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.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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???
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???
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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. =)
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. =)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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.....
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 I didn't-ask-you-to-make-the-salad-I-needed-to-make-for-the-dinner-with-friends-but-thank-you-SO-much Girl.
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.
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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.
Science fair. (May)
Spoon lifting. =)
Spring program. ♥
All Four eating breakfast out doors.
Funny face pancakes. The name is for the
The mole Daddy stepped on.
Our 'dress up' dinner. Everyone was required
Sam at OMSI science camp w/ Dad.
The.Last.Day.Of.School. Who cares how your
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
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
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
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.
Life.
Not pictured are....my broken glasses and my new shnoz piercing. Yup. It's true.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Signs of Aging
I'm not talking 'bout wrinkles or sagging body areas that are either hidden (hopefully) or wished away. I'm talking about becoming boring....or maybe I should say wise. Don't get me wrong. Boring and wise are NOT synonymous.....but at times it feels that way (not that I'm oh-so-wise either).
My Oldest will be changing her age in less than a month. I'll be adding another year soon and Ben and I just passed 12 years married. With all these advancements I've realised a change in myself. I still look forward to the momentous events yet I no longer feel the need to 'freak' about them. Don't get me wrong. We still very much celebrate.....we are just more meaningful about how we choose to do so.
I guess we've begun to see the beauty in the everyday happenings.
What did I want for Mother's day??? Snuggles and those beautiful hand-made-future-to-be-preserved cards and trifles. Aren't those the best anyway? Diamonds and gold tarnish. But time is priceless.
What did Babe and I do for our anniversary? We spent family time together and made googly eye's to each other. Maybe we're just goofy that way. Maybe not. I guess we'd rather save for our goals and use time instead of money to make our memories.
We can sometimes make more money but we can NEVER make more time or do-over the time we've been given. For instance. Ben put up twinkle lights on our deck. When the kids are in bed we can take out wine outdoors, sit beneath them and dream. I love hearing him talk. No text or facebook wall comment can compare to the face to face conversations we have.
This is the life our family's chosen. We all make choices, everyday, that either make melodies or screeches. I'm talking about money (uh-oh). Voice tone. The over-use of that 'Mom look'. That bowl of ice cream that shouldn't have been consumed. That reason that's really and excuse "Oh. I don't need to actually help them.....I'll pray.....". Do you overspend in those areas? I noticed that I had been.
No choice is ever more important than a loving one. Take that leap. Save some dough. Talk to that neighbor that's not kind to you. SMILE. Drive with patience. Wave at the Beggar looking pathetic. Close the mouth that should be done eating. Close that mouth that should be done giving 'news'. Is it easy? Nope. Those that say it is are either lying or.....LYING. =D
We are His hands. We are His voice. We.are.HIM. May God help us IN spite of our humanity. May we be used for His purposes and His will. EVERY MINUTE. EVERY HOUR. EVERY DAY. To inspire greatness. To combat worthlessness. To promote WHOLYNESS. To give. To laugh. To love. To EVERY ONE.
May God help us change the world......with love.
Ephesians 5:1 (MSG) "Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that."
My Oldest will be changing her age in less than a month. I'll be adding another year soon and Ben and I just passed 12 years married. With all these advancements I've realised a change in myself. I still look forward to the momentous events yet I no longer feel the need to 'freak' about them. Don't get me wrong. We still very much celebrate.....we are just more meaningful about how we choose to do so.
I guess we've begun to see the beauty in the everyday happenings.
What did I want for Mother's day??? Snuggles and those beautiful hand-made-future-to-be-preserved cards and trifles. Aren't those the best anyway? Diamonds and gold tarnish. But time is priceless.
What did Babe and I do for our anniversary? We spent family time together and made googly eye's to each other. Maybe we're just goofy that way. Maybe not. I guess we'd rather save for our goals and use time instead of money to make our memories.
We can sometimes make more money but we can NEVER make more time or do-over the time we've been given. For instance. Ben put up twinkle lights on our deck. When the kids are in bed we can take out wine outdoors, sit beneath them and dream. I love hearing him talk. No text or facebook wall comment can compare to the face to face conversations we have.
This is the life our family's chosen. We all make choices, everyday, that either make melodies or screeches. I'm talking about money (uh-oh). Voice tone. The over-use of that 'Mom look'. That bowl of ice cream that shouldn't have been consumed. That reason that's really and excuse "Oh. I don't need to actually help them.....I'll pray.....". Do you overspend in those areas? I noticed that I had been.
No choice is ever more important than a loving one. Take that leap. Save some dough. Talk to that neighbor that's not kind to you. SMILE. Drive with patience. Wave at the Beggar looking pathetic. Close the mouth that should be done eating. Close that mouth that should be done giving 'news'. Is it easy? Nope. Those that say it is are either lying or.....LYING. =D
We are His hands. We are His voice. We.are.HIM. May God help us IN spite of our humanity. May we be used for His purposes and His will. EVERY MINUTE. EVERY HOUR. EVERY DAY. To inspire greatness. To combat worthlessness. To promote WHOLYNESS. To give. To laugh. To love. To EVERY ONE.
May God help us change the world......with love.
Ephesians 5:1 (MSG) "Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that."
Sunday, May 16, 2010
four thousand, three hundred, eighty-four days
That is how long Ben and I have been married.
I am sill amazed at the way time feels as it passes. At certain times the goodness just seems to pause and linger. Then other times have flown by and I wish they would have gone by more slowly. Mostly the feeling has been that time passes speedily. I cannot believe we've been married TWELVE years! Gosh. That just seems to be.....too long - and yet.....not long enough all at the same time! Do ya get me? =D
Babe - You are still the most handsome man I have ever seen. I love you more today than I did when we married. You are my Knight and my Lion Heart and I will forever be thankful that you gave and share your name with me. You have gently loved and cherished me for so long that I cannot remember the feeling of not being so. You complete me. SMOOCH!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
I am.....
.....a blessed Mamma and Wife.
.....a mistake maker and corrector.
.....someone who, without regret, will say no/yes to activities to fit into our families agenda.
.....dedicated to living life in the moment but planing for the future.
.....a lover of goals.
.....a smiler at beggars.
.....a woman who knows her boundaries.
.....Ben's wife. =D
.....learning to live a life of grace.
.....a college student.
.....VERY practical.
.....addicted to coffee.
.....thankful for every moment.
.....grateful for my senses; all 7 of them *chuckle*
.....looking forward.
.....dedicated.
.....loved.
.....accepted.
.....cherished.
.....tattooed.....looking for more places to tarnish too.
.....broken hearted about family-less children.
.....content yet striving.
.....going to be 32 and have an 11 and 10 year old by summers end.
.....a runner.
.....covered by a Grace so vast that no matter how much I screw up it will never run out.
What about you? WHO are YOU?
.....a mistake maker and corrector.
.....someone who, without regret, will say no/yes to activities to fit into our families agenda.
.....dedicated to living life in the moment but planing for the future.
.....a lover of goals.
.....a smiler at beggars.
.....a woman who knows her boundaries.
.....Ben's wife. =D
.....learning to live a life of grace.
.....a college student.
.....VERY practical.
.....addicted to coffee.
.....thankful for every moment.
.....grateful for my senses; all 7 of them *chuckle*
.....looking forward.
.....dedicated.
.....loved.
.....accepted.
.....cherished.
.....tattooed.....looking for more places to tarnish too.
.....broken hearted about family-less children.
.....content yet striving.
.....going to be 32 and have an 11 and 10 year old by summers end.
.....a runner.
.....covered by a Grace so vast that no matter how much I screw up it will never run out.
What about you? WHO are YOU?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
xy = x (y) .....and this is my life
I've been negligent of my blog. In my defence it hasn't been purposeful but the natural consequence of a busy Mom. =)
So, for my own documentation, I'm going to type my schedule for this term down.
Monday & Wednesday**5.40-up, dressed and face washed. 5.50-6.15Coffee poured, Bible read and prayed. 6.20 sandwiches started and laundry or dishes started. 6.30-kids up. 6.40-kiss Ben bye. 6.55-kids eating and sandwiches completed. 7.05-my breakfast. 7.15-start Pesorita so she's warm for the drive. 7.28- on the road to the kids school. 7.45-kids to school and on my way to my campus. 8.15-at campus and studying. 9-11.20-algebra. 11.20-1-homework and lunch. 1-2.50English lit. then leave to get kids by 3.30. 3.55-home. Then the kids complete their homework, Ben gets home and we eat dinner. Essy usually has more homework after dinner then it's beddy-bye for the kids! Then Ben and I finish up some of our homework and hit the hay.
Tuesday & Thursday** The only portion that changes is that instead of going to my campus I run at the kids school. Then study or work for Nana. Thursday is no homework night and we watch a movie.
Friday**The Lewis Quartet don't have school (hip-hip-hooray!) but they do need to complete their week-end homework (as do I if I have any left). This is the day I complete a weight work out.
Saturday**PLAY DAY!!!! YAY!!!! Then we finish homework and Ben and I complete our 'big'
run (it's been at least 10 mi. these days).
Sunday**Church and ball games and getting ready for Monday.....=)
Running has been okay. I've been battling lower back, hip and knee pain. That's been difficult to push through but even with all that pain I completed 12 miles (11.70 min. miles). YAY!
My instructors are hilarious. I find myself baffled that I am often the only one who laughs out loud in class. Then that makes me even more giddy and it's even more difficult not to laugh. BOTHER! I'm glad I get the jokes. Maybe the classes are too early/late for the others to get it??? Who knows!
And this, Folks, is my life!
So, for my own documentation, I'm going to type my schedule for this term down.
Monday & Wednesday**5.40-up, dressed and face washed. 5.50-6.15Coffee poured, Bible read and prayed. 6.20 sandwiches started and laundry or dishes started. 6.30-kids up. 6.40-kiss Ben bye. 6.55-kids eating and sandwiches completed. 7.05-my breakfast. 7.15-start Pesorita so she's warm for the drive. 7.28- on the road to the kids school. 7.45-kids to school and on my way to my campus. 8.15-at campus and studying. 9-11.20-algebra. 11.20-1-homework and lunch. 1-2.50English lit. then leave to get kids by 3.30. 3.55-home. Then the kids complete their homework, Ben gets home and we eat dinner. Essy usually has more homework after dinner then it's beddy-bye for the kids! Then Ben and I finish up some of our homework and hit the hay.
Tuesday & Thursday** The only portion that changes is that instead of going to my campus I run at the kids school. Then study or work for Nana. Thursday is no homework night and we watch a movie.
Friday**The Lewis Quartet don't have school (hip-hip-hooray!) but they do need to complete their week-end homework (as do I if I have any left). This is the day I complete a weight work out.
Saturday**PLAY DAY!!!! YAY!!!! Then we finish homework and Ben and I complete our 'big'
run (it's been at least 10 mi. these days).
Sunday**Church and ball games and getting ready for Monday.....=)
Running has been okay. I've been battling lower back, hip and knee pain. That's been difficult to push through but even with all that pain I completed 12 miles (11.70 min. miles). YAY!
My instructors are hilarious. I find myself baffled that I am often the only one who laughs out loud in class. Then that makes me even more giddy and it's even more difficult not to laugh. BOTHER! I'm glad I get the jokes. Maybe the classes are too early/late for the others to get it??? Who knows!
And this, Folks, is my life!
Monday, April 5, 2010
In the Life of the Girl
As of this very moment I should be completing homework AND since The Four stayed home sick from school I have their movie (we normally don't switch on the T.V. during the school week) to distract me. With a movie comes the need of popcorn. Which I was just reminded, by One of Them, that I haven't made......
And she's back!
These next few photos are just snap shots of the way My Girl lives (aside from all the hard work she completes) over the course of several weeks. I was amused by the sight of them and I just had to share (and document =).
Her Battle of the Books (BOB) war paint.
They nearly won too! Her grade ran out
of guesses (AND the timer was off. This led
to the question "Would her grade have won
if the timer would have rung earlier?" We'll
Samuel buttoning up her dress-up dress.
Awwww!
This was a separate day from the previous
Barbie photo. She was displaying them???
Oh yeah. I made a mistake and cut my bangs SUPER DUPER short. I thought I'd try out the 50-60's style....I guess I'm just a hippy at heart. =D
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