Walk On

I have embraced the fact that all my kids are in school. In fact I'm past embracing and am now down right enjoying it. Every morning, after sending the kids off on the bus, I take a moment to drink my coffee and then I go out for a walk. These walks have really helped me. I'm not walking as part of some exercise regimen to lose weight, but simply because it makes me feel good. I plug my iPod in, listen to whatever song happens to come on and I'm off. I come back feeling pumped and ready for the rest of the day.

It is so strange because at first I was walking just because I had made a promise to myself that I would. I made myself go. I would pray for rainy windy days that would make it easier to say no, let myself off the hook and stay home. But it's become a habit now. I find myself looking forward to it, enjoying it. On the days that I don't go for some reason, like when I have to go to town or the kids are home sick, I really miss my walk. It's just a little bit of time spent alone with myself. Yes, I am home alone all day, but here in the house, there is always something that needs to be done, something you feel like you should be doing. But out on the road, for that brief period of time, it's just me and the music.

I think I'm hooked.

And....begin.

The first day of school has come and gone. Abby was so excited she barely slept the night before and hardly ate anything for breakfast that morning. Jason had taken the last half of his night shift off so he could wake up and see her off. There was of course the mad rush to make sure everyone was fed, dressed and packed. I had to pack so many things to take with us that I didn't know how we were going to carry it all. Six boxes of Kleenex, two sharps containers, glucagon, two red bags for carrying snacks to gym, etc..., newly filled insulin pen, pen needles, three pairs of inside shoes, four cases of juice boxes, four 3-packs of cracker snacks, and let's not forget the digital and video cameras. God bless Sobey's reusable shopping bags!

Finally when everyone was all ready and the pictures were taken, Jason headed outside to start up the old 68' Dodge. This was of course, the vehicle that Jason wanted us to drive up to the school in. We filled it with all the bags we had to carry, and left it idling at the mouth of the driveway. Being so busy, I never had time to cry or get too sentimental over the moment. Then the bus came. As I watched her walk across the road and climb those steps, it was like time stood still for a moment. Or the very least, went in slow motion. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. She sat down and smiled at me through the window, her tiny hand waving furiously.....and then she was gone.

I stood still for just a second, feeling the moment, and then the mad rush continued. We had to beat the bus up to the school, grab all of the bags and be standing curbside, camera ready for when she stepped off the bus for the first time. The parking lot was full of parents doing the very same thing, so we were forced to park on the side of the road. Narrowly escaping falling into the deep ditch, I managed to somehow grab the heaviest bag there and walked as fast as I could to the front steps. Phew! Mission accomplished. Abby, Jules and Samuel all departed the bus and our whole family walked into the school. Surreal.

Abby never once seemed scared or sad. After unpacking our load and talking with both teachers, reviewing the girls schedules, etc., it was finally time to leave. By this time, our car was the only one left, sitting there all alone by the side of the road. How bizarre it was to walk across the parking lot, get into the car and drive off without taking Abby with us. Jason and I both turned to look into the back seat, almost surprised not to see her sitting there smiling at us. The past two years had been filled with special times spent with her while her siblings were at school. And now for the first time in 7 & 1/2 years, there was only Jason and myself. No kids at all. Bizarre indeed.

Just as we had done last year, we headed up to Nine Pine for breakfast....our new tradition. The place is filled every year with parents celebrating the first day of school. This year we were joined by Sherry and Gary, who with Anna in preschool, also found themselves childless for the day. During breakfast, Mom called the cell just to let me know that Abby was doing fine. After returning home, I tried to busy myself with things that I enjoyed doing, so as not to sit and watch the clock. I decorated the porch for Fall, which was my first time, considering we did not move in last year til the end of October.

At 1:50pm, the phone rang. It was the school saying that Abby was 24.6! Got Mom to give her 1.5 units before sending her onto the bus. And so it begins......

The trio arrived home safe, sound and still looking forward to school tomorrow, which I guess is all you can ask for. I'm sure before you know it, I will be too.

Fall In

Summer vacation is officially over. Tomorrow will be filled with baths, braids(girls' choice for first day of school) and butterflies...in my stomach, that is. This Summer was everything I wanted it to be. Calm. That was all I ordered, all I wished for. Calmness. And God delivered. So why then, do I feel so sad? Like I never got my fill? I guess everyone feels like that. Summer is smart.....it always leaves you wanting more. No one ever gets sick of Summer.

Right now Jason is gone up to Blackville to pick up a movie for him and I to watch, once the kids go to bed. He and I plan to enjoy a glass of wine, some snacks and frankly each other, one last time before we are thrust into the world of homework, bedtimes and everything else that comes with school, for another year. Then the countdown will begin for Thanksgiving,...Remembrance Day....and before you know it, we'll all know how many weeks there are until Christmas(16, if you're interested).

I must admit that I am feeling the urge to become more organized. I dare say I am looking forward to it. One of the perks of having all your children in school, is that you can tackle a job like housecleaning a room or organizing the basement, and not have to stop to referee a fight, check the girls sugars, or listen to them constantly asking you when lunch is going to be ready. If you wanted to, you could even (gasp!) skip lunch altogether. I'm not sure how long this nesting period will last. A week? A month? Who knows?

What I do know for sure is that Fall is coming whether we like it or not. So I'm choosing to like it. To focus on all the things that I enjoy about this season. The crisp air, colorful foliage, decorating the porch, etc... And you know I am dying to dig out my sweaters! I am such a sweater girl.

Anyway, time to get the kids ready for bed. Jason has returned with Premonition starring Sandra Bullock and that guy from Nip Tuck, whose name escapes me.