I'm taking a day off from work to, well, regroup. It's been several weeks since I've thought about writing anything - a note, a grocery/to do list - let alone blog. But here I am, sitting in front of my computer, contemplating how nice it is not to be sitting at a desk, working on a computer and talking on the phone, all at the same time.

Wait a second. Isn't that what I'm doing right now? Funny how a little change of scenery makes all the difference. It's all about the environment.

After nearly 9 months in my little cubicle away from home, fluorescent lights blaring down on me while the outside world teases from my window view, I've decided that I shouldn't feel bad about giving myself some needed time off. Today is the last day of school for the kids. Traditionally I have always taken this day off to treat them to something special when they get home. A nice lunch. Maybe a movie. A little shopping. This year, though, I think it will be different.

My kids are growing like weeds. I am appreciative of the time that I was able to spend with them as a part-time worker, full-time mom. Now that I spend the majority of my day in an office, I wonder how time managed to slip past me so stealthily. Where did my son's first year in high school go? How did my kid make it through the first year in adolescent angst, hormone fluctuating junior high? And what about my innocent/not so innocent 5th grader? What happened this year? No field trips. No classroom volunteering. Just the daily grind of getting the kids ready for school, packing lunches, rushing to work then rushing home to make dinner, getting in a few minutes of time to ask about their day or help with homework. How have all those moms done it all those years? Then I remember, truly I am blessed.

I am giving myself a moment to contemplate that, even during these tough times, there is still joy to be found everywhere, as long as you give yourself a moment to notice it. The joy of knowing my kids have so much to experience, and I am there with them. The joy of realizing that my family and friends are the most supportive and loving people I know. The joy of waking up to experience a new day. The joy of smelling freshly baked mango muffins in my kitchen (yes, I baked them from scratch.) And most of all, the joy on my daughter's face when I pick her up from school. And this makes all the hard work worth it.