Tales from the classroom... and our TV... and the porch

My kids amuse me – but Jude's poor teacher. She never would have guessed that a boy could come home with such detailed stories and analytical questions about her pedagogical methods and the general state of the pupil population. So, the first week of tears is over, we went to the parents' night and most of the wrinkles in life's new schedule are ironed out. The food is acceptable and he has a friend, so asking, “how was your day?” - is most commonly answered with short and sincere “good.” It wasn't until yesterday that I noticed a continued progression toward more of a spectator “good” rather than a participant response. Like he had just watched an enjoyable movie rather than been instructed in anything. And yesterday it was apparent from his smirk that he considers the pageant of his classroom of the comical genre.
And how could it not be – really? With 23 kids in one room it has got to be hysterical – for the observe – for the director it must lead to hysteria. We have tales of children being sent to the principle office multiple times. In the first week. We have pant wetting tales, and sticker charts just for “not fighting” - we have copying tales and oh so much more. According to him – he is the only kid who hasn't lost his “ticket” in the last ten days... and people – he is NOT that good of a kid. I think I'll start to blog some of these stories in time... but what I am really looking forward to is getting to know these kids personally – and this teacher who is doing so well. I hope she finds as much joy in the moments of her classroom as I get from reliving them on the walk home. It's like I've got this whole new group of little people to pray for... and pray I shall, because our son is now influenced more by them than by us.

I do have one – maybe my first ever – parenting success to report. I just thought I'd share it, in case it helps anyone else. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE mandatory TV. You see, my son has always been addicted to the screen – he comes by it naturally on both sides. And really, I didn't mind when it was Thomas the Train or some other innocent preschool show. But somehow, TV shows jump from preschool level to middle school level.
My friends tell me just to sit with the kid and check everything out – but really, I don't want to watch Ben10 at 4 in the afternoon – Sorry – not going to happen. Or search some fancy website to find out all the ratings, but I'd rather, say, read blogs – than analysis of cartoons. And even if there is something amazing on, the number of commercials per hour is sure to drain even the most safe guarded bank account. And if, just if, I found one show I trusted - the visual heroin would leave them with shakes afterward and erase all memory of how to play with the zombied lines, “PLEEAAAAAAASSSSSEEEEEE, ONE moooooooooore.”
But, really, after a long day at school I think a snack in front of the TV sounds relaxing. So here's what we did. One disk of “Little House on the Prairie” from the library each week – five 1 hour episodes that they enjoy, are edified by and can move on from afterward. I haven't heard, “can we watch a movie?” for two weeks. I am thinking we will have enough disks to make it through 3rd grade – it's my longest parenting plan EVER.

On a side note – we have 7 other people living with us now. University is in full swing, our office is in our bedroom and Asli is in the office (which is very convenient since she is right next to the kitchen and super helpful at meal times!) Ramadan ended this morning – they all went to Mosque for a celebration while I pulled bindweed - and as I pulled out of the driveway to deliver a table to a house full of Chinese students there was a group of Saudi students in full dress sitting on the front porch doing homework. I laughed to myself and thought, “Now THAT is something you don't see in Hays every day.” I mean, the Saudi students in headdress – not the huge pile of bindweed... sadly I see huge piles of bindweed almost every day.

It could have been worse - 1st day of school

Jude's first day of school - the theme for the year is "Lights, Camera, Learn" - here he is in his shirt:




I threw my little lamb to the wolves one other time -and it was also not a total success. In Honduras when we sent Jude to the bi-lingual school it lasted a month until he had a complete break down and laid on his bed for three days. That school was optional. This one is not. It is a wonderful school full of amazing and diverse people. It is the world in a building -a training ground for life - and he will do well. Eventually. Right now we are both a little shell shocked and confused by the whole group of them and their "hollywood" themed school year. A limo ride on the first day? An all school assembly of teachers in red carpet costume - making it fun - keepin' it real. But as I watch him from a distance spin lonely on the playground I wonder what he is thinking and I think, "Surely he could just learn to read at home. That's all he needs right? That. And me.
No.
It's gonna be ok Jude.
It's gonna be ok me.
Just so glad we believe in a God who loves him more than we do.
Just glad that God has a plan - 'cause I don't. Not after tomorrow.
We have marshmallow cereal and a living room camp out with the Lowerys planned... after that he is kinda on his own.

In other news - Julia and Kingson moved out - Jessie and Marrina came back. Tony and Seonjin come next week and Saad and Salah the next. Asli is staying through October - so our house will be 5 nationalities - 11 people. If you are trying to communicate with me right now and I am not quite tracking -I'm sorry - give me two weeks to re-adjust. I'm thinking of changing my blog name. Something with a little more international flair or something - but really when it comes right down to it - I'm still just a non-desperate housewife - of a really big full house.

first decade

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Ephesians 5:24-26


Dear Jarod,
You do well. On this our 10 year anniversary I received a nice meal out, a string of pearls, a figurine commemorating love, patio furniture, and a beautiful lakeside trip. None of them were given to me by you. Thank you.

When I married you ten years ago – though I was attracted to your charming ways and brilliant wit – I married you because I thought you would make me a better person. I now know that you can't make me a better person. But your love if full of grace and that encourages me to be a better person tomorrow than I am today. And you have given me a life full of opportunity to try do that. A life full of favors for others – for sharing and going even when we would rather not. I life that includes late night trips to the airport. A life that includes so much time with our families. A life that is never too full for doing a favor for someone in need. A house full of people to love. A life with our children and our niece. A checkbook that is full because you work – and freely emptied when you see a need. A life full of friends and laughter. And in the midst of encouraging us to go, do, give, and be more - within you is a deep restfulness that calls me to sit by you. By the pond, on the porch, on the couch, in the mancave, with the students, with the children, alone, in front of a TV, with a book, whenever – because it really isn't about us anyway. You have brought me a life of balance and joy. The life you have allowed me to live so far – gives me gifts – and that is the greatest gift I could ever imagine.
Happy Decade.

And to those who have shared it with us... Thank you.


One more random trip. This time to Feeport Il, to visit the Arevalos - they are an example of gracious living. We have so many wonderful examples to follow.

Thanks for July

Dear God,
There are a lot of people around here who weren't such big fans of July. You may have overdone the heat a bit. 18 days over 100? only 3 days that dipped into the 80's? We weren't prepared for it - and over all - I might be a the only one who appreciated the stint in the furnace. So I thought I should send a thank you note - since the weather was just for me. Oh - and for the books - it was the perfect combo. I am sure I will need refresher courses but right now I just want to thank you for the rest and the joy. I want to thank you that I played with the three little ones for a whole month - swam with them - read with them - and enjoyed them because it was just too hot for anything else. I thank you that I learned to love the cool early mornings and to sit on the long evenings with the Suadis. You gave us so many chairs recently - around the pond - on the porch - perfect places to sit - when it was too hot to do anything else. And I liked it. I think I napped without guilt. It was a good and beautiful month. Thank you for James Bryan Smith's books - "The Good and Beautiful God" and the "Good and Beautiful Life." They came and just the right time - to meditate - when it was too hot to do anything else. It has been an amazing summer of simple calm joy. Thank you for the horrible weather, the lack of air conditioning, and mostly for the amazing people to share it all with. Please forgive my complaints. You know what you are doing.

Swimming is how I will remember these kiddos this summer - they have become fish!







Just some cute photos of summer activities and Lucy's Princess tea party - it was a blast!!