The Load I Carry

For many years, I have been the "pregnant" lady.  I had baby after baby and so heard a lot of the same questions and comments that one hears while pregnant over and over again.

"How are you?"  Wasn't meant to ask about my state of mind, just merely my state of being... my health, my pregnancy, the baby.

"How much longer do you have?"  It's not like I was dying!  And asking this completely increased the feeling that I was supremely pregnant-looking, the person asking really doesn't care (or they would have paid attention the first time), and yes, it does feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER!

I'm no longer the pregnant lady, but I may as well be... for the questions have not changed, only the meaning which they imply.  Now I am the "back-in-school Mom."

"How are you?"  Now actually means, "How's school?" if not asked directly to begin with.

"How much longer do you have?"  I know it feels like I've been in school forever, but I am crossing off one semester at a time and WILL eventually graduate.  Just don't ask me when!

Anger Management

Look at that sweet face.  Can you imagine him scowling, complaining, and yelling all day long?  Unfortunately this little guy has been extremely angry and difficult to live with lately.  (Is this a third grade stage?  Was I just writing this last year with a different little boy?)  At any rate, it's affecting his schoolwork, how he treats those around him, and is even turning into physical aggression.  If you want a challenging career that forces you to grow constantly, I propose becoming a parent.

{The Middle Place}

In happier news, Mr. Crabby pants has planned out his entire Christmas list of gifts for family members, and he's working on earning money like a mad man - that was written before I realized how pun-ny it is!  

One of the many ways to earn extra cash in our house is to practice piano for an extra half hour.  This extra half hour of practicing merits either a 15 minute screen time ticket OR a yellow ticket = 50 big cents.  Desperate, and hating almost every other means of earning money (i.e. jobs), this little cutie has been getting up a half hour early every morning (6:00am) and practicing an extra half hour on top of his regular practice of 20 minutes.  Knowing that he he is doing this to earn money to buy special gifts he has selected for his siblings is heartwarming.  The fact that he has chosen to spend his extra practicing time learning and playing Christmas carols is beyond delightful.  Makes me smile every day.  It makes waking up and preparing to deal with an angry boy just a little bit easier.