Welcome to 3rd Grade!!!

My Old Shoes Fit Just Fine

Aug. 2011, first day of the 3rd grade for Cam.  Some kids are excited and can't sleep the night before, some kids talk incessantly because of all the emotions running through their brains.

First day of 3rd Grade 2011

Well, that's all well and good for THOSE parents!                              
 
Reality, my house, 640am, first day of school...

"Welcome to 3rd grade!" I shout while rubbing Camden's back with a big smile on my face.
His response. "Only, like, 100 more days until my next summer vacation." With a pillow over his head and body buried beneath the covers, acting as a shield that will protect him from my persistent pulling and coaxing out of bed.
I wonder, why is it he doesn't have the same enthusiasm I did when going back to school?  I remember sleepless nights starting about 1 week prior to the first day of school and how I jumped out of bed that first morning eagerly dressing in my new outfit. The smell of new tennis shoes, pulling the stiff laces into a bow and bounding down the front porch to wave at all my friend's walking into school.
Camden is just fine in last year's clothes, old tennis shoes and going back to 2nd grade if he was allowed. I recognize he doesn't embrace change well at all!  If he has the choice between comfort or wearing a new pair of shoes, he will undoubtedly go for the old beat up shoe.
So, I shouldn't worry he may not have good friend's to wave to, or that he'll struggle in 3rd grade, or that, quite simply, he won't enjoy school at all. It's his nature to battle and resist changes in his life, not necessarily current problems, but potential struggles.

I'm sure it's common for parent's to have just as many doubts about a new classroom and teacher as their children. I know my parent's didn't express their fears about how I would adapt into my new environment.  So, the only emotions I display to my son are encouragement, enthusiasm and a sense of peace about this brand new adventure.  Mentally, I struggle too, but it wouldn't do him any good to know how much I worry and pray for his happiness.      
So far, he loves his teacher and hasn't had one bad day yet (1 week down and, like, 90 to go!).  3rd grade started off slowly, reviewing lessons from last year.  He is a smart boy, I tell myself, there aren't any worries as long as we communicate about each day.
I pray my worries away, most of the worries, and know that each day has the potential to make us emotionally stronger, mentally smarter and bring us 1 day closer to SUMMER VACATION 2012!!!
God Bless all the teacher's and student's!

Summer 2011

SUMMER 2011

This summer meant a lot more to me than working, running errands, swimming and mini-vacations.  This was a summer of great times and lasting good-byes.

So, the season began rainy, cold, dreary and just as quickly as the clouds parted in the skies, the weather became extremely hot and muggy.  My emotions changed with the wind most days, but there was a lot going on in our lives.  

There was baseball to attend, always proving to crunch supper into 5-10 minutes after work, picking up the kids from daycare, getting home for a "fast food" meal made by me, consisting of french toast or spaghetti.

We made it to games in time for a brief warm-up for Cam, then cheered him on for the next hour.  He did a super job of fielding and batting this year and it was worth all the fuss he created along the way because he didn't want to play.  Too bad Cam, you're too good not to play!  

He had one game stopping injury, actually during practice, and a severe, gushing nose bleed for about 20 minutes, but he braved through it, only missing one inning, then playing 2 games in a row!  

Post baseball our schedule was less hectic, but still a steady pace of activities outside. As the air heated up we found ourselves on our front porch, watching the kids 

ride bikes and playing with friends in the shade of our front yard or running through the sprinkler.  

We were able to meet neighbors and keep an eye on the kids.

Our kids were most excited to meet their only cousin on my side, little fair skinned Isaiah.  He made us smile and giggle at all his funny antics, quite a personality for someone so young!  We loved his "dancing" feet and laugh and surely can't wait to hold him again.  The distance of thousands of miles is difficult for all of us and most poignantly felt during the loss of our beloved Grandmother.

During the saddest time in our lives, I discovered and felt inspiration, fellowship, faith and an overwhelming sense of purpose.  My Grandmother wanted the grandchildren to speak on her behalf, and honestly I didn't think I could, or perhaps any of us could.  

We did speak, it was a wonderful service, full of great memories, faith, hope and love.  I believe deep in my heart that my Grandmother knew how her passing would affect each one of us and how our involvement in the celebration of her life would intertwine and strengthen our relationships with eachother.  

I am certain she prayed upon this personal and difficult request of her family for a long time.  God led her to the decision and because it was by faith she called upon us, we, or at least I, was strengthened in my faith.  

I'm grateful for my family, standing beside me when I need them the most, working at long distance relationships that are easy to put off in our hectic daily lives.  Family always means the most, but never so much as this summer, Summer 2011.   God Bless.   J.