Too Many Emotions for One Week

Last week was a huge week at the Strobel Manor. Starting on Saturday we celebrated the 3rd birthday for Sticks. Tuesday was her actual birthday. Thursday Punk graduated from High School followed by a party at our house directly after. Friday was her 19th birthday and we went to the airport to drop her off for her trip to China. I think all we needed was for Peanut to have a major life event to make the week completely insane.

We decided a long time ago that we wouldn't be having huge birthday parties every year. Since Sticks had a rough year this year, we amended this rule to include unless you are in the hospital and had surgery or it's a major birthday, than you can have a party. She had been talking about a party for 4 months, so I got my party planning hat (aka pinterest) on and planned an insane Dora the Explorer party.


Punk's and Sticks's birthdays are 3 days (and 16 years) apart. We knew this was going to be a big year for Punk and then when she opted to go to China for 6 weeks, we knew it was going to be even bigger. Punk is my Step Daughter, so at her graduation her Mom and maternal grandparents were also there and came to the party at our house afterwards. It was a lot of stress putting all that together, along with juggling nap times and 2 small children. The day after graduation was her 19th birthday. I was a mess all day, sobbing intermittently. 6 weeks is a long time and with the mixture of her starting college when she gets home, I realized that after this trip our family was going to be different. The way we relate to her and her life will all be different. Don't get me wrong I don't think it's bad, it is just that our little family is all going to be new.

 Here's to evolving and not crying everyday for 6 weeks.