Doing less is good

Things have been tough around here for several weeks.  It is a long story and really boils down to the fact that my hip hurts & haven't been able to do as much around the house.  The five o'clock hour is when I am the tiredest and I hurt the most so making supper has been a challenge to say the least.

Sometimes(okay a lot of times) Steve is very wise.  At the beginning of last year he said that I should have the kids help more with lunch.  I am not saying that I haven't taught them to cook.  I have.  They make a great lettuce salad.  Peeling carrots--no problem.  Michael makes a mean loaf of honey wheat bread & actually enjoys rolling enchiladas.  However I hadn't turned the kitchen over to them for an entire meal.  I wasn't having enough time to grade papers so Steve said--get out of the kitchen at lunch time & use that time. 

That is SO paying off now.  When I am just done for the day by 5 p.m. I have been able to ask the kids to do supper.  I am so proud of the job that they are doing.  It is Elizabeth who has been shouldering most of the burden.  She has a willing spirit and just turns up the music and COOKS!  To be fair, Megan and Joshua are doing a great job of washing dishes afterwards(we don't have a dishwasher) and cleaning up.

I feel guilty for not "pulling" my weight right now but it is allowing my kids(girls especially) to help and contribute where they are needed.  Tonight is date night for our friends so we have their kids here.  While we were at the grocery store this morning I asked the girls what they would like to make.  After a short discussion they decided the other family liked Chicken Tetrazini and that wasn't too hard to make.  This is my 13 year old girl cooking for 10 people.  WOW!  That is so awesome and just makes me proud of her.

I need to step out of the way in areas where my children are capable but I haven't allowed them freedom to work and serve.

Date night

Last Friday night Steve & I enjoyed going out on a date.  Our dates are never really exciting but we cherish the time on our own.  With 4 kids & the busy life we lead it can be hard to time to enjoy being together.  Often we go shopping because well . . . we enjoy puttering around together.

So recap of Friday

Dinner at Red Lobster
Shopping for new sandals for me!
Dessert at Steak & Shake
Home before the kids were back(its nice having one that carts the other around)

We are boring but very content & still in love going on 19 years.