank goodness she did!  I knew she was bright!  Anyways, I am saying that to say that I am somewhat nervous about them all being in the same space.  Why?  I have NO idea!!!  I think it will be a great time with great people!  I think that each of my friends are in my life for a specific purpose.  Some allow me to laugh, others allow me to cry.  Some I call on when I haven't heard from E for 2 days and they allow me to totally stress out!  Some I call only when I am in a good mood while others I tend to call when I am weak.  I have friends who rely on me more than I rely on them.  I love the dynamics that friendship brings.  And, I love having parties.  I can't believe that E won't be here to celebrate.  My excuse?  I will get it all figured out this year and make a bigger event next year!!!  :)  After all, by that time we will have KEGS of beer brewed by my hubby!

So, here I go, off on another week of fun, adventure, and SOME relaxation...................