School of Life

The First Day of School

2013 - 2014

  

   What an exciting day!!!  My kiddos have seriously been waiting for school to FINALLY start up again.  For me personally, that kind of an attitude is a HUGE victory!  I can't help but think back to ALL the years my kids struggled to go to school.  Tears, tantrums, cases of the "Bad Attitudes" and other memories that I don't wish to ever repeat.  But . . . with all of those hardships came some of the sweetest blessings.  

    First of all, I wouldn't be feeling SO GRATEFUL or SO PROUD of my kids today, IF we had never experienced those difficult and trying times.  Second, I wouldn't be the woman and mother that I am today.  I look back to those early years with E and remember how scared I was, how confused and utterly lost I felt, and how hopeless things looked.  Now, 10 years later, I can hold my head up high and praise my Father in Heaven for not only helping us get to where we are today, but THANK HIM for the WONDERFUL opportunities that came our way to learn, grown and connect with Him on a deeper, more personal level.

   Only through trials do we more easily fall to our knees!  If nothing else, my kiddos and I were taught that prayer MATTERS!  That hope is alive and well.  And that ANYTHING is possible! I am so proud to be a mother and to be the mother of 4 incredible, talented and beautiful children (inside and out), that Heavenly Father has created.  I am one blessed and happy mama!

   This year, school started a tad bit early.   August 21st to be exact.  It was fun for the kids to not have to wait too long for school to start, but it sure did make wrapping up our Summer pretty tough.  Between scout camps, family reunions, visits from friends from Texas (Scott's and Barrett's), band camp, family vacation to Mount Rushmore and everything in between - we just felt like summer flew by in a hurry!  Poor Paul felt it the worst.  He never quite had a break.  Between fixing my dad's RV trailer, business trips, scout camp and the family reunion; he just never seemed to have any time to just relax.  So . . . we are doing that now.  Yes, after school has started!

   But I digress, we are here to talk about the First Day of School . . . and here it is!  E was the first to take on the brand new school year.  He was super about getting up, dressed, lunch made, breakfast  made and scriptures read . . . all before I even woke up.  (Again, summer was rough and it sure was difficult to embrace an early school schedule again).  I was so tickled to see how excited he was to get to school!

Of course pictures were a bit of a nuisance, but that is the prerogative of any parent!  

A first day of school picture is a MUST!  Aren't I right?

   Because I had volunteered to help with the Back to School Dinner for the teachers and staff, I actually had to get to the elementary school pretty early on the First Day of School.  But K and G didn't seem to mind.  They were actually pretty excited to just get that first moment over with.  So . . . we got to school before the sun had even really come up.  (that is why the picture is so dark)

   My all day elementary kiddos!

   G was SO excited!  K too, but more to see her friends.  G just wanted to get to his desk (first one ever) and get right to work.  This year, both K and G have teachers with the same last name.  We thought that was pretty cool and made it a fun way to start a new year.

   I took the kiddos into the teacher's lounge, while I washed ALL the dishes from the dinner the night before, but K just couldn't wait.  She yelled, "Bye Mom!" and off she went.  (sniff, sniff)  G just paced back and forth.  He couldn't stand the excitement of FINALLY being in the first grade.  I washed as fast as I could, but we were so early, there really wasn't any reason to go any faster.  But G couldn't stand it.  So, finally, I finished up the best I could and put him out of his misery.  That walk to his First Grade door was the longest walk I have ever made with G.  I realized in that moment that he would NEVER be home with me again.  His todder, preschool years were officially over.  He was now in the hands of "strangers" to mold and hopefully develop him into the young man I know he can be.  I love that little boy!  From the moment he was born, he has been a joy to us.  I just pray others will see that same joy in him and will embrace it and not let any harm come to his gift to love freely.

 

 G's classroom is decorated like a jungle Australian/African Safari.  He chose the Tiger Table at the very back of the room.  He also chose to sit by his best friend from Kindergarten.

   Well, after a tender hearted good-bye, from me of course (G was too busy getting to work), I strolled down the long hall towards the front doors of the school.  Then it hit me . . . what about K!?!?  Just because she said, "Bye Mom!", doesn't mean I can't go see her too?  So . . . I DID!!  I walked down another long hall to K's classroom.  I walked in the doorway and asked the teacher if I could just talk to K a minute.  She is a brand new teacher at Oakridge (actually a sister to one of my neighbors/walking friends).  She said it was okay, so I snuck in and snapped a picture of her at her desk.

 K sitting next to a new friend named after a famous city.  K insisted on doing her own hair the first week of school.  She did allow me to help tie ribbons in her hair.  I took this picture for her to see if she approved of them.  She did.  And the last photo is added because this is all she would let me take of her around the first day of school.  So, this is K enjoying bacon for the first time - CRISPY!  She has had a hard time eating bacon since she was little, too fatty.  But burning the bacon seemed to solve that problem. 
Boy is she growing up fast!

   Luckily K was pretty cool about me taking her picture (thank heavens!).  But before I left, I reminded her that it was her responsibility to watch over G, just as E had watched over her.  She said, in her "you're bugging me mom voice",  "I KNOW MOM!"  And that was that.  My cue to leave was given.  Ouch!  Boy is parenting tough some days.  Instead of giving her my "you're in big trouble face", I chose to smile and just let her attitude toward me go.  I realized that she was just trying to be her and didn't need a parent around to do that.  So, I grabbed the only hand I had left to hold, L's, and we made the long walk down the empty hall to the front doors of the school.  (sniff, sniff)

   We had only been away from the school a few minutes when L started to speak up and tell me ALL about the day she had planned for us.  WHAT?!?!?  Uh oh, I'm in BIG TROUBLE!  I did try to comply with what she wanted to do, but after playing Barbies, reading stories and her insisting we play "Mommy and Baby" (where I play the mommy and she pretends to be my baby.  Why are we pretending to play this game again?  I believe we already are doing this in real life, so why do we need to pretend?) . . . and then an answer to a prayer came.  A friend called and invited us to the Duck Park.  YIPPEE!!  I've been saved!

This is Swan Lake Barbie, in her wedding dress, dancing with her new hubby, Troy Bolton from High School Musical.  The best part about Troy is that on HIS wedding day, he felt that a Pizza Hut shirt with patched wool pants would make their day extra special.  I love this kid!

  I had no idea how HARD it was going to be with L, now that her siblings and also her best friend were in school.  L being home alone was, well to put it kindly, torture.  She was SO BORED, and SO EMOTIONAL.  She insisted I play with her just to spare her from having to play by herself.  It was the LONGEST 2 weeks of my life with her.  I felt so awful for her. I would play here and there with her, but I also felt strongly that she needed to learn to play by herself.  It was a tough lesson for both of us, but she was brave and worked through it.  Fortunately L's best friend didn't start school until a week later, so we were able to sneak in one more play date at the Fort Union Splash Park.  It was a magical day for both of us!

L's swimming suit for the summer (a rash guard body suit with a Dora the Explorer swimsuit on top.)

   After a fun Labor Day weekend of: cleaning the church building, going to see Epic at the dollar movie theater (with popcorn and a drink), a much needed nap for mom (while everyone else watched t.v. with Paul - ya, I know, not like him but even Paul needs a break once in awhile), Fast Sunday - that wasn't too fast (look for the funny down below from G), Paul making dinner for the second night in a row (company pork chops), a Monday morning trip to the Zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Whitchurch to see the Lego throughout the zoo (as well as the animals), with lunch at their house and a fun visit (until 4) and then Uncle Jeff and Aunt Rachel and their two kiddos over for homemade pizzas and ice cream for dinner . . . it was FINALLY the night before L got to go to preschool!  And boy was she excited!!

   She couldn't believe she had FINALLY made it to preschool.  She has waited for this day as long as she can remember (for a kid, that is a LONG time!)  She told me she was a bit scared but she wasn't going to let that stop her.  She was so sweet and "let" me take her picture several times (she is our kid that if she doesn't want her picture taken, you CAN'T make her!)  We got her all settled and checked in and mom was on her way.  (no sniff, sniff . . . until I got home and looked at Facebook.)

   I was so proud of myself.  I told myself, "LOOK!  You are doing it!  You CAN do this!  L and the other kids going to school is just part of life.  There is nothing to cry about or be sad about.  This is the cycle of life.  You are SUPPOSED to be doing this.  So be cool and let it just be this way."  So instead of feeling sad, I decided to send my mom a post on Facebook to show her L's first day of school.  

   All was fine UNTIL . . . . I saw Paul's brother's post that his oldest son was off on his mission.  They shared a photo they had taken at the airport, as they were saying their good-byes.  Everyone was smiling but each had a look on their face like, "We HAVE to let him go!  We have too!!"  Even the oldest son had that look as well.  That was it!  I BURST into tears.  I couldn't hold them back.  I looked at the picture again, through tear-filled eyes, and noticed the way the oldest son and his mother had their heads tilted toward each other.  Almost a last moment to touch the child you held, cuddled, rocked to sleep, tried tears for, bandaged scrapes for, encouraged, motivated, scolded, prayed for, loved unconditionally for SO MANY YEARS and now he is going, going far away where you can't be that for him physically anymore. My heart just filled with tears and I had to let them pour out.

  It hit me then, how fast this time with our kids truly goes by.  I can still remember bringing each of my children home for the first time - ALL 5 of them!  I can still feel the softness of their skin, the grip of their tiny hands around my humongous finger, the way they squealed when I walked into the room.  And now look at them, all growing up and learning more each day, and most importantly, how to live without needing me so closely involved in their lives.  

   Now, don't get me wrong, I KNOW I am still needed and will be for eternity.  But there will never be a moment quite like this again.  Never will I be the ONLY thing they need.  It makes me think of Heavenly Father and how stubborn we are to push Him away and "SHOW" Him that we can do it all on our own.  But, no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to be as happy, or as confident, or as successful without His love and support.  So, I have faith.  Even though my children are growing up, right before my eyes, I know they will still need me as long as they live and that helps me know that what is happening is just fine.  (As long as I can finish this blog post without completely ruining my make-up).

  I can't help but be happy that I am doing the job / calling I feel I was sent here to do.  I know that today, women are striving to have it all, to be it all and to do MORE than be "just a mom!"  But from what I have learned, in my 36+ years on this earth, being a mom truly is a gift, something to be treasured.  I am SO GRATEFUL I am actually learning to treasure this time with my kids, instead of wishing it away or hurrying it up faster.  Because before I know it  . . . THIS BOY will be gone and doing what he was sent here to do and I will be that mom, at the airport of life, tilting my head towards his, grasping at one last touch, one last moment to call him my baby and then let him fly.  Boy is being a mom not for the faint of heart!!!

*  So, I can't end with just tears.  I MUST leave you with a funny from our Joy Boy, G!  *

Last Sunday was Fast Sunday in our church (one Sunday a month that members of our church set aside to fast for two meals.  We then take the money we would have spent on those two meals, and for some we donate much more, and donate it to our church to be given to those who need it.  That is why we call it Fast Sunday.  It is one of my favorite days of  the month.  But for a small boy . . .well, I'll let him tell you what he thinks of this day.)

  "Me and the three youngest kiddos were sitting on a chapel pew, listening to the speakers.  Church had been going on for quite awhile but we still had about 25 minutes left of the meeting.  G was having a hard time.  Even though he was busily coloring, he just couldn't seem to sit still and he seemed to fidget quite a bit, even while he was coloring.  I was worried how long he was going to actually be able to stay busy, when all of a sudden he asked:

G:  "Mom, is today Fast Sunday?"  

Me:  "Why yes G, it is?!"

G sits there for a minute, starts to fidget and looks around the chapel.  Then with a big SIGH he states:

"Well, it SURE isn't GOING VERY FAST!"

I started to laugh but realized that the person speaking was actually crying at this point, so I stopped myself immediately and leaned over to G and said, "We'll talk about this later, because that isn't what Fast means for Fast Sunday."  

He just looked at me, almost bored to tears, but fortunately he went back to coloring.  Poor kid.

  ~  Have a great day!

Grateful for Clean Clothes

The last few days have been rough, emotionally, for me.

I couldn't understand what was "wrong"?  I was doing my best, every day, but still . . . 

SOMETHING WAS MISSING!

I thought maybe it was my daily workouts that I was missing? 

Or maybe I was STILL not getting enough sleep?

 But NO!!!!!  I just couldn't figure it out. . .

What was missing?

 

A DAILY DOSE of GRATITUDE!!

I haven't been blogging lately because I thought I had "too much to do" that blogging was a splurge on my time.  But "not blogging" has taken a HUGE PIECE of JOY out of my life.  When I blog, I make sure to mention something that I am grateful for.  Because that has been missing, I have only been thinking of the negative, the stress, the worry in my daily life. . . and boy can that weigh someone down.

I love this little thought . . .

 

 I LOVE this idea!  I am not big on vinyl lettering, but I MUST have this on my family wall!

So, what does this have to do with Clean Clothes?

Well, we had NONE today.  

L threw a MONSTER TEMPER-TANTRUM because she had no shorts to wear to "friend preschool" this morning, making her 15 minutes late.  Poor E has been re-wearing shorts all week.  And let's just say that G needs more of a selection to choose from because the last two days, he has come upstairs wearing a blue shirt with blue shorts (he calls it the Blue Ninja).  Not something I want my child wearing to Kindergarten.

I really had EVERY INTENTION of washing them on Monday, but I just didn't have the energy.  Yesterday was a zoo, prepping for the Relief Society Activity that night.  And today, well . . . I was up so late the last two nights that my body NEEDED a 3 hour nap.

  So ... instead of doing laundry (thankful I don't have to do it this way!) and a million other things this afternoon, I slept.

But that left my kids without clothes for ANOTHER day.  Fortunately, E kindly reminded me at 10:00 p.m. that he needed shorts tomorrow for school.  I looked at the time, groaned a bit, and started a load of wash.  But just as the wash was starting, I LOOKED UP!!

On top of the washing machine was a pair of E's shorts that I had air dried to make sure an oil stain had truly been removed.  All I needed to do was iron them and lay them out for E.  It was a blessing.  I still washed a load for the other kids, and put them in the dryer before bed.  But I did not want to wake up tomorrow morning, scrounge through the dryer for a pair of shorts and iron them at 7 a.m.

This was a blessing for me and something I felt grateful for.

It really is the little things in life that make a difference!

Even though today was a difficult day for me, I get to end it on a good note!

Because I chose to be grateful for something!

Pictures without a link from Microsoft Publisher 2007

I am FINALLY feeling better!

I am STARTING to feel MUCH BETTER!  

Microsoft Publisher 2007

"HURRAH!!"

I HONESTLY started to believe I "had something" because I have never felt SO EXHAUSTED for such a long period of time (10 days).  But looking back now, I can see why I felt so tired, actually exhausted.  

I was sad.

WHY?

Well, I FINALLY figured it out this morning (after a normal night's sleep)!  I am sad because I feel like I am LOSING MY OLDEST SON!  Silly, I know, but it really is only a matter of time now, before he is on his own.  He is 12 and I only have half of those years left to be with him.  It really hits you when they leave elementary school and start junior high.

Beside E going to junior high now, I am REALLY going to miss E going to the kids elementary school.  Life felt safe with him there.  I guess I have really come to depend on him and trust him to be there to watch over K.  And now with G being there too, who is going to be there to keep the little ones safe, or lend them a helping hand or share that amazing smile of his? 

 

Just look at that kid!  Who could ever say no to a face like that?

 I am truly going to miss seeing him at the elementary school.  It was actually painful to walk the halls knowing E wasn't in some classroom, somewhere, adding joy to all those around him.  He will NEVER be in the same school as the other 3, ever again! OUCH!  This really hurts!

He is growing SO FAST!  This is the first time that I have felt this ache, like my heart is breaking - DEEP INSIDE!  I ache to think that it will all be over soon.  

I actually think the real exhaustion started the night we came home from Costa Rica.  Our flight was delayed and we didn't arrive until HOURS after we had planned to.  As I was carrying L down the escalator, I noticed a HUGE CROWD of people, holding signs, balloons and wearing HUGE SMILES on their faces.  I realized that I had seen a few missionaries on the first plane, the broken one.

I then thought of how long these people had waited to see their return missionaries come home today and I . . . started to cry.  (I still cry when I think of it).  Those families had not only waited 2 years to see their sons come home but they had to postpone their joy another 4 hours on top of that.  The anticipation in the airport was thick.  I couldn't imagine what those missionaries must have been feeling.  But my heart KNEW what the mothers were feeling.

I just stood there and cried, like only a mother does when touched by moments that are so DEEP, so RICH that they impact you forever!

My kids asked, "What is wrong Mom?  Why are you crying?"  I felt embarrassed at first but then I turned it into a teaching moment.  I shared with the kids how happy I was for the families to have their missionaries come home.  But I also pointed out how hard that must have been for the missionaries to have had to delay their return home another 4 hours, after being gone for 2 years, not 25 days!

But even through that HUGE SPEECH, I caught a glimpse in E's eyes and I KNEW that I too was going to have to wait for him to come home one day, very soon!  I TOO would be waiting for him at an airport, longing to hold him in my arms and welcome him safely home.  And it was just around the corner!

I couldn't take the thought.  These emotions were all too new for me.  So I decided to just push them aside.  But I guess I couldn't.  Because I have been a mess, subconsciously, ever since.

So, I hope that now I know what has been holding me back, that I will find a new level of energy in my life and a NEW FOCUS too.  I have been blessed to SEE, the last 10 days, that my time as a mother is SHORT!  TOO SHORT!  I have already let too many opportunities to hold, hug and love my kids go by.  I desire to NOT let that happen anymore!

I have felt this desire grow for some time and I am TRULY GRATEFUL for it and KNOW where it comes from.  My Heavenly Father!  I am grateful that my prayers are being heard and that my heart is beginning to soften.  I am FINALLY CHOOSING MY FAMILY before others, for the FIRST TIME!  It feels awkward, like a new pair of shoes, but I am going for it and pray that I can break into this new way of living easily and with very few blisters.

I am so thankful I have this blog!  It gives me a place to share my heart, my feelings, my beliefs, my ups and downs and my love of life.  It also helps me find a positive way to redirect my thoughts and to make them into actions.  I not only FEEL the changes that are happening because of this blog but I can SEE them too!  I hope that by sharing these experiences openly with you, that they are creating a positive impact in your life as well.  Thank you so much for reading!

All my love,