A Little of This, a Little of That

I feel extremely restricted in blogging right now. I hate feeling restricted with what I want to write about, but you fellow bloggers understand the dilemma I'm facing, I'm sure. I've been thinking, there's got to be something I can put out there for the masses who love Cranberry Corner, and come here with such dedication. :)

But at this moment there isn't much. Lots going on. Not much I can share on my blog.

So.

When in doubt, give some random updates!

Piano business is down a bit right now. I had a few students who stopped lessons for the summer who haven't started back yet, and then I had to let three others go who didn't want to play by the rules. That's okay. I feel so much better when I stand up for myself and don't allow others to create my life for me. New students will come. And in the meantime, I've needed the slower pace.

Lyndsay is learning the lessons of life. She is doing well with her busy schedule that starts before dawn to get ready for Seminary, and then her full school load and then straight to work with the little triplets. Her bank account is growing, as is her self-confidence that she can do hard things. But it isn't easy. How she loves her weekends! She is becoming a master at time management!

Dylan joined the Students Run L.A. club (SRLA) This is a running club that meets after school twice a week and on Saturday mornings and the ultimate goal is to run the L.A. marathon. Dylan loves to run, and his dad loves to run, so this is something they can share, even across the miles. I am extremely proud of his desire to commit to something so difficult and strenuous. I know he will experience tremendous growth not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well, as he sets goals and has to push forward when everything in him wants to STOP and REST. Our only dilemma has been that some of the races (these are state and national races that the students get free entrance into for being in SRLA) are on Sunday's, and the kids have never participated in Sunday recreation. We talked about it and Dylan talked with his coach (who is also a member of the Church), and decided that Dylan will not participate in the small races on Sunday's, but he will participate as much as possible, and next year when our Church schedule changes he can run and then come to his meetings. It's difficult because this is something he really wants to do, and dedication is very important. I believe it will be very good for him to work towards something as challenging as a marathon. I believe there are a great deal of spiritual lessons that he can learn in this experience, as well as the fact that I know he will stand out on his team. SRLA is predominantly a club set up to give inner-city kids a safe and demanding activity that helps keep them busy and teaches them to set goals and work towards hard things, building their confidence. Many of the youth that participate in schools around Los Angeles become the first members of their entire families to graduate from high school and go on to college. What an accomplishment! The SRLA club at Dylan's school is the largest running club of any Middle School in the entire nation. Last year over 140 kids from his school ran and finished the L.A. marathon! That is astounding!

I'm feeling behind and overwhelmed at home. I feel like I just can't get on top of everything that needs to be done, and I don't even know where to start. I am so exhausted, so drained, so sleepy, that I just don't have the energy to begin. I am doing the important things. Of that I am aware. We have scripture study every morning when Lyndsay gets back from Seminary. I cook breakfast every day. I pack healthy school lunches, and make reasonable dinners. I have my own personal scripture study and I write in my journal. We have Family Home Evening, and I know what's going on in all of the kids' classes at school. But my house needs help. It's not that tidy and it's not that clean. I'm sick of white walls that are dirty and can't be washed without taking the paint off too. The whole house should be painted inside--that would really lift my spirits!--and the carpets need to be shampooed again. I would really love to have sod put down in the backyard so Conor can actually go outside to play, and maybe a little raised bed garden for a thing of beauty, and a diversion from all that brings me down in life. At the first sign of financial stability, I'm hiring a housekeeper, let it be known! I just need some help and I like a clean house. I'm talking deep-down clean.

Anyway, I shall not complain too loudly. I have many more causes to rejoice. And now I will be on the lookout for many more causes to blog because I've missed it!