I picked up the kids early from school....

....and we shopped. We ate. We rode. We listened. We bought. We sang. We lived. I am a blessed woman indeed. This is the life I always dreamed of. "For in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

P.S. My school term is DONE. I am baking cookies and planning ahead! I learned that I will need a MA in order to get my teaching licence. This is something unexpected. God knew. =) This is good! Still running....lost weight....running a 1/2 in May. Christmas is AROUND THE CORNER!

just one day

This all we have left until THANKSGIVING break!!! My heart is flipping! I'm working Friday, then later Friday we have Ben's fam. over. YAY!!!!! Then taking my WR final and a MTH test Monday.....then.....DONE for the WEEK!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? =D

We Aren't Jack-o-lanterns

Kooky kids.

Zach-the wounded, yet victorious, Ninja.

Joe-the Silly Clown.

Sis- the Black & White TV show. (She thought

of this on her own. =)


Sam-the I-know-Zombies-aren't-real Zombie.

Whatever.....

doesn't fly at our house. That is unless it's used sarcastically; then it's a free for all!

Before 9.20am today I had already dealt with a day full. But this story will need some back up. Get ready....get set....

While studying Finland and it's exceptional educational system (for a paper) I realized that I have 'hovering' tendencies as a Mom. The article I read stated that the lack of hovering by parents and teachers was one reason for the high scoring academics."Hurry up. We need to be out the door in 15 min." or "Ummmm. Is this plate clean? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Please clean it again." are just two of some very common sentences I use. I will often catch myself reminding the kids (usually the boys) of what they should already do on their own. Ick. I don't enjoy it and neither do they.

So, this morning I told Them All that since they knew (and have charts to help them if they forget the spot in the routine) I wasn't going to remind them of anything. This was my brilliant plan. Looking back I now realize the mistake of having children....er....I mean of not giving more preparation for them and ME. =D (For the record: I LOVE my kids and am glad I have them.) By the time we needed to leave NO.ONE. yes you read right.NO.ONE.WAS.READY. That is, except me.

I knew the consequences as time was ticking. Feet were slow and mouths full of food and talk. Sometimes it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize the facts; we were not going to be on time. I HATE being late. HATE. I guess that I'm not a typical Baby Child in this way. Don't get me wrong, I love jokes and having fun. But there is a time for that and this wasn't it.

One kid sat 'farting around' for 45 min. at breakfast. Glory be. Others, due to their lack of completing their jobs, spoiled some breakfast food. Did the Mamma clean up after the kiddo's? Nope. This, I learned, was the hardest part for me. Also untypical to the B.C. (baby child) I need order and tidy-ness. Really it's not just a need; it's a have-to-have-it-or-I-feel-as-if-I-can't-breathe thing. Truly. Well, we made it on time but with consequences. Ones that I didn't choose.

So, while the milk container sat on the table for The Child to take care of it all afternoon, I dealt with me. I wrote in my journal the other day that it really doesn't matter what grade I receive on my mid-term. What matters is how I handle Ben and the kids while juggling the studying for said test. That is the real test for me. Do I say no to often trying to achieve my degree goal? Do I hurt feelings unintentionally in order to make things in my space 'right' for me? This is were I will be working the hardest.

Yup. My house was a mess today. But I'm trying to learn to smile through that mess. I have a feeling this week will be a doozy as I relinquish more control and let the kids understand freedom = responsibility. If that responsibility is not taken care of there is no freedom. Or video games. Or candy. Or vacations. Or rest. Or world peace. =0) Heh. Those last three were added just to test you. A messy house cannot promote world peace....or can it?.....

Virtual Constipation

I guess that's better than physical constipation. =D Well, it's time to clean this virtual 'body' out! I've been wanting to post but I've also been doing the needed things so my blog has gotten....backed up. At least it has in my brain.

*sigh* As I sit and type, the kids are watching their last of Saturday TV; we've got a full day. As most Sat. go, we're cleaning the entire house. But today we'll also be aiding Ben by organizing the garage and cleaning the back patio. This will be a gift to the Mamma. I love sitting and chatting with Babe at days end as we sip our wine. The treat will be to have that experience seated in front of an outdoor fireplace.....it's a beautiful thing and I CAN'T WAIT!

School is going good for us all. The kids LOVE their teachers and the new schedule. Babe will be taking a much needed break from college next term (he's taken math all 6 of his consecutive terms....ick). I'm taking Math 211 and Writing 121 and completely love my instructors. Both my teachers have earned doctorates in the classes their instructing. Dr. Nolan (MTH) is a quirky, random, grampa man (it shocked me at first but I'm learning this style keeps me on my toes)who is hard of hearing and Dr. Sanders is super organized and linear (which I dig). Mid terms are in about 10 days. Yay.

The remaining will be updates via photos.....I just can't get over the joy in our lives. God is good!


Our new toys. Ta-da!


The grasshopper before its legs and wings were mysteriously
"amputated". Zach.



Our house can hold company! This is proof at
how good Anna and I have it.




The before and after.

The process.......he was exited at first. Then came the chewing and brushing pain. =/

The jog-a-thon yesterday (aka the kids' marathon....=). Since Ben completed the Portland all the kids were in on the process. Pace yourself. Breathe. A few days before the 'thon Joey came to me and wanted to make sure they get their "carb load" the night before the big race. Yup. Oh, and I just look ticked. I'm not really. =] Totals: Es and Sam-2 miles; The Twins-1.75 miles; Mamma-4 miles.

This morning. Awww. I love catching them

in acts of kindness.

All this peace and activity = weight loss. Ben has lost around 20lb's and I 10. We'll see if it continues but we're happy where we are.

Switch-o Change-o

OH. BOY.

We're moooooved. We so very much ENJOY our new spot on this round ball. I didn't realize how much havoc surrounded our other place.

There are several reasons why this spot is one of peace for us.
1- It's larger. We aren't tripping on one another.....ever.
2- It's on a quieter street. THREE days went by before we heard a siren. WOW!
3- I haven't see a single illegal transaction. Serious.
4- The kids school is a brisk, four minute, walk from our place.
5- The Quartet's school begins one.hour.later. and since we're closer.....it's just a beautiful thing. Our mornings are not longer filled with MAJOR time management. We still watch the clock but not as strictly.
6- We are a quick three minutes away from our church. We googled it and found it would be a 23 min. walk and a 7 min. bike ride. LOVE IT!
7- The way this house is laid out is perfect for our family. It's been added on to about twice (in 60 years) and I think God had us in mind all along! The boys room is large enough to house all their items AND to be used as a play room as well. The Four all have a space to complete homework away from distractions. This has been a HUGE advantage. We have a fire place again!
8- Our Land Lady is across the street and a DEAR. She's the one we've told the kids to run to if there's an emergency and we aren't home.

So, since the 6th of August we:
Signed the lease*Moved*Unpacked*Found all the school supplies*Kids stared a.new.school*Had Peso partially fixed*Katy started a new job*Cleaned old house*Walked through old house*Reinstated our library cards for this county*Run in a new and multi-hilled area*Purchased this terms collegic text books*Had several margaritas and made oh-so many memories already.

I truly cannot describe how blessed I feel. At this point I'm not even sure there are words in existence to describe.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for helping. Thank you for supporting. Without you all.....there wouldn't be a THIS.

Cause and effect

When your house looks this way.......

and if you have three boys who love to use

their trinkets and toys in highly imaginative

ways......

then your house could look this way the day

after said activities......

Another weird one for you

Normally when I post I have some cute antidote of the kids to tell or I've been questioning myself and writing about it. But recently when I'm trying to think of something clever to post....I draw a blank. Alas, today I got nuthin'. Well, I have somethin', it just may not be clever. Heh.

I LOVE words. There are SO many. I think I'll write a book someday with all the amazing words contained in it. Wait. Isn't there already one of those in circulation? Oh yeah. I remember now. Dictionary. =]

This is one word that caught my attention today: insalubrious; adj. Not promoting health; unwholesome.
As in "I'm trying to combat an insalubrious lifestyle."

Anyway.....that's all she wrote folks.

P.S. Oh, there is something else. We're moving on the 3rd so we're packing, cleaning and registering for the new school! Maybe that's why my brain cannot think of a smart post? It's pregnant with this transition. No, I'M NOT pregnant. =D Peace. Out.

Are we there yet?

With Ben and my goals in regard to school (and when finals were looming) I begin to question my reasoning's for why we started in the first place. These feelings seem to be prolific whenever mid-terms or finals are approaching (or waiting for that final grade. Sheesh, time does creep!). Hmmmm. I wonder. THEN as I look at the road ahead all I can see are many, Many, MANY years of college ahead. Oh, that sounds SUPER fun. (Sorry, but I'm very sarcastic!)

ADD the fact that we're trying to move to a certain area to enable the kids to attend a certain H.S.......and that certain area is an increase in rent which translates to longer term renting and less savings.

THE solution to this algebraic-life-equation is....PRAY and follow peace and wisdom.

The rest is up to an All Knowing and Loving God who will NEVER lead us astray.

That is when I can rest. That is when time seems to fade and become less of a concern. This is when we look to His face and realise there really is peace like a river.

No matter what life swings at me; no matter if I fail the algebraic test or not; no matter if we get that house in the district we want or not; He is good. He is God. I am His.

This is sweetness and I could not ask for more.

Questions

Esther (11yo) "Mom, can we get up walk around the house with flash lights late at night?"
Me~ "Uhhh. Sure."
Ben ~ "As long as it's after midnight." (I think we're both hoping that no kid will be awake then!)
Me ~ "And as long as you don't go outside and you stay out'ta our room." Nobody better wake me up with a stinkin' flash light!

IT'S SUMMER!

My final is WEDNESDAY. I even delayed my birthday a single day due to the end of classes. That's how much we are excited (Ben's is Tuesday)! OMGosh.

Another question while trying to avoid a (hemorrhoid) commercial "Do you put that stuff on your butt?" ~ Sam (10yo). Yup, buddy. Ya do. Never thought I'd be answering that question.

What questions have YOU had to answer lately???

This is a test of the emergency broadcasting system. If this were an actual emergency....

I heard the familiar voice and bleeps then read these words the other day. I chuckled when the confused kids asked why this was on the t.v. HA!
This summer has been full. Full of laughs and new plans. Full of growing kids with big questions. Full of movies, camping in the back yard and sleeping in beds (swapping beds basically). This is my favorite time of year. The salads, the bbq's, the lemonade, the warmth and NO SCHOOL!

Okay, this year that last one is only partly true. Ben and I are both taking Advanced Algebra through the summer. Babe's class is online and mine is MW, 9 to 12.20 (with and additional 2-4hrs of HW each week). Suck-o-rama. I didn't realise how much this class would cramp my summer style. I will defiantly ready to be done in 2.5 weeks.

This summer has been one of discovery. I've learned, even more of, what's important to me. I've learned that my kids are amazing. They're still kids, but they're my very most favorite on the planet. I've learned the sacrifices of living without A/C in our home and vehicles. I've learned to live without a dryer. I've learned which neighbors smoke mair-high-wanna. I've learned when to be more gracious to myself and when to push. I've learned what a wise Man I'm married to.

With this learning comes change. The first is that we'll be renting for a longer period that we thought. We could push to buy, but since we have a sm. emergency fund and very little down payment it would be unwise for how. We're hoping to move closer to the kids school to save time and $$$. This is proving to be a challenging feat. We have our self imposed rent restriction amount and we want a certain size indoor and out. These ideals don't always match to the craigslist postings! We figure we can stand to live here another 6 months at most but ideally would prefer to move before fall. Only God knows! This is all due to Ben's amazing financial wisdom. Thanks for working so hard Babe!

Another change is.....dun....dun.....dun.....I am possibly NOT running the marathon this year. When I first started thinking this way I was BUMMED OUT but it is just not fitting with our life right now. The kids still need me alot and then there's HW and my own school. I'm still running (I ran and walked a total of under 8 miles today) I just am not pushing myself nearly as hard. I'm still trying to gradually increase but just not nearly as quickly. Let me tell ya. Once I resigned to the no marathon life.....I was more at peace. YAY! Thank God.

What's in store for fall? School and work; that's all that is certain! Oh....and fun, fun, fun 'till daddy takes the t-bird away! I hope he really doesn't....I love that car. =)

Between Now and Then

Holy COW. Have I been pc shy or what? Hmmmm. Technophobia? Not really since that would mean a fear of technology. Maybe flogaphobia??? (facebook/blog fear) HA!

What? You think I'm stuck on phobia's or sum'm? Well, I am. This is the Greek root of the day. We study one every few days. Our goal: to finish the first set of 100 by summers end. Yeah. We'll be doubling up.....

When Ben and my school let out we busted out'ta town to visit Ben's family. Then we said "SEE YA!" to the kids and headed to the coast for our anniversary get away. Below is evidence of how rummy we got on the 6 hr. drive.

After our 4 days hiatus from the kids Nadine brought the kids to the coast (THANKS MOM)! This is one of our excursions to Hug Point. SUPER cool.

This one was taken above the little falls.

So very, very COLD. I was reminded how much I enjoy warmth while taking these. Yes, the water drowned my feet several times getting some awesome shots.

Sis celebrated her 11th year there. What? Yup. She'd been planning her day for months. No joke. Coffee. Pancakes. Gifts. Taco Smell. =) Movie. Play. Fried chicken, green beans, mashed tatoes and strawberry shortcake. More movies. Whew! It was a good one!

This was the second to the last night. We invited anyone who wanted to come and watch the sun set. Sam was the only taker. We had a sweet time with just him and us.


After 8 days away we were ready for home.

The tooth puller.

The I didn't-ask-you-to-make-the-salad-I-needed-to-make-for-the-dinner-with-friends-but-thank-you-SO-much Girl.

This summer has already been full and a blessing! The best part is.....it's NOT OVER! Babe and I are taking math over the summer but it's do-able. Now we've just got to fit in two camping trips, another trip to the beach and another trip down south! YEEEESSSSS! We are blessed.

The Leftovers

That'd be this blog. =) This is my leftover place and since there hasn't been any of me 'left over' the posts have been few.

BUT IT'S SUMMER VACA NOW!!!! For the kids at least. Ben and I will be attending one class during the summer term so it won't be too busy.

I've realised that I've neglected photo's here so I will attempt to fill in the past few months through pictures.

Science fair. (May)




Spoon lifting. =)


Spring program. ♥


All Four eating breakfast out doors.


Funny face pancakes. The name is for the

food....not the kid!


The end of 2nd grade's Greek unit. This is

Zach's creation of the Parthenon.

The mole Daddy stepped on.


Our 'dress up' dinner. Everyone was required

to wear a consume. Sis is wearing my veil and

I hers.


Sam's integrity award.


Sis's performance of Shakespeare's Mid

Summer (they followed the actual verbiage. I

was SO impressed!).


Our hike to Wahkeenah (in Yakima it means

'most beautiful) Falls. (June)

Sam at OMSI science camp w/ Dad.



The.Last.Day.Of.School. Who cares how your

clothes look? All the swamp stains came out

BTW.


Life.


Not pictured are....my broken glasses and my new shnoz piercing. Yup. It's true.