First Day of School 2015-2016

So as mentioned in earlier posts, the kids started school last week.  We are now Tecumseh Arrows!  What made it all a little crazy is that Tecumseh Elementary Schools are divided by grade, meaning that I have one child in each elementary building.  Kal is in the K-1 bldg, Izzy is in 2-3 bldg and Sam is the big man in the 4-5 bldg.  Got all that?  Good, b/c I'm still a little lost!
So Sam and Izzy started on Tuesday and Kal's kindergarten orientation consisted of 5-6 kids from his class and their parents attending an hour and a half meeting with the teacher.  He and I were scheduled for Tuesday morning.  Zeke babysat Papaw :)  What made the week slightly confusing was that kindergarten did their orientation mtgs for Tues and Wed and then on Thursday half of the class attended all day (Kalen was that day) and then the other half of the class attended on Friday.  So Kal went to kindergarten with me for a few hours on Tues., had all day school on Thurs and nothing on Wed & Fri.  So really we've been counting this week, as his first consistent attendance, the beginning of school for Kalen.
Below are attached the obligatory first day of school pictures and some entries of each day with Kal!

Thursday, Aug. 20th:
Well, we did it today! We dropped off Big Man Kal for his first full day of kindergarten. I pulled into the school lot and he said "I can't wait to play on that playground!" He held Dad's hand walking in to the bldg and then said "Thanks Dad! I know where to go now." Then walked off by himself. After Kurtis came back out of the school, I sobbed in the parking lot and the drive home. Isn't it supposed to be easier with the 3rd one!?! One more baby flew away from the nest

After he got home that day:
He just got home and said "Hey come here and hear about my day! I had a WONDERFUL day. Sometimes I got in trouble and sometimes I didn't." I also got a note from his teacher asking that we discuss the "importance of listening and following directions. He talked and interrupted nearly constantly." Trying to not let that bother me.

Monday, Aug. 24th:Took Kal to school today (2nd day of kindergarten). I asked him if he wanted me to walk him to the door and he said yes. As we come up to the sidewalk, he sees a boy from his class and says hi. Then looks at me and says "Mom, that's a new friend of mine. Could you not hold my hand?" What?!?! I'm already ditched in the first few minutes!! Yeah, yeah, he's growing up; being independent; should be a proud mom.

Today, Tuesday, Aug. 25th:
He asked me if he could walk up to school by himself.  He didn't even want me to walk him to the door!  But at least he came home with a good behavior report!

what you really see when you stop to look

In an earlier post, I mentioned how the kids were forced to switch school districts with a little over a week before school started.  I mentioned how they handled it so well and had great attitudes.  But I've really stopped and watched things come together and recognized God's Hands in many of the small details.  And honestly, it would be wrong of me not to share.
When we got the call about Sammy switching schools, I was really upset and distraught.  But I wiped off my tears, loaded the kids up and headed to the new school to register him.  It was a welcome surprise when I realized that the principal of Sammy's school is our neighbor gal who lives across the street.  It was also a blessing that the school librarian was in the office when I was signing him up.  She listened to me tell the secretary all of what had happened.  Then as we were finishing paperwork, she said "I have a few minutes.  Can I give you a tour of the school?"  She then proceeded to take me and my 4 kiddos around the building, showing Sam where music, art, gym, lunch, the restrooms, library, his homeroom, where EVERYTHING was.  As we were walking out the door, Sam hugged her and she said "I'm a hugger too!"  When I went to pick him up from his first day of school, the librarian was standing next to Sam outside the school.  She saw him waiting for me and talked to him. Then he hugged her as he walked to the van.
At Izzy's school registration, I got a text from my sister saying that one of the 3rd grade teachers taught both my nephews and was close to my sister.  Mrs. Landes had told Tara to have me request her.  Well, school started in a week and I was pretty sure they wouldn't like me requesting a teacher but I did it. And got the run-around.  The secretary and principal both said they didn't think it would happen but someone would call me the next day and let me know what happened.  No one called me the next day.  I called the principal and he said he would speak to Mrs. Landes and personally call me back later and tell me what was decided.  I received a call in less than an hour later.  The neighbor girl/principal I mentioned earlier?  Yeah, she called the other principal and told him we were good people and he should work with us.  Then he spoke to Mrs. Landes and she said she would love to have Isabel.  He called me back and she was put with Mrs. Landes.  When we went to Open House two days later, Izzy ran up to Mrs. Landes and hugged her. At their first meeting!  For Isabel that is huge!  To make it more special, on her first day, my dad went to take Izzy and drop her off.  He asked the principal if he could walk her to her class and Mr. Burkholder said "I'm going that way, why don't you let me take her."  He held her hand and walked her right into the school.
Kalen's transition seemed to be easier b/c he hadn't started any school yet.  But as we started to do the registering process, we were met with friendly faces yet again.  One of the special ed teachers at Kal's school has a son who had been attending Bethel with Sammy and we've known her for a few years now.  She was at kindergarten assessment, the open house, and there on the first day of school.  Kal looks for her and waves when he sees her.  My mom and dad also know the secretary at Kal's school from when my nephews were in elementary school and she has really helped me to stay calm and reassured.
How could it be that the Lord knew I would need these little reassurances?  Maybe He wasn't sure I would notice.  But I did!  I've been so aware of His presence through all of this.  Even when we were at Children's Hospital this past weekend with Zeke, a friend of church was getting off of work and stopped in to see us.  The Lord has been walking alongside me the last two weeks and I've noticed!  I've seen His Hand, I've felt His love, and I've witnesses His angels!

summer snippets

Only my 2yo would spend the last 15 minutes crying b/c his toys wouldn't fit in his "pocket" and since his shorts don't have pockets that means we're shoving toys in his waistband and they either fall out or hurt.

I may actually have one hour of peace today. Pulled out the old Scooby Doo VHS tape and hooked the VCR up to the tv. Now all 4 kids are watching it and I'm in heaven.

was at WalMart at 8am to get school supplies....lots of money! ugh Highlight of the morning courtesy of Sam: "Mom, one day when I go on a date, I will take her to McDonald's and get 2 hashbrowns. Then we'll go someplace a little more private, like the back yard of our house and I'll share my hashbrowns with her." Oh my Sam.

so fun story that shows the tender mercies in life: while having the garage sale today, I'd just received a letter from Bethel letting us know that Kal wouldn't be attending Bethel. I was really disappointed and trying to keep it hidden. A friend/neighbor gal pulls up and comes into the sale. She says that she just got back from an exhibit/show where she sells mascara. Another vendor had approached her and asked if she knew anyone named "Greta"(pronounced short e). She said "No, but I know someone named Greta (with a long e)"  The vendor told her that she had this bag and knew no one with that name so Becky Stevens could have it. She dropped it off to me for Free! It totally made my day as I usually have nothing with my name.

why does time seem to speed up and slow down at will?

So we're halfway through August and every day I think that I need to recap July but never do.  So what else can a girl do but stay up late in the evening to try to get it done.  I tend to mark summer by major activities.  For instance, Summer 2015 was prioritized like this: 1. Raggedy Ann Rally 2. Cub Scout Day Camp 3.Sam Swim Team/Kal T-ball 4. Eber Family Reunion 5. finish off summer before Back to school prep!
So let me elaborate on some highlights!
Sam's Swim Team: Sam asked to join the swim team this year and I was against it. He isn't a real competitive sports kinda guy and I was afraid it would be rough on him but Boy, was I wrong.  It was only 8 weeks with 2 practices a week with a swim meet every Wed.  I thought he wouldn't learn much but it would be a more relaxed approach for him.  He did great!  It was rough the first couple weeks but by the end, he was earning ribbons for 3rd, 4th, and 5th place!  He started out in one race and by the last meet swam in 4 races including 2 relays.  He tried and maybe he wasn't the fastest swimmer but there is no doubt in my mind that he was the most improved.

Kal finished up his t-ball team and got an awesome trophy.  He is now in soccer and is becoming quite our athlete!
We also did an impromptu trip to see the Indianapolis Temple Open House.   This was an opportunity for our kids to walk through the temple before it is dedicated.  It was a lot of fun.  We had a moment where we were all standing together in the Celestial Room and I just felt that this is what it is all about.  Being together forever!  It made it so wonderful!

We did indeed have an Eber Family Reunion.  I won't say I was overly excited about part of it b/c we were all in one big cabin with 12 adults and 26 grandkids (aged 2 months old to 21yo).  It was a lot of personalities, a few different families on different time zones, and many different appetites, schedules, and personalites (did I say that once already?).  But the kids had a great time.  The indoor pool was a huge hit.  We got to see Patten get his Eagle Scout award.  And Kurtis was happy which is important to me.  But I would enjoy it more if we each had our own cabin  :)
My Raggedies by Greta business has been fun.  To date I've made 34 Anns and Andys, over 15 camels, some Arthurs and Eddie Elephants and many teacup Annies.  I'm having such a great time expanding my knowledge and trying something new.  I'm finding that sewing makes me happy and helps me to feel important and creative.  It's also been fun to expand my Raggedy collection into something far more personal.
So yeah, I think that's pretty good for now!  Hopefully August won't be done by the time I catch up!

I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord

So 2015 has not been my year.  I've had pneumonia, broken my finger, our finances have been up and down, I'm been battling with anxiety/depression pretty severely, I finally had to call it quits on being Cubmaster, and today we got the call that Sam didn't get into Bethel schools (even though he's been going there since kindergarten).  I feel like I'm going through a divorce.  I now have to enroll the kids (all 3) into new schools.  And when we thought they would start school on Aug. 27th, we now find out they are starting next Tuesday, the 18th.  I've literally lost a week of planning and preparing.  Not to mention different school supply lists, different start/stop times, transportation issues and preparing a 10yo and an 8yo to now go to a whole new school with all new friends/teachers/buildings.  Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed.
But has I've thought and cried and prayed and cried and worked and prayed and cried, I've remembered that the Lord has a plan.  And I've promised Him that I would put my faith into action.  "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain or vale or sea.  I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord.  I'll be what You want me to be."  It is not always easy when the Lord's will doesn't match mine. Or when His timing is SO not mine.  Or when He forgets to send me a memo and let me know the change is coming.  But I believe He loves my children....maybe even more than me, if that's possible.  He knows I'm worried about them adjusting and I fear for their fears of starting new.  He knows that this is a challenge for all of us and I have to find a way to help my kids overcome the challenge as well.  He has a plan.  So yes, I may cry again tonight before bed.  And I'll probably cry tomorrow and the night before the first day of school.  I may even cry on the first day of school.  But I know that He hears my tears and He doesn't shut out the sound.  He stops and listens and He may even cry along with me.
About an hour after I got the call about Sam, I loaded all the kids up and headed over to his new school to enroll him. While talking to the secretary, I realized that my neighbor is the principal at Sam's new school.  I talked to her and the school librarian and told them the situation about open enrollment at Bethel.  As we finished up the paperwork, the librarian said "why don't you let me give you a tour of the school?"  She then proceeded to take Sam (and the rest of us) through the building showing him the music room, art room, library, cafeteria, gym, and his homeroom. She explained how his classes would go and what kind of things they would do.  She talked to him about books and his love of reading.  He gave her a hug at the end and we headed out the door with Sam excited about a new school and a new experience.  How could I not walk away feeling like the Lord was sending little blessings our way?  He knows us, He knows what we need, and He is very, very real.

Sam's "inspired" prayer tonight

Tonight during prayers, Sam said the following:
"And please don't let us die until we are old.  Let us die from old age and not from something killing us."
When he was done and I looked at him questioningly, he replied "What?!  It's a good thing to pray for. It's not like I asked God to make me a king!"
what do I say to that?

Snatches of our summer

Sammy and the Swim Team:
Last year, Sam asked to do swim team and I said no b/c he had never enjoyed competitive sports before.  Even in Cub Scouts, he has cried sometimes when it came to pinewood derby races or raingutter regatta races.  But this year we said yes and it has been amazing so far.
In the beginning of swim team, Sam worked one on one with some of the assistant coaches and he struggled with different kicks.  While he still has a long way to go, he has improved so much and is becoming more daring.  Last night was a meet and I was not able to go but when he got home, Sam told me he had planned a surprise for me.  Not only did he race in then 25m Freestyle but he also signed up for the 25m back stroke.  Today he came home from practice with 2 4th place ribbons, one for each event.  I'm so proud of how far he has grown and what bravery he is showing.  He is getting more mature every day and I'm so happy to see where he'll go from here.

Toys abound:
Our house has been a disaster area this summer.  I literally cleaned the boys' room yesterday morning only to go in and see it destroyed again yesterday afternoon.  Today it took me 1.5 hrs to clean Izzy's room.  She has 16 bags: purses, bookbags, duffel bags, you name it!  And what does she put in those bags?  Anything and everything: books, papers, jewelry, hair bows.  I found a bag of candy she brought home from a birthday party in March!  We're lucky we didn't get ants in her room!  I'm really thinking we need to donate some toys or something.  I just want to teach the kids that this is too much and not normal. I want them to realize how nice a life they have.

Things to do in the summer:
Apparently entertaining themselves proves difficult for my kids.

Izzy asked me to make her a blanket for her big Raggedy so I took some raggedy washcloths I had and made her a blanket.  It is made out of 9 washcloths, a kitchen towel, and 2 fabric calendars.  Plus the ruffle. Izzy loves it!