Everything but the kitchen sink

I always mean to post, then I get busy, then I try to post in a logical, organized way. . .and it's just too hard. I do NOT have time to live my life and record it in an orderly fashion. So, here's the latest.

The Kids

Adia is just a little over 20 lbs. She talks CONSTANTLY (she knows somewhere around 50 words). She learned to say "trick or treat" REALLY fast. I think she, like Trea last year, thought we had been holding out on her. All you have to do is knock and say "trick or treat" and you get candy??? She is most definitely a toddler - we hear "no" a lot. She's part monkey, and gets in to everything. My house is always a mess and it's mostly her fault. She's also super cute when she is being affectionate, and tonight she said "I love you" to me without any prompting at all. Her favorite song is "I'm Bringing Home My Baby Bumblebee." She tries to sing along.

Trea is cute, and a drama queen. No idea where she got that. She says a lot of very funny things. The other day, we got off the bus, and the bus driver lowered it for us. It makes a hissing sound, and Trea turns to me to announce "Mom, the bus has GAS!" I don't think the bus driver heard her. She also has her very own special version of "Called to Serve." It goes something like this:

Called to serve him, every king of glory
Joseph, Mary, something something name

She loves to sing, even if she has to make up the words. She loves going to the library for storytime, and she loves her once-a-week swim lesson with her cousin.

Work

My forty-something Korean student, John, who is very serious looking, told me the other night that he is "down with that." He's been learning English from his 15-year-old again. It totally cracked me up.

One of my tutors gave me the nicest compliment a week ago. She told me that she thought I was much better than my predecessor. To be fair, the previous specialist was balancing two jobs and single motherhood, but it still made me feel good. I told my tutor that it really meant a lot to me; I have only a bachelor's and the other teacher has a master's, so I was intimidated by taking over for her. And then the tutor said "It's not the degree, it's the commitment." And I almost teared up. I'm just really glad it shows, you know? Because I really put a lot into my lessons, and try new things, and even if they don't always work the way I planned, the effort is there. And I'm glad she can tell. She said it made her feel like trying more, too.

That said, work occasionally drives me a little batty. The problem with volunteers is that you have to be really careful with how you correct them. So when they ignore your carefully planned lesson and do what they THINK you want done, instead of reading the instructions, it can be frustrating. But you can't just rip into them about READING THE FREAKIN' LESSON PLAN. You have to be nice, and tactful. And then come vent on the blog.

Other

John has a new calling - he's assistant ward clerk over finances. It's perfect for him - a few hours a week, no need to organize other people. His work is planning layoffs. Only 2-3%, but still. We're hoping that his lack of seniority will actually help, since it's much cheaper to keep him than some of the other people who have been there a long time. If they go strictly by seniority then we may have to find him a new job. I think we'll be ok with our savings, food storage, my job, and whatever severance or unemployment he's able to get.

So that's it.

Comments

Kate said…
If the tutors get on your nerves, you hit them. But you smile while you're doing it, which makes it OK.

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