Guess what I did yesterday....

I think you know!! Go Hawks!!

I saw something in football that I have never seen before! The ref called a "do-over". The Tampa Bay punter stopped because he heard a whistle, but it turned out to be from the crowd. So, the ref called a do-over! I didn't even know they could do that!

After the game we had a fun dinner at my parents' house. My uncle and aunt were here from Seattle and I love being around my family. It was cute because Annsley is making that transition to the grown-up table. She want to sit around and listen to our conversation. She is at that age of making her first attempts at adult humor. Kinda cute! Seth, on the other hand, was completely happy to play with his 2 & 4 year old cousins.

First day of school....

We had our official first day of school today. You can call it enjoying the bennies of homeschooling....or you can call it brainwashing your children. I told them on *our* first day of school we got to sleep in, and I made pancakes for breakfast (which is something I do about twice a year). We had a leisurely breakfast and I presented them with their new binder and beautiful timeline books. (We are starting with Ancients again) I read Fellowship of the Ring for an extra long time, savoring the hot chocolate. I mentioned that other kids had to be on the bus a *long* time ago. We are only doing about half our subjects this week to ease back into things and so we were done at lunch today. So, we drove by the local school and literally shouted "SUCKAS!!!" and "HA HA!" on our way to swim the afternoon away. (Sorry Cath, it wasn't directed at your children, in particular. :-)) I know, I'm so mature! (The windows were rolled up.)

Truth be told, I am thankful that my kids love homeschooling. I am grateful beyond words that they still want to be with me as much as I want to be with them. Truly, I am!

Did you know that if you type "sucka" into your spell check, it comes up with "sicko" for a substitute. Maybe my spell checker is trying to tell me something!

We are ready.....

The house is clean. Every room (drawer, closet, blind, wall, etc) has been scoured this summer. There are 50 bags of frozen raspberries in the freezer.
There are 80 cans of canned peaches in the pantry.
There are 15 bags of frozen shredded zucchini in the freezer.
There are 3 bags of shredded carrots in the freezer.
The property has been thoroughly weeded (for now, anyway)
The lessons are planned and organized.

Tonight we went to the annual Labor Day symphony in the park concert at our local park. It is only a couple blocks from my parents' house and so we always swim and barbecue over there and head to the park for a fun community activity and some beautiful music. It was a perfect summer night. We always run into lots of old friends there. All the public schools go back to school tomorrow. We will begin a few subjects and hit it in full next week. I have some random back to school meetings that make it difficult to hit it full force tomorrow.

Just for you, LB....(Tuesday Ten)

Alright, I will give in to peer pressure (from needleroozer ) and actually post something today. Here are my reflections after about three weeks of summer with nothing hanging over my head...I'm ready for fall. I do better in a groove. I am more efficient when I have less free time. I get bored easily. I like structure. It has been a relaxing way to end the summer, but we are all excited about the fall.

1. It is so great having my sister-in-law and the kids home!! The kids absolutely can not get enough time together. The five of them play so well together and come up with the greatest games and plays and clubs and....you name it.

2. Tomorrow I go back to work and meet with families. Classes don't start until Sept. 11, but we have meetings and prep days this week and next. I'm looking forward to going back. I like my job.

3. Canning (and/or freezing) 150 (ish) quarts of peaches makes your back and feet sore, but it is amazing how three girls singing at the top of their lungs makes it more fun. They were making up peach-canning songs to the tune of Frosty the Snowman. Go figure!! The cousins have missed the annual peach-athon for the last two years so it was fun to have them back.

4. My mom, mother-in-law, two sister-in-laws (my brother's wife and my husband's sister), and my cousin took me out to lunch to celebrate getting my masters degree. I am blessed to not only enjoy both sides of my family, but that they like to be together as well.

5. We are enjoying the produce from the hard work of our garden! I'll have to take a picture of our pumpkins!! They are huge.

6. My reading has been as light as my schedule. Fun for a while, but I'm ready for something a bit more.

7. Seth starts soccer practice today.

8. Last night a young man called Danny out of the blue. This was a boy that Danny was a kind of big brother to about 10 years ago. He met him at church and really invested time into this boy. We have not heard from him in ages, but he called last night to tell Danny how influential he had been in his life. It was so amazingly sweet. Now granted, the boy still has spent a little time in jail but also had been in the military. We were so happy to hear from him. He told countless memories of things Danny had done or said that we barely remembered. It was a good reminder that an investment of self does pay dividends.

9. The kids go to Silverwood (amusement park) tomorrow with Danny. That should be fun.

10. Guess what is coming soon.......FOOTBALL!!

I'm still here. But I can't seem to drag myself to the computer as much this summer. I have lots of thoughts, but I don't have the gumption to put them into coherent blog posts. It has been rainy and chilly here the last couple of days and we have all enjoyed the change. Don't get me wrong, I plan on fully enjoying the last 2 weeks of my summer, but both the kids kept saying, "I love fall." "Fall makes you want to get cozy." etc... I agree. Maybe once we get cozy again I'll actually say something here.

Our vacation....

I have been putting off writing about our vacation because of two reasons. One is that I haven't taken the time to download the pictures from the camera yet. The second reason is that my heart is very full and I don't feel that I can do it justice.

The first week was traveling around the coast with Danny's parents. By the way, our new Impala has a trunk that will fit SIX suitcases with room to spare. Pretty cool, eh? It was very fun to see things I had never seen before. A couple of highlights were:

• finishing the final Harry Potter book before I read any spoilers. (The first couple of days on our trip I had my nose in the book every time we stopped the car. :-))
• The Newport Aquarium-this is not a huge aquarium, but it is VERY well done! I was mesmerized by the jellyfish exhibit.
• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)-great museum and we didn't even have time (or want to pay the extra $) to see the body exhibit.
• driving along the coast

It was nice then to land at the Cannon Beach Conference Center, where my family has been vacationing for 31 years. This week was a time of amazing spiritual refreshment for me. I have heard the speaker, Walter Kaiser, many times before. He is a fairly academic speaker and I always enjoy hearing him, but for some reason this time, my heart was so convicted and encouraged all at the same time. I could go on and on about how this last two years of added commitments (masters degree, etc...) have sapped energy away from focusing on my relationship with God, but I'll try to just keep it short. God gave me a hunger for His Word that I haven't felt in a long time. He opened my eyes to what I have given up the last couple of years. I guess I can sum it up by saying I feel watered. My heart was like dry ground, not dead by any means, still fertile, but in desperate need of a good deep soak. That was what last week felt like to me.

My mom and I walk to Haystack Rock early every morning (one mile down and two mile back is the standard joke). This is very special time for me and I cherish it every year. It helped that the weather was gorgeous this year. I spent quality time with my Grandma this year. The kids were way more independent this year (they would take off to the park after meals) and I could linger after breakfast chatting with my Grandma. I was keenly aware of the privilege of having her there and talking with her about all manner of things.

The kids loved it and it was also a very spiritually encouraging time for Annsley. I could tell that she was both challenged and convicted and it allowed us to have some wonderful conversations on a much different level.

It was so fun to hook up with Patty and Diane. I honestly feel that I could talk to both of them non-stop for the whole week and not run out of things to talk about!! There were so MANY more topics I wish we had had time to discuss. It always makes me happy when Seth has a buddy because Annsley always makes friends wherever she goes, but it is harder for Seth. So Diane's son is a total gift. And the fact that our daughters also adore each other is an added bonus. And I was glad that Patty's son got to hook up with them too!

The Seaside bumper cars were as fun as always, the play we saw at the Coaster Theater was delightful, the weather was great, the food was good, and there was lots of time to read and relax. But, those all just seemed like things to me this week. It was all about soaking in God's Word and appreciating with my whole heart the family that God gave me.

Why does my head feel so light?

Because I have NOTHING hanging over it right now!! Last night I turned in my final assignment of my final class for my masters degree. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet. We are even almost packed for our trip. We leave tomorrow for two weeks on the Oregon coast. One week will be spent driving around with Danny's parents to places like Newport, Lincoln City, Astoria, Fort Clatsup, Tillamook, etc... The second week is our annual time with my family at the Cannon Beach Conference Center.

Oh wait, I forgot. I do have ONE thing hanging over my head. How am I going to get the new Harry Potter book before we go on vacation and read it before I hear any spoilers? I'm not going to go at midnight the night before our trip, but nothing is open early enough on Sat. morning. Alas, these are weighty issues.

Books....

I think we have enough library books to get us through our trip, eh?

If you like the shirt, you can find one here.

Happy reading, people! Speaking of reading. I just re-read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and I am excited and ready for book 7. I wanted to order it from Amazon (only $18 shipped to my door on 7-21) but we are leaving on our vacation on the morning of the 21st. Now, I'm going to have to find the first bookstore with a copy and buy it. I am 52nd on the wait list at the library (I put myself on the list months ago) and I just don't think I can wait.

I LOVE my parents' house

I have mentioned before that my parents' backyard is one of my favorite places in the whole world. This week we moved in with my parents due to the fact that we have no air conditioning and the window management plan only works on the assumption that it cools down at night. But, this week it has been hot enough to abandon ship and take comfort in an air-conditioned place. We have been doing a lot of swimming and hanging out. It feels like a little mini-vacation for me because I have someone to cook with and there is no projects to be doing around here.

I really love my parents. I am thankful that they let us come stay with them.

Our houseguests are gone.....

When you think of a family with six children under the age of 11 coming for a visit, what do you think of? My cousin and her family just left after a quick two night stay and we all had a wonderful time!! Their six kids and our two played so well together allowing my cousin (a fellow Well Trained Mind junky) and I lots of great time to talk about what we are reading, what the kids are reading, and what new school things we are excited about. It was great. We swam at my parents' pool and ate outside. There were slumber (or lack thereof) parties and very early mornings. And, we had extra laborers for picking raspberries. (Dang! I KNEW there was a reason we should have had more kids!!!) And, what family gathering would be complete without a Latin lesson. Joe is a high school Latin teacher and he was trying out some of his new materials on our little classical neophytes.

This morning we went to see Charlotte's Web at the free summer movie. Then, I sent them off (in the wrong direction.....sorry Amy!!) and we were sad to see them go!! You know a trip was a good length when everyone is very sad for it to end. We decided this was definitely going to be a tradition!!

Raspberries, anyone?.....

Tis the season for raspberry pickin'!! This is the time of year where I curse my husband for planting so many blasted raspberry bushes. Of course, this only lasts for about three weeks, and the jam and frozen berries last ALL winter. That is the time when I kiss my husband's feet for planting all those blessed raspberry bushes.

But, if anyone wants to come help pick, bring a bucket and come on over!

Happy Anniversary (yesterday)

Sixteen years and going strong!!!

Wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone but you.

My Country, tis of thee....

sweet land of liberty.
Of thee I sing......

I am a patriotic sap!
I cry at the National Anthem.
I love our freedom.
I honor our soldiers.
I get chills when I see our flag blowing in the wind.
I appreciate the sacrifices others have made so that I can be free.

Let Freedom Ring!


Yesterday was GORGEOUS here. It was hot and perfect for swimming, barbecues, family and friends!!

My sweet boy

woke up early today and did his math. Then he did his chores for the day....and his sister's chores...all before 8:00. Some days you get a little glimpse of the adult they will become and today was one of those days. He will be a hard worker and a servant....like his Daddy!!

Love that kid!!

Good Morning

Doncha just love summer?!?

• We are deep into cleaning around this place. I set out a schedule for the summer and so far we are right on track!! I LOVE going into my kids rooms and seeing everything in its place and organized and so tidy!! The funny thing is that they like it too, so why don't they just keep it that way?
• We are doing lots of reading out loud. Right now we are into Fellowship of the Rings. In the car we are listening to Long Way to Chicago.
• We are doing lots of history reading this summer too. I would highly recommend Story of the World 4 for anyone who kinda gets modern world history but needs to put all the pieces into place. It has really done this for me.
• Do you think I would take better pictures if I had a better camera? We are toying with the idea of getting a super-nice digital. Or, could it be that no matter what kind of camera I have, my pictures will be mediocre? That is my fear.

Have a delightful summer day!!

What's that sound?

SILENCE!! The kids spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house last night and I have an empty house this morning. The number one change in my personality as I have aged is a strong need to be.all.alone!!!

• We got a new (used) car. It is your basic non-descript champagne color four door sedan. I know I will lose it in the parking lot because it looks like every other non-descript car and I can never remember where I park to save my life! It isn't fancy but it has all the features I need. CD player, powerlocks, and a good cup holder. What more do you need?
• We had such a great time in Seattle! It was too short, and yet it felt like such a nice get-away. I seriously kept wishing I could see more people (you know who you are!!) but it just wasn't the trip for that. After our long driving trips, Seattle just seems like a hop, skip, and a jump!
• Wednesday morning I passed my oral exam for my masters' degree!! :-) I was a little nervous because I didn't know what to expect, but it was just an enjoyable phone conversation with two professors. I still have to finish my last two courses (will be done end of July) and then I will be done!!
• I got my first pedicure yesterday. I had a gift certificate from Mother's Day. It was nice. (Not $40 nice, mind you, but if someone wants to give me a gift cert. I wouldn't turn them down!)
• Today I finish Annsley's room and start on Seth's. How can so many bags of garbage come out of one small room? We are putting the stuffed animals up on a high shelf and most of the dolls are getting put into a bin. (Sniff.....she is growing up!!)
• I'm off to enjoy my quiet time!

Dang, I love summer!!

Oh yah!! THIS makes me want to wear my glasses.

Without the glasses, I look like.....



And with the glasses.....


By the way....Elton John called, and he wants his glasses back!!

Now, I have a complex.

Is Anyone Out There?.....

I don't blame you if you have left for good, thinking I abandoned this blog project altogether here, but I'm still here.

• All the kids activities (they really only have one each, for a grand total of 2) are done for the year. Woohoo!!
• I taught my last classes of the year last week. This week we just have end of the year conferences.
• How did I get a 3rd and a 5th grader? Please tell me that!!!
• I finished my comprehensive final test for my masters degree and sent it off. I have to orally defend it on June 20. I still have to finish my last two classes, but then I'll be DONE!!
• Even in the spring, I still love homeschooling and my job.
• We are going to Seattle this weekend. Danny has a meeting and so we are going to drive over with him and do some fun Seattle-y kinds of things.
• I started my major cleaning overhaul. I usually take 1-2 weeks in the fall before school starts again and do this, but I decided I might spread it out over the summer this year. However, usually, once I get started, I can't stop. I have done our school room and my office (which are two of the rooms that needed it most!) I clean everything. Every drawer, every wall, every blind, every baseboard, every closet....EVERYTHING! I love the feeling of looking at a room and knowing it is so clean.
• How do laundry rooms and washing machines get so dirty?

I'm going to post more this summer since I will have more time! Unless, of course, I am enjoying my parents' pool and the sun.

American Idol chat....

Overall, I would give the results show a C- (and really, I think I am being generous). They tried to copy last years show, (which I gave an A for entertainment) but it just didn't quite work. The silly Idol awards seemed forced and just didn't work like they did last year. (Although the picture of that monkey was pretty funny).

The guests they brought in seemed so random. Bette Midler?!? Don't get me wrong, I like Bette, and back in the day, I can confess to weeping at the movie Beaches. (I went to see that movie in college with my three roommates after bra shopping. Talk about the ultimate girl bonding day. I'm sure there was chocolate involved, too!) But, come on, Bette.....you were waving your arms around like a bird. I get it....wings, but if you are going to impress me, you will need to sing your most famous song in tune, not flap your arms in an attempt to take off.

I LOVED, LOVED Tony Bennet. I would highly recommend his latest duet CD. It is great, and I thought he was a class act!!! I also liked the six guy finalists singing together. I thought they were good, and it was fun to see them all back.

The old idols just were not working for me. I didn't really enjoy any of their performances much. (Remind me again how Taylor Hicks got so many votes last year.) Carrie Underwood-gorgeous. Love her. Not so crazy about the song choice for last night. Kelly Clarkson-she seemed like she was shouting and I wanted her to stop.

I liked Blake's beatbox song last night. I think they should have made Jordin do that in the finals since they made Blake sing that ballad. I will never understand why they would take a song that was obviously written for someone like Jordin and expect Blake to sing it. But, I'm over it.

I'm happy for Jordin. You know, she just seems so darn nice. And, Blake was so classy in his defeat. I get the feeling that those kids are all good friends and they are going to love being on tour together.

But where does that leave me on Tuesday/Wednesday nights, eh?

Prom Queen?

I work with a crazy fun staff!! (Did I say crazy?) Every Christmas we have a bad sweater party. You know the kind? Red sweaters with kittens and gold stitching or pictures of Santa? This spring we decided to have a prom party. We planned it on the night that one of the teacher's sons had his senior prom so we could meet at her house and embarrass the heck out of him in front of his date!! But, we decided to go 80's prom!! So, I dusted off my prom dress from 1985 (junior) (that I can still fit into, I might add. Never mind that I didn't breathe much due to the expansion of my rib cage from birthing too children...it fit! That is my story and I'm sticking to it!) My friend's son told his parents he hated them....and then proceeded to call several of his buddies to tell them to *not* come see what his parents and friends had done. So, of course, they came.

We then went to a Mexican restaurant where people got a huge kick out of our strange party. After dinner we went to a place where there was dancing. (OK, it was a bar, but I don't really like typing that since I'm not really a bar kinda' gal!) There was a little dancing, but mostly just laughing at one of the guys who is willing to make a fool out of himself for our enjoyment!!

My dress is sort of Gunnysack (remember Gunnysack dresses?) meets Madonna circa 1985. There was LOTS of blue eye shadow involved. (I seriously don't think I have put on eye shadow in 15 years!) I also borrowed a hairpiece to add to the "up-do" look which gave me a little extra height! It didn't quite match my hair, but....oh well!

I did get a compliment from a woman (who I believe had been spending a fair amount of time in the bar before this moment) in the bathroom. She asked if I was in a wedding. I explained, "No, just some friends dressing up in prom dresses." She replied, "YOU are GORGEOUS!" (in a slightly gushing inebriated fashion.) But, I am not one to turn down a compliment, no matter where it comes from.

A good time was had by all!! I was home in bed by 10:30.