Where the Day Actually Began
December 22, 2025 didn't really start fresh—it began exactly where the night before ended. Eve and the kids had stayed over, and the plan was simple: wake up early, get outside, take a nature walk before the day filled up.
Maintenance was scheduled sometime between noon and four to address a leak that had flooded part of the house, and my mom had an appointment at two. The idea was to get back home before maintenance arrived and keep everything moving smoothly.
But plans rarely survive contact with reality.
When One Detail Changes Everything
It turned out my mom had the appointment time wrong. It wasn't at two—it was at nine. She left early, taking the only vehicle, and suddenly the rest of us were stranded at the house.
No nature walk. No graceful start to the day.
I fed the kids breakfast and let them play. At one point, I stepped away for a few minutes—three to five, at most—and got yelled at for leaving them unattended. The rest of the day, they were fully supervised, especially the younger ones. Still, later on, I got yelled at again when the kids were messing around near the garden.
Not the kids I was watching.
It's one of those days where it feels like no amount of adjustment quite satisfies anyone.
When the House Fills Up
After her appointment, my mom went out again—running errands, and helping family—before dropping off more kids for me to watch. On top of that, neighborhood kids started showing up.
At one point, there were nine kids in the house.
Strangely enough, there was less chaos than the previous sleepover with far fewer kids. Somehow, everyone behaved. Played. Shared space without constant conflict.
Maybe it was grace.
Maybe it was exhaustion.
Maybe I just needed a win.
Whatever the reason, it felt like a small mercy.
When I Joined In
At one point, I climbed onto the trampoline with the kids—seven of them bouncing around me at once. I jumped. They laughed. I felt it immediately. Joints complaining. Muscles reminding me I'm not as young as I used to be.
Still, it was worth it.
Moments like that matter to me. I don't just supervise from the sidelines. I don't always hover quietly in the background. Sometimes I step in and play. I join them where they are, even if my body protests a little afterward.
Old age may be creeping in—but presence still shows up.
Lunch, and the Same Old Question
I made pizza for lunch. As usual, my daughter barely ate, while Eve's kids finished everything and still seemed hungry.
It's something I don't fully understand. How do other kids have such big appetites? Why is it always a struggle on my end?
I don't know if it's personality, routine, or just one of those things parents overthink because we care.
The Day Winds Down
Eventually, the day settled. Eve and the kids went home. Zion and Joey were picked up. The neighborhood kids drifted off as evening came.
Maintenance finally arrived around 3:30 and tightened the water lines under the kitchen sink. They mentioned reducing water pressure to prevent future leaks, which raised new concerns in my mind—showers, laundry, dishes. More things to think about later.
The Tension Beneath It All
As the house quieted, I found myself reflecting on something heavier.
I worry sometimes that I'm spending too much time with Eve and her kids this close to Christmas. There's a lot to do, and I don't want to neglect responsibilities or lose momentum. At the same time, I'm not as wired for stress as my mom is.
She worries about everything.
I tend to adapt, do what I can, and still try to enjoy life.
That difference causes friction.
I know there are concerns about overnight visits and boundaries. I see them differently. To me, flexibility doesn't automatically mean irresponsibility. It means trusting yourself to manage life as it unfolds.
Still, navigating shared space means navigating shared expectations—and that's not always clean or comfortable.
Ending the Day Early
By the end of it all, I was tired enough to go to bed early. I know that usually just means waking up early too, but my body needed rest, even if my mind wasn't ready to shut down.
Today reminded me that not every day needs to be productive to be meaningful. Some days are just about handling what shows up, keeping things moving, and letting go of what didn't go according to plan.
Tomorrow can handle itself when it arrives.
For now, rest is enough.