Six Hats

Not only are people (who shall remain nameless) beginning to leave comments chastising me and my absence from the blogging world (JEN), but word on street is that my most adorable father needs something to read...  (I would like to mention that if he lived out here near us - where it is MUCH cheaper to live and there is FAR less traffic - we would keep him so busy that he wouldn't have time to miss blog posts.)  However, that is never going to happen if my mother has anything to say about it.  For some strange reason, he seems to respect her wishes on the subject...even when those wishes are WRONG.  I first began this blog so that they could keep an eye on us, so I guess I need to honor my commitment.

It is hard to find the time to get to posting  because I seem to be wearing many hats these days.  Here are some of them:

Hat #1.    Mommy (Or, as Grant would say it, moOOOm.  This is said with the same inflection as a teenager who is annoyed with their mother.)  These days, I'm still chasing Grant around.  Grabbing him off of tables and running through the house to make sure the bathroom door has been shut when things get too quite.  He's a big hitter so breaking up fights is a big part of my day.   He has a HUGE temper that you really need to see to believe.  He has also abandoned sleeping through the night, so that lasted a long 2-3 months. He is, however, very cute and gives the warmest cuddles around.  Calm and mild Luke has decided to assert his independence.   He is working on getting his master's in attitude when he doesn't get his way.  He is also flunking potty training.  Jackson is busy at school and likes to be alone to unwind after school.  We spend time doing homework. (This is difficult when a certain one year old climbs onto the table over and over again trying to take away his brother's papers.)  Jackson has been doing really well on his math and spelling tests this year.  (I wonder how smart he could be without the constant interruptions of his brothers.)   In my other "spare" moments, I am either cleaning up after these guys or turning around to gag because the place still seems filthy after hours of cleaning.  I noticed today that there are splatters of a red substance on the ceiling...no, it's not blood...it might be applesauce, though...  How the hizzy did it get on the ceiling?

Hat #2.  Librarian - I'm learning all about the inner workings of the elementary school library, right down to the computer system.  I'm also learning not to listen to the substitute when she tells you to shut down the computer system and restart it...she won't know the password to get back in and one may have to spend their afternoon writing (by hand) library codes, book titles and children's names.

Hat #3.  Coach - Somehow I ended up being the coach to Jackson's Lego Club.  I still cannot comprehend how this happened.  This is not something I ever saw myself doing.  It's all about Legos and robotics and biomedical engineering.  So, I'm just perfect for the job...ha...ha...HA.  It is also about restraining oneself from pulling out ones hair.  Six seven year old boys who are not used to being in the school at night without teachers can be wild (to put it mildly).

Hat #4.  Church Volunteer - I've been lucky enough to be asked to help with the children at our church.  There are about 70 children.  Some do not participate as much as others, however the vast majority are in attendance most of the time.  I spend lots of time is spent planning lessons, making fliers and attending planning and leadership meetings.  At the end of August, four of us planned and organized a three day camp for the kids.  It was a huge undertaking.  I've also been very involved interviewing the children and using their words to write the annual children's presentation at church.  Now we are onto the phase of organizing the children and practicing for the program that will be held this Sunday, thank goodness.

Hat #5.  Landlord - This is the hat that I hate.  I wouldn't hate this hat so much if I were closer to the house so that I could handle things myself instead of asking my poor father to do them.  (Or paying someone who won't eve call me back to do them.)  I hate how much money our house has cost us in the summer while being empty and while fixing some items to get it ready to sell this spring...oh, do I hope it sells...

Hat #6.  Chief Financial Officer - I might hate this one just as much as hat number 5.  (On second thought,  if hat number 5 didn't exist, this job would be a lot easier.)  There is too much juggling going around in this arena for any one's good.



And so these are a few of the things I spend my time on.  I'm sure there are more hats to report on but I can't remember them because I'm pretty certain that I have Motherhood Induced Attention Deficit Disorder or Early-onset Alzheimer's.

I'll do better with the posts and try to catch up soon.   Feel free to continue your gentle nudges if I take my writing hat off for too long again...