Vacation

This is where I hope to visit. Someday. I look forward to the time I can enjoy such a site in person. Until then, I will imagine it and anticipate Spring's arrival. I will enjoy all the wonderful moments of Fall and Winter, but will often think of the gifts Spring brings with her. God's designs of the seasons is wonderful. Spring is the best of them all... well, for me at least.

Hello Again!

Nine months I have been gone from the blogging world. I have read MANY blogs. Kept up with yours and discovered some new ones, like this, this and this one too. My family has been VERY busy as well. During the time of my last entry I was homeschooling... now my children are all enrolled in a great charter school.
I was on the board for that charter school over the last year. I resigned in September. As the school year drew close, it was abundantly clear my position on the board would take from my family more than I could benefit the school.
We went on a great family vacation over the summer. We visited my in-laws in Greeley, Colorado and did many fabulous things. I hope to do some fun catch up posts to document the fun we had.
After arriving home from vacation all efforts were centered on preparing my children for school and working EXTREMELY hard to get the new charter school up and started. How exhausting that was!
Then my girls began school. What a day of mixed emotions. After homeschooling for six years it was hard to leave them, but at the same time, I knew this was an answer to prayer. I had prayed for years for a school to be available to my kids that would teach in a manner different than the traditional public school. Charters always intrigued me. This charter focuses on the classical model of education. I LOVE this model. When I home schooled this model was incorporated in our history and literature. It was hard to think of my kids attending any school that would not provide that richness in learning. Then, ta-da, there it was! And my kids get to go! Wow!
Now, I am able to spend more focused time in my ministry at church. This has been wonderful. I am getting to know the families in a much different way because of the time I have. I am able to follow through on things that have had to sit for far too long. My list is still long but it is coming together.
I do help in each of my kids classes. I forgot to mention that my oldest girl (Manda) has a teacher that I have known for 17 years and she has watched Manda grow up (Manda was the bell ringer in her wedding even! Hannah and my niece were the flower girls). Hannah has a teacher that I was already familiar with and she has really enjoyed her class. Jenna's teacher is the mother of Manda's teacher. Jenna's teacher has been a dear friend and mentor for many years in my life. Now I leave my youngest in her care each day. I leave knowing Jenna is loved and cared for as well as taught. Can you see God's hand in all of this? I can. I praise Him daily for His care of my children!
So that is a bit of where I have been. Yes, most of this has focused on the new school. That is because over the last year, it has used most of every spare minute I had. Now that that chapter has closed, I want to be back! Enjoy some pictures of my dear family over the last year.

Easter 2009

Manda's 11th Birthday

Manda, Grandma and Auntie Sis' birthday dinner at PF Chang's

April Fool's (colored milk surprise)

Denver Zoo!

Summer bon-fire sleep over at a dear friends home.

Kid's Bowl Free family fun night out.

Kid's Bowl Free family fun night out, again.

Blog? What Blog? Oh, my Blog?

To the tune of "Where Has My Little Dog Gone":

Where oh where has that Raggedy gal been?
Where oh where can she be?
With her schedule booked and her family needs,
The Raggedy gal has not been!

Now it takes two hands...

Jenna is six. If you ask her how old she is, she has to hold up two hands to show her age. Oh my. My youngest is now six!

This is Jenna:

J - jumping, joyful, jolly

E - energetic, enthusiastic, early riser

N - noisy, noodle lover

N - nice, in charge

A - active, asks lots of questions!

God is so good. He blessed us with such a wonderful child. She brings us so many smiles and laughter. She is a joy in our lives. I pray that God would continue to call her to Him. That she would forever be in love with her Savior and seek Him in every step of her life.

I love you Jennica Lynn! Happy Birthday!

Yes. She can be still. sometimes. once. in. a. while.

Photo Meme

Okay, I guess I have been hi-jacked by my favorite thing , my calendar. I have been very busy and the blog has taken a back seat to family time, work needs, and NCA items. So this seemed a simple task for today. I have missed blogging and look forward to many posts in the near(ish) future.

If you want to play along, here are the rules:1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer2. Select the 4th picture in the folder3. Explain the picture4. Tag 4 people to do the same. NO CHEATING! (no cropping, editing, etc...). If you want to play, join in the fun! (Most of you have done it already, if not TAG, your it!)

Won't Amanda love that this was the picture? This was in 2006 after her first skiing trip with her dad. She was drinking the hot cocoa dad promised her for a good job on the mountain. Amanda now loves to ski. If her dad wasn't so very busy he would have her up the hill more often.

C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

C- Cookies, Candy, Cocoa, all the things I am afraid of eating too much of!

H- Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? I celebrate Christmas & say Merry Christmas.

R- Relatives, lots and lots of relatives... Whether they come to visit or you go to see them... Could be good or could be...? For me it is a treat!

I- Itchy dry skin always hits me near Christmas. Tragic!

S- Songs. I love Christmas songs, but please not 24 hours a day from Thanksgiving Day! I especially love the children singing.

T- Tree, goes up the Saturday after Thanksgiving and comes down New Year's Day.

M- Money gets spent so easily this time of the year! In one hand and out the other. I am so glad for an "Allocated Spending Plan"!

A- Aromas. The smells of Christmas are amazing. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, pine, and my newest favorite, Snowberry from Scentsy, yum!

S- Savior. God came as a baby, to save me from my wretchedness. I love Christmas because even in the midst of all the C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A, there is an "S", a baby who grew to be a man, perfect without sin, God in the flesh who came to redeem, even me!

I hope you all had a Christmas that was memorable and meaningful, especially in regards to the joy and hope given to all of us in the person of Jesus Christ!

(My computer is being upgraded and I am using Scott's laptop, so no pics at this time, sorry!)

Black Friday

4:45 a.m., great sales, some money, and a few of my favorite women (my mom, sis, and 2 sis in laws). Need I say more?

The Loot - believe me the kids wish they knew what was in the bags!

Thanksgiving and a Birthday

We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and family at our church's fellowship hall due to the size of our group. It was a very nice time together. We even celebrated Ethan's (my nephew) 2nd birthday! Here are some pics of our time together.

Yummy turkey! Scott carved it up for us all to enjoy.
Cutie pie, Jenna, really wanting some dessert.

Some of us enjoying our dinner.

Birthday boy in his turkey hat (Manda made it for him).

Looking at the sisters it is hard to believe that Manda was sick with the stomach flu about 6 hours later. Then her dad got it too before going to bed. Thankfully they were the last in our home to come down with it! Scott brags that he actually lost weight on Thanksgiving this year.

Stopped in Traffic for WAY TOO Long on an 8 Hour Drive!

BEWARE THIS MAY FRIGHTEN YOU! IT FRIGHTENS ME THAT I WOULD EVEN POST SOMETHING SO... well... UGLY!

Stress release at its ugliest.
Nathan (my bro-in-law) trying to freak us out!

My baby sister, Kerstin. Don't ask... must be a California thing;)

All I can say is, on our way to the funeral, we were stopped for an hour and a half about 45 minutes north of Reno, aghhhh!!! We were going stir crazy... Adults... No kids... Wait I guess we were the kids... After we started moving again we learned that a semi-truck had completely incinerated on the side of the freeway. It appeared from what we could tell that the driver had not been hurt... I hope that was really the case.

Quizzing Stars!

My oldest two girls are involved in Bible Quizzing. They are such smart kids. They work hard, studying each week, memorizing verses and learning about the book of Exodus. Each girl was rewarded well for their efforts at the years first Quiz Meet in November. Hannah was on the 2nd place team, won a gold medal for missing only one question and had perfect memory for her verses! Manda was on the 1st place team, had a perfect score and also had perfect memory. I love watching them learn God's word in such a terrific way!

Costume Fun! (a very belated post!)

We did our Halloween and Harvest Party fun with the Potter kids and the cousins. From left to right, Brendon, Katelyn, Paige "Nastia", Manda (biker girl), Hannah (50's lady), Jenna "Shawn Johnson" and in the front, Ethan "Elmo". Don't they look GREAT!
Uncle Scott I don't want a picture taken, I want my cupcake!

My 3 Ladies! Too cute!

Sometimes you just need more...

Have you ever woke up to the buzz of your alarm clock, pushed snooze and had the distinct sense that today, more than most days, you would need to feel the closeness of your Savior. I had such a day. I woke this morning with just that feeling. I laid in bed and talked with Jesus. I praise God that the Holy Spirit had prompted me to take some extra moments with him. The day seemed average enough. Jenna who had gotten the stomach flu the day before awoke feeling well and she continued feel good for the rest of the day, thankfully. Then the phone rang about 8:45 a.m. I was late getting school started and was reluctant to answer, but it was my mom. You always answer the phone when it is mom. However, the voice I heard was hardly recognizable. My mother was sobbing. I managed to make out that it was her and that my grandmother, her mother, had died suddenly in the night. Whew. That was tough to hear. We had thought Grandma was doing well. Instead, she is now doing amazingly well, dancing with Jesus. Her health had been challenging in the last several years due to aging. No chronic illnesses, just aging. She was on pain medication for leg pain, but that was all. She was not very mobile and needed assistance to manage her walker. During the last week of her life she was doing so well her pain medications had been reduced, she got a perm, went to church (which she had not attended in over a year) and had lunch with her sister-in-law. Praise God. I had seen her this summer and she told me then that it was our last visit. My mom had seen her a month ago, Grandma told my dad that she knew it was her last visit with my mom. God's timing is good.

The challenge of the day was the waves of grief, holding your mother as she sobs, crying that she was not ready for her mother to die and realizing the raw emotions that death can bring. I needed that extra time with Jesus. He carried me today. Thank you Jesus.

I will be leaving Thursday for the funeral with my sister and her husband. Please pray for all that comes with my grandma's death.

I am so glad that my Grandma always prayed for me. She always shared Jesus with me. I knew that she loved Jesus. Grandma was wonderful, loving and a blessing. I now have no living grandparents. She was always the closest to me. I am sad for me, my sister and my mom. I rejoice for Grandma to be free of the pains of this life and to now be in eternity. God is good. All the time!

Little Miss Wiggly Tooth Girl

It finally happened. Coming home on Friday evening, Jenna commented her tooth was bothering her. As all mothers do, I thought, "ughhh, please not a cavity!" She then felt around her tooth and announced with glee, "I have a loose tooth!". Well, I was skeptical, having heard this announcement many times before. So, I told her that she would have to wait till we were home and I would check. Of course, she was ready before I had even put my keys and purse away. She waited, mouth in checking position with her lower teeth jutted out. I touched and yes, actually wiggled her little loose tooth. Granted it is at least a month or two from coming out, but it did move, even wiggled. I told her this good news and watched her skip off (remember Jenna does not walk anywhere) and tell her sisters the GREAT news! They were excited and everyone had to have their turn watching and yes, even wiggling the tooth. After all, we have been waiting for this day to come as both her big sisters got wiggly teeth at four and lost teeth early in their fifth years. Jenna is getting close to six. The ladies set about getting ready for bed. Their dad was not home when they tucked in for the night. When he eventually came home about forty-five minutes later, out pops Jenna from her room to show her Dad what great thing has happened. She was proud as ever when he confirmed the diagnosis. She ran (not walked) back to bed. Then a few minutes later she found an excuse to get up from her bed (you know that ritual "drink of water"). As she strutted (can't just walk) through the family room, she commented, "Dad, you know, it's okay if you call me "Little Miss Wiggly Tooth Girl"

Do you think she might be excited?

(Photo compliments of big sis, Manda)

This is new for me...

Ok. Well, in a nutshell I am stepping out in a new way, attempting a form of accountability as well as documenting the struggle I have had in my health. I know I am not alone in this. I have struggled throughout my life with the agony of weight. I have been overweight, obese, and morbidly obese. I have gone through phases of being obese, losing it, gaining it back more than double, losing most of it and then beginning the gradual climb back to what I consider to be "Never Again Land". I know this is a journey for me, not a "whew, I made it" deal. I have found this to be as much a behavioral issue as a spiritual one. I don't want to hide the realness of "it" for me. I believe whether our struggle is food, money, gossip, lust or whatever ill it may be, we can share our journey, encourage one another, gain accountability and change. That is what I intend to do. I am starting an invite only blog. I want to invite those who have shared this struggle or any other habit, hang-up or hurt that has led them to a path of destruction, whether large or small. If you want to be a reader, commenter, or follower of this new blog, please let me know and I will extend you an invitation. Even if I have no one join me, I will be doing this to document for myself the process and progression of deepen my relationship with Jesus and understanding how to have victory over destructive habits.

You can tell me in your comments or email me that you would like to join.

Collections

Collections. I really don't have a collection (unless you count dust bunnies and cobwebs that miss my eyes). Oh, I also, occasionally and unwillingly, collect dirty laundry. Sometimes too, I collect piles of folded clean clothes that need to be put away (albeit that rarely lasts for more than a day). Then there is also the collections of piles and piles of papers that seem to accumulate on my desk throughout the week. Papers from the kids school lessons, papers from work, papers for the home, etc.
But the collection I was beginning to write about were the collections of items left behind in the home by the rest of the family. Let's start with cups. Cups. and more cups. On nightstands. On end tables. On the desk. On the kitchen table. Sometimes on the counter. Nearly all contained water at one time or another. Now, they stand, posed and empty. They are collected by me or Scott and carried to the sink. Loaded in the dishwasher. Put away. Only to return to there poses a day or two later. Can I tell you a SHOCKER related to cups? Unbeknown to Scott and I, Amanda had successfully collected 17, yes SEVENTEEN, cups in her room! 17! How in the world!!! I had been throwing away some of our plastic "kid" cups and had thought that was why we didn't seem to have any left. Um. No. They were in her room! Unbelievable!
I also seem to collect with frequency hair barrettes, pony tail holders and clips for the girls hair. If I sweep, there are some on the floor. If I vacuum, there they are again. What is funny is that the girls don't wear them much. So how do they make their way to the floor? That is easy. Barbies. Barbie is always in need of a new do that gets left behind more often than not. So when I am done sweeping and vacuuming, I have a pocketful of hair do dads that need to find their way back to their home in the bathroom.
Somehow, I also collect pennies. How do pennies make their way consistently to the bottom of the washing machine? Is it me? or Scott? or the kids? I have yet to figure this one out but none the less, there they are in the washer.
So, what collections do you have? Am I alone in this world with my collections?

Frozen Fun

Winter temperatures came the day we planned to be outside. We headed to the pumpkin patch wearing our winter coats and gloves. We met our home school group there (yes, we weren't the only crazy souls there). It was cold. Really cold. But we still had fun.

Let's talk birthdays

Hannah is now 8. Wow. The days go fast. I love that child. A lot. She is sensitive, caring, kind, quiet, introverted, strong willed, hard working and a complete joy. My little Miss Boo is not so little anymore. Hannah loves books. A lot. She is an avid reader. She enjoys imaginative play. I will often see her in her own world, taking on a character (like a mom or princess) and playing it without any reservation, completely absorbed. She is completely what she is imagining. Now, often this is something her older sister finds quite embarrassing. "Mom, make her stop." she will say as Hannah plays the "Mom Game" as they call it in the store. We have had to set up guide lines as to when this sort of play is appropriate. I look at her though, and hope that her free spirit, not controlled by the opinions of others will continue throughout her life. She is her own person. From her style of dress to the way she faces situations with either determination or tears. I love Hannah. I pray for her heart to be always connected to Jesus. She loves him already. I pray it is always that way.

Now that I have paid tribute to my precious child, I want to talk birthdays. Now Hannah had for herself this year several celebrations of her birthday. Let's chronicle her birthday. It all began 12 months ago. The day after her last birthday. She began earnest discussion about what her next birthday would be. How she would party. Who she would invite. Where the festivities would be. And so on. Then the year continued on with ongoing reminders to me that her birthday was coming. That she wanted a party. That she wanted so and so to come. Etc. Well, as a mom, I don't know about you but I listen enough to take note of her interests so I can understand what she really enjoys, but I pretty much tune out the rest. I mean at this point the party would be about 10 months away!

So, the summer comes. I begin thinking about the party situation a little bit more as the time is getting closer. Then comes the real decision time. Do we or don't we party. Well, in our home we have started having friend parties about every other year. Other than that we have a family get together every year for each child (and adult for that matter).

Now, here is what I am wondering about. Yes, I decide on a party for her. Then we have Grandma and Grandpa who want to take her out to eat with the immediate family (presents, singing, like a party). Then Scott and I plan a special immediate family pancake breakfast party for Hannah on her birthday morning. Then we have our family get together at our house with all our extended family present (with presents of course) on the weekend after her birthday. And lastly we have the kid party (this was a couple weeks after her birthday as we did a combo party with her friend who also turned 8 in September). Whew. Her birthday is in the mid part of the month. It seemed her birthday lived for a long time as we got through all these parties. Now, can I ask? How many parties does a child need? What am I creating here by having so much attention given to a child for a birthday? Now, don't get me wrong. I love honoring her. Birthdays are about my favorite. I just wonder, is it too much? What do you think? I would love a conversation about birthdays. How much is too much? Can a child survive without so much? What do you think?

As you consider your opinions and comments about this, please enjoy a pictorial chronicle of Hannah's birthday celebrations:

Dinner at TGIF with Grandma and Grandpa

The family party. Hannah received a new Webkinz dolphin. Ethan (my wonderful nephew) loves Hannah's new boots.

Our family pancake breakfast party. Daddy took the early part of his work day off to be home with his birthday girl.

Tea party fun!

I finally heard!

Well, I finally heard after harassing the medical professionals. I was told that the last radiologist had delayed in faxing a report to my surgeon's office. WHATEVER!!! (oops, did I say that out loud?)

So, this is what the news is:

The MRI, mammogram, ultrasound has shown I have "3 lesions" that are a "category 3". Yeah, I don't know exactly what that means either. However, all the radiologists (three of them) who have reviewed the exams believe these are benign. I am glad about that, for sure! So, I will have another physical exam at the end of October to check for any changes. I will repeat my radiological tests in February to see if there are any changes. Whew, I am glad to have heard something.

Thank you for praying for me. It has been a blessing. I am nothing without Jesus.

Glow in the dark, large animals, funny glasses and the family was together...

On Labor Day we wanted to have some fun together. We decided to do something we had not either done in a while or had never done together. I suggested bowling. That would be fun. The kids thought it was good. I suggested Boondocks, we hadn't been in a while. Then I remembered another miniature golf place. This one was different. I had toured it a few months back and thought it was pretty neat. A little pricey, but was novel in its effects. So after some convincing the family decided it was a go.

We headed to a neighboring town, had some pizza at our favorite pizza joint (Pizza Hut). Then headed to "Shankz". This place is, well, let me explain. You walk in and are lit up by the black lights. You pay your fee and get your club, ball, optional 3-D glasses (yes, I said 3-D), score card and token pencil, and a tour from the high schooler running the counter. As you enter the course you are greeted by fabulous murals on the walls, life size animal statues and 3-D everywhere, even the carpet! The walls come alive. The course is fun. We had no hole in ones, but came close several times. The kids were entertained beyond the game with the art that created such a fun environment. There were other families there but the place did not feel crowded or rushed. We had a great time. Jenna worked hard and definitely improved her game. Amanda and Hannah showed they can do nearly as well as their mom (ok, that is not saying much!). As usual, Dad came in first, me second, and this kids placed in age order. Yes, we keep score. What is the point in playing if you can't try to get the bragging rights, come on! One of these days, the kids will beat us, until then, we love to win!

Manda is nearly glowing!

The flash on the camera shows up the details of the murals and statues.

Mom, can we get a new pet? He's house trained. Whatever!

Jenna made several attempts on this hole. Dad had to help get it up the hill.

Our goal was accomplished this day. We were together. We laughed, a lot. We played, a lot. We talked, a lot. I love my family. They are precious. I am blessed to share my life with an amazing set of people. A husband that is, well, amazing and children that I love to be with a lot.

Definition of patience

That is my life. The definition of patience. Waiting for something. Hate it. Want it now. Not here yet.

What I am specifically talking about are the results. I was told 48 hours. Now I am on to about 264 hours. Try that on for size. I am thinking about it as a jury in deliberations. The longer you wait, the more chance of a verdict in your favor.

I do know that the MRI results are currently being reviewed by the head radiologists at my local hospital. Another radiologist has already looked at them. What I figure is that they are not finding anything specific on it but because everyone is fearful of a malpractice lawsuit they want to make sure there is truly NOTHING to be concerned about.

So... I practice the definition of patience. I am waiting. I must tell you though, I am not experiencing duress as I wait. I hope nothing is wrong. I am not borrowing a day of worry over it though. Until I am told otherwise, I am going each day on the path I am already on. God is good. All the time.

Thanks for caring and wondering. Sorry for the long pause in posts. The last week has been an extremely busy blur. I will post about that later.