Name Change

It's over.

The time went sooooo fast.

Things are going to change.

I'm sad and at the same time very happy.

It's the last day of school.

In 4 hours I will have two middle schoolers in the house. Everyday for the next 2 3/4 months.

I love my kids, but everyday for the next 2 3/4 months and I might go insane.


I'm thrilled for them that they get some time off. They deserve it. But now I go from being Joelle 1/2 of the day to not even knowing who Joelle might be. It's now going to be "MOM!" (screamed throughout the day when someone needs something) all of the day. My kids are old enough now to be left alone when I need to get the training in and when I need to go somewhere. However, I still arrange that so they are either sleeping most of the time I'm gone or it's just a quick run out for something. Guilt plagues me when they are home. I have always been here for them when they needed something. I have never counted on family to help me raise my kids. I have been lucky enough to be able to stay home and do all that needed to be done for them. Molding them into two great kids. Giving them a very stable home life and the comfort of knowing that Mom will be there when they need it. It's been on very rare occasions that we asked family to help out. To pick someone up or to take care of another because I couldn't be where I need to be. I believe that is a benefit to my children. That staying home all these years was the best decision I could of made. But I guess now that both are in middle school it's time to start pulling away. They are going to have to figure out what to do with their days and figure out how to get to where they want to go. Bikes are a wonderful thing for that. Of course I will be doing my fair share of driving here and there just like I have been. But hopefully it won't be more.

Things will be different this year. List of chores will be made. Things will need to get done before the fun starts. Sure I'll let them slack off for a week or so. But then a schedule must start. No reason beds can't be made, rooms cleaned up, dishes done, clothes put away and the yard mowed. They have all day everyday to get the jobs done. I will not feel guilty.

These next two weeks are going to be a test for me. I huge mental test. The first two weeks of summer are the hardest. The kids get used to being around each other all the time and I get used to having them home all the time. These two weeks are the hardest for me anyway. I have a race next weekend and the following weekend. The big race being just over 2 weeks away. I'll be a mess just with that over my head. Combine that with the kids being home and I may loose it just a few times and run away when my husband gets home from work. Mentally I will need to run away to regroup and get myself ready for the next day. After the first two weeks of summer things start to smooth out and we all get into a routine. Races will be completed and a cruise will be waiting for us just 10 days later.

Summer will go by fast I'm sure. It always does.