Jul 22, 2010

Living by List

There are those amongst us for whom life is a list. I can’t say that I’m really one of them. I have to force myself to write the to-do list and then I have to force myself to remember to look at it to make sure that I’m doing the things that I wrote down.

Caroline on the other hand is a lister for the ages. Last thing at night or first thing in the morning, she’ll be writing her list. Its probably why she’s such a wonderful mother. Heaven knows that with the four kids and everything they bring with them, if it wasn’t for some of those lists, things would quite simply fall apart.

As we start the process of heading home though, I can see that my life for the next couple of months is going to be nothing but a series of lists. It will all be in a good cause of course, but even so, it’s going to be interesting.

On the up side, at least we're on our way home!

Jul 5, 2010

Proud

Last night was awards night at the kids school and we were fortunate enough to be invited (they only invite you if one of your kids is going to win something). We were in face extra lucky because we were invited on behalf of both Sam and Thomas.

Sam has made honour roll for the last 2 years and had been doing well again this year, so it was somewhat expected that Sam would once again manage honour roll and thus the reason for his invitation.

Thomas on the other hand, has had to work really hard right through school to over come the speech issues that he has and all that it entails with regard to reading and his general speed. He’s certainly a very clever lad and there’s no doubting his intelligence, but he has to work extra hard for his academic accomplishments. One of the most pleasant surprises in our time up here is how much support has been available within the school for Thomas to help him with his speech and related issues.

The one thing that has always been consistent with Thomas though has been his perseverance and willingness to undertake whatever is required for him to get through what he needs to. The other is the fact that his teachers have always said that he’s a willing helper and good role model in class. For that reason I expected that Thomas was going to pick up a ‘most improved student’ or ‘community’ award, so I was more than a little surprised when all the non-academic categories had been awarded and Thomas’ name hadn’t come up.

When it did come up for having made honour roll, my heart burst with pride and I can barely begin to describe how happy I was for him. Both of his older brothers had managed to get honour roll at least once (Michael may yet get it this year but we’re waiting on exam results) and it is ever so satisfying that Thomas has been able to join them in the club.

Congratulations Sam on your Honor roll hat trick and to Thomas for your amazing efforts!

And in a subsequent development (this is a week or so old) Michael managed to pull off Honor Roll as well this year and in addition, topped his class for Maths. Just another reason to be very proud.