Getting it together

I feel like Ihaven't blogged in so long. Last week seems a million miles away. My mental health in most of August suffered at the hands of hosting an exchange student. Not that the student was the issue - but all the hosting duties really weighed heavy on me. But that is over and I now feel so much better.
School is starting out very well. We did have tears last week from one 4th grader I know. When I was explaining that this year I think she should really take her time (I DO take my time) and that maybe she could put in extra effort to make her writing the best it could be (It IS the best it could be) and that even though she says she tried her hardest I might know better ( you don't know me!!!!) she then begins to cry. To be frank, I found the tears to be a load of crap. This is gut check time and the way I see it is this...She has been super lucky to be fairly bright and be able to skate by, but now I think is the time to dig deep and show me some stuff. I speak from experience - I was lucky enough to skate by too and I will say this...I KNEW I WAS SKATING...and so does she. So save the tears for someone who didn't skate.
Other than that, the kids are good. Lily still has some clothing issues - too tight, too loose, too small, too long, too short, too rough, too "fashiony", not "fashiony" enough. Each morning I pray that I don't see her walk out in this blue High School Musical Tshirt and fleece blue pants - her uniform from last year. 3 out of the 4 days of school this year, she has worn that shirt....I HATE THAT SHIRT.
Okay - other than THAT, the kids are good.
I love having Peter to myself and I love getting back to resting while he naps. I put him down and then i get a snack, book, blanket and rest. I adore that time. And I know I gush over that child but he is a gift. A real gift. He is unbelievably loving and somehow God knew, despite the inattention from me in the last decade or so, that I needed that boy in my life. So thanks be to God and the bottle of Riesling I drank that night.