Reflections – March and April 2010

I feel about as small as a paper clip right now. How could I have let two months go by without taking time, even a short minute, to reflect on recent events in our lives? I should have to write “I will take time to reflect” on the chalkboard 1000 times. Maybe that would teach me a lesson or two.

I do have a few excuses, lame as they may be, for not taking time sooner to reflect on April and March, especially March. Poor March you did not deserve to be tossed to the side. I was not able to take time before now to reflect on the past two months because as soon as March began my life went from zero to sixty in less than five seconds. I know busy is not an excuse because we’re all busy beyond reason, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

If you do not work in a college atmosphere, I’ll let you in on a little secret. From the time Winter Break begins until Spring Break ends, colleges hibernate. Other than classes and other formalities very little happens; everyone is trying to keep warm and survive the winter months. As soon as Spring Break ends, college campuses wake up from their slumber and go crazy. There are dedications, celebrations, reunions, awards, conferences, guest speakers. The list of activities that must be jammed in before graduation is unimaginable.

To say that I have spent the majority of my life at work during March and April would be an understatement. Thankfully, we survived, and if I do say so myself, we did an awfully good job. As much as I enjoyed the craze and the drama of watching event after event come together, I’m exhausted and ready to put my feet up.

Because timing tends to be divine, Steve’s travel schedule was minimal while I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. He was able to keep our house in working order, Moanna fed and entertained, and somehow he managed to keep me alive. I have no idea what we would have done if Steve were globe trotting.

Other than pure exhaustion, there are just a few things that I remember about March and April; I’ll do my best.

March brought Spring with her, and for that I am unimaginably grateful. I wasn’t going to make it much longer if something didn’t bloom or turn green when it did. The warm weather and first signs of Spring brought me back to life. I am a completely different person when the weather is sunshiny and warm. If the busy season at work was in the dead of winter I’d never make it out alive.

I went to Atlanta for a leadership training class. It was nice to get away from Virginia for a few days and learn new things. I know, nerd alert. I can’t help it, I love learning. It’s also nice to come home to a hotel room for a few days. You can’t stress about not getting house work done because it’s seven hours away.

Steve and I became Uncle and Auntie! Steve’s brother Joey had a baby girl named Alexis, more than eight healthy pounds of pinchable baby love. They live all of the way on the other side of the  country in Washington, so we’ve only met the sweet-pea via photos. As soon as they emailed us photos, we sat Moanna down and tried our best to explain to Moanna that she had a cousin. Geneolgy is a complicated thing for anyone to understand, but Mo understands that Baby Alexis is a very special baby.

Towards the end of March, my Dad was re-listed for his second liver transplant. It took a lot of work for the state of Tennessee and the board that accepts transplant patients to have him listed this time. A lot of complications made it challenging at times, but those complications are what ultimately made it possible for him to be re-listed. If you want to learn more about this journey and how you can help, please read his story here.

We spent Easeter Weekend in Maryland. It was a necessary intermission for us. We had a great time relaxing with Steve’s side of the family. We spent the time relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, and naturally, we ate way too much. I’m still full from all the food we ate.

Moanna had a great Easter this year. She was finally old enough to hunt for eggs. It was great watching her go from searching and serious to delighted when she found an egg and then back to serious. She also got a huge kick out of all of the goodies that the Easter Bunny so cleverly hid inside of her eggs. She thought it was the coolest thing ever. “The Easter Bunny gave me MORE candy!?” We’ll be eating all of that candy until way past Halloween and well into next year.

The Easter Bunny left us a charcoal grill. I think it’s safe to say that Steve had never really grilled in his life prior to now. It’s dinner and a show. Our first few attempts were not unsuccessful but they were not home runs eeither. Steve is starting to get the hang of it, and he is on his way to becoming a barbecue pro.

In April we were able to take our first summer evening walk of the year. We got out the wagon and pulled Moanna to the park. I was sure she would be really upset when it got dark otuside and we had to go home, but she was happy to race us home for a treat before bed. After pulling Moanna to the park in the wagon and then racing her home, I was made well aware of how out-of-shape winter had made me. I do a lot of running around at work, but I can’t tell you the last time I exercised. It’s a good thing I can take evening walks again.

Towards the end of April, Moanna ventured back to Maryland for a vacation. I was still working a crazy schedule and Steve’s travel schedule was picking up. We all agreed that it would be best for Moanna to go have some fun with her grandparents until graduation. She’s been quite the busy bee since she’s been gone, gymnastics, fishing, shopping, camping. Who needs summer camp when you have your own private summer program with Grandma and Grandpa?

The last day of April was a really nice end to the crazed month for me. With Moanna and Steve off on their own adventures, I was left to fend for myself. Before walking into work, I sat in my car to appreciate the weather and witnessed one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. I had no idea that trees gave off little puffs of pollen! The girls I work with and I went out to lunch which is something we never do. We found a local place with a nice patio so we could eat outside and enjoy the day. When I got home from work, I took a nap and spent the rest of the evening catching up on my DVRed shows. It was refreshing to end such a hectic month so quietly.

I can’t believe that March and April are already gone. It still hangs me up that we are almost half way through 2010. We were very busy the past two months, but in some ways it feels like we accomplished very little. We had to go into survival mode, and that’s OK once in awhile. We made it, and I can confidentially say we did a much better job this year at staying sane than we did last year.

I am so thankful May is here and that work has calmed down a great deal. I am ready to spend time with my family and putting this house back together. It’s time to recenter and slow down for a bit.

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