Wonderfully Weary

I have been tired this week.  The kind of tired where I can hardly keep my eyes open once I sit on the couch after the boys are in bed.  The kind of tired that has me hitting the snooze button three times in the morning. As I sat here tonight wondering why I have been less-than-energetic, I reviewed some of the highlights (and low points) of my Thursday.  Today, I (and not in this order):

• Cheered for our outstanding, improved and inspirational students at a rally
• Joined in happy birthday for a colleague at lunch
• Laughed with a student about planning a “whine” and cheese party in pre-finals December
• Conferenced with four students, two of whom are not “mine,” about their college essay applications
• Had an impromptu, hour-long heart-to-heart with my mom
• Took the boys out for ice cream
• Helped my first-grader do three pages of math word problems – amazed at how he is growing!
• Read the boys a chapter from Hatchet
• Allowed a headache to increase in severity until I left work 30 minutes early and came home to puke, then sleep for an hour
• Responded to several student emails requesting progress updates, recommendations, and advice
• Chatted with a friend on Facebook about families and why we love and “the opposite of love” them

This is not unique to me .  We all have days, weeks, like this.  And I am not trying to garner sympathy or pity (although the "nursing" I received from my husband and boys was certainly appreciated!) because this is not an accident or misfortune.  This is the life I have chosen for myself.  And crazy as it sounds, I wouldn't have wanted to do any less with my day.  One verse I have tucked into my heart, James 1:2, keeps things in perspective: "Count it all joy..."  I may get tired at times, but even learning to admit that is a sign of my growth.  No matter what each day brings -- the temptations, the failings, the trials, the triumphs -- each teaches me something about myself and others.  Each makes me wonderfully imperfect.  And ready for a nap :)

This isn't post-related, but I love pics of the boys conked out in the car