Random thoughts

Well, it has been close to a month since I've written. It has been very busy. I know, I know, everybody feels busy. I guess I could have written even through busyness, but there were some things on my heart that I didn't really want to put down in the blog. Kind of sensitive stuff I guess. Anyway, went and helped out at 2 weddings in January, 2 wedding showers, a 50th birthday party, and crazy time at work. Most people are starting back up in January or it is a slow time for a lot of businesses, but for me, it is the busiest time with year end stuff for all the companies. I don't know why I am writing all that anyway. Nobody really wants to read about how busy things are this time of year....least of all me.

My oldest son J turned 23 a couple of weeks ago. The whole family went to Olive Garden to celebrate. It is getting hard to have all of us together anymore. With some of us working regular 8 to 5 kind of jobs, and others of us those weird hour type of jobs, it is just difficult. I have enjoyed this stage in some respects, getting to know my kids as adults, yet is hard when you don't agree with some of their decisions and choices. Knowing when to say something and when to shut your mouth sometimes is difficult. L and I are different in that I err on the side of saying too much typically, but he errs on the side of saying too little usually. I guess that is why we are good together. And trying to figure out how involved to be in their lives can be difficult as well. Anyway that is some of what has been going on in my life.

This week was just emotionally and mentally exhausting. I wasn't feeling the greatest and several things happened to make it hard. I really didn't feel like dealing with one of my kids tonight at all and yet I prayed that God would just give me the strength to love them unconditionally through me. And God is faithful to do just that.

My swim son has a big swim meet this weekend. Well today and tomorrow. We chose to skip Sunday since I'm trying to select very few Sundays for him to swim in order not to miss church. Not to be legalistic, but I hate to get in the habit of missing church and put sports ahead of church. Occasionally it is fine, especially when it is a very important meet, especially since we seldom go away for the weekend or are out of town visiting relatives. Anyway, I don't take it lightly as I want to communicate what is important. So anyway he did well in 2 of the 3 events he swam today and made it into the top 8 finals this evening. However, he added time in both the 100 free and fly in the finals, so he came home pretty disappointed. It is hard as a parent not to get all wrapped up in how well your child does at these things. Especially if they are working hard and then not doing well at the meet, and another kid who hasn't been working as hard does well. I keep trying to emphasize that he needs to worry about himself and not compare himself to others. Easier said than done I guess.