September 2015 – robinchartier

Time keeps on slipping

So what do I do all day? For the past 10 days the kids have been on vacation, but when they went back to school yesterday I was as busy as ever: exercise, grocery store, post office, hosted Bible Study, an after school meeting, piano lesson . . .

Today I have less things on the schedule, but I’m still everybody’s personal assistant. Emailing teachers with concerns (4 different ones — one of my kids is having a bad week!) and figuring out how and when to volunteer at school (tomorrow, over lunch hours, so at least I get to see all 4 kids as they each come to the cafeteria to eat. Win. Win. Win. Win.) and doing more Kid’s Church coordination. And lesson prep since I have to teach this week since I failed to coordinate properly. And I need to pick up a present for a birthday party that Camille was invited to. And get all the kids to the doctor to get some meningitis shot that they’ve all had before, but according to the school nurse are due for a booster? (But the base is out of it so I have a short reprieve). I keep thinking that this is the beginning of the school year rush, but we’re almost in October and I’m still knee deep in tasks.

So that’s why I haven’t been blogging. No one wants to hear about the mundane everyday boring minutia that would be the same whether I were living here or in Lawton, Oklahoma. And a brain filled with minutia doesn’t think many deep thoughts worth expressing.

This afternoon while I wait for the bus I’ll work on a skirt that I’m knitting for Camille. She wants ALL the colors so it looks a bit questionable. Lime green, red and melon aren’t colors I’d normally put together. But I’m sure she’ll wear it with appropriately colored accessories and carry it off with flair. And while I’m knitting I’ll be watching Downton Abby. Yes, we get it over here when it airs in the UK and don’t have to wait until January. Ha! By episode 2 Mary dies and Tom comes back and runs off with Lady Edith . . . just kidding. I won’t spoil it for you.

I guess I should be thrilled that nothing to write about means that my life isn’t crazy, but I think we all know that crazy has become pretty normal here. I’ll try to filter out the minutia and come up with a good story for next time.

We, Like Sheep

I was thinking about the verse, “We, like sheep, have gone astray” and I was going to post the title We Like Sheep and then later on explain it, but then I realized it looked like another post about eating lamb. Comma placement is important.

For those who are concerned, Calvin’s back is OK. The doctor said he has mild scoliosis that shouldn’t get worse because of his age. I thought his X-ray looked pretty twisted, but I guess when the doctor has seen sideways leaning spines, a mild curve is no big deal. He recommended some physical therapy for his pain which means another visit to his primary doctor to get the referral submitted, then a visit to the insurance office a week or two later to get the approval paperwork and then he can start physical therapy. By the time that comes through he’ll probably be pain free. This is how insurance companies save money in the short term, but lose in the long run. When preventive care is such a pain in the butt that you don’t bother to do it, but wait until you have a problem that won’t resolve without expensive intervention — Josh’s back surgery is a prime example. So yeah, he may or may not get physical therapy. I guess it depends on how much hoop jumping I feel like doing this week.

The kids have been off school this week for Eid. It’s the biggest Muslim holiday of the year, where they celebrate God providing a lamb so that Abraham didn’t have to sacrifice Ishmael.

From the informational email that the base sent out: One of Abraham’s many trials was to obey Allah’s order to sacrifice his first born son, Ismael. Upon receiving this divine command, he prepared to submit to Allah’s will. When he and Ismael were prepared to execute the order, Allah revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had been fulfilled. At the exact moment that Abraham was to move the blade to sacrifice Ismael, Allah replaced Ismael with an animal. Abraham demonstrated that his love and devotion for and to his Lord superseded all others. Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) is a reminder of Prophet Abraham’s example of true faith, devotion, and sacrifice in the cause of All-Mighty God.

Part of the Eid celebration is the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, or other approved animal. There is signage all over the island advertising animals for sale. Interestingly enough, local Eid sheep cost twice as much as imported ones when I would think it would be the opposite. (I just looked it up and it looks like local breeds are in higher demand for sacrifice, thus the higher prices.) Families will go to the feed lots, select their animal and take it home and slaughter it themselves. They keep 1/3 of the meat for themselves, 1/3 goes to family members, and 1/3 is given to the poor. I’ve never seen a slaughter here, though my friend’s neighbor has had a sheep tied in their front yard for the past two weeks, but we did see one when we were in Jordan over Eid. The ritual varies by country with some adopting a practice of outsourcing the sacrificing part and picking up the meat afterward. Old school is to do it yourself in your front yard.

More info: It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for sins or using the blood to wash away past transgressions. The Qur’an explains: “It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him.” {Qur’an 22:37} The symbolism is in the attitude- a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path.

As the kids and I were heading to the pool the other day, we passed the sheep and goat holding pens. People were parked and picking out their animals for the upcoming sacrifice. I asked the kids, “Aren’t you glad that we don’t have to do that? God provided the Lamb once and for all.” It’s interesting to me that they get that God provided and intervened for Abraham, but miss that it was symbolic of the future sacrifice that would take place for all of us. I’m thankful that we are covered by God’s grace and that I don’t have to fear that my salvation is based on my piety. Cause that would be mish queas (not good).

We, like sheep, have gone astray, each has turned to his own way. And the Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Socialized medicine

Calvin has been having some back issues so his doctor put in a referral to the Bahrain military hospital so he could see an orthopedic specialist. The doctor only takes appointments from 4 to 7 pm two evenings a week, and with EID coming up I wanted to get him in before everything shuts down for five days. So that’s where I find myself tonight.

If I could have arranged it better, I would have sent Josh to accompany him instead. He would have enjoyed hanging with all the Bahrainis and people watching, surreptitiously eavesdropping on their conversations while everyone assumes the white guy can’t understand what they are saying.

I can barely understand English myself. Checking in the guy asked “what doe terry?” about 3 times as Calvin and I puzzled at each other until we finally got that he needed the name of the doctor we had an appointment with. No chance of pronouncing the name so I just handed over the paperwork and hoped for the best.

45 minutes later I’m waiting while Calvin gets an X-Ray, the soothing singing of The Haj never ceasing in my ear. All the waiting rooms are playing live coverage of the pilgrimage to Mecca — no newes, no sports, just an endless call to prayer.

After the X-ray we go back to the original waiting room and wait to see the doctor. Inshallah. He’s been having lower and upper back pain. A gift from both of his parents. Upper is my problem and lower is Josh’s — thanks genetics!

We may be here all night, but at least his medical bills are covered so this is only an inconvenience, not a burden. And I wish Josh were here to explain the Haj again. If I have to watch people walking in circles for a few hours, I’d like to know who’s winning.

balls in the air

I could probably go into a later in life career in the circus since I have become a professional juggler. It’s all good stuff, just a lot of it. At the beginning of each year I always joke that I have too many kids when it comes to filling out 4xs the paperwork, 4xs the sports, 4xs the driving, and 4xs the appointments, meetings and everything else we’ve been doing lately. Love them all, but I do have to compulsively check my calendar and figure out which child is where and where they need to go each day. If I created one of those Criminal Minds wall maps with strings leading from people to events and criss crossing back and forth I would look like a crazy person, but it might help me remember!

This week was Back to School week. Three Middle/High School students, two parents. It’s a fun event in that you follow your child’s schedule through the 2 day block schedule — Eight 5 minute periods back to back. Josh took Calvin’s schedule and I split time between Carter and Caleb’s teachers. 16 classes but only 8 choices. Each block was a decision: If they were new and teaching a core subject, I went to that class. If I met them the previous year, I skipped them, unless they were one of my favorites and then I went to tell them how happy I was that my child had them for a teacher. I had my dual schedules laid out and went back and forth with a pen, deciding who to cut. It was a good time, but I was beat, since I had left home at about 10am that morning and at 7pm still hadn’t been home all day.

Then the following night was Camille’s Open House and thankfully, I only had one to manage. She showed me all over her classroom, and then we went home and celebrated Carter’s birthday. We ended up skipping Caleb’s piano lesson because as we were walking out the door he burst into tears saying, “I always miss the fun stuff while I’m at piano lessons!” Good grief kid. Just speak up next time. It’s group lessons, 3 blocks from our house. You can skip a class. Besides, you only started 6 weeks ago so you hardly have missed “all the fun stuff.” We had one person over for dinner on Sunday and you had to eat a lamb chop on the way to class. Sorry that was so traumatic for you.

We did not have lamb for Carter’s birthday (thanks for the laugh Mom), we ate what he likes: bacon, eggs and sausage. And cake. And ice cream. We’ll have his real birthday breakfast this weekend when our friends from Oman are in town for a visit.

What else am I juggling? I’m hosting a women’s Bible study at my house that started this week. We’re meeting over lunch and everyone brings their own food, so it’s not hard. It just happened to be on Carter’s birthday/Open House/piano day this week so it was a lot to manage this time. As long as the cable that connects the computer to the TV works so I can run the video, all will be fine. (It’s a fiddly connection so it could be an issue.)

Camille has been extra tired this week. She’s happy in the mornings, but I can tell she is finished after school. I’m happy we have the week off next week to recover. I was at open house and Calvin was babysitting. He sent me this video while I was in Social Studies asking, “what do I do?” He put her to bed and she was asleep before I got home at 8pm.

Falling asleep on the way home from school

Calvin is almost finished with braces! He went on Monday for an adjustment and his ortho said to come back in 10 more days and he might get them off then. Happy day. Less $$$ out and less appointments to keep track of.

Camille is still rocking the kindergarten runway. I never know what style she is going to choose each day.

Showing off her new basketball uniform

These were all from this past week, plus on picture day, she wore her dirndl. I love that she wears whatever she wants with no fear of what others might think. I hope she keeps that confidence.

And I found a better race photo of Caleb from last week. I think he said his time was 26 minutes for a 5 K. Faster than his mama!

This weekend we get to reunite with friends and I hope to have some time to relax with them at the British club in between Kid’s church on Friday and the first round of basketball games on Saturday morning before they head home on Saturday night. Trying to keep all my balls in the air!

Catch-up

You would think with the kids all in school I would have more time to write, but somehow I’m finding I have less time. Life has been a blur.

Waiting for the bus with her faithful friend (who sneaks off when the bus pulls up to rummage in neighborhood dumpsters — then I end up chasing him down in bare feet and pjs. Lovely.)

I’m hoping that the busyness is due to everything starting up again for fall. It seems like I’ve had a lot of meetings and a bunch of emails and all my free time is spent recovering from exercising instead of doing something fun.

On Thursday the base held a 5k run to commemorate 9/11 and Caleb wanted to participate. The boys were going to race with their cross country team (and had their driver to take them), but Caleb really wanted to run too so I got up at 5am to get him there. See him in the front row at the start? (green shirt, behind his friend in the gray) I guess racing etiquette doesn’t mean much to an eager 11 year old. He was thrilled, but I was wiped by 11am and ended up taking a 3 hour nap. That’s where that day disappeared.

Another day I picked Camille up instead of having her ride the bus. As I was waiting around before they were dismissed, I saw her walking across the yard with her classmates. She seems much older since starting school. And much more talkative! Josh and I figure she probably only says 4 words all day so she’s ready to burst by the time she gets home. She barely stops talking between then and bedtime.

Thursday = fun day, cooking day, and treasure box day (she always picks candy, shocker.)

I was picking her up because all 3 boys were going on the Teen Retreat with the base youth group. Caleb isn’t a teen, but it was for Middle and High School. The retreat was all weekend at a really nice hotel — Caleb and Carter came home talking about how they had a TV in their bathroom and they were taking baths and watching rugby. They all had a great time. It was strange to just be a threesome for the weekend. It was so quiet!

She’s doing great adjusting to her new schedule. We’ve only had a few 6pm, fall asleep in the car episodes. She’s going to bed much easier because she knows she has to get up early. Thank God I can finally reason with her.

Big girl started basketball, just like her older brothers. She was very excited to pick out her outfit for her first practice. She can’t dribble well and she can’t shoot, but she has a huge grin the entire time, so that’s something. I’m sure she’ll have 3 eager coaches as soon as they watch her play her first game this weekend.

Camille had today off of school so we walked to the grocery store together. Just like old times.

We bought her headband the other day when we were shopping for a birthday present for a friend. She loves the multi-colored braid and kept telling her brothers, “I dyed my hair.” I’m sure that phase is coming.

We walked to our local grocery store to see if they had any of the local lamb for sale so we could grill lamb chops for dinner. They had just gotten in several — we walked past the delivery van on the way in. A regular white van with stacked carcasses filling the cargo area. It didn’t look like any sort of refrigeration was going on, but no worries, as we would be eating it in only a few hours. We told the guy we wanted lamb chops and he cut them out of the whole body. Super sharp knife, cut away both shoulders, then separated the ribs from the body and cut them up for us. Camille was fascinated: “That’s a sheep?”

I’ve got the lamb, she carries the bread.

I only have to finish out this week and then we have a full week vacation for Eid — hallelujah!