Summer Quickly Coming to an End

I can't believe summer is almost over!  Much like Ella's first grade year (and kindergarten year at that!), the days just blur into one another and before you know it, there is an almost 7-year old talking about how excited she is for second grade.

I try to share in her excitement - I honestly do!  I ask questions, smile, tell her wonderful things about second grade, and how proud we are of her...but deep down, I'm super duper sad.  To me, 2nd grade is 10 years away from 12th grade, which means I have only ONE MORE DECADE of my little Ella Bella living at home with me.

Ella is my mini-me and I cherish everyday I have with her.  Even though Ella's attitude is beyond what is morally acceptable for a 6-year old, I feel that our relationship is strong.  And, although very mature in so many ways (did I mention her attitude?), she is still so very young in way more ways.  She plays young, she sees the world through youthful eyes, she gets exited over the littlest things (like going on a walk or having a marshmallow for dessert).  One of the nicknames we have given her, "Sweetest!" holds so true.  Other than the nickname Daddy gave her of Jebediah Johansan Smith. (Inside joke!).

Aaron and Ella on their father/daughter camping trip this past weekend.

I know there are bigger concerns and worries in the world, and that my total cliche of where-does-the-time-go that every parent faces is nothing special, I just had to put my feelings out there in the internet world.

And, don't get me started on how quickly Tristan is growing up.  Goodness!  Overnight he has really started to talk and communicate.  He is so expressive and eager to show love.  Always giving kisses and hugs, always smiling, always letting his loved ones know just how much he loves them.  I can't wait until he starts busting out "I love you!"  Pretty sure there will be melting. :)

Tristan's newest and favorite words to use is "Please," although it comes out like, "Plee" or "Pleh."  He loves to grab our hands and lead us to where he wants us, whether it be by the pantry because he wants a snack, out into the backyard, or over to the floor to sit by and play with him.  You can see him thinking about what he wants and he lets us know.  And, lots of times what he is thinking about is food.  Boy, can he eat! :)

With the end of summer just around the corner and the extra busy-ness of life about to surface, my goal is to remind myself daily just how special my kids are and to cherish every moment, good and bad, with them because in the blink of an eye...well...you get the picture.

Tristan clearly very surprised about something. :)

Spike in Daycare Costs

Being a working mom of young kids brings the insane yearning to be home with them.

Having Aaron home this summer with the kids reaffirms how important it is for our kids to be with us as often as possible.  Ella and Tristan are so happy when I get home from work.  Aaron, on the other hand, looks utterly exhausted...but the kids!  Oh, their faces are just lit up with pure satisfaction of a great day with dad.  Honey, you rock!  (And, don't worry...the summer's almost over!  LOL!).

When Ella was really young (infant and toddler aged), Aaron and my work schedules were opposite of each other, so one of us was always home with her until she was 3-years old, at which point we enrolled her in a lovely Christian preschool that she attended for two years before she started kindergarten.  It was perfect!

This time around, though, we are having to put Tristan in daycare.  And, it just breaks my heart.

When we moved to Oregon last summer, my co-worker introduced us to New Hope Daycare, which we grew comfortable in realizing was a great environment for Tristan.  He was well cared for, well loved, and I could tell every morning that he was happy to be going there.

And, one of the key components in our decision to enroll him at this daycare was cost.  Unlike most daycares we researched, this one allowed for an hourly charge, which benefited us because I only work 7 hours a day, Monday through Thursday.  Great, quality care for a reasonable cost that didn't suck our wallets dry?  I'll take it!

However, we just received notice that beginning this Fall, New Hope will spike up their hourly wage from $4.00/hour to $8.95/hour!  HUGE JUMP!!!  And, with this jump, we are forced to pay the all-day fee.

Needless to say, this brings on the whole battle I experienced last summer when I was contemplating working or simply cutting costs and staying home with the son I waited so long for.  Tristan's daycare is now going to eat up roughly one-third of my monthly take-home income...and then add that to Ella's after-school care, and it could easily be said that half of my monthly income is used for our kids to be in someone else's care.

The downfall is that we cannot financially survive without that other half that goes towards bills and other "fun" things like that.

I know this is not anything new to most working parents of young kids.  It sucks, does it not?  This jump in daycare costs just reminds me just how much it really does suck and how badly I wish it didn't have to be this way.  I would just love to stay home with my little man and be able to pick my darling daughter up from school every afternoon and spend more time with her as well.  Ah, to dream...

Okay, enough of that...

Lets end this post on a happy note and what better way than with a picture of this little stud muffin?

Raising A 6-going-on-16 Year Old

Ella Corinne Johnson.  You melt my heart into a puddle of goo with the warm look of your chocolate brown eyes in one second, and the very next you have me trying to clear my head so that I can, as calmly as I can, get through to you!

Isn't there a saying that you get what you give?  My mom was always so sure that I would have a daughter just like me to provide me with a glimpse to what I put her through.  If that's the case...I'm sorry, mom!  I guess it is true...you're always right! ;)

Ella knows how to push buttons...and not just one at a time...but rather like a toddler banging on a keyboard!  She's relentless, strong-willed, and determined.  If we don't see eye-to-eye with her, she does everything in her power to convince us that she is right.  She's stubborn and has to have things her way.  Compromise is not an option when she's in her mood.

And, although such a difficult little girl, I know that God has molded her into the person she is for a reason.  I pray that her strong-willed attitude will guide her through difficult moments in life where a weaker person who is less sure of themselves would crack.  Ella will not crack.

Ella has a big heart and a lot of passion - she is filled with integrity and honesty.  I think these traits go hand-in-hand with that of being strong-willed.  She doesn't coat her feelings.  When she wants something, she wants that something with all her mind and heart, and she is unable to deter from that.  She wears her heart on her sleeve (much like her mama!) and there is never any second guessing how she is feeling.  She lets everybody know!  ;)

Ella's confidence shines in the most unique circumstances.  The other day I was sitting on our front porch watching Ella glide her scooter around our neighborhood starting conversations with every single neighbor she saw.  And, not just a quick "hello, goodbye," but a fun conversation.  She has charisma!  She makes others laugh and shows maturity beyond her years.  Ella's quiet confidence makes me proud and humbles me at the same time.

Ella's strong will is difficult to parent, but is so advantageous when it comes to practicing something.  Whether it be homework or ballet or perfecting a cartwheel, Ella does not accept anything but less than perfect and she is self-motivated in achieving her very best.  She works hard.  She doesn't get down on herself, but looks to what she is trying to achieve and keeps going.

Everyday is a new experience with Ella - some moments Aaron and I are completely amazed with how respectful and courteous she is, but then there are those moments, which happen more frequently than we'd like, where we have to take a deep breath and repetitively remind her of our expectations for her.  We use the word "kind" often.  If what you're about to say isn't kind, then don't say it.  If what you are about to do is not kind, don't do it.  We remind her how kind and sweet she is and that we expect her to act in such a way.

Some days require more patience than others, but as with all our efforts in raising our little girl, our perseverance and consistency will pay off.  And, I am so sure that someday we will look back at these days of raising a 6-going-on-16 year old and remember them as being a piece of cake as compared to the REAL 16-year old Ella.  Lord, have mercy!

The bottom line is that we hope that with our unconditional love and devotion to our daughter that she will continue to make good choices in life, choices that will bring her happiness.

After all, isn't every parents wish for their children to be happy?

Summer Days

Even though it's so hard to leave for work while Aaron stays home with the kids during these summer mornings, I still feel the excitement of this season.  Perhaps it's knowing Aaron is home during the day with the kids.  There's no better person for Ella and Tristan to be around.

Perhaps it's the change in routine.  I don't have to wake up in a rush to help get Ella out the door with Aaron (she goes to the same school that Aaron teaches at) and then get Tristan ready for daycare, all while trying to make myself presentable for work.

Perhaps it's the Oregon summer, which compared to the California summer, is sooooooo much better.

Whatever it is making these summer days feel as they do, I am grateful.

Undoubtedly, Aaron has gone a little stir crazy when he's cooped up at home with the kids without any plans for the day, but thankfully, our summer has involved a lot of fun events.

We went to the coast to visit my sister and her family.

My parents visited from California for a couple weeks.

We went to Sunriver, Oregon (Heaven on earth!) with his parents, where we enjoyed a water park, miles of bike rides, unmatchable scenery, and complete (well, at least with kids!) relaxation.

All in all, this summer has been one filled with lots of happy memories.  And all of my memories involve these three.

I live a very blessed life.

Now...to find a career that will allow summers off to be home with my family!  It's a shame I really enjoy my profession, otherwise becoming a teacher would sound too appealing to pass up. :)