Independence......

This weekend was an “off and running” kind of weekend.  The kids enjoyed lots of activities and I am totally exhausted.  Just to give you an idea of the “single mom” activities, I thought I would first share our weekend time line:

Friday:

10AM – 12N: Conference call for work

12N-3PM: Visit with their father

3PM: Sleep over

Saturday:

9AM-11AM: Clean House/Laundry

11AM-12N: Pick up kids from sleep over

2PM-3PM: Return feline friend from week of dog sitting

4PM-7PM: Friends over for food, swimming, and pool time

7PM-8PM: Fireworks (this was all me)

8PM-10PM: Still playtime with friends

Sunday:

10AM-11AM: Visit with their father

11AM-12AM: Shopping for a gift/groceries

12:30-1PM: Pit stop at house to wrap gift and put away groceries

2PM-4PM: Birthday party and hair cut

5PM-6PM: Pit stop at house

6PM-8PM: Movie Theater for Cars 2 and Ice Cream at Maggie Moo’s

8PM-11PM:  Friends and play time

This exhausting but fun list of activities finally landed us on Monday the 4^th of July.  We spent the majority of the day swimming in the pool and relaxing.  It was a well needed rest for all three of us!  As I floated on the “lazy river” (developed by my daughter as she made laps around the pool), we began to giggle and chat about the people that we spent time with.  It was a great weekend from lighting fireworks to organizing friend and family time…  I saw the excitement on her face as she talked of the birthday party and her brother’s new haircut.  Her eyes got bigger as we laughed about the dud firecracker and how I tried to light three at one time.  She just kept talking and talking about the weekend and I loved every minute of the sound of her voice.   This is the moment that you realize…it is WORTH IT!

So in Keeping it REAL, I am officially “Independent” and feel good about the life that we have built in the last year.  Today’s celebration was about more than just the country’s independence, it was about the independence of a “single” mom.  It is about the “freedom” to go to the movies or light a firecracker.  It is about the “freedom” to be ME!  Happy 4^th to all Single Mothers…today should be your day to shout out….. I DID IT!  I am a successful “Independent”.