I was telling a friend about how I always give something up for Lent. He mentioned that his son gave up sweets this year. I try to give up something and then try to make a behavioral change for the better. He doesn’t usually give up something for lent. As we further discussed this and how my kids and I discuss what each of us are going to give every year. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends for us on Easter Saturday, although I think it technically ends on Holy Thursday.
I explained that I love Diet Coke, that is my coffee. I could drink five a day of that sweet nectar. I know how bad it is for me, but I just can’t help it! So, he talks about his love/hate relationship with coffee. He hates to need it but love the caffeine, which is a lifeline. He decides to give up his coffee and I give up my Diet Coke. Over the past 30 days, we have been on the phone when I order a medium iced vanilla coffee from McDonalds. I try to mute the phone, but then I hear…” did you just order a coffee??” My only response is a giggle under my breathe. But let’s be real we have been on the phone when he has ordered a diet coke from McDonald’s… my response is “who orders a medium???” Honestly, I have tried to instill that you always get the LARGE, it is never a question! We have made it down to the last four days. I am ready to cave and he is holding strong, encouraging me to not give in! Thanks for going all in with me during Lent!
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It is spring break. That means rules are out the window! I don’t care how late the kids stay up, within reason, of course. I am usually up late with them. I like to sleep in. During a regular school week, I have a million alarms set on my phone to wake up. Everyone sets alarms now too, which is great!
I have an unwritten rule that I do not set alarms on the days where we don’t have to get up... No alarms should be set by anyone! I know I have started to share this unwritten rule with my oldest son. He and I get up about the same time on somedays. There are some Saturdays where he leaves his alarm on and I can hear it through both our closed doors. So, we had a talk about this earlier this school year. I think has forgotten to turn of the alarms that are set for just during the week. The alarm going off on a non-school day is one way to make this momma’s day start off on the wrong foot. Except today, it wasn’t his, it was my mom’s alarm on her phone that she left on the kitchen table. So, she was taught about the unwritten rule! NO ALARMS on days off please! Lucas gets so stressed by just even the thought of getting his blood drawn. Well, today was a day for him to get his blood drawn. The reason for the blood drawn today is to check his vitamin d level and for his levels for several food allergies. He seemed “ok” until we got there then his anxiety hit the roof!
Previously, it started with just scratch testing, but his allergies are so severe. The severity of his allergies caused his doctor to move to blood draws. A few years ago, the frequency of the bloodwork increased as he started to do food challenges. They have been annually for the past 3-4 years. The bloodwork tells us if he is ready to attempt a new food challenge and if the severe ones are worse or the same. It is all very stressful. It is so hard to know the balance to continue attempting food challenges or just letting it be. He will always have to be diligent with carrying his EpiPen’s, forever. He doesn’t understand that with each food allergen that he conquers creates a safer world for him. But his tears are just so painful for me in the moment. He was brave, he did it! There were some tears, but he pulled it to gether. He was brave! We will have deeper discussions as we continue to move forward with the next food challenge. Lucas is a brave kid whether he decides to continue with more food challenges. They are not fun and the process until you are deemed no longer allergic to something takes years. I couldn’t be prouder of his bravery through the years! Earlier this week, I was trying to think of places to go to dinner this weekend. There are a lot of great restaurants by where I live. I haven’t been to many of them in the downtown area. I happen to mention that there are pubs and one place that has some Cajun food.
I should preface, I am a finicky eater. I would probably say that I am more like a vegetarian with my limited intake of some chicken or beef. I don’t eat seafood at all, I have no interest to eat something that looks gross. I don’t like to be adventurous and try new foods. I stick to what I know and kind of like. The restaurant choice for tonight was selected, is the Cajun place. I must be honest; I am a little nervous to see that is on the menu. I picture gumbo, frog legs and something with alligator and spicy! I am thinking I need to go safe and get a salad, that is more my speed. That will be the safest bet for me!! I am not sure I can handle trying frog legs, I may have to muster up some inner courage to try the frog legs! A few weeks ago, I got the text. Friday night poetry reading on March 26, so keep it open! I have been so excited for this poetry reading. “Poetry Reading” is code for teachers going out for drinks after work and time for us adults to catch up with each other outside of the workday.
However, this year is different, I was moved to a different school. I am now a “Huskie” instead of an “Eagle.” I love that I still received an invite! It has been a different year for everyone, but it was still nice to be considered part of the group. We have always told the kids, that once “An Eagle, always an Eagle,” I guess that applies to me too! I enjoyed seeing all my old friends, I don’t think I realized how much I missed them until they were by my side every day. I look forward to the next poetry reading!! My alarm goes off at 5:15, then I snooze
I repeatedly hit snooze Now it is 6:20 I think I have a few minutes before I shower OH CRAP - it is an in person learning day We have to leave by 6:45, the latest Wake up Ryan, we have to get moving Hurry, hurry, hurry Rushing, Rushing 6:45 I wait in the car 6:50 Ryan gets in the car Not too bad Dropped off at school by 7:01 I hate being late Somedays you must look hard to find the little moments of kindness. Today was not one of those days, there were many moments which filled my day with happiness.
Someone opening the door when your hands are full, and you don’t have your badge Receiving compliments for leading a meeting well Coffee that was made wrong for someone else but given to you A parent thanking you for welcoming their child into our school Someone taking the time to bring you a homemade lunch A colleague willing to help you out when you need it and without question A friend at work just saying hi, just because it has been too many days since we said hi Catching up with the friend and sharing laughs together Your son finally sharing smiles with you again A parent emailing your boss about how you support and care for their child Homemade donuts Puppy snuggles before bed Looking forward to more days where I don’t have to look very hard to find the little moments of kindness. I have a long wall in my family room/dinning room. It is at the front of the house and is visible right when you walk in. I looked on Pinterest for days on end trying to find the “just right” gallery wall example. That took what seemed like forever. I drew it out on paper, then I cut out the paper and put it on my walls. I need the visual to make sure it will look centered on the wall and spaced out. Once that was done, I spent weeks looking through old photos. When I found adorable pictures or videos, I would send them to my sister. Sometimes, I would have happy tears and then tears of laughter! We enjoyed looking at them so much! Finally, I was ready to order. I tried to be meticulous. It isn’t cheap and ordering the wrong size or direction will through it all off… ugh the stress of it all. Now that it has been WEEKS since I have them in hand…Of course there are two that need to be changed, do you see them?? I’d say it is time to get them on the wall. (insert eye roll)
I am good in a crisis; it is one of my strengths. If a curve ball is thrown at me during the school day, it is never an issue. I am a school social worker; crisis intervention is #2 on my job duty list. I have seen just about every kind of crisis:
This is the short list. There are so many different types of crisis that I have encountered over the year. I try hard to separate myself emotionally. I am not sure if I can articulate it well. However, I need to emotionally separate myself sometimes. I need to keep a clear head so that I can think can be present for the child and the family. I need to help make good decisions, remain calm and help reduce their worries and anxieties. However, 18 years in I was presented a new crisis. This one hit me hard, it was tough – I cried. I couldn’t help it. I will take this moment today and put my SW (social work) hat back on tomorrow to be there for the family. Sometimes it is hard to be the one who is there all the time for everyone else. Today, I am grateful for my colleague today. She reminded me it is ok for me to be sad; I am human. Today was a day trip. I am not sure when the last time was that I took a day trip anywhere.
Today’s pick was New Buffalo Michigan. It is a short drive, just long enough to go for a few hours. This trip was a little more meaningful to me. I spent so much of my childhood at my grandmother’s house and at the beach in New Buffalo. It was so nice to be able to share to explore the places that were so meaningful to me. These places and my family who lived in New Buffalo helped shape me. My grandparents continue to be strong influences in my life. I love seeing how things have changed, but also miss the simplicity of what it was before all of condos and additions were made along the beachfront. The past few times, I have been there, were for my grandmother’s funeral and then her sister’s. This was so meaningful to just go and reminisce about the beautiful parts of childhood. I am so grateful to be able to share that part of me with someone who wanted to know more. I look forward to more day trips. |
AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
March 2022
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