Control What You Can and Leave the Rest Alone

I'll start with a question...Has everyone enjoyed the weather we've had?? And more coming as I type this =)

Now on to the post. I want to say that I used to be the kind of person that got really irritated if the kids were out school because of the weather. Not sure why, really, but it bugged me. And still bugged up until this past Friday. Friday was a turning point for me. Thanks to my neighbor I made it to the store that morning before the next round of snow came. We were out playing in the snow by 11 that morning. I wanted to build the boys a snow fort. You know, the kind that they could crawl through. Umm, that did not happen. So, my wonderful neighbor(same one that taxied me earlier) came over and helped me turn the almost fort into a sledding hill. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. I like to stay in if it's cold out. But this day was different. 3 moms got together and spent hours 'perfecting' that home made hill. It took us 1.5 hours of sledding down that hill to get it ready for the kids =) Did I say how much fun I had? And that I LOVE my neighbors?? The kids joined us and we played outside until almost 3 p.m. And then we moved the party indoors. Had dinner and went out to sled some more from 7-8:30. It was awesome!! It was one of those days that made my heart so happy to see my kids with their friends enjoying life. We laughed so much. It was a day that I'll remind myself of if I ever feel like a failure as a parent.

This brings me to my next point...I cannot control the weather. I also cannot control when school is out because of it. I can, however, control my attitude and how I choose to spend the time with my kids while they're home. This is a new thing for me. I like having a schedule and it bothers me when it gets messed up. But to look at the bright side, at least we're all still in bed at 8. The boys told me today that they want to go back to school. My response? I want you to go back to school, too. Not because I'm tired of my time with them. (our attitudes have been great and the kids have been getting along really well) But because I know they miss the routine as well. They miss their friends and the business of school. So, we're all finding ways to get along with each other until things get back to normal. I don't think it's a bad thing to say I'm ready for the kids to go back to school. They know I love them and the time I spend with them. However, I need time to my self and they need time away from me. I need to be able to breathe and just sit with out some one needing me. I need to be able to rejuvenate so I can be that mom they deserve. When we're cooped up in the house with no option of going somewhere I think we all start feeling claustrophobic and that's when we start getting on each other's nerves. I'm starting to think God wants me to work on my attitude. We'll be out of school tomorrow for the 7 straight day. We didn't have church last Wednesday, Sunday, and we won't have it tomorrow night. I'll just keep reminding myself to control what I can and leave the rest alone. I will not let a little thing like 30 inches of snow and 2 weeks of unplanned 'vacation' get the best of me!