Be Careful What You Wish For....

Okay, life has had its ups and downs lately...very typical of a household run by mostly teenagers, right? I have learned to take the old adage to heart - be careful what you wish for...

Well, let's take our oldest...We wished for a job and more social interaction. He is quiet, not overly-involved...okay, in politically correct terms I would say he's socially stifled to put it mildly (and he would agree to a certain extent)...Let's take it back a bit...So he gets a job this summer which you know about -- at Wendy's...We almost hosted a parade through downtown Fort Mill...it only took him two years to finally take that leap of faith and join the workforce (actually, daddy paying for everything gnawed the dangling carrot to a nub pretty readily - the threat of spending all summer, caring for siblings, doing loads of housework and not getting paid - I am thinking that put the fire under the bum to get a job if you know what I mean) Well, he meets another burger flipper of the female variety and they start being "friends" (which you know about) and then they "break up" for 33.938475 hours and then got back together (I don't think you know about that)...ah, I thought I would rejoice over him finally emerging from his PS2 and seeing sunlight but now I am not so sure...The kiddy (ages 14 - 35) monestary or convent is sounding VERY positive to me right now....

Okay, then take our oldest daughter -- not terribly involved in a lot - we want her to get out more and to get more involved... so, she has been requesting guitar lessons...Santa brought her a bunch of guitar paraphernalia for Christmas...we talked and talked and talked about lessons but it just never transpired...until, she met okay we'll call him "M" for Mike - oops, that's his name...Marching Band member and guitar player. He has agreed to give her guitar lessons...Okay, it's like Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham (Whatever the Fleetwood Mac couple's names are!) in their good years - the kids like each other...But it is HILARIOUS! He tells her to play a certain chord with a certain beat -- she does it...Then, he tells her to change it to a different key...she plays the same chord, same beat...He's about to pull his hair out but politely says, "Great beat but lets try to change the chords this time..." He did this no less than ten times when I was within earshot...Casey and I sat behind the pantry door and howled -- but then, she scolded me for chuckling as she burst into giggles - I think I was called a "Mean Mom" or "Stalker Mom" or something like that....It brings me back to the family story that has lived through the ages -- My sister Joleen took guitar lessons from Sister What's-Her-Name -- well regardless of the song they were supposed to be playing or the chords or the beat, "The House of the Rising Sun" always came through loud and clear...the question to this day, did Sister What's-Her-Name know what that song was about? (Psssstttt - a house of ill repute)....we are thinking not...So Joleen played the song to different beats and tempos throughout her fledgling guitar career.... That was the only song she learned...when I hear it on the radio, it brings a chuckle and a smile to my face! Did I tell you that said guitar instructor "M" drives? --- EGADS! I am starting the kiddy monestary/convent...applications are coming soon...

Okay, the younger daughter...we continue to wish for and encourage her individuality -- having said that, she now likes the "indie" kid with an earring or two...very nice in a geeky, intellectual kind of way...funny story -- he weighed 125 pounds three years ago when he was three inches shorter...now he is at 118 or 120 at three inches taller...okay, the kid's a twig - think Flat Stanley...he plays the mellophone like the girls and hangs out with the both of them when he comes over...Band geek...(phew!) Casey has attended church with him "alone" with his family -- both girls have gone to church with him with his family as well...I am not quite worried as of yet...He thinks the girl (Casey) is weird which may be a good sign (or not)...Who knows what weird means these days?? The kiddy monestary/convent concept gets more appealing every day...

Nolan - I have wished for the very thing that he is -- EXTREMELY laid back, goes with the flow BUT...Can he not learn to put his name on his papers? --- he is getting two points taken off per test for this! He's done it multiple times this school year already -- UGH! It is driving my inner Type A Personality crazy and the Controlling part of me is trying to take over...Be careful what you wish for right? As much as I would like anal retentiveness to force him to write his name every day amongst other things, it is much more pleasant to deal with a relaxed child IF you can peel them out of the car with a spatula before school....

So Wednesday, I stayed after my class and went back to visit another instructor friend who was helping out with Child Care for that day...She had an inconsolable child in the mix and I reached out to hold the child and she came to me...and became attached to me...I tried to make the major "run for it " move and she BUSTED me and start crying again...so I stayed the whole time, enjoyed my catching up with my friend and her daughter -- well, my "buddys" little arms clinged to me and she put her head on my shoulder as I rocked her back and forth....I started to long for the days when I had a little one who appreciated me, didn't talk back, e.g., didn't talk at all, etc....How I wanted a little one at that moment...a fleeting moment....

Well, tonight, we attended the little man's parent teacher conferences -- both went really well - we are so proud of him...well, he proceeded to tell us that our neighbor, a 4th grade teacher, was expecting a child -- I told him that clearly he was wrong -- well, his "main" teacher whipped out of the classroom and said, indeed it was true...After Mark and I literally picked our jaws up from the icky school-room floor, reality set in...Now, she will have a soon to be 18 year old, a soon to be 16 year old and a soon to be 14 year old and then a new little one...They are so thrilled - me? After dodging several shotgun bullets from my husband, I would be in a catatonic state rocking back and forth and drooling....

So at this moment, I am VERY glad my fleeting wishes did not come true - what was I thinking? I don't sleep anyway and changing the litter box makes me gag...what makes me think I would get ANY sleep and how could I possibly stomach poopy diapers again....ugh. So, I will live vicariously through the neighbors, provide babysitters for the little tot AND totally enjoy being with the little bundle of joy....And, like a grandparent, be very happy to send the baby/toddler/pre-schooler/school aged child home after much spoiling!

Okay shoes and Dawgs to come!