Late March starts the busy season for my husband. Life gets WILD. Imagine being a single mom, but then also having to cook (for a gluten allergy) for him, never knowing if he'll be eating at 5pm (before heading out for estimates) or at 10pm when he finally walks in the door for the evening. The laundry is horrendous. Muddy, covered in fuels, mulch, grease, eck. And worse - my allergies always hit this time of year so I have been wiped out either on allergy meds, or suffering through them...still trying to run the house, run my business, do his office work and raise the kids. All the while trying to be supportive of him because he not only is working 14-16 hour days 7 days a week, he is doing hard, strenuous labor. So, aside from an event here and there....we have been full go, 24-7, for over 2 months. I've barely even had time to talk to him.
Needless to say, I hit my breaking point this past weekend. And just as I'm feeling better (from the allergies) I came down with some weird stomach bug that had me laid up all day Sunday and Monday. When I get sick, I know I've hit the end of my rope. Praise the Good Lord no one else in our house got it. (which leads me to wonder if it truly was just me wearing myself down to nothing)
So we are coming out of the haze. The fog. The madness. Shane has been able to spend a little more time with us. Allergies are much better. Finn's school is done (more below). Summer is almost here. Its so close I can taste it. It tastes like ice cream and watermelon. : )
My work/photography schedule has naturally slowed for June/July. I'm actually excited about it. : ) Not sure if it will stay that way (which is fine too). We have a pool pass this year and I am so excited to play with my boys. Its Finn's last summer before he starts kindergarten - so I really want to remember it. Live it up. Enjoy it.
He graduated pre-school last week. In safety town this week. So grown up and getting so tall. It almost hurts me to look at him, wondering where my baby has gone. Miles still likes to snuggle all the time (my saving grace), but I realize, as I lay with the boys at bedtime, that Finn is needing less and less of that cuddle time. Its sad. But its good. He's growing, reaching out, becoming his own. I just never expected it to be so soon.
He deeply despises being in front of crowds. When they filed in for graduation he had the worst scowl on his face. LOL Only to get better by him hiding behind his hands the entire presentation.
Pre-Miles, Shane and I would really be bothered by this. Me especially since I did the majority of the child rearing. I would look at my life and ask - am I that much of an introvert? Surely I'm not modeling behavior that would warrant this type of response. : ) But Miles is in the same home, same womb, same structure and he is the outgoing charmer who would run up there and join them, then demand everyones attention by smiling, singing and dancing. : )
So now when I see Finn act this way, I smile and take a deep breath - this is HIM. Its OK. He is talented and wonderful is countless ways. Its ok for him to not like attention. I wish I would've given him (and myself) this grace much sooner. If I can offer some encouragement to any other moms out there with painfully shy children in being transparent about this...I hope I do.
Once we got to the park party after the ceremony and the children were playing while the adults mingled - he was perfectly fine.
But all of this observing had me thinking and obsessing about his school for fall. He's currently enrolled in our public system which hosts around 5 classrooms of kindergartners - with 20-25 kids per room. Full days (9-3). Excellent teachers, excellent ratings. My heart would beat faster and palms start sweating, thinking about my sweet, shy guy going into such a different environment than his one room, 12 person pre-school class he's had for two years.
I prayed and researched and am still in the process of confirming, but I have decided to send him to a private Christian school. 2 classes. Less than 15 kids. 3 half days, 2 full. So many reasons alone, besides the Godly influence that I am thrilled about, to make the investment in his education. THIS is why I work. This is why I stay up till 2am every night editing. THIS is for HIM. And I'm happy to do it.
I've had to wake him up every morning this week for Safety Town classes. It doesn't start till 9am, but you'd think it was 7. I just cannot motivate the kid! LOL His brain is on summer vacation. And I cannot wait till next week when we officially are DONE. He can rest as long as his heart desires in the mornings while I get up with Jumping Jack Miles at 6:30 every day. : )
Tonight we stayed home. No running. No visitors. No play dates. So Finn went for the sprinkler. And Miles was laughing harder than I've ever heard him at his older brother being silly. It was healing. Soothing. We needed it.
I was busy (of course....can't sit still) organizing things in the garage for a garage sale I hope to have this summer...sometime. I've been throwing things out in the garage as I have time to clean closets. It looked like our house vomited into the garage. I was embarrassed for my door to be open while the kids played. It was THAT bad. Its still bad - but at least there is some improvement. Till the sale, it will be what it will be.
I couldn't see the boys from the garage, but I could hear them....having the time of their lives.
When Finn came for the umbrella I couldn't resist any longer. I had to join the fun and take some photos. But I was a bit late - as it was getting darker and Finn was getting cold. Miles (the dry one) took the umbrella after Finn went in and decided to pose for me....over and over and over.
He is a HAM. He LOVES the camera. I actually had to grab him the one day at gym class because the instructor was trying to take photos of these cute little girls and Miles kept photo-bombing the frame! : ) He's FUN. And keeps all of us laughing...which is the perfect addition our shy, serious little Finn needed. God knows best! : )
These are Finn's feet. : )
Miles now takes over...
{Miles still posing and making a "clicking" noise (like the camera does when it takes a picture : ) as I was walking in the house...wasn't ready to give it up!}
This weekend has sunshine in the forecast. We're heading for the pool. Let summer begin!
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