We Made It!

I did indeed cry out all my tears last night! I did have a few tear-up moments this morning, but it was actually a really sweet time for all of us. I figure I got all caught up in the process of getting them to school, that there really wasn’t any lag time to cry. Jason was able to go with me to drop off Natalie, then he left and took Nicholas on to his school. I stayed for the “Kleenex and Coffee” and met some other moms, and heard some inspiring words. I did grab a kleenex, but didn’t use it. We were then invited to join the students in the sanctuary for Chapel. So, that was fun.

Here are some pics of the kiddos this morning -

When I picked up Natalie, she had the biggest grin on her face. She said she had such a great time, met 3 new friends, learned to count to 20 in Spanish, and played in “The Green Spot”. Nicholas had a good time too. He said he forgot to play with anyone, he played by himself. Although he did talk about playing with 2 friends he already knew. So, not sure what that means.

So, we made it! And crazy enough, we don’t have to do it tomorrow. That’s right, all schools are closed here because of Tropical Storm Fay. I personally think it is kind of nice because we can kind of ease into the school thing now. And I am even more thankful because it appears that the storm will not be as bad as first thought.

Will I Make It?

My sweet girl is starting Kindergarten tomorrow! It’s really bizarre because I really didn’t think that I would be very emotional about it, and yet, every time I think about it, my eyes tear up!

I was putting her to bed tonight and prayed for her day tomorrow. As I was praying, I just started crying. I think it is mostly because I just will miss her so much! And there is this part of me that is sad because she will be having these experiences throughout her day, that I won’t be a part of. Part of the process of letting go, I suppose. Trusting God that He loves her more than I do, that He will protect her, and guide her.

It doesn’t help matters any that we received an invitation to a “Kleenex and Coffee” after I drop her off tomorrow. And here is what the invite said:

“We hold their hands, then let them go
That’s when our tears begin to flow.”

She is growing up. Unfortunately I can’t stop it from happening. And I am trying oh so hard to look forward to the adventure ahead and seeing what God has in store for my sweet little girl! Maybe I will cry so much tonight, that there won’t be any tears left for tomorrow.

Hello Chicago

Jason and I went to Chicago this past weekend for a work conference. It was a terrific time! Lots of images still planted in my head. It really is a beautiful city. Although, I must say, I don’t think I am a big city girl. In fact, one morning I told Jason that opening the curtains to view the city just does not do the same for me as opening them to a view of the ocean. I asked him what he thought the draw was for the people you hear say, “I love the city.” He said, “It’s the energy. All the people.” To which I said, “That makes sense as to why I don’t like it so much.” (HA!) I’m more of a down-time, need my own space kind of girl. Plus I don’t really like relying on public transportation. It takes so much longer to get somewhere, and I really would miss not being able to jump in my car and buzz down the road to pick up something I forgot at the store. And yet, if there is a city that I would like, it would be Chicago. Because it does have the water scenes. I love the water!

Anyway, we had a great time. You can see my flickr page for the pictures. We had lots of fun sitting by the river, riding a water taxi, watching fireworks, and walking through the shops. Yes, Jason had fun in the shops (I guess he endured since he was able to go to two Baseball games before I arrived). We went to the American Girl Place. A huge store full of American Girl Dolls. If you aren’t familiar with this phenomenon among young girls, it is a huge trend. I couldn’t believe how big this place was! There were dolls everywhere, anything you can imagine to accessorize the dolls, a Cafe for your girls to come eat at with their dolls (the dolls have their own special seating), a Doll Salon where you have your dolls hair and facials done, a museum and Theater! I cracked up when Jason said, “This place is a cult!” I also laughed when I asked Jason if I could purchase a Mini American Girl and he replied, “What are we going to get Nick? A 25 cent pencil that says Chicago on it?”

So, it was a great time. Now we are back home for a full week of preparing for school to start. YIKES!

Equally Divided Brain

One of the blogs I read is from a girl, Lisa. Not sure how I ever came across her blog, but I like it. Guess that is what is fun about blog world, huh. Anyway, today she posted about this Brainworks test. It helps identify what hemisphere of your brain you use the most. Here is what my results were. I wonder what it means about your brain when you can’t understand some of the terms used to describe you. HA! I agree with most of it, but bolded what I found to be interesting or right-on.

Your Brain Usage Profile:

Auditory : 66%
Visual : 33%
Left : 50%
Right : 50%

Jill, your hemispheric dominance is equally divided between left and right brain, while you show a moderate preference for auditory versus visual learning, signs of a balanced and flexible person.

Your balance gives you the enviable capacity to be verbal and literate while retaining a certain “flair” and individuality. You are logical and compliant but only to a degree. You are organized without being compulsive, goal-directed without being driven, and a “thinking” individual without being excessively so.

The one problem you might have is that your learning might not be as efficient as you would like. At times you will work from the specific to the general, while at other times you’ll work from the general to the specific. Sometimes you will be logical in your approach while at other times random. Since you cannot always control the choice, you may experience frustrations not normally felt by persons with a more defined and directed learning style.

You may also minimally experience conflicts associated with auditory processing. You will be systematic and sequential in your processing of information, you will most often focus on a single dimension of the problem or material, and you will be more reflective, i.e., “taking the data in” as opposed to “devouring” it.

Overall, you should feel content with your life and yourself. You are, perhaps, a little too critical of yourself - and of others - while maintaining an “openness” which is redeeming. Indecisiveness is a problem and your creativity is not in keeping with your potential. Being a pragmatist, you downplay this aspect of yourself and focus on the more immediate, the more obvious and the more functional.

SO, what part of your brain do you use the most?

Responsibility Meltdown

That’s what I like to call it anyway. You see, about a month ago, I had these feelings of being completely overwhelmed with life. So much of my life feels like responsibility these days. And yet, there is no real ability to be free from it.

For example, the day that I was having this said, “meltdown”, I am talking to Jason about it all and crying. The kids walk in the room and start saying, “Mommy. I’m hungry. Can you fix me something to eat?” To which I turn to Jason and say, “Point proven! Did they come in here and say, ‘Daddy’? No, they said mommy.”

I think I am realizing that I “own” a lot of things in my life. Whether that ownership is placed on me or not. I have this horrible problem of not wanting anything to fail - an idea, relationships, my parenting skills (HA!), health, etc. Which then throws me into the whole control problem. I can’t possibly let things just “come as they may”. What if it fails? There must be some way I can make it work or make it better or whatever the thing is.

But, I am seeing it clearer now. That is why I am even able to write about it. Maybe it will serve as an encouragement if you can relate.

You see, God is getting me to a point of focusing more on Him. Afterall, when you are busy controlling everything, there isn’t much time for God. And honestly, there is a trust issue there as well. Will He really work such and such out? Don’t I need to do my part? If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

Those are all the lies I hear in my head. Which gets me to these places in life where I feel overwhelmed.

The past couple of weeks have been good. We have been in and out of town. Lots of relaxing times and fun times. Time to just be away from the normal responsibilities and pressures of life. It has been really nice! I am just hoping that I can stick with the whole “trusting God, looking to Him, allowing Him to show me what I need to do, etc”. It will be really difficult for me these next few weeks because we are about to embark on changes. Natalie will be starting Kindergarten, and Nicholas will be starting Pre-K. But hopefully I can remain focused on God, and remember to invite Him into this change and seek Him for direction!

Vacation

We went to the beach for a little vacation this past week. Just wanted to share a few of the highlights.

Pimples

A few weeks ago, Natalie had a pimple on her face. So, today she is looking in the mirror and says, “Mommy, where is that thing I have on my face, that you have on your face?”

After trying to figure out what she is talking about, I say, “Oh, a pimple.” (which is great for the self-esteem that your daughter points out your pimples!) And then I tell her, “Well, yours is gone honey. They come and go.”

And then here’s the real kicker! She says, “But yours aren’t gone.”

LOVELY!