What a Difference a Day Makes (good and bad)

So Friday did not end up at all like I had hoped. It was as crazy and full of running the whole day. We finally all hopped into my bed at 9 pm to watch a movie until Kirk came back from a trip. My nerves were shot by that night. Then Kirk gets a call at around 10:45pm from a friend that said he wanted Kirk to go on a motorcycle day trip in the morning. I told him to go and enjoy himself. I knew he really wanted to go - and he works so hard - that I couldn't ask him to stay home. But I have to admit there was a little - very little - part of me that wanted to yell "NO!!!!! Stay here - I cannot do another day of kids without you! I need to get things done without 5 kids in tow!" But I didn't.

So Amanda comes in Saturday morning and asked if I was going to let her spend the morning with her friend - since dad was already gone - so that meant no yard work yet. I asked when she would be home - "probably like 1pm" she said. "Fine, go" I told her. Then I felt bad for the other kids. They are always staying home while Amanda goes here and there with her friends. So I decided that I should drive them to I.F. (25 minutes away) to the Mall so they could spend their birthday and chore money they had. Plus my 8 year old decided to get her ears pierced - which my girls can do at 8.

My husband calls and said he thought of some things we could do when he got back - if we wanted to stay home instead of going to I.F. and do some chores until he was home. I relayed this to the kids --- but then decided that did not seem fair. Kirk and Amanda were off playing and we all were to stay home working. Then EVERYONE got to go play!?! So I decided to just to go to I.F. to be fair to the the little ones. But the almost 6 year old screamed and cried for 30 minutes about going fishing with Dad instead of going to the Mall. I tried to calmly explain how he could do both - but it was not making any sense to him.

So, by the time I was finally ready to get everyone in the car my nerves were shot again.
I.F. was great. Kids made some good choices with their money - daughter was brave as she had her ears pierced. Then I decided to make the most of the gas money spent to go to I.F. and go grocery shopping at WinCo because they are cheaper than any place in Rexburg. We did the shopping - had a car load - and went to start the car....nothing. Tried again - nothing. The car would not start. But the AC was working and the radio so the battery was not dead. I could not figure it out. It was now 1:30 - Amanda was home but Kirk who thought he should be back by 1 also was not. I called my sister, brother-in-law and even my MIL who was 45 minutes away just to get some help on figuring it out. I checked everything I could think off. Half hour later in the hot sun - $15 roast I splurged on sitting in the car -- Kirk called at 2:10 saying he was on his way. 10 minutes later from his car he asked if I had the car in park. I said of course the line is on the "P". He said to push the gear stick up hard and turn the key - I did - the car started right up! It seems that the gear had slipped a little and was not in "park" all the way. I was thrilled it was nothing major or expensive to fix - but irritated that I had not even thought of something like that 30 minutes before.

The day just went down hill form there. I even tried having a big picnic at the park and let the kids go on the water slide for dinner. But afterwards we had to make a stop for Kirk and while he was in the store the kids were just out of control picking on each other. I tried not to yell on the way home - but I had a very tense and loud voice about how I was done and burnt out and shaking, my nerves were so shot and on and on. Funny thing was as soon as I got it out of system - I was fine. Very calm and in a while not upset at all. I think I just needed to let it out.

Went to Church today - that was very nice. And later this afternoon I found my almost 6 year old sitting in the big chair in the living room with his 18 month old brother. CJ was telling Coulson to fold his arms. Then CJ would tell Coulson to say things - like "Say Dear...Heavenly....Father....Thank you....for ..... our...family....for....Jesus....for...house....in...name...Jesus....Christ....Amen." Those are the moments as a mother I live for. It helps me realize the stressful days come and go - but moments like that last forever!
Tomorrow is the big day for Coulson. I will update tomorrow about how it goes!