Is May over yet?

So I'm not usually one to wish for time to pass (I am way too sentimental about days passing too quickly), but I am looking forward to the end of May.

To say May has been crazy in my house would be the understatement of the year.  All of it was fun stuff and I wouldn't change any of it, but I'm wishing I could have spread some of the festivities out a bit.  First was my solo trip to Florida - I told you not to feel sorry for me :-)

I went to Fort Lauderdale to help my in-laws with their drive home.  As a perk, I got to spend a week at the beach, do some fantastic shopping, and read.  In fact, I got to read 13 books.  I have never read 13 books in such a short amount of time.  It's amazing what you can get through when you don't have to take care of anyone else!  I was grateful to be there, but was happy to get home to my family too.

Then the fun began.  The week I was back was filled with preparations for 2 wonderful events - that happened to be scheduled back to back.

Saturday I hosted a birthday party for my youngest.  My baby was turning seven (insert sentimental gasp here) and I had 6 seven year olds over for a scrapbooking party.  It was so much fun, and I loved seeing what the kids had come up with when they were done.  It helped that I had a superb Creative Memories consultant (who is also a dear friend) over to run the party.  This meant I could take pictures for my own scrapbook!

After everyone left, I had some crafting left to do to get ready for my little sister's baby shower - which we held on Sunday.  It was so fun to watch all our friends and family gather to celebrate the fact that we are adding a new member to our family.  My sister looked and felt great, and she got everything she will need for once the baby is born ( ha ha...so she thinks)!!  There was a little added stress to the day - we discovered that my other sister's wedding venue had burned down the night before!  She was a trooper and got through Sunday with a smile.  Now the hunt is on for a new location!!

The month of May was a fantastic one, but I admit I'm looking forward to a quieter June.  Then the fun starts again while we prep for my other sister's bridal shower and wedding!!  Maybe I should be looking forward to September! LOL

Perspective Can Suck It!

I'm the first to admit every once in awhile I need a good dose of reality.  It keeps me grounded; it helps remind me of what is important in life; it makes me remember that the little things are just as important as the big ones. 

What sucks is when I get slammed over the head with a dose of reality that makes me just want to curl up.  This week I got one of those.   A good friend of my parents passed away.  She was an amazing lady with a contagious laugh, and she had a family that loved her to pieces.  What made this one even harder is she went from healthy to gone in 6 months.  6 months.  That's nothing...it's half a school year, it's two seasons.  6 months.

What it did for me is remind me how precious time is.  How when all is said and done, I don't want to look back and realize I've wasted the gift of time.

The ironic part is this lesson came at a time when I needed it.  I've caught myself working "just a few minutes later" every night - which means I have a few minutes less with hubby and kids.  I'm saying more frequently "not right now" when my girls are trying to tell me something.  I'm trying so hard to keep all the balls in the air that I'm forgetting to pay attention to all the things that keep the ground solid below me - family, friends, giggles and hugs.

How the perspective is doled out can really suck - hopefully the lesson is not lost in the delivery.  For me, it will be about asking the 5 year question - in 5 years will I really remember the extra hours I put in at work?  Probably not.  I may remember the amazing walk to the park where the kids spun on the tire swing though.  Perspective.

Thank you to an amazing lady who reminded me of how precious time is.  R.I.P Heidi.