My baby started kindergarten yesterday.
How did this even happen? Where did my babies go?
Dangit, I’m not ready for this.
But time marches on whether you’re ready or not, doesn’t it? In our school district, they have staggered start for kindergarteners – so technically her first day was last week. But she was only one of 7 students in her class that day. Yesterday was her first real day, with her whole class and real schedule. She was very brave. And luckily, I was so stressed out about the fact that we were late (typical Sharon, but on her first day? Geez.) that I didn’t have time for tears either.
I did shed a few tears this morning, however, as I put both of my babies on the school bus.
This weekend was my 10 year wedding anniversary.
Here we are at our rehearsal dinner. As my nearest & dearest may recall, I told my soon-to-be husband that the dinner was “casual.” As you can see, he took me quite literally.
I have since learned to be more specific when it comes to wardrobe instructions, and he has obtained a nicer wardrobe. Although he still wears the Fat Albert t-shirt from time to time. Here we are this weekend celebrating our anniversary.
I’ve hit the double digit portion of my marathon training schedule.
Seems like it went fast, didn’t it? But this past Saturday was my group’s 10 mile run. The weather forecast predicted rain, but it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny morning. Part of the route was on the beach, which was just gorgeous – and also a welcome addition to our marathon training, since part of the 26.2 with Donna race course is on the beach, and many of us (myself included) struggled with this portion of the marathon last year. It’s funny how your perception of a “long run” changes over time, and a 10 mile training run no longer feels like too much of a big deal to me. I don’t think I’ll really start freaking out over the distance until we get to 16 miles in mid-October.
For the first time, I am a Stay-at-Home Mom without any kids to “stay home” with.
For me, this is probably the biggest milestone of all. I stopped working full-time (outside of the home) when my older daughter was born in late 2005. And while I’ve done some part-time work here & there, my primary JOB for most of the last 8 years has been taking care of my children, family, and home. My kids & my house still need lots of care, but the fact remains that from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, I’m on my own, with no kids and no paying job.
I’ve been anticipating this change with both excitement and apprehension. I have a master’s degree, a professional license, and the potential to make decent money if I go back to work in my field. I could drop the kids off at the bus stop, head to the office, and work a full 8 hour day. And without the expense of full-time daycare, the additional family income would be substantial.
But.
I want to be Room Mom. I want to volunteer in their classrooms, work in the school library, plan class parties. I want to pick the girls up at the bus stop every day. I want to run & work out while they’re at school, without taking away any of their Mom Time. I want to make this blog a success.
So this is where the rubber meets the road. Can I be the kind of SAHM that I strive to be? The kind of mom who volunteers and cooks dinner every night and runs an organized & efficient household? Can I avoid the all-too-familiar trap of crawling back into bed before the school bus even leaves the neighborhood? Can I take care of everyone and still make time to do things for myself, like run & write?
Ultimately, the only person who will judge my success is me. So here I go. Time to hit the ground running.
sharon says
Thanks, Daddy. Don’t sell yourself short. You created a successful ethical will for us as well. <3
Albert Ugelow says
In many respects you are following after the wonderful example that your mother set for you many years ago. Her job was taking care of you and your sister and me (I was probably the biggest obstacle to her success). Class mother, volunteer coordinator, PTA president, she did it all. I have no doubt that you will be successful. Your success will be judged not just by you, but also by your daughters. If you do it right they will grow up to follow in your footsteps. That is the real measure of success. You are starting the creation of an “Ethical Will” by the actions you take. You are telling your daughters how you hope they will live their lives. In many respects this Ethical Will is more important than the financial will th
at you have already created.
Brianne says
<3
sharon says
<3
Glo. says
My eyes misted up after your “But.” …
sharon says
I want to be like you when I grow up, Mrs. M. 🙂
Mom says
XOXOXOXOXO!!!!!
sharon says
xoxo back