Single Mom Time

We shipped Daddy to Afghanistan yesterday.  We are lucky though because he is only there for 6 weeks and could come home any time if he needed.  The last time Matt went there as a contractor, we were still living in Arizona.  Maddy was 4, Peyton was 2, I had a full time job, and we had a whole village to help me and the kids.  This time, Maddy is 7, Peyton is 5, they are both in school, I am a stay at home mom, and we have a core group of friends I can call on.  It is very different this time in so many ways, but anyway you look at it, we are proud of Matt for wanting to help his country in this capacity.  It is a small price to pay for the freedoms we have and the wonderful life we have been given.

We can survive this separation, no problem.  The hardest part is not having your partner in crime to tag team when you need a break from the kids.  Oh wait, the hardest part is not having your husband next to your side every night to kiss and say good night to.  Nope, that's not it.  The hardest part is the kids not having their Daddy to play with and share time with.  Umm. . . . I guess it is all hard.  But he will be home soon and we will be a family again.  Until then, I will take a big breath, wish for patience every day, and be the best Mommy I can be.

The power of a teacher

Starting with kindergarten, I can name all of my elementary teachers and most of my middle school and high school teachers.  Each one made a difference in my life.  I always loved school (the best birthday present I ever got was in 2nd grade from Aunt Carol - all Snoopy school supplies) so it's no wonder I loved teaching and being an administrator.  School feels like home to me and maybe that is why I am in 21st grade.  Mrs. Gollen, Mrs. Hydinger, Mr. Urbanski, Mr. Brennan, Mr. Spiesman, Mrs. Gresham, . . . Oh and Mrs. Phinney, Mrs. Hyslop, Mr. Kader. . .

Since Peyton began preschool, I have relieved that power of a teacher and have been a little melancholic for my own contributions as a teacher.  The connection you make with a teacher or that a teacher makes with a student provides the foundation for your life.  Peyton sings now instead of covering his ears or my mouth, he is recognizing words and reading, he reads math sentences, he knows what it is to be responsible and have a leadership role, he has begun to understand the meaning of friends, and this is all because of Mrs. Newland and Mrs. Atkins. I will never let him forget their names.

Mrs. Parker, Mr. Kujala, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Thayer, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Krall.  .  .