An Incorrect Latte

I'll start with an explanation of the name of this post, my latte today was, in fact, incorrect. I ordered a non-fat mocha but was given a peppermint white mocha. Although it was festive, it actually wasn't what I wanted this morning, but at least it wasn't decaf.

For about 2 weeks I've been composing a latte in my mind on rearranging furniture. But that was an incorrect latte, what I've realized is that all of this moving beds, sofas, and dressers is all about sorting through more stuff. It is one thing to have a junk drawer or three throughout the house, but when you empty the contents of a huge cabinet it's hard to ignore all of the stacks of stuff. I spend so much time trying to organize all of the kids things, and, at least some of the time, I think I'm making progress. Lego pieces, barbies, dress-ups, and art supplies all have their place.

But what about all of my things? I don't seem to have a place for my books, pictures, and stacks and stacks of papers. My latte today is to be prepared, once you start rearranging things it might turn into a long process. I think that it has been metaphorical for sorting out all of the parts of my life. I will say that I now have a super-comfy place to watch TV in the den, but there is no sofa in the living room. I also have a huge basket of my own "stuff" to sort through while I sit on my comfy couch. Maybe tomorrow I'll start the day with a homemade latte so that at least I know I'll get the correct one.

90,000 miles

I recently rolled past 90,000 on my 2003 Toyota 4 Runner. Those miles all belong to this family, and I couldn't help reflecting a little on where we've been on our journey.

We bought the car brand new about a week before Mason's 1st birthday. We needed 4 wheel drive for Colorado, and we needed a place to put both a carseat and an excited 80 pound dog. 2 weeks after we got it, we took a 2 week road trip that started in Denver and included stops in Atlanta, Hilton Head, Boone NC, Ohio, and the Twin Cities to name a few spots. As a doting first-time Mommy, I spent much of that trip riding in the back seat so that I could entertain Mason who was still rear-facing in his carseat. Over the next 2 years, while still in Denver, we took trips to Vail, Aspen, Mount Rushmore, and Jackson Hole. Our sweet dog Sadie took her last ride in the back of the 4 Runner, and her nose prints were on the back windows for a long time after she was gone.

Once we moved back to Atlanta (loading up the top carrier for the ride), we soon added the third carseat to the back. Our kids don't have lots of extra space, but they do now have a DVD player for long car rides such as our annual trips to Hilton Head and Ohio, and 2 trips last year to Washington DC with a side trip to New York City.

All of those big trips add up to alot of miles, but most of the miles are probably from trips to the mall, doctors, karate classes and ballet, the zoo, and botanical gardens, and, of course, the coffee drive-through. In other words, everyday life with 3 kids who are getting bigger by the minute.

I realize that 90,000 isn't a huge milestone (hopefully) for vehicles these days. We're planning on keeping our 4 Runner for as long as we possibly can. It's not the greenest car out there, but at 25 miles a gallon on the highway, it's not a bad way to get my crew around town. My latte today came to me as I drove around town drinking a latte, take a break from all of the chaos of the holidays to reflect on your journey - and don't forget to buckle up for the ride.

A day in my life...

Years ago, when I only had one or 2 children who were under the age of 3 and who napped each afternoon, I use to wonder what moms did when their kids got older and spent some or most of each day in school. I couldn't imagine having hours each day of childless free-time. Little did I know that back in those days, before Facebook and blogs, homework and after-school activities, I actually had a little more free-time than I do now.

So, for those of you who might wonder what goes on once the kids give up naps and start school, here is what I for one did today: After making breakfast & lunches, getting a happy 5 year old, and sleepy 7 year old off to school, I got a call to substitute at Mary Jane's preschool. Since I was trying to get there early, we, off course, ran late getting out the door - homemade latte (soy mocha) in hand. After a busy 3 hours with 3 & 4 year olds, Mary Jane and I returned home with one of her friends along for a playdate. The next couple of hours were a blur of dress ups, snacks, cleaning up, and pick-ups from the elementary school.

More snacks followed and then the girls and I accompanied Mason to his first karate class as a new blue belt! We arrived home to produce a fairly well-rounded dinner followed by homework, pjs, books, and bed. Now the laundry is folded and the dishwasher is running. I've settled in with my laptop and some bad TV. There is nothing spectacular about my day, but I'm alright with that. My latte today is to take a minute to think review your day, all of your running around is an accomplishment even if you still have some things on your to-do list undone. And if your babies are still little and napping, enjoy it while it lasts!