Moving forward

I don't suppose there's any point in trying to catch up. It's been more than a year since I updated this blog. Blame Facebook, hubby being gone for five months, selling the house, buying a house and moving back "home." At least, those are excuses for 2010.

Now it's time to move forward.

In two days, my baby turns 4. I've never had a four year old who didn't come with a baby sibling. We're entering unchartered territory for the Healy family.

I can feel the days getting a little easier as the children grow up. Some days, Brendan needs nudging to get his homework done or brush his teeth, but he'll do it and help his sister along the way. Ryan may have his occasional five-year-old meltdown and refuse my request, but most days he's helpful and happy to anticipate what I need. Kelsey is bubbly and sweet and will fight back if you let her, but she is also eager to dress herself, brush her own teeth, and even help herself to as many fruit snacks as she can find in the pantry.

In short, I no longer have to do everything.

And yet, there is still so much that must be done. Freelance work, laundry, cleaning, playing with the kids, helping with homework, reviewing assignments, paying the bills, doing taxes, shopping, cleaning out drawers and closets, finding a favorite toy or blankie, making snacks for class parties, volunteering at the kids' schools, taking Kelsey to preschool and gymnastics, taking the boys to swim practices, soccer practices and soccer games.

Thankfully, it's this never-ending list that has made jumping into a normal routine in our new city much easier. When we moved to Michigan eight years ago, I had a newborn. There wasn't much in life we had to do except make our well-baby visits at the pediatrician's office, go to the grocery store, and occasionally buy gas.

Now there are few days we have nothing to do. So far, that's OK.