Getting Back To Normal, Or Something Like It.

"Normal?" I ask, "What is normal? Is there even a "normal" to get back to?"

So, I looked it up. Google defines normal as "the usual, average, or typical state or condition" (see here)

I change the title of the blog.

I ask myself, "are we back to our usual, average or typical condition." That, of course, leads to reflection on what really is typical for us. That is easy. Typical for us is one step below chaos. Typical for us is change. Typical for us is half of us resisting change, the other half welcoming it, and the third half (not sure how our family has become 3/2 but it works) being too young to know any different. Typical for us is procrastination. Typical for us is going with the flow. Typical for us is making plans, falling through, and revamping plans. Typical for us is dreaming and wishing. Typical for us is loving, no matter what. Typical for us is learning and playing. Typical for us is messiness and disorder.

So, there we have it. We never left normal. (I consider changing the blog title again, but realize the story is in the blog, and doesn't have to be in the title)

We have had a large group (because my creativity in picking just the right descriptive word is lacking) of adventures! Our adventures came all at once, and since I am the half of the family that is most resistant to change. I am just now feeling recovered from those adventures. I am actually starting to feel that, not only can I catch my breath and stay above water, but I am actually enjoying swimming a bit.

(realizes that the purpose of this post is to seek affirmation- I plan to tell you about all of these changes and how I have handled them and how awesomely I feel I am doing. You then can kindly tell me that I am INDEED quite awesome. I will smile and feel happy and full and ready to face more adventures. And you thought you were going to get off easy.)

So here we have it:

Philip used a day of his long weekend to pick Miranda up from Indianapolis. My friend, sister, and helper had arrived. I, however, had no real time to show her how excited I was (I do plan on getting to that).

Philip went to pick up Charlie while I frantically tried to decide how to create space for him. (we moved Nater and his most important stuff into our room and gave Charlie a mattress on the floor in Nater's room)

I had a baby.

Baby and I came home from the hospital.

Philip prepped to leave.

Philip's dad came to visit.

We blessed William, and then the rest of the family. (so glad Philip turned down my have a get-together idea)

Philip left.

Philip's dad left.

Charlie's family (total 2 adults, 3 kids) moved in. (another frantic moving of stuff from one room to the other. This time mine and the boys' stuff to Nater's room).

Life happened. (this is to include at least 4 doctors appointments, 2 trips to the ER, and a birthday or two)

And here we are... about 3 months from the time the adventures started and only slightly more than one month from the time the last major adventure began. Not only did I keep myself and my kids alive, I have really only felt completely crazy once or twice. (I can't take full credit for this non-craziness. Placentas are AWESOME for decrazying- just saying!)

So, as I sat down to blog I thought, what else haven't I shared yet? What things am I wanting to keep track of for my kids so they can remember? What things are still weighing in my mind as things I have to tell them, teach them, show them with this blog? And I realized, I no longer feel a pressing need to keep track of every emotion of this series of adventures. Oh, don't get me wrong. There is still a lot I want to tell you. A lot I want you to remember. But, it is no longer one of the weights that is trying to pull me under the water. If it is important, I will remember. If not, it is okay.
 Because we will keep having new adventures.
We will keep changing (maybe I will learn to resist it less?).
And we will learn what we need to from the adventures, and that is what really matters.

So, my dear children, if you ever read this as an adult and feel as if you are barely treading water. If you feel your adventures are coming to sure and too fast to be real, remember this. You can and will survive. Try to remember to take time for happiness in your adventures. Let go of unnecessary baggage and move on. And then, if you have a moment or two- share these memories with those you care about. Or answer the pestering kid that is tapping at your shoulder and the hungry baby that is (once again) wailing to be fed, oh, and you might want to get that toddler out of the crib at some point in time.

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."