transition shock

today was a big day in our home. oldest child to middle school. youngest to kindergarten.
dog is confused and will not leave my side while the boys are gone. i was overwhelmed by how quiet our home was this morning and early afternoon. it was bad enough that i even...exercised. by choice.


oldest is at the point where he does not want to be let off too close to school, for fear that someone might realize that his mom drove him there. oh wait--EVERYONE'S mom drives them there. and i was a bit concerned about pick-up, but was delightfully surprised by how he wanted to share every (and i do mean every detail) about the first day in this foreign place. (and secretly, i was thrilled that he wants to talk about it all...i hope we have debriefing sessions like this every day. maybe just focusing on the major highlights and not the exact folders and notebooks he needed to grab between each class and why.)


youngest had his stubborn moments of not wanting to smile for a picture. or wear the shirt that we picked out at the store together. or wear his backpack. (he only wanted to carry it over his head.) but the BEST was him running to me out of the building to give me the best kindergarten hug ever. and when i asked him about his first day, he replied: "it was... ... AWESOME." all the parents around me got a giggle out of his reaction.


so, all in all, it really was a good day. it seems strange to call this 'normal'...both boys gone all day long. and me exercising. i think they are transitioning just fine...it is this mama that is in a state of shock. i think it will get easier day by day...

slacker

yes...i have been a blogging slacker this summer. call it a rest, a desire for quiet and/or reflection, silence...but please don't call it laziness. (i can have a rather fragile self-esteem. :) )
honest confession: i think really, it has been a feeling of that what i have to share doesn't feel all that important or blog-worthy. i know...each day has its' purpose and importance and i truly am grateful for each day. i just don't always feel like sharing all that is going on. especially while i am working through and processing things.


i am in the midst of the job-hunting quest. i have taken steps to try new things and think out of the box. i have faced rejection. i have been in some vulnerable places. i have had surprises come out of left field. and i am waiting. and waiting. and sending follow-up calls and e-mails. and waiting. in fact, i am going insane waiting to hear about the most feasible and exciting prospect right now. i didn't want to blog about how i am going crazy waiting...but here we are...


over the summer, i have traveled some with my family. badlands, black hills, and monuments. jagged rocky mountains and serene lakes. those were definitely some of the high points of my summer. i wish traveling and experiencing new places with my family could be a paying job. Hmmm... (oh, and i absolutely have to mention a family reunion that took place in hordeville. yes, that is the town's name. i am working to relocate the next reunion to a slightly larger town.)


there has been music and serving. sleeping in and coffee. card games and laundry. writing and photographing. running through sprinklers and cleaning up drippy popsicles and ice cream. cooking and trying new foods. (that is a wonderful part of summer.) reading books and searching through websites for job listings. zoo visits. birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate. lots of 'normal' things that have filled the summer days full.


and near the end of this summer break, bittersweet times. my grandpa's journey with cancer and old age came to an end. he passed on my husband's fortieth birthday. i am sad for the loss and what that means to my family, but i am grateful that he is not suffering. i am sure that he is enjoying a cup of coffee in heaven served just the way he always liked it--cream and sugar with some coffee stirred in.
the rest of summer will include visiting my grandma and encouraging her however we can. we will drive there tomorrow and hopefully bring smiles to her face and heart. and then there is the final approach to school. my boys are growing up before my eyes...and they both start on new journeys--one in middle school (pray for him) and one in kindergarten (pray for him too).


so, i have been a blogging slacker, but i have been living life one day at a time. i have been trying to live boldly, taking new steps, taking nothing for granted, and appreciating all the little things that come together each day. i don't mind being called a slacker when it comes to blogging, but i never want to be called that when it comes to living.