Back to school!

Monday August 17th. Just an ordinary average Monday? Nooooo....for it is alas, what so many children dread...the first day of school in Sioux Falls. Now for so many, they are very excited to see each other, rekindle old friendships and make new ones, and some kids just love breaking in new school supplies, shoes and new clothes. Then, there are the others...the ones who are NOT excited to get out of bed, who are NOT impressed by your early morning singing and glee, and after 4.2 minutes back in school, have already said hello to everyone they care to and are ready to be done with the day. The biggest questions seem to be, when is our first recess and what time is lunch...followed by what are we having...then, the moans and groans can be heard. Yes folks...back to school.

I walked Chris into his new school today, after fighting for parking, having to trip over the multitude of camera crews (which takes away the normalcy for the kids by the way), and got him all settled. In the first few minutes he informed me that he didn't want to wear the name tag the teacher wanted them to wear, because he already knows his own name. (logical to him!) From there, it just got better. "Mom, seriously...it is way to early to be working on an assignment". I told him it was a simple crossword puzzle. He was not impressed, enthused, or eager. Ah yes...another fun filled school year is in front of us.

Jenna was bummed she didn't get to start yet, but then when she got home, she become excited when she realized she got to have art and recess all day long! Good times, good times.

We are just glad the kids seemed to sleep fairly well. Better than some nights anyhow.

My in-laws were here for the weekend to celebrate my husbands birthday that is this week. In the middle of the night Friday, my father in law came upstairs to get us. He said something was wrong with mom, and he couldn't wake her. Scott and I came running down and were not able to wake her either. She was breathing, but with difficulty. We ended up having to call 911. Just before 4 am, the firetruck came first, sirens blazing down our block...the the police, TWO of them, and then the ambulance. Long story short, they took her, gave her some meds, and two days later she is out of the hospital and doing well after a very severe reaction to a new medicine her doctor put her on. So, from this we are once again reminded to educate ourselves, and be aware, VERY aware of all meds you are taking, what they do, what the side effects are, and when you need to worry. Had we not called the paramedics, she might not be here today.

Though the first day of school may not feel so joyful, find ways to be joyful today...because you woke up, you are alive, and that is the first (and most important) step of the day.

Joyfully yours,
Julie