The weather was beyond gorgeous today. But for some reason, my mood wasn't the best this morning. I asked the kids if they wanted to go on a hike and then to an indoor swimming pool, but they all moaned and groaned at that idea. Some of them shouted, Let's make a Plan B. And I just felt a little cranky inside, so I said, Plan B involves chores.
The amazing thing is that everyone nicely did their chores. I was back folding laundry when I thought about how maybe what would be fun for my little kids might not be fun for my big kids. And maybe I don't have to keep being the mom that runs the fun every time. So I came out and suggested that Emma and Julia go to the cheap theater and see a movie they've been wanting to see, "Murder on the Orient Express."
They sort of looked at me with a surprised look. So I said it again. "You guys go without me. I'll stay here with the boys." Well, they thought that was a grand idea, so they showered quickly and grabbed lunch and rushed out the door. The best part was that they invited Miles along. Austin and Owen hardly noticed they left. They were so busy with Legos.
By the time they got home, I was showered, the house was clean, and I was ready for my overnighter with Greg. They brought Eliese home with them, so I suggested we all go down to the park. It was nearing sixty degrees.
The kid ran and played while I mostly sat on a park bench, letting the sun warm my back. It made me so happy to see Lance running back and forth, his little legs pumping hard. And the rest of the kids were climbing and shrieking and having a fantastic time.
Sunee and Brynn and Avree met us back at home for a little visit. We kicked up our feet on the couches and crunched on my famous pebble ice and talked for about an hour while the kids continued to play.
Then it was the last minute rush for me to pack a little bag, instruct the kids on their assignment, and wake up Lance who had settled himself on the floor upstairs and fallen asleep. There was a little scuffle between the girls about the division of responsibility, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not get things smoothed out. By the time Greg came into the door, we were in the middle of a full-on battle. There were tears and loud voices and a very angry mama.
Greg saved the day. He took Emma into his office and shut the door. I could hear him talking quietly in between Emma's loud sobs. I went upstairs to talk to Julia. I told her to wipe her tears and come back down. The girls wanted to make the pizzas I bought, but instead I whipped up some waffles and fed everyone while Greg and Emma kept at it. Emma had been beside herself with anger when they started, but when they emerged a half hour later, she was apologetic, and ready to manage the house for us while we left. We said sorry, and I hugged them all before I slipped out the door. My mind was a bit distracted as we drove off.
It took the first few minutes of dinner for me to get over it. Greg patiently talked it over with me, and let me vent a bit, and helped me to see it all more clearly. I've always felt that Julia and I are seeing the world through the same lenses, but Emma is looking through a different set. She is looking through the set her Dad often uses. So he can make all the difference in smoothing things out. Teenagers are awesome. And sometimes they are hard. And man, I love them with all of my heart. I'm so glad that Greg helped me to see through his eyes for a minute. It calmed me down immensely.
We had the most fabulous evening together. We sat by the fire in our little casita at Entrada. We decided to take a few hours planning and going over the business of our life. We went over our schedule and our to-do lists and our dreams. It was amazing what we were able to accomplish when undisturbed.
Then we climbed into that big bed together. Wrapped in Greg's arms, looking into his eyes, I asked him if he knew how many years we had been married. He thought for a moment and muttered, "Seventeen and a half?"
I smiled into his neck. "No, eighteen and a half, I think." And that answer surprised us both. We marveled that we've been loving each other for so many years, and yet that love is still so strong and exciting and vital to both of us. Maybe more so.
When I drifted off to sleep, my heart was full of gratitude for this man by my side. When I look into his eyes, I see his love for me. And since this was his Christmas present, I quietly whispered into the dark, "Merry Christmas," to the love of my life.
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