Here it is, the first day of Hallelujah. It is more commonly known by parents and children alike as the first day of school. I am sure the kids have a different name for it as well. Back to alarms going off early and kids complaining in the morning about clothes, books, and breakfast. Hallelujah !
It has been a long and eventful summer around here. It began on the last day of school for Kyle. Ronnie, Tammy's ex, was here to pick up the kids for his month visitation during the summer. A day later they were all headed to Florida and the house got deathly quiet. It was a creepy feeling, but one that rapidly turned to silent jubilation. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. I love my kids. I love Tammy's kids. Still, there needs to be times when, for extended periods of time, adults can be alone. This was our time. One month of no children.
The month passed quickly, as they often do. Before we knew it, it was the fourth of July and time to go to Florida to pick up the kids. Tammy went while I worked 12 and 14 hours days here. The following month and a half of summer, the kids were here. Let me explain. They are not bad kids, they are not good kids, they are just kids. During the summer, they tend to stay up all night and sleep most of the day. They live a life without structure for that time. Any time, day or night, at least one of them is sleeping and at least one of them is awake. Then, add to this the coming and going of friends in varying numbers. It makes for some interesting evenings.
Two weeks ago the summer took a decidedly sad turn. Two friends of the kids were involved in a shooting. One shot the other, then shot himself, as far as anyone knows. David and Tommy were arguing when David shot Tommy, then turned the gun on himself. Tommy died the next day. While the kids knew both boys, they were much closer to Tommy. He was one of the adoptees. He was broken kid from an ignoring family. He latched on to us. Tammy took him in like she does all the other stray kids. Like most, he called her 'Moms'. His funeral was last week. The kids are still reeling from this.
The kids. Let me introduce ya to the kids.
Kyle is 8 and starting 3rd grade this morning. He was so excited to be back at school, he almost didn't wait for the car to stop before he was trying to get out the door.
Chelsea is 13 and starting 7th grade. She too is excited about going back to school. Perhaps not so much that she would jump from a moving car, but excited none the less.
Sierra is 15 and homeschooled. She has ADHD, ODD, and is bi-polar. Public schools around here are just not able to teach her. Year before last she attended Crawford Middle School. Their idea of handling her was to put her in the back of the classroom and ignore her. This did not work. Last year, we homeschooled her with great success. She excelled in learning. With Sierra, the keys are to keep her on task and limit her frustrations by taking the time to explain and teach her.
Then .. There is Chris. Chris is 18 and trying to get his GED. He can pass it all except for a part of the math. The trouble comes with estimation. He figures the answer quickly enough that he doesn't need to estimate. Then he tries to guess what the estimate should be by taking the number closest to his answer. That doesn't work. He begins his new job at Eureka's Pizza on Wednesday.
Back to the Hallelujah reason. In my humble opinion, kids require structure. They need patterns of events and behaviors. School provides that for them. The house being empty for afternoon sex is good as well. You know, we are still honeymooning.
I'll let ya know how their day went when I get the reports back.
It has been a long and eventful summer around here. It began on the last day of school for Kyle. Ronnie, Tammy's ex, was here to pick up the kids for his month visitation during the summer. A day later they were all headed to Florida and the house got deathly quiet. It was a creepy feeling, but one that rapidly turned to silent jubilation. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. I love my kids. I love Tammy's kids. Still, there needs to be times when, for extended periods of time, adults can be alone. This was our time. One month of no children.
The month passed quickly, as they often do. Before we knew it, it was the fourth of July and time to go to Florida to pick up the kids. Tammy went while I worked 12 and 14 hours days here. The following month and a half of summer, the kids were here. Let me explain. They are not bad kids, they are not good kids, they are just kids. During the summer, they tend to stay up all night and sleep most of the day. They live a life without structure for that time. Any time, day or night, at least one of them is sleeping and at least one of them is awake. Then, add to this the coming and going of friends in varying numbers. It makes for some interesting evenings.
Two weeks ago the summer took a decidedly sad turn. Two friends of the kids were involved in a shooting. One shot the other, then shot himself, as far as anyone knows. David and Tommy were arguing when David shot Tommy, then turned the gun on himself. Tommy died the next day. While the kids knew both boys, they were much closer to Tommy. He was one of the adoptees. He was broken kid from an ignoring family. He latched on to us. Tammy took him in like she does all the other stray kids. Like most, he called her 'Moms'. His funeral was last week. The kids are still reeling from this.
The kids. Let me introduce ya to the kids.
Kyle is 8 and starting 3rd grade this morning. He was so excited to be back at school, he almost didn't wait for the car to stop before he was trying to get out the door.
Chelsea is 13 and starting 7th grade. She too is excited about going back to school. Perhaps not so much that she would jump from a moving car, but excited none the less.
Sierra is 15 and homeschooled. She has ADHD, ODD, and is bi-polar. Public schools around here are just not able to teach her. Year before last she attended Crawford Middle School. Their idea of handling her was to put her in the back of the classroom and ignore her. This did not work. Last year, we homeschooled her with great success. She excelled in learning. With Sierra, the keys are to keep her on task and limit her frustrations by taking the time to explain and teach her.
Then .. There is Chris. Chris is 18 and trying to get his GED. He can pass it all except for a part of the math. The trouble comes with estimation. He figures the answer quickly enough that he doesn't need to estimate. Then he tries to guess what the estimate should be by taking the number closest to his answer. That doesn't work. He begins his new job at Eureka's Pizza on Wednesday.
Back to the Hallelujah reason. In my humble opinion, kids require structure. They need patterns of events and behaviors. School provides that for them. The house being empty for afternoon sex is good as well. You know, we are still honeymooning.
I'll let ya know how their day went when I get the reports back.
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