It's April Already

A year ago: I've got to blog more, at least once a week.
A few weeks after that: I HATE that I have't posted on the blog. I need to make that a priority.
A few weeks after that: Wow, we have alot going on. No wonder I haven't had time to post on the blog! Good thing our schedules are calming down. I should FINALLY have time to blog this week!
Months after that: Should I even try to compose a post to blog? So many events have passed and many more loom ahead. Maybe I should just give it up?
Just now: *trying to log in* Uh-oh. Can a blog be deleted due to inactivity???? Oh no! And I finally have time to blog!

I know it's not quite April yet, but it sure feels like it. As fast as our schedules are speeding along, we can now just skip days and jump into a yet-to-occur one. No, it's not a new type of super power or technology, it is merely necessity.

This April is a busy one. Our calendar is already filled to overflowing. Excitement and uncertainty mark this time in our lives, like none before it. Or this is how it seems and feels at the moment.

Ben- begins a new position at his current company on Monday. This new position will require more long distance travel (long distance being southern Washington to central Oregon. Some of you may be stifling laughter at this description of travel. For us, this is a HUGE change). Right now, his bachelors program counselor crammed him into two overlapping classes. That will be done this next week-end. THANK GOD! So, he is working full-time and double timing school. It makes for some interesting schedule conflicts. Ben has just begin getting into cycling as a hobby.

Me- I still have a job (this became a potential issue when I had to interview for my own position and when funding became slight. Many co-workers are or will be receiving lay-off letters). My manager has encouraged my pursuit of a bachelors, so I have enrolled in CH222, again (I dropped this course last spring when Zach became ill and was in the hospital). So, I am working full-time and taking 5 credits. Our 5 raised garden beds will soon become a hive of activity as I have already begun starts and planted peas and lettuce.

Es- is in her last semester of her Freshman year. This year has brought challenges with certain teachers. She impresses me with her attitude. "Well, I am learning how to deal with difficult teachers"- I haven't told her that this will not be her last run in with such a prediciemnt. =) She decided to discontinue playing violin as a school activity, but still practices at home during the week. Her attitude and viewpoints catch me off guard and her hilarious comments cause much joy in our house.

Sam- in his last year of middle school. He is still playing violin as a school activity and loves to listen to music and read. He's been practicing his basketball form and is excited to be involved with that during his freshman year. Most shockingly, he is now 5'9'', size 10.5 shoe and is all arms and legs (he's only 13!). Sometimes I mistake him for his Dad when I just hear his voice.

Zach- recovered wonderfully from pneumonia and played football last Fall. He is in his first year of middle school and enjoys math the most. He is in his first year of band at school and plays the baratone. He loves long walks on the beach (just checking to see if you're still with me!) anything to do with the outdoors and recently inherited Sam's old bike.

Joey- is in his first year of middle school and looks the most forward to Mr. Hays' class. This math teacher allows the kids to spend time in his class during the lunch periods to learn the algorithms of the Rubik's cube. Joe can now solve a messed cube in less than a minute. He likes anything to do with science and math and is also involved in band at school playing the trombone.

With everything we are involved with we tackle with determination and purpose. We get dirty completing jobs and having fun. But, isn't this is what life is about? Fulfilling purpose and cleaning up messes? At least that is what the fun and lasting bits to life are.

"God is the one who started this good work in you, and I am certain the he won't stop before it is complete on the day the Christ Jesus returns" Philippians 1:6 CEVD

So, expect another post from me in a week month….who knows when!

All that Jazz

 SPRING BREAK is HERE! Below is what I would have posted if I would have had time during the term. =)

The Experiment. Materials needed: kid, photographer, peanut butter, candies, and opinions.

 I took my first biology class this term and fell in love. Biology in now my minor and education my major. This is a photo of "Horace". He is our resident red tailed hawk that was the star of one of my BI papers. I received an extra point due to him! Thanks Horace!

Snow day! The first was taken on our first late school day due to snow. The last was taken this Thursday 3.22.12. The kids got a pre-spring break treat!

 The boys helping Ben construct our backyard fort. The last one is of the Twins playing Connect Four on my phone. Gotta love those aps!

We defiantly needed this break from routine. Since Ben began full-time school again we have had another morph of our schedule. And we will have another morph as my term begins next Monday. Whew! I am glad that we are completing this process now and not when the kids are in high school!
If you are anticipating your break enjoy it! And if yours has already passed you by I hope it was wonderful.
HAPPY SPRING!

Time repeats

So do songs. In my brain. On rainy days. Even when I am sitting in class, taking notes. The song continues. In my brain.

I only have three weeks of this term remaining. This has been the most difficult term yet. I'll take the appendectomy of winter 2011 over repeating this term again. Yeah. Rough. The end is in sight though. I have just a single year until I graduate. Aw.h.sum. I have already registered for Winter term. I now need to meet the electives section. Thank God.

Weeeel, I gotta hit the books. I've got a 5 page ART paper due the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Ouch. Hopefully my Prof. will receive it well. =D

All is well. That in itself is beautiful.

I should be studying right now...

...but before I forget, I need to post our current schedules. I will forget. I know it.

Sundays: all kids practice for Christmas drama 9-10.30. All stay for service. Home. RELAX (or catch up on studying).

Monday: Ben and I get up at 4.55am. Work-out. Ben leaves at 6.40. I wake kids. Breakfast 7.15-7.45. Take Twins to school 8.10-8.30. Walk Es and Sam to bus stop 8.55-9.10. STUDY. P/U Twins 2.30-3.05. Begin dinner. 4.40-4.50 meet Es and Sam's bus. 5.30-6.15 dinner. 9.30 blessed sleep!

Tuesday:All is the same until I drop the Twins off. 8.50-9.50 internship at PCC. Class 10-11.50. Intern noon to 2.20. Directly P/U Twins and home by 3.05 (beginning the 18th the Twins will be p/u at 4). The remaining is the same.

Wednesday: All is the same except this is late start for Es and Sam. Bus p/u 9.55-10.10. I work my first job this day (my last day is the 12th of this month. Then I will be working my PCC job during this time) until 5. My mom p/u the Twins. Dinner and then church. THEN SLEEP!

Thursday: Everything the same as Tuesday.

Friday: Morning is the same. Then I intern from 9.30-12.30. After the 12th not be working the internship this day (Wednesdays instead) but will use this time to study.The rest of the day matches Monday.

Saturday: enjoy being a family!

We've switched up several ideas as a family. There is no TV watching from Monday a.m. to Friday morning. We used to have a huge cleaning day on Saturday, but we've begun talking little bits of our Saturday chart thought the week.

This term I am taking HE 242 (WEBonly), HST 201 and ART 205 (WEBonly). I am considering taking classes through this summer to enable my graduating at that terms end (if my memory serves correct I will only have 11 credits that term).
Es and Sam both are required 7 periods. They are maturing FAST! Es: Science, Math, CSI, Orchestra, Social Studies, Choir and Language Arts. Sam: Orchestra, Art, PE/Health, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math & Science. They do not share the same lunch time, but they see each other in the halls and their lockers are in the same spot. And of course, they ride the same bus. =D The Twins are enjoying the second to last year of their homeroom. I am amazed at the sponges the kids are. The literally soak up all this information. That is....if they are paying attention to their teacher! This is becoming less of an issue. THANK GOD!

Well, that's it. Nos vemos. See you!

We've been invaded by the body snatchers

Are you scared? I AM! During the past few weeks I have begun to realize that my kids are on their way out. Out of childhood and into teenager-dom and adulthood. Out of my arms and into the big, wide, some-times, scary world. How do I know this to be true? Well, I'll tell you.....

The two oldest ride the bus home from school. My heart was ever watchfull and attentive that very first ride. I thought I was going to stretch out of my skin to grab and hold them close! And when Sam (6th grade, 11yo) rode the wrong bus route....for 6 minutes I couldn't breathe. I wanted to do something, but was unable. If you are a parent and you've lost sight of your kid, even for a moment, you know that feeling. It is that despite, gnawing, yearning, passionate desire to....protect. To conquer the evil that you know is lurking. And you thought this was about a bus ride. It is. This bus mishap brought about all these emotions and thoughts. What if he, not only got on the wrong bus, but then got off at a stop on that wrong route? Did he tell the driver his plight? I wish he had his own phone. Maybe he's still at school. I love that annoying boy. I WANT HIM HOME. Needless to say, we all had a talk about how to handle these types of situations. My lesson was: even though they are older and more mature....my heart doesn't recognize that fact. My heart will always break, swoon and yearn for them. For their best. For their well being.

The next bit of evidence is their verbiage. The words they use and how they use them. "Mom, was this (item....movie, car, article of clothing) made in your time?". Them instructing ME how to preform certain household tasks or culinary procedures. Sheesh.

I know I am working myself out of this parenting job, and I accept that. The thing that has been unexpected is the heart ache. The turmoil of soul that training and raising this Quartet has brought is not something anyone could have prepared me for. My only hope is that I am the mother they need. That this teacher I am will give them all the tools and training they need to cultivate a love for learning and a love for God. I never knew this order was so tall.....may God help me.

Esther. 12yo. 7th grade.

Samuel. 11yo. 6th grade.

L-Joey and Zach. 9yo. 4th grade.

We're ALMOST there!

As I type Ben is removing the secondary subfloor in the dining/front room. This will allow him to lay the hardwoods without covering the baseboards. This is the last of our house projects. YAY!

We have stayed here for the past four nights. The kids bath is done now.

Now all we need to complete is.back.to.school.shopping. My brain will not compute. Didn't school just let out for the summer? Since I worked all summer I didn't get to see the kids as much as I would have preferred. BUT vacation is coming! Ben and I begin our vacation tomorrow!!!! I won't be back until the 8th of Sep. and Ben the 6th. The first day of school for the Twins and Sam is the 6th. Sis begins the 7th. I begin the 26th with my last full week of work being the 12th.

How has your Summer gone? Do YOU have any fantastic Fall plans?

...blank...

I bet you have been thinking that I would just throw in the blogging towel, haven't you? NO WAY! Let me see, where to begin.....

Ben and I were able to take a week off the end of June for a little stay-cation. It was awesome! Be barbecued and read our books in the yard. We also offered on a house. With that came the roller coaster of waiting, paper work, not hearing anything and....waiting more. We are still in the midst of this event and are hoping for a soon coming close. I've learned that you can't take hope or dreams to the bank.

The kids have been keeping busy with friends, sleep overs and our county's summer read program. They have been spending every Wednesday at my folks' place. As I work M-F this is a nice reprieve for them. My dad has been giving them guitar lessons (just the older two). The kids are required to practice, write stories and have a craft time week days. My hopes were that their penmanship would improve over the summer.....we'll see. They are all hard workers and I am proud of them!

We have a final vacation set for the end of this month and then, BAM, summer break will be over. School supplies will be purchased and middle schoolers sent off. Gosh. I.AM.OLD. ;-) A seventh, a sixth and two fourth graders this year. WHAT?! Yup.

I will hopefully be able to post exciting news soon. It's scary to hope at times.

How has your summer been thus far?

My brain is oozing from my head

through my ears. I learned about the "full" office procedures today. Ordering, shipping, receiving, invoicing (both sides), cutting checks, making paper trails and matching all the paper trails together. By the time I got home today my vision was blurry. I don't know how Linda (my supervisor) has been doing all the AR/P + purchasing. Uggg. Just after one day I'm exhausted. =D

I must post about the silliness of my kids. It seems that every member of my Quartet is eager to grow up. The other day (during breakfast) Zach asked when his adam's apple would make its appearance. HA! I'll just say the conversation lead to puberty and sperm production. It was only a 5 min. conversation! Since Babe had already explained everything I was thankfull this talk was just a refresher. This is going somewhere I promise! The kids spent time with my folks yesterday and today. My dad quoted Esther talking to her Twins "Well, when you're going through THE puberty your legs will get hairy just like Sam's". WHAT?! Nothing passes by her eagle eyes. I cannot believe how very large in heart and body the kids are. Freakin' crazy.

My G.P.A. suffered a 'B' this term. This is my second since my beginning college in the fall of 2009. I was not pleased when I first learned about it. Then reality sunk in. I began counting my blessings. Both Babe and I went to college for 6 consecutive terms, and we have no debt because of it. This will be a huge help in saving for a house! Oh, and we were able to go.and.learn.for.almost.two.stright.years. Awesomeness is what that is!

Ahhhh.DONE!

I remember when my kids were small, and they couldn't pronounce words correctly yet. When they were done eating at the table they would say "Ah done!". Well....I'm AH-DONE with school for this term! YAY! Babe and I will be taking a year off from school to ferociously save for a down-payment. Ready? Set! GO!

Fall 2006. Es-7, Sam-6 and the Twins-4

one down.three.to.go.

I've completed one of my four classes. To say I'm pleased would be right on. YAY!

This term came with an unexpected surgery and shifts in our goals. I have been exposed to works of writing that have caused me to ponder about society. I have questioned myself, my government, our consumer culture and my place in it. I have learned that I can learn much of myself through what I write. Sometimes I wasn't sure the words on the page were mine, it was so unlike the me I knew. Woah. This has been a good term indeed!

Society by Eddie Vedder

It's a mystery to me, we have agreed with which we have agreed. You think you have to want more than you need. Until you have it all you won't be free.

Society, you're a crazy breed. I hope you're not lonely without me.

When you want more than you have, you think you need. And when you think more than you want your thoughts begin to bleed. I think I need to find a bigger place, 'cause when you have more than you think, you need more space.

Society, you're a crazy breed. I hope you're not lonely without me. Society, crazy and deep. I hope you're not lonely without me.

There's those thinking that more is less, less is more. But if less is more, how you're keeping score? Means for every point you make your level drops. Kind'a like it's starting from the top, you can't do that.

The words alone do not do this song justice. I would suggest a listen on youtube or playlist to get the full effect.

Free-write

Okay. I'm just gonna put myself on a limb here. I'm posting part of my class work. In my current writing class our instructor requires us to complete a free-writing session. This is basically our brains exploding on our paper for about 15 min. Most times he gives us a prompt but sometimes not. The prompt for Thursday 2/24/2011 as "Cheap Thrills". This is what exploded from my brain that day.

Summer. Fresh spring grass. Waterfalls. Laughter. Sunshine and flowers. Hot cereal on cold days. All the "little things" that come together to form a life-span. Tea. Blanket forts at thirty. Dreaming. Changing. Hoping and striving for better. A soft pillow. A strong shoulder. A goofy nine-year-old's jokes. A mature eleven-year-old's compassion. Questions answered. Singing. In reality these are not really cheap - these are priceless. At least to me they are.

I have learned much of myself during this term. I am planning it to continue!

**everything changes**

I love school. I actually believe I'm addicted to learning and the people that come with it. ADDICTED.PEOPLE. Here in lies the issue. I am taking some time off from school. I'm sad. More sad than I though I would be.

In my writing class this term our instructor has us "free-write". This is the time we can just explode our thoughts on the page. He usually give us a prompt. This is interesting for me. One was, "The Table" another, "Cheap Thrills". We are not required to use the prompt and Tuesday I decided not to. I wrote about our future plans and dreams. I wrote how I would miss school and wondering if, even if I was near earning a degree, I'd miss it. Then this mind game threw me for a loop. I wondered if I was addicted to school and its diversity. Then it morphed into maybe that being the reason I love the idea of teaching. Newness. I would get a new class every fall. Just as I would get a new instructor and class mates every term. Hmmmm. I think I just love learning. I hope I just love learning and I won't miss this interaction as much as I'm feeling I will right now. I'm thinking I will cry. These fellow students have helped change me to who I am right now. I love myself and them.

Why don't I just continue? Weeell. Our first financial goal was home ownership in 7 years. This would be the year Esther would be entering COLLEGE. Yes. You read right. If I take a one year pause (and work the hours they want me to)we would have more than the bank requires for a down payment. One.Year. Then I can go back OR I can pause another year and have enough saved for a little perk. That perk? Nip and tuck. =D

Who knows? God. I daily put my hopes, dreams, mistakes and desires at the feel of His Grace. Only he knows what will really transpire. I have had so many different plans that have changed. He is the one constant. He will faithfully direct our future.

So, beyond this this term's end; I.have.no.idea. I'm learning that not knowing is okay. It even can be fun. I'm waiting for the fun part to start....tomorrow maybe? Kidding. =D We will be patient. We will rest. We will accept. We will create. We will grow. We will believe. This is our quest.

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.

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.

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.