A Shock

So we only went back to school two weeks ago.  Christmas already feels very far away.

The most famous line from all Christmas Carols has got to be
. . . "and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again".
Let's put some exclamation points at the end of that line. !!!!!!!
Like the title of this blog - can't live with them, but wouldn't, couldn't live without them. Still sending them back to school puts a little much needed distance from them every day.

So a few days back into the routine of life: school, afterschool-hour-of-hang-out, homework, chores (theoretically), dinner, activities, had set back in, I had a shock.
I was home from my little job, puttering around for something meaningful to do until the boys came home, when it hit me!
I actually MISS my kids.
I did a double take on that thought.
This had never happened before.
Oh sure, after a week at scout camp maybe.
And I am always very happy to see them when they walk through the door after school.
But after they went back to school at the end of Christmas break?  That is 2 WEEKS.
I don't think missing kids equals loving kids.  Or even liking them.
I know it has to do with such a blissful break.  A couple of days celebrating in Arizona and then a whole week at home, Utah, with family and friends.  We weren't all forced on each other in the same house, no distractions, for 2 weeks straight. And I had Dave as a companion the entire 2 weeks.  Couldn't have been more ideal.

But before I  get writing some Pollyanna-ish version of our lives for posterity, let me give this moment a check and balance.  This very night Dave and I quietly snuck out of the house because we couldn't take the hurricane, as in boys chasing and trying to kill each other, any more.  We had a lovely walk to the park, looking at the night sky for about 20 minutes.  Dave kept assuring me that if anything truly dangerous happened they were bound to come outside screaming for someone to help with an emergency.
It worked.  When we came back in everything was mellowed.  Dave and I even used mellow tones as we insisted they clean up everything they had thrown at each other (toys, shoes, clothing, etc.  No food.  They have their limits).

But I wanted to remember that moment of remembering the joyous moments spent together this December.
I hope it happens again sometime, and before they are all gone for good.
Good luck me :)