End of the Sister-Mom Chapter

Today is my last day playing Sister-Mom I've relinquished my Kindergarten room-mom duties. Plans are made for who will be picking up the boys from school for the rest of the year. I went to my last yoga in the park as a regular attendee. My mom and I made sure to take our ritual morning walks this week. My clothes are going back into suitcases and they're being unpacked, once again, in San Francisco!

Obviously I'll be back to visit, a lot. And who knows what my summer plans are, yet. But, this is the end of the living at home, playing sister-mom chapter. {pause. streaming tears} Transitioning back to California life was not easy. It's a readjustment that took a lot of time. When I wrote this post, I was a little bummed that I wouldn't be re-starting my San Francisco life right after Spain. But, like they say, everything works out for the best. I am so so so glad I've had these months to be so close to my family. And while moving 500 miles to San Francisco is nothing like moving 5,000 miles to Spain, I'm gonna miss this.

My biggest priority while I've been home was to help with the boys and household in every way. Basically, to make my parents lives easier any way I could. They have done so much for me my whole life, supported me and encouraged me in every way. But even still, even though I owe them far more than 4 months of my life to help them out, they were so appreciative of me every single day. This year has brought my parents/our family a few very difficult trials. Even in the middle of it, my parents never went a day without thanking me for helping so much and appreciating the time, energy, I put into the boys. Regularly, my dad would call (in the middle of his busy, stressful work day) just to say, "Thank you so much for everything you do. How are you? Are you happy?" Such selfless, caring, loving people {pause. crying}

I have a lot of fun with my sisters. We're always laughing, usually at each other, or communicating in inside jokes.
Being home has given me the opportunity to be with my sisters a lot more than usual.
As we're getting older, we're also getting closer and we've had some good conversations lately.
Hanging out and going out together since i've been home has been so much fun.
I'm very grateful to Dominique, who clearly got some butt shaking genes that Lauren and I did not get, for the new dance moves she taught me ;)
{pause. don't drop that thun thun thun, aye}

Oh, these boys. Many many many times over the last few months i've been very frustrated, lost my patience with them, gotten into power struggles, been sick and tired of their fighting, lost my cool over their attitudes, and declared that I am never ever having children. But I just love them so much. I love picking them up from school and hearing about their day.
I love how they always want to hear about my day. I love that they are so happy when I am working in their classrooms. I love that they want to come in my room and sleep with me, even though I get very little sleep. I love that they always want me to take them to school, give them a bath, get them ready for bed, go places, etc. I love the way they say, "no! she's our sister, silly!", when people think I'm their mom. I love the conversation we've had and the sweet, cute and sometimes weird things they want to talk about. I love this special bond we've built. {pause. sobbing... pause. they're fighting over a toy}

As I move back to San Francisco, start focusing more on me and my future, begin substitute teaching, return to fun activities with my friends, and delve back into the single in SF life, I'm gonna miss all of this daily crazy, loving chaos that is my family.