Going Back to School Monday and Finding BALANCE!

So another Monday is upon us.  No one wants to be doing what they have to do today.  Pat and I would like to be doing this.  Sitting by a lake enjoying the beauty of the day. 

Joshua would like to be in our back yard catching these guys.  Yes that is a lovely little bass isn't it.

And Logan would like to dig in the sand on Lake George. 

But that is not what is happening today.  No, it is back to real life Monday.  Where Morgan can not decide what to put on today.  But testing her sugar is the last thing on her list.  So I chase her around the house trying to get her to give me a reading.  While that is going on, I am trying to get Joshua to eat so when he does take his ADHD meds he doesn't get all loopy from no food being in his stomach.  And Noah, well, he has just figured out that everyone is moving around the house fast and it is time for him to get out of bed.  But that is not what he wants to do.  He wants to once again try to convince me that I am really smart and he should stay home from Kindergarten today and I will teach him.  TEACH HIM WHAT?  I am not sure but these are the conversation and sometimes battle we have most days because he doesn't want to go.  Then there is Logan who I think just wants to escape the craziness and just go to school.  Yup, that is our Monday morning all before 6:30am.  I'm sorry, and why don't I drink?  Who knows but I think if I started I may never stop!

All kidding aside, this is one tough group to get out of the house in the morning with our combination of fun on top of missing shoes and homework.  So how do you get your tough mornings going?  Many days I can hear my mind wheels just grinding away.  So many things to do and be responsible for with our little group.  And I used to kid myself and think, well if Morgan is doing her own laundry she must be testing her sugar right?  Oh no no.  Doing laundry is only to look good and have the perfect clothes on.  I get that testing her sugar is to live a long and healthy life.  But why doesn't she?  Oh I know, she is 16.  I have to remind myself of that everyday, otherwise she would never test her sugar.  I also have to remember when I was that age I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to have diabetes on board.  Wow that has to be tough on her.  Let's not forget that there is no way I can even guess how hard that would be but she is pushing through and still going forward and that is all I can ask.

So, that is how our week is starting out.  And the day has only begun.  I now have to get all of my ducks in a row with my business, which some days feels like a 5th child, but truly keeps me balanced.  And that leads me to the point of the day...BALANCE!  I love running my own business.  And yes I do it for extra money for the family.  But lets face it, if I didn't have something of my own.  Something that was mine and mine alone, I may drop a bunch of balls that I have flying in the air all at once.  My business gives me that balance and since of self worth.  Not that being a mother is not worthy or important.  It is just that you need to have that something that is not just about the kids or family.  Because if you think really hard you will remember back to when you where born, it was just you.  And all of this craziness that we call life needs a strong person with a good sense of self.  It not only helps you but it teaches these little ones as well.  We always preach to these kids they need to take care of themselves, well we need to teach by example as well.  So find your balance.  What is a passion or drive that you have that you can fit into your already tight schedule.  I of all people realize the tough road it is to lead with a child that has health "bumps in the road".  So if staying strong for them means you staying strong for you then please, please, please realize how important you are to them and make you the best you, you can be.  It is like exercise for the soul.  Find a passion and a balance will follow! 

AmyLynn
(Mama Bear)

WELCOME to The Chronicles of Mama Bear!

I have started this new blog to share the life I lead with a husband and 4 kids.  What is maybe a bit different about our story is that of our 4 kids my oldest and lovely daughter Morgan has Type 1 Diabetes.  My second and Fabulous son Joshua has ADHD and my youngest and only redheaded child Noah was diagnosed with Aspergers.  Not to leave out my third child Logan, but he is just peachy.  So peachy that some days I believe he was sent to me to give me balance and strength.  Kind of like that song from Rascal Flats...God blessed this broken road, that led me straight to you!

So how did I decide to do this?  There is a simple answer to that.  Morgan, now 16, was diagnosed at the age of 6 with diabetes.  So it has been a long road of ups and downs.  Many days of great highs and a few of terrible lows.  But for the most part just thankful that I can help my child with her illness.  But days, and I should say, even moments of incredible freeing unbridled JOY aren't always the norm.  Not for any family no matter what their dealt in life.  And when someone tells you for the first time,"you need to sit down, there is something I have to tell you", life will never be the same again.  But the other night I had that moment and 3 days later I am still feeling it.   Joshua caught and ran in the ball for a touchdown.  That in itself was incredible, but as he came off the field he pointed up at me in the stands and blew me a kiss!  Every woman and girl around me let out a collective OHHHHHHHHH!  I was so blown away I had all I could do not to cry.  A 14 year old boy doesn't ever show public affection but for some reason, (and I am going to take all of the credit for this) I did something right and he let the entire world, or at least the 200 people in the stands know that.  WOW, he is definitely on Santa's nice list this year! 

What is my point?  So simple...when you have a lot on your plate like this family does, you have to learn to take those moments and turn them into gold, because that is what they are. 

So as the days go on and this blog spot grows, I will share more and more about this group of people that if only one person can relate to and makes them feel a little better then I have done what I set out to do.  When you have even one issue with a child it can take your heart and set it on the sidewalk to be kicked and stepped on every day.  My kids may not know until they have kids of their own the struggle everyday is to keep my head held high as a mom and be positive.  Because if you let this junk that is tossed your way show on your face they will see it and the ship will sink for sure.  But if you keep the one foot in front of the other approach you can all get from point a to point b in a very happy and loving family way.  I know this is hard, I am not living a fairly tale, but I am writing my own fairly tale with all of the misfit things that have been handed to me one way or the other.

So please stop by daily and check on things like what Morgans Sugar is today, or if Josh got all his homework done and even little Noah went another day with out a outburst in the middle of the store.  And of course, how Logan held his moms hand though it all and showed me the hope that comes with every new day!

AmyLynn

(MamaBear)