9-30-09 Dawn of a new day

So, I just took the kids to school this morning and it was a cool 68 degrees here in Tampa. We almost needed our sweaters. I love Fall. It is my favorite time of the year and my favorite month of the year, October, is only a day away. I thought this felt like a perfect day to start a blog. Not that I have so much interesting stuff to say but because I felt it would be a nice release from the mundane.

My topic is a new day.

Last week our 11 1/2 year old cockerspaniel, Rocky, had to be put down. This was very difficult for my husband and myself. Add on top of that I have to be strong for my three children. I had no idea how they would react. If they would hate me, cry for days, not understand, ask to go to heaven to see him, etc, etc. What surprised me the most is that my kids are more resiliant than me. They actually helped me stop the self-loathing by their love, their kindness and their strength. They already want a new puppy. I don't know if I'm ready- but it is a new day.

I am finishing my degree in professional writing at USF and have classes two days a week. I am taking five classes- which is just crazy! I have three kids and my own record sorting business and I have always liked to take a lot on. I had a little epiphany this morning. Life is not what sustains you but what fulfills you. I could be doing less but I want to be fulfilled. I love to learn and even though five classes is a lot, I picked a major that lets me enjoy my love of reading. I am reading things I have never read before- some I like some I don't. For instance, Shakespeare's "As You Like It" was okay but I really enjoyed "Henry V". That is probably opposite for a lot of people.

Back to the kids. I try to volunteer at their school but since I switched them from Colson Elementary to Yates Elementary I feel the classroom participation for parents (in the younger grades such as Kindergarten) just isn't there. I don't want to push myself into the classroom so I just have to deal with this. I am on the Student Advisory Council but they only meet once a month and to vote on things already decided so I really don't see the benefit of it. It is more of a formality. I am helping with some PTA stuff on Friday where I get to see kids from all the grades. I really enjoy their little personalities and think maybe when I'm finished with my degree next April I might substitute every once in awhile.

Baseball started back this week for the boys. I don't like the fact we are at the park 3-4 nights a week during the school year but it is managealbe since the boys are only in 3rd and 5th grade. I make sure their homework is completed before we go. However, next year when Gareth is in 6th and he gets out of school at 4, has double the homework, and then has to be at the park at 6:30 for baseball practice- well, we'll see how that works.

Just want to wrap up by saying anyone who took the time to read this- I appreciate you. I am a lucky mom of three awesome kids, have a hands on husband who is into the parenting thing as much as me and I have an awesome family all around.