My daughter started high school

Everyone was on their way by 45 minutes ago (and some much, much earlier).  It's so hard to believe my sweet little girl is off to her first day of high school.  I am sure it will be great for her, but I'm a mother and I worry.  We have a new twist in our lives this year, as Catherine is going to be in Andrew's class.  He has some concerns about the dynamics, as well as being concerned about her handling an honors class.  I think they are going to enjoy the year.  I so vividly remember her first day of Kindergarten.  She was so independent and didn't seem to need me much.  In some ways, I think she needs me more now.

I put Thomas on the "early" bus (although not so much since Robert is out the door an hour earlier) by himself since Catherine rides to school with her dad.  I can't believe my "baby" is in 7th grade.  Really?  My most vivid memory for him is his first day of 1st grade.  These years have flown by.

Three years ago today we moved into this home.  It seems just astounding to me.  I can't believe that we are beginning our fourth school year in this district.  It seems unreal that we are beginning our third school year without my dad.  He never got to see any of my kids be in high school.  I know that I can't stop time, but I hope that I'm remembering to enjoy it.  I think our family makes the most of our time together, but oh goodness, it just goes so quickly!

Tomorrow is all in

Everyone will be in school tomorrow.  It's definitely time...there is no question about it.  I feel like all we've done since Robert started last week is to spend time with electronics...and I don't love that.  Part of the reason is the unbelievably hot, and then frighteningly wet, weather that we've had in the last week.  Part of it is also the fact that I feel all I've done is spend most of my time in a car, taxiing kids around.  I don't mind, but I can't take the kids and go do something fun...so we all sit in front of the electronics.  And of course, there are Olympics on all day to watch!

A dream about my dad

Last night I had an emotional dream.  I was at the house my grandparents lived in when I was growing up, and in the dream my family lived in it.  Had Andrew had a different job when we married, that would have been our reality as they decided to move as we got engaged.  His job didn't allow for living in my hometown though.  Anyway, I was looking out the back door in this dream, and then walked away.  When I looked back at the door, my Dad was standing there in his jeans, loafers, and a red v-neck sweater vest.  Although the color of the sweater changed, that was my dad's "signature" attire.  I quickly walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder.  He gave me a big hug and said, "I've missed so much."  I responded with, "That's okay, " and that's when I woke up.  I had tears in my eyes (as I do now as I'm typing this) and because Andrew was still in bed I fought all out crying.  The dream was both wonderful and awful.  It was wonderful because I really felt my Dad again, yet awful because it wasn't real.  I know my Dad is in a better place, but oh goodness, I am especially missing him today.

A wet morning to volunteer

This morning, Andrew and I had to be up at 4:15A.M.  I often joke that I think it should be illegal to be up that early.  No one should ever have to be awake when there is still a "4" as the first number on a clock.  The high school band needed some volunteers though, and we had signed up for the early shift.  The nice thing is that I knew we would be finished at 9.  It turned out we didn't really get to do much because the weather has been awful.  The storms started being seen about 6 (we had to be there at 5) and everything ended up being delayed by about two hours, so we left shortly after things got started.  Since we had been up so early, I didn't feel guilty about leaving, except that it really began to pour right after we left.  I can only imagine how what and miserable things are out there...but I'm home and dry.

It's really a great day for this though.  Robert will work all day (although I suspect he'll get off early), and the younger two kids don't go back to school until Wednesday, so the three of us don't have much to worry about tomorrow.  Since the students are there, Andrew doesn't have to worry about lesson planning, and although Robert has homework, it's nothing major.  In addition, there is Olympics on all day and the house is clean, so it's a great day to be "rained in"!

Off to his last shift

Robert is getting ready to walk out the door for his final shift of his first job.  He had been wanting to leave for quite some time, and to be honest, Andrew and I were wanting him to leave as well.  The problem is the environment of the place.  Because they pay minimum wage (after a year, Robert received a nickel raise...woohoo), the employees they are able to hire are those that can't really get a job somewhere else.  They aren't even hiring teens who are trying to get their first job, nor are they hiring college students.  So if the twenty-somethings they hire are working there for minimum wage...I think you get the picture.  During the next week, he will be starting across the street at LaRosa's.  He might work fewer hours initially, but it's just going to be such a much better place to work.

We are so excited for all of the opportunities that Robert is currently experiencing.  We just keep hoping and praying that he takes advantage of them!

They've forgotten

It's been a crazy week.  I can't really say that it's crazier than last week, because everything is pretty much a blur at this point.  It's crazier than it has been in years as we have three fall athletes and Andrew is back to coaching football.

The kids don't remember what it's like to have a dad coaching.  They were so young the last year he coached.  It was much worse than in some ways because we lived so far away, and it was high school which was more of a commitment.  At the same time, in some ways it is worse now because each of the kids has their own lives and schedules, and I'm the only one able to get them where they need to be.  It's a little exhausting on top of my own job (even a few hours means I need to get things done) and my volunteer job that requires a ridiculous amount of time...and that some feel I'll just take care of because I "have time".

The kids are so used to their dad being around at the end of each day, and they keep asking each evening where he is and what time he'll be home.  It's wonderful they have that perspective, and I'm grateful for that.

We are hanging in there, and Andrew and I have both mentioned that these are first world "problems" that are really many blessings of opportunities!

He loved it

Robert absolutely loved his first day of school yesterday.   I am really excited for him.  One thing about Robert that has always been a positive is that he doesn't mind not knowing people, or being surrounded by people he doesn't know.  He even figured out the transfer bus process and everything went really well.  I'm very excited for him!