Today was a trying day for the entire family, well okay, at least for the adults. My husband is having health issues and was in a lot of pain today, but went into work regardless, what a trooper! He hobbled out of the house early this morning grunting, and grumbling to himself, with each step, but to his credit he still went to work, and stayed the entire day. And while his day was filled with physical pain, mine was an emotional pain in the butt.

Everything in which I tried to accomplish today was like swimming uphill. Even the break that I decided to give myself and go to the mall for a much loved sub for lunch and perhaps a little shopping turned into a stressful nightmare that I would rather not relive in detail. The kids, all in all, each had a good day, and were full of life, energy, and endless chatter, which of course just made me grumble inside in my lovely mood, ‘what the heck are they so peachy and happy about?!’

My adopted stepson had his ACE match tonight. It is basically academic games where two different schools compete against one and other, in several different categories. He was on the science team tonight, and very excited to be playing for the second week in a row, since not everyone who is on the team plays each week. My husband was in pain, I had had it with leaving the house and dealing with humanity, and dinnertime was not only rapidly approaching, but quickly fading into the we need to get in the car and go window of the night. My dear sweet, workaholic, I mean husband was not yet home from his day of work yet, so it was clear that no matter how much I did not want to leave the house, I was indeed going to have to leave the house.

Not wanting to spoil his excitement over playing in tonight’s match, I knew that I was going to have to get it together, and fast. After a quick talk on the phone to my dear workaholic, there I go again, I meant to say husband, we decided to meet at a local place for a quick bite to eat, and then drive the last few minutes on to the school where the meet was being held. While we did have to eat and run so to speak, it was nice to go out with the entire family for a change, and relax a little before the meet.

Even though both my husband and I would have loved to stay home, and I sure would have rock, paper, scissored to see who was the lucky one who got to take the preschooler back to the house and enjoy some quiet time for about an hour, we both sucked it up. We put the day behind us, and focused on the kids. We joked and laughed at dinner, we talked our oldest up, getting his ego ready for the match, and played with the little one while he marveled at the small trinket that came with his meal.

After a day of both physical and emotional stress, we were still able to put it behind us, and focus on the family. My adopted stepson needed to have both of us there to support him, and we were. And in turn the children were able to pull us out of our funks, simply by being there and needing us. We all ended up being there for one and other, some of us aware of our jobs of supporting, yet others blissfully unaware to how important they were in the process of turning the day around. Had we been able to crawl off somewhere and be in a funk, that is exactly where we would have stayed, in a funk, but by being with the family, by being around the ones who we need and who need us, we were all able to get some positive vibes flowing and have a great night. And to top it off, my adopted stepson’s team…still undefeated!

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