My crazy family

It was one of those weekends, in which I had to work Saturday (not typical) and Sunday (typical). Thankfully our family was able to connect at dinner Saturday night and I caught up on the events of the day.

There are so very many reasons why I love my husband. One of them is that he likes to grocery shop and assumes that responsibility most Saturdays. We usually sit down on Friday night or early Saturday morning, plan the menu for the week, and create our shopping list. We've been doing this for 8 years and it has saved us so much time and money. In an attempt to be the most efficient with our budget, he ends up going to 3 different grocery stores. Aleks has the routine down to a science and it usually takes about 2 hours to get it all done. Without kids, that is.

This weekend, Aleks had to take the girls with him, which everyone dreads. To give them an incentive, he usually promises them a Costco treat if they are helpful. And sometimes, it means making things interesting during travel time.

Ruby started the story.

In the car between grocery stores, Aleks told them they could cuss, just this once, and he wouldn't get mad.

Ruby's eyes lit up as she remembered the event: "Do you know what he said?! The F-U word!"

Then Aleks chimes in "so, Ruby, what did you say?"

"The F-U word" she says with a little grin on her face.

But apparently, they couldn't pressure Maia into cussing. She just wouldn't do it.

And at that moment, as we're finishing out last bites of chicken, she points an accusing finger around the table and says "YEAH, because I'm the only Christian here!"

Aleks and I just about died from laughter. I love being a part of this family.

Today Maia and I talked some more about that whole event. I didn't talk with her about the fact that "sin is sin" and cussing once in awhile is just as bad as not always demonstrating loving behavior towards her sister and maybe I should have gone there, but instead I chose to focus on the fact that I love her strong morals and that she needs to be careful that she doesn't judge other people who are different.

"Ruby and I aren't different," she told me, "I just have very strong opinions about saying bad words."

And those strong opinions are one of the very things I love most about her.

You might think her strong convictions and inclinations toward faith come from living in such a conservative, evangelical part of the country. However, Aleks and I certainly don't reinforce those cultural influences and the church we attend is one of the rare non-judge-y communities in this area. Instead, it's just who she is. I suppose it's built into her DNA. (And maybe, just maybe her mom might have been like that when she was younger. Maybe.)

Monday is my day off. It's a day for me to catch up on housework and paperwork and loose ends at work. It's a day that I don't have to put on makeup. The girls don't have school today, so we're using it as a time for us to reconnect as well. Lots of Lego playing and a trip to the trampoline park while I try to catch up best I can. Maybe we'll watch some Olympics later.

These days I'm particularly aware of how grown my children have become and how different our lives look compared to our first years here in Wichita. The wind still keeps us up at night and we still can't grocery shop at Trader Joe's, but things are comfortable and easy here in the middle.

A substituting adventure

I initially thought that on my days off (which happen to be during the week because my independently contracted life doesn't include a typical 9-5 job) I could help out by substituting in my kids' classrooms. I volunteer once a week already and the kids know me, so it would be a pretty easy transition for them and myself.

I casually looked into the process and forgot about it for awhile because there were like a thousand steps involved in applying. Then, sometime between Nov. and Dec., when I'm especially burned out and questioning my career choices, I looked into it again. And I emailed the district office with some questions. Which they answered and said "We have one of our mandatory meetings in two days. I know you're haven't finished applying, but if you came, we could at least cross that off our list."

And because I'm the type of person who must finish something with steadfast determination once it's started, completed the application process in a matter of hours.

A few days after the district meeting I received a call from the substitute coordinator who was looking for a long term music sub for an elementary teacher headed to maternity leave. My paperwork was 2 weeks into process at the state level and I hadn't officially been hired yet. Provided my fingerprints went through and the State of Kansas granted me an emergency sub license, I agreed to take the job.

My paperwork went through in record time and on Jan. 9 I found myself in the classroom, looking at a group of 4th graders with recorders in hand.

The past month has been surreal. All 3 of my degrees are in music performance and technically, I've had zero classroom training. However, I have been teaching privately for 17 years so while I was in new territory, it also felt like I've been teaching elementary music my whole life.

I had no idea if I would enjoy this job. It's so different from one on one work I do with high school and college kids. It all felt a little reckless.

As it turns out, it was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. Here are some things I learned:

1. All the teacher memes on the internet are true. Especially the ones about not having time to go to the bathroom. Of course everyone is all "be careful of your voice" and "be sure you're practicing vocal health" and I'm all "Yes! I'll drink lots of water as part of my vocal health regime!" and then I'm almost peeing my pants during 1st grade rhythm work because I haven't had time to visit the restroom.

2. Elementary school is where kids learn how to navigate the world, but at low stakes. I can't tell you how many times I told classes that one of the most important things they can learn, right now, is to keep your hands to yourself, don't touch things that don't belong to you, and only worry about yourself; make sure you are doing the right thing even when no one is looking. There were also a few conversations about empathy with the 5th graders. Maybe they all heard "wah-wah-wah" (sad trombone sound), but maybe those ideas stuck with one or two kiddos.

3. Technology is a huge part of the classroom these days. There are smart boards and flip grids and endless online resources. Honestly, this was the part of subbing that made me the most nervous. Thankfully most of the technology is pretty intuitive and the kids know how to use it just as well as the adults. And they LOVE helping. There was one day that my promethean board wasn't working and so I had to scramble to make new lessons plans, but it all worked out.

4. There is something refreshing about the intense, honest display of emotions from younger kids. So a student doesn't get a turn when they wanted and they start crying; the next time they are all smiles and eager to participate. Their emotions are intense and come and go quickly. It's a refreshing change from the sometimes complicated and angsty dealings with adolescents.

5. Teachers are angels here on earth. I've always known this, but working in the school system, on the front lines with amazing men and women who have a passion for kids and education, just solidified this belief. Seriously, these people who are instructing our kids are teaching them so much more than reading and writing and arithmetic. It's a hard, tiring job and I'm so grateful for you who chose to make it your life's work.

I'm very grateful for my time in the classroom. It has taught me about myself and the community in which I live. So many good things.

Now, it's time to focus on my other teaching and the upcoming release of my album; SHE. Never a dull moment!