I've been rising with kids somewhere between 6 and 7am. Shane is already gone. I use the word 'rising' loosely here as I don't technically have the energy to hit my feet to the floor till at least 7:30. But they are up so I am 'up' even if my eyes are still closed. : )
The days are filled, like everyone else's, with the never-ending lists and chores, responsibilities and work. If I'm lucky, I can sneak a nap with Miles on the bottom bunk while Finn plays on the ipad on the top. Dinner, outside play time, chores, baths, jammies, reading, prayers and bed. Somewhere in there I make dinner for Shane and leave it sit on the stove. At some point he'll come home to eat, but sometimes that isn't till after the boys are asleep. I then have the kitchen to clean, usually a few business items for Shane, emails, admin stuff and then....only then....do I get to sit down to edit.
Editing typically starts around 11pm. People wonder why I post so late at night. Well, its one of the few things I have in the course of a 'day' that is quiet, all mine and completely inspires me. I get wrapped up in the emotions in the images. Wrapped up in the love each family shares and I feel towards them. Wrapped up in getting each image just right. And no one is asking me for juice, needing assistance in the restroom, or making a colossal mess. Its just me and what I love to do.
Then suddenly I realize its TWO A.M. (or later)
So these are the days we're living. Thankful to be busy. Yet they are looooooooooooong. Right now, they are seven days a week, too. Shane has been working weekends since March. We are in desperate need of a break.
Its Memorial Day weekend...well, tomorrow (or today...its after midnight ; ). We have plans to go camping with two of my brothers (and their families) at Tappan Lake just south of here. I'm not sure if there will be cell service. I know I won't be up in front of anything (after the kids go to bed) but a campfire with laughter, s'mores, sweatshirts and a glass of wine. There will be hiking, boat riding, fishing and relaxing.
Shane asked if I wanted to divvy the weekend up between events. Parade. Picnic. Run, run, run.
no
I want to go there. I want to plant my feet on the ground and stay there till Monday afternoon. We are even staying in my brother's camper instead of taking ours. We're leaving it as well as our boat at home. Less work. I want to get off my phone, off my computer and into my kids world. I want to look at Shane (for more than 2 seconds) and hold his hand. I want to share stories, old and new, as the fire light dances across our faces. I want to see Shane and Finn go fishing together for the first time....wishing I could hear their conversation.
So this weekend, even tho I still have loads of editing to do from my mini-sessions & other sessions, I think I'm going to leave my computer at home. Unplug. Let my mind, body and soul have a break.
I give.
And maybe, just maybe, I'll take my original camera. The good ol' D50 and try to capture a few things. I managed to capture these the other night....and am so glad I did.
Happy Memorial Day! Hope you have a relaxing, peaceful, safe weekend. Thank you to all who have served (and are serving) our country....providing us 'civilians' with more blessings than we will ever appreciate or deserve. May God continue to bless America!