Updates...

Well it's been a short while since I've posted anything so I'll try to catch up. Matt's basketball season is over. He's decided that this is his favorite sport. He was a B team player. There were times that it was ok with him but he has decided that more effort on his part is needed to hopefully make the A team in the 7th grade. He's in a very talented class and I hope for his sake hard work will be rewarded. He has also decided to not play baseball this year. He's going to golf with the Jr. High instead. This should be interesting...and expensive. School is a frustration for the both of us. You'd think enjoying 3/5 would make for a decent day.... Unfortunately it's not the case. Even more unfortunately the majority of the frustration is at the end of the day - so guess who gets to enjoy the frustrated kid! UGH! Unfortunately I feel as if I've given up. I know he's smart. I know he understands the concepts. I know he knows how to do the math. I know what's coming for him in the 7th & 8th grades and I know he'll do well. Jr. High is a different world, and I know for fact not quite the world that it is made out to be by the 6th grade team. Funny, for the 4 years at the jr. high I'd hear the teachers their "complain" / "question" if you will ...just how/what/why the 6th grade team taught/prepared the way they did. Funnier yet...in the 8-9 years subbing at the HS the teachers there would ask the same question. So much for being on the same page.
If ever there was an argument for everyone being in the same building this would be at the top of the list.

Kate has completed cheering for the year. Now she's in the middle of swim season. She's swimming in 2 relays and a 100 (i think). She's done rather well considering she's not really swam since 5th grade. She's doing OK grade wise but can stand to improve. Recently a teacher told me she was one of the smartest kid he's had...she just doesn't put it to good use. I would have to agree. Little to zero effort and still pulls decent grades. She's not feeling challenged, she's bored - something I've heard for years, and for years have been told she'll just have to figure out how to deal with it. Well...her method of coping as well of several others in the same boat (AP kids)...holding convo's in class (choose method yet to be detected by teachers) and tuning out until the teaching begins. Frustrated? YES! aggravated? YES! solution? NOT a Clue. This has been a constant behavior that has been reinforced by the schools for 7 hours a day 180 days a year...HOWEVER... when she's at home it's a different story. A prime example of what the parents can do. Kate's a totally different kid than Matt. She too has an above average grasp of the info, she too will succeed. Both of my children good or bad are not easily fooled by people, of any age and are certainly not fooled by persons in "positions of power" if you will. As I do they realize pants no matter who they belong to go on 1 let at a time.

Andy seems to enjoy his job still. His territory requires him to be gone more and he's home later than we're used to. It's been an adjustment for us all. But we are so THANKFUL that he has it. I'm so blessed to have him as a husband and father of my children. I did good. :)

This week has been a wild one! Furnace went out, Fridge went out, Water heater is poop'in out! What a tri-fecta! Oh well, what can you do but call in the troops. We preplanned moms funeral this week. This has brought about a whirlwind of emotions for her. I'm sure it's hard to come to terms with things changing. She's shed so many tears stressing over how she'd make ends meet, you'd think the solutions put forth would be a relief to her. You'd think. She's managed to maintain everything as a single woman far longer than she did married...call it a moral victory & call it a day!

A vacation on the horizon! Andy booked the hotel for our brief get-a-way over spring break. Gulf Shores here we come! I've never been there so I'm excited. It's tough as a grown up deciding where to go on vacation. I want to take the kids to places I've been but also want to explore new places. This is the 1st one that will be new to us all. I'm so excited. Not to mention that this will be the first trip NOT in a minivan! Oh the togetherness. lol. Let's hope it' not the last.

I'm continuing to pray for my brothers family. Julia was recently engaged. That's exciting for her. Jerrod is not doing so well (according to mom). Not sure what the lesson for him is suppose to be but it's been a tough one. Good news they've all gone to church recently. I hope this becomes something they enjoy and feel a part of. So much of their time was given to MG and sports, etc...I hope for them a renewed relationship with God and happier times. I do love my brother & his family.

I just realized I never really talk about be in these posts...perhaps someday I will be brave enough to express what all goes on inside my head...or perhaps it'll all just stay in there & I'll work it all out as I go along. I just know inspite of it all, I am blessed. Thank you God.