New changes

Things are changing...again. My kids will be starting at the neighborhood public school on Monday. We attended the charter school open house last week and found out that not much that I had been promised about the school was true. There will be no ability-based groups for Math or Reading until 5th grade. They do not break into smaller groups for learning and they do not have ongoing assessments. At first it felt like another punch to the gut, another reminder of the great school we had to give up in Arizona. On the bright side, I just saved myself an hour and a half in the car, the kids will be able to go to school with their friends and we will be part of this neighborhood community here.

We went to this school's open house tonight. Everyone was very friendly. The school is plain but the teachers are excited and the staff is very helpful. We saw the curriculum for Myles and this year will pretty much be a review for him in Math, Reading and Writing. I am sick about this but will try to work with him at home. I don't want him to skip 1st grade because he is emotionally immature and I don't want him to miss out on the rest of the 1st grade curriculum, lots of hands-on learning. They will begin testing for next year's gifted program in a few weeks. I don't necessarily want him around "gifted" (read "elitist" here) kids but do want him challenged.

I am trying to be better about just going with the flow. This doesn't necessarily seem right but it doesn't seem wrong, either. My friend said I could either fight the tidal wave or try to get to higher ground. We definitely need to get on a schedule, the kids need social and intellectual stimulation and I need something to tie me here emotionally.

People keep asking me how I am "adjusting" here and honestly, it is harder than I thought it would be. It was so exciting to move to Arizona and to be expecting a new baby. Nothing excites me here. I feel pretty "blah" a lot of the time. I know I tend toward depression so I am fighting it with sleep, exercise and healthy diet. I am doing my best to be present with my kids; I find I check out a lot without meaning to. Sometimes life is harder in ways we never thought it would be.


Comments

Megan Dougherty said…
I hope that when Jay graduates (in four years, haha) we end up in Utah! Just reading your post today made me wish we were living down the road from you so we could just hang out! I missed seeing you this Summer and think you are amazing!
August 24, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Jen Lee said…
I hope you are happy with Altara. Shayden and Jackson are both really excited that they are going. Has anyone told you about all the kids walking together? I wish I was around more so we could do more things together~ moving to a new place and starting over stinks. I think you are doing a great job of putting yourself out there. You are awesome!
August 25, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My First Marathon

Image
The famous North Shore Waikiki Sunset Gorgeous Day at the Beach in Waikiki Many people have asked about the marathon and I cannot do it justice with just a summary. If you want to hear, "It was rough but went well" then feel free to skip the long narration that follows. Hawaii was amazing. I needed the break and truly appreciate the opportunity. I have said in previous posts that I know the Lord guided me to this path and despite the many challenges, I am grateful. The week before the marathon I did an 8 mile run which ended badly with excruciating pain in my left knee down to my ankle and foot. I limped home very worried and decided not to run until the marathon. I went to the chiropractor Wednesday night and she told me I needed to take three weeks off for my leg to recover. I reminded her the marathon was in 4 days. Her face went dead pan and simply said, "Do what you can then." I wanted to advise her to never become a motivational speaker but let it go. The nigh
Read more

Rough Day

Yesterday was a really rough day. Both of my boys get bronchiolitis when they get any kind of congestion; basically they wheeze and we use breathing treatments every four hours for a week until they get better. Their breathing isn't too labored, but they don't sound very good. Landon has been wheezing since Sunday so I took him in to the Dr. yesterday. The nurse practitioner checked his oxygen level and it was 99% so he was getting oxygen despite the wheezing. I assumed she would tell me to continue the breathing treatments at home every four hours for the next week. This is the same procedure with each boy every time either one gets a cold and it goes straight to his lungs. I was very surprised when she told me I needed to take Landon to the E.R. immediately. I asked a lot of questions, mainly, “Why am I taking him to the E.R.? Is it really that serious? What am I supposed to say when they ask why I am there? Are you sure I need to go to the E.R.” She told me that he needed t
Read more

Mother's Day

My day began and ended with me facing a sink full of dishes. Because it was a Sunday my kids were crazy and Scott had meetings. I was stressed about my new calling and sustaining as Ward Activities Chair. Why should today be any different, though? Motherhood rarely pauses and that is okay. Before I know it I'll have all the breaks I want and I'll miss my little crazies. Scott and I make sure to do a weekly date and that is a great break. When Myles is at preschool and Landon naps that is a rare break. When all the kids are in bed and I'm sitting with Scott watching and laughing at my favorite show, that is a much-needed break. I love my family and I loved today. I am learning to find joy in the simplest things. Tonight we had family wrestle and hearing my kids laugh and giggle was a reward. Having my kids sing to me in Sacrament meeting was the best present. Without the Lord I wouldn't have all these wonderful treasures and I am truly blessed. Sometimes I feel like I am
Read more