Emmy Lou's Adventures: A Week from H-E-Double Hockey Sticks

Well, we have had quite a week here. I know I say that often, but this week it is especially true.

We parted ways with our part time nanny, Tara, on Monday. She was wonderful with Emmeline but there were some serious things that we could not overlook. We wish her all the best and are sad that she will not be with Emmeline anymore. So, we have been scrambling to find a new solution since I am not finished teaching until Dec. 10. Our friend Melanie (Estella's mommy) watched Emmeline on Wednesday and our friend Martha (Ezra's mommy- he turned one on Wednesday!) watched her on Friday. On Monday, our friend Alison (Haley's mommy) will be helping us out. Beyond that we have no idea. Cross your fingers (and toes).

On top of that, my mommy-wagon pooped out on Tuesday for the third time this fall. We were told that it can be patched up to get us by for a few weeks. Beyond that we have no idea. Cross your fingers (and toes) again.

The logistics of all of this are becoming very hairy. We have one working car and Paul and I are working in opposite directions of our house. Emmeline and I have been waking up early to drive Paul to work and then I have been dropping Emmeline off wherever or bringing her with me to campus (sorry, fellow office mates!). When Paul is done with school, he either has to hitch a ride from a fellow co-worker or wait until 5:30 when Emmeline and I can get there.

Work, of course, for both of us has been ever-present and stressful this week. Prepping, grading and teaching. We were both supposed to be observed on Friday; me by my dissertation advisor (it actually went well, thanks for asking) and Paul by his assistant principal (he wasn't able to make to Paul's class because there was a snowball fight that morning and as an administrator, he had to dole out suspensions). Ah, life.

The silver lining is this: Oftentimes in our most trying moments, we are given the opportunity to realize how very fortunate we are. We have very dear friends and they are graciously coming to our aid. It truly takes a village to raise a child and since our genetic village is in North Dakota, Minnesota and Idaho, our Delawarian village has come to the rescue...again and again and again.

If I had written this post at any time during the week it would have had a much different tone. But it is Saturday night, I am eating a fajita made with steak that Paul just grilled, drinking a glass of cabernet, listening to Prairie Home Companion via podcast and do not have to look at my students until Monday.