It Takes A Village...

They say that it takes a village to raise a child and I'm going to have to agree.  And we really miss the our village right now...

This summer has been a bittersweet time.  I have loved every minute that I have spent with these three kids trying to enjoy the adventures that we have gone through knowing that we won't be able to take back the time that passes.  Moving out of one house.  Living at Grandma's.  Moving into a new house.  Enjoying the new sights and sounds of the DC area.  Aiden , a very active four year old.  Andrew, a curious and excitable toddler.  And Abby, a sweet and loving baby.  As summer is starting to wind down, I am finally getting truly worn out.  I have spent every waking minute of my day with these kids.  I wake up with them at 6 am and am always included in bedtime (especially with a nursing baby) around 8 pm.  We play together, clean together, eat together, read together, shop together, run errands together, etc.  You name it, my kids will be included with me.  The only downtime that I find in my days comes at 9 pm when I'm either picking up, eating dinner, or completely passed out on the couch.  I know, if you are a mom, you totally understand this post and can say an "amen."

I have to say right now that I miss our friends in New Jersey where I could head to their houses, let the kids have a crazy and happy time, and soak in some other "mom" time.  I miss heading to the town pool, like we did last year, where we always saw friends to play and hang out with.  I miss having support and love from those around us.  But I don't want to look to the past because I know that there is a reason we are here and it really has been a fun area to explore.  The kids and I have been blackberry picking, seen music concerts and magic shows, ate at some wonderful restaurants, and explored new parks.  Chris and I have talked about trying to really make the most of it here because this city is great for little ones and we want to say that we really put effort in to experiencing life here in these two years.  

But it's not easy.  Chris started his new job and is busy establishing himself there.  Kids are up in the night.  Errands need to be done, like getting to the DMV and running to the post office.  New doctors and dentists have to be found.  Etc. Etc. Etc.  I know that this rough patch will pass as preschool is starting soon and my active boys will have an outlet besides their mommy.  I will savor a few quiet afternoons a week while the kids are (hopefully) enjoying school time.  We will hopefully get more connected in the mom's group around here as well as meeting families at the preschool.  Maybe, we can find a babysitter again?!?!  Fall arrives and it will be filled with time at the park, travels around the area, and whatever fun plans that I come up with.  (Trust me, we don't have too much dull or boring moments in this house!)  

This weekend, we are really excited to head north to meet two of our NJ bestie families at the shore for a fun weekend with friends.  And next week, I am thankful for a visit from my mom.  It's been a LONG time since we have had any family visit and I am so thankful for my mom to take some time away from her busy schedule to spend time with these kids and give these two parents just a few moments of a much-needed break.  So as tired as I am, I am excited to see a little of "our village" in the next week. 

And of course, you can't do a post without a little shots of these three kids (and please ignore these terrible haircuts that the boys got! AAAhh, thankfully I was able to "fix" Andrew's haircut enough that it is at least not embarrassing to head out in public.  We have discovered one place already that we will not be returning back too...!)