Seems Like A Million Years Ago

Thanks to Kari for blogging about our trip home. For some reason yesterday really zapped me of energy. We had a great trip to Alabama but it seems like it was weeks ago instead of just the last three days. SHort trips like that are really exhausting. Even though I felt like I did very well speaking, the trip drained me.

This morning I slept longer than I have slept in a very long time. I must have needed it.

My husband is a wonderful man. He lets me travel whenever I have the opportunity and while I am gone he holds down a full time job as a pastor (which often equals more than full time) and takes care of all the kids -- the crisis, the routine, the rides, the schedule, etc. He does what the two of us together barely manage some days.

When I first started to travel I would come home and be very frustrated with him for not making the kids do all the stuff I make them do. He said something very insightful to me that I have tried to remember. "If you want to be able to go, please don't come home and criticize the way I do things." So I try my best not to.

BUT I do get very frustrated by the way that the children take advantage of my husband. One of the kids consistently did his chore while I was gone. I think everyone else took a three day vacay from their responsibilities. This is frustrating to Bart but he doesn't know who has what chore or who has dishes and he'd rather just do them himself instead of the hassle it takes to get the kids to do them.

Bart is gone this morning picking up Rand from his summer camp job. So I took advantage of the opportunity of him being gone to get the kids to do their chores in ways he does not approve of. Very. Loud. Ways.

But you know what? Their rooms are clean, their chores are done, and everything is fairly calm here now.

I spent about three hours this week in my element. I feel most comfortable standing in front of a group of people and sharing with them things that I am passionate about. I love the interaction with the people and the way that we inspire one another both ways. I'm very grateful that i can get paid for doing what I love.

Now I'm back to reality. I am already not following all of my own advise. But I'm hanging in there. And in a day or two maybe I will finally find some equilibrium after all these weeks of upheaval.

But if not, September 9th is coming. And, as you can see in this video. I'm really looking forward to a set routine.