The problem is Mr. Normal packed up and moved out permanently while I was adjusting to working part-time, homeschooling (then not, then yes again), and going to school full-time.  It has been a year and I still have been unsuccessful in convincing Mr. Normal to move back in.  I ache for the days I had time.  I planned things and wrote them on my calendar.  Activities had specific times and they usually happened as planned, and I even prepared for said activities.  With all our technology helps, we can put way too much into each day!  Also, it is getting increasingly difficult to be unavailable.

On that note – thanks to the technology we enjoy each day, I have learned a lot over the last several days.  I’m going to share a couple of really important facts with you. This will be kept vague for the sake of privacy, but I will say over the last four days I have been helping plan an international trip.  {not a trip for me, someday but not yet}

I have always naively thought – “have passport = can travel internationally”.   This is very, very wrong.  To add to this dilemma, if you are traveling from Country A to Country B, via Country C…your passport validity MUST be good for Country C as well as for Country A and B, even if landing in Country C is just a stopover/layover.  Pretty amazing to find all this out and be able to contact the US Passport people, four airlines, and three US Embassies – all in the same day and come away with answers!  Again, thanks to internet and phones – the technology we take for granted.

Allow me the luxury of backing up to catch you up on our last couple weeks.  …  Okay, I lied, I started but it made me sound like I’m a victim.  I am not a victim and I don’t want to portray that in any way.  We live an incredibly blessed life and I don’t want to cheapen it by being dramatic.  How about if I sum up way too many events over the last several days to say, I’m desperate for life to slow down.  For time to sit and see pretty sights.  To visit with friends without a timer set for when I need to leave {how horrible is that?!}.  Today that was put into light really well as a family friend passed away this morning.  I didn’t know until this afternoon, his battle with cancer is now over and he is in the arms of Jesus.  His body is whole and without pain.  It is moments such as those {finding out someone has passed away} that really causes reflection on the importance of our every day activities.

Do you remember the saying, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses”? {or whatever it really is}.  I have been thinking about that lately.  For me it isn’t about stopping, but I have to make a point of stopping to smell the roses, even if that means scheduling it in.  I don’t forget to stop, I’m not able to stop.  Everything is so go, go, go anymore.  I want to stop and smell the roses, but if I do – I’ll get run over.  I’ve come to the conclusion that just like a husband and wife need to schedule dates to maintain and grow their healthy relationship, I need to schedule time for stopping and reading a book.  Time to just not think.  This is just as important for my well-being as a single adult and single mom, as it is for a married couple.  I’ve known I needed to take time to take care of myself, but I didn’t think it was incredibly important.  God is changing my thinking on this – I might even be finally getting it, a little bit :-D.  Have a blessed day!