Thursday, April 05, 2012

When you think you have it together....

Much has happened recently.  We have my niece Alexis living with us right now.  She has been struggling at home for some time and we are her second chance.  She came last week which was the beginning of our Spring Break.  She was probably the most eventful thing that happened during Spring Break because it rained and there was not much we could do.  We watched the Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked at the cheap theater.  The girls really liked it.  We shopped a little and we splurged going to see Mirror Mirror and we really liked it. 
This is week is when the challenge began.  I was worried I was not going to get her in Hannah's school.  It is complicated situation.  Alexis met with the principal.  He grilled her about what kind of trouble she had been in that brought her here.  I was impressed with how he approached it.  But his big problem was there was one spot and we do not live in the school boundaries.  I waited all day for his decision.  He came back and told me he couldn't take her because of that one spot but he said he was willing to take her with her troubled past though.  I was concerned about trying to take her to another school that is the opposite direction of where Hannah goes. I also don't have relationships with anyone there.  We found a loophole situation that could put her back at Valley View.  I called the principal and asked him if that was an option to use.  I didn't want to if her didn't want to go there. He didn't think we could.  So I was pretty discouraged trying to figure out how it would work.  But later that day I got a call from him.  He talked to the big guy above him and ran by what the situation was and got the OK for us to go to Hannah's school.  I couldn't have been happier. 
So she started on Tuesday.  It is a big adjustment from coming from a new state and went from a middle school to an elementary school.  Before the middle of the day had passed I got a call letting me know what all the excitement was.  The news was not good.  She had told the kids that was on probation and that she was older than she was  and just a bunch of other stuff.  Then I told her what I knew at the end of the day and that rattled her a little.  The fact that I am so well known by everyone there was another thing in my favor.  So our focus is on positive change.  And all things positive. 
The good news was she felt her first day went well.  She had a lot to talk about.  I knew all the kids she talked about.  She was excited to go back today.  I let her know I was coming to check on her to make sure she was making good choices and not spouting off unnecessary bits of information. So it was good to see she had made friends and was happy.  She rode the bus home with Hannah and day two was much better than day one. 
Then that is where I am reminded of something.  But I trying to figure out what I am being reminded of.  I get a call from Kelsea.  She has a flat at work.  I go to help her.  My air compressor stops working.  Wal-mart is not far.  I need a new one.  I notice Wal-mart has a tire place.  We pump up her tire and find out there is a huge gash in the side from her hitting a curb sometime ago and air is coming out fast.  So we get the car to Wal-mart and we wait an hour.  I had a great visit with Kelsea.  I come home to my ten year old hiding in the bathroom.  She is telling us that she was going to live in the bathroom from now on because her sisters are so mean.  So I have to patch that up.  I do make dinner but realize I needed some things from the store. I was just at Wal-mart FOR AN HOUR. So I went to the store again this evening.  I don't know.  I could get so frustrated (more so because I am so tired from driving kids at 6am and then the day went on and on.)  Or I can find humor in it. But I think right now I can just accept this is how it always is.  The spouse is gone, Kelsea's car will self-destruct.  The kids will be kids.  There are so many things to keep track of and there are many days when very little gets done.  Oh well......

Monday, April 02, 2012

Hannah's program

Hannah was Clamity Jane in the 4th grade program.  I am seriously proud of her.  She got a little accent going, used a lasso, and sang in a way I had never heard her sing before.  I loved that Kelsea went to see her at the dress rehearsal and was texting me because she was so proud of her little sister.  But I remember when Amber was in 4th grade she had a big lead part in that program and Kylee did too in the 4th grade so she is carrying on.  The other thing about this is Hannah was 2nd choice to play this part.  The other little girl had to perform for St patrick's day with her Irish dance group.  Everyone said how great she was.  I watched it a couple of weeks later and am still blown away.