Hawkins Family
Friday, September 9, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thoughts From Last Week
Well, we all survived the first week of school! It was a great week and a very challenging week all packed together. Some thoughts (stream of consciousness):
Picking up Thomas on Monday was a pinch of a nightmare. It took 50 minutes to get the kiddo. Don't think we even covered a 1/2 mile. It was 107 degrees. He was hot and tired and thirsty, but generally, in good spirits. By Friday, pick-up was complete in 17 minutes. Big progress!
Monday night, Thomas was making dear comments/inquiries about the length of school. "Are there any days I don't go to school? I get tired! It's so long, I feel like I live there." It was a little sad, but cute too. We had another talk about how long school was sitting in the parking lot on Tuesday morning, but that was the last he mentioned it. He was in very good spirits each day at pick-up and he slept super well all week! Really precious--on Saturday morning, he came out of his room dressed in his school clothes! He had even taken them out of the laundry basket because he had no more clean uniforms! Sweet boy!
The boys are so different. Heard all the "bad" things about school from Clay as soon as he got in the van. All the good things started to trickle out around dinner time. Thomas told me all the wonderful things the second he was picked up. No mention of the hard stuff until bedtime. So different those two.
Pick-up with Clay was long too on Monday, but improved each day. By the end of the week, the bus was only three minutes behind schedule. We have a little lag between T's dismissal time and C's bus arrival, but snacks in the van seem to keep everyone happy.....and G's beloved blankie!
My days with the girls seem so quiet. I love having time with just the two of them. Even allows me quite a bit of one-on-one time with each of them while the other is napping. Precious. Soaking it up.
At home after school was a little nutty. Not bad, just kind of crazy. The boys were both very wound-up. Thinking it will be tricky once homework starts next week. The plan is to do snack, chores, and homework before playtime. We'll see how it goes. Gaby's so happy to have them home, she's vying for their attention and Elena usually needs to be fed, so I'm occupied for a few.
Had some intense conversations with folks this week. I've always been such a passive person. When I get hurt or angry, have a hard time speaking up (even when it's warranted and perhaps, even necessary). But God has really been growing me in this area and boy, did he provide me with some opportunities to use my newly found voice this week. Once with each of the boys' school principals and once with a family member. Each was brought to a successful resolution (well, the school problems anyhow) and I found some freedom in having a voice.
I did not eat well this week. And I'm eating ice cream while I type this. Ugh. Stop! Tomorrow is a new day, yes?
Working with a particular counselee at church for the past few weeks has been intense. Intense. But life-changing for both of us. Can't say much about her situation due to confidentiality, but for me, God has shown me in a new and powerful way how infinitely precious and valuable each person is to him. It's made me look at EVERYONE in a different way. And just a free tip, give more simple blessings. The power of the spoken word is amazing. It might just change someone's life.
Yesterday, was a TOUGH day. We went through some stuff with Thomas that was not fun. Teaching moment. Had to be done. No way around it, just had to plow straight through it. No compromise on morals. Tough. Wearing. Just plain hard. Ronnie said he was going to pray last night that that was our toughest day of parenting ever. I was totally on board. :) Don't think we're going to get off that easy. Just a hunch. :)
Bottom line--we survived! And we're all still smiling....mostly!
Picking up Thomas on Monday was a pinch of a nightmare. It took 50 minutes to get the kiddo. Don't think we even covered a 1/2 mile. It was 107 degrees. He was hot and tired and thirsty, but generally, in good spirits. By Friday, pick-up was complete in 17 minutes. Big progress!
Monday night, Thomas was making dear comments/inquiries about the length of school. "Are there any days I don't go to school? I get tired! It's so long, I feel like I live there." It was a little sad, but cute too. We had another talk about how long school was sitting in the parking lot on Tuesday morning, but that was the last he mentioned it. He was in very good spirits each day at pick-up and he slept super well all week! Really precious--on Saturday morning, he came out of his room dressed in his school clothes! He had even taken them out of the laundry basket because he had no more clean uniforms! Sweet boy!
The boys are so different. Heard all the "bad" things about school from Clay as soon as he got in the van. All the good things started to trickle out around dinner time. Thomas told me all the wonderful things the second he was picked up. No mention of the hard stuff until bedtime. So different those two.
Pick-up with Clay was long too on Monday, but improved each day. By the end of the week, the bus was only three minutes behind schedule. We have a little lag between T's dismissal time and C's bus arrival, but snacks in the van seem to keep everyone happy.....and G's beloved blankie!
My days with the girls seem so quiet. I love having time with just the two of them. Even allows me quite a bit of one-on-one time with each of them while the other is napping. Precious. Soaking it up.
At home after school was a little nutty. Not bad, just kind of crazy. The boys were both very wound-up. Thinking it will be tricky once homework starts next week. The plan is to do snack, chores, and homework before playtime. We'll see how it goes. Gaby's so happy to have them home, she's vying for their attention and Elena usually needs to be fed, so I'm occupied for a few.
Had some intense conversations with folks this week. I've always been such a passive person. When I get hurt or angry, have a hard time speaking up (even when it's warranted and perhaps, even necessary). But God has really been growing me in this area and boy, did he provide me with some opportunities to use my newly found voice this week. Once with each of the boys' school principals and once with a family member. Each was brought to a successful resolution (well, the school problems anyhow) and I found some freedom in having a voice.
I did not eat well this week. And I'm eating ice cream while I type this. Ugh. Stop! Tomorrow is a new day, yes?
Working with a particular counselee at church for the past few weeks has been intense. Intense. But life-changing for both of us. Can't say much about her situation due to confidentiality, but for me, God has shown me in a new and powerful way how infinitely precious and valuable each person is to him. It's made me look at EVERYONE in a different way. And just a free tip, give more simple blessings. The power of the spoken word is amazing. It might just change someone's life.
Yesterday, was a TOUGH day. We went through some stuff with Thomas that was not fun. Teaching moment. Had to be done. No way around it, just had to plow straight through it. No compromise on morals. Tough. Wearing. Just plain hard. Ronnie said he was going to pray last night that that was our toughest day of parenting ever. I was totally on board. :) Don't think we're going to get off that easy. Just a hunch. :)
Bottom line--we survived! And we're all still smiling....mostly!
Monday, August 29, 2011
First Day of School
My TWO elementary schoolers!
My third grader! Wow. Third grade. Time goes crazy fast.
My Kindergartner! Pretty stinkin' cute, huh?
Lined up on the playground before the pledge.
Ready, set, learn....and have loads of fun!
Well, we all made it out the door on time this morning. One down, how many more to go? And Ronnie went in late so we could each take a kiddo and walk them in on their first day. The boys are going to different schools, so it makes life a littler trickier. Clayton's at a magnet school and he had such a great year last year (his first at that school) that we didn't want to pull him out. But....the magnet program doesn't start until first grade, so we had to find an alternative for Thomas. Fortunately, a charter school was set to open this fall just a few miles down the street from us. God's provision? Yes, thinkin' so! School options out here are slim to say the least, and so to have two great places for the boys this year is definitely a "Yay God!" thing.
We'll have our first try at pick-up here in a bit. Thinking that's not going to be quite as easy as the morning commute, but we'll figure it out.
The girls have both been sleeping since just after noon. It's so quiet! I'm kind of glad I had those couple weeks with just the girls this summer when the boys were back east because I'm pretty sure they prepared me for today. Think I got all my basket-casedness out of the way back then. {Yes, I'm aware that's not really a word. Still fitting. ;) } It just hit me about an hour ago that we'll do this same thing all over again tomorrow. The school routine and really, having T gone all day, hasn't sunk in. Kind of feel like today was just a big momentous day, but it won't be repeated any time soon. Ha! Anyway....
In the meantime, it's just the three of us girls. Pretty excited about that!
Treasure the days they are young.
Last Day of Summer
We had a great last day of summer vacation. Simple fun, just like it started. After church in the morning, Ronnie took Clay to pick up his new glasses. Then, they brought Five Guys home for lunch. Yum! I had to make a Costco run in the afternoon, but we spent the rest of the day enjoying each other.
Lots of water play in the backyard.
A light and delicious dinner of shrimp and Caesar salad (and maybe a brownie for dessert!)
And LOTS of laughing!
Perfect!
Off He Goes
My T-man starts Kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe it. Truly, hard for me to believe the day has come. He's so silly. Makes me laugh a ton each day. Going to miss that so much.
All day Kindergarten. All day. Wow. Will be interesting to see how tired he is by the end of the day. Can't imagine. Clayton was still napping almost everyday when he started Kindergarten, so we're ahead of the game there, but I know this is a big step for him. He likes his quiet time (much like his Mommy) every afternoon. (Photo is of him chilling out in front of the TV after the boys' return flight home. He was just a little sleepy then too.)
More silliness. Did I mention he's silly most of the time?! Silly or learning.
And a great big bro. Just great. Adored by those two little sisters. They're going to miss him too.
Thomas, I wish you a wonderful, fun, special first day of Kindergarten tomorrow. You've been my little buddy for so long now. Can't really imagine my days without you. No doubt, they will be duller without your questions, super imagination, magical smile, and super silliness. Glad I have two other amazing little people to distract me from missing you too much. And, I know this is just the beginning of many tremendous adventures for you. It's time for you to spread your wings a bit. I know you are ready (even if I'm not!) Looking forward to big hugs at 3:15 each afternoon! Love you bunches and bunches!
All day Kindergarten. All day. Wow. Will be interesting to see how tired he is by the end of the day. Can't imagine. Clayton was still napping almost everyday when he started Kindergarten, so we're ahead of the game there, but I know this is a big step for him. He likes his quiet time (much like his Mommy) every afternoon. (Photo is of him chilling out in front of the TV after the boys' return flight home. He was just a little sleepy then too.)
More silliness. Did I mention he's silly most of the time?! Silly or learning.
And a great big bro. Just great. Adored by those two little sisters. They're going to miss him too.
Thomas, I wish you a wonderful, fun, special first day of Kindergarten tomorrow. You've been my little buddy for so long now. Can't really imagine my days without you. No doubt, they will be duller without your questions, super imagination, magical smile, and super silliness. Glad I have two other amazing little people to distract me from missing you too much. And, I know this is just the beginning of many tremendous adventures for you. It's time for you to spread your wings a bit. I know you are ready (even if I'm not!) Looking forward to big hugs at 3:15 each afternoon! Love you bunches and bunches!
Monday, August 22, 2011
They're Here!
My boys are home! I haven't taken the time to upload a single photo or the cutest video in the world as Gaby watched them walk in the door. She pretty much lost her mind in sheer joy and excitement. So cute! Home at last! Felt so good to sit down to dinner on Saturday night, all six of us. Just been enjoying them ever since.
Shhh....Don't tell, but I will confess, life was MUCH quieter without them! :) Love their voices, just need a volume control! :) :)
Shhh....Don't tell, but I will confess, life was MUCH quieter without them! :) Love their voices, just need a volume control! :) :)
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