Summer Break!

Today I changed my voice mail on my work cell phone to reflect that I, like my colleagues, am on break. While I will check my phone throughout summer, people may not hear back from me right away.  I'm a strong believer in taking breaks when it's needed and right about now, I need it!

the sun is shining

And, I don't expect that it will always shine as brightly as it is now. Nor do I expect that there will never be dark, cloudy skies or days that are blustery.


Yes, these are all metaphors for where life is right now in my life, where it has been and where it may be again in the future. Right now, I'm choosing to soak up the rays in the hopes of having them stored up for when they are needed in the future.


Guitar Teen, who now needs to be renamed as something more befitting of his role as a grown-up, is fully participating in life as a grounded, productive citizen.  There were times when I wasn't sure where he might end up. This is a kid who has never been easy. Whereas his sister was a very easy baby who could entertain herself for hours, not so with Guitar Teen. He demanded attention.

All three of my kids I nursed for a period of time after they were born. For him, I only lasted six weeks. When I took him in for his six week check up, I was exhausted. It seemed like no matter how much I fed him, he wanted more. He was barely getting through an hour after a feeding, when he wanted more. The pediatrician reassured me that I was not a bad mom if I chose at this point to feed him from a bottle. We made the switch and life was a little bit easier.

When his baby brother was born, we brought the baby home on Easter Sunday. The Easter bunny had brought baskets for Guitar Teen, who was four, and Artist Girl, who was seven. I put GT's basket up in our cupboard after he had his fill and told him that he would need to get permission before getting any more. Well, he managed to sneak into the basket without either his dad or I knowing and proceeded to have way more sugar than any four year old child should have in their system

It is the only time in my life where I have literally seen  a kid bounce off the walls from too much sugar. Mischievous, independent, stubborn and extremely smart are all words that can describe this kid.

Another time, when he was fourteen, he decided to venture into San Francisco (approximately an hour away from where we live) without letting his dad or I know about his plan. He was supposed to be staying at a friend's house and his dad had driven him over, met the friend and the parents, and we believed we were good to go. Somewhere along the way, the plans changed and our fourteen year old son was in San Francisco with some other friends.  Somehow he got stranded in San Francisco. He knew he was supposed to be home no later than six that evening, but instead of calling us, he tried his best to make other arrangements to get home.

It was one of those times as a mother that if I could have gotten away with murder, I may very well would have choked him when we finally were able to figure out where he was. When he finally walked through the door, I didn't know if I should hug him or strangle him.

One of the things that I loved when he was younger was that he loved having his feet "tickled." He would lay on the floor on his back, place his foot in my lap, and I would run my fingers up and down the back of his foot. It was one of the memories I have of him that I will cherish forever.

Despite the many challenges we faced with him when he was in high school, he has become a tremendous young man. Right now, he is dealing with a speeding ticket that he got last week. He has not asked us for money and instead, called us tonight to let us know he got the information on it, but then quickly assured us that he has it covered. he is working his regular job and then doing odd jobs for some of the parents of friends that he has.

He is working his butt off so that he can be independent. There is that part of me that wishes for the little boy that was, but I'm so very proud of the young man that is.

Yes, I am lucky . . .

today is the last teacher day of the school year. I informed my husband this morning of this fact as he was getting ready to leave for work.

He looked at me and said, "yeah, but I know my wife. It may be your last work day of the year, but you'll still be working."

Pretty much sums it up.

He knows this about me, but doesn't resent it or make me feel bad that I enjoy my work outside the home. Every step of the way, he has supported me in my decisions, which are always made after discussing things with him.

Right now, I'm considering running for a local office. Don't know yet if I'll do it, but again, I have my husband's full support.

That's why this marriage works. And, just so you know, this support works both ways.