How is already June?

So, it seems that nearly an entire school year has gone by since I last blogged.  (Insert same old underachiever comment here.)  Somehow I am now the mother of a Jr Higher, and TWO Highschoolers.  I really cannot believe we have graduated from having any elementary students.  I long for days when my children loved me unconditionally and they were happy to play in the sprinkler or jump on the trampoline for hours on end.  Now they just want to play games on the computer, iPod or just generally ignore me.  I am also working during the week now, not just on the weekends, so I find it hard to monitor the endless use of technology.  I would like to think that I could develop a schedule of chores that might be accomplished while I sleep during the days after I work all night.  I am not so naive as to think that might actually happen though.  I have not done well teaching my children to be completely independent with activities of daily living.  This may be THAT summer, when they will become independent.  I hear weeping and gnashing of teeth at the mere thought of bringing that idea up.

Sam is officially a SENIOR in highschool.  It seems like just yesterday he was crying at being left at kindergarten with Mrs. Rice.  He is growing up so much.  The fact that we have a year before he will be jettisoned from the nest at Castle Beattie makes my heart ache.  He is bright, friendly and just a little sarcastic (like his mama).  He fell last week skating and broke his collar bone.  Sadly, this will put a damper on his Summer Cross Country work outs for a while.

He is also bummed that as we plan for our Family Mission to Honduras in 9 days, he will not be able to work pouring concrete floors.  He really loved that part last time we went.  He should be out of his sling by the time we leave, though.  I am praying for his chance to really model for his brothers how to share his faith with the kids and translators while we are in Tegucigalpa.

Sam is also working at Adventureland in the Art House where one can purchase super-cheesy t-shirts and fake tattoos as mementos of a day spent at the (maybe) 5th happiest place on earth.  He has really become a very good artist.  Even if he doesn't focus his career in art, he definitely has a gift.

I get a bit nauseous thinking about visiting and choosing a college with Sam.  How can my time of influence in his life be nearly finished.  I know it is like a broken record, but I feel like I have failed miserably in that regard.  I want to raise boys of character, who treat others well and are good friends and have a strong work ethic.  What I feel like I have done is raise children who will require years of therapy to discuss long-standing "mother" issues.  I never expect to be perfect, but I really feel inadequate at being a good mom.

Nick is entering Southeast Polk Highschool in the Fall.  I am amazed how much he has grown.  He is taller than I am already.  He is a sweet boy who has done far better in Jr High than I ever anticipated.  He loves Geography and History and is becoming a very good Mathematician.  I still pray that he will find a nice group of friends.  It is such a hard time in life to be 14.  For the most part, Jr. High Sucks.  I really hope that having an older brother who is senior when Nick is a freshman will make the transition to High School easier.

Sam has encouraged Nick to run Cross Country with him in the Fall.  I think this will be a great thing for both of them.  The Cross Country Team is a fun group and Sam has made some wonderful friends over the years he has run.  I think Nick has potential to be a very good runner.  He needs to train and learn how to race, but he has some speed in those long legs.

Jake will enter seventh grade in the Fall.  That is so hard for me to believe.  This year at Spring Creek was one of transition.  He graduated from the Downtown School and only one of his friends was going to be attending Spring Creek.  Fortunately, he was in Jake's homeroom.  Unfortunately, for the transition part, Jake took Math and English at the Jr High.  He spent each morning at the Jr High then went back to the 6th grade school for the remainder of his day.  It made it hard to get to know new friends.  He did have one buddy who also had his same schedule, so he got to be good friends with him.  It will be interesting to see how Jake does academically.  He took 8th grade math this year and will end up taking Math at the High School in 8th grade.  I am amazed at how his mind works.  He is teaching himself "coding" for computers and loves to figure out how things work.  He reminds me of his cousin who is in a PhD program now in Chicago.  Jake is fearless compared to his brothers.  He loves to try new things and will usually ride any roller coaster at least once.  I am hoping he continues his quest for adventure.

We are leaving as a family on June 15 for a week in Honduras.  I am very excited, but also very worried about how it will all play out.  I know what to expect, but the little boys do not.  Neither Nick nor Jake eat much of a variety of foods.  I want to make sure they have at least snacks and easy mac to survive on in the event that the meals served do not taste appetizing to them.  I am praying that each of us will come back changed.  I know Sam has really been affected by his previous trips to Tegucigalpa.  We see abject poverty and families that truly have nothing.  I want my boys to realize how RICH we are here in the the United States and I want them to show the Love of Jesus to each person they come in contact with.  We meet translators, church members who serve their neighborhood and missionaries who have committed their lives to serve in Honduras.  Each of them has needs that we can provide.  I want to live out our motto.....  Love God, Love People, Do Stuff ~ Bob Goff (Love Does)

I know that I have missed large parts of this year by not blogging more than every six months, I just haven't had the energy nor the thoughts worth sharing until now.  Please pray for us as we go and even as we come back.  It is always hard to "re-enter" the North American lifestyle after living the life of poverty for a week.  We truly appreciate all the prayer and financial support we have received.