So today I am feeling the desire to log about what I do during the day. This is partly to put some permanent record in place to remind me of what a "typical" day looks like at this stage of our life when I later have the opportunity to look back on it. It is also an attempt to try and find a common thread amidst all the whirlwind and chaos that seems to pull me into its swirl. Perhaps a sense of purpose will emerge. Perhaps not. Perhaps a more streamlined approach to what I do will become evident. Regardless of the outcome, here begins my detailed log of this day so far:
The alarm went off at 6 AM. I was in the midst of a dream which I could not repeat for you now, but it was enough for me to want to hit the snooze and try and get back to that place. Of course, it doesn't take much for me to want to hit the snooze button. HA!
After getting up and showering, a little knock on the door let me know that the boys have awoken to their alarm and are shuffling around and in need of entering the little space we all share in our upstairs bathroom. We talk, they hug me to get warm, I hear how tired they are and I give them their space.
I scootch myself down to the kitchen where I attempt to do wonders and defy time in the next 25 minutes. I get out the gluten-free pancake mix and whip up a batch and put them on the griddle. While they are cooking, I begin packing lunches. Today I realize that we are completely out of lunchmeat and there is nothing for Josiah to take with him. I promise to bring his lunch to him later when I come into his classroom to help out. We have much conversation, and I find myself reminding my boys that a sense of urgency might be in order if they are planning to get to school in time. After rushing around a bit, we are out the door. John walks to the end of the block with us and is always the first at his bus stop. (I think he takes after his father in this and I doubt I'll get any argument from the other 3 members of the family). Josiah and I continue to walk the half mile to his school. At grade 3, he still wants his mom to walk him to the school. As I figure this opportunity is going to come to an end in the somewhat near future, I gladly walk with him, get to know some neighbor kids and get in a nice walk in the morning. I even see some friends to chat with on the way home.
Now it's time to take a deep breath and make myself some breakfast. I spend some time worshiping, praying and reading the Bible. Each day this looks a little different as I have difficulty with routine and appreciate variety. Today I read the "Daily Prayer for Freedom" that is in the back of the book, "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge. Although I like variety, this is one constant that I try to do at least 4 times a week if not more. The prayer puts things into words that I would forget to pray about otherwise. It really fulfills its name, a prayer for freedom. I continue to find spiritual freedom from things clouding my perspective as I read through it, sometimes outloud and sometimes to myself.
Next I respond to emails and spend a little time on facebook. Then Dave and I met to coordinate our schedules for the next month. Our synchronized calendar that we have through Mobile Me is not working properly. I realize that I have grown quite dependent on the calendar program. It is wonderful to have my husband's schedule at my fingertips so that I can make plans and prepare for not only myself and the boys, but for family events as well.
After scheduling, I hustled to make some homemade mayonaise (raw egg, olive oil and salt) and added it to some tuna. Then I put it into a rice paper/noodle and finished Josiah's lunch. By now it was 10:10 and I was supposed to be in his class at 10:15. (Big sigh)...oh well, I'm on my way. I get the tutorial on book talks and sit down to enjoy some time hearing summaries from 3rd grade readers. The kids were all anxious to be chosen and to have the opportunity to tell me what they knew. I learned about chasing tornados, heard stories about a pug, a whimpy kid, 7 chinese brothers, trees that magically transformed you into another time in history, some kids who live in a Boxcar (one of my favorites from when I was a child) and a mouse who is also a dentist, and all the hazards that go along with being a provider of his size. Oh, there were other stories also. As the children read, I flipped through the book to determine how many pages were text and how many were illustrations. The story content was entertaining, but even more entertaining were the varying communication styles that the children used while relaying their knowledge. Some were very intense. Others gave me their summaries in such great detail that I am sure I don't need to read the book myself for more information. Still others said little. Some wanted to tell me how many pages their book had in it, and point out to me that their book has very little drawings. Others weren't even aware of how many pages I listed for them. All in all, they made me smile, brightened up my day and reminded me of the virtue we are learning about in Kidstuf-Uniqueness.
After book talks, I took my place in the back of the classroom for a few minutes, waiting until time for lunch. Woo-hoo! A parent going in for lunch at our school has a special table where they can sit. I took my place at this table and Josiah chose the two friends that are allowed to join him. They are the same two buddies that sat with us last time I went in. I really enjoy Josiah's friends. I can sit with one of them in particular and we can talk and really converse without interruption. There is no awkward silence. They really make me laugh. Today was all about re-enacting some of the moves from the Karate Kid movie which one buddy had just watched last night. I tried to pay attention, but found my eyes and thoughts wandering, observing the dymanics that were taking place at various tables around me. Many kids were trying to find their place to sit, trying to save seats for friends, trying to stay away from other kids. Some kids were sitting with other students, but seemed isolated all at the same time. My heart went out to these kids. I want to be their friend and make them laugh and smile.
So now, I'm home and just finished my own tuna and guacamole combination wrapped in a rice noodle. It was actually very good! I only began eating avacados in the past few years, thanks to my friend Heather's influence, and I love them.
Well, I'm off to run to the grocery store to buy some supplies for an animal cell project that is due this Thursday. We still need some mitochondria...or is it ribosomes?!? I need gummy worms and Dots candy. I wonder how many parents have made these projects over the years. We are making a giant cookie as the base. We preferred that to the $22 styrofoam ball we were looking at that the craft store has available. This one will be more satisfying in the end :)
Hmmm...not a dull moment yet...where will the afternoon take us?
