Real Life Connections Happen Every Day! Week 31 Dinners #77 and 78

This week was rodeo weekend! The kids were in the parade, Addie had a birthday party, and school life is now in full swing. My daughter started drama club and dance classes, while my son has football practice every single day. His schedule is intense: early mornings, late evenings, and scrimmages in between as the team gears up for their first games.

Looking for the Small things:

One of the realities of small-town life is that everything is a drive. The closest away football game is an hour and a half from home. But honestly, I’ve learned to treasure that time. On the way to games, I get a little peace and quiet. On the way back, I get one-on-one time with my son. Those conversations in the car ride home are often the best. It feels like a win-win.

Dinners Don't Have to be Fancy to Create Connection

Dinners, though, were tough to fit in this week. We had Sunday dinner together, which grounded us before the week got crazy. On Monday, the kids went to a concert with their dad. I was so glad they had that chance. It was fun, memorable, and gave them a chance to connect with him. Tuesday I was tied up in meetings late into the evening, and Wednesday the kids had school events.

By Thursday, we finally sat down to eat together. The meal wasn’t fancy, just something quick and easy but it was exactly what we needed: a pause in the middle of all the running. The rest of the week was hit-or-miss. Everyone was busy, everyone was stretched thin.

And yet… there was connection. Not through elaborate meals or deep conversations, but in small, quiet moments. A chat in the car. Sitting together for a few minutes before running to the next thing. Even just being near each other while unwinding from the day.

That’s the lesson this week: sometimes family dinners aren’t about the food or the tradition. Sometimes they’re simply about finding space to breathe together in the middle of the chaos.

A Note on Self-Care

This week also reminded me how important it is to take care of myself. Rodeo weekend gave me the chance to go out with friends: we listened to live music, laughed, and even went dancing. My kids were safe, busy, and happy at home, and I got to step outside my mom role for a while. I got to just be me: a woman, a friend, a person who loves to laugh and dance.

Moms need that. We need space in the real world to connect with others, refill our cups, and remember who we are outside of parenting. That night out was good for my soul, and in its own way, just as important as the quiet family moments around the dinner table.

What will you do for yourself this week? What can you do to remind yourself that you are still a person that has dreams, hobbies and joys in life (outside of our kids).