Mixed Messages

I just disclosed to my husband that I was going to go public with a recent conversation. Maybe I'm doing this to tease him a little like he likes to tease me (as you will read).

The other evening Clark out of the blue mentioned to me, "Wow Kim, you haven't been to Wal-mart in almost 8 months." [Really, this isn't a regular source of conversation . . . so far from it!]

Me: "I know, it's amazing. But I think that's going to change soon with having the baby."

Clark: "Why does that have to change?"

Me: "Well, life will get a little more complicated with a newborn making trips to Target (45 minutes away) more challenging."

Clark: "Well, I think you need to stick it out until the end of the year. Just to say you did it."

Small point here, I never made a goal to avoid this store for a year. I just wanted to see how long I could go avoiding it. Far longer than I anticipated. And really, I haven't missed it.

Fast forward to about 30 minutes ago. I'm on the phone with Clark telling him how I saw a request at Jaron's classroom for Play-doh. I really would like to fulfill that request and wished I had noticed it last week before we took a huge shopping trip in Tulsa. I then told him, "Looks like you'll be going to Walmart this weekend to buy some. And while your there a puzzle or two for Russell since he's going crazy over them and we only have three."

I hear a pause on the other end and Clark makes his famous Walmart related statement, "Sure, make me do your dirty work."

Where's the support????

(It just donned on me, we have a Kmart in town. I don't know why I always forget that. I guess I can keep Clark from doing my so-called dirty work.)

Courage Needed

This last week required a little extra dose of courage from various members of our family. Jaron started Kindergarten. And just watching that little boy walk those strange, busy, busy hallways I couldn't help but think how courageous he is. To go wholeheartedly into a new situation with new classmates, teacher, schedule, etc. Wow, I don't think I could do that! Lunch had to be daunting enough when it is pretty much expected that these kids would inhale their food in 15 minutes or less (but that's another story). He cheerfully went back the next day and the next. I was struck by how much courage he must have to take this new step in his life.

First day of Kindergarten.

Does that light look bright to you? Thought not.

I think as his parents, we had to be courageous. It isn't an easy thing to send a child off to school. Let alone, when it's your first time and you feel totally clueless. It took some courage to leave Jaron the first day. And even more courage to drop him off the next morning after I had spent the night before crying after the whole thing finally sunk in. As parents it takes some trust in the educational system; the teacher; the school; the whole thing. Truthfully though, I was putting my trust in the Lord to protect and watch out for my son. I have found myself praying more throughout the day in a long time.

And Russell needed some courage this week after he accidentally got pushed over and knocked his head into the fireplace ledge. I knew the moment I looked over and saw him sitting on the floor with his back to the fireplace crying that this was going to mean a trip to the ER. Luckily Clark trusted me. Yeah, I don't think a band-aid was going to fix a nearly 2 inch gash. But boy, I'm telling you, this kid is full of that courage thing. The doctor and two nurses who assisted in the sealing of his wound (5 lovely staples in the head) couldn't believe how calmly he took the whole procedure until the very end. Apparently, they told us grown men would cry during the whole process. His courage was aptly rewarded with a Popsicle and a Jr. Frosty. I just wish now he weren't so klutzy because just tonight I was icing an eye before bed because of some mishap. Oh well. Apparently he takes after his father.

Russell pre-staples.

I'll let you in on a secret, he looks pretty much the same post-staples.

And Eliza, well, maybe it takes some courage to smell like a man for the whole day. She enjoyed covering her head with shaving cream during an outside activity. What the heck was I doing with my kids outside with shaving cream? I don't know. Entertaining them I guess.

No clue what this crazy girl was thinking

but she sure enjoyed smearing shaving cream all over herself.

Questioning

I think it has always been in my nature to question things. Well, not everything but I frequently find myself asking "Why this?" or "Why that?" I wouldn't say that I'm curious about how something works but more curious about why a certain process is in place or routine happens; more socially and politically, not why is the sky blue or how do radio antennas work.

People often think I'm opinionated. Which, I probably am. But really, most of the time I'm trying to figure out the theory or philosophy or "the thinking" as to why something is happening. So I question.

Where I find one of my largest dilemmas currently is education. I've probably spent about 5 years (basically since Jaron was born) thinking and questioning and wondering why we do certain things in regards to educating our children. Often times my questioning has led me to do things differently from others and it isn't because I have anything against status quo. Mostly it's because I'm wondering what exactly is right for my child in this circumstance and situation.

I'm not a perfect mother; so far from it! If I were than I probably would never yell, never get frustrated,and have an amazing amount of patience and capability to home school my children. Then I wouldn't have to deal so much with the questions I have in regards to public education. But I'm full of inadequacies as much as the next person, just different ones.

I do wonder if I'm completely crazy and I need to relax and just "go with the flow" as they say. But then I start feeling this little nagging feeling that something needs to be different. And then I start questioning again. Once I think I've figured out one issue then something else comes up and it's another battle to fight.

I'm feeling a little bit of anxiety at the idea of Jaron starting Kindergarten next week. Yes, some of it might be due to that "letting go" but a lot of it is concern for the unknown. The loss of control. Did I mention that I'm also a bit of a control-freak?? I hope to find ways to be appropriately involved but also to make a small difference in not only my son's education but the education of other children.

I'm curious about you more experienced ones out there. Any suggestions for this newbie? How to best approach concerns with the teacher or principal so it's a give and take and not them just thinking how crazy you are? The best way to be involved? Ways to overcome my anxiety?

I'm sure by the time my last child enters school I'll look back and laugh at myself. At least, I hope so.

Some Like it Hot

I drug my kids outside this morning - already 90+ degrees outside - to take some pictures by our flowers that thrive in the heat. I'm amazed at what thrives in heat; mostly because I don't. I'm not a heat person. I think people are insane that live here. Me included. I'm totally a northern girl and this summer has proved it. Being pregnant with unrelenting heat, well let's just say I'm not a happy camper. Hearing the news report that the whole week is over 100 degrees and that doesn't include the humidity factor. That stinks. I would go drown my sorrows in the community pool but they are closing it this week. Why? Too hot? Nope, school starts. Insane I tell you. Insane.

I have to confess though. These tress/bushes/flowers whatever you want to call them are beautiful. Crepe myrtle trees. They come in a variety of colors. And they are lush and beautiful and love the heat. I'm envious of people who have red ones. Gorgeous!

Russell just captures how I start to feel trapped in the house day after day; like I'm going bonkers!

Lost

Lost: Sweet, little, fuzzy, dirty, well loved bunny.

Misplaced: While enjoying excursions with cousins throughout a huge resort home in Minnesota at a family reunion in July. (Despite mother's warnings to keep it in his room)

Belonged to: 5 year old almost kindergartner who loved and cherished this bunny. Took bunny everywhere on his excursions - the zoo, library, store, school. You name it he took that bunny there. Mothered this bunny. A treasured friend.

Reward: The happiness of a little boy.

Love this picture!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes this is a dark picture. Tip your screen around you might catch a glimpse of his happy, happy smile. (I'm clueless about our new camera and apparently Clark had played with some settings and didn't put them back. I'm a point and shoot kinda gal right now.)

We appreciate all those who searched. I called and begged the resort to search that 3 level, 8 bedroom home after we searched and our extended family searched for this precious bunny. Jaron was heart-broken but I think I was more-so. I'm not ready for him to grow up (and out of a comfort object). I have visions of saving this bunny and showing it to him once he's on the brink of marriage. It's a treasured object. Anyway . . . their cleaners found the bunny between some couch cushions. And they sweetly packaged it in a box and mailed it home. Jaron anxiously awaited the mail every day. I think Jaron thought it was pretty cool that the bunny came through the mail. They were reunited after 10 days. And the bunny hasn't been too far from sight since. And I'm guessing the bunny will join Jaron via backpack to his first day of Kindergarten.

Bedtime

Really, what is it about kids and going to bed at night? Why do they dislike going to sleep that they fight it? I'm envious of Eliza that she gets to take a nap every afternoon. For as long as she wants. And not a care in the world.

For my boys it really isn't the going to bed part. They are content to play their role in our nightly routine. But once that door closes on their bedroom - BAM - the party starts. I find several things about this situation amazing. First, my boys who enjoy playing all day together don't regularly get along. Usually there is a spat over something in a small amount of time. Apparently they put all differences aside to maximize their nightly partying time because without a doubt, a fight would put a definite end to it.

Secondly, where does this amazing burst of energy come from? Moments before they were dragging and yawning and near impossible to get them to clean up. I'm frequently told by Russell that he is too tired to clean up. But yet . . . suddenly their energy is amazingly and miraculously restored.

And third, it does not matter what time we put them to bed (early or late) or what time they got up at and how long they've been on the go that day (usually 13+ hours) they inevitably play. Might I add, whatever threats or cohersion or what not we attempt to employ each night doesn't do much to sway it either.

Ok, but the most amazing thing is this. If we split them up for a mere 3 minutes they are both out. Completely crazy! The past few weeks they've toned down their night time partying (maybe the heat has zapped the energy out of them - it has for me). But even I write this post they are goofing around. I don't get it. Well, this I do get, it is a rite of passage in childhood to not go to bed when you are told.

However, I do wonder, is falling asleep on the bathroom floor better than your bed? Kids are crazy. Well, at least mine are!

(Usually we put a child on our bedroom floor to separate them. But this particular evening Russell was put in our closet. He protested that move by dragging his pillow into the bathroom and bedding down right at the door. Looks comfy right?)

A Tripologue

How do you sum up a 10 day long trip that you have been planning and anticipating for well over a year? A trip that consisted of putting 3000 miles on a rented 12-passenger huge white van? A trip where we visited three national parks - Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Rocky Mountain - but by the 2nd mountain or overlook our kids figured they had seen it all. A trip that included my parents and lots of opportunities for all of us to talk, walk, get roasting hot, and even melt down a little? Or how about the fact that within the first 24 hours of the trip Russell got bitten so badly by mosquitoes that his forehead swelled so badly that his profile changed. And then eventually his eye swelled up making it difficult for him to open it. (I still can't believe we didn't take a picture of that!! I guess we were too concerned about how crazy he looked.) A trip that included some geyser gazing (or waiting!!), canoeing, walking, rock throwing, swimming, driving, picnicking, more walking, tram riding, animal watching and some more driving. Maybe I just sum it up by posting some select pictures from our trip. That's probably the best I can do and people really don't want to read a travelogue anyway!

Maybe her smile just sums it up. She was loving it!Start them young in geyser gazing (and waiting); that's what I say.

Actually, if you look closely you see the beginnings of his swollen forehead and his face covered with bug bites. Little did he know as he sat and watched his very first geyser that he would look like a completely different child the next day. That's ok though, he sported a baseball cap and sunglasses for the next few days to disguise any disfigurement.Surprisingly, we never seemed to run out of rocks. Or overfilled the lakes!
Yep, that's us. Going through our head, "What were we thinking when we planned this trip?" And "Hurry and take the picture before our kids fall in the lake!"
There must be a law in nature that says if you find a rock it must be thrown in the first body of water you locate. (I'll admit, I did some rock throwing myself.)
On top of the world! Or at least a mountain. You would think after living in Oklahoma the wind wouldn't phase them. I guess when you add in the cold though.Going up was so much easier than coming down.
(And he gets motion sickness easily!)
The Rock at Bear Lake (RMNP) you must have a picture taken on.I love that these guys are buddies!The great parents/grandparents who put up with this craziness. You would think that after dragging their own 7 children around these parks they would have little desire to repeat it with the 2nd generation. We appreciate their sense of humor.All I can say, she just adores her dad.