Weird title, I know. I’ve been trying to get my 4 month old to sleep and singing him “Frère Jaques” and then singing an alternate English version “Brother John”. Problem is that the 14 year old and the 12 year old like to come in and interrupt…a lot. So, my older children are metaphorical morning bells. The last few weeks have been rough, not just for sleep reasons. My older two have had trying times and have been testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot do, and what is legal and not (sigh). My inner sailor is cursing up a storm. My outer mommy is trying to remain calm and collected (I don’t think I’m fooling anyone).

Good days outnumber the bad and enjoying nap time becomes routine not exception. Of course typing one handed while baby sleeps on my lap has it’s challenges, it is peaceful. It’s my silver linning. Even bigger silvef linning is the glass of red wine I usually get at the end of the day. I kid you not. It’s my reward to me for being and doing the best I can.

A game my family sometimes likes to play is ‘what woul you do if you won the lotto?’ It’s fun to dream. Sometimes we all get outrageous with it – my 12 year old wants his own house on ouf property. Sometimes it’s doable if we were able to save up – like travelling. Either way, we enjoy dreaming together. Another silver linning.