Late night ramblings

I just couldn't sleep last night. I couldn't seem to put my mind to rest. I felt wide awake even after midnight which is unusual for me lately. I used the time to just reflect and pray.

Yesterday was a long day at my new job and at my old job. I tried to do my current work amongst many phone calls from my past work and friends who needing help or advice. Most of the day I felt torn between two lives. One I left and still miss and a new one I am beginning and feel uncertain of.

I arrived home in the evening, listened to the kids share (all at once and all together) about their day. Each one seemed to talk louder than the next in their effort to be heard over another sibling until it felt as if the whole house was yelling.

Whatever happened to waiting for your turn? I don't think I listened very well to any of the kids, but they all had their say.

I made dinner, minus dessert, while sorting through the school papers and mail. I did some dishes and picked up the house.
Just about the time I began feeling sorry for myself and the lack of an organized birthday celebration the phone rang and it was Sonny, then the phone rang and it was the McKelvey's singing, then the phone rang and it was Charlie, then the phone rang and it was Melissa.
I heard happy birthday from just the right amount of friends to outweigh the happy birthdays I missed from family.
So all in all a good birthday.

What did I miss?

We are nearly a third of the way through the month of November and I don't know where the days have gone. It seems like yesterday was the first of the month and the kids were still sorting out all their favorites candies collected from the night before.

Now the candy is gone and all that is left of our first Halloween in Oregon are a few Bit-O-Honey, a number of candy wrappers tossed under the couch and some photos still inside the digital camera.



I don't like this feeling of time passing so quickly. It seems as if I am missing something. One third of the month has gone by in what feels like a day or two. What did I miss?

Did I miss opportunities to go for walks with the kids?
Did I miss opportunities to just sit and listen instead of trying to impart parental wisdom?
Did I miss opportunities to appreciate my husband?
Did I miss opportunities to express to family and friends how important they are to me?

I am fairly certain that 'yes' is the answer to all those questions.

In 7 days my parents arrive and we will start planning our first Thanksgiving celebration in a new home.
And as I approach Thanksgiving I want to be conscious of each day. I will try not to let the days fly by without notice. I want to pay attention and take advantage of each and every opportunity to let those around me know how blessed I am to have them in my life.