I feel good...

Things are good at the moment. My parents, grandmother and in-laws are coming to visit tomorrow for my "baby's" 8th grade moving up ceremony! Time goes by so fast! Even with the hormones out of whack and the times I want to send him to the moon, I am really looking forward to tomorrow with a heavy heart. For the most part, we did a good job raising him. He has his moments but overall he has a good heart and spirit. I will definitely cry tomorrow, though I can't let him see me. I will be thinking of the cute words he couldn't pronounce at age 2, the first time he rode a bicycle and of course the day he was born. Tomorrow will be a good day!

So is life....

The end of the school year is proving to be more hectic than I imagined. My son has half days while he takes finals and my daughter is still on full days. This actually works out for me because he is home to get her off the bus for me. This allows me to put in a little extra time at work which of course means a little extra money! Next week will be a whole other issue when both kids have half days and the younger one will get home first. These half days are such a challenge for us working parents. Having to find last minute childcare is so difficult. I am very thankful for such a wonderful group of families in my community. We trade kids and help each other out. They used to say "it takes a village to raise a child." This is so true! Other moms have stressed the same sentiment. Working part time doesn't bring in enough money to pay for childcare for these half days. Sometimes it's hard to make the decision to work or stay home because it just doesn't pay. Regardless of these small problems, it's great that summer is beginning and the morning routines will be on hold for the next 8 weeks! Happy Summer everyone!

Don't judge me...

As I struggle with my teen and pre-teen children and lose my cool, please don't look down on me. Don't think to yourself that your children will never behave that way or talk to you like that. Unfortunately many will go through this same challenge and we need to find a way to accept eachother. I have found that when I talk to other moms I find that I am not alone. Our wonderful, beautiful, perfect children will talk to us with that "tone" that just gets under the skin. Many have admitted to "losing it" or just going bonkers on their children. Nothing crazy or life threatening, but yelling, or talking to the walls (because of course the walls are the only ones listening!)
The moms that look at me like I am crazy are the ones that think it will never happen to them. I feel a little evil in wishing I can be a fly on the wall WHEN it happens to them!

Summer

I still feel like a kid at this time of year, anticipating the end of school with late nights and late mornings! But unfortunately it's different as an adult. Work doesn't break for the summer - unless you're a teacher! Late nights no longer bring late mornings - they bring in groggy, tired, and cranky ones. I long for the innocence of youth each year at this time. I wish I treasured my freedom and lack of responsibilities back then. I constantly tell my children "I wish I were bored!"
I will make arrangements to change my work schedule to fit around my kids so that they can have an enjoyable summer even though I still have to work. It's not worth paying for camp on my part-time jobs. I've sent them to camp in summers past but now we just go to the community pool and hang out with various friends. They seem to enjoy our routine just as much, which is good for me!
Only a few weeks of school left!

Working mom (crazy mom)

ok, so I just acquired (paid) job number 3! I know it's insane but we could really use the money right now and it's only a temporary position - roughly 3 weeks. I have already started planning my girl scout meetings for next year and have volunteered to chair a fund-raising committee for the 5th grade. My daughter will be going into her last year of elementary school while my son will be entering his first year of high school. This will be the year where the older child gets home first - hence no more need for me to run home at 3:15 every day! Also, being that my last child will be in her last year, I feel I can help with as much activities as they will allow. My son (the older of the two) just spent the last three years in a middle school that was just so big you could barely find your way around! In middle school they don't need/want the parents around. So I figure this is my last chance! My resume just extended another page!