It's Been a Looooonnnggg Time!

Seems here lately I haven't really had anything blog worthy so have had a little writer's block. Not sure I have anything today but have lots on my mind, so here it goes.

School year started off with a bang! Garrett is a senior so the emotional rollacoaster has started. One day I want him out and gone as far as he can drive, the next I want him to sit in my lap and never leave. Tears seem to fall more frequently at all the little reminders that he will soon be on his own and no longer "my little boy". :( Guthri, is in 4th grade and growing so fast. She has become so confident and independent that it almost makes me sad. I am happy she is discovering who she is and is proud of the person she is. But, I see her in my mind in a cap and gown way too quickly, too! I moved to 2nd grade this year and was way excited about the move. I will admit it has been tough. Learning something new is time consuming, emotional, and flat out hard. Guess it gives me an insight to what my students go through every day. I find myself working more and more hours, stressing more, more confused, more frustrated. I know it will all work out and I am loving my team but just need things to smooth out quickly. But of course, I teach school in Texas so not sure it will ever smooth out!Lonnie is without a co-worker so it all falls on his shoulders. He is running ragged and needs our family's help more than ever. It takes us all to get it done. I can't think of the last day we did not have one obligation or another. Just tired and need a break for us all.

Garrett began working at Wal-Mart in June. He really does not enjoy it but he knows he has to have a job. (Sorry, we're poor!) It's hard that we don't get to have supper as a family most nights. Found out yesterday he has to work Thanksgiving Day and the day after. Boooo! Not sure what the thinking is that a teenager needs to work Thanksgiving Day. Of course we have no family here so if they can't come here we won't see them. It will be the first Thanksgiving ever that I have not been with my parents. I know it is necessary and as a parent I have to support my son and encourage him to be a good employee but part of me wants him to quit. Not reality so just have to deal with it. Not easy but we will. Part of life's changes.

Guthri went to the 4-H District Food Show yesterday. She didn't place and it tore her heart out. But, what she doesn't realize is how far she has come. Just a 7 months ago we couldn't get her to open her mouth in front of people. Yesterday, she interviewed (with a quite a few nerves) and told them all she knew. She opened her mouth and tried. I am very proud of her. Wow!!! It just blows me away sometimes on the person she is becoming: absolute sweet, kind, tenderhearted, strong-willed girl. She gets her determination from her daddy and I thank God for them both daily!

This is completely changing course and this has NOTHING to do with my job:

Not sure where parents have allowed kids to be so outspoken and disrespectful but I hope our society wakes up very soon to understand that we are losing our kids quickly. The last few months I have witnessed kids say and do things that I just can't believe. Where did they get the idea that they had the right to say those things or do those things? The biggest kicker is the parents playing stupid or defending them. Really? You know, Garrett has been put down, ridiculed, made fun of for his behavior at times and we have worked like crazy to help him be a better person. Yet, these kids do what they do and everyone just says "Well, you know how they are. Their parents let them get by with it." Uuuummmmm..........no! So, from now on, I have no respect for those parents or those kids. I'm done!

Well, you can see it has been a while and my mind is going in a thousand different directions. My Senior English teacher would not be proud! Ha!