A little over the end of school

Thanks to our January move, I've just finished my second 'end of school' in six months. I didn't do it with as much joy as I probably should have. There, I've admitted it. Sometimes I think the whole thing exists to see how frazzled the Mums will be by the end of it.

Parties, portfolios, pizza, panic birthday parties (for the kids with birthdays during the holidays), plates to bring, (run out of 'p' words), concerts, discos, soccer games, art shows, farewells. Times four. Phew! Plus my final exams for Bahasa. And our 'end of year' was heavily punctuated by gastro, which means we're all pretty weary, and a little bit grumpy. Mostly me.

But when my children finish in exactly one hour, they will have finished 18 months of school without a long break. Quite an effort! They will finally progress to their next year level, after having to wait patiently for an additional six months due to our move. They get to celebrate, by having their first TWO MONTH holiday, as we are following the U.S. system. Oh, and with a trip to the dentist this afternoon. Just the type of Mum I am. 

So I pause, in my final hour of quiet before two months of noise, to reflect on their start to school in Jakarta. Generally it has been pretty fabulous. The boys are happy. The school impressive. It has been hard for my little men to be moved from what was familiar and wonderful in Adelaide. They miss their mates. But I was encouraged when one of my boys had to farewell a classmate here to Cambodia. He told me he might miss this boy as much as his Adelaide friends. I could see how surprised he was.

I'm excited about our break. Mostly because I won't need to set my alarm for 5:30am each day! And of course there is our holiday to America and one to Bali. Then Tony's Mum visits, promptly followed by my sister and her family. Much to look forward to. The two months will fly. Wonder how sane I will be by the end of it...?

But for now, I thought I would gather a few photos from the boys start here... So glad I have another 12 months before we do all of this again!

Indonesia Week

                                                                                    Wacky Hair Day (below)

Go Caleb! New school record for the mile run!

                           Dressing up like the teachers                                                   Star of the Week

                                                        Luke's first belt in Tae Kwon Do

            
                                                      So much fun together at athletics!

         Chinese New Year                                                                                  Field Trip to the Zoo

Gratitude:

141: A great school.

142: Fabulous teachers.

143: My boys, who love to learn.

144: Different experiences.

145: Kids from all over the world, in one place, to learn from.

146: Two months holiday!

147: Visitors to look forward to.

148: My Bahasa course finished - I'm free!

149: Anticipation of much noise.

150: Boys excited about finally going up a grade!

Choosing laughter in the madness

We had all been pretty well since arriving in jakarta, despite the constant threats that we would all get sick with the various gastronomic bugs. Then last Monday happened...

It was CJ first. Vomiting. Temps. Miserable. Off to bed. More vomiting.

LM claimed he felt sick. The wise mother said, " No you don't. It's just unpleasant hearing someone being sick. You're fine!" Yet it appears this was hopeful thinking...

At 11am the middle two started in what was gold medal worthy synchronization! One of them from the top bunk, to the bottom bunk, to the trundle bed, and then a trail from beds to bathroom. A l-o-n-g trail.

Picture the largest amount of vomit you have ever seen being placed in another bathroom sink at the same time. Literally.

My man and I met in the hall. We could not stop laughing. Not even to contain ourselves long enough at that moment to comfort our very unwell boys. It was just too revolting and ridiculous to do anything else. Though I wouldn't have minded popping back into bed and going back to sleep...

So my wonderful husband, who is entirely unable to smell, started cleaning up in one room. I sat with my other boy, the one who hates being sick (probably because he very rarely is). We sat on the floor, him trying not to be sick (again), me convincing him he would feel better if he was. Rubbing his back. Talking in low tones.

And I sat there thinking, this is love.

Right here. This is what it looks like. Trying to coax your son to vomit.

Because if i wasnt here, who would do that for him? Are we able to count the number of children who do not have such a person in their life? I sat there, trying to put a number on it, feeling sad that the tally would have way too many zeros. 

We made it back to bed. Did I mention how wonderful my husband is in these situations?

Then the little one started to roam around the house. Apparently. Have I mentioned I'm a heavy sleeper? I did know about it at 3am when a quantity of vomit was placed by him onto our bedroom floor. Thanks darling, let's get you cleaned up. Another chance to love.

Kind of poetic that it was the correct birth order.

So began a week of sickness. And opportunities to love. Serve.

And above all else, with the Lord's help, keep my sense of humour. Because without it, I'd curl up and cry!

Gratitude:

131: A husband who cannot smell!

132: General good health in Jakarta.

133: Laughter at crazy times.

134: Delirious conversations from LM.

135: A little body, climbing into my lap for a cuddle.

136: Two boys quickly improved.

137: Access to Doctors and medication in a country where some children die because of such illnesses.

138: Time to sit and read a little, because everyone is too sick to do anything.

139: The reminder that these are opportunities to love, not difficulties.

140: Good perspective at these times.