The more things change, the more they stay the same…or so the saying goes.  It’s been just about 4 months since CE has been home and CLEARLY we are all MUCH better off for it.   In fact, the saying between my hubby and I when we are going through a transitional time, probation speed bump, parenting challenges, etc, etc. is, “It’s better than it was.”  It’s a given that it’s true, but it helps to bring us back to THIS moment, THIS time.  Reminding us that nothing is forever (good or bad) and whatever it is, we WILL get through it.  This past week, we’ve used that phrase ALOT!!  Now that I am returning to a more “normal” state of mind, I was amused with several things that change and yet….they don’t, in a funny little way.

• One of our children (to remain nameless…) has ALWAYS given me a hard time going to sleep.  And with all that her blessed little heart has been through in her short life, it boils down to my enabling her out of self preservation and exhaustion that this maddening pattern continues.  Enter Daddi-O coming home (the FAR more consistent parent) and we are beginning to make strides in breaking habits.  Though not broken yet, he never fails to make me laugh when he references this book when we are having a particularly difficult evening. Now I am FULLY aware how controversial this book is and would NOT speak in this manner to any of our kids, but trust me….between CE and I, it is an instant tension reliever and buys our daughter a little time while I regain composure.  I suppose I may endure the Giant Internet Hand of Spanking for even endorsing this book, but REALLY, it wouldn’t be so funny if it wasn’t so obvious that it’s a rite of passage in parenting in putting children to sleep.  So that’s changing…..and yet, not….
• The girls have had bunk beds in our house since we moved in 2 years ago.  They have the smallest bedroom and logistically, it makes sense.  A month or so before CE came home, they wanted to un-bunk (after viewing their brother’s newly un-bunked room) and so we did.  It left very little room to “play” but was really nice as far as making the bed, tucking in the girls and waking them in the morning, however, after about 6 months of this, they wanted to re-bunk.  And so today back UP they went. The boys’ beds will re-bunk tonight also.  Much roomier all around…now I’ll just have to find the pink paint to touch up the gouge from the UN-bunking since it’s pretty obvious now…..
• The Mass seating order must not be changed.  Ever.  Trust me on this one.  Just don’t.
• Math homework is still way harder for us than the kiddos.  Of course, luck for them Daddi-O has far more patience and endurance in explaining and helping out.  Now this is good timing for the boys, because Algebra and I were NEVER friends.  Ever.  And that’s just not going to change.
• CE still eats a TON, works hard and loses weight.  I get up at 4:45 a.m. to hit the gym and the scale doesn’t budge.  I don’t know, maybe it has something to do with me thinking I can eat, too.  Even though I’m not outside in the heat lugging concrete for hours on end or carpentering and painting…..it’s still a mystery to me…hmmmmm
• The chores still get done.  The lawn still gets mowed.  Eventually.