Life in transition...an update

Now that I have finished playing blog catch-up from our travels in June, I guess I should pick up from where I last left off as it pertains to our family in transition.

Apartment Life
We have finally recovered from the two month deluge inside and outside our apartment although the effects of inhaling mold and mildew may be with us for the rest of our lives.  And instead of looking on our flooded porch for amphibious creatures shown in a previous post, the kids now have to go to the creek out back to find such treasures like this froglet (intermediate stage between tadpole and frog).

The apartment is finally somewhat dry, but apparently now our water service provider thinks we are the benefactors of new rivers based on the last water bill.  The billed usage was double what we used in our last two houses where we had 3x more space to pressure wash and 1/2 and 2/3 acre lots to regularly seed and irrigate vs. no land here.  Clearly, there has to be an error, so I guess that's our next battle.

Oh, and after all those wars with insects, my husband happened to see a gray mouse in the kitchen one evening.  So, we notified our landlord that a least one rodent had moved in and should either be evicted or start paying rent, and she promptly called a wildlife removal service and then let us know that the rodent had been removed. We were not here when this service company came, but we took her word for it.  A month later, I began noticing a foul smell in the kitchen.  I checked for old food particles between cabinets, cleaned the burners, emptied the trash, and cleaned out the trash cans but the smell persisted.  I suspected that our mouse friend had not been properly removed but had instead died a slow, agonizing death and was rotting somewhere beneath our stove.   I have very acute and fragile senses, so I asked my husband to check it out while I drove the kids across two counties for a few hours of gymnastics.  When I returned my husband's face was gray and pallid with an expression that cried, "I am forever scarred!"  He found our mouse friend, alright, covered by maggots and in a state so disgusting he could not describe it though that scene will be forever etched in his memory.  Yet, my brave veteran warrior was able to find the courage (Gift #376) to dispose of the mutilated carcass and disinfect the space before the rest of us returned home.  God bless that man!  After all the daily calls we have made to property management, dare we call again to recommend that if they send someone out here to set a trap, perhaps they should let us know those traps were set so we can check the traps regularly before an army of maggots come marching in for the feast?

Such fun times we have in this little apartment!

We are at least enjoying the pool....

...and the tennis courts

Another benefit of this apartment is that it is located smack dab in the middle of town, so when the alternator on my car decides to die, I can coast all the way back home.   And then when AAA comes to tow it away, we are within the 3 miles maximum towing limit for our AAA coverage.

At least our kids are still enjoying all their new neighbors.  I suppose I'm finally learning to be spontaneous (Gift #377)...like when I agreed to host a slumber party after our daughter invited people over..albeit without ever thinking to ask her mother and father first.  The following picture was taken at her first apartment slumber party with her neighborhood BFF whom we like very much and count it a blessing to know her parents. (Gift #378)

Aside:  For the one occasional reader who may find this next tidbit interesting, this gal's family attends the same church that my childhood pastor's daughter loves so much.  I can't wait to check it out and pray some day to have the opportunity to bring local seekers to that church.

One night, my daughter urged me to go meet the parents of a girl she had just met in the new neighborhood with the hope that I would approve and allow her to attend a slumber party there. When she described this girl to me, she said, "She's sweet, girlie, and adventurous like me!" The next day on my way to pick up our daughter from school, I just happened to see this same girl crawling into a large commercial dumpster. Later I learned that she and the other kids were jumping off the dumpster and landing on old mattresses that someone had left by the dumpster.  EWW!  So, needless to say, with memories of bed bug alerts on the news, we decided this new friend was much too adventurous for our fun-loving girl.

We are also now trying to remember to cook for extra mouths when preparing meals because when kids are still here after dark (currently, after 8pm) on school nights and have not once thought to check in with their parents, we might as well feed them.  We seem to be falling into a weekend routine, at least, with lunch served here as we provide all day supervision of neighborhood kids followed by dinner served at the BFF's house. (Gift #379) So, it's working out. Unfortunately, I'm also discovering how selfish I am with my privacy as there seems to be so little alone time available right now.

We're also learning to be spontaneous when it comes to party invitations.  Instead of sending out birthday party invitations by mail or e-vite several weeks in advance, around here, a knock on the door 20 minutes before the party begins is deemed sufficient.  I'm so thankful that God put the idea into my head to keep a "last minute birthday present stash"  (Gift #380) so that my daughter did not have to go to that party without a gift in hand.  And apparently, the attire for pizza parties around here is quite formal.  Our daughter looked especially snazzy in her sparkly dress paired with some very old croc flip flops that should have been thrown out years ago.   :(

Homeschooling
I love how diverse our new town of residence is and am enjoying the opportunities to learn about foreign cultures.  (Gift #381) Our kids have much to learn about those cultures, too.  Recently, my son and I have been studying the Hittite and Assyrian empires during our homeschool history and geography lessons, and we just completed a science unit on the desert biome.  While out shopping after homeschooling one day, we saw two men dressed in traditional Arab thawb (like a robe) and kaffiyeh (headdress) as is common around here, and my observant 6-year-old exclaimed, "Whoa! Look, Mom! Those guys just stepped out of the desert! How cool!"

I am especially appreciating how flexible homeschooling can be. (Gift #382)  Since I have so many commitments at our daughter's school and Bible study commitments and doctor appointments every week, I have moved most of those obligations to only two days a week, so that my son and I can dedicate three days a week to homeschooling and take the other days off.  It's working much better having a break every other day.

I'm also much more flexible with our lesson plans this year. (Gift #383)  For example, my son excitedly ran into my room early one morning with his new Bible telling me all about the New Jerusalem from Rev. 21. He was especially interested in all the gemstones that make up the foundation and city walls, so that day we replaced the previously scheduled lesson on animal classification with a geology unit on gemstone classifications. I guess one reason homeschooling is growing in popularity is because it provides the flexibility to tailor course of study to the students' interests which enhances love of learning vs. adhering to a federally mandated scope and sequence for the purpose of helping students pass EOGs...which I would think takes away much of the fun for both the students and the teachers.

My son's spelling has improved a lot this year (Gift #384), and he's using that new knowledge in manipulative ways. While attempting to eat a veggie snack, he said, "I can't eat these carrots because we should not trust a company that can't spell 'love' correctly." 

Now that's an excuse for not eating one's veggies that I had not heard before.

Both kids regularly impress me with some of their Bible retention (Gift #385)  They may act like they aren't paying attention at all during family devotions, but so much sticks to their brains and hopefully their hearts as well.  Having this same information reinforced during Sunday School, LAMBS, and BLAST helps, too.  Here is a recent example:

During our family devotions, my husband asked, "Who was Timothy?"

6-year-old: He was a kid Paul picked up during his missionary journey and then dumped off in Ephesus with instructions on what to teach the people there.

9-year-old: He was a young man, who in his youth, learned lots of Bible verses that his mom and grandmother taught him. Later he traveled with Paul teaching people about Jesus.

Our son's retention of those basic table manners he knew so well at age 3 have taken a sharp downward turn, however.  One day my chiropractor, upon observing my son wait patiently during my weekly appointment, said, "No one can ever say anything negative about your boy's fine behavior".  Then the very next morning, that same young boy provided breakfast time entertainment by making the stevia on top of his oatmeal dance by carefully blowing air through his nostrils.  In truth, he is probably in need of some remedial etiquette education. 
 
New School
Our daughter's adjustment to school has had some highs and lows.  It's been brutal watching a girl who skipped a grade at her last school, has always made straight A's, and has been scoring post high school grade equivalent on standardized tests for the past few years bring home Cs, Ds, or worse even after we decided to have her repeat the 4th grade so that she would go through the remainder of her school years with kids her own age.  She isn't making lower grades for lack of knowledge.  She read all the books and learned to solve all those problems years ago.  However, she has not gained the discipline to slow down with her work and make sure every letter is slanted at a perfect angle, every t is crossed, i is dotted, and punctuation marks are included correctly.  She can ace a spelling bee but fails to spell words correctly on her papers because she works too quickly and makes careless mistakes.  At this school, if the handwriting isn't perfect or if the spelling or punctuation is in error in any way, the answer, though technically correct, is scored as if it is wrong.  So, she has entered boot camp, and it's been tough to watch her struggle.  Humility is good for anyone, and I do see it working some fruit in her behavior, however. (Gift #386)  

This new school is incredibly strict with behavior, too, even requiring students to assume various positions (as in ballet with a 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position, etc.) for each educational activity like listening, answering questions, taking tests, etc.  Manners must be faultless, and there is no tolerance for disrespect or speaking out of turn.  She can't even talk to her friends during carpool.  I am amazed at how well she has adapted to uniforms and the strict rules at this school.  Her behavior has been better than mine would likely have been had I been in her shoes, so kudos to her for excelling in what matters most.  (Gift #387)

After enduring the intense discipline of plebe summer at the U.S. Naval Academy followed by four strict USNA years and five more years as a naval officer, my husband appreciates the strict training provided by this school and feels that it will have lasting value for her.  I understand the benefits but have struggled with fear that it will crush her spirit and destroy her love of learning.  As I learn more about visual sequential learners (VSLs), I only grow more concerned that this school does not match her learning style at all.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Yet, I know she needs to learn to do all things as unto the Lord, so I'm grateful for the school's insistence on nothing less than her very best.  (Gift #388)

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Surprisingly, one of her best subjects is Latin 2, and she has never had Latin 1, although we did attempt to start Latin 1 this summer through wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Thankfully, my husband helps catch her up in Latin 1 on the evenings he isn't working late or at choir or deacon meetings.  (Gift #389)  Of course, considering that last night when they were supposedly studying Latin, I heard them conversing in Pig Latin, I am wondering which "Latin" she is actually learning.

Socially, she is thriving!  (Gift #390)  She has so many wonderful new friends at school and finds much happiness in their company.  And I have loved meeting all the other mothers.  I am amazed at how involved most of them are.  I am enjoying our Moms-in-Touch group most. (Gift #391)  Not only do we meet to pray, but we also plan mother/daughter socials every other month during which the moms and daughters make crafts together which we share with needy children around the world and participate in a devotional style Bible study.  I hope that I can help write some of those devotions tailored toward whatever struggles the girls may be having that month just as I have had the privilege of writing devotions for our church's women's ministry.

Then there are other students with whom I would rather she not associate...like the guy who grabbed her flip flop when she accidentally stepped out of it during a game of tag and then threw her flip flop into the woods after dark during a football game.  So, she had to walk the field, through the parking lot, onto the shuttle bus, and into our car in only one shoe. The boy never offered to buy her new shoes.  He never even apologized, and his mother totally covered for him. If the Old Testament law could not make people behave, I guess I should not expect a school, regardless of how many rules it enforces, to make kids behave either.

My daughter and I had a blast before the game practicing our gymnastics skills on the playground equipment.  She and I may be wired very differently, but we at least enjoy some of the same activities, from horseback riding to flipping upside down. (Gift #392)

 

Her school's football team lost in a bad way that night to a team from a school in a small farming town with maybe one stoplight, but it was still nice to be attending a high school football game for the first time in 23 years.

Front view of the 3 or 4 story field house

Maybe our little gymnast will cheer for this school some day

Game On!

Church
I have enjoyed watching our daughter's love for all people, regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or developmental label expand as we have moved into a more diverse community. (Gift #393)  She is especially gifted in connecting with and getting inside the worlds of those with autism, Down's syndrome, or whatever other "special need" doctors identify in these precious children created by God for His glory.  She is always eager to help me with the special needs ministry on Sunday mornings.   We recently took her to a church life class family social at a gorgeous horse friendly community park and swim club with 45 other children from our life class.   There were so many dear young friends there with whom she could do a number of fun activities, but she chose instead to first spend a large amount of quality time with her buddy from the special needs ministry at church.  I love the way she loves him and how much he enjoys her company. (Gift #394)  And she loves to half-jokingly remind me that he likes her more than me.

During this life class party, I noticed that the pool had a diving board.  Diving platforms are rare these days due to changes in insurance.  So when I saw that board, I just had to take my kids out on it to show them how to dive correctly.  Before I knew it, I was 11 years old in my mind and doing flips, jack knives, swan dives, and every other stunt I can remember from my many years at summer day camp.   And while I may have felt 11, my ears are 40, so I spent the next two weeks trying to dry out my ears with every home remedy available only to finally see a doctor and complete a week of antibiotic ear drops.

Toothless
We have celebrated some milestones over the past month.  Our son is STILL missing his 4 front teeth (incisors), and now our daughter is missing all four canines.  So we're short eight teeth in this family, and the tooth fairy is so broke that she just doesn't bother visiting us anymore.  Seriously, our 9-year-old daughter who will hold out hope for anything that is to her benefit has left her last tooth out several days hoping the tooth fairy will appear, but her 6-year-old too-smart-for-his-britches pragmatic brother keeps telling her that Mom and Dad must not have any cash on hand.  She got her money eventually, however, which she immediately used to pay restitution for crimes committed against her brother.  Sibling quarrels have been a problem lately.  I'm convinced the kids got along better when both were homeschooled.  But even then there were the same number of quarrels in the house, just not between siblings, but rather between student and teacher.

Determined to get that first annoying wiggly canine out of her mouth, our daughter tried tying one end of some string to her tooth and the other end to a doorknob, and slammed the door. Her home version of myth busters was a bust because the string kept sliding off her tooth.

Grandma's 60th Birthday
A major milestone that occurred last month was my mother-in-law's 60th birthday. (Gift #395) Grandpa and her favorite sons (the three that live within 20 minutes of her house in Oklahoma, not the eldest who fled here for better weather, prettier landscapes, greater business opportunity, and the southern gal who authors this blog) really came through for her.  Grandpa surprised her with hilarious and thoughtful cards every day of her birthday week.

 

She is a gifted artist and the daughter of renown sculptor whose work has only increased in value and popularity since his untimely death.  So, her sons planned an art themed surprise party for her with a brilliantly creative art idea for the party.  They hired an artist to create a paint-by-numbers representation of one of the sculptures their grandfather created for the birthday girl when she was a young child.  This artist's representation was drawn onto 36 8x10 canvases with paint by numbers to guide each guest at the party in creating a gift of art for the birthday girl.  Each piece of the canvas puzzle did not look like anything the guests could make out, but when all the canvases were placed together in proper order, an image of the original sculpture could be clearly scene in the same bright colors Grandma often uses in her decorating.   So, in that sense the surprise party for my husband's mother was a surprise for all the guests, too, as they waited eagerly to determine what the collective painting would be.

My brothers-in-law (most likely their wives) were thoughtful enough to include us in the collective gift. (Gift #396)  They sent us paint and a canvas to contribute to the project since logistics of travel and time off from work and school could not be arranged in time to attend the party.  Our children really enjoyed making this gift for Grandma.

During her early childhood, Grandma was a bashful but studious observer of her father as he worked, so he sculpted her bashful feet to capture the shyness and curiosity of a child who loves her daddy and his work.  Here is the completed composite piece hanging over her fireplace mantle with a miniature bronze of the original piece in front of it.