Life back to normal - whatever that is

I'm in a heavenly place - having finally unpacked enough boxes and hung enough pictures that I feel like it's home. Ben and Anna came down from Rochester at 11:00 last night - making it in just six hours after Anna got off work - and so it helped to have an "event" to work toward. By 3:30 yesterday, I had things in great shape and Jonny was faithfully vacuuming when I left to pick up Sophia from her last day of work and take her for a haircut plus her first ever manicure/pedicure/facial.

This is kind of new territory for me as I didn't grow up with a mom who could teach me the girly side of life. Then, as a hippie I thought the beauty scene was all too bourgeoisie. Then I got involved in raising kids - and especially with special needs, it just didn't seem to fit my lifestyle.

But about six weeks ago, for some reason I splurged and treated myself to a few hours at a spa getting a facial/manicure and pedicure. What a wonderful feeling to be pampered and cared for while just relaxing and smelling all the sweet smells. I knew I wanted to do this for Sophia before she went back to school.

Maddy and Sophia have both worked so hard this summer. Being on staff at a camp for kids with a wide range of disabilities is very exhausting. Plus, Tripp and I insisted that they go to self-defense classes two nights a week. Last week was especially difficult as the camp had to move form one school to another - which threw off all the kids with autism, who need order and sameness to feel comfortable.

Maddy doesn't go off to Catholic U until August 25, but Sophia is leaving Tuesday, so right now I'm focused on her. It was pure joy to see her relax and begin to glow. I got a manicure/pedicure too, which was wonderful after all the heavy lifting. With all the massage and aromas, It is truly a healing experience

Since we knew Ben and Anna wouldn't be arriving until late, we went out to dinner and then to the grocery store to get white bread for French toast - Ben's special which he'd promised to make this morning.

Matt and Zach were here when we got home, Jonny and Justin were still awake, Ben and Anna arrived at 11:00 and we stayed up until 1:00.

So this morning we've had breakfast and the house is full of my children's voices. This house is wonderful - very open and so no matter where you are on the first floor you feel like it's all one group. Hard to explain. I'll take pictures sometime.

Kip and Sam and my six grandchildren are coming over soon. But Maddy and I have to leave at noon because she was asked to sing at the funeral of a five-year-old girl who died after being injured at a skating party. Pray for her. Singing at funerals can be very difficult as sometimes it's hard to hole back the tears. When she sang at Father Kelly's funeral three years ago, she did break down as he was the priest who received her into the church. This one will be hard as well - for such a young girl who died so unexpectedly.

Ben and Anna will be going to a wedding reception at 5 and the Walravens are off too, so I plan at that point to veg on the couch, continuing with my So You Think You Can Dance therapy.

SYTYCD therapy? Yes, the show I never watched when my kids were watching religiously some years ago, has since the move become an important part of my journey back to normalcy. I can say this now because I am feeling so great - yes, really, so great! - but for the past 11 days I have been living so on the edge, pushing myself each day to get back to normal as soon as possible - that by 7 or 8 all I could do was collapse on the couch and watch Season Six of SYTYCD which the girls had DVR'd. So there's been a lot of bonding - which is why we've always loved watching American Idol. SYTYCD is different, but I'm finding it just as compelling, if not more so.

The irony was that as I was unable to move, I was escaping through watching people move to the max.

So this weekend after everyone leaves, the girls and I are not going to do any more unpacking or work - other than feeding everyone - and we'll just finish our SYTYCD therapy/bonding experience before Sophia heads off to school on Tuesday.

Tuesday night Tripp and I and Maddy are going to the Bob Dylan concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. How cool to have a kid who loves Bob Dylan. But then what kind of music does Maddy not love?

Thursday, Jonny has the surgery to remove that lump on the back of his head.

And I plan to get back to serious blogging. Plus I have giveaways long overdue for closure. And a few more to list.

But all in all, I am feeling back to normal. I thank you for your prayers!!! Surely they helped.