Back to School- woo hoo!

It's mid-August, finally below 95 degrees, I smell football in the air and hear the sounds of school bells ringing. Aaaahhh, another summer survived. While I reflect on what a great summer we had with lots of trips, I can't help but breathe a little deeper having all 3 kids, plus my nephew who is living with us for a year, in school all day long. It's a beautiful thing. Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy being with my kids and we really did have fun this summer. We took a trip with my mom to Moab, drove across the country to Michigan with just myself, 3 boys and the dog to help my parents do some organizing, and spent a few days on Vancouver Island. The work load is getting easier each summer as the kids have activities and the means to entertain themselves. My role is to be more of a companion these days than a caregiver, and I like that. Yet when I saw "back to school" on the calendar, I did get a little excited. Now I can reorganize, recalculate, reformulate my days to include some activities for myself. Unfortunately the first few activities are scheduling things that need to get done like having the carpets cleaned, the chip on my windshield fixed, a roof repair guy come out and look at the leak in Jacob's ceiling, having a mammogram, getting my teeth cleaned, having an appliance repair person come look at the refrigerator because the water dispenser is not working even though the ice one is, scheduling the boys yearly physicals (oops I missed Evan's that should have been in April). And then there's the regular activities like going grocery shopping (for 6 now, not 5), doing laundry, soccer practice three nights a week, games on Saturdays, baseball and tennis on Sundays. Did I say something about breathe deeper? I guess I meant I should do that so as not to have a panic attack. In 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3, 4....and then there's my part-time job teaching PE, and oh yeah, I'm president of the PTSA this year. But I know if I just get organized, I'll find a minute or two for myself.... Do you know the best thing about having a dog? They need exercise every day and the first hour of my school days after drop off will be running with my dog. He keeps me in the moment and reminds me to live simply. If he could talk I believe he'd say "I've got some food, the great outdoors, and a loving family, what else is there?" You're so right Copper, my friend, and I shall spend my time with my family and friends and doing the things I love to do, and all will be well.