Catching My Breath

I don’t think I have EVER gone this long without blogging. EVER. Not since I started in 2004. But when I say I’ve been busy, I’m grossly understating the facts. I’ve been MAD busy.

We drove to NY with the kids this summer. (Take a moment to read that one more time.) Drove. 1000 miles each way. In a smallish vehicle. With 3 six-year-olds. And my in-laws’ luggage. Then we braved NYC public transportation. With 3 six-year-olds. And we all survived. Without Xanax.

I let the squad go on a 2-night trip with my parents WITHOUT me. That was a first. And those of you who know me well understand how HUGE this was. They explored their Native American heritage and had a grand adventure with Nana and Pop. And we all survived. Again…without Xanax.

Though we didn’t log as many pool hours this summer as we did last year, we still had a lot of fun times in the water. The kids are getting more and more confident with their swimming and I’m finding myself able to relax a bit more when we’re at the pool. Until hubby starts throwing them like rockets into the air, that is.

I started a new career. Yep. At 40. I had it in my head that I’d eventually get my doctorate and teach college-level voice. I loved my stint in higher ed administration but knew it wasn’t a good fit for life with triplets. Last year I even kicked around the idea of going in a completely new direction entirely and started researching nursing programs. When this job basically fell into my lap this summer, I felt like someone had turned a light on in my head for the first time. And now, 2 1/2 weeks into school, my heart is all lit up as well. I had no idea I’d love teaching elementary school music so much. I wish I’d known this was my absolute passion years ago. But…better now than never, right?

I started taking courses toward state teacher certification (my masters degree is in pedagogy, not education) an hour away from home. I drive an hour, sit through a 4-hour class, then drive an hour back home. I do this a couple of times a week. I had 8-hour classes the last two Saturdays. Tomorrow will be the first day I can actually sleep in since pre-planning started three weeks ago. And yes, I’m sure the kids will wake up at 5:00 in the morning…even though they’ve been hard to awaken for school this week. Yep.

Oh, and the peapod squad got involved in lots of new stuff. Cub Scouts. Girl Scouts. Chinese Yo-Yo Club. GA’s. RA’s. And they’re begging to take karate. You know…because Mommy and Daddy aren’t busy enough yet.

Tonight, however, was a nice lazy evening. Grandma cooked my favorite, eggplant rollatini, and had us over for dinner. After dinner, we watched the kids playing happily outside in the slightly less-oppressive-than-usual heat. Sweet Pea created sidewalk chalk masterpieces while Snap and Split stalked a butterfly for over an hour.

I’m overwhelmed by the realization that I am so, so blessed.

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