today, I woke up really early (for me), and went to a moms in prayer meet up. We usually see each other over zoom, so this was a real treat to see folks in person and be able to really listen to each other face-to-face. Later, our amazing family friend came over and I went grocery shopping (where I saw a wonderful person!!) and took the kids to birthday parties and soccer games, where I saw one of my favorite coworkers of all time and her joyful mom! And some great students. I am so happy we had a great meetup. In the middle of the day, I felt completely exhausted, so I napped next to a cat. Then, it was time for another soccer game, and it was wonderful to watch. I am really grateful to be able to watch soccer games. I get that not everyone can, especially if kids are playing multiple sports. I have definitely missed my share of games, especially for the youngest when he was traveling. But now, I get to actually attend all the games since my oldest is not doing travel volleyball and the boys have home indoor games at different times. I am grateful for the soccer facility that allows kids (and grown ups) to come together and have fun. It means a lot to be able to talk to adults and cheer on the players we know from both teams, and to hear them cheering on our kids. After this weird week of a lot of isolated indoor time, it meant a lot to be together.

I don’t know what this week will bring. The sidewalks have improved tremendously, but I am not sure we are going to have school. There is also a possibility of snow midweek. It’s a little stressful because we are supposed to start our annual testing, and we are already a week behind schedule. But I know I can’t just ask kids to test as soon as they come back to school from a week break. They have to get in the right mindset again. And truthfully, I have to get in the right mindset again. It’s been a good week together, but also a stressful week, being stuck for so long. I am so grateful we made it, so grateful for all the people who made it possible, but I am also not 100% in the testing mindset. I just want to get a few normal days under my belt, but normal is hard to find these days. Especially thinking about the totality of what we are going through as a nation, I am not sure what normal is anymore. Maybe getting up, praying, and being ready to make the most of each day, whatever it brings, while also reaching out to others – maybe that is the new normal.

I know I was stressed today because we ate out a lot. It’s time to reset. Tomorrow is a new month, time to get back to the gym after a week off, time to get back to clean eating, although we have been doing really well cooking at home up to this weekend. Time to restart that while also treasuring spending time together. To be kind to each other as we set goals and accomplish them in February, together 🩷