My body senses that it is time to get rolling when the alarm clock is set....
My eyes opened at exactly 6:49 this morning only ONE minute before that irritating beeping sound of the alarm clock had a chance to go off. I quickly turned it to the "off" position to avoid the awful reminder having the chance to hit my eardrums(I hate starting my day off with such a nerve grinding sound). My attempt was successful and I slowly rolled my stiff carcass out onto the floor kneeling next to the bed in weakness trying with all my might to muster up some sort of enthusiasm for my kids' sake....It's the first day returning to school.
My body, aching through my lower back and shoulders, head still spinning & a bit achy from the night before, knees stiff and eyes closed I meandered down the hallway wiping the sleep from my eyes praying that I will make it through the day.
Jake was my first victim....without turning on any lights, I gently rubbed the small of his back, feet and arms hoping not to irritate him too much--he was already depressed that school had crept up without a moments notice. He grumbled and then some more, I knew that was my cue to quickly escape before any harm could be done to me. So I left for victim number 2--Ashley.
I was coldly startled when I walked into her room, window wide open only to find her at the very bottom of her bed in the fetal position with only one small blanket to shield her from the frigid, damp Oregon night weather. Why she had opened her window, I'll never know. She was a bit easier to wake--she's been excited to go back to school since the middle of August. My tender rub on her side & cheek got her to sit up immediately and off to the shower she went--- no complaints.
Madison had already been in and out of the shower when I got up. She was dressed, doing her hair and checking herself out in her full sized bedroom mirror. "Do I look ok mom?" She asked in that pre-teen sarcastic sort of tone. "You look great Maddy, you always do!" I said smiling with flashbacks of those middle-school days of my own so long ago.
The miracle here.....we got out of the door on time! Not only on time, but with enough time to spare to snap these cute pictures of them. I lined them up in front of the garage for pictures(one by one) two of the three willing to smile, one not even wanting to pretend that HE was happy. The morning went smoothly as the first day of school usually does, for me anyway. It's a few months down the road when the routine isn't so exciting that waking up has to get earlier and earlier as they get bored with the idea and mundane routine of school.
As I dropped off the last of the kids, Amber & I drove home with much silence in the car only hearing the road pass beneath us. It gave me time to think, to pray and I did. My prayer was for them to learn, to be examples, to have fun, to be safe and to make many 'good' friends. I know that they are great kids and this shouldn't be a problem for any of them.
Have a good day at school kids! Mom & dad love you!
