Merry Christmas to all!

This has been a busy season for us.  We are thinking of you and wish you a Very Merry Christmas!

Warm Hands, Warm Heart

While I was cooping this past week (Jacob's class), I looked out the window and saw the preschoolers playing during their recess.  I searched for Megan and found her playing with a ball by herself - she then started to wander around...again by herself.  (I notice the 'by herself' thing because I have memories of feeling like I was all alone on the playground when I was young.  I get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think of my children experiencing the same thing.  But...different story - different day...or not.)  After a little bit it looked as if some other children were coming to join her and then I saw her wander over to the adults who were out with them (1 teacher, 2 parents).  One of the coopers took her hands in both of hers and she stayed there for the rest of recess.  Later - while Jacob's class was having their recess, I went in to say 'hi' to Megan (during their snack time).  When I walked in several of her classmates saw me and told me how Megan needs to have gloves and how cold she was on the playground that day.  I - being the amazing mother that I am realized the gloves were still in the van.  It then dawned on me that she did have friends during recess and she did have someone looking out for her.  It was one of those moments I was very glad our children are part of a loving community when they go to school.  The mother that had taken care of her for the last part of recess didn't have to do what she did - but, she saw a child with cold hands and responded.  It is a community where others know what is going on and with concerned hearts try to do what they can to help - even her young classmates wanted her to be warm.  They made sure their friend's mother knew that children are supposed to have gloves during recess - everyday.:} How glad I am that the children know me - they recognized who I was and who I belonged to when I walked in the door.  They know me well enough to be comfortable letting me know how things should work.:} All preK kids know that moms and dads are in charge of the gloves, right?

It warms my heart to think that my children are cared for during the day rather I'm there or not.  Teachers are not able to do it all by themselves and I'm glad they have other adults to step in as needed. It takes a village and I'm glad my children are part of one.  I'm glad I get to be part of my children's school day and to participate in their lives by knowing their classmates and their classmates families.  My life is richer because I get to know/work with these kids and their families. It also helps me to know that my kids aren't much different than other children their age.  I'm grateful I get to have consistent contact with other children their age and know more about what my kids are experiencing and what to expect next.

I'm so very, very glad we were able to make it work for our family to still be part of such a great community even though we have moved. There are enough changes with a move - it's good to have some things stay the same.

Last Time

Tomorrow will be the last time I will wake up and make my bed here in this house.  I thought of that this morning as I was making the bed. Odd thought...It will also be the last time I take the kids to school in the morning and get to greet the day with a view of the valley.  The sky is always different and always beautiful.  It amazes me every time. What a wonderful way to start out the day!

Last night was the last time I got to spend time with some of the gals in our ward at a baby shower.  I enjoy doing that every chance I get.

Lately, I've been thinking about many of the 'last things' we've been doing.  I'm bummed we won't have time to go for another 'hike' before we leave.  We'll have to come back again.  We have loved having a bit of nature so close.

I'm guessing we've already had our 'last time on the playground' (we have 2 that we can walk to in less than two minutes) and our last nice weather BBQ with friends (months ago).

We'll miss being in a familiar place with familiar people doing familiar things.

The only thing that will be the same is family and the school.  It's strange to think that after so long it's actually our turn.  We've watched so many families come and go while we've been here that it just seemed like we would always be here - like it would never be us moving out.  This just might be the last blog post from where I'm sitting.  It's all so surreal.  We're not really moving, are we?

I promise I will convince myself that I'm excited - right now it's just not happening.  So much work just to have to step out of our comfort zone and start all over.  

I also promise that I really will post something fun one of these days. You know - something exciting or upbeat - maybe something about the kids or all the fun things we're doing.  I've been just a bit preoccupied with the house/moving topic.

Round Tuit

Life just isn't slowing down!!  We're moving this week!  My 'to do' list is about a mile long.  I don't really even have time to be writing this - 'someone' is supposed to be fixing dinner.  Here are some things I'm going to do when I get a 'round tuit'.  (No specific order.)

Reconnect with Layne - or at least have a conversation that has nothing to do with the house, finances, our schedule or our plan of attack for Christmas presents.

Teach/spend time with my kids - they have been neglected (a little - far from 'neglect' that's under the abuse umbrella - but still...they need more/I want to give more).

Participate more fully...the kids I teach at school, the teachers/other parents I work with, committees I serve on, family, neighbors, friends...all need me to be more fully present.

Clean in a 'keeping on top of it' kind of way (right now I feel like I'm deep cleaning 2 houses - it's too much - especially when I had nothing to do with the mess at one of them).

Spend some time doing something creative.

Update my journal, my kids' 'binders', my blog (I might even start another one.) and a bunch of other things I keep meaning to do...want to do...but, just keep putting off for seemingly more immediate matters.

Set up child care for Rachel - she'll need somewhere to go once we move (while I'm at the school 2 or 3 times a week).

Exercise again!

Be on time...this is a tough one for me - especially with kids in tow. But, it works so much better when I'm organized and life is a little less chaotic.

The list could go on...but, it's time to get back to the 'to do' list I mentioned earlier - boxes will not be packing themselves...oh, I think it's about dinner time too.  Hmm...maybe I'll do that first.

I Am Thankful For...

...vacuum attachments!  We were doing yard work and some cleaning yesterday at our new house.  I'm so very glad our vacuum has attachments.  They're simple - but, I'm happy to report there are no more cobwebs between the ceiling and curtain rods, no more dust on the baseboards and the list could go on.  I was just thinking about that one yesterday - since I literally spent hours vacuuming. 

I'm also thankful for the gospel, family, friends, freedom, a place to live, a body that functions well, food to eat, an income, a vehicle that runs smoothly, a school that's a good fit for our family, and an education.  Well, I guess that's the beginning of the list of generalities.  Too bad there's not enough time or space for all the specifics - I'm sure that would be fun to read!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!