September 2, 2009

So, our kids don't start school for another week. Everyone else around here starts today. I hope we don't go longer. Very irritating. The kids are itchy to get going. Especially Maggie. Well, she says she just wants to find out who her teacher is. I don't think she really wants to go back to school.

We've had a really good summer. Little trips. Nothing big. But, the kids were able to relax and just enjoy being a kid. Lots of playing. Our house is full almost DAILY with loud boys. I never thought that would happen, so I'm so grateful. It's loud and obnoxious and some of the boys just irritate me to death, but I can't believe they come in droves to hang out with Isaak. They play hide-and-seek (weird for 12-year-olds, but they love it) and Bakugan (little toy thingies), but mostly they play Halo together. Very "normal" tween thing to do. They seem to accept him for his little oddities, and he seems to fit right in with them. In fact, as the summer as progressed, I've seen more kids coming, and more and more of them are more "normal" than the first ones. I think he's fitting in more. I hope this is a good year for him! We were given the option this year to send him to a self-contained "gifted" classroom at a different school, and we decided to let him stay where he is. I think we made the right decision. He'll still be taking AP Calculus and pre-AP Chemistry at the high school, and I think that will be sufficient for him. In fact, I think he'll even get his first college credit for his AP Calculus class.

So, last night we went out to dinner (found a Fudrucker's in Portland; Isaak was thrilled) and discussed the upcoming year and their "responsibilities." Then, we came home and Dave gave the kids Father's Blessings to start out the year. They were really nice. Some interesting things: In Maggie's, he talked a lot about her strong spirit and personality. I think he used the word "stubborn" about 20 times. He said that being stubborn can be a great thing, and that it will do her well when she needs to stand up for what is right. The most interesting thing in her blessing was that he said that if she could know some of the things she has already been through before this life, that it would frighten her, that she was a valiant spirit who fought and did wonderful things before even coming to this life, and that she was reserved to come until this perilous time because of her strong spirit. He also said that her spirit was very much like my spirit. I like that.

Isaak's was also amazing. He talked how proud we are and how this is the first year we have not spent hours and hours worrying about the school year. Most interesting in his was that he said that Isaak knew and volunteered to come here, knowing the challenges he would be given. He said that Isaak was allowed to bring with him some of the "brain power" (not the words he used; he was much more eloquent) that most of us have to leave behind *because* of the challenges he would face, and that those talents have helped him and will continue to help him. He also warned him that he's going to start hearing things and being around more people who may not always make good choices, and that he should stay near the Spirit and strong so that he can stay centered.

Dave also gave me one. What sticks out in my head about that was that I was comforted that the time I have to take away from the family with my work will have no negative impact on the family. I have not talked about worrying about that, but I do. It was very comforting to hear that I was doing what I should be, that, in fact, I am gaining more wisdom as a parent, myself, through my work with other families. He also told me how much he loved and admired me and that he was grateful to have me in his life. Nice to hear (understatement), but also good for the kids to hear.

I have a good man in my life.