Catch up not Ketchup

Around our house there is usually an abundance of Ketchup. Nate & Abbie eat it on just about everything - often it seems as though their food is swimming in the stuff - it's so bad it can turn my stomach just watching them sometimes. This week we actually ran out of Ketchup, but with the last couple of weeks we had it seemed like that was only appropriate - inconvenient as all get out (it was hard finding something to eat that they hadn't just had that didn't "require" ketchup) - but it seems like lately I've run out of A LOT - I just can't seem to catch up...

I've been trying harder to enjoy the small moments and be the mom I want to be, but in doing that something (and very often multiple somethings) fall by the wayside. It seems there is always work to be done (office work), 4+ loads of laundry & at least 2 sinks of dishes, and and and. Dan is a great help around the house even after a long day of work, but even that's not enough - I need a clone or two or three. I've heard it said that trying to clean house when raising children is like shoveling your sidewalk in a blizzard. We keep shoveling but it keeps snowing!

Dan has been traveling a lot lately. He's never gone long, but he hasn't been home for a whole week since March. I'd really like to complain, but he works hard for our family & living in a Navy community where I have friends who's husbands are gone for weeks/months/even a year at a time I feel like a wimp to complain, but something goes wrong every time he's gone & it's wearing me out.

So in my attempt to Catch Up here's the low down on our madness the last couple of weeks. The last weekend in April I escaped on Friday night (after getting a babysitter to cover the window of time from when I needed to leave & Dan got home from his latest trip) & Saturday to "Time Out for Women" in Seattle with some of the women I served with in the Primary Presidency - I can't explain it, but when I am with these ladies it's like everything is right in my world. We went through a lot together, grew a lot together - lifelong bonds have been forged. While I did this Dan got a dose of what every day life is like for me - his response to me when I got home (now I know he didn't mean it the way it sounds but let's say he didn't earn any bonus points for tact) "now I know why you don't get anything done". Poor guy didn't have a prayer of digging his way out of that one.

After my "break" Dan was off to California (he had just been in Utah) to teach a training class in Oakland - then back home. I had my last activity days (as of today I'm now our ward nursery leader) and we've had 3 extra baton practices a week as Abbie's group is getting ready for parade season. Their first one is this Saturday - she's excited & nervous all at the same time - we are praying for warm weather, their outfits are cute but lacking in coverage in cool weather. There's the normal weekly dance/baton practice for Abbie, and cub scouts for Nate. One day we had 3 dentist appointments, 2 orthodontist appointments, dance class and it was my day to volunteer at the school.
RUN RUN RUN
WEEEEEEE
Dan & I tossed in a date night since he had to fly out to L.A. on Mother's Day - yes I was BITTER. While he was gone Maddie had an allergic reaction, to what we don't know (trying to figure that out), at which point I totally wimped out and called my parents crying. I often get envious of others who have family near-by to lend a hand, but I also know that I have a better relationship with them 'cause we aren't close enough to get on each others nerves and I'd rather "save the relationship", but I still have days where re-enforcements would be nice.

In the end we survived it all and I even had time and sense of humor enough to blog about it. Things don't look to get any easier - we have 4 kids after all - but with a little bit of sleep, a lot of faith & perseverance we can do what needs to be done - even if it's just one day at a time & even if the dishes wait until tomorrow, because maybe then the blizzard slows to just a dusting and we can get the sidewalk cleared for the day - and for that we can be Grateful. Besides with kiddos like this - who wouldn't feel blessed?!