first day.

my kids were at school all day, and i still didn't get the laundry finished.

hah!

actually, i didn't even start it until after they were in bed.

we had a good first day here.

jakob and leah start a day later than the other kids... so we'll see their first day tomorrow!

ellie- 3rd grade with Mr. Holroyd

anna, 4th grade with Mrs. Rutledge

drew, 6th grade with Mrs. Thompson- homeroom

cute kids.

sweet teachers.

yes, i even took a picture of drew's teacher.

when we pulled up to the middle school he asked, "are you going to walk me in?"

i said, "if you want me to."

he said, "sure."

he gave me directions to every class he had that day from his scrupulous study of the map.

i told him i was going to bring my camera to take a picture of him with his teacher.

he siad, "really?  i guess that's fine."
{i love that drew saved his black vans for school... they are $6 Target clearance shoes, but he would only wear them in the house so they would stay nice for school. the night before school i saw him cleaning the bottoms with a baby wipe. sweet boy.}

i could tell drew was nervous, because he was acting confidant.

i cried walking out of the building.

(i have a tendency to get teary in kindergarten and middle school...  funny huh?!)

i LOVE these kids.

a lot.

jakob and i went to breakfast with two of his friends and their mothers.
i love how he always wants to share his food with me, "you can try this mom."
and how he asks, "can i try your hash browns?"
and how he offered me some money to pay for his milkshake.
(he ordered a vanilla milkshake and pancakes.)
he's a good kid.
this year i have 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, preschool, 3 year old and active baby...
speaking of firsts... 

 check out that-- FIRST ponytail.

she's a cute little bugger.

today, life is good.

and tomorrow, i'm going to finish my laundry.

it's going to be a fun year!

the doctor.

guess what happened yesterday?

the professor became Dr. Moss...  a certified PhD.

can you believe it?

he defended his dissertation and they didn't make him do any revisions!

we had a surprise "guy's" party for him...

so he could play all the games that he hasn't played for the past 5 years.

in a way, i feel like he just gave birth to an elephant.

not very fun, but definitely an accomplishment.

leah keeps asking, "Is dad really a doctor?"

i say, "yup."

she asks, "when is he going to get his costume?"

ConGRADulations Dr. Moss!!

We sure love you!!

the professor: life as a mature student

At the request of my sweet wife, and despite to innate sense of procrastination, I, the professor, take pen in hand and write about life as a mature student who also has 6 kids.  For those of you who love my wife's knack to flaunt conventions of capitalization (not the economic term) and punctuation, please forgive my conformity.  Here it goes...

1. Being old(er).  Being roughly 10 years older than most of the other PhD students in my department really isn't that bad.  We joke and work and take classes.  I think it's that I am nearing the end of my program that the PhD students seem to observe me and see how I do things, like presenting papers, working with professors, and applying to schools for jobs.  I find that I get more shocked reactions from the undergrad students I teach when they find out that I have 6 kids and still look so young (thanks to Jen purchasing Dove soap).  I guess they expect only balding, gray-headed men to have 6 kids.  No offense if you are a balding, gray-headed man.
2. The fun never ends.  Really, the fun NEVER ends.  There is always schoolwork to do.  Jen calls and tells me dinner will soon be on the table, and I say "Ugh, there is so much I still have to do today."  And that's not the best thing to say to a pregnant wife who has spent all day with young kids, picked up older kids from school, shepherded them through the after-school transition of jobs, homework, and piano practice, encouraged them gently and sometimes not-so-gently to finish work before play, and then prepared a wonderful dinner of grilled salmon, rice, and tomato-mozzerella salad.  Who am I to complain about what doesn't get done?  Yet my first reaction is still a quite-audible sigh instead of words of gratitude and appreciation.  I would like to get better at this.
3. Being a soccer dad.  And a music-lessons dad, and a basketball dad, and a boy- and cub-scout  dad, and a dance dad.  One of the joys of being a student and a dad of 6 kids is that I get to drive them places.  With an honest heart and no sense of regret (most of the time), I can say to myself, "It's time to go now and be with my kids."  And I enjoy the distraction of driving around and talking to the kids and watching them practice.  I've realized that since this is planned and on my calender, it's OK.  [Jen's note-- at first i HATED staying at home while the professor drove the bigger kids to practice... hated it.  But, i soon learned that it works best for our whole family.  He takes the big kids and does homework in the car while they practice.  I am able to keep harmony in the home... finishing up dinner dishes, spending time with the older kids who aren't at practice, and putting the little kids to bed.  Often, I do the drop-off and the professor does the pick-up on his way home from school.  We have made this work for our family, and it has been a blessing in our lives.  Even with tons of kiddos and activities each night, we ALWAYS have family dinner with everybody.  And, my younger kids go to bed by 7pm.  It's nice having a husband that has made family a priority.]
4. Flexibility.  My biggest difficulty is being flexible.  Like #3 above, if it's on my calender then I usually don't have a big problem transitioning.  But if Jen calls and for some unplanned reason I need to get the kids from school, or come home earlier than planned, then out comes the audible sigh.  Not good.  Of course, being the mom of 6 kids means constant flexibility.  I am amazed at how Jen has mastered the art of having a huge 2-do list and then, when life happens, and her list is still incomplete at the end of the day, she's learned to be OK with that.  I'm still learning this lesson.  Of course, if a senior professor calls and says something needs to take high priority, then of course I'm flexible too.  I'm just not choosing to be of my own accord.  Sometimes it's a strength, sometimes a weakness.
5. It's a small world.  The academic world is so small.  Everyone knows (or has heard of) everyone else, so the importance of reputation is magnified.  I may have heard something uncomplimentary about Professor X or Y, and then they're labeled--and the label may or may not be accurate.  Of course, the same applies for having good things said about you.  Everyone knows who the good people are to work with, or the great culture of this or that department.  And then the network of scholars who are Latter-day Saints is even smaller, so people are comfortable saying that they also went to BYU and can we chat for a minute about what it's like to work at this or that university.  I'm sure that the longer I'm in this profession it will simply get even smaller.
6. Unity.  Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned is how important it is to be unified with my spouse and with God.  If we are all on the same team, then life is great and I excel.  It's important to realize that my responsibilities and challenges don't change, but my capability to effectively handle them and to rise above them, changes dramatically.  If I'm not living my life in such a way to be close to God, or if I'm doing something that is alienating my wife, then life becomes much more difficult.  So if I get to busy, or if I'm home in body but not in spirit, or if I worry too much about WHAT needs to get done rather than HOW I'm going to do it, then I tend to loose sight of what's really important and my effectiveness drops.  Lucky for me, I have a great wife who values (and teaches me about) unity, so we help each other--usually it's her helping me, but not always.  :)

Anyway, in general life is challenging but very satisfying.  And not a day goes by without me knowing without a doubt that the decision for me to leave Corporate America and go back to school was the right decision for our family.  And that sure knowledge is what sustains me in those "what the heck am I doing here" moments.  So, if any of you are aspiring to go back to school, don't think it's impossible.  It's hard, but it's also a wonderful opportunity to move towards a better life.

spirit sleeves.

see these cute kids...
don't they make you want to buy blue/yellow SPIRIT SLEEVES?!
we sure hope so.

how i love pta...
and cute kids.

another first.

and so 2010-2011 begins.
we got home late last night and registered the kids this morning.
i LOVE being home.
my home is my peace... how i miss her when we are gone.
it is SOO good to be home.

i DON'T love starting this new school year a step behind... 
missing the real first day of school yesterday... 
not being able to find the last of the school supplies my kids needed for today (target doesn't have dividers or plastic folders with brads)...
not having gone to back to school night to unpack all their supplies BEFORE the first day of school...
and the worst-- dropping of my middle schooler without having practiced and rehearsed opening lockers, finding classes, etc. 
um.  not lovin' middle school yet.

we had a good morning.
my kids were giddy with anticipation.
i LOVE my elementary school.
we are known.  we were missed.  i saw sweet friends in the hallways and i handed my children into the arms of great teachers- fellow mothers who will love and teach them better than i can...
my kids have GREAT teachers.
i'm pretty insistent that they get the best.
i LOVE school. 
i feel excited and peaceful saying goodbye to my little ones.
Ellie- 2nd grade with Mrs. Smith
Anna- 3rd grade with Mrs. Hines
Drew- 5th grade with Mrs. Bevly

my oldest, Jakob, starts middle school today.
he's all alone.
the only other time he went to school without another sibling was kindergarten.
i felt the same nervousness...
i'm confidant that he'll do well-- he is a GREAT kid.
but, i cried as he walked into his first period and i walked the hallway away from him.
we did take some time to walk the halls and find his classes.
Jakob- 6th grade at Terra Vista Middle School

(um... no, i wasn't about to let him wander the halls on his own-- despite the secretary's assurance that it was an easy school to navigate.  i wasn't worried about HIM, i was worried about ME... can you imagine the horrid day i'd have imagining him lost his first day of middle school??  i wanted to introduce myself.  "Hello middle school, my name is Jenifer Moss.  I am the mother of 6.  I am involved.  I am protective.  I am kind.  Please let me parent and I will support you teaching.  Today, Jakob is a bit nervous about his first day of middle school, and so am I.  I will not leave him with you until the moment that I feel he is ready to go.  I did the same thing in pre-school and he is a very well adjusted 11 year old.  Thank you.")
he was late for his first period, but it was worth it.
we drew out his walking route on his map and made an index card of Gold day and Blue day.
we found gym and band and GT and lunch.
i felt him near me as we walked around, nervous but brave.

just last week Jakob jumped off a bridge into a river with my older cousins.
he went second and wasn't even scared.
he's growing up.  he's brave.
i'm proud of him.
but, i still cry for my little guy that is growing
how i will miss him.

he has a love note tucked in his lunch.
but no nail polish.
on the first day of kindergarten i painted one nail green so he could always see it and know that i was thinking of him.
i sure love that big/little guy.

How i will miss all of them...

but, i will enjoy going to the GYM again...
FINISHING my laundry...
QUIET afternoons...
having a house of ORDER... oh how i love structure. LOVE it and NEED it.
scripture time, oatmeal on Mondays, cream of wheat on Tuesdays, early bedtimes, homework, soccer, dance, music...
and before we know it Fall and Halloween and sweaters.
life is good.

now... time to UNPACK.

it's so good to be HOME!!!

i missed you...

boo hoo or YAHOO!!!

2009-2010 School year...

breakfast at home with the gang...

Ellie, first grade, Ms. Teague

anna, second grade, Mrs. Payne...

drew, 4th grade, Mrs. Alexander

jakob, 5th grade, Mrs. Kittley

so.. today was the end of their vacation and the beginning of mine. i love our school. i love their sweet teachers really, love them.... and, except for jakob, every one of my kids are in a class with a teacher who has had one of their siblings. it's so fun that they get to see just how similar and how different my kids are. this is going to be a GREAT year. and... i think i'll love the quiet life at home. next week. AFTER i'm finished playing catch-up. today was NOT restful, it was catch-up full. For family night Todd gave each of the kids Back to School blessings. They were so sweet. I take notes as he prays, and type them up so the kids can refer back to them throughout the year. I really want to start a "lesson's we're learning" binder where I can keep a record of the little ways that we see God's hand in our lives... starting with these blessings. It was a great way to start our new year. i have so much to tell you about my trip... it was GLORIOUS. seriously... why don't we do things like this more? I mean... you are NOT qualified to work as a mother unless you take at least one refresher course a year. :) And, although the classes i attended were amazing and inspiring and helpful... I'm certain that just having the evenings ALONE to pray and ponder and study and set goals and plan out my year... just this, has made all the difference. It's like I'm starting the year with a full tank. and, although this summer was lots of fun... i'm afraid by the end i was running on fumes. Trust me... I'm definitly home and in 5th gear. I'm loving my life... taking time to sing itsy bitsy spider and so ready for tomorrow. my advice... JUST DO IT. pretend your appendix has ruptured and you need to spend a weekend in the hospital... rent a room, be alone, and REST... because, if you don't... you may actually end up in the hospital with a burst appendix. so today was a welcome home and a go forth... both were necessary and great. life is really good. no?!