Mornings That Resist Structure
January 7, 2026 was busy from the start.
I began the day the same way I have many others lately—coffee in hand, cleaning what I could, trying to set some order before the day unraveled. Getting the kids up for school was a battle. Jaden refused to get out of bed. I started waking him up more than an hour before it was time to leave, and he still didn't move until about thirteen minutes before walking out the door. Brandon wasn't much better.
That's on me, though. Bedtimes are clearly going to need adjustment.
I took Zion and Joey to school. Isabella stayed home sick with her ear infection.
Routine, Interrupted
The morning settled into a familiar rhythm—cleaning, computer work, trying to stay productive while keeping an eye on Isabella. Around 12:45pm, I picked up Eve's mother and dropped Isabella off with Eve. Her girls were home sick too, so the house was already full.
From there, the day shifted unexpectedly.
Eve's mother came with me to pick up Zion and Joey, and suddenly I was babysitting them as well—something I hadn't planned on at all. Then we headed out to her doctor's appointment, nearly a forty-five-minute drive.
Once we arrived, we waited.
And waited.
We sat in the car for about an hour and a half while she was inside. The boys grew restless and impaient, understandably wanting to go home. I used the time to make a few phone calls—changed my primary care provider with my insurance and even scheduled a new patient appointment with Eve's doctor. I really liked him when I met him, which made that decision easier.
Feeding the Chaos
After the appointment, we went back to Eve's house and dropped Zion and Joey off to play with the girls. Eve and I ran out to grab frozen pizzas.
We made four of them.
Clearly too many—but no one complained.
Most of the kids ate pretty well. Isabella, of course, barely touched hers. At this point, it's more expected than surprising.
We let the kids play for a bit, then I had to step out again to pick up Kayla from work before heading back to Eve's.
Youth Group and Adult Conversations
That evening was youth group night, so we walked to youth group—Zion, Joey, Isabella, Eve's two daughters, and Brandon. Two of the older kids' groups were canceled, but we still brought everyone.
While the kids were at youth group, Eve and I stayed at her place. Her mom joined us, and the conversation turned light and playful—joking about pregnancy, twins, even octuplets. Clearly exaggerated, clearly playful... mostly.
I joked that I'd love another baby someday. Especially with Eve. I really believe we'd make great parents together.
She insisted that wasn't happening.
I joked that she was outvoted.
She reminded me—very correctly—that it's her body.
We laughed.
Mostly.
Comparisons I Didn't Ask For
After youth group, we picked up the kids. Not long after, Brandon, Isabella, and I headed home. Isabella fell asleep almost immediately.
Later that night, I started watching a new show, The Resident, winding down at last. Somewhere in that quiet stretch, I learned that The Sister was dealing with an ear infection. I reached out, expressed concern, even offered to take her to the doctor if she needed it.
It didn't go anywhere.
Someone else was already there that night—arriving, oddly enough, only to wait in the car while we were present. From what I gathered, he didn't offer much help. Didn't take initiative. Didn't step up.
It wasn't satisfying. It wasn't validating.
It was just... clarifying.
At one point, I might've been chasing the wrong person. And maybe that's exactly why things unfolded the way they did.
Letting the Day End
Eventually, exhaustion won.
I went to sleep not long after, worn down but oddly at peace. The day had been crowded, loud, unpredictable, and demanding—but it also reinforced something important.
I'm not where I thought I'd be a year ago.
But I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be right now.
And for tonight, that's enough.