November was hard. I know I keep saying this, but when I look back at the last month - even with it's amazing, great happenings (ahem, Blathering) I don't even know where that month went. I felt like I was angry and busy and tired and stressed all month.
It's now December Eighth. I've been slightly busy at work, slightly busy at home, and slightly busy socially as well. But somehow so far ... the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. A lot of this is that the kids have been amazing lately - fighting sometimes, not listening sometimes ... but so GOOD. Or maybe I just feel like I'm listening to them more. I'm giving them more time, I'm more patient. I don't know what it is, but this last week has been good for me.
It shouldn't have been. I had two sinus migraines that rocked me. I had to take my mom to the cancer center for an all day test to find out if her cancer has spread (no news yet). My dad was in the hospital for heart issues (all tests normal). But somehow I have to press myself to remember the bad stuff. Usually, unfortunately, I remember the bad stuff and have to push myself to remember the good. But here's the good - which is at the top of my mind:
The kids have really been excellent. As I type this, they are taking a bath together and there has been no fighting, no loud noise, no splashing. Just a nice, relaxing bath. It's amazing, really.
The advent calendar has been really fun. We've done really easy things so far. Read christmas books, had a christmas treat (peppermint dove chocolate) hot chocolate, watched Christmas movies. Nothing too strenuous but things to keep us in the season. Tonight we are going to the lights festival, where they release lanterns on the river and have Christmas festivities.
One of my favorite people from college came over last weekend and spent six hours with us. The kids LOVED him. All over him, asking for him to read to them and play with them. It was so great to see Henry (suspicious and shy of strangers) climb on his lap and say "Bad! Bad! Read!" (his name is Brad, he wasn't saying he was bad).
We went over the new neighbors' house for dinner (I brought carrot cake, thanks Ginger!) and had a great time (evidently I need a thesaurus here). I was hesitant about them for reasons I won't post here but they are really sweet people and I think we have a good amount in common. It was never awkward or strange and I hope we become even better friends.
Last night my mom watched the kids and C and I went to the auto show to look at new cars. I have had my car since 2004, and though there's nothing wrong with it, it's really time for some more space and something that will carry me into the teenage years with two boys. After looking at all of them, I'm leaning towards a Hyundai Elantra GT or a Kia Sportage (seriously, Kia has come a long way). I also have my eye on the new Mazda CX5 and the Subaru Outback, but this is why God made test driving. After the car show we went out to dinner and just had a nice time together, talking.
So the good outweighed the bad, which is exactly as it should be. I hope your December is as good as mine so far!
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