Exams Week and Life Things

My 5 year old pushing the grocery cart.

I’m sorry I haven’t posted in two weeks, I started witting this post about a month ago. Things have been very busy and I’ve been in a writing rut.

The last two weeks and a half, at least two of my kids had final exams. Between helping the younger one’s study and being supportive and present with the older two, while trying to keep the youngest entertained and maintaining a household and doing the things that mothers do, it’s been hectic. I wake up at 5 to make sure everyone is at school on time and no one is late for their exam. I go to bed late waiting for my older kids to finish studying and making sure they are ready for their next exam. I don’t nap in the day, but do moms ever successfully nap? I’ve attempted once or twice but they ended in a headache and failure so why bother right? The injury in my hand which after and MRI was diagnosed as a cyst, not threating, a little painful, but I’m currently doing physio therapy and was asked to rest my left hand (which is not easy since it’s my dominate hand), which means no upper body workout. Now, going to the gym and taking out the stresses of life there isn’t the same. I can run on the treadmill, I can do lower body workouts, without using my hands. It’s frustrating and it’s not the same. I used to love holding a sand ball over my head and slamming it down. It used to be such a release. I confess that I may have submitted to all the negative feelings. Let it wash over me and maybe drown me a bit. I’ve been angry at my body, why does it keep failing me in one way or another even though I am trying so hard to keep it healthy. Its frustrating. Last week I went to the gym twice, always angry, I don’t talk to anyone, I run/walk on the treadmill and try my best to get all the frustration out so I can go home to my kids calm and collected. My husband has been on multiple business trips the past couple of weeks and though I understand that this is important for his career and I am supportive of that, it has just made the load heavier for me. So, after sitting down with myself the other day, and giving myself a pep talk, I’m going to try my best to go back to my optimistic self, the “I will never give up” mindset. I’ve got this. I will train in every way I can. I will not let tis injury stop me.

The past week my kids were on vacation. I tried my best to balance between pre-Ramadan preparations, normal mom duties and fun activities for the kids. I also had physio therapy three times a week.

I took my 10-year-old, to get his hand checked a week after he fell on it trying to do a double kick. He’s been complaining on and off and refusing to go see a doctor every time I suggested it. I honestly didn’t think anything was wrong or his hand his complaints weren’t consistent and there was no discoloration swelling.  I finally decided that his pain was probably just him needing some extra attention, I took him to the ER because there were no orthopedics that treated kids available that morning, the ER doctor asked for an x-ray to my relief. I was a little worried that there was a minor fracture and I was horrible mom not taking him sooner) The x-rays were clear, no broken bones no fractures, everything was normal. The doctor suggested we follow up with an orthopedic doctor if the pain persisted. After the ER visit I took him to the bookstore nearby to find some new books to read, the series he was reading ended and he’s been in a reading rut. Afterword’s we went to the coffee shop next door for brunch (well if you consider ice cream and cookies brunch, haha, but I wanted it to be his day so we broke the rules) the pain in his hand has since disappeared and he hasn’t complained once since. I guess books and ice cream can cure pain sometimes.

I took my daughter to get a haircut, she’s been wanting one for a while and with school there never was any time, I got my hair dyed (those pesky grey hairs needed a cover up) It was nice to have some girl time with her. My youngest is easy to please, I took him grocery shopping and let him push the grocery cart. He likes to ride in the basket with the groceries but with the cyst in my wrist I’m not supposed to strain it. He was happy to push it and didn’t want my help. It was nice giving them each one on one time. Sometimes I’m so busy with everything I don’t seem to have the time. My middle child had friends over on two separate days and went to his friend’s house after soccer, (football) practice. We also had two movie nights at home. (one movie afternoon because who said it has to be night) I didn’t do anything with my oldest but he’s at that age where he’s more independent and we do chat and cook together sometimes. It’s hard finding balance. I also had the plumber come in and finish all the little things that needed to be done, and the electrician came and hooked up my new electric oven. I still don’t have a kitchen but having a real fridge (instead of a mini fridge) and a stove top/ oven had been great. One of my brothers stopped by on his way home after a week off camping around Saudi Arabia. He stayed for two days and we went out and talked it was nice to catchup. Did I mention I also took my daughter shopping for Eid? I don’t like to go shopping during Ramadan. For me Ramadan is supposed to be a relaxed month focusing on praying and worship and connecting with God. I try my best to get everything ready before Ramadan. I’ve even ordered the toys for the Eid goody bags, they arrived on Tuesday. The boys are easier to shop for, I usually order their clothes on line. I’ve got a week to go and still some things to check off my list.

We start school tomorrow and I hope I’ve done enough with the kids that they start the third semester refreshed and recharged.  After 11 days of vacation I am exhausted and I’m actually looking forward to school to start so I can have my quit mornings again.