And When This Life is Not So Beautiful

I woke up at 5 am this morning.

I wanted so desperately to go back to sleep.

I did for 12 minutes.

Then I woke with a start, looked at the clock, said, "crap!  I'm going to be late," hobbled from the bedroom to the bathroom, got my workout clothes out of the dryer, laced my shoes, and climbed in the car.

I have worked out at 5:30 am, 6 days a week, for the past 2.5 weeks.

Every morning I don't want to get out of bed.

But this morning was the worst.

Going to bed at 1 am does not jive with with 5 am wake ups.

But after my hour workout, stretching under the stars, watching the sun rise while doing 100s of crunches, and sweating like a pig in this dreadful humidity, I always feel great.

Like, amazing.

And when I got back in the car, there was a voicemail waiting for me.

My dear sister, friend, Erin, had her baby!

She called me last night around 1 am to tell me she was in labor.

(it took me forever to go back to sleep after that, but I forgive you, Erin!)

The baby was born this morning--a little boy.

And now she's a mom to 2 boys.

I am over the moon excited for her.

Brothers!

The best.

I drove to our mechanic to drop the car off for an oil change and some scheduled maintenance--just routine stuff that needed to be done before we drive to Santa Barbra for our camping trip this weekend.

I came home, Aaron left for work, the kids had all just woken up, and I made pancakes for breakfast.

My friend called, "are you up and going already?" she asked. "You sound so chipper."

"I am!  I feel great.  It's been such a great morning already!" I replied with a smile on my face and in my voice.

I haven't had butter in 2.5 weeks, or much in the way of carbs.

But I treated myself to a sliver of butter and 2 small pancakes.

After all, my instructor said I should eat more on Boot Camp days.

They were delicious.

And then the mechanic called.

"The oil change is done," he said.  "But there are a few other issues...."

3 big issues to be exact, that will cost lots of money and we have to get them done before we go on a long drive up the coast.

Blerg.

A little wind went out of my sails.

Suddenly I noticed the kitchen, which I did a deep, deep clean of yesterday, was already a horrible mess.

How does it happen that fast?

And it's so hot.

It's going to be 90 in my house today--I can feel it already.

Bloodcurdling screams interrupted my thoughts.

I walked into the dining room to see this.

I put my head in my hands and just let go: "AHHHHHHH!!! WHO LEFT THE POPCORN ON THE CHAIR WHERE THE BABY COULD GET IT?  WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
The kids looked at me, and said, calmly,"we didn't do it, Mom."
Oh.
Right.
The moron was me.
And then I just scooped David into my arms, sat down in the popcorn and laughed.
Sometimes these moments in life are less than beautiful.
Lots less.
But it's OK.
I need an opportunity to laugh at myself now and then.
I cleaned the popcorn up quick, and James and William complimented me, "wow Mom, you cleaned that so fast.  You're really good at cleaning."
At least they notice, right?
I'm going to clean the kitchen now.
And help the kids make a fort in the living room.
Because we'll be without a car today, and it will soon be too hot to play outside.
Expensive car repairs, sticky kettle corn spilled on the floor, a screaming baby--they're not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, right?
Like I said, annoyances.
And they make for good stories too.
Wishing you a beautiful day, my friends, even if your day is not so beautiful.
And wishing you, my Erin the girl, all the blessings in the world on the birth of your new baby boy.  
I am so very, very, happy for you.
Love from,
Greta