Fairbairn Family Fanfaronade

Tagged about Jake

2008-10-13T19:27:00.001-07:00

Okay, I don't really know what "tagged" means to blog people, probably because I turned 40 this year and am apparently too old to keep up with the latest tech stuff that everyone does. However, it seems to mean something along the lines of "spotlight" someone - is that right?
So my sister, Laura, wants me to tag my son Jake. Here goes:
Talents:
-Smarts (everything comes so easily to him - lucky!),
-memory (incredible what he can remember, even if told just once - not to pick up his clothes off the floor, but lots about history, math, etc),
-smile (the kid could make millions off it!),
-sense of humor (if Jake laughs, we all laugh),
-athletics (football, basketball, dodgeball, golf, tennis ...),
-music (piano - with chagrin; guitar - with pride, and singing - which no one knows about),
-girls (don't ask me why, but where Jake is, there is a giggling group of girls surrounding - he's got it!)

Favorite things: Jake loves food. He likes to cook, bake, and eat. A nice combo. He loves whatever I make - lovely boy - and has made many a friend's mom happy by enjoying her cooking also. He likes his music, his gadgets, sports, friends, and peace and quiet. (he's at the wrong house, and he knows it!)

Baby memories: Jake was so easy as a baby. I tell him he "ate and slept, ate and slept" and that's pretty much how it went!

Kid memories: Jake had no problem making friends - actually still doesn't - and would walk up to anyone and start talking to them.
He had a bit of a speech issue with his "r"s when he was 4-5 years old. He would say "Buhguh King" for example. His first day of speech therapy in kindergarten, the speech lady told him to smile when he said anything with an R. Problem solved - never had to go back. Who'd a thunk it? We could've told him that years earlier and saved him all the pain!
He was on the older end of his school classes, and his kindergarten teacher told me it was like having a teacher's aid in class. He would read to some of the younger kids, and help them understand math concepts. His 2nd grade teacher told me it was like having a 3rd grader in class. What can he say?!

Jake and Money: Jake has always loved money. He was always trying to make a buck, either by doing extra chores of finding someone who would "hire" him to do something. He likes to bargain with us, and make plans for purchasing items. I have no doubt that he will be a solid provider for his family someday.

Nicest thing he does for me: Jake will just walk up to me in the middle of the day, in the middle of the kitchen for no apparent reason and give me a big hug. He has to be in a good mood for it, but it always surprises me (as no one else is approaching me with hugs) and is a very nice thing to do. Especially from a son so much bigger than me! (maybe he's just thinking of the dinner we had the night before, and feeling happy)

Jake's future: I see Jake doing well in high school and college, becoming something impressive - at the moment he wants a career in bio-genetics or the like - and being the smart, rich, silent type. He told me once that he doesn't think he talks much. That was after spending an hour in the hall at church with some girls who wouldn't stop talking. He said he realized he had just stood there and listened the whole time. Welcome to manhood!

2008-09-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

First Day of School

2008-08-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

At 8:15 am this morning, my house became unnaturally quiet. The last of my four boys was off to school, and I was alone. Alone for the first time in 86 days. I scarcely knew what to do. Oh, who am I kidding, I'd been planning for this moment for weeks! I'd made lists of all the amazing things I was going to accomplish, projects that I would finally complete (or at least start), books I would read, marathons I would run, courses I would take! The options were endless.

And I think that's what stumps me year after year. All the choices. You see, this is not the first year I've had all my children in school. No, in fact, I've had them all in school for the past three years. With all the plans I've made for how I will spend my alone time, I should have a PHD by now. In reality, I don't have much to show for it. My house is no cleaner, my closets are no more organized, my photo albums are no more up-to-date, my bills are not more perfectly filed, my education has not been furthered, my job prospects have not improved, my talents and and skills are all at about the same level as, oh say, 16 years ago -- when my first child was born.

I usually start the fall by calling about this class, or looking into that lesson, or setting up a running schedule for the year, or looking up information for a Master Degrees online. Then I get caught up in volunteering at the school, helping at church, attending to the household stuff I somehow kept up with all summer while my kids were here (which amazes me - I'm surprised a shirt or dish got washed at all around here!), planning actual meals (as opposed to hotdogs), and soon my hours are full, my days are packed, and I have nothing to show for it. No bragging rights about my new job, or degree, or accomplishment. Just 180 days times six hours a day to equal 1080 hours per school year of unaccounted for hours.

I guess I should feel disappointed in myself. Other than showering daily and getting in regular exercise, what have I accomplished? Not much, according to a resume or facts needed to introduce me if I become famous and am asked to speak somewhere (why not dream?).

And yet I still have a bit of a smile on my face as I sit here at my computer. Because no one is yelling, "Mom! I can't get this!" or "Mom! He's touching me!" or "Mom! I'm thirsty!" (as if no one else areound here can reach a cup and turn on the faucet) No, instead some wonderful, creative, positive, or at least paid teachers are handling all those moments for me for the next six hours. The dishes I put in the cupboard will stay there, the clothes I sort and put into drawers will remain, the toys I pick up will not be pulled back out, and the food I recently stocked the fridge with will not disappear by 2 pm today. I have dreamed of this day and it has arrived.

Just thinking about all my freedom makes me a bit tired. I think I might go take a nap.