Summer

7 more work days…

Tragedy

I have mentioned before that I have a pretty large family on my mom’s side.  This week our family has suffered a terrible blow.  I have a cousin who is only a few years older than me.  She has been married forever with two beautiful children.  On Tuesday night her children were in a car accident—her 18 year old daughter was killed while her 15 year old son was sent to the hospital in critical condition.  They have been forced to spend this week going between driving home to plan a funeral and driving to the hospital to be with their son.  They were supposed to be planning a graduation party.

Life changes when you become a parent.  Love grows exponentially.  As does the possibility of pain and heartbreak.

*Their son is still heavily sedated but he is going to be ok.  He has a long road and will have to do a huge amount of healing (emotional and physical).

(This has all reminded me of how easily the scars of old wounds can be ripped open leaving me confused and disoriented.  I am realizing I will never be completely healed. And now, perhaps, neither will they…)

Calendars, ADHD, and my life…

Friday I attended an ADHD conference for work that was actually enjoyable. The speaker was very entertaining which always helps… He spent part of the day discussing interventions for adults with ADHD which mostly consisted of organization and time management strategies—ideas I think everyone can use.

He emphasized the importance of spending 10 (quiet) minutes every morning with your calendar. He added that a calendar is not just for keeping track of doctors appointments but should instead be for ensuring you are living the life you want to live.

I find myself repeatedly going back to that topic… I currently use my calendar for appointments only. Things I want to do are not usually on the calendar-they are more of a “when I have time” item. Which means they don’t usually get done. Working out, reading a book, going for a walk… Why do I not put those on the calendar? Why are they not priorities? At the end of the day what part of my day was the most meaningful? Probably not the stuff that made it to the calendar.

I am going to work on this… 2 days a week I will have something on the calendar that is not an appointment. Actually, I guess it is an appointment—with my life…

Screen-free, days 6 & 7=fail

I can explain… Seriously!

At this moment I am sitting in an auditorium watching dance #293. That’s right-293 dances over the course of the weekend. And we still have about an hour and a half to go… It’s competition weekend for Savannah. It’s also important to mention she was in 2 (that’s right-2) of the above mentioned dances. Getting through this weekend screen-free was going to be a bit more than a certain 6-year-old boy was prepared to handle. Especially since he absolutely thrives on having a regular routine (weekends are for cleaning and relaxing-feel free to ask him). I chose to be realistic. Decreasing screen time is something I feel is very important for our family. But I’m also not crazy!!!! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Ps-did I mention the in-laws chose this weekend to buy the kids iPad minis…

Not crazy!!!!!

Screen-free day 4 & 5

Yesterday consisted mostly of dinner, shopping, and over an hour of reading to Boomer.
Today was a late day for work but the kids and I played some UNO attack in place of our traditional movie night.

I am proud of them for their lack of complaining. They really have not whined at all. While I have not missed tv I do find myself automatically opening apps on my phone only to quickly remember and close it. It makes me realize how much I do without really thinking or having a reason. I find myself craving some sort of visual stimulation. This is a great moment to just be…

Screen-free, day 3

Kids jumping on the trampoline while I grilled chicken, dinner on the deck, jiu jitsu followed by orange leaf, blowing bubbles for the dog to catch, bath books and bed…

Overall, a pretty awesome day!

(Did I mention I actually made it to the gym to bike 14 miles?)

Screen-free, day 2

Had Boomer help with dinner. It was the best way to keep him from bothering his sister while she did her homework. Result was a very buttery batch of buttery noodles that a certain 6-year-old was very proud of and a certain 8-year-old ate the heck out of.

Tuesdays are our most relaxed day of the week, the only scheduled after school activity is dance from 7:00-7:30. So after dinner we still had plenty of time. We rode bikes (and scooter) around the cul-de-sac stopping to chat with any neighbors who wandered outside. Then we retired to the deck for some hardcore Guess Who playing. Finally we made it to dance where the routine is that Boomer and I sit in the car reading Sisters Grimm while Savannah’s in class. (Although we are finally on the last book-so that may change soon.)

I will say I had hoped I would accomplish more in the evenings after the kids go to bed. Not that I watch a lot of tv, but I do spend a lot of time on my phone. Instead I sit down to read and find myself asleep at 8:45. After that it is extremely difficult to motivate myself to do anything. Showering and crawling into bed is about as far as I get…