Joiner-ness

I'm trying to think back to when I was a kid.  It's hard, because after having Bug and Bunny, my memory has gone the way of the dodo bird.  I'm trying to remember if I was a joiner.  I remember doing some sports (basketball and field hockey I think were the only two), and I was in several school plays/musicals.  I remember that for sure, and even if I forget, I have some video of exactly how bad we were back then.  Man we thought we were rockin' it, we were so wrong.  And don't even get me started on my hair!  But I digress.  I wasn't in the student council or in the spanish or chess club or anything like that.  And really, by the time I was in high school, I was pretty much over high school and all things high school related.  I just wanted to get into college and get on with my life already.  So I'm really surprised by my recent need to be a big joiner.

Now that Bunny is finally in Kinder, and at the school she will more than likely finish out her elementary school career in, I've found myself oddly more involved.  Last year, when she was in Pre-K, I already knew we wanted her to switch to the school she's in now.  So while I paid my PTA dues, I didn't actually go to a single meeting or do a single thing to try to be involved.  It's all different now. 

I went to my very first PTA meeting ever on Wednesday.  I never went to PTA meetings with the older girls because, to be honest, I felt like a bit of a fraud.  They have a mom, and that's not me.  And especially with LW, it was weird.  I would have been 14 when I gave birth to her.  So, what? I would have been 13 when she was conceived, if she had been my own bio child.  I got enough weird looks when I went to school events, I didn't need to explain myself to a room full of women that the older girls' mom likely already knew.  And as I said, they had a mom.  So while I'm an old hat at this parenting thing - Bunny is a few months away from being as old as GG was when I first came into her life - I'm brand spanking new with the PTA.

Everyone was super friendly and I think that's part of their evil plot to get you to join up for stuff.  They act all nice and sweet so you don't even notice when you're agreeing to stuff a million folders, or work tirelessly for hours on end at the latest fund raiser.  I think I might end up being the Executive VP.  What? Stop laughing! I can hear you.  Seriously, enough with the giggles! 

The position itself, doesn't require too much for now in the way of responsibility, but it lines me up to take over the position of PTA President in a year.  You're laughing again, aren't you?  Traitor!  

The current president is amazing, and I doubt I could live up to her legacy, but I'm willing to give it a whirl.  I like the idea of being really involved with the school, the teachers, the parents.  These are the people I'm going to spend the next 6 years with, at a minimum.  These are the people we're going to see every school day, at all of the school events, and at who's houses my kids are going to one day play.  I want to know who they are.  I want to help out the school any way I can, in hopes of creating an environment where Bunny, and Bug in his turn, can succeed.  This is their foundation after all, for the rest of their lives.  I know, I know, sounds totally cliche, but I really feel like it's true.  And honestly, they're only this little once, I don't want to miss anything.

But I'm not limiting my new joiner-ness to just the PTA, the DAR has taken up residence in my schedule for more than just the once a month meeting.  I joined because of my sister, but found I really like this group of ladies.  This nice and sweet thing gets me every time! 

I figure if I'm going to be part of the group, I want to really be part of the group.  I've currently joined a committee for an essay contest.  I made an announcement about the contest in my very first PTA meeting (worlds colliding much?), and had a great response.  I'm taking it a step further by contacting all the principals and as many teachers as I can, to get the school and therefor the kids involved.  How great would it be if I could help in the success of this contest?  I'm smiling just thinking about it.

And I doubt it will stop there.  I already have my eye on heading up the Juniors committee.  The Juniors being everyone in the group that is 36 or younger.  I also may have mentioned wanting to join the committee for the CAR (Children of the American Revolution) so that Bug and Bunny can participate too.   I have no idea what that might involve, but I'm sure they'll put my exceptional organizational skillz to good use.

My only worry, is that I might be over-extending myself just a teeny, tiny bit.  Between PTA, DAR, Swim Lessons (which we sign up for this Saturday), being Room Mom (oh, did I forget to mention I signed up to be the co-room mom for Bunny's class?), archery,  photography, the kid's church choir, my day job, my contract jobs and ya know, sleeping at some point, I might have over-done it just a little bit. 

But maybe not.  If nothing else, this will be a year for learning and growth.  I might have to let one or two things go, but for now, I seem to be holding it all together.  A PDA that I hope to acquire soon will help a lot towards keeping everything scheduled at least.

Wish me luck guys.  And I'll keep you all in the loop of this crazy ride as I go.  If nothing else, it will likely be worth a laugh or two. 

Seriously.. Thoughts?