Sleeping Is Overrated.

Man, would someone tell my kids that summer vacation is for sleeping in? Ok, at least tell the one who goes to school that. Seems like no matter when I put that child to bed, she's up and ready to go full throttle at 6 am. 6:30 if I am lucky. Doesn't really matter, though, her 9 month old brother likes to wake up at 5.

I do the co-sleep thing, so it's rough when he climbs over my head.

I wrote and submitted an article about parents of special needs kids and the public school systems earlier. A little longer than most. I usually write 600 words, just for the quick cash. but, this is something near and dear to me and I wrote 1325. Yup, I made sure to remember that count. Longest that I've felt the need to submit to AC.

Not sleeping really messes with my day. When Amber [my 5 year old] is in school, it's ok for me to nod off in the morning while her little sister watches her morning shows. The little one, Terisa, can't climb over the baby gate just yet, so dozing in and out is pretty safe. I've always woken up at the slightest odd noise. Plus, my mother in law is usually in the kitchen or her room with the door open. The baby, Rob Jr, sleeps on my chest for his nap and something about holding a sleepy baby will put you out, too.

Then, when night falls and the kids are in bed, I have problems actually getting to sleep. I've always been an insomniac but it's ridiculous lately. My mind just can't stop running and I lie there for hours, it seems. With the kids so small, I'm afraid to take anything to help me fall asleep, though I did try this one herbal supplement with valerian and something else a while back. Next morning, I was so refreshed. I'm just terrified I won't hear the kids though and that Amber will slip outside.

See, she is special needs and has no sense of self preservation. She's smart as a whip, can figure out how to unlock doors, how to open windows, and anything else she wants to do. her only real handicap is some learning disabilities which involve social skills and self preservation, plus a bit of clumsiness. I am afraid I am going to wake up one day and that she is just gone. That's a big reason for our in/out lock deadbolts.

I am trying to think through on writing a book or maybe just really long article to submit to a national about raising a child in the autism spectrum. I also want to do some little books about Amber, but I am debating on whether or not to self publish them. If I self publish, I can use the type of art I want to.

I don't know. It's late and my mind is doing the overdrive thing.

I'm also thinking of doing some inline ads as an experiment on my other blog. I heard that Google doesn't let you do that along with Adsense, though. I should do a bit of research.

Too Early For Rejection.

I've been obsessive about checking my email. It's pretty pathetic. I'm sure that to anyone who saw the rumpled, red eyed, and wobbly picture I paint on the way to my inbox would agree.

Right now I'm going on around 3 hours of sleep. The bedroom had that sauna-like feel to it thanks to the rain. All 3 of the kids decided I needed company, too. So, after re-writing the article I'd worked on for the fourth time (and which will need another 2 polishings, i know), I was pummeled by little feet for hours.

Lovely.

6:30 is the normal time to get out of bed here, so washed up the 5 year old and sent her off to school after breakfast. She's been gone for ten minutes and already I'm on the compulsive 'check my email' bit. You'd think I would know by now that no one is going to get back to me in just a few hours. The only time I ever had that happen was when I sent a question to this one agent who is known for quick replies.

I'll be checking my email all day during those short breaks when the kids let me have peace.

Mmm. Peace. I wonder what a long stretch of that is like?