Sweet Peas and Sweet Peace

If anyone would have guessed my last post's riddle, I assumed it would be A Pink Carnation In Bloom. FABULUS was the spelling on the pink sports car in High School Musical 2. We had a big Premiere Party sleepover for all the little church girls and for some of the ones who are not so little anymore. But my post will have to wait a few more days. The next two weeks are proving to be INSANE. And I mean that in the most positively stressful way. School started - open house orientations, the big back to school bash, volunteering by choice to meet more people, school photos (seriously, already?), and emergency newborn child care for some friends at church who were in a big bind. Wee bit busy we are.

Have you ever been fortunate enough to have one of those days that seemed perfect from beginning to end, not because all of the circumstances went just so, but just because peace permeated every moment for no other reason than grace? That was how our last day of summer vacation was. We started our morning early, with a required orientation for my son at MIDDLE SCHOOL! That right there threatened to shut down all of my senses - or send them spinning out of control, either one - except that it just went so smoothly and actually helped me to feel good about my son's new adventure into "big kid-dom."

I was so happy we left the house a few minutes earlier than we actually needed to and was I feeling so proud that we were not having to rush around to get to school when I passed a city police cruiser that promptly whipped a U-turn behind me. We were the only car on this stretch of road. Sure enough, the officer pulled me over and asked that infamous question.

"Ma'am, do you know why I stopped you?"

"I'm going to assume it was my speed since I didn't look to see what it was when I passed the last stop sign. And I know I should've done that."

"Yes, ma'am. This rest of this stretch is 45, but for this half mile here, it slows to 35 to allow for the traffic merging from the off ramp. Could I see your license and insurance please?" To which I had to admit that although my insurance IS up to date, my husband and I had put other to-do's ahead of locating it and putting it into the car. (This is so unlike us, but of course I knew he had no way of believing that.)

"Please wait here for a moment." Which is, of course, officer speak for "since you were putting the public in danger trying to shave off only a few extra seconds, I'm going to have to make you late to make sure you learn your lesson." And we were, twenty minutes late, on school orientation day, which had the potential to be hugely embarrassing to me and devastatingly attention-drawing to my son. But neither happened. Our tardiness was discreetly overlooked and the officer issued me only a warning, which I found to be both surprising and very kind of him considering the circumstances.

During orientation at school, the kids were led around and shown how to switch from class to class now that they are maturing enough to need specialized training in each subject. (Hear my SNIFFLING?) There is one big room that contains cubbies for each student as a preparation for having lockers come 7th grade. I was being careful not to smother my son with hovering motherdom now that he is going into this new era in his life, but as I helped him finish loading his "mini-locker" with supplies, he turned to me right in front of the rest of the entire 5th grade and nonchalantly said "Thanks. I love you, Mom." Oh, my heart was flying!

After orientation, we headed downtown to our health department to get final immunizations. Normally, I take care of this early in the summer when we are not fighting the last minute rush for school shots. But there are issues with immunizations for my kids, so we do not get all of them and we don't follow the recommended schedule. Also, the forms to exempt from the ones we don't get are available there, so I can take care of all aspects of this in one place. Anyway, the entire process took over three hours and my kids behavior while we were there was PERFECT! I was in awe of God's goodness during those three hours! We had already been forced to spend the last three days of summer dealing with unexpected issues at our house instead of swimming or seeing a movie, which I like to end the break with. But none of them complained even one time - about the long wait, the hot room, the fact that we were missing having fun or that I forgot to recommend them bringing their handheld video games. I'm telling you, that was grace and mercy. It was just one of those days when, without my even stopping to ask for it, God just took perfect care of everything! Even when the lady who administered the shots was a snot to my daughter (who for the first time ever didn't cry or flinch and thereby made me so proud!), my kids just said when we left "we should pray for her Mom. I don't think she is having a great day."

I am not telling these things merely to brag on my kids. Trust me when I tell you they have their days. But God just continued to bless us this day for no reason other than He is good.

I decided to reward the kids excellent behavior by taking them to a movie despite the late hour and school starting the next day. Just one other family and us shared a huge stadium-style theatre for a showing of "Ratatouille," a cute movie with a good message and nothing objectionable to worry about. (At least, I think. I was busy taking one or the other child to the bathroom an awful lot.) For dinner, I treated them to concession stand junk food - hot dogs, nachos and popcorn. Hey, it's not every day.

And when we got home, we still had time for a relaxing hour-long bedtime routine. We read a book about true friendship. We prayed for the school year. The kids confided their nervousness over forgetting the right routines and reminded me that lunchtime is the sole thing they truly dread. (It's in an old building with no windows.) Then they shared their excitement about their teachers and special friends they will have in their classes and the outfits they can't wait to wear. I LOVE these unrushed moments when they invite me into their secret thoughts and desires.

I will miss seeing these reactions ongoing throughout the day. It's what I miss the very most about homeschooling, but I am immensely grateful for our school, for the administration sincerely committed to Christian education, and for my Christ they teach about. And I am thankful that every once in a while, He reminds me what He means when He promises to give us "the peace that passes all understanding." What a great day!