Why school uniforms are NOT always a good thing

A conversation at another family's dinner table in my town tonight.

Papa Bear:  So girls how was your day today?

Petunia:  Oh, Daddy, we had the funniest thing happen to us in the store today.

Papa Bear:  Really?

Buttercup:  Yes, Daddy, some lady was staring at us and followed us down the potato chip aisle trying to get Mommy's attention.

Papa Bear, raising eyebrows:  Seriously.  Were you scared?

Petunia: Oh no, Daddy. She was polite and smiling and looked friendly.

Buttercup, in her big sister important voice:  and a little scared too I think!

Papa Bear:  What did she want?

Petunia: She asked Mommy if we went to ABC School. Mommy told her we went to 123 School.

Buttercup, giggling:  She told Mommy she was sure glad to hear that.  She said our uniforms matched her girls and she was nervous she'd missed the memo that they had half day today and they were sitting at their school just waiting for her.

Petunia:  Daddy!  Can you imagine NOT knowing when you're supposed to pick up your kids from school.  I'm glad Mommy knows.  She's the best Mommy in the whole world!

Papa Bear: That she is.  I'm glad to know her girls were okay too.

Fade out to giggles.

Kindergarten moms aren't the only ones who cry

Today I embark on a new adventure, a new season of life.  I have eagerly anticipated this day for quite some time.  I have dreamed of it, counted down the days to it, longed for it.  And now it is here.

As I sip my cappucino and have my morning devotions this morning, I wonder where is the euphoria?  Why am I not jumping up and down with gleeful expectation for what the day holds (hours of solitude and, of course,  a mani/pedi appointment!)?  Why are my eyes a little leaky?

Why?  Plain and simple, because I love my kids.  I consider it my greatest joy and duty to pour myself into them.  There have been days...even weeks and months...I felt there was nothing left to pour out.  Yet, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would do anything for them that was for their best, and for the past 19 years, homeschooling them, has been the best for them.  Homeschooling was what the Lord would have me do for them.

And now I know with the same conviction, it is time for a change.  It is time for Sunshine and Sweetness to attend school.  I have done all I can for them and what they need most at this time, is not what I can provide, but what the Lord has provided for them.  A small Christian school walking distance from our new home.

I am excited for them. I am excited for me. It is a new chapter with so many possibilities and opportunities.  I am eager to see how the Lord provides for each of us during this new season.

That doesn't mean though I'm not also a little sad, and I won't miss the awesome privilege and responsbility of having my girls always at my side.

walking to school with a neighbor

A whole new meaning to the term "armchair athlete"

Once upon a time a 50 year old mama was sitting in her recliner with her tired, swollen and sore legs elevated.  This mama has been trying hard to increase her activity, lose weight and strengthen those knees and legs in a quest to put off knee replacements as long as possible.  Finding the proper balance between pushing oneself and knowing one's limitations is still a challenge for her.  She was feeling a bit downhearted about her limitations which interfere with her ability to accomplish all the chores she has on her to do list and to pursue all the activities she'd like to with her family.

As she sat she watched her able bodied, active tweens playing games on the newly unpacked Wii Sports. Well, by golly, she thought,  she could play a video game with them and she was gonna have a go too.  So she hobbled over to them and she did.  In a shocking turn of events...to them anyway...their mama is significantly younger than they!  Apparently all those years of bowling, tennis and softball in real life have left their mark.

And so two tweens are off to bed in awe of their mama's Wii prowess and this 50 year old mama  is reminiscing on all the pleasant days gone by spent learning those sports with her dad when her knees (and his) were able to accomplish more sports than just Wii sports!