For as long as I can remember, Robert has wanted to join the Navy. It makes me very proud of him, and I've always felt it was a really good decision for him. Many have asked me over the years if I had ever tried to talk him out of it because of the danger, and I definitely have not. I was always filled with peace about his decision and it was one of the few things I didn't worry about.
The last couple of weeks though, have given me pause. I would never try to talk him out of this decision, and while I still support him 100% and think it is the best decision for him, the worrying has begun. The threats with the situation with North Korea certainly are real, and I can't imagine it will be resolved before he enlists. There was also a army ranger from our local area who was killed this week while on deployment. That hits close to home. That could be my son someday, and I just can't imagine. I know that he won't waiver in his decision, and I don't want him to...I think it is the right decision for him. But I am suddenly realizing how very close we are coming to the time when this is our reality!
Friday, April 28, 2017
I kind of feel like we earned this Friday
The first week after break is always one of the toughest I feel, especially when it is spring break. Spring break always comes when we are tired from the year, and we are so close and yet not quite there, but the week before had been so nice and usually relaxing.
This week was not laid-back and relaxing. I'm grateful to report that so far (we still have to get through today) the week has been nothing more than our generally busy schedule...and busy it was! I'm going to do a re-cap. Not that any of the readers are concerned, but someday I'm sure I'll look back and miss this (even though I find that very difficult to believe)!
Monday had me working all day at the middle school, then I ran to church for that job. I picked Robert up from track practice, and was very grateful for the leftover pizza from the night before (go ahead and judge) that could be used for dinner. Andrew had to work at his night class, and it was nearly 9:00 before he was home that evening.
Tuesday was another full day of working, and this was at the Ag class that gives me so much trouble. It is always a mentally draining day. That evening Robert had a track meet. Andrew volunteered in the concession stand, and Thomas helped out in there as well. Catherine and I arrived around 4:30, and it was nearly 8:30 when she, Thomas, and I made our way home. Robert and Andrew arrived home another hour later. I needed to get on the computer and complete some band paperwork that needed to be handled this week so papers could go home with kids.
Wednesday I only worked 1/2 day at school...in Kindergarten. I LOVE the little ones, but they absolutely keep you on your toes...literally. There is no sitting at the desk catching up on reading or anything relaxing. After that half day I went to the church. I then had to run an errand for the band, then do more of my church job. I made it home in time to get Thomas to the high school for his track meet, then ran another errand for the band. Catherine and I ventured to Thomas's track meet, where Andrew was working tickets. I'm happy to report it was not a terribly long day for any of us.
Yesterday was another full day of working at the high school. After school Andrew had to attend a work out session for the middle school football, and then attend a professional meeting. I picked the boys up from track practice, then we had to run an errand because we were responsible for snacks for Thomas's youth group last night. We ran home for a quick dinner, and met up with Andrew who had a few minutes before attending a parent meeting at the middle school last night. I took Thomas to youth group where I was scheduled to be the parent volunteer for the evening. We all managed to make it home a little after 8:30.
Today is another full day at the high school. Robert has a track meet this evening, but it's away and I just don't think I can go. I hate missing it, but I REALLY need to get to the grocery and I clearly have not had an opportunity to do it earlier this week. Tomorrow we are having company from out of town, so I really need to be able to work on getting the house picked up. There is no way to know what time Robert will be home, so it just seems easier to let him drive himself home from the school when the bus gets back.
I've already told Andrew that I am going to need a nap this evening. We are just a tired, tired house. On the upside though, we are into the teens (only 18 after today) in terms of school days left. That summer downtime is right around the corner!
This week was not laid-back and relaxing. I'm grateful to report that so far (we still have to get through today) the week has been nothing more than our generally busy schedule...and busy it was! I'm going to do a re-cap. Not that any of the readers are concerned, but someday I'm sure I'll look back and miss this (even though I find that very difficult to believe)!
Monday had me working all day at the middle school, then I ran to church for that job. I picked Robert up from track practice, and was very grateful for the leftover pizza from the night before (go ahead and judge) that could be used for dinner. Andrew had to work at his night class, and it was nearly 9:00 before he was home that evening.
Tuesday was another full day of working, and this was at the Ag class that gives me so much trouble. It is always a mentally draining day. That evening Robert had a track meet. Andrew volunteered in the concession stand, and Thomas helped out in there as well. Catherine and I arrived around 4:30, and it was nearly 8:30 when she, Thomas, and I made our way home. Robert and Andrew arrived home another hour later. I needed to get on the computer and complete some band paperwork that needed to be handled this week so papers could go home with kids.
Wednesday I only worked 1/2 day at school...in Kindergarten. I LOVE the little ones, but they absolutely keep you on your toes...literally. There is no sitting at the desk catching up on reading or anything relaxing. After that half day I went to the church. I then had to run an errand for the band, then do more of my church job. I made it home in time to get Thomas to the high school for his track meet, then ran another errand for the band. Catherine and I ventured to Thomas's track meet, where Andrew was working tickets. I'm happy to report it was not a terribly long day for any of us.
Yesterday was another full day of working at the high school. After school Andrew had to attend a work out session for the middle school football, and then attend a professional meeting. I picked the boys up from track practice, then we had to run an errand because we were responsible for snacks for Thomas's youth group last night. We ran home for a quick dinner, and met up with Andrew who had a few minutes before attending a parent meeting at the middle school last night. I took Thomas to youth group where I was scheduled to be the parent volunteer for the evening. We all managed to make it home a little after 8:30.
Today is another full day at the high school. Robert has a track meet this evening, but it's away and I just don't think I can go. I hate missing it, but I REALLY need to get to the grocery and I clearly have not had an opportunity to do it earlier this week. Tomorrow we are having company from out of town, so I really need to be able to work on getting the house picked up. There is no way to know what time Robert will be home, so it just seems easier to let him drive himself home from the school when the bus gets back.
I've already told Andrew that I am going to need a nap this evening. We are just a tired, tired house. On the upside though, we are into the teens (only 18 after today) in terms of school days left. That summer downtime is right around the corner!
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Yesterday was my dad's birthday
Yesterday was yet another year we didn't celebrate my dad. Honestly, it is generally my least favorite date of each year. I can still celebrate all of the holidays because it is about so many people, and even on Father's Day I appreciate my husband and father-in-law, but April 26 is the one day of the year for me when it is about no one but my dad. The first two years were very, very tough. Last year, I purposely forced myself to be out and about, and I spent the day running errands and doing some shopping. It was better than just sitting around at home. This year, well yesterday was a very busy day, and overall I'm grateful for that. My dad wouldn't have wanted us sitting around and being sad about anything, and I'm grateful for the memories we made. It's certainly not that I didn't think about him, (I do everyday) and it isn't that there weren't any tears, but there weren't as many as in past years. It also helped that it was a gorgeous day outside, and I got to be around my favorite four people in the entire world!
No longer embarrassed by our yard
Our yard has not been a source of pride for us so far this year. Andrew had mowed it earlier in the month, and then Robert mowed it again on Good Friday. Beyond the mowing though, we have had a serious problem with dandelions. While they are apparently prevalent this year in our area, we seem to be one of the very few in our neighborhood experiencing this problem, and the only one around us. Andrew has gone out to try to kill them twice, but since we hadn't mowed in 12 days, our front yard literally looked like a dandelion forest. And our back yard, which is more well shaded and grows very quickly, definitely looked like a jungle. I'm sure our outdoor cats were wondering what was going on! I had meant for Robert to mow Monday evening while Andrew was at night class, but I forgot. Tuesday was a very late track meet, and last evening Thomas had one as well, and Andrew had volunteered at it. Fortunately, Thomas's event ended very early, and so Robert and I came home so he could mow. It looks so much better than it did before, and I'm so grateful. I'm no longer embarrassed by being the neighbor with "that" yard!
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
I don't think I could've functioned without that nap
Alternate title: That first day back is really tough.
Yesterday I subbed in middle school vocal music. I try to avoid middle school like the plague, but Andrew pointed out there wouldn't be many jobs available so if I wanted to work I needed to take something I might not love. I marginally regretted it by the end of the day as the girls in the final class period were something. Anyway, right after I got out of school I headed to the church and worked on payroll and finances there. I left there in time to get Robert from track practice, and then we headed home. We were having leftover pizza for dinner because Andrew teaches late on Monday nights and wouldn't be home until nearly 9:00. We were home about 5:00, and I just had to walk into my room and close my eyes for 30 minutes. I actually fell asleep, and was asleep even longer than I planned to be. I am so grateful I did that though, because I'm not sure I could've functioned the rest of the evening without it. It was also pretty much my only opportunity to do so this week as we have a track meet for Robert this evening and one for Thomas tomorrow. It's another crazy week, but we are getting ever closer to the end of the year!
Yesterday I subbed in middle school vocal music. I try to avoid middle school like the plague, but Andrew pointed out there wouldn't be many jobs available so if I wanted to work I needed to take something I might not love. I marginally regretted it by the end of the day as the girls in the final class period were something. Anyway, right after I got out of school I headed to the church and worked on payroll and finances there. I left there in time to get Robert from track practice, and then we headed home. We were having leftover pizza for dinner because Andrew teaches late on Monday nights and wouldn't be home until nearly 9:00. We were home about 5:00, and I just had to walk into my room and close my eyes for 30 minutes. I actually fell asleep, and was asleep even longer than I planned to be. I am so grateful I did that though, because I'm not sure I could've functioned the rest of the evening without it. It was also pretty much my only opportunity to do so this week as we have a track meet for Robert this evening and one for Thomas tomorrow. It's another crazy week, but we are getting ever closer to the end of the year!
Monday, April 24, 2017
I love seeing them that way
One of the greatest joys about being a substitute teacher is being able to see my kids during the day. I especially love being able to see them when they don't know I'm watching. Due to circumstances, Thomas is the one I've usually been able to see the most. However, I try to avoid middle school at all costs, so I've seen him very little this year. I've been able to see lots of Catherine, but she is used to it as she is in her dad's class every day anyway.
Today I agreed to take a middle school job. It is vocal music so I knew I wouldn't be instructing, but Andrew mentioned that since today is the first day back from spring break, there probably wouldn't be too many jobs available so if I really wanted to work I better take anything I was willing to take and not be picky. I signed on, and it's tolerable. Not great, but generally tolerable. During my lunch period, Thomas was next door in the band room. I took a minute and walked down the hall and peaked in the window while they were playing. I just watched him for a minute, and my heart filled! I absolutely love being able to see my kids and have a moment with them!
Today I agreed to take a middle school job. It is vocal music so I knew I wouldn't be instructing, but Andrew mentioned that since today is the first day back from spring break, there probably wouldn't be too many jobs available so if I really wanted to work I better take anything I was willing to take and not be picky. I signed on, and it's tolerable. Not great, but generally tolerable. During my lunch period, Thomas was next door in the band room. I took a minute and walked down the hall and peaked in the window while they were playing. I just watched him for a minute, and my heart filled! I absolutely love being able to see my kids and have a moment with them!
Their trip to Philly
Andrew and Thomas truly enjoyed their trip to Philadelphia last week. It's not the best time in our budget to be spending that money, but I'm so glad they took the time to make the trip. They had a blast, and got to do so many fun things together. They visited the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The U.S. Mint, the Congress Building, Washington Square's Revolutionary war tomb of the unknown soldier, Franklin's Tomb, the Franklin Museum, the Franklin Institute, and a quick trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art before Thomas had just had too much and they had to leave. They were even able to spend the first evening visiting with one of Andrew's college roommates and his family. It was a spectacular trip for them, and I'm so grateful they were able to share those experiences together.
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