in which life gets more complicated

I guess you could say I am used to having little kids. I kind of know what to expect (which is not to say that I always know what to do). However, I feel like we are starting a new area of life and I can't see very far ahead of where we are going, and that is a little scary. I will call this change of life "adolescence." Logan and Madi will both be in middle school this year. The only experience with this stage that I know is my experience, and that makes me want to hide under the covers until it's over, and unfortunately that's not an option. Well, I mean, it might not turn out well if I did that. 

Logan is starting football camp tomorrow, and I'm terrified for him. For many reasons that I don't want to go into, we decided not to invest a lot of our early childhood lives in extra curricular activities, so I am worried about him being behind everyone else. I am worried about the commitment. I am worried about him feeling like he doesn't fit in. 

Madison is beginning the oboe this year. I love music, but I know nothing about the oboe. I don't know what reeds to buy, and I just found out what a spit cup is. I guess with this, and with adolescence, we will figure it out as we fake our way through it--just like we did when Logan and Madi were newborns and toddlers, and then starting kindergarten, and eventually there will be high school and college and life. Hopefully by the time Auggie gets to middle school we will be experts. Tired experts, but maybe a little more confident...as long as the others turn out ok, that is. Man, parenting is hard!

Speaking of Auggie, he is walking all over and babbling constantly. We think he says, "yes" (which is so strange), and "cheese." We think he might have a lazy eye--it is on my list of things to ask the pediatrician at his appt this month. 

And finally, I got a new church calling. Our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) is run by volunteers...well, we get volunteered and agree to volunteer. Anyway, I have been asked to be the leader over the young women ages 12-18 in our congregation (of over 500 people!! Only about 20 of those are YW). I am excited, but I have to be honest--it's a little overwhelming. The last year and a half I have been playing the piano and organ, and that has been a pretty easy and undemanding commitment. However, I accept and am happy about this new challenge and look forward to  getting to know the youth in our area. Logan also does not mind the fact that this means more girls in our lives, and next year Madi will turn 12 and will get to join us. So yes, life is more complicated, and my experience is that it will continue to get more so, and we keep on growing and at the same time expanding in our capacity. Well, that's life!