Just Life

Well, I'm a little late in getting around to this week/weekend's blog.  As I read back over this, it has ended up being a fairly random, stream of consciousness blog.  I guess the week's events have done that to me.  Due to poor advance planning on my part, I was in New York the past two days.  I really should have thought about the financial world nearing crisis before I planned the trip a few weeks ago.  Fortunately, Morgan Stanley seems to be faring the storm as well as one could ask.  But to more interesting matters, the weekend was pretty crazy since Keith went to see his mom.  Weekend before last would have been their anniversary and he wanted to spend it with her, but with triathlons, etc, etc, etc, he just couldn't get away.

So, that meant that I had the wonderful opportunity of getting up at 5:30 AM to take James to a 50 mile ride.  Not that I have anything against taking James to 50 mile rides - I actually think it's cool that he does those.  It's just that, well, I'm not a morning person.  Ok, that's an understatement.  I hate getting up in the morning - really despise it.  One day James will really appreciate that I got up at 5:30 to drive 35 minutes or so in the dark.  There should be a law that on Saturday mornings while it's still dark, you should have to stay in the bed.  If I ever run for President (or Vice President), I think that will be my platform.  (Except when adopted parents come to pick you when you're in college to take you to The Waysider for breakfast on a Saturday.  I am pretty sure they never picked me up at 5:30, but it was pretty early and totally worth it.)

We successfully made it on time and I returned home to pick up Christopher so could take James to a 20 mile ride. To make the most of our day and to be highly efficient, Christopher and I took a cooler with us and went to the grocery store while James rode.  I bought some dry ice to keep everything cold (which becomes relevant later).  We rushed home with a small hope that I could catch a quick nap before Christopher's soccer game at 3:30.  (James graciously agreed to forego the 3:30 cycling practice since I just couldn't be two places at one time, particularly since they are 30ish minutes apart.)

We unloaded the groceries and then slowly, but surely the fascination with the dry ice began.  Before I knew it, we had our entire kitchen island covered in "fog."  (Don't ever cover your entire kitchen island with dry ice "fog."  It quickly condensates and becomes water all over your kitchen island.  If you don't notice it quickly because you are having too much fun being fascinated with the dry ice, you will have a very big mess to clean up.  Not that I know about that first hand.  Really.)  Next thing I know I well beyond having a chance for a nap and now needing to rush to get to soccer.  Have I ever mentioned that my younger child is not one to be rushed for anything?  We successfully get transitioned from dry ice and get to the van.  As I am thanking them for being so cooperative and helping get ready, James very innocently asks, "Why are we leaving at 2:30 for a 3:30 game?"  We frequently leave over an hour before cycling practice, but only 25-30 minutes early for soccer.  I just had to laugh.  The soccer game ended up being a doozy.  I think the final score was 12-0.  Our coach finally took a guy off the field and would only let one kid play offense for the entire last quarter.  At first I really felt sorry for the kids on the other team until I realized that the kids on the other team really weren't paying attention.  I forget that not all little boys like to compete.  All the time.  Even if it's just to see who finishes brushing teeth first. 

Sunday didn't seem much better - church, a skills practice for James (to make up for the one he missed - that guilty mom syndrome) and a group at church we're a part of.  I fell asleep waiting for Keith to get home and watching Wall Street collapse.  That really made me appreciate the sermon we had on Sunday morning about suffering and its role in our lives.  Bottom line was it's all good, the suffering that is.  If you're interested I'll hook you up with a CD or something.  It was really worth hearing if you're curious.  Monday was a crazy day to be in NY.

I wasn't really sure how to title this week's adventures other than Just Life for the Todds.  Over the past couple of trips to NY, I have had random people tell how important it is to enjoy these moments because they go so fast.  A gentleman last night told me he called these years the "sweet spot" years.  I think I understand why.