I know... it's been a while since the last post. I've been busy...? Can I use that for an excuse? Not really.
I hosted a party at the house on Wednesday for Jayson's birthday. Lisa's mom, dad and sister were there and we had pizza and fried chicken with a few sides. Lisa's sister brought just about everything (THANKS A TON) and also her two foster twins too! Her twins are the same age as mine and they get along famously! So well, that none of the four wanted to split up at the end of the night. We're thinking a sleepover during one of the upcoming weekends would be a good idea!
Jayson had a really great birthday, at least that's what he told everyone. It was hard for me to get any gift ideas from him, even after visiting two toy stores. We figured some things out and then just the day before his birthday (two days after I finished shopping) he comes up with three or four new ideas for things he'd like to have. Lucky for me, I had already gotten him a couple of those items! I was proud of myself to say the least!
On Sunday Jayson "crossed over" from cub scouts to boy scouts and received his Arrow of Light Award. It was a nice ceremony with a banquet and lots of other awards given out. Jayson was able to carry the American Flag in the beginning of the ceremony and did an excellent job; if I can say so myself. He sat with a friend for a little while, but made his way back to our table after not too long. I was glad to have him back at our table with us. He's an excellent boy, and I'm sure he'll become an even better man.
During the banquet Lisa was mentioned because she had been a den leader's assistant for a couple of years. The Pack Leader had many nice words to say about her and the pack donated a large amount of money to the childrens' education fund too. It was an emotional moment for me and I noticed, for a few other adults around the room. Jayson was right on top of things as usual and made sure that he asked me more than once if I was doing OK!
Already today was his first Troop meeting (no longer called a pack) and Jayson was assigned to his Patrol (no longer called a den). His patrol is called the Dynamite Patrol, and considering that the other two patrols were named Penguin and Duct Tape, we were glad he got that assignment over the others. There will be an outing next weekend already which will include two over-nights near the Royal Gorge (is that spelled right?). Jayson was excited to hear about it since it will include climbing instruction and he committed to go even though he knew I wouldn't be there and also before he was sure that his best friend from the Troop was going. I was proud of him because I thought for sure he wouldn't be willing to go unless at least one of us was there. So already, we're pretty well dug into scouts again for what seems like a couple of years.
Maya recently brought home a flier for a flag football team that she wants to cheer for, but it was not with an Upward team. Since Upward was so great to us last year, I told her that I'm going to find out if they will have a team that she can join instead. She has continued to be very angry at certain times around the house. Last week, she even displayed her fury in front of one of her friends. I told her that I was thinking of sending her to a doctor so that she can talk it out and she responded with an outraged, "Go right ahead, see if I care". So I did... The next morning I made a call to the doctor that worked with Jayson for his ADD and Verbal Processing Delay. She is a super nice woman and worked great with him so I am hoping they will get along with each other and Dr. P will be able to help Maya and I through this stage. Of course when Maya found out about the doctor, she went into another one of her fits of fury!
Taysha seems to be continuing on her path of making life for all of us fun! She always throws in little quips here and there that take everyone by surprise and leave them laughing. She then pretends that it was all an innocent joke and curls her hands in front of her mouth like a bunny rabbit feigning embarrassment. She is enjoying her time playing now and then with Jayson and also now and then with Maya. She's a great friend and sister to both of them and knows better than I about how to stay out of their disagreements.
As for me, I e-mailed my boss at Lifetouch and told her of my interest in returning to work. I had heard through the grape vine that she wasn't sure that I would ever come back, so it may be a surprise to her. I'm not wanting to jump back in full time right away, but will take it a little slower instead. She will not have full time hours available for me at this time of year anyway. I feel like I need to regain all of the confidence I one had in myself at work. I'm not even sure of where it all went.
Wish me luck...
