November 2012

My Small Group's Micah 6:8 Project

(Helping Out With My School's Food Drive)

 The Beginning Of Our Family Service Project

 A Tea Party (Yes, That is my son Asher wearing a dress!)

 Playing Outside on Thanksgiving

(It was  BEAUTIFUL Southern California day!)

 Building a Fort at Aunt Pam's and Uncle Bob's House

Decorating The Christmas Tree



October 2012

A New Project

 Eden's 5th Grade Language Arts Award

 Pumpkin Carving

 The Girls Made T-Shirts At Daycare (So Cute!)

 Halloween

 

September 2012

Final Beach Days

 Astro Camp For Eden

 Anniversary Weekend (15 Years!)

Asher's 2nd Grade Math Award 

 Eden Plays Soccer



Escape Adulthood: I fell off the wagon.

I finally realized it last week.  I had fallen off the wagon.  I had done so well with my recovery, but that was during summer vacation.  I can't even pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but I'm sure it had something to do with going back to work. 

I am, once again, totally suffering from "Adultitis".

*What is Adultitis?Adultitis is a common condition occurring in people between the ages of 21–121, marked by chronic dullness, mild depression, moderate to extremely high stress levels, a general fear of change, and, in some extreme cases, the inability to smile. Patients can appear aimless, discontent, and anxious about many things. Onset can be accelerated by an excess burden of bills, overwhelming responsibilities, or a boring work life. Generally, individuals in this condition are not fun to be around.*
I'm struggling with this big time.  I want to change this.  I want to be experiencing joy moment to moment, instead focusing on my never ending "to-do" list. 

What I'm finding out, though, is that change is hard.  I know that's not some profound new discovery, but it's true. 

I have always been mature for my age.  Through my whole life, I have been called an "old soul".  People complimented me for this, which caused me to see it as a positive personality trait.  Which it can be, much of the time.  Until, of course, you realize that you are turning into a grumpy old man at the ripe old age of 35. 

I have a fabulous life.  My husband is truly the most amazing man I know and my 4 kids (while frustrating at times) are beautiful people: inside and out.  I have an incredibly wonderful family.  My circle of friends know me, like really know me, and they love me and support me anyway.  My job is rewarding and fulfilling; and I have a boss and colleagues I admire and trust. 

And, above all else, I have a God who loves me with a deep, unconditional love that I can't even understand.  He offers me grace when I mess up, love when I don't deserve it, and peace when I stress myself out.  He's always there, with open arms, offering me all of himself, even when I withhold so much from Him.

So, what's my problem then?  I think my biggest mistake is that I take myself, and my tasks WAY TOO seriously.  Life is busy, crazy, and chaotic.  I'm a full-time teacher and mom of four.  The fact is, things are not going to slow down any time soon.  So, it's time for me to get over it.  I can live this crazy life, and enjoy myself while I'm living it.

I need to stop putting fun at the bottom of my to-do list.  I need to give enjoyable activities priority.  The truth is, the laundry, vacuuming, dishes, dinner, paper grading and whatever else I have to do really can wait.  It's time for me to stop following the rule that work must be completed before play can begin.  Honestly, I'm pretty sure that rule doesn't exist anyway.

* All information about adultitis taken from Kim and Jason's blog: http://kimandjason.com/blog/

Road Trip 2012 Memory List

1. Asher- What are those black things?    Us- Those are cows city boy!

2. Flying Red Jacket, Angry Mom and Dad

3. Us- Hey kids, look at that view.     Kids- (in patronizing voices) Oooooooo.  I could live here.

4. Melted red taffy in Josey's hand.

5. Delicious relaxation time reading under the redwoods at the campground in Humboldt.

6. Crazy Long Distance Bicyclists

7. Asher lost his camera, wallet, and jacket.

8. Cute Coffee/Gift Shop in Florence- Got my gift shop fix in 7 minutes.

9. Beautiful Scenery in Northern California

10. On Columbia River Bridge: Josey- I'm freaking out right now.  Eden- Are they working on the bridge right now? That makes me uncomfortable.

11. Korey (once we crossed the Oregon/Washington border)- Good. Now I can pump my own gas.  That's a weird law.

12. Disturbing Names Like: Lost Man's Creek, Dead Man's Cove, Cape Disappointment

13. Korey adding the letter "y" to words to turn them into adjectives: oaky, piney, wetty.

14. Bikini Coffee Bar in Anacortes.....Creepy

15. Listening to Everyone's Beautiful Memories about Mema: My Favorite- She washed Rhonda's feet.

16. Eden skipped a rock into Asher's face.  Trip to ER....not broken....relief.

17. Crazy Day Trip to Canada: a bus, running to the stinky sky train, Asher almost got off the sky train by himself at the wrong stop, we made it to the train station....relief, wait.....not relief.....last call to get on the train and we're not ready.....phew, we mad it.

18. Abby walked to the train door.  It opened automatically.  Anthony- Oh Crap!!

19. Trail Mix + Fruit Bars = Contraband

20. Du Bomp Bomp, Chick Chicka Chicka

21. Bowling Alley Fish and Chips.....Yummy

22. Lots and Lots of Beautiful Views: creeks, rivers, trees, coast.....love, love, love!

23. Korey- I actually like country music.....I secretly listen to it.

24. Eating so Much Crab that it Made me Full

25. Undergrowth- Thick Ferns, Lush Clover, and Washington Wildflowers

26. Trip Music: Fun.- Some Nights

27. Humboldt Gift Shop- Abby fell in love with a big stuffed bear.  She kept pointing at it and saying, "Bear, Bear."

28. Giggling at the parents who were pulled over cleaning up the mess their kids made after getting car sick.  Fast Forward 15 minutes, not giggling anymore as we were the parents cleaning up the mess our car sick baby made!

I love this man because....he has a special look just for me.

There is this look he gives me.  It's reserved only for me.  I catch him giving me the look at the most unexpected moments.  Recently, it happened in the kitchen.  And with that look, I know that he is still passionately in love with me, that I am the woman that catches his eye, that to him I am lovely, beautiful, and irresistible.  That look takes my breath away every time I see it. 

First Family Camping Trip

OK.  So I promised more info on our first camping trip.  Here it is.  We had so many things go "wrong" on that trip that it is now such a great story.  I wish now that I had taken pictures of our issues so I could post them here.  Oh well, live and learn.

#1- Car Sick Dog: Daisy gets car sick.  So, on the way to the campground, Eden had to catch her...ahem...vomit in a plastic grocery bag and hold on to it until we arrived.

#2- Asher almost lit the Cleveland National Forest on Fire: Oh yes he did! Once we got our camp set up on the first night, Korey lit a camp fire.  The kids were playing in it with sticks.  It was all fine and good until Asher lit the end of his stick and proceeded to walk around with it, right by some trees.  Woo boy.  Our voices raised in unison over that one.

#3- Our Air Mattress had a Leak: That made for an interesting first night of sleep...or lack of it.  First, the mattress kind of turned into a taco shape, with Korey and I smashed together in the middle.  Then, Daisy proceeded to get into bed with us and bounced us all around.  Finally, we woke up in the morning with Korey's side almost flat, and Abby and I raised up really high.  Looking back, it was quite comical.

#4- Vomit Covered Baby: Our second night there, Abby got a little sick before bed.  I didn't think anything of it.  We put all the kids to bed, then hung out by the campfire for another hour or so.  When we went into the tent to go to bed, I turned on the light and glanced at Abby in the playpen.  She was covered in vomit.  Apparently, she got sick and rolled around in it.  It was EVERYWHERE; matted in her hair, covering her clothes, everywhere.  Lucky for us, the campground had free, hot showers. 

#5- Car Sick Dog, Take Two: Daisy got car sick on the way home, too.  Unfortunately, Eden didn't catch it that time.  We were literally pulling into our driveway at the time. 

The really crazy thing is, that we truly did have a great time and can't wait to go again.  Here are some photos of our good times.

Hiking

Tree Climbing

Playing

Cooking

Sitting

Reading

May 2012

Mother Daughter Tea at Mrs. Yolanda's Daycare

Abigail's Birthday Party at the Park

It was a beautiful evening, and everyone had a BLAST!

First Overnight in the Treehouse

Mother's Day at the Beach

The best way to spend mother's day is at my favorite place!

Memorial Day Weekend at the Beach with the Jackman Family

Duffy Ride with my Dear Friends

Joseyah Turns 4

April 2012

 Sick Kids....lots and lots of sick kids

Easter (we look so raggedy in this picture!!)

Visiting with Mema and Papa

Abigail Turns 1

Joseyah's First Trip to the Ballet (Cinderella)

Side Note: She talked the whole time: both during the card ride, and the ballet.  Oh, and every sentence started with mom-meeee.

Asher's First Grade Field Trip to the Zoo

First Family Camping Trip

We had a blast, even though we had some disastrous moments. 

But, more on that later.

March 2012

Asher's First School Award (Math Wizard)

Hiking Mount Rubidoux

More Treehouse Building

Visiting the Safari Park

One Last Visit with David Before his Tour in Afghanistan

Mommy-Daughter Tea Party

 

Asher Turns 7

 Eden Plays Soccer for the First Time (He did really well, and he lucked out-his best buddy was on his team!)

We got a new dog, Daisy.  I found her at my school, and I just couldn't stand the idea of her going to the pound.  You know, because 4 kids, a husband, a full time teaching job, a cat, and one dog just wasn't enough to deal with. :-)