on the road again

The kids had their last family picnic at Tarwater today. It is going to be terribly hard to leave this school. I’ve never been so in love with a staff or community in my life! We just left a picnic where our Principal was flipping burgers on an outdoor barrel grill for 800 students and their families! We are on a first name basis with nearly every person on that green and they all have amazing, respectful and considerate children.

At an assembly yesterday, where Nazy got a Math Award and Addy got a Community Service Award and her name put on a plaque at the school for her Humanitarian involvements this year, Mr. Hensley ( The Principal and my former Boss when I worked at the school) said that we have the most recognized kids in the district because they have such ontop of it and involved parents. I’m sure that is a large part of it. But this school shines- academically and socially.

I tease that Scottsdale isn’t ready for me. I fear that they aren’t ready for my Green, Hippie Kids. The only Abercrombie my girls own they got second hand from Goodwill on 50% off Saturday for $ 0.99. In a world that chews your kids up and spits them out, I’m just irrationally Skeer’d for ’em.

Sam- he’s ready. He’s a closet Diva, His Mom’s a Diva. Money, or the appearance of Money matters to them more than breath nearly. Me- Um, not so much. My girls, even less. They don’t wear leather because it comes from animals. They only eat meat cause They are young enough that I can still make ’em. But they know where they stand on their politics or opinions, hands down… no question. So holding their own with Gentle Mormons has been easy. But frivolous Socialites? UGH!!

I’m sad today. It was beautiful to see all the new babies and rub all the pregnant bellies ( Mrs. C, Addy’s teacher is expecting in October!!). But once I got home I realized that’s it. I always thought when I was done with school I would be back at Tarwater, teaching. I saw my old class yesterday and today. Brandon, then Nathaniel jumped into my arms. I cried. I love those kids. I’ll miss ’em. Since I left the school, I still see them pretty regularly. I won’t be on campus anymore.

I’ll be fine tomorrow. I’ve got a yardsale to host and Alley spending the night tonight. But that’s only going to remind me that I’m about to leave all of Miah’s friends too.

I’ve been trying to get Sam to have his friends over more so I’ll feel like I know what I’m going To- but he doesn’t really organize that stuff. I really needed to see Tariq and Faisal more so I felt a little more at home up there. It’s not happening the way I need it to. Jake will be closer, but I won’t REALLY get to see any more of him.

So the least I can hope is that the school becomes home quickly. I want the kids to have a family around them- and leaving the one we’ve made down here for the last 7 years is emotional enough. I don’t want them to feel lonely for common ground.
This move feels like hopping planets. I didn’t expect it to be this emotional. I had said for years I wanted the kids to have lifetime friends, like I do. I need to adjust.