Working Full-Time

I thought I could maybe go back to work full-time next year.  I didn't want to, I don't want to, but I thought maybe it was time.  Last week I accepted a week long job at Valencia High School.  Yes, I relished in being back in the classroom.  But hello, that was a long, exhausting week.  My kids were shuffled around and Andrew was balancing work and kid duty and it just overwhelmed me.  I know that each new school year is exhausting; it truly takes time to get into routine and allow your body to catch up.  But with that said, I also know it's not yet time to start full-time.  I am actually rather content subbing for the next year or two.  Yes, if an ideal part-time positioned was offered to me next year, I just might take it BUT I am not yet ready be gone every single morning and every single day after school.  It's wearing on the kids, on my helpers, on me.

Last week was STAR testing at Valencia and I began to doubt what I felt was confirmation from the Lord that I should take that job.  I doubted and was frustrated because I was away from my kids, relying on other people to spend many hours alone in an empty classroom due to the testing.  But then Wednesday I put myself out there and asked if I could come in later on Thursday because I actually didn't have students until 1:08pm.  The VP and her secretary gave me to go ahead.  So I pushed it again... Friday I showed up for my 7am class but then asked to head out and attend my son's award ceremony and then my daughter's Spring Show.  Again, yes!  I just had to return by 12:30pm.  With this I had to repent - repent for doubting.  This week in fact turned out even better than I had imagined in my mind.  Those hours alone gave me a chance to finish a book I've been dying to read but struggling to find the peace to do so.  While this may seem trivial, the Book Thief is an awe inspiring read and I am grateful to have read it.  Then I was able to earn much needed money to help with some essentials for my car all the while, I didn't have to miss out on much.

So, 8:45am, I sat at Pinetree waiting to see Jackson awarded STUDENT of the MONTH!  So proud of this kid.

Ry was there sporting his math medal - so cute!

From there, Andrew was able to head out to a couple jobs while I kept Cole with me at home.  Mind you, still earning money for subbing.  Anyway, we met up with Andrew for lunch then headed on over to preschool for the Spring Show.  As always, the grandma's did a wonderful job.

From there I was able to head back to the classroom and finish out my week in the most rewarding way - helping kids revise their essays.  Yes, not everyone will understand where I'm coming from but ya know.

I'm not the only one that had a good week.  Another reminder that we're being guided and directed was the feeling we got when Ryan EARNED the game ball.  This kid has improved so much since getting his new glasses.  Isn't that odd !?!?  ;)  But really, he was super stoked because he earned this ball with three great hits!

Grateful for a blessed week and for all those that helped me out with my kids!

My Anxious Son

"I'm just not ready to die, yet!"

My question is, why has he been thinking about this so much.  What brings on the days, the nights where he "has this horrible (awful, weird) feeling that something terrible is going to happen?  He becomes so consumed, so emotional, so unreachable.  He's a boy of faith and so you'd think that'd do the trick - well, it often can, but not always.  He then wants to know what happens, what would everyone do!  He understands that it's not scary to die because really, it's a wonderful thing to be reunited with our Lord and those that have gone on before us.  He's excited to play and see Uncle Wes.  But then he adds, he's "just not ready".  

"It's so hard being the oldest because you're better than everyone else and no one wants to play with you."

How do you convince an athletic, intelligent, competitive boy to tame it down a notch.  We discussed some options, maybe giving Andi and Ryan a five second head start or maybe changing the sizes of everyone's target so it's a little more fair.  But the fact of the matter is, Ryan will agree to certain terms but still ends up in tears because that seems to be his go to to get what he wants.  Grrrr.  Jackson - play fair, be nice but also don't get taken advantage of.  Yup, that's a tall order.

Growing up is hard according to Jackson and to be honest, I'd have to say I agree.  So, again, how do I help him?


"I think I know why I'm so crazy.  Crazy and like with sports and stuff.  Because Mexicans are part Indian and Indians can be crazy and I'm part Mexican."
*Gotta love what knowledge they take from their Ancestor reports.

This morning his prayer followed the structure of a speech.  It began like every other prayer but then he said, "We're grateful for all we have.  And these are some of the things we are grateful for: a warm house and cars to take us places.  Our families and friends that love us...."  Gotta love his speaking skills!

Hoppy Easter

We realized Sunday morning we really needed to set the kids straight on the entire purpose of the day.  Note to self, be better next year.  Once we really started asking questions they did prove to know more than we thought they did, but we still could do better by them next year.

There were quite a few Easter celebrations this year which was nice.

Primary did a fabulous job with their games and hunt and we got a picture with the "nice" Easter bunny.

Even at home these two love to create!

I loved watching Andi take such good are of Cole and seeing Ryan and Gage so cuddly.  Gunner and Jackson were that way in Kinder, too!

The kids got "egged" and I got earrings - we were all happy!  

And isn't it funny how you can go all out and plan something fun and give everyone plenty of notice and it all falls by the wayside - but you stand there and say, hey, let's do this in the next couple of hours and it comes together so easily!?!?  The kids asked for an egg hunt so we did one that night and it was a great, quick escape that ended moments before bedtime.  Sometimes these kiddos have some great ideas ;)

Saturday night I was so beat and forgot to be the Easter bunny.  Luckily, Andrew remembered and we threw together their pail, shovel and bathing suits.  Grandpa grandpa won a Disney basket at the golf tournament so the kids scored two movies with their Easter swim suits, too!  The Easter bunny was way anti candy this year so they each got two eggs - one with bunny marshmallows and one with jelly beans.

 The Easter bunny was a genius and got Andi this swim cap - let's hope she wears it and doesn't have green hair all summer again!

That morning we decided to go to Mint Canyon's ward because we wanted to be with our family in Corona at 1pm.  This meant there wasn't much time in the morning for any festivities.  Sacrament was wonderful and the music superb.  And of course, it's always fun catching up with some Mint Canyoners.  Once home from church, I was able to grab a couple shots of the kids.  They wanted to climb the mountain behind our backyard to get a shot in the yellow flowers.  

 Juana and Ito's house seemed incredibly full this year - it's exciting seeing the family grow.  Andi was telling me in church that she was so excited to go to Juana and Ito's because they're the only ones.  Yes, these four are truly spoiled but that's going to have to change a bit when Bri and Kristal have their little ones.

 The buckets from grandma and grandpa kept them entertained, and soaked, for a good hour or so.

Grateful for our Savior, our Lord, our family, our health - twas a blessed Easter... with only some yelling and frustration ;)