A new, but not less busy, chapter - at the troops. . .

Here it is.  Our second week of the school year.  And I'm just now sitting down to write.

Our troops started the year - all eight of them - in 12th, 11th, 9th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, and Kindergarten - last Monday.

What have I been doing the last 8 days, you ask?  Hmmmm.  I won't go there.  Suffice it to say, that having the kids AT school all day doesn't seem to lessen the amount of laundry to be done and food to be cooked.  Not to mention that I was WAY behind from the last couple weeks of school supply/clothes/shoes shopping and trying to cram every bit of fun in that we could before the freedom of Summer was lost.

Just making lunches x 9 is a bit of an ordeal.  Even though most of the kids make their own.  Just think a whole loaf of bread (plus some), turkey, cheese, pb & j, granola bars, applesauce cups, chips. . . you get the idea.

This morning?  Little Man threw a fit.  He LOVES school.  Happy every afternoon when I walk in to get him.  But sometimes in the morning, he asks just like his mommy.  He'd rather stay in bed.  Or dilly dally over breakfast.  Or skip putting on his belt.  It's a rough life.

I finished my run this morning and realized I hadn't gotten the mail yesterday.  Volleyball tournament.  After a new bootcamp session started in the morning.  Busy busy day.  But in the mail?  Senior pic proofs for Son (#1).  And yes, they've already taken them.  Before school actually started.  Good grief!  Can't a mom get a break?  (sniff)

So between the sweat dripping down my forehead and the piles and PILES of laundry needing to be folded and the FULL rack of shirts hanging above the dryer waiting to be ironed. . .

I'm going to have a hard time making it to Sam's and back before school dismissal.

This is the life of a stay at home mom of eight whose kids are all in school.

Pretty glamorous, right?

Oh, I HAVE been able to sneak away (from the laundry) for coffee with a friend and lunch with my parents one day last week.  Lovely.

And I LOVE having muffins or cookies ready for the kids after school (when we don't go straight to volleyball or football games).

And being able to head out to run *alone* with my ipod and the early morning sunshine really is a delight.  Truly.

If only the work weren't here waiting for me when I get back!  Ha!

Blessed.  Grateful.  Praying for my little guy who wanted to stay home, today.  And thanking the Lord every time I walk by those senior pic proofs for HIS faithfulness.

Happy Monday!