It is getting to be that time of year. Almost a month ago Back to School sales were starting. I laughed their way as we languished in the month of vacation before us. Now, I'm not laughing.
As a kid, I never really liked school. Maybe it was because I had undiagnosed ADD. Maybe it's because when Spring came around I really wanted to be outside. (I mean, let's face it, we'd been hibernating all winter except for the occasional sledding activity.) And maybe it was because swimming was one of the best things ever. I dunno. I just know when school approached, I felt like I had hives.
My husband was nice enough to get the school supplies. He's very good at looking for what we have left over from last year and surmising what we really need for this year. And, I am very appreciative. Plus he understands that Back to School shopping makes me crabby and nauseous.
Everything is labeled now. Yes, I was able to bring myself to do that job. Soon we'll go for registration. Our oldest is up for another year in high school and our youngest is back at our dependable elementary building. But, our middle is headed to the middle. Middle school to be exact.
I'm sure things will go fine. Said middle child doesn't seem too uptight. In fact, when I asked how said child felt about moving on I received a shrug and a grunt. I told my husband this translates into, "I have to spend three years in this flippin' place".
As I said, I'm sure things will go fine for our middle one. But, I am swallowing back tears as I post this. It isn't because yet another "baby" is growing up. I'm just worried. Aren't I entitled? But I don't get it. High school for our oldest didn't bother me. It seemed time to move on. However, our oldest has always been independant. Not that our middle isn't; just not as vocal about it. More sighs, less "I can do it myself, my way". I'm learning to listen to the sighs more and back off. OK-it's a slow process but a sure one.
I think too I really like having my kids home. I miss them when they go back even on the days when I think I won't. This is when having God to reach out to really is comforting. I even get down on my knees so He knows I mean business. You know, in case He was wondering or something. I ask for protection for my kids and the blessings of a good year full of good friends and patient teachers. Then, I start bawling uncontrollably asking for courage and control for myself. I'm also reminded that my kids are really God's kids. He's blessed me with them and I'm trying really hard not to mess them up.
Do you ever wonder what's on God's back to school list? I imagine He hopes all His children will trust in Him to bless them with an awesome year!
Welcome back to school everyone! Whether it be elementary, middle, high or college-Welcome back!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Square Brown Bowl
I have returned from my writer's conference feeling very good and much informed. It's a great feeling when things start to repeat and click! Meeting with two wonderful publishers was not nearly as scary as I'd thought! Whew!
The time spent with my husband was great too. R & R and exploring the coast was fantastic!
Now we are home and it is back to the usual. I really did miss my fam! So, as I settle into the life as it is or may be, I noticed one of my favorite things about my husband's and my bathroom. It's just a simple bowl but it has a sentimental meaning to me.
When we decided to paint our bathroom we used the created mixture my husband threw together. It's sort of a goldish color. Kind of. Same color as our bedroom. I felt that browns, blacks and a nice warm red/burgundy would be good to accesorize our newly created area. I also felt it might be nice not to make it too girly since my husband uses it too.
I took my time and by and by added pieces here and there. In my attempt not to make it too effeminate, I found a very nice brown, square bowl. My husband needed something to put his change, cell phone, keys, etc. into at the end of the day. (The one he was using had violets on it.) This square bowl called to me I admit. It said "look at me...I'm masculine..." So, I bought it. I was very excited to place it in the bathroom by my husband's sink and surprise him.
When he arrived home I followed him upstairs. I showed him the bowl. I was even a little shy about it. Actually, I felt guilty about not "manning up" the bathroom before now. As I showed him the bowl and I admitted my guilt.
"This is your bathroom too and I bought a few new things. This bowl said manhood to me. I hope you like it."
Now, my husband is Mr. Phlegmatic. He gets excited but not overly. Unless it's a sporting event. I was expecting a simple thank you. But, instead, he looked at the bowl and said, "I really like it. It is manly. Where is the bowl with the flowers on it?"
"I put it on my desk as an extra container." Wow, I hoped he didn't miss it or something.
"Oh," he said. " I really like my new bowl. Cool designs in the middle of it."
Hmmm...he really seemed to like it. I was so happy. Besides being Mr. P. he is also Mr. Grateful and Mr. Complimentary. But sometimes when he gets like that I wonder if he's really just being Mr. Polite so as not to hurt anyone's feelings. Mostly mine. I didn't go there though; I basked in the happiness that was everything good, square and bowlish.
That night when we went to bed he said to me,"I put my stuff in my new bowl. Things fit just right. I really like it."
"I'm so happy because I like it too. I really want you to feel like it's your bathroom too." He thanked me again and we soon were asleep.
Now when I pass the square bowl I smile. Because I wasn't always thinking about my husband. I usually was quite selfish and only thought of myself. It wasn't a fun marriage to be in. I knew when I finally asked God to help me be a better wife He would help me in alot of areas. Something as simple as remembering it was my husband's bathroom too and finding that square bowl was not a coincidence. It wasn't me either. It was God helping me in huge and small ways to work at being a better spouse. Sometimes the smallest thing can say, "I thought of you today" or just simply "I love you".
I've learned to never discount the little things God puts on my heart. Sometimes, they can be the biggest, most endearing things to the square, brown bowl lovers in our lives.
The time spent with my husband was great too. R & R and exploring the coast was fantastic!
Now we are home and it is back to the usual. I really did miss my fam! So, as I settle into the life as it is or may be, I noticed one of my favorite things about my husband's and my bathroom. It's just a simple bowl but it has a sentimental meaning to me.
When we decided to paint our bathroom we used the created mixture my husband threw together. It's sort of a goldish color. Kind of. Same color as our bedroom. I felt that browns, blacks and a nice warm red/burgundy would be good to accesorize our newly created area. I also felt it might be nice not to make it too girly since my husband uses it too.
I took my time and by and by added pieces here and there. In my attempt not to make it too effeminate, I found a very nice brown, square bowl. My husband needed something to put his change, cell phone, keys, etc. into at the end of the day. (The one he was using had violets on it.) This square bowl called to me I admit. It said "look at me...I'm masculine..." So, I bought it. I was very excited to place it in the bathroom by my husband's sink and surprise him.
When he arrived home I followed him upstairs. I showed him the bowl. I was even a little shy about it. Actually, I felt guilty about not "manning up" the bathroom before now. As I showed him the bowl and I admitted my guilt.
"This is your bathroom too and I bought a few new things. This bowl said manhood to me. I hope you like it."
Now, my husband is Mr. Phlegmatic. He gets excited but not overly. Unless it's a sporting event. I was expecting a simple thank you. But, instead, he looked at the bowl and said, "I really like it. It is manly. Where is the bowl with the flowers on it?"
"I put it on my desk as an extra container." Wow, I hoped he didn't miss it or something.
"Oh," he said. " I really like my new bowl. Cool designs in the middle of it."
Hmmm...he really seemed to like it. I was so happy. Besides being Mr. P. he is also Mr. Grateful and Mr. Complimentary. But sometimes when he gets like that I wonder if he's really just being Mr. Polite so as not to hurt anyone's feelings. Mostly mine. I didn't go there though; I basked in the happiness that was everything good, square and bowlish.
That night when we went to bed he said to me,"I put my stuff in my new bowl. Things fit just right. I really like it."
"I'm so happy because I like it too. I really want you to feel like it's your bathroom too." He thanked me again and we soon were asleep.
Now when I pass the square bowl I smile. Because I wasn't always thinking about my husband. I usually was quite selfish and only thought of myself. It wasn't a fun marriage to be in. I knew when I finally asked God to help me be a better wife He would help me in alot of areas. Something as simple as remembering it was my husband's bathroom too and finding that square bowl was not a coincidence. It wasn't me either. It was God helping me in huge and small ways to work at being a better spouse. Sometimes the smallest thing can say, "I thought of you today" or just simply "I love you".
I've learned to never discount the little things God puts on my heart. Sometimes, they can be the biggest, most endearing things to the square, brown bowl lovers in our lives.
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