Sunday, March 4, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
being 3, being 13
Every day I teach 115 thirteen year old students. This means that no two days are alike, heck, no two class periods are alike. It means I spend a lot of time being patient but an equal amount of time laughing. It also means I get to see some pretty amazing things, like last week when our students selected an Autistic student to be the King of the biggest dance of the year.
As Lyla approaches 3 I can't help but think that 3 is a lot like 13. Both ages are sort of mixed up with trying to take control of your world but not really knowing how. At both ages you want to be independent but also find independence a little scary. Both ages are full of emotional outbursts. Both ages require adults to take lots of deep breaths. Both are testing boundaries.
A couple of weeks ago, Lyla had a crying, sobbing fit because the shopping carts at Target are red and not blue. Yesterday she sobbed hysterically because I told her I wanted to play instead of watching cartoons. Her moods can be wildly unpredictable, sometimes to the point of me either walking away to contain my frustration or laughing uncontrollably about the ridiculousness of the situation. I mean, who other than a nearly three year old wants to wash their hands but then becomes emotional about getting a drop of water on her pants?
But, being nearly 3, like being 13 is also filled with inspiring moments. Like every time Lyla asks to help with something and says, "I can help you very well." Or two nights ago when Madison was tired and cranky so Lyla gave her a big hug and a kiss and then got her favorite toys for Madison and said something about sharing to help Madison feel better. She takes care of us when she thinks we don't feel well. The other day Lyla taught Madison how to read. It went something like this, "Open da book, den point with da finger...(Lyla starts "reading") One day in Africa..."
Nearly 3, like 13 is an age of extremes, highs and lows. It's one second of "I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH" and then another of, "I'm so very frustrated."
Teaching and parenting this age group is a constant reminder to ride out the tough times, there's usually something magical around the corner.
As Lyla approaches 3 I can't help but think that 3 is a lot like 13. Both ages are sort of mixed up with trying to take control of your world but not really knowing how. At both ages you want to be independent but also find independence a little scary. Both ages are full of emotional outbursts. Both ages require adults to take lots of deep breaths. Both are testing boundaries.
A couple of weeks ago, Lyla had a crying, sobbing fit because the shopping carts at Target are red and not blue. Yesterday she sobbed hysterically because I told her I wanted to play instead of watching cartoons. Her moods can be wildly unpredictable, sometimes to the point of me either walking away to contain my frustration or laughing uncontrollably about the ridiculousness of the situation. I mean, who other than a nearly three year old wants to wash their hands but then becomes emotional about getting a drop of water on her pants?
But, being nearly 3, like being 13 is also filled with inspiring moments. Like every time Lyla asks to help with something and says, "I can help you very well." Or two nights ago when Madison was tired and cranky so Lyla gave her a big hug and a kiss and then got her favorite toys for Madison and said something about sharing to help Madison feel better. She takes care of us when she thinks we don't feel well. The other day Lyla taught Madison how to read. It went something like this, "Open da book, den point with da finger...(Lyla starts "reading") One day in Africa..."
Nearly 3, like 13 is an age of extremes, highs and lows. It's one second of "I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH" and then another of, "I'm so very frustrated."
Teaching and parenting this age group is a constant reminder to ride out the tough times, there's usually something magical around the corner.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
now THAT'S what I'm talking about
Sunday was a tough day for me. I had a ohmylordthisissounfuckingfair
moment. I was in a decent amount of pain and frustrated by my
limitations. I had a pity party about being 32 and having to deal with
this crap the rest of my life. I left the kids and the hubs eating
dinner, went into the bathroom, and cried. To be honest, most of the time I feel pretty darn optimistic about my situation. Sunday was not a great day.
Monday we took a day off from parenting and rested. I'm talking a quiet house, an entire cup of coffee while it was hot, I took a long shower while Emilio went running, a solo trip to Target, a relaxing lunch, restful day.
Somewhere near the end of the day I realized I had been pain free the entire day. I haven't been totally pain free since the beginning of the year. I told Emilio but didn't make a huge deal out of it.
Yesterday? TOTALLY PAIN FREE!!!! Yeah, I still have a little stiffness and my elbows are stubborn but ZERO PAIN!!!
This morning? I did not wake up doing the old man shuffle. I walked. Like a non-Arthritisy person would.
Maybe the medicine is starting to work. Maybe I really just needed a day to relax. Maybe the pain will come back but right now I'm enjoying every single pain free second.
I actually didn't realize how much the pain had started to wear me down until it was gone. I take my hat off to anyone who has lived with long term pain and stayed positive. It's tough.
It's Wednesday now and I'm back to feeling like I'm going to kick whatever it is I have in the ass. I'm back to feeling like I can do this. Maybe the pain will come back, maybe it won't. In the end, I'm stronger then it is. I am more determined to win. I may have bad days, I may have pity party days. None of that matters though because I am resolved to have more good days then bad.
Monday we took a day off from parenting and rested. I'm talking a quiet house, an entire cup of coffee while it was hot, I took a long shower while Emilio went running, a solo trip to Target, a relaxing lunch, restful day.
Somewhere near the end of the day I realized I had been pain free the entire day. I haven't been totally pain free since the beginning of the year. I told Emilio but didn't make a huge deal out of it.
Yesterday? TOTALLY PAIN FREE!!!! Yeah, I still have a little stiffness and my elbows are stubborn but ZERO PAIN!!!
This morning? I did not wake up doing the old man shuffle. I walked. Like a non-Arthritisy person would.
Maybe the medicine is starting to work. Maybe I really just needed a day to relax. Maybe the pain will come back but right now I'm enjoying every single pain free second.
I actually didn't realize how much the pain had started to wear me down until it was gone. I take my hat off to anyone who has lived with long term pain and stayed positive. It's tough.
It's Wednesday now and I'm back to feeling like I'm going to kick whatever it is I have in the ass. I'm back to feeling like I can do this. Maybe the pain will come back, maybe it won't. In the end, I'm stronger then it is. I am more determined to win. I may have bad days, I may have pity party days. None of that matters though because I am resolved to have more good days then bad.
Monday, February 20, 2012
parenting sick day
Emilio and I are home today from work.
We decided to call in sick as parents and take the kids to Emilio's parent's house.
Right now I'm sitting in a quiet house, sipping coffee.
Heaven.
We decided to call in sick as parents and take the kids to Emilio's parent's house.
Right now I'm sitting in a quiet house, sipping coffee.
Heaven.
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