I know it’s been like a hot minute, but it’s been a busy couple of weeks If you’ve ever felt like your days should come with a pit crew and a GPS tracker, welcome to my world. This past week? A beautiful blur of teenage boys, car rides, cold dinners, and the occasional stomach cramp—and honestly, I wouldn’t trade it. (Well, maybe I’d trade a few of the car rides.)
☀️ Summer… Sort of
Summer is supposed to be the season of relaxation, right? Not for the Duarte household. While the rest of the world is out vacationing or sipping iced coffee slowly, I’m pretty sure I’ve driven the equivalent of the Indy 500. Twice.
Here’s a little peek into what a typical day has looked like this week:
7:30 AM: Alarm. Regret. Coffee. 8:00 AM: Drive my 15-year-old to work. He gets out of the car refreshed and ready. I sit there wondering where I went wrong with time management. 9:30 AM: Drive the 16-year-old to his personal trainer. Yes, he trains. No, I don’t know how he has energy for this either. 10:30 AM: Pick him up and drop him straight at physical therapy. I wait in the car like a dedicated chauffeur, snack in one hand, scrolling Instagram with the other. 12:00 PM: Home again. If no one’s cooking, I throw together something that may or may not be considered dinner by civilized standards. 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Football practice drop-off and pick-up. This happens Monday through Thursday. Every. Single. Week. Somewhere in there, I squeeze in some work. Or at least the idea of work. (It’s summer. People are away. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.) oh but I forgot one thing. I did go fishing with my boys one night and I did catch something.😜😝
🤯 And Self-Care? LOL
I hear people talking about “me time” and I nod like I understand. I used to know what that meant. These days, if I get to go to the bathroom uninterrupted or finish a coffee while it’s still hot, I count that as a spa day.
But here’s the thing…
💙 It’s Chaos, But It’s Love
Next year, my oldest will be a senior in high school. Just typing that makes my eyes water. I know these car rides, these football drop-offs, these “Mom, can you take me here?” moments won’t last forever.
So instead of fighting the madness, I’m trying to embrace it. These boys are growing up, and I’m lucky to be part of their every day—even if I’m running on fumes and frozen pizza.
🧘♀️ Grateful (and a Little Gassy)
Health-wise, this week’s been okay. A few stomach issues and the usual fatigue, but no major flares. Honestly, I think my body just gave up trying to keep up with me. Which, in a weird way, made it easier to focus on everything else.
So if you’re feeling like you’re barely holding it together, know this: you’re not alone. And if you see me double-parked outside physical therapy with a glazed look and a cold coffee, just give me a thumbs-up. I’m doing my best—and I bet you are, too.
Until next time,
Deborah
Xoxoxo
Professional driver. Amateur juggler. Full-time mom.
between the flares 
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