So, we've been here in Kansas for almost two
weeks...and it's a completely different world. I don't mean that in a bad
way...not at all.
Here's an update...So the girls started school on
Monday, and they are both so very happy.
Cassidy is happy every day. She misses her
friends, but not because she doesn't have new friends to hang with. She
was taking a couple classes for high school credit, and I'm really happy that
she gets to still take them. I drop her off at the high school for her
French class and her Geometry, then the school takes her back to middle school
where she takes the rest of her classes (including baking -- which makes her
super happy). IN FACT...she made us cinnamon rolls this morning!!
They were very good, and the kids all got a hot and delicious
breakfast. Tuesday nights the recreation center (WRC) has a "Teen
Club" where the kids can go and hang out together, play video games and
enjoy each other's company (all free)...and they can buy snacks at the snack
bar. They have the same sort of thing for students (2nd - 5th grade)
everyday but Wednesday. She wants to be in karate, and hip-hop and already has
a dress to wear to the winter semi-formal dance (for middle schoolers only).
She's also ready to attend Redline (dodgeball) night...and wants to be in
Peter Pan (community theatre).
Elizabeth started her schooling experience with the
first girl spotted her being disappointed that Lizzie wasn't in her
class...since she has reported boys winking (ugh), earning AR points, learning
to put her finger on her lips to hush those that talk to her and she’s earned a
candy every day but one so far (hence learning to respond to talkers with a
silent finger on her lips). She of
course sports her cutest outfit creations and insists on a new hairstyle each
day…but that is Lizzie. She has made a
dozen new friends and really is enjoying her time so far. She wants to be in dance (all dance), cheer,
girl scouts and ANYTHING that I can put her in.
We have a date with Santa on Saturday…for breakfast and a craft.
So I
took Austin to the doctor yesterday, and doc said the rash was NOT
chickenpox…and furthermore he feels the rash, presenting itself when it did,
was more about stress than anything else.
We will find out (after the cortisone does it’s trick and he settles in)
if the doctor is correct. His first day
of school was today, and he was over the moon to be there. In fact, if the rash was stress induced –
then school was a good medicine for him – he came home looking “significantly
better” than the morning. Today he was
barraged by boys and girls alike wanting to meet him. The entire 5th grade was a buzz
with the words, “Austin’s here? I want to meet Austin…I want to meet him!” A celebrity before he even showed up…he felt
great to be there. Basketball practice
was incredible too…a coach that seemed to want to teach him, and the way you
REALLY know is watching his son out
there giving my son tips and pointers.
For never really touching a basketball in his life, he did alright. He needs to learn the rules, and understand
the math behind the game, but he will do just fine once he gets that down. In his words, “This has been the best day
ever!” I’m so happy to see my children
so happy.
It’s
nice to be around so many nice people – it’s such a great slow down of
pace. A place where the doctor actually
WRITES a doctor’s excuse…and the attendant lets you know that you haven’t been
forgotten when you’ve waited for 20 minutes to see the doctor – I’ve waited for
an hour without seeing so much as a whisper in my direction. People waving at you as they drive by, having
a conversation with you in line at the grocery store, making eye-contact and
smiling, neighbors stopping their car to chat a while…it’s not a culture shock
really – because this is what I grew up with.
San Antonio is such a special unique place where it’s a huge big city –
but people are friendly – or at least they were when I grew up, and I’m pretty
sure not much has changed in that culture.
The only difference between San Antonio and Wellington (other than the
obvious size, population, and traffic) is the complete and utter lack of
friends.
I
know, it should happen in time…but for now, I feel so lonely. I can’t even fill out the emergency contact
portion of the kids’ school enrollment papers.
I think that’s when it hit me the hardest.
I
have no one.
It’s
really hard to start over, it took me 11 years to get a close friend in Florida
and I miss her so much it hurts just to type it. I was starting to get other friends too…I mean
really – starting to try and open up and get to know people. In San Antonio I really only have a handful of
friends, but they are mine – and I love them so much – and miss them like
crazy. I know people are nice here, and
eventually the friends will come…but I feel like I have to prove myself
again. I feel like wearing a sign that
says: “I’m a good person – really I am – just ask me a question. Care about me. I’m a really, REALLY talented teacher – I help
kids shine and LOVE learning – just give me a shot – I promise I’m worth it.”
I
know this is all lame…I feel like I’m one of the kids that just got pegged with
a dodgeball and I can hear myself yelling from the sidelines, “SHAKE IT OFF!!!
C’mon, you can do this – man up!! It’s
okay, you are FINE…just shake it off.”
I’m
not looking for sympathy – I know God’s got this – I know I’m going to come out
alright because His plan for me is far beyond what I understand, and my
plan for me has very little to do with what His plan for me entails…I
accepted that before we chose to come here, I guess I’m just venting. Call it electronic therapy session…this is me
laying on the couch and pouring out my wah-fest.
Aside
from all that – I am adjusting to the cold weather quite quickly…it was hot as
can be today – we got all the way up to 65 and I almost broke out the shorts,
but in retrospect, I knew it was going to be warm when I woke up and it was
already 40 out.
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