Just RK

We’re here. We’re swamped. (Well, I am, anyway)  But we’re ok.  By the end of February I think things should slow….. No, new office opening March 1.  Ok, by the end of March, then…  No, wait, boss is having a baby in April. Major shift.  Maybe by Memorial Day then?? It might be the three part-time jobs (the newest of which gave me over 32 hours last week, but should calm down in about 2-3 weeks), the volunteering at school, the two little girls who want lots of go-ing, the house that seems to magically multiply clutter, the church involvement, or the DS group coordinating. Who knows what the main culprit to the chaos is right now, but most are suffering, some more than others…    In the midst of it all, I love Christmas. And yet it also brings some of the most difficult realities to the forefront for me.  It’s not about money. Just about people.  Christmas is just not quite as I had hoped it would be at this stage in the game....

Over 20 years ago,  we began doing Christmas shows together. I now have to d o it every year. It is the real beginning of the season for me each year.  Can NOT miss it. The show is different each year, depending on who happens to be on town. Me and Mel are in our seats and ready. I got the tickets as a Christmas gift. It was for the 12 Gifts of Christmas Tour. That tour was cancelled yesterday afternoon. Day before the show. Out of nowhere. By the promoter. Just like that. But in a matter of a couple short hours, three of the artists, who happen to be my fave three, had been contacted by our radio station here that was hosting the event. And they were gracious and equally disappointed. The artists and JoyFM. Disappointed and stunned. So tonight was born. Steven Curtis Chapman, his wife and author Mary Beth Chapman, and singer songwriter Laura Story are here. Just of themselves and those they could get on a plane in 24 hours. Our tickets are being honored for entry, and th...

Today was my test run for a new job I'm technically starting on Monday.  (but I've been working for about 8 days from home and stops by the office.)  Got the girls up extra early,  everyone got dressed,  fed, and out the door with time to spare. Then did the school drop and got to the office to find locked doors due to crossed wires. No problem. I travel with my laptop and had all my account files with me that needed immediate attention. So I hit the nearby St.  Louis Bread Co and here I sit,  chai tea latte and WiFi. Ready-made office.

My girl turned six today. It's beyond weird,  and yet totally normal. Don't ask me how that works. She is so grown up and yet so young still in so many ways. She really wants to be a big girl. Sometimes. It's hard to summarize where this fits into the time line of life. It's six years. In this context,  that's alot. But in the big world scheme of things its just a breath. Hard to fathom what the next breath will hold. Lord,  give me patience and strength,  and wisdom to handle both appropriately.

When things jump out and smack me in the face, I remember that my life is not about me. It’s not about just what makes *me* happy or what *I* want or supposedly deserve.  It’s about my responsibility to this little girl. (And her sister, too, but the truth is that this little girl comprehends and absorbs more of the intangibles in life right now than sis does.)  Her long term benefit is of the utmost importance. What is best for her takes priority over what makes me feel better or what would be perceived as easier.  That’s what parenting is, if you ask me. Today, it’s a good thing she’s such a neat kid. And so darn cute. Makes tough choices just a tad easier.

Today I sat with Braska's teacher to chat about what's up. To touch base about how things are going. Braska is in a private school. Small class of 8 in a gen ed setting. There is some assistance for those who need it here or there but no special ed, per se. She does sometimes get help from a teacher who has time to lend an extra hand. She's been getting pulled out more frequently lately, according to her daily report sheet. I wondered what that was about,  as it was during reading and the phonics,  two of her strong areas. So today I asked. Her teacher simply stated that she was benefitting from the one on one to keep her challenged and on a good pace of progress. She said the other kids just weren't ready yet for the level Braska was at. Come again? That's right.  My daughter,  with Down syndrome, the only child with this type of disability in her school, is being pulled out of her academic Kindergarten class because she is reading at about a grade level above...