I write therefore I blog

Aimless ramblings about the happenings of late

I got to spend some much appreciated time with Shannon this past week. She took the week to go visit our Grandmother in the Lubbock area and ended up passing through here before and after her trip. I was actually able to spend some time with her that was less hurried than her last trip. Of course, 'hurried' has taken on a whole new meaning lately... It was good to see her, nonetheless. Jealous?

Jaron graduated from Kindergarten, finished his first ever season of tee ball, and turned 6 years old all in the same week. It was quite a busy week for my little man! He's growing up so quickly these days. We had a small birthday party at the house and he has now become the leading authority on all things Lego's.

Avery is as delightful one moment as she is rotten the next. I think that's precisely the way my little girl should behave - just ask my mother. She is a capable, bossy, opinionated, and squishy sweet princess. I re-decorated her bedroom recently to her taste and not necessarily to my own. She has these ideas that she's already a big girl and that she should get a say in these things, so we went for a more mature look in her bedroom. Aren't these things supposed to happen somewhere between 8-10 years old?? She's 4 and feisty, that one!

Work is seeming less and less like work and more and more like ministry. That, in itself, is refreshing. In my vast experience of a little over two months as a Children's Director, I have learned a lot. I feel I have grown a lot. Most of what I have learned tells me I still have a lot to learn. There's a lot going on this summer between PCE Camp, Summer Camp, VBS, Working 2 other VBS's, Kids' Night Outs 2X a month, working a Chrysalis, and handling all the other day-to-day stuff that comes with the job - I am going to be in real 'teacher' shock by the end of the summer.

But I am grateful. I am grateful that God has surrounded me by such a sea of caring, genuine Christian brothers and sisters. I am beyond grateful for the wise and God-fearing man that is my boss and pastor. He has acted in ways to protect me that I cannot even imagine and I find myself endlessly appreciative.

I am thankful that things appear to be shaping up for us. This is going to be the very first year in our nearly 7 year marriage that 'even on paper' we will make it financially and then some. I am learning about generosity in ways I hadn't thought possible in our limited financial scope prior to now.

My children are witnessing their parents worship - together. So grateful.

No - not everything is going exactly according to plan. We have had some hiccups lately - hiccups that might have been big, life altering events in the past.
But we have peace. God has taken care of us. God will take care of us.

So many things have changed. In some ways, I still struggle with the feeling that my life is deficient in some areas. Just when I feel like I've got one area fine-tuned, I have to turn around and pull weeds in another.
I have not yet mastered the art of balance. Try as I might, my self keeps getting in the way.
Wifely things, motherly things, necessary things, personal things - just seem to choke out any and all need for anything over and above that which MUST be tended to.

However, above it all, I am grateful for the opportunities that God has extended my way. To think that after all the (as a friend put it) left-turns I have taken in life that I would ever be in a position to have a devoted husband, two amazing children, and this awesome mantle of responsibility to introduce and disciple children toward God is utterly mind-boggling!

God continues to surprise and bless in ways my earthly mind cannot imagine.
And I am Grateful.

J. and first grade.

My son, the nutty professor, has been tested and qualifies for the GT program in our district. I have gone to both campuses, the one in our district and the magnet campus for GT kids to see what a day in the life would be like for him. I met the teachers, principals, counselors...

Problems:

• As far as classic 'GT' kids go, I have never met a more qualified all-around candidate than J. Creativity, Impulsivity, Mad Scientist Behavior and brilliance, the whole shootin match... I want him to go where his needs will be best met and where the other kids won't think he's an oddball.
• The magnet school is the campus whose leadership chose to hire a demographic look over qualifications last summer in my personal situation. Staring down personal beef and wanting to meet the needs of your child are a noxious mix.

My assessment of the campuses and their provisions for my son: hands down, no contest, stay in our district.

I went to our local campus and was met with friendly office staff. I saw the classrooms, which were large and well-designed, the teachers were thorough and walked the length of the hallway with their class to ensure that the entire class made it to music... Loved it! saw the kids' work, loved the atmosphere...

The magnet campus for GT students: different story. I met with the office staff- so-so. I met the counselor, terrific lady. I met one of the GT teachers and saw several of my old students in her classroom and was really beginning to think about sending him there. I travelled with the counselor to the other 1st Grade classroom - the kids were peeking out into the hallway asking "Who's in charge of us?" "Where's our teacher?" (6 years old - no teacher anywhere in sight). I stood in the hallway with the counselor and then later the principal and had a very much needed conversation about teacher qualifications and certifications and where they stood on that. For more than 15 minutes, that classroom was unattended. I never saw the teacher come back. The Principal's response to my question was in no way satisfactory. She would indeed rather have a certain look on her campus than ensure that all of her teachers are properly certified to teach in their field. My son will not be going there.

I did not relish this experience. It was in no way a fun day for me as a parent. I really wish I could shove my kids in a cocoon and never think about sending them into the big world - but I can't. I am glad and so thankful that God provided a 'no contest' situation for me to make this decision. There is not one ounce of my being that remains unsure about this decision.

As unwelcome and unpleasant as it was, it is over and my son will be in a good school next year.

300

I just finished wrapping/assembling/tying bows on/attaching cards to 300 Mother's Day gifts for our church.

300 lavender scented gifts.



Lavender schmavender.



Whoever said lavender is 'calming' clearly never scooped 60 pounds of lavender bath salt into 300 organza sachets in one sitting.



I bet the next time I smell lavender I'll skitz out for a minute of two... *twitch, twitch*



Enjoy your lavender bounty ladies!



:)

past and future thoughts

what has happened, what will happen...

• jaron lost one of his big front teeth - finally, that thing was loose since christmas
• chris has jumped through several hoops toward employment
• looking at some neat possibilities/opportunities for him
• we joined a new church
• we've never officially joined a church before
• my brother got married
• how DID that happen? :)
• ceremony was beautiful
• couple was more beautiful
• kids transitioned into a whole new lifestyle, without mommy :(
• my sister became unemployed
• i rescued my son from drowning in a pool, yes really
• he's ok
• we purchased a new vehicle for chris
• i have gained 5 pounds - at least, that's putting it mildly
• j had to get an x-ray to find out if his nose was broken
• i saw the teeth that will be coming out soon in j's xray - they're HUGE
• crazy kid
• nose not broken - huge teeth though
• had a conversation with my daughter that i didn't want to have
• i miss holding her for no reason at all, there's no time for that now
• each time the kids crawl in bed with me, i wonder if it's the last time
• they are getting so big
• have been alone with my husband once in many moons - for grocery shopping
• gave myself a crazy haircut, finally have money to get a haircut just not time
• dropped off the radar entirely
• avery has been getting ready for a dance recital, cute
• avery cries and begs not to have to go to dance every week, not cute
• avery won't be doing dance next year
• she wishes she could lose teeth like her bubba
• he scores big with the tooth fairy
• lots of phone calls, emails, meetings with the new job
• feels official and important
• lots of encouragement too
• i have met some really delightful people
• i feel the absolute closing of a chapter of life and the opening of a new one
• saw some ghosts from my past, still don't enjoy that
• jaron has scored i don't know how many runs in teeball
• got called for a job interview through our local school district, i could soap box on that all day, i, of course, turned them down and i must say the grass really is greener...
• my son is graduating from kindergarten
• he's brilliant
• he is also turning 6
• six...
• chris seems happy
• happier than he's been in a long, long time
• that makes it worth all the sacrifice