Life snapshot #3

It's hard to believe it has been over a year since my last snapshot. It's definitely time for a new one.

The good

• It's so easy to go places as a family now: no diapers, no strollers, no nap schedules. We went to the fair a couple of weeks ago, and everyone walked, fed him/herself, and went to the bathroom him/herself (Levi is almost there)--it was so pleasant! 
• We now officially have three great-sleeping kids (knock wood). Levi was a pretty good sleeper previously but would come to our bed most nights. Everyone still slept, but it obviously wasn't as restful. 
• Jon and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in June (and it was his birthday on Friday!), and I feel we're closer and stronger than ever.
• Homeschooling was a success this last year when I consider the goals I set for myself: spend time with Nate; do some fun learning things; read and work on math but generally take it easy on academics. I also came to the realization that this year of homeschooling was a "make-up year" for Nate: he didn't get to be home with me when he was 3 and 4 years old, like he should have been. He was in school 5 days a week at that time. So this year was the year he should have had at home with me when he was 3. 
• I am so pleased with how Nate is eating. That sounds silly, but I've found it so essential to the bigger picture for him--his attitude, behavior, etc. 
• Summer is nice!--care-free, fewer commitments, swimming--just fun.
• There are moments and days when the children play really nicely together. However....

The difficult

• Much of the time it feels like the kids are fighting, arguing, yelling, rough-housing, etc. In turn, I start each day with my patience already run out (there just isn't enough time overnight for it to refill). Things that wouldn't have bothered me 5 years ago are now impossibly frustrating.  
• Because of some outside forces (some beyond our control, some not), finances are stressful right now. We've had to make some tough decisions recently, which I'll detail as we head into the fall. 

How nice that the good far outweighs the difficult!