Energy Wasted

So many people see my kids and comment something like, "Boy, I wish I had that much energy!"  It's not because they are bad or can't stop moving, but because they obviously could play all day and never get tired.  I've decided that not only do I want their energy, but that they energy they have is wasted. 

Lexi goes to gym for 3 hours after a 7 hour school day and comes home and wants to swing, do flips on the couch, and chase her brother.  Jack just runs and runs and laughs and laughs - nonstop.  I struggle to get my run in between picking up Jack and going to get Lexi from gym.  I struggle to make myself go upstairs and workout after the kids go to bed.  I feel like taking a sick day from work many mornings just trying to drag myself out of bed.  I wonder how in the world I can keep up with my kids.  They go to bed and all that left-over energy is just wasted.  Unfortunately, I'm the opposite.  I have no energy left to waste.  In fact, sometimes I wonder if it's possible to be too tired to fall asleep!

It's not a complaint, just a fact of life.  All moms feel this way, I'm sure.  With my job, I stand in awe of many of my parents dealing with things I can't even fathom and I wonder how they survive.  My mom has commented to me that I have unending energy (as she watches me try to keep up just with the daily routine).  Perhaps it's only as we get older or when we look at the lives of others that we can appreciate how much energy we "used to have."  If only there were a way to bottle it up and save it for a rainy day.  Since that is impossible, I'll just enjoy watching them run in circles and hope that, on occasion, they don't need me to join in!