Mel’s Mundane Meanderings

Fall continues to fly by. My classes are going well, I’m still working a part-time job at the school and looking for other work, and the kids are enjoying their respective schools. I often feel like I’m in a day-in, day-out rut of laundry, dishes, homework and driving places (wash, rinse, repeat) … but I’ve been purposefully stopping more often lately to marvel at how much God has blessed us with.

Honestly, times look pretty bleak. We can’t make ends meet month in and month out, and my job search keeps coming up fruitless. But God keeps blessing us left and right, keeping us afloat. I know God has a plan for our family, and I’m not going to stop believing that. It’s hard not to get discouraged sometimes, though – but I always snap out of it by praying for peace and thinking of all the many good things we DO have.

The biggest blessing being our precious children (precious to US, anyway). They are at such a wonderful age. There are plenty of frustrations with sassing and sibling rivalry, but their wit and creativity keeps us smiling each day. I stop frequently and marvel at how much they’ve learned and grown. This past week, Gabriel sounded out and wrote down the word “Pokemon.” His teacher at school, as well as his speech therapist, say he is progressing well. He is in the category of “emergent reader” now – reading slowly and haltingly, still needing help – but giving it a really good effort! He’s actually ahead of Mikaela in this now (I thought she’d pick up reading quickly) – she too often tries to guess the word instead of sounding it out.

Also this week, Mikaela informed us that she wanted me to go to the grocery store and buy her some “Pink Lady” apples. All of a sudden, she knows all about apple varieties. They must’ve discussed them at school.

This fall here in central TX has been delightfully cool, and we’ve gotten plenty of much-needed rain for our parched region. My sinuses and lungs have already given me what-for, so hopefully I’ll be healthy the rest of the season. I often miss enjoying fall events because of bronchitis. Maybe the allergy meds are working this year. Or perhaps I’ve built up an immunity.

So, this weekend I think I’m taking the kids to a pumpkin patch. I’ve been wanting to go to one for … oh, ever since the kids were born?

Gabriel went to a semi-patch on a school field trip last year. It was actually more like a pile of pumpkins on a few crates outside of a church … not exactly a true pumpkin patch. And he was having trouble smiling that day, so my pictures aren’t the greatest.

Speaking of Gabriel, he likes his new school. The teacher seems truly concerned for him, but the jury’s still out on her in general. She seems very brusque and businesslike. I’d much prefer for my kids to have teachers with warm, friendly personalities … but if she turns out to be a great teacher, I guess I’ll get over it. I know I’m highly critical of my kids’ teachers … but they’re taking care of my precious children, can you blame me?

Mikaela is also doing well in kindergarten at her school. Her teacher says she’s doing just as well as the other students (and better than some), who are a year older than her. What stinks is that she’ll likely have to repeat kindergarten next year. It seems no other schools are keen on the idea of accepting a younger student early, and since the school she’s going to now is not accredited, in essence, this year doesn’t count. Bummer.

We’ll have the new elementary school built by next year, and it’s right down the street from us. I’m assuming, unless I have a fabulous, well-paying job by then, that the kids will both be there.

Speaking of jobs (don’t you love my segues?), I’m still on the hunt. It’s brutal out there. I’m trying to write really catchy cover letters, but I can’t ever seem to get past the 2nd interview. Ugh. Say a prayer for me about that if you think of it …