Meet Goki

This is what happens when Mim runs around with my camera.

You have to admit, he is pretty cute.

Mim Listens In

While we have not gone out of our way to hide the impending job change from the children, we have also decided not to sit down and address it with them yet. I was surprised that they hadn't picked up on it all from our conversations with other friends and family. (Well, I was surprised that Mim hadn't picked up on it. I have ceased to be surprised by what subtleties of human contact pass by Zaya.)

I guess I've been a little worried about how they would handle it. We moved so much when I was a child that it seemed normal and adventurous for me. By the time I was Zaya's age, I had moved seven times, and two years after that it was nine. He has moved twice, and the second time was a return to his first home, and only two blocks away. Mim is fairly sensitive to some things, and completely brutal about others, so both of their reactions are complete unknowns.

However...

A few days ago the kids and I were sitting on the floor sorting through piggy bank change and the following conversation ensued between Mim and Zaya.

Mim: I want to go to the Air and Space Museum again as a field trip.
Zaya: I want to go to Daddy's work and see the big machines.
Mim: Well, you'll have to do that pretty quick.
Zaya: Why?
Mim: Because Daddy's work is closing down and he won't be there for much longer.

She went on to say that her information came from hearing "Mommy and Daddy talking about it." Zaya didn't believe her at first, but I confirmed the information, and then waited for the response. Zaya thought for a little bit and then said, "I think he should get a job at Wal-mart. I bet they make lots of money there because they sell things."

So yeah, they're taking it fairly well.

In the next couple days Zaya expressed concern about Art finding a job, but not a real worry, I don't think. So far they're probably handling the stress better than the grown-ups are.

The Moment

It is definitely time for Spring Break. The kids are nearing their breaking point school-wise. Even Zaya, Mr. Even-Keel himself, is getting teary and moody in the evenings.

"But Mom, I'm so tired of paperwork!"

I narrowed it down to his primary gripe which is...handwriting.

I can't blame him. I always hated handwriting. Not the act of writing, but all the practice. He actually has surprisingly good cursive, considering his genetics. (I write like a neurotic 13-year-old boy.) Maybe that's the problem. He takes a long time to get it right, and so spends twice as long on his paper as a normal kid his age.

I'm not going to let him know that I agree with his assessment of the excessive amount of cursive required for a first-grader, because I am not the kind of mommy who sides against the school, but it is a bit much.

On a good note, Mim is doing better this week with the crying in the mornings. She's finally decided that it isn't so bad, and there is nothing to be afraid of. Well not much.

She has all these (unreasonable) fears. She's afraid of getting a bad grade, getting in trouble and being made to eat all her lunch. None of which fears have any basis in reality. She has a wonderful teacher, and she never, ever gets in trouble for anything. Oh, except crying because she's scared she'll get in trouble.

Anyway.

We are ready for Spring Break. Unfortunately, I can see all this starting back up again as soon as we head back.

So basically, I'm struggling to live in the moment, because the moment is a bit stressful and whiny. Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out. Eat chocolate.

Still Here

This is just to let you know that we're all still here. I haven't blogged in a while, and there's no one reason for it. Life is a little hectic right now, and so much of what I want to say belongs in a more private setting, I suppose.

The price of fame.

Okay, fame is a strong word.

What about...the price of putting your journal on the web and giving all your friends and family access.

Suffice it to say, everything is fine, but I'm stressed, and when I'm stressed, I have no creative abilities.

Art's job will officially end on April 1. The plant is closing, and over one hundred employees from W'ville and the surrounding communities will be jobless. That means job hunting, which isn't something we're very experience with.

If anyone knows of a good position for an aerospace/mechanical engineer who has been doing process engineering for the last seven years, let me know.