Deciding to do Kindermusik part 2

While all of these feelings were swirling around, my neighbor and friend approached me and told me she was thinking about not teaching Kindermusik any more. She has taught for 13ish years and has been heavily involved in the training program for new teachers for the last few years - which has become a full time job. I talked with her last year as I considered teaching Kindermusik, but decided that there was no way I could get my own program going with her amazing one literally across the street. She said that one thing that kept her from retiring from the classroom is that she had no one to send her students to... 

(que heavenly music).

The rest has been like a dream... 

 

you know, one of those dreams where everything around you is moving quickly and you are stuck in slow motion - well sort of. The training can take up to 4 months, but I will finish mine this Thursday after 6 weeks - and this with a trip to Lake Tahoe, a short jaunt to Sacramento/San Francisco, a week in Park City, the boys moving out, Jenn and Mark starting school and texturing, painting and recarpeting the basement... 

(whew, deep breath, in and out, in and out). 

and you wonder why I haven't been blogging

While it has been a little (OK maybe more than a little) crazy around here, things are coming together, classes are filling up and teaching is

SO MUCH FUN!!!!

the moms and kids are so cute and it's just perfect for me. I am so excited about this new venture in my life. Now I just need to figure out how to cook for three.

and what to do with all this extra milk.

Deciding to do Kindermusik

Written a month ago

I remember when I was expecting baby #2. I knew the amazing amount of love I felt for Aaron and wondered if I could ever love another child as much as I loved him. I couldn't imagine it was possible and felt a little guilty. But when Amy was born my ability to love increased beyond what I had ever felt before. She was her own little person and I loved both of my children incredibly.

I remember being pregnant with Jennifer. It had been a very difficult pregnancy and as I sat in the rocking chair feeling her kick my hand, I knew she would be my last baby. I shed tears more than once at the realization that the time was quickly approaching that I would never feel a baby moving inside me again.

I find that I am apprehensive again as the next few weeks will bring about some major changes in my life. 

BUT, realizing that I worried about past changes

and also realizing I have loved my life since those changes took place

gives me faith and hope that the transitions that are coming will also bring great joy.

This fall we will have just one child at home. 

When did I get this old? 

Isn't it just old people that have all their children grown and gone? 

Now that I am done with school and my children are growing up and moving out what will I do? Cooking, cleaning, yard work - stuff like that of course - but I feel like I want more,
maybe need more. 

With both granddaughters living in different states I miss them. 

A lot. 

I feel like I have a lot of love to give,
some mothering and nurturing still to give,
I miss the sounds of little giggles and squeals of delight in my home...

but in reality, I only want it part time.

A prosperous time of life

Tuesday Rob moved out.

Tuesday I held my first Kindermusik practicum class. 

Wednesday Christian moved out.

Wednesday Jennifer started her sophomore year of high school.

Wednesday Mark attended the first day of "back to school" meetings.

Mark got back from a trip to New Jersey at about 10:45pm on Tuesday night. It was late and we enjoyed some time to get caught up. It was quite late when I got to sleep. Wednesday morning my alarm went off at 6:15..."Really,.... 6:15... I don't think I got up this early last year and it worked fine". I hit my snooze... just 5 more minutes. (I NEVER do that) Next thing I knew there was a knock at the door and Jenn whispered..." are we still having scripture study at 6:45?" I bolted out of bed, yes.... yes... of course..... be right down. I buzzed around in my nightgown packing her lunch. She sat down and ate while Mark began reading. Her ride came early but she was ready.

(wish I had some pictures, sorry)

I sat down and hoped this is not a sign of things to come.

Mark had a day full of meetings (so much fun!). I came home from aerobics to Christian all packed up and ready to move into Heritage Halls. He did let me shower, which I greatly appreciate. When we unloaded the last of his stuff it was lunch time. Robbie texted me to let me know his first day of classes went well. We decided to meet at Panda Express and have lunch. (Love the mushroom chicken)

"This is a prosperous time of life for you"

I'm not one to take fortunes that you get in cookies very seriously but when I read this in mine, I felt a great sense of peace and comfort. Silly I know, it could have easily applied to either of the boys and been just as fitting. But somehow it felt like it was just for me. I know "prosperous" is often viewed in terms of making money, but with so many changes in my life right now it felt more like being able to grow and embrace the changes and find success. A vote of confidence.

(fortunes found in cookies are subject to the consumer's own interpretation)

So I will end with a fortune for you:

"Live long and prosper"

I'll be doing some catching up too.

Did you know...

I will be teaching Kindermusik this fall!
I LOVE Kindermusik.
We are almost done fixing up the basement and
I have finished all my training except for my practicum.
If you're interested in trying a free class go here for more information.

(and no I'm not pregnant... I've seen a lot of those lately too)

One good woman

"...the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities." Julie B. Beck

Finding just the right quote to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Amy's birth was challenging but I think this one fits her quite well.

At 25 Amy has done most of the regular things most kids do:
attend school, take piano lessons, had a few pets, played that flute, taken gymnastics lessons (and competed too), cheer leading, high school color guard, graduated from college with a degree in teaching, taught kindergarten for one year.

Amy has done some extraordinary things too:
worked at an orphanage in Haiti, spent two semesters working at an orphanage in Romania, married an incredible young man in the temple, given birth to a beautiful daughter (and is expecting another baby).

While the last few things may seem ordinary Amy understands the influence one good woman can have and cares for her family in an extraordinary way.

It's hard to believe that 25 years ago I held my second baby in my arms and today Amy is a few months from doing the same thing.
(cue "Circle of life" music while I grab a tissue)
Sorry for the cheese but I can't help it.

I stand in awe as I watch her.
Amy, you are amazing.
I am so blessed to be your mom.
I hope your day is totally awesome!

I love you!

PS Amy also takes fabulous pictures, check out her giveaway here.

I promise that the next post will not be so gooey

22, 2-fortysomethings, 28 and 51

Wow, I've been AWOL for a while and while I have a few other posts in the works this one is most timely (and most are late, sorry)

July 16th
Greg! I don't even know if you read this ever but Happy Birthday!
You've always been one step ahead of me and I sure love you.
Hope your day was great.

July 21 - Happy Birthday Celisa
We are so glad you are part of our family.
You are an awesome mom and an amazing person.
Hope your Birthday was wonderful.July 29th
Lisa, Happy (late)Birthday!
When we were little we weren't that close,
(cause you were Mom's favorite and I was a bit jealous:)
But I really admire you and glad we are sisters.
Love you!
July 31st
Happy Anniversary to my best friend!
So glad I'm yours and you are mine.
So happy we get to be together forever.
I love you.

Today - August 7 - Mark's birthday
51 years old. Wow, can you believe you are 51?
Where has the time gone?(not to imply in anyway that there isn't still lots and lots of time left cause with the shape you're in I expect maybe next year you'll be half way to the top of the hill). Each birthday you have I secretly hope that in four years I will be as healthy and wonderful as you are and so far I've never made it, but maybe by the time I'm 51....?
Hope your day is wonderful and that you feel the love so many have for you!
I love you!
(did I mention that already?)