Tuesday, August 27, 2013

It's just not a new school year without bus drama.

I don't know what it is with the bus system here in Clark County, or maybe it's just this side of town, but today is only the second day of the new school year, and we already had another encounter with the oh-so-reliable (hope you can sense my sarcasm there) bus system.

So, L (my three-year-old son) started preschool with the school district yesterday, and he is so excited about his new teacher, his new friends, his new classroom - but most of all, he is excited about the five-minute bus ride that he gets to take to the school. Maybe he sees it as a little adventure, a way for him to exhibit a sense of independence. 

Because the pre-school program is considered special ed (he qualified on account of his speech delay), they bus him to and from school, even though the school is only five blocks away. It's pretty neat too, because they come right to house to pick him up, they strap him into his little car seat, and then they hand-deliver him to his teacher at the school, who comes to the bus every morning to retrieve him. His pick-up time from the house in the morning is 8:51 a.m., so we've been going out front to wait for the bus at 8:45 a.m. to ensure we are ready when the bus arrives. 

This morning, we went out at the usual time and waited, and waited...and waited. But the bus never showed up. We waited around until about 9:10 a.m. (thinking maybe there was a delay because it's still the first week of school), and then tried calling the transportation line. I tried calling them several times, in fact, but the line just continued to ring busy. I finally called the school to alert them of the situation, and they informed me that they too had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get through to transportation. The office attendant asked if I could drive him to school, but I told her that I didn't have a car (Z took it to work today), but that I could walk him - it would just take me a half hour or so. 

So yeah...I got the awesome privilege of walking my three-year-old (and the baby, who is 15 months old) to school in 100 degree weather, and he was 45 minutes late. Yay. Not to say that I didn't need the exercise, but it would sure be nice to get through an entire school year without any bus-related drama. 

When we finally did get to the school, I popped into the front office to notify the staff that we were there, and the administrator who I had spoken to earlier informed me that she had finally gotten ahold of transportation, and that she was told the bus had, in fact, stopped by the house, but that we weren't there. What a load of garbage. I have half a mind to make a call into the supervisor tomorrow. 



Source: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com via The Purple on Pinterest


Related links:


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Through the joy and the sorrow...

Gems of Reflection: Week 31
There are many things in this life that bring me joy. The gospel, for example - it brings me such joy to know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me, that he loves me, and wants to bless me and bring me happiness. I am so grateful for the Atonement, and for the knowledge I possess that we can return to our Heavenly Father again through the Savior, Jesus Christ. 

My absolute greatest joy; however, is my family - and to know that I am sealed to them for time and all eternity. My life is centered around my husband and my children - they are my reason for living - and to know that we, as a family, can be together forever, is the greatest gift that I can ever imagine. To see their smiling faces, and to know they are healthy and happy - growing and thriving - makes me as happy as I can be.

Now, as all things must have their opposite - my greatest sorrow is to see the ones I love suffering; whether it be as a direct result of choices they have made, or because circumstances in their lives are causing them to experience trial and hardship, it is so painful to watch them experience these trying times. I try to be a positive influence by reminding those in my life that we are children of our Heavenly Father, that he loves us and wants us to succeed and be happy - but sometimes, they have to figure their own way out of the darkness, and I often feel helpless as I am forced to sit back and watch those I love struggle to find the will to fight through the trials of their faith. 

These experiences have a way of strengthening my own testimony; though, for I see how the Lord plays such a significant role in guiding us through our trials. I am grateful for the gospel in my own life, and for the Atonement. With the help of our Savior, we can do hard things. 




related links:

I Can Do Hard Things

A Hope of Heaven's Light

52 Gems of Reflection