Busy Busy

This time of year is always extremely busy in my family...and I often hyperventilate my way through it. This year, I really want to try and relax and actually enjoy each and every moment without stressing about all the things I need to do to prepare for the next one.

To give you an idea of the intensity of this time of year, two years ago, this very weekend, Hubby and I traveled to Central New York, near Ithaca, to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday—with my entire family (dad's side)...all 6 of her kids and spouses, all 12 of her grandchildren, and all 13 of her great-grandchildren (two more have been born since, not by me...but who's counting). And this amazing family reunion happened on my mother's 60th birthday!

It was a 6 hour drive each way. We were back in Boston for about 3 days when we headed off on another 3 hour drive to spend another long weekend with the other side of the family in order to celebrate my mother's 60th over the 4th of July holiday. Which just so happens to be my MIL's birthday. It was quite a year.

So, this year...here's what's coming up over the next few weeks. I'm hoping writing it all out will get me excited about each event so I can stop stressing about the preparations.

6/25 Today: Visit my best friend, her husband and adorable adopted from Korea almost three-year-old. Stop at IKEA on the way because when you have a new house, you always need something from IKEA! (Ironically, dad's side of the family is again together this weekend for high school graduation and wedding. They were really hoping we'd show, but I still haven't resolved my daddy issues, so thank goodness for tomorrow's event as an excuse!)

6/26 Tomorrow: Celebrate Hubby's Aunt's 60th birthday at a big family reunion luncheon. (Did I mention that 75% of his family has their birthday in the last week of June?). Stop off at SIL's dad's house to see SIL and niece Lady C who just arrived in town on Thursday.

6/27 Monday: Mom's birthday. Remember to call her. Possibly meet a college friend who is in town for work for dinner.

2/28 Tuesday: Clean the house in preparation for Little Bro, SIL, and Lady C to stay on Saturday night.

6/29 Wednesday: WORK DEADLINE. Shop for first birthday present for Lady C and new baby gift for cousin S baby girl.

6/30 Thursday: Try to take the afternoon off to spend with SIL and Lady C. Work party in the evening, followed by late birthday dinner for one of my favorite coworkers who's last day is also Thursday. So sad about this I can barely stand it. I sit next to him. We eat lunch together nearly every day. I don't know what I am going to do when he's gone but be incredibly bored! Don't worry. He's gay. Hubby doesn't need to be jealous.

7/1 Friday: More time to clean the house, and move all the glass objects up off of low shelves because Lady C is walking now. Start packing for 4 days away with the family.

7/2 Saturday: Vacuum the house, make up the beds, shop for something for dinner. Little Bro arrives from London, picks up SIL and Lady C to stay with us for the night.

7/3 Sunday: We all head to the Berkshires to reprise our 4th of July family reunion of 2 years ago with my Mom, my Aunt and her fiance, my cousin C, husband P and their two boys (4 and 2), my cousin LJ, my cousin S, husband D and one month old baby girl C. This is where I really need the strength...the strength to enjoy the four little ones, and observe what I have to look forward to, and to not be sad about what I am still waiting for. I need to stop comparing myself to others and know that I am on my own journey that will have my own happy ending.

7/4 Monday: Feel guilty that we're not with MIL on her birthday.

7/6 Wednesday: return home

7/7 Thursday: WTF appointment with Dr. A

7/9 Saturday: Annual clam bake with our local friends (Hubby's college gang)

7/15 Friday: Take the day off to fly to Chicago, meet mom, then drive to Iowa for cousin T's (sister of cousin S) wedding.

7/16 Sunday: Drive back to Chicago, fly back to Boston. Take a deep breath and try to enjoy the rest of the summer.

Whew! I'm slightly tired just reading all of that. But also really excited, mostly to have more time with my niece (not that I don't have a great time with the rest of my family too). I'm also really glad to have some time off of work. It's been pretty faced paced since we got back from our trip in June. Not to mention that life since then was fairly consumed with out IVF cycle. A few days at a farm house in the middle of the woods with my family is a much deserved and needed break. And since I dragged Hubby to BJs last night to buy all the beverages for the trip (bottled water, juice, cans of soda, beer and wine) I can relax about being ready with our contribution to the weekend. Now I just have to dig to left over sparklers out of the basement and pack!

OK, now that I've gotten all of that out, I'm looking forward to this afternoon with my best friend, who will be moving back to New Jersey as soon as she can sell her house, to be 4 hours instead of 1 hour away. I need to enjoy the time that I have. And of course, who doesn't get excited about a trip to IKEA!