Ukraine Adoption

Stealing moments

My mom told me long ago that if I ever find myself running to my car, then it's time to slow down. How many of us have done that? I saw a mom today at pre-school do this, and I was about to shout the words of wisdom to her, but she was trotting too fast.

You think you can trim a moment or two off your drive so you dash through a parking lot to your car. But this is not a good way to embark on a journey. Do you want to be near someone who runs to their car and squeals off?

And then there's the multi-tasking: I'm on the phone, I'm on the computer, I'm eating lunch. If I had yet another arm, I'm sure it would be put to use as well.

I think most of us, when asked about our perfect day, would include a lot of down time, relaxation and possibly just sleep. So why don't we slow down? I asked my friend Greta yesterday if she knows when our lives will slow down. She told me I already know the answer to that. She just adopted a little girl from Ukraine and her life is rather hectic now. I'm sure we are both thinking the same thing: When the kids move out!

But we don't want that yet, we really don't. We just want to be able to steal a few moments to rediscover ourselves. To read a book, see a movie, hang out with some girlfriends, go on a date with our husbands (who?)

At our house, we tend to do a lot of tag-team living. I go to the store, John stays home with the kids, I get home, he goes for a run, he gets back, I take Tara to swim class, and on and on. Some couples do everything together, you know, like shop at Meyer or Home Depot. We feel like that wastes valuable time. Why have two people shop? (I know you are thinking this is good family time, but I'd rather spend "family time" on a boat or at someplace fun.)Plus, have you tried to drag kids along on errands lately? Not fun!

I would continue this entry because I have lots more examples, but I have to run to my car now.