As I believe I've posted before, this year our Bible study is looking at the "God of the Bible" -- exploring God himself, all his facets and characteristics. It's quite fascinating. I recognize that I truly believe in the truth of the material in the Bible -- that is my starting point. I also recognize that in no way, shape, or form, do I behave as God would like me to. In his wisdom, he allowed free will and, for me, I seem to abuse it all the time. Which brings up a common question -- how can God be sovereign yet allow man to choose? Isn't it more like we're chess pieces and he's just moving us around in order to achieve his end goal? And if that's the case, why on earth do "bad" things happen? In my heart I understand this, yet cannot really explain it. In yesterday's lesson, however, the video had a good explanation that helps. Picture yourself on an airplane. During the time you are on the airplane you can choose amongst many ways to spend your time -- talking, reading, working, dreaming, sleeping -- yet at the end of the trip, you've reached your destination (I know the skeptics and cynics are out there saying "what if you're grounded due to weather?" or "what if you're hi-jacked?" -- kindly leave the room and we can differ in viewpoints). THAT's how God's sovereignty works -- no matter the choices we make along the way, we'll get to the endpoint as God intends. So there.
In other news, life here is good. It's nice to have a break between Maggie's sports seasons and have her home in the afternoons. She's taken to going to the gym a couple times a week in the afternoons to train a bit. The weather is thinking about moving towards fall temperatures, although sandals adorn my feed with some regularity! And Maggie's mid-term grade report was excellent (haven't gotten Abby's yet). Tom's home from Houston today, so life is just grand.
Oh, and it was quite convenient yesterday when my crown fell off my tooth while I was having them cleaned. Easier than making a second appointment to have it re-cemented at another time!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
me again -- 6 november
Perhaps you thought I'd gone away or something. Nope, just wrapped up in kiddos and driving all over the place -- QUITE thankful that not only was Tom in town this past week but that he was able to help me out with two conflicting schedules.....
Actually, what sparked today's entry was not only what we've been up to but something I read in a novel this past week on faith vs. hope. The character in this book ("Never Wave Goodbye" by Doug Magee) is a Presbyterian minister whose son has been kidnapped. She comes to her church as normal on Sunday morning to offer her sermon, despite the turmoil she must be feeling in her heart. She talks of how she's always offered "hope" to people to comfort them and how it's given her comfort in the past when she's be in the midst of difficult circumstances. But she'd come to the personal realization that hope was, to her, something like fear -- reflecting "an anxiety about the future...(and that if she were) hoping for an outcome, (she) was doubting God and his perfection." Instead, she believes that FAITH in God is what will help her during this crisis -- faith that God is in control and that, even if her son is not returned, her faith will not "wither in hope and fear." As an example, she refers to Abraham -- he did not (in her -- and my -- view) "hope" that God would send a new message when Isaak was about to be slain by his father's hand -- rather Abraham had FAITH that God was in control and whether or not Isaac would end up dead, God had a reason for it. So, do we want hope, or faith?
In other news, the past week or so has (as always) been busy. Maggie enjoyed celebrating Halloween with a friend of hers. The fashioned "shoe" costumes which were adorable -- hi-top Nike shoes with bright pink and leopard print. She's completed cross country with a personal-best time this morning and will have a couple months off before track season starts. Meanwhile, she plans to go to the gym in the afternoon.
Abby and her friend went out in our neighborhood -- Abby was a witch and her friend Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed visiting with her mom as we walked and Tom directed us with his trusty flashlight.
I'm still busy with the same old activities but looking forward to a less-hectic after-school time for a short while!
Enjoy fall - it may have FINALLY arrived here -- two days in a row I have socks on my feet..............
Actually, what sparked today's entry was not only what we've been up to but something I read in a novel this past week on faith vs. hope. The character in this book ("Never Wave Goodbye" by Doug Magee) is a Presbyterian minister whose son has been kidnapped. She comes to her church as normal on Sunday morning to offer her sermon, despite the turmoil she must be feeling in her heart. She talks of how she's always offered "hope" to people to comfort them and how it's given her comfort in the past when she's be in the midst of difficult circumstances. But she'd come to the personal realization that hope was, to her, something like fear -- reflecting "an anxiety about the future...(and that if she were) hoping for an outcome, (she) was doubting God and his perfection." Instead, she believes that FAITH in God is what will help her during this crisis -- faith that God is in control and that, even if her son is not returned, her faith will not "wither in hope and fear." As an example, she refers to Abraham -- he did not (in her -- and my -- view) "hope" that God would send a new message when Isaak was about to be slain by his father's hand -- rather Abraham had FAITH that God was in control and whether or not Isaac would end up dead, God had a reason for it. So, do we want hope, or faith?
In other news, the past week or so has (as always) been busy. Maggie enjoyed celebrating Halloween with a friend of hers. The fashioned "shoe" costumes which were adorable -- hi-top Nike shoes with bright pink and leopard print. She's completed cross country with a personal-best time this morning and will have a couple months off before track season starts. Meanwhile, she plans to go to the gym in the afternoon.
Abby and her friend went out in our neighborhood -- Abby was a witch and her friend Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed visiting with her mom as we walked and Tom directed us with his trusty flashlight.
I'm still busy with the same old activities but looking forward to a less-hectic after-school time for a short while!
Enjoy fall - it may have FINALLY arrived here -- two days in a row I have socks on my feet..............
Monday, October 25, 2010
Second quarter of school
The girls have jumped right in with both feet for the second quarter of school after performing GREAT for the last one. We are quite pleased with their performance and know that while they both have an aptitude for it, they both also work diligently. Maggie's goal for the year is to accumulate enough As so that she is exempt from 4th quarter exams. Nice deal, no?
Maggie's cross-country season is coming to a close. She's really improved over the season and seems interested in doing it again next year. I learned of a summer running camp at the meet last Friday and she's excited about the possibility of attending it in July. One of her coaches participates as a staff member, as do other area high school and a couple LSU coaches.
I was able to attend Abby's fall event/party at school last Friday. It's a "tradition" that the 5th graders make scarecrows in the fall and display them in various classrooms for a week or two. They bring in old shirts, pants, hats, and scarfs and make a "head" from a paper back, stuffing everything with newspaper. It was fun when I did it with Maggie and it was just as fun with Abby. She's continuing to excel at violin -- it's amazing how quickly she's become quite proficient. And she and Maggie both continue playing piano.....
Tom's been travelling again with work, and may be back in Houston this week. Last week his work team were here, so late nights were the "norm". This week he's looking forward to going back to karate.
My car is still at the shop -- the new doors were to arrive there today and those will need to be installed. Plus the other dents taken out and MAYBE a new wheel. Amazing the amount of damage for such a slow-motion accident. I've received confirmation from the other driver's insurance that they've accepted liability and will be reimbursing our company for the costs. Just a hassle.
As for this week, it looks to be somewhat "normal". Maggie has cross country most days -- her school hosts their open house Thursday afternoon/evening and then they have Friday off school (we have tentative plans to get our nails done...). Abby has violin tonight. Tomorrow we run the cross country car pool and Wednesday we take the girls to practice. WHEW! All I do is drive.....
Enjoy your fall (although with 85+ temps here for the better part of the week, I'm not sure it'll ever arrive).....
Maggie's cross-country season is coming to a close. She's really improved over the season and seems interested in doing it again next year. I learned of a summer running camp at the meet last Friday and she's excited about the possibility of attending it in July. One of her coaches participates as a staff member, as do other area high school and a couple LSU coaches.
I was able to attend Abby's fall event/party at school last Friday. It's a "tradition" that the 5th graders make scarecrows in the fall and display them in various classrooms for a week or two. They bring in old shirts, pants, hats, and scarfs and make a "head" from a paper back, stuffing everything with newspaper. It was fun when I did it with Maggie and it was just as fun with Abby. She's continuing to excel at violin -- it's amazing how quickly she's become quite proficient. And she and Maggie both continue playing piano.....
Tom's been travelling again with work, and may be back in Houston this week. Last week his work team were here, so late nights were the "norm". This week he's looking forward to going back to karate.
My car is still at the shop -- the new doors were to arrive there today and those will need to be installed. Plus the other dents taken out and MAYBE a new wheel. Amazing the amount of damage for such a slow-motion accident. I've received confirmation from the other driver's insurance that they've accepted liability and will be reimbursing our company for the costs. Just a hassle.
As for this week, it looks to be somewhat "normal". Maggie has cross country most days -- her school hosts their open house Thursday afternoon/evening and then they have Friday off school (we have tentative plans to get our nails done...). Abby has violin tonight. Tomorrow we run the cross country car pool and Wednesday we take the girls to practice. WHEW! All I do is drive.....
Enjoy your fall (although with 85+ temps here for the better part of the week, I'm not sure it'll ever arrive).....
Friday, October 15, 2010
Busy Week!
What a crazy week here. Maggie had her first quarter exams, Tom was in Houston, and Abby had basketball try-outs. Whew!
Started on Monday -- Tom had a 5:30am flight to Houston and, as you can imagine, I was unable to sleep while he was getting ready (don't get me wrong, he IS quiet!). I took Abby to school at normal time, Maggie didn't go in until later (exam started at 10:10). I picked up two of our carpool people (the other two are in 9th grade and had to go earlier) and dropped them off. Spent the time at a coffee shop (yucky coffee and had to pay for street parking). Picked up Maggie and a different girl to take to cross country practice. They ran, I walked. Took Maggie and a third group of girls home. Quickly ate some lunch, went to get Abby. Home for a bath (finally!) and then to take Abby to violin lessons. That was that.
Tuesday morning Maggie went with the "normal" carpool. I took Abby to school and enjoyed going to the gym -- rode the bike for a bit and then went to zumba class. I still haven't fallen on the floor.....Quickly home for a shower and back to get Maggie and other girls to take to practice. She had a different ride this time for home, so I went to the grocery and then enjoyed a bit of a break, especially as I didn't have to go get Abby until 4:30 as her basketball tryouts were then. And that was Tuesday.
Wednesday morning Maggie had standardized testings (kinda odd, having them in the middle of exam week). I picked up all 5 normal carpool people, took them to school, back to drop Abby off. Home for a short work-out and bath. Then to Bible Study. The cross country team were "allowed" one day off from practice and Maggie chose Wednesday. So she came home with the carpool and she and I went out for lunch together (chinese food). Afterwards we headed to a coffee shop -- she set up her laptop to study and I worked on my study homework. Finished that up about 2:45 and headed home. Relaxed a bit and I headed to get Abby from the second day of try outs. Stopped on the way home for Popeye's and had to wait as they didn't have "mild" ready. Home and DONE (well, aside from quizzing Maggie for religion and science classes!).
Thursday Maggie again had a ride to school, so I took Abby and headed back to the gym again. Ran to the library and home for a bit. Went to get Maggie to take her to cross country practice and then home. She came home with another mom, a bit before I went to get Abby. Home to iron and await Tom's return! He made it home about 8 and we were so glad to see him!
This morning I took Abby to school and then returned home to take Maggie and two of the carpool girls for their 10:10 exams. After the lackluster coffee experience on Monday, I just sat in the car and read. Took 2 girls to cross country practice, enjoyed a short visit to Starbucks and went to pick up 3 girls (including Maggie!) to take them home. Got them all home and went to drop Maggie off to meet another friend at the mall and quickly grab some lunch. So much for that plan -- as we were heading through the traffic light an on-coming car decided to make her left turn right into my car. Sigh. Both cars were driveable so we headed into a parking lot and I called the police. The other driver (an elderly lady) and I sat in our cars. Maggie called her friend and her friend and her mom walked over to collect Maggie. The police came, took down all the information and (correctly) determined that the "fault" was the other lady -- not only did she fail to yield the right of way, but there was a "no left turn" sign on her side of the street. Tom, meanwhile, came to meet me. He took my car to the shop and picked up a rental while I went to get Abby. It'll be a pretty painful repair -- almost the entire driver side is damaged (including the electronic door). But there are many things to be thankful for -- no one was hurt, no one got angry or yelling, both drivers were kind to one another, Tom was able to come and provide a LOT of help, the weather was pleasant, and so on. I went to get Abby and we came home where I enjoyed a much-delayed bowl of soup for lunch. Later, Tom took both girls to the mall and he and Abby are currently flying helicopters in the tv room -- have to go check that out -- so bye for now! Hope your week was a bit less-eventful than mine.....
Started on Monday -- Tom had a 5:30am flight to Houston and, as you can imagine, I was unable to sleep while he was getting ready (don't get me wrong, he IS quiet!). I took Abby to school at normal time, Maggie didn't go in until later (exam started at 10:10). I picked up two of our carpool people (the other two are in 9th grade and had to go earlier) and dropped them off. Spent the time at a coffee shop (yucky coffee and had to pay for street parking). Picked up Maggie and a different girl to take to cross country practice. They ran, I walked. Took Maggie and a third group of girls home. Quickly ate some lunch, went to get Abby. Home for a bath (finally!) and then to take Abby to violin lessons. That was that.
Tuesday morning Maggie went with the "normal" carpool. I took Abby to school and enjoyed going to the gym -- rode the bike for a bit and then went to zumba class. I still haven't fallen on the floor.....Quickly home for a shower and back to get Maggie and other girls to take to practice. She had a different ride this time for home, so I went to the grocery and then enjoyed a bit of a break, especially as I didn't have to go get Abby until 4:30 as her basketball tryouts were then. And that was Tuesday.
Wednesday morning Maggie had standardized testings (kinda odd, having them in the middle of exam week). I picked up all 5 normal carpool people, took them to school, back to drop Abby off. Home for a short work-out and bath. Then to Bible Study. The cross country team were "allowed" one day off from practice and Maggie chose Wednesday. So she came home with the carpool and she and I went out for lunch together (chinese food). Afterwards we headed to a coffee shop -- she set up her laptop to study and I worked on my study homework. Finished that up about 2:45 and headed home. Relaxed a bit and I headed to get Abby from the second day of try outs. Stopped on the way home for Popeye's and had to wait as they didn't have "mild" ready. Home and DONE (well, aside from quizzing Maggie for religion and science classes!).
Thursday Maggie again had a ride to school, so I took Abby and headed back to the gym again. Ran to the library and home for a bit. Went to get Maggie to take her to cross country practice and then home. She came home with another mom, a bit before I went to get Abby. Home to iron and await Tom's return! He made it home about 8 and we were so glad to see him!
This morning I took Abby to school and then returned home to take Maggie and two of the carpool girls for their 10:10 exams. After the lackluster coffee experience on Monday, I just sat in the car and read. Took 2 girls to cross country practice, enjoyed a short visit to Starbucks and went to pick up 3 girls (including Maggie!) to take them home. Got them all home and went to drop Maggie off to meet another friend at the mall and quickly grab some lunch. So much for that plan -- as we were heading through the traffic light an on-coming car decided to make her left turn right into my car. Sigh. Both cars were driveable so we headed into a parking lot and I called the police. The other driver (an elderly lady) and I sat in our cars. Maggie called her friend and her friend and her mom walked over to collect Maggie. The police came, took down all the information and (correctly) determined that the "fault" was the other lady -- not only did she fail to yield the right of way, but there was a "no left turn" sign on her side of the street. Tom, meanwhile, came to meet me. He took my car to the shop and picked up a rental while I went to get Abby. It'll be a pretty painful repair -- almost the entire driver side is damaged (including the electronic door). But there are many things to be thankful for -- no one was hurt, no one got angry or yelling, both drivers were kind to one another, Tom was able to come and provide a LOT of help, the weather was pleasant, and so on. I went to get Abby and we came home where I enjoyed a much-delayed bowl of soup for lunch. Later, Tom took both girls to the mall and he and Abby are currently flying helicopters in the tv room -- have to go check that out -- so bye for now! Hope your week was a bit less-eventful than mine.....
Friday, October 8, 2010
Bible Study and update
Once again, I am participating in a Bible Study. This year we are exploring the "One True God of the Bible". And it is fascinating. I've finally gotten an explanation around why the Bible provides validation for so many types of justification (thanks for trying, Tom!) as well as how they are all true, yet grace remains the foundation -- truly a gift from God. Whew! I knew I'd never be capable of doing it, even with His help.....
We've had lessons so far on God the Creator, God the Communicator, Worship, God's Holiness, and Grace. I'm constantly amazed as what I don't yet know. And fascinated to learn more. For me, a big reason I love the church I belong to is that it motivates me to go further into the information we hear on Sunday mornings. This study also does that for me. I am not too much a "give me more information person", so this is different for me. I was surprised when I first realized that I was receiving this gift at church (hadn't found that at other churches I'd attended or visited) -- the desire to go further -- which prepared me for the same desire as the result of this study. Fascinating to me how God's working to bring these parts of my life together right now. Definitely a blessing.
On the more trivial parts of our lives -- Abby's survived her first quarter of school, complete with her first "real" finals' week (during which regular classes are not attended, just exams are taken). No school for her today, so two friends spent the night. Interesting to listen to 10 year old girls interacting! They're on that verge between still being little girls but moving toward young ladyhood. Sigh. Maggie has exams next week. She's continuing to improve her cross country times and getting involved more at school. She wasn't home until 8 last night -- after cross country they headed back to school to watch the volleyball team (unfortunately) suffer their first defeat (required sudden death overtime!). I'm amazed at how well she's made the transition.....
Last week we enjoyed visits from my parents and Tom's dad and Kay. Maggie had grandparent's day on Friday with a performance and reception at school. I was most thrilled at how excited the girls all seemed to be to host their grandparents. The gym was truly packed with people. Maggie also had her "induction" last week where the new students are officially welcomed into the school. She was part of the processional (yikes!) where the senior big-sisters came in in cap and gown followed by the new students in their uniforms. Can't believe she's that old! Abby was in the championship game for intramural volleyball at school -- they made the finals, but lost in the 3rd, sudden death game. Abby really enjoyed it and improved over the year. Next week she's trying out for the 5-6 grade basketball team that will compete against other schools.
On Sunday we took Tom for his birthday show to see Cirque Dreams Illumination which we all enjoyed. Amazing talent as well as ability of the people -- I consider myself pretty physically flexible, but am nowhere near what these acrobats and contortionists are! The only problem we experienced was that where we were sitting we couldn't hear the vocalist over the background music very well. So while there was an underlying "story", we didn't really get too much of it.......
Quite a week -- family, school activities, birthday celebrations. When's the next holiday? I'm thankful for a day to sleep in tomorrow.......(no cross country meet!)
We've had lessons so far on God the Creator, God the Communicator, Worship, God's Holiness, and Grace. I'm constantly amazed as what I don't yet know. And fascinated to learn more. For me, a big reason I love the church I belong to is that it motivates me to go further into the information we hear on Sunday mornings. This study also does that for me. I am not too much a "give me more information person", so this is different for me. I was surprised when I first realized that I was receiving this gift at church (hadn't found that at other churches I'd attended or visited) -- the desire to go further -- which prepared me for the same desire as the result of this study. Fascinating to me how God's working to bring these parts of my life together right now. Definitely a blessing.
On the more trivial parts of our lives -- Abby's survived her first quarter of school, complete with her first "real" finals' week (during which regular classes are not attended, just exams are taken). No school for her today, so two friends spent the night. Interesting to listen to 10 year old girls interacting! They're on that verge between still being little girls but moving toward young ladyhood. Sigh. Maggie has exams next week. She's continuing to improve her cross country times and getting involved more at school. She wasn't home until 8 last night -- after cross country they headed back to school to watch the volleyball team (unfortunately) suffer their first defeat (required sudden death overtime!). I'm amazed at how well she's made the transition.....
Last week we enjoyed visits from my parents and Tom's dad and Kay. Maggie had grandparent's day on Friday with a performance and reception at school. I was most thrilled at how excited the girls all seemed to be to host their grandparents. The gym was truly packed with people. Maggie also had her "induction" last week where the new students are officially welcomed into the school. She was part of the processional (yikes!) where the senior big-sisters came in in cap and gown followed by the new students in their uniforms. Can't believe she's that old! Abby was in the championship game for intramural volleyball at school -- they made the finals, but lost in the 3rd, sudden death game. Abby really enjoyed it and improved over the year. Next week she's trying out for the 5-6 grade basketball team that will compete against other schools.
On Sunday we took Tom for his birthday show to see Cirque Dreams Illumination which we all enjoyed. Amazing talent as well as ability of the people -- I consider myself pretty physically flexible, but am nowhere near what these acrobats and contortionists are! The only problem we experienced was that where we were sitting we couldn't hear the vocalist over the background music very well. So while there was an underlying "story", we didn't really get too much of it.......
Quite a week -- family, school activities, birthday celebrations. When's the next holiday? I'm thankful for a day to sleep in tomorrow.......(no cross country meet!)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Looking forward to a great week!
Yes, it'll be busy, but it'll also be a fun week.
This afternoon I get to go to Abby's volleyball game and later we'll go to her violin lesson.
Tomorrow, mom and dad are driving down for a short visit. They'll be greeted with an empty house as it's "my" day to drive the cross country girls. AND mom will be put in charge of expediting supper (ok, so it'll just be steaming the veggies and re-heating the rice!). We'll get home a bit after 6.
Wednesday morning I've got Bible study. Then mom and dad and I will get lunch somewhere. In the afternoon we'll go to the volleyball championship for Abby. Maggie is out of school early and expressed an interest in coming as well. Wednesday evening is Maggie's induction to her high school. Not sure exactly what this means, but we'll see.....
Thursday (I assume!) Kay and Ray are arriving from Houston. Abby and I actually will be home directly from school, Maggie has cross country practice.
Friday is Maggie's grandparent's day. She'll be hosting 4 of them, along with mom (unless they don't allow me in in which case I'll go somewhere else -- sob sob). After school is my turn to drive cross country again, so we'll see that as well. Mom will get to heat up supper/start the spaghetti noodles.
Doesn't sound like too much, except also consider the extra people in the house, the fact Abby has exams next week, and Maggie's Saturday cross country meet is in Baton Rouge. OK, so your week is busier.........
This afternoon I get to go to Abby's volleyball game and later we'll go to her violin lesson.
Tomorrow, mom and dad are driving down for a short visit. They'll be greeted with an empty house as it's "my" day to drive the cross country girls. AND mom will be put in charge of expediting supper (ok, so it'll just be steaming the veggies and re-heating the rice!). We'll get home a bit after 6.
Wednesday morning I've got Bible study. Then mom and dad and I will get lunch somewhere. In the afternoon we'll go to the volleyball championship for Abby. Maggie is out of school early and expressed an interest in coming as well. Wednesday evening is Maggie's induction to her high school. Not sure exactly what this means, but we'll see.....
Thursday (I assume!) Kay and Ray are arriving from Houston. Abby and I actually will be home directly from school, Maggie has cross country practice.
Friday is Maggie's grandparent's day. She'll be hosting 4 of them, along with mom (unless they don't allow me in in which case I'll go somewhere else -- sob sob). After school is my turn to drive cross country again, so we'll see that as well. Mom will get to heat up supper/start the spaghetti noodles.
Doesn't sound like too much, except also consider the extra people in the house, the fact Abby has exams next week, and Maggie's Saturday cross country meet is in Baton Rouge. OK, so your week is busier.........
Sunday, September 19, 2010
for mom
Mom wants an update, so mom will get an update! All is fairly well here. The girls have both made GREAT returns to school this year. Abby's adjusted to changing teachers/classrooms for all her subjects and looks so old, graduated from the jumper to the plaid skirt! She's playing intramural volleyball with the girls in the 5-8th grades. She's the only 5th grader on her team. Some of Maggie's friends are also on the team (the grammar school goes thru eighth grade, so some of Maggie's friends are still there. Others, like Maggie, chose to move up to high school for 8th grade. Trust me, this is the STRANGEST place I've ever lived!). She is REALLY excited and enjoying it. Tom's been able to make as many of her games so far as I have. And she really enjoys having him there as well.
Maggie has made quite the adjustment to high school, not only in terms of her grades, but also socially. She's maintaining friendships she's made throughout the years, but also making new friends. She's joined a couple clubs and is running with the cross country team. And she's really getting used to being part of a MUCH bigger school -- her class in grammar school was about 42 students, 13 of whom were girls. Now she's got about 150 eighth graders around her, ALL of whom are female. Quite a change!
Maggie finished her first cross country race this past Saturday. I took a photo but she says it's HORRIBLE and that I should delete it (I think that while it's not the most flattering picture of her, it's NOT horrible!). At this particular meet the kids from her grammar school also participated, so we both got to visit with a bunch of people we know from many places. After the meet I took her and two friends to cafe du monde for beignets. Interesting to be with 3 young teenagers! I am so thankful that she has kind friends (and they let me sit with them!).
Tom is back to travelling again. He spent this past week in Washington DC with various people at a conference with the US Energy Department. This week he's in Houston for training. He's back taking karate again as well. Never a dull moment.
Today I am suffering from a cold, but maintaining a positive outlook. While life hasn't "settled down" by any means, I am more comfortable with the new routine (that constantly shifts!). I enjoy the extra time alone with Abby when Maggie's carpool takes her to/from school/cross country. And I enjoy the time with Maggie like yesterday when we spent most of the day together. And I sneak in time with Tom whenever I can......
Ready for fall weather, but I think I'll have to wait a couple more months for that to happen. Sigh.
Maggie has made quite the adjustment to high school, not only in terms of her grades, but also socially. She's maintaining friendships she's made throughout the years, but also making new friends. She's joined a couple clubs and is running with the cross country team. And she's really getting used to being part of a MUCH bigger school -- her class in grammar school was about 42 students, 13 of whom were girls. Now she's got about 150 eighth graders around her, ALL of whom are female. Quite a change!
Maggie finished her first cross country race this past Saturday. I took a photo but she says it's HORRIBLE and that I should delete it (I think that while it's not the most flattering picture of her, it's NOT horrible!). At this particular meet the kids from her grammar school also participated, so we both got to visit with a bunch of people we know from many places. After the meet I took her and two friends to cafe du monde for beignets. Interesting to be with 3 young teenagers! I am so thankful that she has kind friends (and they let me sit with them!).
Tom is back to travelling again. He spent this past week in Washington DC with various people at a conference with the US Energy Department. This week he's in Houston for training. He's back taking karate again as well. Never a dull moment.
Today I am suffering from a cold, but maintaining a positive outlook. While life hasn't "settled down" by any means, I am more comfortable with the new routine (that constantly shifts!). I enjoy the extra time alone with Abby when Maggie's carpool takes her to/from school/cross country. And I enjoy the time with Maggie like yesterday when we spent most of the day together. And I sneak in time with Tom whenever I can......
Ready for fall weather, but I think I'll have to wait a couple more months for that to happen. Sigh.
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