A Very Good Year

Kendra told me the other day that she felt like such a dork because she was so excited about co-op. Let me tell you, I understand. Last night I went to a meeting at the place where we will be having co-op, the same kinds that I used to dread before we moved - being so involved with things in our church, and the homeschooling community that each week seemed to bring a new genre of laborious meetings. Last night was different - I was pretty excited - and nervous. I don't know what exactly it is that makes Christian women intimidate me so - I was trying to explain it to my friend Melody and concluded during our discussion that when someone always has their act together (or at least seems to) and anytime you open your mouth they are giving you advice, judging you or trying to "fix" you or your life, marriage, parenting - look at you with mouth open as if something like the child jumping off the back of the couch would never happen in their super structured, over-controlled house - it has a tendency to make you feel an inch tall. I was so relieved to find that this group was nothing like that - at all. This was the warmest group of women I have been around in a long time. They were friendly, welcoming. One sweet lady that sat next to me leaned over at one point when I was likely glossing over from all the information and said, "It isn't always like this. This is the worst meeting of the year and even though it is a bit confusing, it will make perfect sense when we get going." I think I love her. There were a lot of different types of women, all mingling with each other. One mom came in wearing a Bon Jovi t-shirt - and even though I never talked to her, I already like her. She just felt comfortable in her own skin - I really envy people like that. At the end of the night, there were teenagers piled all over an old couch and standing around in the lobby being loud and teenager-ish. I can picture my girls right in the middle of that! Another lady was telling me that the boys who have trouble sitting still don't have that problem in this co-op as it is very hands on, and that made me very happy for Kullen. I told Travis when I got home that I think this is going to be a very good year.