10 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 38

This past week has included happy, sad, heart-warming, heart-breaking, hilarious and not-so-funny moments. My father’s memorial service on Friday was lovely and his friends told wonderful stories that perfectly captured the friend, father, husband and man that he was. The day filled some of the holes in my heart and I’m so grateful to all of you who were there or sent loving thoughts. Thank you.

As you can imagine, Halloween has sort of snuck up on us around here. Luckily we went with all store-bought costumes this year—definitely not the excitement of years past. Which is fine with me. But I ended up with a homemade costume. It was Lenny’s idea, but seemed most appropriate for me these days. Check out the pic and see if you know what I am…share your guess in the comments. I’ll let you know when someone gets it.

And now, some ever-so-insightful lessons…

Lesson #1: If you want to get to heaven, all you need is a jet pack, a pillow and a strap.

Lesson #2: While Big may look like Lenny’s side of the family, his personality—for better, for worse and especially during an emotional breakdown—is all mine. (Then again, the fact that he took note of the “piped flowers” a friend decorated her cupcakes with shows his father’s traits still stand a chance.)

Lesson #3: When times get hard, you realize that family has very little to do with the blood running through your veins and everything to do with the connection in your heart.

Lesson #4: While you hope that something during your toughest days is low pressure, it’s definitely not your tires.

Lesson #5: My kids are super advanced. All of them totally nailed separation anxiety before it even showed up in the developmental emails. (Can you blame them for wanting to be with me every second of every day?)

Lesson #6: Having a baby with reflux at the pumpkin patch is kind of like going through the woods with Hansel & Gretel. You can always find your way back to where you started.

Lesson #7: I realize it’s more traditional to take wine or flowers as a hostess gift, but I’m going to start taking sanitary wipes to one particular family’s house. Every time we’re there, one of my kids manages to have an accident. No kidding. And we go there a lot. (Pun not originally intended, but funny nonetheless.)

Lesson #8: When your kid comes home from Christian preschool singing, “Howin’ do ya!”, you realize the timeless irreverence of Friends has been more of an influence in your home than the timeless reverence of bibical tunes.

Lesson #9: I miss the good ol’ days of my childhood where you could run in the store quickly and leave your kids in the car to duke it out. As far as I’m concerned looking back, it was character building for us and a much-needed deep breath for my mom.

Lesson #10: Either haggard is a good look for me or the lovely woman working the checkout line knew I needed a lift (hey, maybe she’d seen my Halloween costume). Because even with a 5-year old and a cart full of fruit snacks, cartons of milk and Cheerios, I got carded buying one oh-so-delicious-looking bottle of wine today.

I’m off to crack open that bottle and the bags of Halloween candy I finally bought. Gotta make up for lost time! Happy Halloween to you and your little goblins!