Well, it's been over three years since I've posted anything, but I'm feeling this pull to start journaling again. So much has happened and life is crazy, but instead of catching up on the in between, I'm going to start where journaling the here and now.
It's Wednesday! Which means for the next few weeks we don't have any after school activities. No piano lessons, no basketball practice. It was early day today, so the kids were home from Alvah Scott Elementary by 1:30 today. I pulled into the garage just as they were getting home. I was returning from Costco. Traffic was crazy and I had been in a minor accident on the way home. It wasn't bad and everyone was okay, but it still scared me a lot. Luckily, Sully was playing at his friend, Miles', house and wasn't with me.
Sullivan will be going to kindergarten next fall. I'm not sure I'm ready for him to be gone all day! I'm sure he's ready, but I'm not in a hurry to send him off. He spends a lot of time at friends and neighbor's homes, but I can have my buddy home with me when I want. It's strange to think that I'll be entering into this new phase of parenting. Years go by fast, but the days go by sooo slowly sometimes. I hate to think that I'm wishing them away too quickly. Sully has had a rough few months in terms of overall grouchiness and stubbornness. As a mom, it seems I'm always doubting myself and hoping I'm doing the right things to discipline and teach.
Speaking of teaching, the new curriculum for the church began this year. It's the home-centered gospel teaching. We're down to two hour church and working on teaching more at home. It's a bit of a rough start and we are still trying to find our groove. Our lessons seem choppy and I feel like we're lacking a bit in asking questions that get the kids thinking. I worry about Graham. He doesn't engage much in the lessons and just gives the bare minimum in the conversations. I hate that we're entering the teen years with him and he's going to close off more and more. I'm trying to combat that with small talk and asking him about his day more. We're still trying to find something he's passionate about and interested in. He did sailing lessons last month and didn't love it.
Lucy got her patriarchal blessing last week. I'm so proud of her. We had a rough 6 months with her the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018. She's come a long way and I think Jason and I have learned a lot. I learned a lot about the Atonement and how it encompasses more than just the sin and the sinner. Those that have been affected by the sin can be given comfort and peace, too. I hope that her experiences and her journey has helped her to rely more on the Savior and will cause her to be more compassionate and understanding to people throughout her life. Her blessing was beautiful. He spoke about her future family and her need to get an education. He spoke of her serving a mission if she desires and the experiences she can have doing that.
I've been surfing more and I love, love, love it! I go every Tuesday with my friends, Ali and Jen, while Sullivan is in preschool. I'm getting better and better and wish I could go more often. Jason and I try to go early morning Saturdays, too.
I'm still running the McGrew Fitness group. The women in the group have become my people here in Hawaii. I'm so grateful that I get to interact with them so much and share our lives here with all of them. It's challenging to program the workouts three times a week, and sometimes I feel like I'm burning out, but I'm grateful for the opportunity.
I'm thinking about certifying in High Fitness. Not sure if it's for me or not. It's a little cheesy....choreographed aerobics, but I really, really enjoy the classes that I've done with my friend, Lichelle Perry. She encourages me to do it and she's a rockstar instructor. We'll see what the future holds.
Signing off for now. Grateful for my ordinary, sometimes boring life. We are healthy. We are trying our best.
Maggie
