Giving-Taking

We've been able to breathe a bit this week.  It might be because I made the decision Friday night that I'm moving with the girls over the Christmas holidays.  It was made with a heavy heart...but as soon as I made it...I was relieved. 

When I think back on the last 3 1/2 years I'm overwhelmed with how much has happened and I feel happy and content and lucky.  It also seems like Adam has been at work this whole time.  He's been busting his tail to provide for this family and to do a good job, to the best of his ability, for a great purpose.  We believe in what he does.  Adam plays small...but he's built some incredible buildings at Fort Benning, for our troops, for our country and our freedom, that will provide for 1,000's and be around for decades.  The other wives know...we sometimes feel like construction widows...but we're proud, of them and of ourselves and of our families.   

Adam, especially, has worked himself nearly to death the past 15 months.  And we've only had three vacations.  That might sound snotty, but our vacations are times to re-connect and bond...there hasn't been the time this year.  We don't usually get Adam for the whole weekend, and we don't see him until "after" dinner, he's gone before we wake up, when he's home, he tries, but he's stressed.  We've finally almost made it to the end of this monster challenge...now he's being transferrred.  But...the job he's going to...should be better and more fully staffed...so if Adam's going to have an "easier" year, a year where he's getting home for dinner...we don't want to miss an evening of it.  So...on we go...

Last time I wrote, I was half-in/half-out of my mind with worry...it's kind of the culmination of all of it - but what I was choosing to focus on was Charlotte's speech.  Last week I headed up to metro Atlanta to check out a public elementary school and a Montessori school.  On my way, I talked to a bestie, whom I tend to treat as an expert on most things, and she told me some key points to focus on with the counselor and speech parthologist. 

I really liked the school, liked the counselor, liked the speech pathologist - and they re-affirmed what my friend said.  Speech will be provided for Charlotte three times a week (as her current IEP (Individualized Education Plan) calls for), they'll also put her in a class with a teacher that's more highly suited to children with speech "issues".  Really...it feels pretty awesome to have an IEP.  All of her needs will be provided for and if I don't like              , I just call a meeting with the teacher/counselor/psychologist/speech pathologist.   Yay 'No Child Left Behind'.

I cancelled with the Montessori school.  I knew I would LOVE IT, but I already liked the public elementary school, felt good and it doesn't cost two times my mortgage.  Plus, all of my teaching friends and family have pretty much "x'ed" the child-led learning, free-reign approach to education...and I trust them. 

It feels good and I feel optimistic. 

Charlotte got a parakeet.  Her name is Belle.  Actually, her name is "Charlotte Ruba Belle Cinderella Wilson".  She's a sweet bird, or maybe just terrified, she tolerates a lot.  Big sis decided on Friday, because we'd had her almost a week, that it was time for her to come out of her cage.  Belle was being too slow about climbing onto Char's finger so she reached into Belle's cage and pulled her out by her tail. Tail feathers fluttered down.  I was outside playing with Ruby.  The backdoor wasn't shut all the way.  I climbed down the "rock wall" and walked inside to check on things.  Walked in and Belle is waddling around on the kitchen rug, Charlotte giggling, squealing and right behind her. <BOOM> flashback to Hanama, bird from hell, I'm barefoot, so immediatly turn to run back out the door.  Then I remember, Belle is just a little parakeet and she won't go after my toes.  Grow up mom.  Go back inside and help get the bird in her cage, and for the love of God, don't let the dog in. 

I had a parakeet when I was a little girl.  I loved her. Her name was Scarlett (ummm...) She got on my finger and her cage was by the kitchen table.  One night she fell off her perch.  Dead.  Then, 1 year later, I was chased and harassed and terrorized by a "hand-raised" BLUE JAY that somehow escaped back into the wild? (WTH) but was lost and found me and my mom.  And he wouldn't get away from me!!!  I've been terrified, then nervous, now apprehensive around birds ever since...well, that and, again, the parrot from hell that was like my mom's little conscience or something...always on her shoulder...squawking

I thought I had matured past all of that until Belle was on the floor.  Running from Charlotte.  I'm telling Charlotte, calmly (yay) to go get the bird.  Bird ends up under the laundry sorter, then behind the washing machine.  Calmness is gone.  I'm screaming and jumping around now because I'm pretty sure she is going to get electrocuted and that will totally ruin Friday night.  Deep breath.  Pull out the washing machine.  Talk nicely.  Slowly move your hand down and nudge her belly...

NOPE!  Can't do it!  $h!t.  Okay, tell Charly to do it.  She does.  Belle bites the (speaking of $h!t) out of her and she starts screaming and I start screaming.  Well, now I'm really not picking up the bird.  Okay - shake her off Char.  Good.  No blood.  Not even an indention.  Okay.  Net!  My parents had a net!  Or was that for the fish aquarium?  Okay.  Whatever.  Shoo'ed her out with the net then put the laundry basket down on her.  Called Adam. 

Ruby came in.

'Hello Bird!' and 'I wanna hold dey!'  Finally, 'tickle, tickle, tickle!  Ha!  that's funny mom!'

Adam's home!  Saves the day, everybody's hero.  He even screamed when the bird bit him, you know, just to let Charly know that even superhero's scream. 

Speaking of which, "Super Sisters!" have invaded the Wilson household for Halloween. 

Charlotte wanted to be a frog for Halloween, I talked her out of it, I know ya'll think I'm mean, but all the other girls in the class, aside from her bestie who was 'Soul Surfer', were princess-y - VERY.  Charlotte wants to be the frog?  Which would have meant Ruby was a frog because the only way she was putting on a costume that would be decidedly "TOO TIGHT" was if Charlotte did it first and showed her it was fun.  Their towels double as super-hero capes every time they get out of the bath.  Decision made. 

And they were cute!  And they felt powerful and strong.  Their class Halloween parties were today which always gets me in the mood for Halloween.  We'll be home for the holiday...bring on the Lakebottom trick or treaters!