Andrea O. Freeman

Man, I can't believe how fast my days go by. Last night a took a little extra time to love on my children, just not enough time in my day to enjoy with them. Ryan is learning very quickly just how much more he has to help me out at home since I've gone back to work full time. My days are longer this summer since we are doing a four day work week. Yes, I get a day off, but the other four days I am working 9-9.5 hour days. This week is is closer to ten hours since we are wrapping up the university's year end. So much to do, not enough time to do it all, something or several something's come up everyday that seem to get us a bit behind, and well, my stress level has gone up several notches. My favorite time of the day is on the way to work in the morning. As the sun is coming up, it is all quiet in the car, and I lift a prayer to God for my day. It gets me started, keeps me centered, and helps me prepare for whatever may lie ahead in my day. That doesn't mean...

I can't believe how long it has been since my last entry. Well, let's face it--life happens, too much to do and not enough time to do it all in. Summer is definitely here but it seems to get shorter every year. We got some fun water stuff for the kids to do at home. We got a slip n slide and an inflatable activity pool. The kids have had a blast and I am just exhausted every time we do it. Kids get to play, Mom gets to do all the work required to make the play happen! So we are doing a flex schedule for the summer at work, which means four day work week but longer work days. I haven't decided yet if I like it. I am tired from the adjustment to working full time, but this just makes me more tired. So, once again I am faced with the reality that I need to find some sense of balance in a lot of areas of my life. It seems to be a life long battle.

Today I am going for a health assessment which is a free service to ISU employees. It is the first I've had in years so I am a little anxious about what my results may be. I know I have some weight to lose, but in the back of my mind are concerns with health risks on both sides of my family. I know I shouldn't worry, but I do. Isn't that human? It can't just be me cause I know plenty of people worry. I suppose I take it to a higher level at times which I am certain Ryan would confirm. Anxiety is something we all need to let go of more often. I see anxious tendencies in my daughter, and I know she comes by it naturally due to both parents' personalities. We are approaching teen years with her so I wonder what kind of teen she will be. She already is showing that she favors her Dad's personality much stronger than mine. As another year passes for her, I pray with greater concern that she finds salvation. My son Bailey is a completely different personal...