Coming back into the saddle of my life at home after being away all summer was a difficult mount. That week was a fast blurry gallop. I know when I don’t ride my horse she is fresh and too much too handle. I have to run her in the round pen to get her sillies out. Well, much to the same effect my pile to do at home was more than I could handle. I just had to begin picking away at it all day every day. I’m not stating a fact everyone hasn’t faced when they come home from a long journey. Most times I felt like I had landed in some mixing compound that dries instantly if I stay still.
And yet I couldn’t let it set me into a mold, because I have my great blessing to enjoy: All five of my children are home! If I get too busy to appreciate that, shame on me. Donny is the ring leader and they don’t really need me around so much to have fun, I let them go, I just don’t want to miss it. I am the voyeur into their brotherhood. They go to see movies, they go to the gym together, swim in the pool with Kira, play games, and go shopping. Donny feels it is time to know how to cook from recipes, dishes he hasn’t made before, so he has offered to cook meals! Last night the boys went to the grocery store, bought their list of ingredients, and then made dinner while I restored my nails (top and bottom) to pretty order at the salon. (my goal was to get the whole house …except my office… in order then I could have that time for me) I don’t know what it is about me but I can’t lounge and relax without feeling like I’ve earned it. Usually when I’ve earned my lounging time, I just collapse into bed.
When I arrived home, pretty in pink, the home made lasagna was about to go into the oven and Donny looked at me and said, “I don’t know how you did this every night when we were little! I am appreciating you so much more.”
That full circle of parenting is a tremendous accolade. Parenting is my Olympic event. Hold on for the easier times mom’s with preschoolers! Hold your ground, be firm, and the day when they come back and kiss your cheek thanking you for setting the straight line will come to you. The boys all love to talk about the spankings they got when they were little rascals. They laugh and laugh about it now, and hug me tight and tell me “thanks for loving me so much that you disciplined me”.
Jordan pretending to dive into the Nile River!
Kira is the happiest that she has all four of her doting brothers home. She’s the princess and she’s practicing holding her own court. She gets them each to do whatever her whim of the moment happens to be. She is charming and this puddles them into jello for her. She doesn’t like to share Andie with them though, and when they had their reunion last week, it was clearly demonstrated to all: Andie is mine. If Jack nudges into their space Kira gets out her claws. Andie is going away to college this coming weekend. We are so sad for us and happy for her. We feel like she is also a LaTorre. We agreed she can go but not be gone.
Tennis has resumed for the boys, Jordan has college applications to write, Donny is having long conversations with his dad about the possibility of focusing in HR as he pursues his business degree, Jack is baking again, Kevin continues to disappear into books and his own writing, and Kira is in a world of pretend. I found out I can eat the whole batch of plastic cookies and not get sick, or fat. With her cuteness delivering it I hardly notice it has no taste because she is so delicious.
Of course, I have had my reunions with my horse. Only the people who really love all that goes into horse care can understand how good that feels. She and I are discovering how much we love one another. I know she missed me, I can feel it. I’ve had some fun rides with her this week. But I spent much of my week deeply sad because the three instructors I rely on at our stables are leaving. It’s like all of my friends are moving at once. Wah! I don’t want to stay at these stables without them. It is time to move. Andie and Sandee are helping me understand the best place to move Gwinny to and they are introducing me to new trainers who can help me and my mare pick up our education where we are and move us forward. This is a huge change in my life. I think I know where we will go, and I’m ready for the new step forward. This new barn is beautiful and the amenities for Gwinny should make her whinny for joy.
So, it is Monday again, with all that accomplished last week, it is time to go into my office and take care of some big business with our orphan care ministry. I’ll update what’s happening on that side of the world, that side of my life, tomorrow. They are doing Wonderful!!! And as much as I miss our Ugandan family, it helps that it is such a busy life here in America to ease the pain of missing their smiels and hugs.
