Pep Talk

Today at school I gave my kids a pep talk about staying focused, raising their grades and taking advantage of the opportunities offered to them at school. My students aren't the only ones needing some motivational words. I have found myself engaged in some pep-talk lately related to our wait.

Things that roll around in my head ...

1. "If this is the hardest thing going on in your life now, you're pretty lucky. Look at all the tragedy in the world, this isn't so tough is it?"

2. "If the baby doesn't come until spring, you won't have to give the TAKS test." (The TAKS tests are the awful high stakes tests we give our kids and administering them is a tense yet mind-numbing week. This piece of pep is good for a quick pick me up. I seriously hate giving those tests.)

3. "If you take maternity leave in the spring, then it can just flow right into summer and you won't have to pay for daycare until the fall."

4. "Look at how quickly the last four months have gone. The next 2 surely will fly by too."

5. "You have been to Santa Fe, Michigan, California, Cambridge, Colorado, Austin, College Station, New Orleans, Minnesota and Mexico in the past year. These outings will change once the baby comes, so enjoy yourself."

6. "When the baby comes, it won't be as easy to_________________ (fill in the blank with sleep-in, go to yoga multiple times a week, watch TV after a long day, run quick errands, stay late at school and other such activities), so relish these moments because your life will soon be very different."

7. "Calm down, it will happen. It's all part of the plan."

8. "Let it go. Stop obsessing over it. Trying to calculate when it will happen won't make the phone ring any sooner."

9. "Look at the unofficial list. Things have slowed down. Adjust your expectations. Tell yourself you'll likely get the referral by February. That's really not far away and then if happens sooner, you'll be surprised."

10. And of course the good old stand-by: "This moment is all there is. This moment is all there is. This moment is all there is."

And I was tagged by Theresa to post my 4th photo from my 4th file on my computer. This is the 4th picture of the 4th file that actually would open and download onto the blog.

Spring in Michigan.

Leaving month #4