Its a Happy Monday here, and I hope it is where ever you are too!

My oldest son is graduating from elementary school today - sigh - he's gotten soooooooo big, sooooooooo fast! I'm a super-proud mom today, when I think about the young man he's becomming. He didn't distinguish himself academically, that's not his path....but his teacher and I were talking about some of the pitfalls of middle school (bullies, drugs, drinking etc.) and the teacher said he didn't think I'd have anything to worry about because "Thomas has a strong moral compass". Maybe its silly, but that compliment meant more to me as a mother than any number of A's on a report card. I know alot can change in the years between now and adulthood, but its a nice thing to hold on to, something to give me hope during the teenage storms.

Also, tomorrow he has his first big test as a senior in karate. He got his green belt last year, in the junior class, but when the kids go up to the senior group they need to go back a couple levels because the standard at the senior level is higher. So he had to trade in his green belt for a white belt again (not a happy camper!) and tomorrow is his test to get it back. Think of him, if you don't mind, because I know he gets stressed out at the evaluations and I don't want nerves to get the better of him!

Anyway - here's me babbling about my stuff - but its so nice and so rare to actually wake up on a Monday and feel great about everything! Thought I'd pass some rainbows around and hope that all of you go on a merry ride today and find your own pots of gold.

Love,
Terri

Terri,

I am glad for both of you! Happy Monday!

Thanks Dave

It WAS a Happy Monday, and a Happy Tuesday too Thomas got an award for leadership at graduation, and he got his senior green belt tonight, so all is well in his world, and I am (as always) a proud mother. And of course, the other two little urchins are doing great as well - Tegan got a glowing report card for her first year at school (she's really artistic and learning to read and all those good things) and Evan is finally starting to talk - he had a bit of a speech delay but he's catching up like crazy now. I think he went from using about six words to using about sixty in the last few weeks. Its wonderful and exciting, and it makes me realize that dispite some of the shit I'm dealing with, the important things are intact and all is good in the world.

Love,
Terri

Hey Terri,

Congrats to Thomas on his graduation, and receiving that award!

And way to go on getting his green belt! I bet that made him feel terrific! Both my brother and father studied karate, and they can vouch that it gives so much in the self-esteem department. I never took it myself, and sometimes regret it. Here's hoping he keeps it up, especially through the teenage years. My brother found that particular time to be difficult, and has said numerous times if he didn't have the self-discipline karate gave him, he might have withstood a few bruises.

And your other two young'uns are sure giving you reason to smile too, eh? Sounds wonderful. You're right; days like Happy Monday and Happy Tuesday sure are indicators that "all is good in the world."

Tara

Aw Terri,

Thanks so much for sharing your rainbows with us. You've done an amazing job raising your three gifted and precious little cherubs, so go on and give yourself a gold star for a job well done.