Life was crazy this week – as life tends to be. Storm Hockey season is once again in full swing which brings my husband late nights and me plenty of unnecessary stress.

I use that word – stress – because I am dramatic. My guy has always worked in sports – I did too once upon a time. We are both use to late nights, crazy hours and minimal paychecks.

Journalism and Sports Marketing; two majors that won’t get you on the Forbes list for richest people. Unless you are Oprah, or John Spoelstra – then you have a shot at it.

But back to the stress. Kyle and I both work – mostly because of that small paycheck issue and to pay off the loans it took us to get those degrees. We love it too, the sports thing and the journalism thing. We can’t imagine not doing what we love each day. I hope you are able to say the same.

This week as Kyle was busy getting ready for the new hockey season, I played the role of mom, business owner, part-time chamber of commerce employee and weekly columnist. I’ve worn these titles for a while now but they are harder when Kyle is working long hours.

Remember the dramatic part? Get ready – here comes more unnecessary dramatic whines. Along with my usual titles, this week I also became head chef, laundry washer, book reader, chauffeur, flat tire filler and entertainer to two little girls under the age of 5. 

And I was bad at it.

We ate lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The laundry stayed unfolded in the middle of our living room floor. The shower went yet another week without a scrub down. The grass in front of our rental continued to grow – which must be annoying for the nice neighbors beside us. 

This week – I was a mess. A hot mess, as the kids like to say. I had a hard time juggling it all. Exhaustion filled my every thought. I don’t tell you this for sympathy; I know you all are busy too. I don’t like it when people list out their responsibilities. I find it very annoying.

“Then Leslie, why are you complaining to us when you know how annoying it is?” you are likely asking.

I have a point. One moment, I’ll get there.

Our family works well as a team – but when one member of the team is gone, sick or busy – the team loses its strength. I lost my strength this week. 

I rely on my guy a lot more than I realized, likely more than I should. I spend too many hours on my start up business and he just steps in, no complaints where I fall short. Head chef, disciplinarian, story book reader, flat tire filler, laundry folder – he does all that. He’s so good with the girls, too. They were bored with mom this week. 

We all were. 

This week I was reminded just how much Kyle helps. And I’m not sure I’ve told him thanks. It’s important, I know, to mention this more than every once in a while. 

Thanks, Kyle for being patient with a gal that is not a fan of anything domestic. And for being supportive with my business adventures. And for filling up my car tire when it’s flat. And for making me food other than my staple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Do you see where this is going? It could go beyond my average word count.

I know I’m a good mom – but I’m better with him. He eases my stress. I like it that way.