I am so completely out of sync these days.

Summer does that to me. I suppose it’s a good thing in some ways. A break from our usual routine.

I don’t miss the homework, that’s for sure. And I love how the kids get to hang out, or try new and exciting things at camps. And of course, don’t get me started on how much I love vacations and am counting the days until our road trip to the beach.

But our schedule changes dramatically. We are off our usual “kid’s schedule” because they are gone with their other parents for vacations throughout the summer. And of course, there is no way to coordinate everyone, so we often have just the two boys, or the three kids. This year we pretty much only have everyone all together when we are on vacation (which makes vacations even more amazing).  And the way it worked out this year is we don’t see the 3 kids very much all July – luckily we see them a lot in August though!

As much as we miss them when they aren’t around, it’s the all kids who miss each other too. Nothing is as fun when half the family is gone:(( On Saturday Zach celebrates his 12th birthday, and is a bit bummed that the 3 kids will be flying in the sky with their Mom for their summer vacation. Then he is leaving early on his birthday morning to go camping with his Dad (his Dad wanted to take him on the Friday night, and I refused as I wanted to see Zach on his official birthday on Saturday…so they are leaving early on the Saturday instead. Trust me, seeing him that little on his birthday KILLS me. I know it may sound silly, but it is days/events like this where the bitterness/sadness/grief/anger comes out about the divorce… yup  – 8 years later; I hate that I lose out on so much time with my boys. Weird, eh? But I think it’s because I quite sentimental about birthdays. Their birthday is bigger than my birthday, ya know? Sorry,  I digressed….)

Anyhow, all that to say, summer can be amazing, but it’s a bit crazy. Which means my quote of the week suffers a bit – and there is pretty much no family night to share it at too which feels strange.

When I came across this quote by Mother Theresa, I thought it was a good little reminder for myself. Regardless of our routine (or lack of routine), regardless of who we have and who we don’t have sleeping in our home at night and certainly regardless of why we don’t have them, this is how I want to live.

“People are often unreasonable and self centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give it your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
Mother Theresa