Archive for the 'family' Category
September 15th, 2011 -- Posted in family, life as a mom, scrappy / stampy |
This blog post may seem a little late, but the last of our teacher cards were only delivered this month, so I’d say it seems about even!
My son’s cards went out to his teachers on time (at the end of June), but my daughter, who was greatly opposed to the idea of appreciation cards or gifts (apparently this is just “not done” at the middle school level), left them in her bag where they suffered water damage at an end-of-the-year pool party…
They were then found later in the summer, rescued from the enveloppes (which had to be tossed), repackaged, and given directly to the office at the beginning of the new school year. I had compromised by not adding gift cards to the coffee stores inside but this year I may be less inclined to agree to any plans proposed by such an unreliable letter-carrier.
Thankfully, these pics of the cards were taken before the water damage…
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July 8th, 2011 -- Posted in family, future / dreams / goals, love & marriage, pain / disability |
Back in September, I wrote about our family’s difficult times. It was something above and beyond what we’ve struggled with the past 3 years since my car accident, and something beyond what normal families have to cope with.
I’m ever so glad to be able to say we’re coming out the other side now, and can at least return to “just” difficulties we were having before… I know it’s not much to celebrate (going from “very very miserable” to just “miserable”), but every little bit of stress that can be relieved makes a huge difference.
Our family has worked hard over the past 9 months. We’ve struggled, we’ve argued and discussed late into the evening to the point of exhaustion! We’ve learned a lot, we’ve tried some things that failed, we’ve tried some things that worked really well. We’re growing together and we’ll have to keep at it.
But at least now we’ve reached a point that we know we’re in this together for the future… We weren’t sure if we would make it, but we’re now re-committed to living together and staying a family of FOUR.
We already had the challenges of being a blended family. Then we had to suddenly adjust to being a family with a disabled mom who isn’t able to fully parent as she used to be. When my spouse first had to step into the role and tasks that I could no longer do, he faltered. Too much was piled onto his shoulders in too short a time. There was a huge lack of help and support. But over time, he has grown into his role and become a much better dad and step-dad.
Our house may not yet be “peaceful” or “running smoothly”, but we’re getting there… We are moving out of crisis mode as much as we’re able to. There is hope. Please keep your fingers crossed (and keep our family in your prayers, if that’s part of your belief system) that our situation will continue to improve so we can stay together and be happy.
June 5th, 2011 -- Posted in domestic engineering, family, life as a mom |
Dear June,
I’ve got a bone to pick with you! You are by far, one of the busiest months of the year for moms of school-aged kids!
You aren’t quite spring, but aren’t quite summer. All the regular school-year activities still haven’t come to a stop, and yet the summer season of spots and activities has just started! This means parents are left juggling soccer practices alongside Beavers, dance classes (and end-of-year recitals!), swim lessons, etc.
Then there’s the teacher gifts and cards! Pressure to find the “perfect” gift to show your appreciation looms overhead the whole month, as time ticks on. I’m lucky that I’m able to design and create hand-made cards to add a special personal touch, but still this doesn’t count as a full gift. Getting the kids to sign the cards is another matter (try handing them over when your child wants to watch a TV show: “You can continue to watch as long as you work on these cards too” – yes, I know, it’s an act of desperation!).
All the spring and summer transition work continues as well… sending all the winter gear to the basement (finding all the lost mitts and wondering why so many of them don’t have their buddy!). Sorting through all the clothes, shopping for new ones (wondering why your son’s pants from last year are now all “capris”!)… it’s time consuming and expensive (my favourite combo! ).
Oh yes, June, you are full of too much work for parents, and then to top it off, you entice us outside! Finally having nice weather (especially for us Canadians who have had extended winter weather… June is the first month we can guarantee to not have snow!) pulls us outside, which is the opposite of getting things done. Well, except the yardwork… all the garden prep and grass de-thatching and starting to mow and water the lawn again. And don’t forget all the sunscreen!
It’s a wonder we can get anything done at all! I just may go on strike!
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