Dear Mrs. Kindergarten Teacher

Dear Mrs. Kindergarten Teacher,

I know you have a very difficult job managing 20 five year olds and all, but I'd like to give you formal notice that I have a very difficult job too. I work full time at a very demanding job and then I come home and take care of my five year old. I'm all for enrichment projects and such, but I would greatly appreciate it if you gave me more notice when assigning "homework" to my five year old since I do in fact have a full time job other than being a parent. Especially considering the fact that assigning a five year old homework means the said five year old will need constant adult supervision and assistance. Perhaps giving parents a weekend to do these "projects" would solve the problem. I must go now and do my...er... I mean my five year old's homework.

Thanks for your consideration,

Laura

A Big Step

To say that Nick and I are overprotective of Isaac might be an understatement. Nick works in an ER and I work in child welfare. We've witnessed horrible things you can't even imagine. Combine that with the loss of Liam and there may be no hope of Isaac ever escaping the bubble we try to keep him in. Because of that experience we are very cautious with what we allow Isaac to do and who he is around. Sunday was a big milestone for Nick and I. Isaac was invited to the hockey game by our dear friends and former neighbors. They are good people and came into our lives just when we needed them (and their kids). Anyway, back to the story. Nick and Don had plans to brew beer on Sunday so Natalie offered to take her boys and Isaac to the hockey game. Because Nick and I are overprotective, Nick and I have never let Isaac go anywhere with anyone who wasn't my mom, his mom, or my sister, so this was a big deal. Nick and I really trust Natalie, because we said yes without hesitation. Since Isaac was going on his first outing without family I gave him my motherly lecture before he left. Remember to say please and thank you, no whining, obey Natalie, and be polite. He was so excited. He felt like such a big boy to go on an outing with his friends. Big. Deal. For him and his parents. He had a fabulous time and was super impressed with Natalie's GPS in her car. It felt really really good to know Isaac was in good hands and was having fun with his friends. It felt good to not be that overprotective parent that doesn't allow their child to do anything without them. I know Nick and I are going to have to loosen up and not be so protective all the time. We certainly don't want him to totally rebel when he's older because we never let him out of the house when he was young. I'll never stop being cautious about who I allow around my child, but it is so comforting to know we have friends like Don and Natalie that allow us to loosen up a bit and allow our kid to have some fun without us every now and then. Nick and I are finally growing up...

Daytime TV

So, I took a sick day today. I have a killer headache and I can't stop coughing. I'm a tough girl. I go to work even when I'm stroking out, but for some reason this headache is really getting the best of me. For that reason, I decided to stay home today.

Since I work full time, I rarely get to watch daytime TV. Watching daytime TV makes me glad I work full time. I have decided that daytime advertising is specifically geared to uneducated, toothless, injured, jobless people. I have seen more injury lawyer commercials today than I have in my entire life. If I'm hurt in an accident I need to call one of these injury lawyers, I may be entitled to more money than the insurance company tells me. Like we need to encourage people to be more money hungry than they already are. And typically those injury lawyer commercials are followed by some trade or technical school. I can get my CNA degree in only a matter of weeks and financial aid is available. Or I can get my culinary arts degree, or a degree in basket weaving online in one week. I can start my career in as little as ten minutes. Awesome! I'm all for people bettering themselves and getting an education, but I feel beat up after watching all these commercials. What I don't understand is all the denture and dental service commercials. Why are they specifically targeting the daytime audience? I can't seem to figure that one out, but I don't know I can get a set of dentures for as little as 300 dollars. Sounds like a bargain to me.

To sum it up, I'm going back to work tomorrow. No matter how bad I feel. I can't take another day of daytime TV.

Is It 2012 Already?

Like many of you the past few days have been spent reflecting on the past year and wondering what the new year will bring. I normally don't make resolutions, but I did last year. Eleven of them to be exact. I must say, I did pretty well on all of them. Let's reflect: I did accessorize more courtesy of the beautiful jewelry my mother-in-law makes for us girls. I tried to be a better friend, I certainly called in sick to work when I was actually sick and maybe a time or two where I wasn't really that sick. I definitely baked more and I certainly tried lots of new foods and recipes. I said "yes" to Isaac way too much. I didn't text and drive, that much. I certainly exercised more this past year than I have in many years. In doing that I feel like I was honoring Liam which was number ten last year. Practicing better communication is still a work in progress so maybe we'll add that to this year's resolutions. There's lots that needs to be said. Perhaps I'll find the courage to say it. Time will tell.

I can't help but be a little sad as we welcome 2012. It makes me feel that much more distant from 2010 and Liam. Liam is still a very real part of our family, but 2012 means it's been nearly two years since I held him, smelled him, memorized him and gave him back. Life goes on and we have moved forward, but I so desperately want to hang on to Liam and bring him with us. My faiths tells me we will be together again one day. My faith is what helped me survive to 2012. My faith will keep me going still.

Isaac is getting older by the second and pretty soon he won't be my little baby anymore either. I couldn't help but get a little emotional today as we put Isaac's train table in the attic. It symbolized the passing of time and how he isn't our sweet little toddler anymore who loves Thomas more than anything. He's such a big boy and doesn't hesitate to let me know. My boys both melt my heart and I just want to bottle every moment I have/had with them.

So in 2012, I resolve to enjoy the moments I have with my family. Life is short and it goes by fast. Tomorrow will come and I don't want to feel sad that I didn't enjoy yesterday to the fullest. Happy New Year!