Still Slackin'

So we have had big changes. We moved after a long and confusing summer to Columbia, SC. We moved 3 days before school started and were up to our noses in boxes on the first day of school. Chad unpacked a total of 2 boxes (who's counting?) because he was working until after dark every day and going in at dark when we just got here....ayyyeee. But we are here and we are adjusting.
The kids LOVE it here. I knew Grant would be fine with friends. But we are so glad that he not only is making friend but he is super excited about school. He is trying harder than ever before, which is good because he is still really behind. I have seen huge improvement in his reading just since August 18! Gracie is more shy, but she is happy. She has made a couple friends in the neighborhood and a few at school. I am glad she is selective with her friends and she doesn't seem to mind that they are few in numbers. I know she will be fine. It amazes me how wise she is sometimes! Then there are those times I want to shake her...preteen airhead has set in! Both of their schools are the top schools in the state and you really can tell. I have been thoroughly impressed! Gracie says it is easier, but she seems to be working harder. They are much more technology savvy, which I love. The teachers put the homework online so that the students don't have to bring home their books. The information on the website is current and useful - wow - that's a new thing! Grant's teacher even requires the kids to log on to the class page each week and answer a discussion question - genius way to get the parents onto her site!
Chad is enjoying his work and very busy there. They are doubling the size of the workforce here, so needless to say, Mr. HR is very busy. Then that leaves lil' ol' me. I am working at CTC still - thank GOD! I am sooooo thankful that I could continue my job at Columbus Tech over the distance. I am so thankful in fact that I am working like a dog to make my students think I am the best teacher they ever had...sure I'd love to be a great teacher...but more importantly I want them to pitch a fit if they don't renew my contract! So far so good. I have contracts through the Spring Semester - hallelujah!
So I sit here working on the computer all day with my usual co-workers (Rocko & Rigby, Facebook, Pandora, Ellen Degeneres and I have a new friend, Regis and Kelly!). But I am enjoying the quiet most days (notice I said most. Other days I HATE it). I have started a small group at a church we visited. I am enjoying the book, 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I am not sure that church is where we will end up though. It is HUGE. We have visited 5 churches and none of them are the perfect fit. Not sure what to do at this point. That was my list of potentials, so we may go back and give some of them a second try, or (gasp) start visiting some Baptist churches or the big downtown churches.
Our house is still for sale. That is a huge stress. We (me) are trying to relax and trust that it will be ok, that has its good days and its bad.
So today at our house we started our semi-annual chore chart. I laughed when I told the kids I remember as a kid coming up with charts that I never used. Now I am a grown up and do the same. So today was day 1. Grant's daily chores include making his bed, turning of the lights upstairs, picking up his clothes, feeding the dogs and other duties as assigned. The caveat is that if he doesn't flush the toilet - he gets no allowance for the week. This has been a MAJOR issue. He usually doesn't shut the bathroom door either, but if we could get a flush I'd be happy.
Gracie's chores are just about the same with a couple more. So today they were happy to sign off on the white board that they had completed the before school duties (bed, lights, rooms picked up) and I was feeling like Super Mom on the way to school with happy accomplished children learning responsibility. Yeah right. A couple hours after they left I went upstairs. Clothes on the floor in both rooms. I was a bit unnerved, but show some grace, right? It's day 1.
After school Grant got home all eager to finish up his chores and homework. We had ice cream and sat in the sunshine outside for a bit - it was like a Rockwell painting. In the midst of our perfection, he went to the bathroom. Yep...no allowance for him.
Gracie gets off the bus and comes in all grumpy. When I asked why the long face, she said that she had not put her ID in her bag (even though she had seen it hanging on the backpack hook - where I put it after I found it on the floor). So the penalty at her school for No ID is that you have to purchase a new one for $5. Well, she doesn't have $5. They gave it to her on credit and she has to pay it back tomorrow or she will go to all day in school suspension. Yep...no allowance for her either.
So we have a new state, a new house, a completely new life - but we are still slackin' Never fear - we are here to make you all feel better!
I am changing the blog settings to private this week. Not because I am private, you know that. But because I just think it is best to know who is reading about us. So if you'd like to continue to read our drama, just ask.