Wednesday, August 6, 2008

My Baby is Growing Up.

Hey there!





I'm getting a late start this evening because, I had to make an unscheduled, and unexpected, trip to the 24 hour Hy-Vee down the street. My youngest child would die of embarrassment if she knew I was writing this, but this is a mile stone. My baby girl has just started her period. She's only 11 years old ! But, I guess I was 11 or 12 as well. I can't believe how cool and calm she is about the whole thing - way too worldly. God, I remember being a nervous wreck! Sure, we watched the films in school, but I was SO clueless. Of course, it wasn't as easy as peel and stick back then. Besides, I didn't have a lot of girlfriends, and my mother and I weren't real close. Talking to my mother about anything as personal as my period, ranked somewhere on the stress meter around a twelve. I would have rather marched into the school Principal's office and confessed to cheating, than to discuss my period with my mother! I'm just glad that I have a different kind of relationship with my kids. Over the past year, Heather has brought up the subject several times. Her biggest worry is, if she will have any discomfort. I've been sort of talking to God about that, and praying that she is one of the lucky ones. Heather's tolerance for pain is ZERO . So far, so good - Thank you, Lord!

This afternoon, I got the kids enrolled at school. I still have to shop for their supplies and school clothes. I guess I'll do that this weekend. I think that Jake is looking forward to going back. Why wouldn't he? School is just a big social event for him. He doesn't know yet, but this year, there are going to be some expectations, and consequences, for him.
Heather is a little more anxious about the whole thing. I think she'll do fine. I've seen her blossom over the summer, both physically, and in terms of confidence. I'll be sure to get her some cool clothes and then, she'll be the one driving me crazy! Oh, life is SO grand!
I think I'm looking forward to finding some kind of routine and rhythm. Life has just been a bit too spontaneous lately - too much chaos, too many kids coming and going. I need a bit of routine to keep my self anchored; otherwise, I start to feel like I'll float away into the atmosphere like a big, over inflated balloon.

I think I'll hold off to start back to school after the holidays. With all the insanity that has happened lately, I've run out of time to enroll. I could probably still pull it off at the last minute, but I just don't want to feel stressed and anxious about it; I want to enjoy it. I'll take this fall to get myself organized, and for once, I'll have a reason to look forward to holidays.

Today is Nick's 23rd Birthday. Now that he has a girlfriend, he has plans of his own, and he's much too busy to come hang out with his mom. I think that's a good thing. I just hope that he is behaving himself. I told him we could celebrate this weekend - maybe we can throw a cake in the blender or something? Having his jaw wired shut, sort of limits our options a bit. Poor kid.

Well, I need to get my butt off to bed. 'Night all.

Love,
Susan

1 howled back:

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I really have to be more ready for that kind of thing with my girl. And like you - I think she will be a lot better dealing with it than I was with my Mum. I HATED telling my Mum anything. I would have rather it been announced over school speakers than have that 'mother daughter' chat.
I don't think my kid cares as much what I know about her!

I'm glad Heather is ok...and I really hope she loves school and makes a nice friend, even just one friend makes all the difference.

Having the kids gone in the day time is fabulous, you're going to love it and be amazed at how much time you have to do all those bits and pieces. :)

love me xx