So today caps off the ultimate week of snow/ice storms, canceled school, lost doggies, stomach flu, and cleaning up vomit, cleaning up vomit, cleaning up dog poo, and cleaning up vomit. It's no wonder that everyone overslept this morning, so I dropped off my kiddies instead of making them rush for the bus, while helping Lydia study some last minute spelling words for the spelling bee today. Then I rushed to the gym for a hurried workout, ran home to shower and dress, then rushed over to the school for the spelling bee. Second round, Lydia was out on the word "tongue" (she spelled it "toungue"), and she was pretty devastated. We studied together, but she really did put some pressure on herself to perform. More than I had expected, considering her laid-back personality. I watched her sit among the audience, sobbing quietly, and my heart just broke for her. After it was all over, I could only do so much to console her. My mommy's heart has a hard time with moments like this. One side of me thought the words the other kids got were all much easier... what bad luck to get "tongue". Then the other side of me wanted her to bounce back, congratulate the winner, take her lumps, and realize that 10 other kids were in her shoes as well. All I could do was hug her and tell her I was as proud of her as I could possibly be, that it wouldn't matter if she won or went out on the first word. Here she is with the other kids who competed. Her friend Fareth was the winner, and won on the word "constitutional". Lydia is in the turquoise, 2nd from the left on the front, and Fareth is 2nd from the right, with the headband.
Today I head out of town for Fort Smith, AR, where I play with the Fort Smith Symphony. It's my very favorite music gig I've ever had. It's also my guaranteed "me" time, cause I leave for the weekend, my kids go stay with Nana and Papa, and I just enjoy being a musician, I get to hang out with friends, stay out late, sleep in, and do what I love... and get paid.
In the meantime, the rest of my day includes cleaning house, packing, getting ready for the delivery of my NEW high-efficiency washer and dryer (Christmas present from my mom and dad, it's finally HERE!), looking over my music one last time, running to the bank, gassing up my car, and whatever else I can squeeze in. There's always more to do than there is time to do it, but it somehow all gets done if it's really important. Hence the reason I feel my life is Organized Chaos. My schedule runs like a clock, but there's always something random occurring (see the 2nd paragraph above). I wouldn't have it any other way. It suits me.
Lydia is so beautiful! She looks like a little Hermione Grainger. I may have spelled that wrong. I didn't win my spelling bee either, even though I was a really good speller. I got out on something like daffodil; I don't remember what word it was. I love your kids; I miss all of you. We'll see you in May!
ReplyDeleteShe was beautiful, even with red eyes. She has become such an elegant little young lady. She reminds me a lot of you, Jen.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I miss her and all of your kids. I talked to them for a few minutes on Mama's birthday, and I got to ask Lydia about the spelling bee. I told her that I had had similar experiences, and I always felt terrible at the time. But Mama asked me if it has scarred me for life, to which I answered "no." I am sure there was some small lesson being taught. Love you! - Jenny
ReplyDeleteThere are no small lessons. Just small parts of big ones. Blogging has made me way too philosophical. Love you, Jen!
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