What do I want for Christmas? Answ: A nap.

It’s 10:00 AM on a Wednesday, and I already feel like I have done more work than any one human being should ever have to accomplish before lunch. So far, I have dropped three kids off to school (amongst a verbal assault of complaints that they had to buy lunch today), ran seven miles, finished up a paper for school, wrote a letter of inquiry for a grant, saved my dog from being eaten by the neighbor’s demon hound from Hell… and consequently fixed the fence so demon dog doesn’t decide to pay another visit (yes, I am fairly certain demon dog has rabies), and had a lengthy conference call with one of my bosses (yes, I am fairly certain he has rabies too).

I would love to curl up in a ball and take a forty-five minute nap, but the truth is there are about twenty five pages of paperwork sitting next to my scanner, a midterm on Monday that I have yet to study for (or even read the chapters), and there is so little food in the house I am eating peanut butter with a spoon for lunch. Ever have one of those days? Ever have one of those lives?

The crazy aspect of this whirlwind of life is that I am still smiling—even though life is busier than ever before. Yes, I am averaging about fourteen hours to return a call. Yes, I am in great need of a haircut, a new pair of running shoes, and a flu shot—none of which will happen before Christmas. Yes, I ran out of eyeliner last weekend and actually contemplated using a sharpie. But that’s ok. Being an Army Wife has taught me several life lessons, but the one I hold dearly (and wrote across my bathroom mirror with my eyeliner/sharpie) is that I would rather have my plate full than empty. I have experienced what life is like when your spouse heads to a war zone, and I can attest that feeling empty inside is infinitely worse than cramming for any midterm or dodging your boss’s phone calls. So count your blessings, seek out your dreams, and start reaching those goals—even if it means your may be averaging only 4 hours a sleep a night. You only get one chance at life. Make it count.

And besides... true friends dont mind if you fall asleep hanging out with them.

(Here I am sleeping during a Happy Hour)

(And here I am sleeping in between heats during a race. You get the point now don't you....)