School Daze Summer Haze

The beginning of the school year has left me in a haze.  Where did our summer go?

It was a great break, but way too short.  I am always sad when the kids have to go back to school.

I laughed out loud when I walked outside before dawn this morning to take the dog potty.  Not because I was up before dawn, but because it was noticeably cooler than it has been all summer long.  This summer was sweltering.  We had one week where the temperatures were below 90 degrees.  I don't mind the heat, but it was accompanied by a thick humidity.  It was only 64 degrees this morning.  It was as though someone turned the dial to make the temperature feel as though the kids should be returning to school.

I started my morning with a cup of coffee and my Bible.  Rachel got up at the same time as me and she brought the puppy with her.  Holly obviously didn't care that I was trying to spend time with the Lord!  Apparently, she did not get the memo that school was starting today and no one would have time to play with her first thing in the morning.

I made the kids their favorite breakfast foods.  I woke Hannah up and told her breakfast was ready.  She sniffed and said, "Cinnamon rolls...(more sniffing) and bacon."  They also had cheesy eggs.  I hate to tell them tomorrow they are back to Poptarts, Toaster Struedel and yogurt.

I think it is pretty evident in Aaron's expression that he was less than thrilled about the first day of school.

The lunches were packed, snacks selected and water bottles filled.

Here they are.  Ready to load up.  (Rachel - seventh grade, Aaron - fifth grade, Hannah - second grade)

Hannah was tickleing Rachel in this picture.  She has that mischievous look on her face and Rachel looks happy.

My Twelve Year Vacation

It isn't like I held a vital part in the work force before I had kids, but I have been unemployed since before Rachel was born.  I sold Pampered Chef for six months when Aaron was a baby to get all the free stuff, I did home daycare for a period of time and I briefly helped in the church daycare in Indiana, but for all practical purposes tomorrow is the first day in twelve years that I will be returning to work.  (Not that birthing three children, raising them, moving eight times and countless hours of volunteering wasn't work!!)

I have taken a position at our church preschool in the two year old classroom.  It will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30-1:00.  This week I am also working on Monday helping to get the classroom set up.  The perfect hours to work around my kids' schedules.  I will still drop them off at school and pick them up. 

Using my best counseling skills, if the situation were reversed, I would ask, "And how does that make you feel?" Hmmm? Excited, sad, scared, nervous. What if I have no idea what I am doing? What if the director (who happens to be a friend and hired me) realizes I am totally unqualified? I know it is preschool and I have three kids who were more than ready for kindergarten thanks to my "mad teaching the ABCs and 123s skills," but still.

I guess most people probably still won't think I am a vital part of the work force.  I won't be bringing home a lot of money.  Pocket change...fun money.  However, it is the beginning of another new season in our life. 

I will still be volunteering at the kids' schools.  I've already signed up to be the room mom in Aaron's class.  I know the mom who signed up to be the room mom in Hannah's class and she asked if I wanted to be the co-room mom.  I told her I would do whatever she needs me to do, but I would just lead Aaron's class.  It is his last year needing a room parent and if he is like Rachel, once he hits middle school he won't be excited to see me walk in the building.  I am going to milk this year for everything it is worth.  I guess that is another blog topic.  I will also volunteer in the Media Center at their school.  Shelving those books is very therapeutic.

I guess the biggest change will be that the dog will have to entertain herself a bit more during the day.

I don't like being the new kid on the block in any situation and that includes showing up at the preschool tomorrow morning.  I am looking forward to building on a newish friendship.  One of the other teachers attends our church and she is great!  Of course, she may figure out that my "mad teaching ABCs and 123s skills" isn't up to par and shop for friendship elsewhere.  I'm off to worry about that one for a while.

Storm Trooper

Aaron recently earned his gold belt in his martial arts class.  The week after, his instructor called me to ask if I thought Aaron would like to take on a leadership role.  The program has a group called STORM Troopers which stands for Special Team of Role Models.

He was given a new uniform which signifies he is in a leadership role.  When the class meets at school he will be able to help train the lower ranking belts.  His instructor will also allow him to help at the Saturday class, but he is not the highest ranking there.

This is really his niche.  He has very strong and powerful techniques.  Being my child who has struggled with self confidence, I am so thankful that he is enjoying this and that his instructor sees his potential and talent and encourages him.

This is Aaron's instructor, Ms. Jennie, helping him adjust his uniform.  When he arrived at class on Saturday he was wearing his old white uniform.  Ms. Jennie called him back into the back room to have him change and he was able to come out and surprise the rest of the class.  He was so proud!

I Need A Drink of Water

I wish it was that easy.  We started going to bed on the school bedtime schedule this week so it isn't so hard to adjust when school starts next week.  I thought I had Hannah down for the night when we had the following conversation.

Hannah:  Mom, I've been thinking about something for a long time.

Me:  What's that?  (Newbie mistake.  Never ask what or why!!)

Hannah:  You have a fox, a chicken and a bag of seed on one side of a river.  You have to get all three across, but you can only take one at a time.  You can't leave the fox with the chicken or the chicken with the seed.  Do you know how to get them across.

Me:  (At first I thought she knew the answer, but quickly realized she had really been pondering this.)  Hmmm?  (I sat in deep concentration for a minute.)  Are you sure you can only take one at a time?

Hannah: Yes.  You can only take one at a time.

Me:  I don't know.  (Oh...the magic of google)  Wait....(I find the answer and then deliver it as though I came up with it in a stroke of genius.)  You take the chicken across.  Go back for the seed and take it across.  Take the chicken back with you and leave it on the other side.  Take the fox and leave it on the side with the seed.  Go back and get the chicken.

Hannah:  Oh.  (Thinks about it for a minute.)

Me:  (Take the remote, my cell phone and a pencil to use as visuals and show her.)

Hannah:  O.K.!  Now I can get another prize.

Me:  A prize for what.

Hannah:  In Poptropica.

Poptropica is an online game for kids.  Apparently at different levels you are asked riddles to advance and receive awards.  Poptropica is more of a PK thing with the kids.  When he left me important information and papers, that would have been a good thing to pass along.

That Is What It Takes

Rachel battles her curly hair.  She really likes to go to the salon and let one of the stylists straighten it with the blow dryer.  The problem is it is too costly to do all the time and it only lasts until she has to wash her hair.

Rachel came into my room the other night while I was folding laundry.  She was upset because according to her she wouldn't be able to do anything with her hair for the first day of school.  My suggestions were not accepted or appreciated. 

I really can't relate to the problems of having curly hair.  I have spent most of my life trying to convince my hair to hold some form of curl or body.  Perms, curling irons, hot rollers, gel, hairspray...oh, Aqua Rock...you were one of my best friends.  Imagine trying to survive the 80s with my straight flat hair.  I digress.

After giving me one of those precious eye rolls and leaving my room, I guess her generational skills kicked in because she came back to my room and asked to use my computer.  She googled "How to control curly frizzy hair."  Well...up came a link with directions and a video.

This of course left Rachel with a list of needed supplies and hair care products.  I told her anything above and beyond what I supply for general hair care would have to come out of her allowance.  We took a trip to the store.  I can get ready from head to toe including a shower and out the door in 10 minutes in the morning.  It will take Rachel that long to apply all the hair products she purchased.

 

She needed a hairdryer with a diffuser.  My hairdryer recently died and I bought a super cheap replacement.

 This was a hand-me-down.  I had it in my stock, but don't use it.

  

She and Hannah decided to have a spa day today which included Rachel fixing Hannah's hair with her new found techniques.  Hannah's hair doesn't have the same amount of curl as Rachel's so the end product wasn't the same, but they had some good sister time.

The McKiddos Had a Farm

I love when the kids sit down and do something together that doesn't involve any form of technology.  They asked to play with play dough.  I don't like the smell, but it has always been a kid activity staple in our house.  I also like that even though Rachel is getting older, she stills likes it.

Here is what they created.



A barnyard

A cow



A pig



A snake



Corn



A bird in a nest

Spotting His Stride

The Military Spouse

Author Unknown

There he stands in camouflage...yet he cannot hide from you.

You can pick him out in a crowd, and can eye his stride among a formation.

There he goes, away from you again, off to do his part and be his best,

Leaving you in his wake-never "behind" yet always longing for his return.

There you are, amidst boxes and paper and confusion
Creating a home, designing a household, transforming a building into a loving, nurturing, comfortable environment.

Memories will be made here.  Events will be celebrated. 

Children will be born, graduate, grow change. Your family will evolve.  Your love will increase.

Your marriage will improve.

And then you will be asked to leave it all...again.

There are those who do not understand...Who cannot comprehend, what it takes to fulfill your role, to fill your shoes, to be all that you need to be.

They marvel at times.

Criticize at others.

Seldom appreciate.

Cannot Imagine.

There are those moments, when you are where they are.  When you marvel, criticize, lack comprehension and are unable to muster understanding.  And then he appears at the door, or on the phone or through a rumpled letter addressed to "my love" and suddenly there is comprehension and understanding, affirmation and conviction.

For by his presence, through his voice, in his message you KNOW that you've been beckoned to a noble calling, when asked to be a military spouse.

Invited to support a service member who allows freedom, who guards democracy, who instills leadership.  And in your role you see a slice of life that few others have privilege to experience...

Flags appear more brilliant to you.

Parades draw out more emotion for you.

A patriotic song is a musical message played just for you.

A hand over a heart is as stirring as an embrace for you.

A parting kiss can hold you for months.

A welcome back embrace can fill you up from lonely months.

A grave marker is a stark reminder of the meaning of devotion.

A tear shared is a stark statement on the meaning of sacrifice.

A duffel bag on a baggage claim gives you pause and connection.

An eagle's soar gives you inspiration.

There you are...

The military spouse.

The one asked to be strong.

The one willing to belong.

The one who is often required to do it all.

The very one who is privileged to stand beside a true American - day in and day out.

How God has blessed us.

How He has rewarded us.

There are military spouses around the world beside Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors. 

They share a bond, a unity and a duty - to be there, always for their hero.

There.

Said.

Done.

Deserved.

There are no better...anywhere.

I heard this poem years ago and the part at the beginning about the wife being able to spot her (I know there are women who serve and their spouses are men, but for ease of my post I am going to go with wives) service member in a crowd or pick his stride out of a formation always stuck with me. 

While in Twentynine Palms we were privileged to be able to welcome troops home.  I stood in a crowd in the middle of the night watching wives wait for their husbands to get off a bus full of people dressed in the same uniform and with the same haircut.  They could spot them by their stride.

PK sent me this picture of him walking across the flight deck when arriving on board ship. 

I could spot his stride.  He is in front of the three men walking in the background of the picture. O.K.  So there are only three men.  Still made me think of the poem and I could spot him in a crowd.