Proud Mom

I received an email that had "Eric and Matthew" in the subject line. It was from Eric's ELP teacher. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to open it. Brought me back to those preschool days when I would get phone calls in the middle of the day telling me about Eric hitting or biting another child. I didn't want to answer my phone and I dreaded asking the teachers everyday about Eric's behavior. Here's proof that kids change, he is nothing like that 3 year-old preschooler now.

Anyway, back to the email. Here's a copy of what she sent me:

Hello,

I was just talking to Mrs. Emory, and we got on the topic of Eric and Matt. We both mentioned how they are bright boys. I told her that when they work together in my class, they come up with the most unique, and brilliant ways to solve problems and I am very often impressed. She said the same thing happens in her math class!

I just thought I'd let you all know that we think your boys are very smart kids!

Sarah Boeder

ELP/MathCounts

Desert Sky Middle School

While I'm bragging on my son, here's another email that I received from his teacher last year after we first transferred to Tucson:

Hi Perez family,

This is just a quick note to let you know how impressed I am with Eric's work so far. It's always tough joing a new school partway through the year, but Eric seems to be adapting quite well.

Thanks for sharing him with us!

Brent Edwards

Kids

How can kids be so different? Our four kids are so different from one another. The following are just some observations of each of them so I can look back and remember what they were like the start of 2010.

Eric is 12 and quickly turning into a teenager. Friends warned me that when he turned 12 he would withdraw from the family. I kept thinking Eric would be different. He is really attached to Mario and I. Eric has changed in some ways, but for the most part, being 12 hasn't been as bad as what my friends predicted. The other day I took the three younger kids to the skatepark after school. I knew Eric would be going over after he was out of school too. When he showed up, he hardly even made eye contact with me. I guess I might embarrass him and try to give him a hug or kiss or something that would totally ruin his whole life. But when we are home, he is likes to cuddle up next to me on the couch and watch or movie. Or he jumps at the opportunity to go to the grocery store with me. Overall, he is a sweet kid that loves his family very much. Example: last night Nathan was asleep and he fell off the bed. Eric quickly ran to his aid and then went to my room to get some overstuffed pillows to lay on the floor in case it happened again. He also heard a loud bang when Erin was taking a shower. He ran over to knock on the door and make sure she was alright.

Erin...When she was one or two, our Christmas letter stated that if we could guarantee all our kids would be like Erin, we'd have a dozen. That quickly changed when she hit 3. She threw too many temper tantrums to count. But something magical happened this past year and she has turned into a daughter that we wish we could clone. She cooks, she cleans, and she excels in everything she tries. I am not sure there's anything she can't do. She adores Nathan and loves to hang out with Eric. The only improvement I would ask from her is to be a little nicer to Zach. Lately, I have found her being a lot kinder, so she is working on it. She still has her moments that frustrate me, but those aren't very often anymore. She is an all around terrific kid. Mario and I think she is going to make one lucky young man very happy (and fat) one day.

Nathan...He is a lot of fun to have around. He makes us all laugh. He loves Pooh Bear, but if we could describe his personality he would be a little more like Eeyore. We need to work on the glass being half full instead of half empty. Nathan cracks us up with things that he says. For example, I found a good deal on a Didj (gaming system) like Zach's. I asked Nathan if he would like to spend his Christmas money on it. He said no, he didn't want one. Then a few days later, he decided he really did want one and asked me why I wouldn't let him buy one. Times like that I want to pull my hair out. Finally I took him back to the store (I thought for sure they would be sold out since it was such a good deal.) Now he didn't have enough money for the Didj and the game so Zach agreed to pay for the game and share with Nathan. Nathan liked the idea until the transaction was all over and then he wanted the game too. I told him that he didn't have enough money. So he said, "I guess my Didj is just for decoration then." So dramatic but always good for a laugh from the family.

Zachary...Zach was born thinking he would rule our home. For 6 years he has tried, but that time is over. I bought a book called "The Strong Willed Child" by Dobson. After reading that book, I was convinced that I was the boss and Zachary was just going to have to accept it even if it meant some tough discipline from me. With Mario deploying, I needed to take control. Zach had a rough couple days, but I think he is finally realizing that I mean what I say. I just have to be consistent and stay on top of him. But I adore Zach (as I do all the kids). I always wanted to have a little boy named Zachary. He takes every opportunity to sleep with me when Mario is out of town. He loves animals, especially our dog Buzz. He wants to be a veterinarian but isn't sure he wants to treat cats. :) He recently started asking for his own dog. So we told him that he could call Buzz his own. He loves telling everyone in the family that Buzz belongs to him which makes us all laugh since Buzz has been part of our family for almost 10 years now. But the kids don't complain because then Zach gets the chores of feeding him and taking him outside.

Another observation about Nathan and Zachary is that they almost never get in any trouble when they are separated. They feed off each other whenever we go anywhere. I often think they revert back to acting like 3 year olds. But when we take them out one-on-one, they are perfectly behaved children. That is the reason Mario and I try to separate them as much as possible when running errands or going on small trips to see Abuela.

Combat Training

Mario left for Wyoming yesterday. He will attend AF combat training for 10 days. We looked up the weather for Wyoming before he left. They are having a cold front. The high was going to be 11 degrees Wednesday. Mario was starting to panic a little, but then he made contact with someone up there and they told him if it is too cold, they just move training indoors. I wonder if the army moves training indoors when it is too cold! :) Of course it is a lot of fun to make fun of the Air Force. But, I am so glad Mario joined the Air Force and not any of the other services.

Mario had to fly into Denver and then board one of 3 school buses for the 4 hour drive to Wyoming. Unfortunately they were experiencing heavy snow so the travel took a lot longer than they thought. Mario texted me after 11 pm to tell me that he finally arrived.

Now time will tell how intense this combat training will be. I am guessing not too intense since the Air Force isn't involved in ground combat. But Mario will have to carry a 9mm with him at all times in Afghanistan. Fortunately he will be working a desk job at NATO. Mario was so relieved to talk to the guy he is replacing and find out the job isn't intense, the boss is nice, and he will have some time off to work out, go to church, and call home. Fortunately, he won't have to do any traveling with the boss. That was a concern of mine, that he would be constantly traveling around Afghanistan.

Peace

Mario and I realized late Saturday night that it was Fast Sunday. We had not prepared for it by making sure we had drank enough water throughout the day. I thought about not fasting or possibly just fasting from food because I was worried about being dehydrated. But I need the blessings from fasting and praying because of Mario's upcoming deployment. I fasted that I would feel peace as I face these next couple months.

Yesterday (Monday) I felt so much peace about Mario's deployment. I was feeling pretty lucky that it is only 6 months and not 18 months like the army. I also was feeling pretty lucky that he is going to as safe as a place as possible in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Mario wasn't feeling the same peace yesterday. Before bed I was telling him that I was feeling good about everything. He said, "Wow, that fast really worked for you." It clicked, he was right, that is exactly why things had turned around for me. I felt so bad that I hadn't recognized that earlier. It was another example that Heavenly Father is well aware of me and my needs. I am so thankful for the opportunity to fast and receive answers to my prayers.

Sleeping In

Since having Eric twelve years ago, I have not slept in. He was often up at 5 in the morning. Then the next 3 kids came and none of them slept in either. I am lucky when they sleep until 6:30. But in their defense, I put them to bed very early. Even on Saturdays, sometimes the entire family is up and has eaten breakfast by 7 am.

But at the start of the kids' Christmas break, I was sick. So I slept in each morning. Zach gave up getting up early because he doesn't like being up by himself. The other 3 kids started sleeping in too. It has been so relaxing.

But yesterday we went to the temple. We decided to leave by 7 am because it is a 2 hour drive. I woke the kids up at 6:15. None of them complained (which I was expecting) but they did ask questions like, "Can I bring my pillow and blanket so I can go back to sleep in the car?" and "Will it still be in the middle of the night when we get to the temple?"

What a difference from 2 weeks ago! Tomorrow morning should be fun...first day back to school. I wish we could go back to sleeping in over the summer but it is light out at 5 am so that probably won't happen unless I buy them dark shades for their windows.

Trail Ride

Erin and Mario enjoyed a nice trail ride (thanks to Zach's Christmas present) through the Saguaro Desert last Saturday. They had a great time. Erin's only complaint was that her horse wasn't well groomed like the last time she went riding. But Grandma says horses usually don't look great in the winter. Erin continues to beg for a horse but Mario and find the trail rides a much cheaper alternative.

Happy New Year

To be honest, I have been dreading 2010 because of Mario's upcoming deployment. I jokingly was imitating Nathan (he frequently tells us things are the worst ever) and told Mario that "2010 is the worst year ever." I felt bad after saying that because that only makes it harder for him too. So now I am determined to make it the best year ever and focus more on the great things that will happen this year.

I printed out a 2010 calendar this morning and wrote on it the things we have to look forward to. I realized that if we just focus on a couple months at a time, that will really help time go faster and give us things to look forward to. In March, we get to go to Florida for a week. The big kids haven't been to Florida for 3 years, the twins and I for 2 years. In June, we will go to San Diego and stay at Camp Pendleton. I am already looking forward to boogie boarding with the kids and making smores. In August, Mario comes home and in late September or early October we plan to return to Florida for a big family trip. Then of course, Christmas next December.

Another thing that I have done to help me through the deployment is purchase a piece of artwork that really touched me the first time I saw it. It is called "Sweet Hour of Prayer" by Emily Dyches. I really wanted to buy it the first time I saw it, but I already was buying another painting (Simon Dewey's "His Name Shall be Called Wonderful") for Mario that he has been asking for. But when it came up on sale for 50% off this week, I couldn't resist. I have it hanging above the fireplace where I can see it while I am in the kitchen (where I spend most of my time with 4 hungry children.) This painting brings me a lot of peace. I am grateful for all those men and women that are fighting on the front lines to keep our country safe and free.