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Not sure what to say...

I sit to post a gorgeous video of a little girl kiss, and I don't know what else to say. I've felt very 'off' lately. I feel torn between many extremes-

Spend all day playing with Lexi vs cleaning the house, cooking and doing yard work

Use the computer to look up menus and shopping deals vs never using the computer again when it won't print or loses internet

Nap vs stay awake and try to accomplish something, and then realizing I again wasted time

Eat lunch vs it's only a few hours until dinner
Be outside all the time trying to suck up the last drops of summer vs being inside, and being lazy in front of the TV.

Being a mommy isn't easy, and that leads to more conflict within me. Lexi is physically ready to potty train, but won't sit on the potty when asked no matter what. Lexi needs to nap, but at each try screams and cries to the point that my soft heart thinks she's physically injured, and I run right in to comfort her. Lexi needs less TV time, but without it would she really know all her letters and how to count to 13 at the young age of 21 months?

We have had two additions to our family. Nikki, the gerbil, came to live with us. Our neighbor's son just graduated from WSU, and he was moving to Columbus, OH, and decided moving cross country and camping on the way with a rodent wasn't going to be his best move. So, we have Nikki. Lexi LOVES her.

Our other addition is 18 year old Mathilde from Belgium. She is an exchange student who will be staying with us until January. She has had challenges so far, such as reading stories in English (native language is French), and trying to figure out what all of our quirky little expressions mean. I do think she's enjoying her life here so far. Lexi LOVES her, too. Mathilde often ends up with a pile of toys from Lexi as she plays her way through a room. Some people have told me that they could never invite someone to live with them, but I think they'd be surprised how easy it is to take someone in and teach them about our culture.

So far she's learned: we let kids drive too early- in Belgium they don't start until they are 18; we use many expressions- and Jon uses more than most people; we use slow cookers and measuring spoons- they weigh ingredients when cooking; and we have this great thing called Mexican food!

So all in all, things are good. I guess as long a I have these wonderful people and pets in my life, I can handle the conflict just fine.

-Jenni