So lately I haven’t been saying nice things about Mondays.  But today wasn’t too bad.  It was manic alright.  I mean, there’s nothing like having to wave at your boss when you pull into the parking lot 10 minutes late on Monday morning.

But in my defense I was giving my baby extra kisses and prepping her Mimi that as of last night, Amelia is mobile.  On all fours.  Across the floor.  Off the carpet and onto the hardwoods.  Making a beeline for anything in her path that looks remotely edible (and apparently when you’re a baby everything looks deliciously edible).

But the Monday mania is over and the day has wound down and we’re watching You’ve Got Mail which I don’t think I’ve seen in at least five years and now I have the sudden urge to buy pumpkins and read Pride and Prejudice and get some coffee.

But if I drink coffee I’ll be up until Amelia gets up again and as any good mom knows, when the baby is sleeping so should you be. 

Ah, Monday.  You came too soon this week.  I was still trying to recover from the lost sleep of Amelia cutting her first tooth when you arrived bright and early this lovely (and cool!) morning.  I know I say I don’t mind Mondays so much….but I do mind the feeling that the weekend came and went before I had time to enjoy it, to revel in it, to realize that Monday was coming.  And then you were here.

Not a bad Monday today.  Not so manic.  Just usual business and busy-ness.  Early nursing, lots of coffee, many copies, packing lunches, Madelynne mini-meltdown (she wasn’t ready for you either). 

But you brought me some deep thoughts to ponder.  Just how much do I dread conforming to your schedule?  What am I willing to give up and take on to make Monday just another day in my week?

I’m going to rock my baby now, oh manic of days.  I’ll see you next week.

I spoke too soon last week.  Today I did not love Monday.  Today was indeed manic.  From start to finish I felt like I could never get ahead or even just caught up.  I had even planned a quiet day for my students to begin working on their independent reading so I could finalize my plans for the novel we’re starting, and nothing went my way.  Planning got away from me, so then I was rushed to pump and while I was doing that I got a call from Madelynne’s principal!  No big deal, just clarification about pickup, but what a panic it put me in!  Then it was all rush, rush, rush to explain their project, correct their quizzes, sign agendas, go to meetings…So by tonight after all was said and done, the girls were in the bed, and I was doing dishes, I fell apart just a bit.  I wished we’d made different choices so I didn’t feel like I have to be pulled in so many different directions.  Deep breath.

Thank you Jesus, tomorrow is another day and I’m forgiven for this one.

I have a confession.  I like Mondays.  I know I’m not supposed to.  That Mondays are to be disliked on principle of the fact that they are Mondays.  The first day of the work week and the first day back after what was (hopefully) a weekend of rest.

And they are a little manic.  For instance, Amelia got to wait for the bus at school today because I was running too late to take her first.  My principal said she was a little short for middle school.  And then once I left and was still on time to get back to school, I realized I had to go home to get my pump.  Oh, well.  Manic Monday.

But even so, I like Mondays.  I have more energy on Mondays.  My students are more subdued.  I actually cook dinner most Monday nights (there’s a pork loin in the crockpot right now) and I have even been known to clean a bathroom or mop a floor on Monday.  Today I might even make it to exercise.

I guess Monday just seems like a new beginning every week.  You know teachers and mommies are eternal optomists.  We get up each day believing the it will be better, whether it’s the student’s attitudes or baby’s sleeping habits.   And on Mondays I guess I just have that extra boost of faith.  If today goes well, so will the week.

What do you think about Monday?