Bram has also been growing A LOT. He has grown about five-and-a-half inches since April 2012. The human growth hormone is working! My little man no longer looks like a toddler. He looks like a first grader. Speaking of which, overall, Bram has been doing well in school. The school's reading program has higher expectations than the state and at times, I think it pushes Bram a little too hard to move to the next reading level. Still, he is reading well and doing a great job sounding words out. Math seems to be a harder concept for him; however, I have been working with him on some important concepts and am already seeing improvement in that subject area.
Thanks to the charitable spirit of some wonderful people in Caddo Mills and Greenville, we had a fantastic Christmas this year. I was sick the entire Christmas break (and Bram for part of it), but it wasn't enough to keep us from enjoying the holidays. While I had hoped to make a trip down to San Antonio over the holidays, illness and finances held us back. Maybe we'll make it later this year if our finances improve.
Our finances have been in limbo for a while now. We have been waiting for Bram's father to start paying child support again. It was supposed to start back up about four months ago. It has not. Well, we did receive a payment of 9 CENTS this month. No, I'm not kidding. We received an electronic deposit of NINE CENTS into Bram's child support account. I think it may have been a message from the other party. I have a feeling we may never again receive another real payment, but that's a topic for another post on a different blog.
I am finding myself at a bit of a cross-roads lately. I feel like I am spending far too much time working and not enough time playing with my son. I am considering a major lifestyle change to address this unacceptable state. I am also carefully watching the political environment of our nation and wondering if an overseas move should be in our future. So many concerns are weighing on me right now. They all have one common question: How can I spend more time with my son? I am feeling pulled in different directions by multiple possibilities and simultaneously pinned firmly in my place by my fear of jumping without a net. Just when I think I can pull my foot up from that pinning, I find my other foot is pinned down by another concern. How would Bram adjust to being away from his grandparents and cousins? How would we get along in a new country with no friends and no family? How would Bram's follow-up care be impacted? If we became RV gypsies and I couldn't afford to carry insurance on him, could I qualify for Medicaid? Yep, I'm a little all over the place right now.
Oh lottery, why must you play so hard to get? While you are not the solution to every problem, I do believe you are the solution to many of our problems. Still, you are elusive, even downright coquettish. I buy the ticket and make plans for our new wealth, but still you run into another's arms. What more do you want?
Ah, dreaming. Well, in the meantime, during my reality-filled conscious state, I'll be looking for ways to make additional income that will, hopefully, one day, replace my teaching income. I'll keep you updated on my progress.
Looking at the clock, I see that it is time to jump in the shower, whistle a little tune, and head off to the mines, I mean school. I shall endeavor to update the blog more regularly.
As always, thank you for keeping Bram in your thoughts and prayers. I'm including a kindergarten graduation picture of Bram. I'll add some recent pics when I get home today. Enjoy! -- Alayne
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