Accolades and Idiosyncrocies

Yesterday was 'Meet the Teacher' day at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy, Ethan's school. Everything went well and at the end of the meeting she asked that we, as parents, write her a letter expressing anything we wanted her to know about our child. "Okay, great!" i thought - originally- then I starting to feel that it could be quite daunting. How much do I want her to know? So much of it she is certain to discover on her own (insert evil laugh here).

No, but seriously, how do you write a letter about your child without either praising him so much that he is put up on this high pedestal he can't do anything but fail and disappoint (I call this the Obama Complex) or sounding like you are defending and apologizing for his behaviour and personality?

I think I found the balance and ultimately she'll form her own opinions. In the meantime we'll pray for her and all the little kiddies under her influence.

I'm looking forward to school this year - both boys go in some capacity. Although that means more driving and more volunteering and more birthday parties (ugh!) they are excited. And as long as my kids are excited to go to school, I will be excited for them to go.

New gender

"No Aidan, that's just for girls" - after he decided to don my bra.

"Well, you wear it and you're not a girl."

"I'm not?"

"Nope. You're a mom."

There you have it.

Bittersweet

While I sit here outside of my trailer, looking over Pine Lake and the camp with the same name, I can't help but think about the future. That seems like a silly comment seeing as everything from this point on IS the future but seriously, I think a lot about the plans that I have for my life and that of my husband and boys. This camp is very special to our family and will probably play a significant role in the lives of my boys as well - Ethan can be a camper next year :S. I think about our years as Music Camp faculty and the years to come. I think about our next trailer. I think about where we will camp next. I think about our family time camping in genreral and how enjoyable that is - no other distractions or interferences - just us. I've read recently that the 2 of the best things you can do for your children is 1) give them time and 2) be a good wife. The key to being a good mother is being a good wife. Sometime I think we get that backwards (that's a discussion for another post).
There will come a day when the boys won't want to come camping with their parents. There may even come a day when they are camping with their own families (or their wive's families - again, a discussion for another post).
I received some terrible news yesterday about the passing of my friends baby at birth, a few days past her due date. I am reminded then of one very important and significant thing - the plans that WE have for our lives isn't necessarily THE PLAN. "For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord." BUT, it goes on to say, "plans to PROSPER you, NOT to harm you......".
So I have pondered and pondered and questioned and mused and I still don't get it. But maybe instead of spending so much time planning, I'll spend more time trusting. Clarity and understanding come with time and yet some things we aren't meant to understand at all. I guess that's part of trusting.....

I should clarify. I'm am not having a crisis! I'm just looking for some excitement!!

Well, I think I may try a little harder even though I am not completely sure why. I'm not even sure if my family still follows my "blog". Maybe I'll just use it as a venting system.

I feel like I am at a crossroads. I want to do something drastic. New job, or quit work altogether, new house (even though I can't leave my new kitchen!), something. I'll leave the baby thing to my friends. Suggestions? I know we should be content in everything and I'm not actually unhappy - I'm just ansy (?). Maybe an exchange trip to Dubai or Texas or something. WHat to do?! I just wanna stir things up. But how?

Here's a photo from the summer. Aren't my boys sweet?