The Truth as I Know It

2011 A Year in Review: True Confessions of a Homeschooling Mom & Church-Planting Wife

2011-12-30T21:36:00.012-06:00

A Christmas letter.... A Christmas letter. Always one of those things that I expect I'll have time for this year. Always one of those things that gets put on the back burner, only to get burned in the end. A yearly blog? Now maybe THAT is something I can do! :) If you want a good look into the lives of the Ryan Nelson Family, I invite you to read on.

Most of you know that November 2010 marked the official beginning of 33Church, so it makes sense that this would define much of our year. I can tell you that we have learned so much about the exceeding riches of God's grace in this journey. Because of our responsibility at 33 in its early days, we stuck close to home for most of the year. Our church changed meeting locations in the summer, moving to a school that was much more interested in our partnering with them to meet needs in the community. It has been a great move for us, not without challenges or questions, but deeply enriching. One lesson we have learned, and continue to learn, is to put our trust in God, not man. It is amazing that we can daily be made even more aware of how without God we are nothing, yet with him we can be more than we imagine.

Ryan had the opportunity to coach Reed's basketball and soccer teams early in the year. While it didn't make sense with the amount of pressure he felt with his new role as lead minister, it was an opportunity to get into the community in a way that he couldn't pass up. We also decided if he could lead a group of first and second graders to play the game, he would be able to lead people in a journey of starting a church!

Sledding during February Blizzard

The Blizzard of February '11 was fun for all. Daddy was able to go out the morning it started for emergency supplies of donuts and hot chocolate. Then we were all able to hunker down a few days and enjoy the slow down. You see the kids sledding down our neighbor's hill, which I could watch warmly from the back door! We discussed our "snow day policy" and decided that if the snow caused the roof to cave in, making it impossible to get to school, we would in fact cancel school. However, we did enjoy a few days of doing nothing, then got back at it. I kept telling the kids it would pay off in the spring. When I found out our local school district was not making up the snow days, we ended school a week early!! That was a good pay off!

One great institution we have made this year is coffee time for Mom & Dad. Since our move, Ryan had started drinking coffee, a bond that was really exciting for me! So I was extremely delighted when he started making coffee every morning and bringing it to me in bed! And for his birthday in September we took it to a new level, getting a mini fridge for the bedroom (for the creamer, of course) and moving the coffee pot upstairs. We enjoy starting most of our days with this time just talking and being together. It is a our time for discussing, regrouping, planning, reflecting, praying, and encouraging, though there is no set plan or agenda for the time. Every morning is different, and that is part of its beauty.

First Day of School 2011-2012

Ashton, K; Landis, PreK; Reed, 3rd

Last school year was our first--and I've decided probably our last--normal school year. (Reed's K year we had Landis, and in 1st grade we moved.) It has been an adjustment this year teaching two at the same time and accounting for their different learning styles, but they are patient with me! While I love homeschooling our kids, I do not think that I am "thriving," as I read so many other homeschool moms described. I do approach almost all weeks with a lesson plan and almost always get up and dressed before school time (except on our once-a-semester Pajama Day). The moments of understanding are sweet, but the times when all three kids (& sometimes the dog) are all vying for my attention are overwhelming. The days where every task is met with a whine+shoulder drop cause me to really examine my calling. I am hanging on to the idea that "The days are long, but the years are short." I know my time is precious with the kids, and I want to spend that time teaching them grace. I also struggle with household upkeep, and I am finding that teaching the kids to do these jobs does not lighten my load! But I am learning in God's grace (again!) that these things do not matter as much as "Watch this, mom" "Can we read..." and " I need help with...." However, we have regular "zone cleaning" so I don't go completely off the deep end. I have also recently had the epiphany that a family that stays home all day puts loads of more housework on me. It makes sense, I know, but I haven't always given myself this allowance.

Ashton has been able to conquer a new frontier for us. We were able to get her into a one-day-a-week Homeschool Academy in Kindergarten. This is a school we have tried to get Reed into for 2 years, but his grade is extremely full and unmoving!! However, because she got in this year, her siblings will be able to get in starting next year. The waiting is hard on him, but he is usually gracious.

One of the things we love about homeschooling is the flexible schedule it allows our family. While we still find ourselves getting into a rut, we do make efforts to break the norm! Shortly after school started this fall, we made a special announcement to the kids about a fall vacation. They didn't believe us at first, but we were finally able to convince them that we were in fact going to Disney World the end of September. Much screaming ensued, and even a few tears of joy!

We will all tell you that it truly was a magical experience. While it was hot and tiring, no one complained or whined. That time of year was perfect--not too hot, and the lines were incredibly short at the parks. We had planned to camp on the way down, but rain prevented that the first night, and then gave us a very "camping" experience the second night complete with wet bedding, pending thunder & lightning, a noisy neighbor, and a NOAA weather radio alert (which turned out to be nothing). We spent the first day at Epcot, 2 days at Magic Kingdom, & the last at Animal Kingdom.

Our First Magical Day

Reed especially loved the "Future World" part of Epcot, where he could create his own roller coaster & video game, and interact with some of the video characters. Landis called this icon "the big golf ball." When we rode the history of the earth ride inside of it, Ashton did NOT like the dark (even though it was slow and kinda like just seeing museum) and declared in the first 30 seconds, in her shakiest voice, "So far I'm hating it!!!"

Ashton DELIGHTED in Meeting the "Big 5" Characters

Fortunately, she was later able to stand in line and meet Micky, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, & Goofy. The child-like delight she had truly brought tears to my eyes.

Landis Was Glad Tigger & Pooh Did Not Bite Us

Landis, however, did not want to meet any character or ride any rides! We did convince him to pose here with Tigger & Pooh (his current Disney favorites) and afterwards he declared, "See, they didn't bite us!!"

Riding the Magic Carpets

Here is one of the rides Landis decided he didn't want to ride while we were in line. We were able to convince him in most instances, but he would not put up with anymore 3D movies by the end. Disney adds sprays of water, air puffs, and other tactile experiences that we finally had to shield him from just to get him to stay with us.

A Little Silliness on our Way Out the Last Day

Maybe because it was our last day, Animal Kingdom was our least favorite park. It had great animal displays, but the rides are more zoo-like than amusement-like. However, the Lion King show was completely worth the price of admission!! Great costuming, singing, & pageantry!

Enjoying Daytona Beach

We capped off the vacation with two days at Daytona with Grandpa Dallas & Grandma Pat. We stayed on the beach to maximize our time in the sand & sea. The kids were able to learn sand castle building from the best, my dad. All of us relished the time together with Grandpa & Grandma just relaxing for a couple days.

Landis & Grandpa Return from a Walk Down the Beach

Landis did not really want anything to do with the water, but he did enjoy digging & digging in the sand. Reed & Ashton, however, spent most of their time in the water, even using their life jackets as boogie boards for a while.

Reed Showing Off a Christmas Gift & a Missing Tooth

Reed continues to delight us with his sense of humor and quick thinking. He has always impressed us with his math mind, and now he has gotten to the point where we can't keep enough books around. He especially loves a good mystery. He is always amazing us with his new creations, whether with blocks or cardboard and tape. For Ashton's birthday he made her a cardboard box city that she could use to play with her dollhouse.

A Self Portrait of Ashton

Ashton loves going to school on Wednesdays. We have seen she is a much quieter leader in that environment, but we can still see glimpses of our little mommy even there. At home she is taking to reading much faster than I was teaching her! She is a great caretaker to us all. She knows where things are, brings us things we might need (before we know we need it!), and loves to serve us. She is quite the giver, wrapping up things from around her room to give away on birthdays or "just because." Ashton loves to take pictures (as you see above) and got her first camera for Christmas.

Landis' First Black Eye--Likely Not the Last

Landis is a delightful challenge. We love hearing him use new words, and he loves to make us all laugh. He is a very physical little boy. This black eye was a run-in with the entertainment center. One of the things he learned last year was what can and cannot be thrown in the house. Squishy balls are approved; hard balls, toys, butter knives, books, game pieces, pencils, crayons, food, shoes, and fits are not. He is quite grown up these days. He makes me toast for breakfast nearly every morning. He toasts the bread in the toaster oven, sets the timer, gets it out with some wooden tongs, butters it, and delivers it to the table. (Sometimes I request a knife to spread the butter glob out a bit more.) Then he sits on my lap and waits for me to "eat it down" (to the top crust) so that he can eat the rest of it.

28 Weeks Pregnant

Our biggest change in 2012 will be the addition of another kiddo to the mix. Right now we don't even know if God has blessed us with a boy or a girl, but we are all excited! Ashton was particularly wanting a a sister, but then someone commented that she wouldn't be the only princess in the family. Now I think she will be happy either way! The kids are dying to know the names we have picked out, but they will have to wait, just like the rest of you. Until then Ryan keeps throwing out names like Bubba (a girl) and Buford. March 10 is the due date, but if baby decides to come 10 days early, we will have a Leap Day birthday!

Baby Nelson 28.5 Weeks Along

We think s/he is pretty beautiful. Since Christmas, we have moved our focus to getting ready for this arrival. Reed and Ashton have moved into bunk beds, and Landis has moved into a big boy bed down the hall. (His big lesson of 2012 might just be how to play/talk/close doors more quietly!) Baby will be sharing a room with our guest bed, so if you come to visit, you will get a chance to heat up a bottle and change a diaper or two.... ;)

I hope you have enjoyed this little glimpse into our lives. We love to keep up with all of you and hear what is going on with you. If I don't write again until next year, please accept my apologies.

Until then, Love,

Anniversary Log

2011-06-23T22:09:00.003-05:00

A couple years ago, I started something I wish I had done many years ago. I made an official record of all the ways we had celebrated our anniversary. If you want to see them all, here is the original list. Let me just add a few updates.

2010--Having moved to Olathe, we made a trip back to Albuquerque to help with the Pendergrass/Stoddard nuptials on the 12th. And when I say help, I mean it was a little bit of a Nelson side show. (Of course, when isn't it with my three lovelies?) Ryan stood up as a groomsman & performed part of the ceremony. Reed & Landis were ring bearers & Ashton a flower girl. Ryan & I even sang. We were blessed to be so involved with Amanda & PD at the beginning of their marital journey! While we were in Abq we were able to leave the kids at Miss Jacqui's (again!) for an evening, go BACK to that fab restaurant Antiquity, and spend the evening at MCM Elegante.
2006--Yes, I realize this is out of chronological order, but I have to take memories as they come or they are gone just as fast. Being part of the wedding last year reminded me that we were also blessed to be part of the ceremony of the Frazier/Smith on the 10th in 2006. Ryan performed the ceremony & I dusted off my wedding coordinator skills for the weekend. The evening of our 11th anniversary we enjoyed a delightful rehearsal dinner with Johanna & Ian and the wedding party.
2011--So, present day, we spent celebrating a few days early with an evening at the Holiday Inn (we love Hotwire.com) and splurged on room service! Our big kiddos were with Grandma & Grandpa for the week of VBS and Landis spent the night with our dear friends here in KC, the Kelly family. The day of our anniversary, Ryan worked all day on a treehouse for the kids (to surprise them). He, of course, asked for my blessing first. I told him later, I cannot think of anything that better embodies the blessings we have experienced in our marriage.

It is ultimately romantic. The thought would have delighted me on the day of our wedding. In fact, it still does.

I am a Person

2011-02-09T16:33:00.003-06:00

If I hear or see any more references to Brent Favre, I just might spit.

Yes. I'm mad.

Ryan & I have been involved in ministry for more than 15 years. In that time we have hastily finished up a ministry before we were ready. It was very much a growing-up period, where we learned to keep our mouths shut for the greater good, & it definitely strengthened our bond to each other. The lessons I learned there are priceless, and some I don't care to have to learn again! :)

We had worked for years building up a church and its people. We knew we did not want our labor to be in vein by destroying what we had worked to build. Some of our relationships have continued; others have waned. We know that life has gone on there without us, as it should have and as we have wanted. Some people have already forgotten about us, I'm sure. But I sure do hope that when they speak of their current success, they don't say, "We don't need that Brain & Kara!!" (hahaha, yuk, yuk, yuk, let's make a t-shirt that says that)! That would break. my. heart.

Because I'm a person. With feelings. I treat with respect. I expect to be treated likewise.

The Blessing of Submission

2011-01-23T16:10:00.004-06:00

That's right. Blessing and submission. Together. Written by a woman. Read on, if you dare.

I have been mulling over this post in my mind for many weeks. It's not a topic on which one can spout off opinions without considering all sides for a while. I doubt I have a concrete answer for everything yet. However, I thought I'd post it now since our 33Homes and Worship Gathering focused on Genesis 3 this past week. There was SO MUCH in this story that had never been in there before.... Ok, maybe that was just me having missed it.

Here's the basic story, but I would recommend you also read it for yourself here. (If you don't like that version, feel free to change it on the drop-down list at the top of that page.) Adam & Eve have the run of the Garden of Eden, which God "had planted" (not just created, but planted!) and placed them in. There is only one tree that he tells them not to eat from, a fruit that will take away their innocence. They were naked and happy, just like my 2-year-old running diaperless to the bath. God offers a choice: love & obey me, or don't. Then Satan shows up and confuses them. Long story short: Eve eats, Adam follows, mankind is cursed. Part of that curse: Woman will have greatly increased pain in childbirth (thank you very much!) and her husband will rule over her.

So how can submission be a blessing and a curse? It is a curse in the re-organization of creation. It is a blessing when it is honored.

Allow me to use the first aspect of the curse to illustrate the second. Having experienced natural un-medicated childbirth three times, I can tell you that pains in childbirth are ... oh... let's say, significant. (This begs the question: what was the original plan for a no-pain or low-pain childbirth??) But having come through on the other side? Oh yeah, worth it. Not just the baby, but having made it through that experience and survived made me feel so powerful! It was a role in our family that was uniquely mine, and I did it! *blessing* Did I do it alone? Uh, no. Could not have done it without my coach, leader, encourager, counter, support--my husband. He loved and led me through the entire process. (And it was, at times, not pretty....) I was able to respond to his lead to thrive in my role.

The same is true for submission. Is it a painful process? Sometimes, yes, especially when I try to assert my own will into it. I believe God created women with the same creativity to meet life issues as he created man. The curse is to reign it in to submit to someone else's plan over yours. Does a blessing come from carrying it out? Absolutely! I have learned over and over (somehow it doesn't stick the first time) that getting my own way in a matter is not always best. I have lived a much fuller life by doing things I wouldn't have decided to do on my own! *blessing* Again, I am able to do it best when I am responding to the love with which my husband surrounds and leads me. He does this, from Ephesians 5:

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

We are, by no means, perfect at this! We follow in Adam & Eve's footsteps and find ourselves giving in to Satan's confusing talk. We struggle to keep God first and each other ahead of ourselves. But when we love and submit: *blessing*.

Blessed Lesson

2010-11-28T15:39:00.004-06:00

We had a stark reminder this week that how you treat people is important. Sometimes we go through life acting as though we are anonymous, that what we do with those we do not know is not important. That is not always true.

We had a great trip to Wisconsin to see Ryan's family. We met at a lodge in La Crosse, which is about 7 hours from us. It's a pretty easy trip, especially having been used to trips from Albuquerque and we agreed that this might have been the easiest in a while. We listened to the "Chronicles of Narnia" CD set we got last year for Christmas. The kids were enthralled. We stopped for supper at a gas station/Arby's combo place and did an all in one stop. There was another family there of a mom with 4 elementary kids on her own. I was admiring her from afar, especially when she spilled her drink and kept her cool. Ryan told the employees that a mop was needed, and also complimented the mom on how well her oldest son had taken care of things while she was in the restroom.

Farther on down the road we got some exciting news. A friend of Ryan's sent an email inviting us to Thanksgiving dinner, but also offering us a van that some of her out-of-town family was wanting to give away. I don't think she knew that we had been looking to buy this very same van in the spring but had decided to squeeze more life out of ours as long as we could. We could not believe God's blessing!

We got home Friday evening and made arrangements to meet them to pick it up and go over how things work. They were leaving for home the next morning and we were just excited to see the van even though we had a cranky toddler.

Imagine our surprise when we met the generous family and recognized them as THAT VERY SAME FAMILY from that random restaurant in Iowa. I was glad we didn't have to be embarrassed at how we had treated them, and that they had felt blessed (however slight) by us in that moment. We all had fun putting together the details and sharing how we had felt at the time.

How incredible is God in his timing, in how he teaches us, and in how he blesses us!

Halloween Fun

2010-10-27T16:07:00.007-05:00

This week the kids had a carnival for which I volunteered (read: was cornered) to make 5 dozen cookies. I decided to make a day of it and have some fun and school at the same time. Tons of math: halving recipes, counting dozens, grouping by dozens & counting extras. Reading: recipe. Art: Cookie decorating. We did our reading and spelling assignment to keep up with the week, but the rest of the day was cookies!

The Recipe Reader

The Pourers

First we mixed up these Sugar Cut-out Cookies so the dough could chill in the frigde for a while. We did half of this recipe and got probably 20 pretty big cut outs and a little extra dough for sneaking. They turned out pretty sturdy, but I have learned from my baking past to always grease the pan for cutouts, even when the recipe says not to. We let the dough chill for about 3 hours while we baked the other cookies and had lunch.

I wanted to do the shape cut-outs, but I knew that decorating them with icing would be too much for me. So we used candy corn and chocolate chips and inserted them as soon as they came out of the oven. Lazy, but still cute. Eyes on the moons and ghosts are pieces of candy corn. The ghosts were my favorite.

Then we made these easy Ghost Cookies. We used Vienna Fingers instead of Nutter Butters because of Ashton's peanut sensitivity.

Finally we ventured into Martha Stewart world with these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. I shied away from choosing them at first, but they turned out to be pretty easy. The batter is pretty runny, but it bakes up well. And adding pumpkin to the filling makes it separate a bit, so if that bothers you skip it. I also added more powdered sugar to the filling.

This pic was when Landis found a way to look at the counter full of cooling cookies. I was so excited to be almost done, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product!

All in all, a fun day, and educational to boot!

Homeschool

2010-10-27T11:29:00.003-05:00

There are times that I feel guilty for finishing our planned "morning" school work early. Like today. Language arts, Bible, and math all done by 11:07. Maybe I should fill up this time with more school. Review? Practice? Educational game?

But at the suggestion, my students balk. When morning school is done, they get to play together.

So I relent. Extra recess it is.

And I am so glad I did.

Because right now the three of them are working on a movie set. They are planning on "making" a movie with the video baby monitor.

That is not an educational experience you capture in a lesson plan.

Where Were You When

2010-09-11T14:37:00.003-05:00

September 11 was a date I had been anticipating for a week or so. It was going to be the first teacher's potluck luncheon of the school year. Endless goodies in the teacher's lounge for hours on end. My first break was at 10:30 central time when my first graders went to music.

The party room was remarkably empty. Undaunted, I filled my plate with a few good snacks and some obligatory vegetables, and sat for the first time that morning. A few minutes later, the librarian walked in, looked at me enjoying my full plate, and declared, "You haven't seen a TV yet." I confirmed I had not. Any teacher will tell you when you close your door in the morning, you create a world separate from reality, limiting your connection to a rare drop-in by the principal or another teacher looking for extra supplies. We likened it to being in a cave.

I remember her telling me two planes had flown into the twin towers and they had "fallen down." I had no comprehension of what she might mean. "What do you mean 'fallen down'?" I asked. "I mean they are just gone," she answered.

While I still couldn't fully understand (I was envisioning the top third of the buildings broken off), suddenly my plate was not so appetizing.

I did not see a replay of that sickening video of the crumbling buildings until arriving home that afternoon. What I remember most clearly from that day was the thought immediately brought to mind: "God you are all-powerful! You are in control!"

How could this be my reaction to such a gut-wrenching scene? Because of the grace of Jesus I understand that my God is more powerful than those who brought on this great tragedy, more powerful that the engineers that designed such marvelous buildings. He is still in control in the most horrific of situations and weeps with those are hurting. He allows free will and the consequences that are brought upon because of it, but he is not overcome by it!

We said then "We Will Never Forget." I sincerely hope we don't. It is a story that I have begun to tell my little class at home. But the lesson goes beyond US history or even the stories of valiant heros who faced tragedy. They are a part of His story.

It is about a God who is all-powerful, always in control.

The Passing of Summer

2010-09-07T21:53:00.004-05:00

I keep hearing people talk about the weather: how great is the weather, it's so nice outside, I love this time of year. Yes, it's nice, I agree. But with this weather, at this point on the calendar, it only means one thing. Summer is over.

I like summer.

I know it's hot. I know the kids get restless. I know it's tornado season. But life in the summer is just easier!

You get to sleep in. (Okay, well I do. I have trained my kids to allow this to happen.)

You can send the kids outside to lower the noise level.

You can get SOOO much accomplished.

You can do nothing.

You can plan things in advance or at the last minute.

You can fit clothes for the whole family into one overnight bag.

You can suggest to grill and have hubby end up cooking the entire meal!

It just seems that in summer everything is easier. But for me it's more than that.

Summer is the epitome of youth. Carefree freedom... Windows down... U2 blaring.... Every relationship holds mystery and expectant longing.

The smell of a river or sound of the cicada's song diverts me back to a time when life was simple and the possibilities were vast. The humid wind blowing through my hair as I drive seems to clear my head of all the grown-up junk that clutters it, making me feel, if only for a moment, like I am innocent and frivolous again. The giggle or hollered "MOM!" from the back seat that pulls me back to reality does not disappoint me, but rather brings my years of experience and responsibilities back to mind. There is no doubt: I would not trade now for then. But the moment has been sweet.

So with the passing of Labor Day and with the autumnal equinox rushing towards us, I lament the passing of summer. While winter days hold a certain allure for me, they are not nearly as charming as summer.

So, Summer, thanks for the perspective. Until next year....

In Training

2010-08-30T22:08:00.005-05:00

I am in the trenches potty training my youngest right now. Yes, he is only 20 months old. Yes, I am quite possibly insane. (Not sure that was ever in question though....) Yes, I do own a carpet cleaner and a great washing machine. No, I did not do this this early with either of my other two.

Some of the my random thoughts on the whole potty training process:

Our moms had us trained earlier because washing underwear is not any different that washing cloth diapers.
For 2-3 years we "train" our babies to go in diapers. "No! Don't pee on the carpet! Let me put your diaper back on!" Then we want them to just decide to do it differently in a weekend.
No matter what article you read, it will be messy.
We are told that the best time to start this process is around 2.5. You may or may not realize that this coincides with the TERRIBLE TWOS! "Now that you are realizing you have a free will, I would like to assert my opinion that you should pee in the potty."
We are also told not to start if the child has had lately or will have upcoming unusual circumstances (i.e.--teething, new sibling, sickness, trip away from home, company in the home, family transition, holidays.... Read: their entire childhood.)
And, yet another thing we are told: we should block off some time in our calendar (anywhere from a weekend to 3 weeks) to devote to this project. Do not plan to go anywhere for a week. REALLY, who can do this? I have never been able to find more than a 3-day stretch to carve out of my schedule, and this doesn't get it done. Which brings me to my next point...
If your child does train in a weekend, sign them up for gifted testing. Because they are exceptional. And also, please don't tell any of the rest of us about it.

Lessons on Church Planting Learned from our Backyard (I hope)

2010-07-27T11:08:00.005-05:00

Last fall my family moved from the high-desert dirt of Albuquerque, NM to the humid, shocking-green climate of the mid-west. We had intended to move in the summer, but God eased us into this muggy climate gradually. We moved here to plant a church! We set to our task with excitement, ready to move ahead wherever we could!

This spring the kids and I planted a small garden--our first attempt at green thumbs. I had wanted to do this for years, but finally gained the courage to forge ahead. The previous owners had sustained two entire families with a garden encompassing most of the yard. Surely we could grow a few measly vegetable plants! Plus it was a good end-of-year school project! We used it as a springboard for researching the best plants for children's gardens, the last frost date for our area, and even budgeting for our supplies. We tracked the sun for a few days to find the best spot for our little plot of ground, did a couple do-at-home soil tests, and talked to the lady at Lowe's about what critters we needed to keep out. We picked a good parcel of land on the back edge of the yard, where the grass was flourishing, just in front of the shed where we could store our tools! We prepared the ground, put up a fence, brought out our seedlings. A very good learning experience!

Sar-y, Sar-y, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? you ask. Well..... not so good. Quite possibly.... not at all....

I can blame the tomato-eating squirrel in May. I can blame the torrents of rain that pelted our little plants in June. But really the blame lies with me. (Sigh.)

You see, I thought doing a few days or weeks of research would be good enough. But I didn't really know my yard.

A couple weeks in, we went out in the morning to weed. I commented, "What a blessing! Our garden is in the shade in the morning! We will be able to work without the sun making us too hot!"

A few weeks later, our tiny plants were struggling, at best. Our plot basked in the sun for only a few hours each day. I began to worry.

Yes, the sun continued to shift in the sky as the calendar headed toward summer soltice. Our garden got less and less sun each day until there was none. Shaded from dawn till dusk, it was a spot better planned for two posts and a hammock. We hadn't spent the time in this yard to see what was now obvious.

Which brings us back to our original task: planting a church. Yes, it seems that planting a church could be remarkably similar to planing a garden. (Yikes!) Could our little black-thumbed family do it? Fortunately, we have been able to learn a few of these lessons second-hand from a book called "Church in the Making" by Ben Arment. Ben, as a former church planter, has been coaching Ryan in 2010. His advice: slow down and quit trying to build a church. Rather begin to grow roots in the community. Spend some time getting to know people and letting them get to know you. You know the old saying, "They don't care how much you know... blah, blah, blah."

Our garden is not completely without life now. We have two little pole bean plants who are climbing their way to the sun, I'm sure. A garden remnant, if you will. And one other product of our gardening endeavor: a very rich compost pile. It seems as though God is good at making lush soil with our trash. We know that's true spiritually, too, so hopefully that will make for some fertile soil when the time comes to plant this church.

In the meantime, we sit, we watch, we talk, we plan, we pray, we wait for God, and we look to learn more from our backyard.

To My Best Friend's Daughter

2010-06-16T20:29:00.004-05:00

No, you are not my own daughter. You are the precious daughter of a dear friend. But I loved your mom more that you could have known. And that love that I had for her has poured over into a love for you. I ache now in her absence, though not nearly as much as you. You are paused here, looking ahead to your adult life, looking back at a childhood that seems so long ago. I cannot take away the pain you feel right now.

I wish so much that it was not like this. I wish that she was still here, loving you through these difficult years. I wish that you could share your teenage secrets with her and hear again the secrets that she and I shared during those formidable years.

Your mother was my best friend. She got made at me once for saying about another girl that "she was the best friend I had ever had." I didn't blame her after I stopped and saw the reality of the situation. Your mom had stuck by me through failure, mistakes, and misplaced value, not to mention quite a few passing crushes and camp boyfriends! She much more deserved the title of "best friend I had ever had" than that other girl.

It's odd, now that I look back on it. Your mom was one of the only BF relationships I have had (except my husband) that survived an occasional fight. While many friends would move on, she did not. We were able to forgive and move on. Actually, I can only recall times where I received forgiveness, rather than offered it. Her consistency blessed me over and over!

I remember her coming to church. First alone, then with her brother, then with her mom. Our church loved them all. Her faith was so pure. She knew that God was her Father, that He had picked her as His very own child.

I want to tell you now what she would want you to remember--something so many teenage girls forget. Your worth is not determined by where you live or how you look or who likes you. Your worth is not even determined by how you act or what you wear! God is your Father. He has determined your worth is IT IS GREAT! So great that He paid the price for you with His very own Son, Jesus! You are a blessed child to Him, not just to those who have and will raise you here on this earth! Even a mother's or father's love could not compare to His!! Even in your time of grief and loss, He is there, drawing you to Him. He knows your pain and He hurts for you. But He also knows the plans He has for you, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). He has not brought you to this place to leave you.

Your mother was a loving friend and mother who we will never replace. In her faith and in her fallenness, she showed that her life was not what she made of it, but what He made of it. Her life was a reflection of His grace--His grace that is evident even now in you. Your mother was His child. She sits with Him even now.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

Grace

2010-03-15T00:18:00.002-05:00

I wrote this blog quite awhile ago, but it just wasn't falling into place. This morning, I heard a Scripture that gave me new understanding and completed the puzzle I was trying to put together. (Isn't it amazing how the Word and the Spirit work together to do this for us?) So here it is, dusted it off, polished up, and hopefully a little bit clearer.

One of the greatest blessings I have been experiencing lately is a new understanding of grace. I hope by sharing this with you, I will further understand what God is doing in me, but also encourage you in your search for God.

I have known for years that it is not up to me to make me "good." Which I know is a very good thing, because I will never be able to do that. I have tried. It ain't happening. I can do alright for awhile, but not for very long. The trouble has come for me when I have tried to apply that. How can I let Jesus make me whole, not just after I have messed up, but before? I am still the one making the choices that are good or bad, so....

Lately God has helped me understand he is always offering me grace, in my good moments, and my bad. All I have to do is take it, and then realize it's all from him. I have come to think of it as "Proactive Grace" and "Retroactive Grace." I have needed a LOT of retroactive grace in life and have happily accepted it. I have received a lot of proactive grace also, but I have just recently realized it!! It has completely transformed how I think about my walk with Christ!

To illustrate: One rainy morning (in a string of many) in the fall, I announced to the children that before we started school, we would make a special trip out to go through the nearby Starbucks drive-thru for a pumpkin latte and kiddie drinks of their choice. They opted to get one hot chocolate and one carmel apple cider and split them at home. We brought them into the house so we could pour them into separate cups before they had even sampled a sip. Well, you can see where this is going....

Reed received proactive grace in this situation when he placed his cup firmly upon the table. Ashton received retroactive grace after she set her cup halfway on the table and it toppled to the floor. Sometimes grace comes in the form of a fabulous lid which stays in place upon impact. This day it did not, but rather in a towel and few comforting words.

Both Reed and Ashton know how to place a drink on the table, and each have done so many times with great success. And there have been a few times when they haven't. Each time it has been grace that has made it right.

Titus 2:11-14 offered an even greater lightbulb to me today, helping me see this proactive grace in new understanding. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Itteaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." The grace I have claimed that has cleaned up my mess so many times has taught me there is a better way. I can say "No" to ungodliness. I have been redeemed and purified. All that reallydoes make me eager to to good!! I want to proactively take hold of his grace that makes me whole.

However, sometimes I don't quite get the cup on the table.

And it spills.

Everywhere.

And God is right there with his grace, ready to clean it up.

Oh......

2010-02-27T22:12:00.003-06:00

...Lympics! What is is about them?? Why have I engulfed myself daily in bobsledding and ice skating and snowboarding and hockey? (Ok, just kidding. I cannot watch hockey. Try as you may, you will not convince me they aren't just skating around and batting at the puck at random...) Why have a I stayed up even later than usual to catch these obscure sports unfold?

I mean, on any given Saturday, if Ryan happens to land on the X games or if there is some ice skating competition on, I an NOT interested. I don't follow of these people in real life. Two weeks ago, I could not have told you Evan Lysacek's name, the life story of Frank Carrol (his coach--come on, keep up now), or that the Koreans disdain Apolo Anton Ohno. I didn't know that the USA player to score the winning goal on the Canadians (in the first game, that is) plays for Vancouver in the NHL. Why have I invested myself in all that recently?

Well, my first thought comes to national pride. In our little school, we have been keeping track of the medal count daily on a graph. The kids are keenly aware that other countries have more golds than we do, but that we are still have the most overall. Ryan has added an app to the itouch to keep us up-to-date on the medal standings. We faithfully cheer for USA (pronounced by Jess "Oo-suh") and despair when we are not even near the podium.

But really, my interest in the Olympics is not just because of patriotism. It is what interests most of us in life: Story. What the Olympics give us is the story about the athletes. It offers a glimpse into what has made them who they are today. How they got here. What they have overcome. That they have lives that have led to this point. Some of them we have come to know over the past few Olympics, seen parts of their story unfold at the games. We see former Olympians in the crowd and realize that there is life after a lifetime accomplishment.

The events in the Olympics are interesting. But what captures us is the story.

We are all in the midst of a story. Mine doesn't play out the way I expect it to sometimes. I try to keep parts of it hidden. Other times I want to give myself way too much credit for the good things. But today, tomorrow, is just one part of the story.

I have a story. You have a story. Your crazy neighbor with the loud kids in the backyard has a story. If we take the time to find out, and share, our stories, we will care more about one another, invest more in each other.

I think many of us who grew up in the church take for granted the stories in the Bible. We know them so well, that we miss them entirely. They are really one story, the story of God. The gift that the Bible gives us is that glimpse into the daily lives of the heroes, if we take the time to see it. Moses parted the Red Sea, but before that, God almost killed him, apparently because he hadn't circumcised his sons. Rahab supported her family with the oldest profession, but knew there was the one true God who sought to save her from what she had made of herself. Samson had the strength of God, but a weakness for women. God used then all in his story.

The Olympics will end tomorrow. But the stories will continue. The athletes will go home, celebrate, hit the talk show circuit, retire or begin training for Sochi 2014. We will see a few of them again, and, after not thinking of them for 4 years, will cheer passionately for them again the next time.

So as the flame extinguishes, remember the stories--theirs, and ours, and our neighbors--go on. God is telling his story in each of us.

Dear Santa,

2009-12-15T14:43:00.003-06:00

I realize I am getting this letter off a little late this year. I have had some computer problems and also been making a stocking for that little gift you delivered early last year. (Nope, wait. I delivered that one. 20 hours. You remember--you were there.) Anyway, I hope you are doing well. If it is still possible to consider some of my requests, I would appreciate it. Do not feel like this list is exhaustive, or that you have to get everything on it. These are merely some suggestions to help make your shopping a little easier. Also, this is not to say that I don't love the secret stash you give me of m&ms and Jelly Belly's in my stocking every year. Those are gifts that keep on giving for a few months.... or possibly, weeks.

First, I know you know I like clothes. And I have discovered it can get a bit chilly here in Kansas! Apparently my warm sweaters went by the wayside in sunny Albuquerque. So a sweater would be nice. And also some of those super cute furry boots or clogs in the brown family would be nice!
Years ago you (or some other man I love) gave me a set of gold stud earrings. I wouldn't mind another pair of everyday earrings, whether they are round, flat, hoops or another shape. You know what I like: small and simple.
A new little Bible would be great! They have some really slim Bibles that I might even get to church with me once in a while.
I would really love a booklight for those times when the whole family finds ourselves in the same room for the night.... A bonus would be if it took AAA batteries. :)
Lastly, since the steering wheel on my sleigh... er, I mean, van, is all worn down, a steering wheel cover might be nice! Something cute and fashionable. I know they have girly ones, but if you feel a more neutral one is better suited to the whole family, I would love it, too!

Thank you for your consideration, Santa. I know you are a busy man. I hope this makes it easier on you! :)

Some Really Good Things:

2009-10-19T21:51:00.003-05:00

We seem to have a "done deal" on the house. The house passed inspection on Saturday with a few minor repairs showing up, but nothing that doesn't fall into the allowance we had already given. Our realtor was there to represent us and met the couple moving in. She said they have a baby due any day, so they were anxious to get things settled. They also have 3 other kids and we were told they loved our kids' rooms. This is such a relief to me! I know it's silly, but it was hard for me to think someone would come in and paint all of that!
We have been blessed by our growing relationships around us. I really connected with another homeschooling mom the other day when she invited me and the kids over for a play day. The kids had a blast and we seemed to have a close connection from the beginning! At church on Sunday, we met another family who was visiting. In our small talk, we quickly learned that they had also moved to Olathe about a month ago to begin a new church!! We know God orchestrated this meeting and we are excited to see what this means! Our backdoor neighbors have blessed us as well, coming to our first 33 Home Bible Study last week, and then coming to the rescue the next day when I was stranded at the grocery store with dead battery and 3 empty carseats (i.e.--Ryan couldn't get to me).
It was sunny today! The kids and I took advantage and got out with the bikes and stroller and dog, and didn't even regret any of it! :) We did find out we don't live on a "block" so the walk was a bit longer than I had planned, and I should have brought water!
We have had some real blessed moments during school lately! I happened upon tying Bible story time to snack time, and we don't miss it anymore! It has really opened up some good question and answer times and teachable moments. Beyond this, we have made some good academic strides lately. I have been pleased with how easily things have been absorbed!
We officially enrolled our kids in AWANA tonight. We had visited last week and they kept asking, can we go back next time? While we are excited about how they will be learning about God there, we are REALLY excited about how Ryan and I will have some time with only one kid!! Tonight we went on a date (isn't it funny that with 3, having only one constitutes a date?), but in the future I can see us doing something like shopping together (clothes, Sam's, birthday, Christmas, etc.)--something we enjoy doing together, but is nearly impossible and most certainly unenjoyable with the other two in tow!
God is not finished with me yet. And my family hasn't given up on me either.

A sign I'm Getting Through...

2009-10-18T21:32:00.003-05:00

Since flu season is upon us, and we are not the flu shot kind, I did a brief reminder lesson on the necessities of clean hands the other day. I told the kids we needed to be careful, especially when we're around a bunch of kids, to not touch our eyes, noses, or mouths, and make sure we wash or Purell as soon as we can.

On the way home from a gathering of kids the other day, Reed proudly proclaimed from the backseat, "Mom, I didn't pick my nose the whole time we were there!"

Blogging--UGH!

2009-09-13T15:55:00.002-05:00

This has been my attitude about blogging as of late. I'm not sure why, but I have a couple hunches: 1.) blogging is meant to update and I have had no substantial update as of late, 2.) blogging is meant to share deep thoughts and I have had a combination of a lot of incomplete deep thoughts and a whole lot of shallow ones.

So, here are some bullets to help us all catch up.

We are moving to Olathe. Like tomorrow. Well, that is a bit of a characteristic exaggeration. But after waiting so long to get things moving (no pun intended), we will be making the trip to Albuquerque and back (I am in Kansas as I write this) within a week. And in between we will finish packing up our house, do a concert for FCCabq, and load the trucks (yes, plural). I would appreciate your prayers for sanity in the coming days!
We have a house!! To rent, that is. We have still had no offers on our Abq house and we have been given a peace about renting for a time. The house we have found is for sale, so we will have the option to buy when our house sells and if it will meet our needs as we think it might. It will be nice to have some time to really test it out!! Some stats on it: 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half baths, 3 living areas (1 in the basement), 2 car garage, laundry on the bedroom floor (yay!), good closets, some very dated wall paper boarders and lighting fixtures (Too bad those can't come down right away!) but all the right bones to a great house. We are very excited!
We have stayed this week with a host family from another church in the area. We have been so blessed by Bill and Marilyn's hospitality!! And the house? Oh. My. Word. Seriously!! Huge! We have the top floor with three bedrooms, two baths, the loft in between, and a phone booth!! Yep, a phone booth! Almost every closet I have found is a walk-in (even the hall closets!). The 60" TV in the basement with surround sound and leather couch has spoiled us too! Some of Reed's quotes that help to illustrate the luxury: 1. (While sitting in their built-in diner booth with wall-mounted flat screen) "It's just like Fuddruckers!" 2. "Dad, look! They have a path to their neighbor's house!" "Son, that's not the neighbor's. That's the garage!" 3. (Watching cartoons in the media room) "If we turn off all the lights, it's just like a movie theater!" 4. "They have their own personal river!!"
So while we have enjoyed the great luxury, we have felt at home, too. They have 9 grandchildren who stop by regularly (we met 4 of them) so they do not expect things to get put away perfectly. They have let our kids be kids, which has enabled us to relax while we were here. Also, they made sure that we would help ourselves to anything and everything we could find to eat, and told us not to replace what we used. We have had great discussions on faith, and parenting, and life, etc. I just cannot tell you how much we have enjoyed being here.
We are excited about what God has in store for us in Olathe. We have already met a homeschooling family with 4 kids--3 of whose ages align with ours. We met our 3 immediate neighbors in one night and are excited about the possibilities in our new neighborhood. I have even gone to the grocery store and liked it pretty well, at least at first sight. The long transition has helped my heart move here. The people I know I will desperately miss in Abq will still be a part of our lives, I know! Hooray for facebook!
On a total side note, I am the least excited about football season as I have been in quite some time. I am not very excited about cheering for Brett Farve's former or current teams. I am VERY hesitant to cheer for the Chief's since I have tried to stay away from that all my life. I am not a huge Mizzou fan, but the Missouri part of me cannot just switch to KU loyalty either. And I cannot get excited about my fantasy football team because it is against league rules to do so (Joe Milan!!!)!!! So, in answer to "Are you ready for some football?" I would have to sadly say, "No."

One blog in over two months. More to come. Possibly way into the future!

Product Endorsements

2009-07-13T00:05:00.006-05:00

So I don't get any money from any of these products, (If you know how I could, please share!) but I thought I might share with you some of my favorite products as of late. In all our work to fix up the house to get it market ready, we have used quite a few.

The Bathtub Scrubber from Scotch Brite (I think)--Ok, I don't think that's its real name. I actually bought it a few months ago for the kids to use to scrub the floor in their bathroom. (Because I am a terrible enough mom that their disgust and whining in the process brings me great entertainment and delight!!) It has a mid-size adjustable handle and a green scrubby pad on the bottom. It is a perfect size for them to do the floors, but I have found it is really great for doing showers and tubs, it's original intent, I believe. My only possible complaint is that the handle doesn't lock into position very well, so it sometimes collapses as you're working.
Greased Lightning Professional Strength Hard Water Stain Remover--This one is for toilets bowls, but I have used it in various places. The hard water ring in all my toilets was SOO bad! And I have tried many things to no avail. But this worked!! First, the toilet water had to be drained, at least away from the line, because otherwise it is too diluted to work. (You can do this easily by quickly pouring a small bucket of water into the bowl. I don't know why this works, but it does!) Second, a traditional toilet brush didn't do it. We had to go with one of those green scrubby pads. And a little elbow grease. Voila! Two important things: Rubber Gloves and Ventilation!! I also used this product full strength on the hard water stains on the shower doors and the french door windows. The stains are still a bit noticeable but so much improved!
Old English Scratch Cover--We did our doors and baseboards to clean them up, and they look so good! Supposedly it soaks in over time, so the fix is temporary, but it looks great for a few months. I also used it on a cheap coffee table we have, and it dressed it up so much!
Sol-U-Mel--This is an all-purpose cleaner from the company Melaleuca. I use it for many things, namely grease stains and odor problems. It works wonders on carpet stains, and it is not a soap, so it doesn't leave as much residue that collects more dirt. (Spray it on, let it set for a few moments, then blot and rub with a rag.) It also cleaned up our white grout in the entryway very nicely. (Spray it on, let set for a few moments, and scrub with a grout brush. Some places needed to be done twice.) I use it diluted, but some stains need it full strength. One time I got a tablespoon of red paint almost completely out of our off-white carpet. Only a faint pink spot remains. If you're not familiar with Melaleuca, my sister Terrie can hook you up!!
Hoover Steam Vac Dual V Carpet Cleaner--We've had this for a few years and really love it. We cannot afford to have the carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis, so we bought this to use as needed. We are always amazed at what it picks up! And this one really sucks the water out, so it dries relatively quickly. ( I know the climate here helps...) The best thing we've learned is to not use any soap in it--we simply use it on rinse. Since our carpets were cleaned before we bought the house, there is still soap in the carpets that comes out. Used in conjunction with the Sol-U-Mel, I would put it up against some of the professionals!
Shark Steam Mop--This one is new for us and we also love it! It is a steam mop that cleans only with water. The microfiber pads it comes with are washable, so there is no need to buy replacements all the time.
Dyson Vacuum--Since we're on the on the subject.... I love that it's bagless and it really gets results. When I empty it in the dumpster outside I hear the refrain in my mind, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..."
Pampered Chef Stone Scraper--Not just for the kitchen!! We have used this for so many of our jobs, from caulk to soap scum. Very handy!
Windex Outdoor Window Scrubbers--We weren't convinced these would work, but since Ryan's dad invested in them [:)!], we found they work great! You really can clean the windows with just this kit and a hose! And one pad cleans approximately 10 windows, so you don't blow through a pack of refills before your done.

There might be more, but I can't think of them right now. If you have a product that you would recommend, add it to the comments!

Swimming & Swooning

2009-06-28T22:49:00.006-05:00

The kids finished up swim lessons on Friday. I'll have to admit that I am a little sad they are over. Yes, it will be nice to not have to slather sunscreen on them every morning and say, "Why is your wet swimsuit on the floor?" everyday. But I loved seeing them thrive in the environment created by the teachers there!!

Let's just get this out of the way right now: I had a bit of a crush on Ashton's teacher. Oh, and also this: My husband knows and is completely okay with this!! :)

I didn't even see his eyes until this last Thursday, so I would have to say it had more to do with his leadership ability and how he connected with the kids. He was caring and loving as needed (on a one on one basis), but also had the ability to put kids into situations they wouldn't put themselves into.

For example:

If the kids didn't get in when they were supposed to, he would jump right in front of them and splash them.
More than once he would take a screaming child from their mother and hold them in the water, reassuring them the whole time, but pouring handfuls of water on their head.
When the kids jumped to him in the big pool, they went all the way under as he held them. (As opposed to the other teacher, who barely got their chests wet.)
If a usually cooperative child got out of the pool, he would firmly say "Get in the pool!!" until they would comply. We saw him have this conversation with one girl in particular many times. Her response was usually, "I can't do it!!" But she always got back in the pool and usually did what she just said she couldn't.

While Ashton liked him, she was just enough scared of him to respect him, and excel at what she was learning in class. She got all her bubbles filled in!! While his tactics might have bothered some parents these days, I appreciated his tough love (with 3 and 4 year olds, no less!) approach to teaching. I wonder what his future holds, or even how old he is!

Reed's teacher was also good, but not nearly as dynamic. However, he was very patient and persistent in his teaching, and Reed filled in all but one bubble. If it didn't tie us down so much, I would definitely sign them up for another session. If only for myself...!

Happy Father's Day to Two of the Greatest Dads

2009-06-21T16:00:00.005-05:00

I love my Dad.

He taught me about loving God. His life is an example of faith, but he also took time in the moment to share God's truths. One of my earliest distinct memories is of him singing "God is so Good" with me. He baptized me 25 years ago.

He taught me my amazing family heritage and to hold family in high regard. He has always made an effort to be with family near and far. "Your family will always be there!" he says.

He has given me some amazing opportunities: church camps, CIYs, plane trips on my own (to see family!), camping, 5-star hotel stays, fancy restaurants, roadside picnics, road trips to almost every state in the US, school trips (abroad, even!), college, dream wedding, etc., etc., etc.

He taught me how to work hard (much to my dismay, usually)! His girls were not above mowing the lawn!! However, he taught by example that hard work does not always require a change of clothes! :)

He set the bar high for how a husband should treat a wife. And he always made sure I knew that he and Mom would be together for life.

He didn't disown me when I wasn't the daughter he envisioned (aka--the teenage years)!!!

I have such a good Dad, he checks my blog almost every day. That's commitment!!

I love my husband.

He is such a great spiritual leader for our family. He spurs me on toward love and good deeds. And he teaches the kids simple truths with deep implications and childlike clarity.

He loves his family and mine. He has committed to being at nearly every family gathering, no matter how many hours we have had to log in the van.

He is taking me on an adventure. From the early days of ministry in SmallTown, Arkansas, to the lean and exciting days of Plumbline; from the stability and opportunities of ministry in the desert, to the unknown adventures of piecing together a church, I am honored to be at his side.

He has been able to climb over the bar set by my dad about how a husband should treat a wife! He takes every opportunity to tell me he loves me and how he appreciates my beauty (even when I KNOW he must be lying)!

He doesn't make me work hard! He really will not ever let me mow the lawn. Not because he thinks I can't, but because he wants to honor me! And I hardly ever need to put gas in my car. He's like my own full service gas station attendant.

And he still loves me even though I am not the woman he married. Ew. Some days... ew!

Happy Father's Day to two of the greatest dads I know!

A Happy Anniversary

2009-06-09T23:04:00.003-05:00

God has blessed me with such an amazing husband! I am proud to be the wife of such a well-respected man! One thing that blesses me is how he strives to be himself no matter who he's with--me or you. I am excited to spend many more years with him, trusting God with our lives.

So I have decided that I needed to write down all the things we have done to celebrate our anniversaries over the years. There are FAR too many that I do not remember, so if you remember something I have left out, please help me out!

1995--Wedded Bliss!! We married on Friday night, drove to the Mansion at Elfindale in Springfield, then flew out the next day to the Smokey Mountains in North Carolina (via Nashville) for the week. We were too young to rent a car from most companies! Luckily, Enterprise accommodated us!
1996--High School Church Camp, at Camp Joshua, Siloam Spring, AR. No, we didn't wait long to dive into ministry. :)
1997-1999--Drawing a blank here..... Surely we did something!!
2000--This was our first year doing Plumbline Ministres, so surely we were in a camp somewhere!!
2001--This is the year that we began sharing our anniversary with Jeff and Stephanie Rickert! (Right, Steph? Do I have the right year?) We attended their wedding in TX, and then ate THE BEST FAJITAS ever!! Really, we talk about them still from time to time.
2002--Blank
2003--I was 8 months pregnant with Reed. I think we went a steak house in Fayetteville, and I ate a lot and probably got heartburn later (or maybe even right away)!
2004--We had just moved to Albuquerque at the beginning of the year, at the same time as Jeff and Stephanie (see above), so it was obvious that we would celebrate together!! We went to Japanese Kitchen, where they cook right at your table, and that night they shared their exciting news of a baby on the way!!
2005--10 years! Wow! We had plans to go to a Bed & Breakfast that night, but when we woke up, we had 1000's of ants swarming our bedroom. Really. Walking and flying. Really. It was not how I had envisioned my 10th anniversary! But after we dealt with that, we were able to enjoy an evening at the Lazy K (or some other letter?) Ranch in the mountains east of Albuquerque. This was also Reed's first night away from us. Oh, and I was pregnant with Ashton.
2006--Ashton was 6 months old, so I know there was no overnight stay. But I don't remember the celebration at all.
2007--Spent the entire weekend performing in the Patriotic Musical at church. I sang in the choir, Ryan played guitar. I don't know that we even had dinner together!
2008--We splurged and spent TWO nights at the Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. We ate at all of the restaurants on site and enjoyed the great accommodations. We felt as thought we should gamble a bit, so I played a dollar in the nickel slots and won $10! Then I played some more... and finally cashed out a $4.90, I think! Oh, well! Still ahead of the game!
2009--We celebrated a day early, took the kids to Miss Jacqui's (Landis too!) and got a room at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Then we ate at a WONDERFUL restaurant in Old Town called Antiquity. The Green Chile Chicken Stew was incredible and the veal I had was amazing!! And then, today, we found out the GREAT NEWS that we will be planting a church in Olathe, KS!! We could not have asked for a better anniversary gift than the affirmation of our future!!

Thank you, Ryan, for 14 great years! I am blessed beyond measure to be married to you! Thank you for treating me like a queen and showing me what it means to live by faith! I love you!

The Kids' Musical

2009-06-01T00:41:00.007-05:00

A couple weeks ago Reed and Ashton were in the children's choir musical at church. It was called Simon Says, the trial of Simon Peter. His lawyers have to prove that Jesus was who he said he was, or Simon Peter would have to stop teaching about him. It was one of the cutest kids musicals I have seen!

The kids LOVED going to children's choir. This was Ashton's first semester to be in the preschool group, and Reed's second semester to be in the big kids choir. They will really miss it! This is one of my biggest regrets of leaving the church here.

Here is Reed's solo part. It's kind of hard to hear, but before the first one, the choir sings, "And what to my wondering eyes should appear?" You can also see how well he keeps up with the choreography--much better than in the fall!

Here is Reed as Lazarus. This was his favorite song because he didn't have to learn any of the choreography or sing! The preschoolers take the grave clothes off. They are not supposed to throw them, which is why he is trying to get them to stop! And I guess once during rehearsal they knocked him over they were being so "enthusiastic!"

Here is one of Ashton. She really got into this song, until the time I took this video. This was the last song during the second service, so I guess she was tired.

Going Public

2009-05-25T22:12:00.004-05:00

There's something about going public with news that makes it seem real. I mean, if no one knows, then it may not really be happening. But it is. And now it's public. And it's really real.

We are moving.

Actually it isn't that easy. The words bring churning to my stomach, and a little bit of wet to my eyes (to quote Junie B.). I am not a bit fan of change. But I know when I must obey a calling.

I have actually known it was coming for years now. I knew that Ryan was not called to be a worship minister forever. Or at least not in the music ministry capacity. But I am one to ignore, or maybe just put off worry, until the time is imminent.

There was the usual discussion of dreams of the future on the trip back from Christmas with the family. But road trips do that to my husband, so I didn't worry. But this time he didn't unload these thoughts from his head when he unloaded the bags from the car. I could tell this time was different.

By mid-January, I was in full worry mode. Crying. Lots of crying. "What will the kids think? I am going to miss my two-headed shower. We have the best story-time lady 2 miles from our house. How can I leave all the people I love here? Were we ever really meant to be here? Oh, the humidity! My kids will have to learn to shut the door. What product will I use to keep the frizzies out of my hair? I love my grocery store. We have never gotten the house done where we wanted it. *groan* How will we ever get the house ready to go on the market? Man, I will miss the zoo. And Explora. Have I been holding my husband back because I don't like change? Reed will be so sad when he realizes he can't just go balloon chasing with Daddy on any early-October morning. How will we tell north from south again without the mountains in the east? The kids will really miss children's choir. (And so will I!) Are we really being called away? Didn't I just feel this way about leaving Arkansas? Why do I feel like I'm just getting settled here, getting to LOVE IT here, and it's time to go already?"

In late February, I came to a resolve: My husband has been given gifts to do explosive ministry to lost people in a hurting world. I wanted to see him set free to do great things for the Kingdom!! And I was willing to go anywhere to see that!

So, for a time, I was able to set the worry aside and be excited about the potential! I have even quit nay-saying. (I have always contended that was my job in our relationship!) One of my new answers is, "Yes, it's crazy, but I believe you would be the one who could do it!" Potential is a great place to live!

But now. Now it is public. Now it is real. Now it is imminent.

We are moving.

I am excited. I am sad. I am going.

God says to his church...

2009-05-22T23:41:00.003-05:00

"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. But your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

"The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on you feet, then! About face! Run after God!

"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to conquerors!

"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches"

(Revelation 3, The Message)

And Now on to the Good Stuff!!--Birthday Bliss!!

2009-04-29T23:47:00.003-05:00

So after many years, Ryan really knows how to throw me a party! He took care of me the whole day!

He took the kids to breakfast. Now anyone who doesn't know me might think that sounds weird--shouldn't he take you to breakfast? NO!! Quiet house. Sleeping in time!! And then apparently, they went shopping
They brought home cake.... Butter cream frosting. No explanation needed. From a cake specialty shop. Oh, yeah.
...and Flowers. Don't tell the kids, but I knew this was coming. About a week ago, Reed found a craft in one of his Highlights magazines that he wanted to make for me. He and Ashton (with Ryan's help) made flower baskets from large mailer envelopes. Throughout the week either Reed or Ashton had spilled the beans more than once. The other would screech their name in disgust, adding, "You're not supposed to tell!!" I tried to act as if I hadn't heard anything. Reed chose a nice colorful arrangement for his basket, that matched the colors he had decorated with. Ashton chose pink and yellow roses (that's my girl)!!
We celebrated with the kids for lunch. At Itz. It's like a Chuck E. Cheese on steroids. And with better food. I played the ball drop game and won 250 tickets!!
And got a babysitter for supper!! We did take Landis and went to P.F. Chang's. Mmmm Mmmm! Got me some potstickers!
And then we went shopping. He had also brought home some pre-paid Visas for my present earlier. He was suspect that he might not get me what I would get me. Well, he was right!! First thing I went for was the Shark--the steam mop. He said that he was glad I was getting it and glad that he did not buy it for me (because, of course, it plugs in)! I also got a new purse/diaper bag, brown belt, and mini food processor.
Ended the day with cake. Remember, butter cream icing. Too good. None of us could finish our piece.
He put the kids to bed!! While I Skyped with my friend Jess.

Isn't he such a great guy!?!

A Week Ago...

2009-04-28T16:18:00.003-05:00

Last week on Tuesday I was coming down with mastitis. If you don't know what that is, suffice it to say it's a nursing infection. Unpleasant, but nothing I haven't experienced with the other two. The fever is usually the worst part for me. Wrong!! This time was much more painful and lasted forever!

At lunch I was fine; by 1:30 I was pretty sure I knew it was coming, even though my temp was still normal. I immediately got on the phone with the doctor.

It hit me so fast that I knew I did not have the strength to put Ashton down for a nap. So while I got in the bath, Reed "read" her two stories ("Ash, you cannot choose just any story, because I only know how to read these!") and tried to get her to lay down. When she wanted mama to hold her, he got a picture of me and Ryan from the wall, drew a picture of Ashton on a post-it, and stuck her in my arms. Pretty good problem solving, I would say!! But alas Ashton would not agree. She really likes to get her way.

Meanwhile Landis had (of course) awoken from his nap and was demanding attention. I hobbled slowly out down the hall and carried him from his crib to a bouncy seat in Reed's room. I said if he was fussy, Reed could move him from the seat to the floor if he was careful. With a warning to Ashton to go to sleep, I went back to the bath. It wasn't long before I could hear Landis was not content and Ashton was not in bed. Oh, well I thought. As long as the house isn't burning down....

In a bit Reed came back to see if I had any ideas of what he could do to help Landis. The only idea I had was to check his diaper. "Maybe Ashton could help you," I suggested. Changing diapers is Reed's worst fear in the world!! He has not thought it was funny when we have suggested it in the past. But, bless his heart! He was willing to do it!! So a few minutes later when I heard him yelling, "Ashton, you get in here right now!!" I knew the situation had deteriorated and needed my attention.

So imagine my shock when Ashton is now in bed (avoiding the dirty diaper situation) and Landis is lying ON THE CHANGING TABLE!! The diaper was changed. I kissed Reed and cried just a bit when I saw that. Then I asked two questions: "How did you do this?" (He laid him on the bed that backs up to the changing table, climbed up and then lifted him further) and "Did Ashton see you do it?" (because that is the last thing I need her doing--thankfully the answer was no).

So, long story shorter, Ash finally took a nap once I promised her ice cream, and Ryan came home once the antibiotics were filled. Thankfully the kids were taken care of the next two days by other loving people. I was flat on my back for 3 days and finally had to go back to the doctor and get a second antibiotic! Yuck!

Feeling much better now though....

Laundry Lessons

2009-04-20T17:33:00.002-05:00

So I have decided I am fed up with doing everyone's laundry. So I have started Reed on his own! It may be a bit soon to set him free on the task, but it certainly was nice to at least have him working on it, too! He will do it once every week and a half, and it will be a money chore for him, so I don't feel too bad. (One Whole Dollar!)

I walked him through the process last week, with little trouble. But he was very concerned after opening the dryer when the first load was completed! I had cleaned out the lint trap really well before this load (because there were literally ROCKS in my DRYER! another blog....) and this load was a lot of jeans and stuff like that. So when there was no visible lint in the trap, he exclaimed, "OH NO! My clothes didn't get clean!!!"

Kindergarten is the New First Grade

2009-04-14T00:06:00.002-05:00

I have been dealing with a lot of guilt lately. Guilt over facebooking. Guilt over laundry. But mostly guilt over homeschooling. I'm pretty sure this is part of the process, so I have sought out the appropriate people seeking counsel and reassured myself as best I can. But I got perhaps the best reassurance tonight from a sister with no knowledge of my need!

Sue is a recently retired life-long teacher, many of those years in Kindergarten. She exudes teaching (and encouragement, for that matter) and has always been inspiring to talk with, when I was teaching in public school, and now as a homeschooling mom. Also, her husband is a college professor, who tells it just like it is, with the driest sense of humor ever!

Sue sent out an email about a preschool that she had observed recently and her assessment of it. It is a school that uses the child-centered Reggio Approach, which sounds very free flowing and process-oriented. There is also an emphasis on art. I was interested in what she saw there, but I was really encouraged by her thoughts about it. The ideas brought forth really helped me hone my own philosophy of education. So here it is!

Never underestimate the importance of play!!!! I am always shocked to hear how little play is used in education anymore. Even Kindergarten classrooms are getting rid of their kitchen sets and trading them in for more books and pencils. Yes, they can read by the end of the year, but is this what we want???? (See next point!) My children love the dirt pile in the yard right now and what they are learning cannot be measured on a worksheet, but perhaps only by the volume of what is brought in in their pockets and shoes!! [Sidenote: Yesterday in her long pink Easter dress, Ashton comes to Reed with great excitement about the product of the rain here: "REED, there is LOTS of MUD out there!" *eyebrows raised, head nodding*]
Earlier does not mean smarter!!! I began teaching in public school ten years ago this spring. I taught only 4 years and left before my first sweetie was born. I feel that Kindergarten has changed since then to what I was teaching in first grade. As more and more pressure is put upon teachers (and America) to produce, we are upping the standards for the children (not to mention the useless work load on teachers) because some politician believes it's a good idea. This is one of the main reasons I have chosen to homeschool: I do not want my children forced into learning things too early!! The foundations of education are undermined when we impose academics too young! The children observed by Sue were being taught the process of thinking, self-directing, and problem solving. Sue's husband pointed out that these were not skills he sees in his college students!
Information has to be meaningful to be educational!! If there's anything the show "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" shows, it's that we bombard our students with countless pieces of useless information in their formative years. Without meaning, information will be not be retained long-term. We are not training our children to someday be on Jeopardy, or to top the trivia board a B Dubs! We should be training them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing society and the problems that arise therein. Information should be used as a means to an end.
Process is more important than product!!! Okay, I have to remind myself of this often! The learning is happening throughout the project, which is not always evident in the finished product! The kids got a 3"x 3" canvas black-line picture with paints and a brush for Christmas. When Ashton finished hers, it was all black, no picture remotely visible, and she was as happy as she could be with it!! But her little brain had processed and categorized the mixing of colors and the feel of the paint (yes, she ditched the brush early on!) for use at a later time. That was the education.
True education is a slow process (sometimes painfully so)!! I chose a phonics program based on recommendation, research, and instinct. It emphasizes making sure the child enjoys the learning of phonics and says don't be afraid of the two-minute lesson (yikes!). So in three months, I was so bored! And I had in the back of my head the mom who said her public-schooled Kindergartner was reading by the end of the year. So I rushed it juuuuust a bit, and he was totally frustrated. So I had to back it off for a while and when we came back to it, it seemed to click. He's not reading books, but he is reading a few words, which is boosting his confidence and heightening his awareness. Yay! My boredom (and, frankly, my ego) is worth his success!
Art is way more important that we give it credit! Sue said that art was a step in many of the processes she saw happening. I have known this, but too often allow the clean-up or the process itself to scare me out of it, or at least put it off till another day (and another, and another...)! And perhaps this reminder will help me better deal with the endless number of papers (some products, but many in process) I pick up daily in the name of free expression! I have mentally threatened to get rid of that paper box many times!

So I'm giving up the guilt and relaxing about the academics! I will continue to "have school" daily, but without the pressure of what we should know by the end of the year. And I'm bringing out the paints! There! I said it! And the more dirt on the kitchen floor, the bet---the bett-.... Okay, I can't take it that far! :) I'm still the janitor, too!

Pop Quiz

2009-03-23T21:54:00.004-05:00

So we knew it was coming--I mean, we did when we signed up to be parents. However, there was no syllabus handed to us that we could reference and study for the test. Nope! It was just a pop quiz! And I have the feeling that this will not be the last one!

I was always a pretty good student growing up. I absorbed information pretty well, so when it came to reproducing it as answers on a quiz, or better yet, an essay, I enjoyed the thrill of the challenge. (A bit dorky, I guess.) I never felt that stereotypical dread that others felt. No lurch of the heart, drop in my stomach. Until tonight, that is.

It began with a passing comment, "Hailey and I told some of the kids at choir." Honestly, I don't know if he had said something leading up to this or if this was the beginning of it. "What?" I asked. "I can't tell you," he replied, with a kid-like mysteriousness. I, like most people faced with a pop quiz, offered a brief prayer.

Now I know it's a bit dramatic, but I fast forwarded life about 10 years. I felt like this conversation could set up a lifetime of conversations that I have hoped would be open. Conversations where I would keep my cool and he would calmly share whatever teenage burdens he was carrying at the time. I also figured that, most likely, tonight we were talking about the big K word.

While Ryan and I were both involved in the conversation, we had not prepped for this and we were not aware of the rules in this pop quiz. Is it open book? Can we collaborate on our approach? To us it seemed like it was shoot from the hip, so that's what we did. With a few leading questions we understood that something had happened in the tree house at her grandma's house when we were there for dinner last week. We also understood that "Ashton knows. She was kind of involved" (emphasis added). Although, judging from the blank look on Ashton's face, she did not know she was involved. We knew that they had locked the treehouse door and did NOT want her older brother to know about it. However, he was still unwilling to tell us the details.

When we asked, do you want us to know, he told us it was really just for kids to know. I told him we were both kids once, but that didn't seem to impress him. So we went the humor approach. Did you bake cookies? A cake? Finally Ryan go to the meat of the issue. Did it involve your lips? Well, kind of.

Now we were a bit confused, but persisted until he was ready to spill the beans. Ashton was supposed to whisper it to Daddy while Reed whispered it to me, so I was really getting a scoop. Well...

We don't believe the ceremony was binding, and apparently there were no rings exchanged, and the kiss was only on the cheek! Thank goodness! And he has no intentions of moving out or getting a job, so it appears our little boy will be with us just a few more years!

However, we know he is little only right now. Tomorrow will be another story.

And we will have to really study up for the next time.

1000 Words

2009-03-22T23:06:00.000-05:00

It's A Trip!

2009-03-04T16:27:00.002-06:00

In the classic writing style of the school newspaper genre, let me tell you some of the highlights (and lowlights) from our recent trip to Missouri. Here are the "Boos" and "Whoo-Hoos."

Whoo-Hoo: Seeing many precious family members: both sets of Grandparents; Uncle Troy, Aunt Tammy, Aaron, & Michaela; Aunt Jess; Uncle Lance, Aunt Pam, Garret, Noah, & Maleea.

Boo: Having just not quite enough time with any of them.

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Whoo-Hoo: Biblically sound preaching and thought-provoking words to chew on for awhile.

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Boo: Missed nap times and late bedtimes many, many days in a row.

Whoo-Hoo: Convention provided child-care during the day for Ash and in the evenings for both. (They're always better for someone else!)

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Boo: A Tornado Warning with a panicked five-year-old and a hungry three-year-old (but a very smiley baby).

Whoo-Hoo: A basement to go to and several calls of warning and concern. And the all clear to go eat supper!

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Whoo-Hoo: Surprising my friend Boo by just showing up on the doorstep! And being welcomed into a house with fresh baked cookies and a playful kid-friendly environment!

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Whoo-Hoo: Staying up late into the night with the Shacks, just like old times!

Boo: Realizing we are not as young as we used to be!

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Whoo-Hoo: Going to church at New Springs, a church we invested ourselves into in its beginning, and seeing the work continuing. God is so faithful!

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Whoo-Hoo: Elk City Holidome! Swimming, mini-golf, shuffleboard, good eats...

Boo: Hearing ourselves delve into the this-is-a-privilege-to-stay-in-a-place-like-this-and-your-attitude-needs-to-change speech.... More than once.

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Boo: The last day of driving. You know what I mean.

Whoo-Hoo: Seeing most of the NACSCAR teams driving back from Las Vegas! A very good way to pass the time!

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Whoo-Hoo: Home, sweet, home!

Humor

2009-01-29T22:20:00.004-06:00

So I've had a hard time getting back into the blogging swing of things, so I thought I'd start out slow. Here are some fun things from my kids.

Reed is learning the art of humor. The other night Ryan exclaimed at dinner, "We have a good life! Don't you forget it!" Reed waited a few moments and then said, "What was that you just said?" (because he'd "forgotten!") I laughed so hard.

While Ashton hasn't mastered how to tell a joke, she's still pretty funny. Reed had asked her for a piece of tape. (I gave them both their own roll of tape and said when it's gone it's gone. Reed's is already gone.) Once he got one piece from her he asked for "just one more." She said, "Nope, you can only have one." As he walked away, she tried to console him. "Sowwy, Wittle Fewwa." (Sorry, little fella!)

Landis must know that his siblings are funny. He's all smiles lately. We sure are enjoying that!

Where has the blogger gone?

2009-01-17T17:54:00.002-06:00

Well, it's been a bit since you've heard from me. Why?

Okay, A. Hadababyitsaboy. (I've always wanted to use that! Remember the commercial?) Landis (finally) blessed our life on December 12th. Come thou long expected...uh...son.

Yes, I labored for 20 hours for this one! Longest labor by far! Had several emotional breakdowns along the way. When I first held him in my arms, I said, "You are in so much trouble!"
Since then he's tried to make it up to me. He's very good and tolerant of his loving big brother and sister. Ashton calls him our "real alive baby." He loves me so much that he can't stand not to see me in the middle of the night, too.
He and I shared a special honor by playing baby Jesus and Mary in the Christmas Eve service at church. He was very sweet in his movements and slept while we were on stage.

and, 2. My PC is being laid to rest. If there ever is a good time for your computer to die, it's when you don't really have time to use it and should be resting instead of being on facebook!

The good news is that Ryan had all the pictures I feared lost downloaded on his computer! Yea!
And we are finally making the transition to Mac. We ordered yesterday and should get it sometime next week! So forgive me if it takes a while to learn it!

So there are many blogs in my head. Some will make it here, hopefully soon. Some will stay in my head (for good reason). A few are already lost forever (to the sleep deprivation)! So if you haven't given up on me, see you again soon!

Christmas Fun

2008-12-05T18:27:00.003-06:00

Here's an activity for your little ones that my little ones enjoyed. We created beaded garland for our little tree that was really cute! And it was a great fine motor activity! It would also be good for necklaces and bracelets! I got the idea from an Usborn book of Christmas crafts.

1. Cut scraps of Christmas wrapping paper (the ones I always save and are never enough for another present!) into strips as long as a drinking straw and approximately an inch and a half wide. Spread glue on the back of the paper and cover the straw with it, making sure the edges glue down well. (I did this part the night before and let them dry.) Do as many as you need to get the length you want. And, of course, the more colors the better. I liked the shiny paper a lot.

2. Now the kids can get in on the act. Get out their scissors and let them cut beads from the straws between 1/2 inch and 1 inch. This is fun because the beads fly all over the room and must be collected from all the corners when done!

3. Tape one end of a string (as a needle) and tie a pony bead to the other end to stop the beads from slipping off as you thread them on. If the straw slips out at this point, it's okay--the paper will still hold it's shape. We added a few shiny pony beads to the mix to break things up a bit. We tied another pony bead on the other end, but you could tie it into a necklace or bracelet.

Merry Christmas crafting season!

Numbers

2008-12-02T23:53:00.002-06:00

So if you want to know, and you know what these numbers mean, here they are. If you don't want to know, you probably don't know what they mean anyway. :)

1.5 cm
75% effaced
+1 Station
$38.00

These numbers really mean nothing. Baby will come when it's time. But when will it be time??

(Okay, the last one is how much we paid to fill up our tank of gas! It seemed like a significant number to share, too!)

Happy Birthday, Princess

2008-11-28T21:42:00.007-06:00

Our baby princess turned three today! It is so hard to believe it has been three years since she rushed into our world and our hearts! She has changed our world more than we can express! You may remember she is the first girl born into the Nelson family line for at least 125 years, and she wears her responsibility well. While we are scared to death about what we're doing, we are proud to have her as ours. She is well suited to be the only girl between two brothers!

She is really such a sweet little girl! When she woke up from her nap today, I was essentially done with her cake. When she saw it she exclaimed, "Thank you, mama! Thank you for my princess cake!" So here is the princess cake for my princess...
(This is the Pampered Chef doll cake recipe, but I totally cheated. You're suppose to use two cakes to make a dress tall enough for a barbie, but I didn't want that much cake around for the next two weeks, so I cut a hole in a paper plate and bowl to stick her feet through and put them on a cup to give it more height, then hot glued the ribbon around the bowl. I drew most of my inspiration from my sister Judy, who never met a crafty project she couldn't conquer! The model was very patient with me as I worked on her dress and kept her hands in the air for a very long time!)

She opted for a menu of macaroni and cheese for supper. We splurged and bought the "expensive" shells and cheese. I am glad for my kids' simple taste in meals when I have been working on a cake all day!

Here is the bag of rocks that Reed got for Ashton. He went with Ryan to a museum for a movie last week and knew he had to get these pretty rocks for her. Ryan tried to convince him to go with something like a book, but Reed stuck with the rocks. He was so excited! When Ryan was getting out the gifts before supper, Reed called back, "Would you bring out the rocks for her!" Then he covered his mouth in shock! We just ignored it so she wouldn't notice (and, of course, she didn't!), but he was so horrified that he had said that! He'd worked so hard at hiding them and keeping them a secret all week.
And then we had the bear chair (which arrived safely on Wednesday, thank you, Lands' End) as the grand finale. She was very excited to have her own "hippo" (Reed's is a hippo), so after the cake we broke it in with a movie. It is very soft and has a tiny fuzzy blanket that matches.
Then I had to figure out how to put candles on that cake without torching the princess' hair. We were successful, and she delighted in blowing them out!
So we have made it through Thanksgiving and Birthday without the baby showing up! We would like to get our carpet installed next week, if that also fits into his schedule. I have noticed less heartburn in recent days, so...we'll see.

Hooray for Lands' End!!

2008-11-24T23:30:00.002-06:00

I promised the customer service of Lands' End that I would post this experience on my blog. I want to encourage good customer service whenever I can!

We ordered a gift last week for Ashton's birthday. We had been shopping for a soft chair of some sort that compares to Reed's hippo chair that he loves so much (and that they have started fighting over)! We finally landed on a cute flower one from Lands' End, because it was cute and they could get it here in time. It was about the same price as others we had found.

It arrived last Thursday--in a box about 12"x 18"x 4". Though I am not a math whiz, I could see that this was not all of it, and assumed the insert would be shipped later. Some companies had mentioned this, although I could not remember seeing that for this one. So on Friday I emailed an inquiry about when the insert would be shipped. On Saturday I got a response that was apologetic for the misunderstanding, but said I had ordered only the COVER of the bean bag--the insert would be 60 dollars more (for which they offered free shipping)!!!

Well, needless to say I was a bit irked and got on the site again. The item I had ordered was called the "Flower Bean Bag," and underneath it was the insert that could be ordered as part of my set. I mustered up all the niceness I could find and wrote them back. While I was pretty steamed, they had set such a reasonable tone with their first response, I felt they were due this respect.

To make this long story a bit shorter, I will be getting a cuddly bear chair (in pink) delivered to my door by Wednesday (Friday--the b-day itself--at the latest) without me having to pay any shipping, even the shipping upgrade! And I can return the cover I got to the Sears store and not be charged shipping on that return either!

So check out landsend.com for some of you holiday shopping! I know there are a lot of expensive items there (like the bean bag and cover SET) but there are some reasonable things there, too. While I feel like the mistake was theirs in the first place, they really did all they could to make me it right and talk (& write) to me with respect. I applaud their customer service reps!

Reed's thoughts on presents this Christmas

2008-11-15T23:12:00.003-06:00

"We are going to have the most hu-nor-mous Christmas present we have ever had. Well, not really hu-nor-mous, but the best Christmas present we have ever had. It's the baby!!!! That's going to be the best Christmas gift ever........."

(brief moment of thought)

"........I mean, you can still get us other gifts, too...."

Beware

2008-11-15T23:03:00.002-06:00

After Ryan got out of bed this morning, I built a wonderful cocoon with all the pillows and blankets in the middle of the bed. Then I settled in for another snooze.

Unfortunately, I was awakened and pulled out of it prematurely by breakfast seekers. I did not emerge a beautiful butterfly, but rather a fat, grumpy caterpillar...

Eyefire, America

2008-11-10T22:30:00.003-06:00

So I have wanted to write a follow-up to the election, but a combination of internet outage, busy-ness, and exhaustion have won out until now. But time has probably been a good clairifyer of thought, so I hope this will resonate with you, weather you agree or disagree.

What We Have Learned

Color matters more than we wish it did. If Obama does nothing else (do we dare to hope?), he has enfranchised the African-American voters. I believe there were many new voters who had never felt like they had a reason to vote until now. This is sad for many reasons, but perhaps this election will make voting more of a priority in citizens' lives in the future. The disappointing part about this is that it seems many voters chose Obama based mainly on the color of his skin, and not the content of his character. But perhaps this is simply a baby step we must take to progress--a step backwards to move forward.

Women have not come as far as we had hoped. It became obvious with Sarah Palin that people (even women!) would do anything possible to undercut a strong woman who holds to conservative values. The things said about her in the "journalistic" media were downright despicable! She was attacked at every turn (even now by her own party!) and has handled herself with grace and poise with every cut. Her family was attacked and brought under more scrutiny than any of the other candidates, who, I suppose, just happened to be male. What we have learned is that liberal women do not have the so-called glass ceiling, but we backwoods conservative women have to know our stuff better than most, because the rug will be pulled out from under us by someone.

If they hear it enough, they will believe it. Voters were fed a distorted truth. I know that money played a big part. Each candidate tried to sell his "truth" to the public, and with the help of the media bias, the richer candidate won out. Not only did Obama have the Hollywood money to buy advertisement at every turn, but he had the Hollywood elite and liberal "mainstream" media touting his messiah-ship everywhere. I suggest we just get rid of all political commercials as an uninformed voter seems less dangerous than a misinformed voter.

HEY REPUBLICAN PARTY, WE WANT A CONSERVATIVE! As much as Obama rallied African-American voters, McCain disenfranchised the conservative voter. I know of too many voters who just didn't vote because they didn't want McCain as much as they didn't want Obama. This is undermining our two-party system that ironically makes Washington work. The only thing I learned from one of my government classes in college was that an inefficient government is the result of, and/or possibly the cause of, a free society! I fear the efficiency of the liberal democrats with control of the three branches of government! In effect, McCain was the third-party candidate who undermined the Republican party. We did it to ourselves! (Don't look at me; I voted for Ron Paul--in June, mind you, when it was all over.)

We are not getting the right lessons from history. You might be able to blame it on the agenda of public schools, but nonetheless, Americans know very little about the right parts of their own history! I have been faced with my lack of knowledge of certain events in the recent political season and I intend to fix it! I mean, what was the Vietnam War really about and why did it end so poorly for us? What did Carter et. al. do to make our economy such a mess in the 70's? And what did Reagan do to fix it so well? What was the Iran Contra affair all about? Anyone? Might we perhaps be able to avoid such mistakes in the future by studying up on these things? Isn't that the whole point of studying history?

There's something wrong with the church. Unfortunately I can't pinpoint what just yet. But it seems with such a polarization between young, hip Christians, and old-school Christians, there has been a breakdown somewhere. Is the church looking to government to cover our mishandling of the widows and orphans? Are we trying to influence the government to mandate the Christian values we hold important to make things easier on us? I don't know. Should we ignore our Christian values and truly separate church and state? Tough questions that we would rather avoid.

What We Will Learn

Democrats will be Democrats. Even though Obama ran on some conservative platforms and claims to be a center right politician, he is a Democrat, and his party will carry him to do liberal things. Perhaps he won't like it, I can't say. But he chose to join the democratic party for a reason.

Our country was set up with a strong system to correct itself. I do believe that our founding fathers set up a good system of government. Even thought I am a cynic, and believe that system will be tested to the fullest in the coming years, I hope and believe freedom will win out!

God is the God who doesn't CHANGE! Though we may not understand what he is doing and (thankfully) do not know the future, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Amen and amen!

The Truth is Out There...

2008-10-28T00:17:00.002-05:00

...if you choose to look for it.

But you have to look, cause it's not coming to you...

Just Overheard From the Other Room

2008-10-24T12:59:00.002-05:00

Reed (yelling): Ash!!! SAY YOU'RE SORRY!

Ashton (very contritely): Sorry!

Reed: No, you're not!

(Why did he bother then?) For the record, that was the end of it.

Vacation 3: Beach Bums

2008-10-16T22:44:00.009-05:00

The condo we stayed at in Iowa had a nice sandy beach on the lake just outside our unit. Once the weather warmed up a bit, we enjoyed it as much as we can.

This was a good view to have of the situation, but I was unable to maintain this pose for long.

Ryan and the kids walked out onto the dock that enclosed the swimming area for a photo op. At one point they were sitting on a skinnier spot of the deck, when I came out to join them. Reed decided he needed to "move over to a wider part of the deck, so mama can sit with us." I tried not to take offense.

Here is my hubby who has recently gotten into the self-portraits. I think he is trying to avoid a lack of pictures of himself, like his Grandpa Nelson had. He took the pictures--he was not in them.
Ashton enjoys the clear water. It was too cold for mom to ever put on her suit, but Dad got in with them.
Looking for cool rocks. We found a few shells, but they turned out to be pistachio shells. Not quite worth bringing home.
Reed's sand castle. Notice the pool with a stick bridge over it. He was very proud of this. We did wish that we had the sand building expertise of Grandpa Dallas.
Here's another sand castle on another day. But I really put this in so you could see the green water on this day. This was at some point in the middle of the week, so we were glad that it didn't last more than a day!
All in all, it was a very relaxing time. I even got a bit of a tan (and a bit more) one day. We would definitely recommend this resort to anyone, at least with younger kids!

For My Good Friend,...uh...Eric

2008-10-14T22:00:00.004-05:00

So I guess my recent political blog has gotten some of my readers (at least one of them) contemplating what I said. This is good; I contemplated it a good many showers and took the entire day to write "the truth as I know it" as far as the political lack of truth out there today. I don't know if anyone else has been contemplating my thoughts, so I address most of this to, um, Eric. Clarification is always good, so I post it here because the rest of you are welcome to read along....

Okay, Eric.

First of all, let me say I am honored to be considered blog-worthy. Having kept up with your blog in recent months, I know that you only blog when you feel it important. Or really cool. Either one is an honor.

And I have always felt like I had a relationship with you where I could tell you the truth, whether you liked it or not, and you would laugh, but respect me for it. Perhaps the distance between us, or even the vagueness of the written word, has diminished that understanding in this case. So let me offer a few more thoughts on the situation.

I find it hilarious that you are faced with opposing conservative views at your school. It wasn't till I was a teacher in Prairie Grove that I realized I could actually LIKE people that were, ...well, ...honestly, ...democrats. I was the lone Republican, perhaps in the building. I was very quiet most of the time for those 4 years. There was a time or two when I spoke up, and I was glad I did.
I do believe I am dealing with my shrapnel wounds from living in a state where we fear vandalism of our house if we were to put a Republican sign in the yard. It is frustrating dealing with a "Santa Fe" society that believes there is no such thing as too much government and character takes a back seat to "leadership" and personal agenda.
I have always been confounded and a bit irritated by those undecideds who say they just "vote for the best man for the job." I have just recently figured out why. I don't believe that the "man" really stands alone or can do anything without his party in Washington. There is not a best "man" for the job, only the best party. (Please note: I am in no way suggesting the Republican party is perfect in any way!!!) I'm not saying he won't do a couple things on his own, but for the most part, he stands with his party. The main part the man plays is his character. A man of substantial character might be able to lead his party and make a great difference, but I believe these great leaders are few and far between, and probably not revealed until several years into his term.
My problem with McCain is that he is doing all this political pandering and digging himself deeper into a hole. He is not standing on the values of his party (maybe because he doen't share them all), and people are not buying into his bi-partisan, don't-offend-anyone stance.
As far as the merit of opposing views and predetermined ideology, I can tell you that I go back to the term "dyed in the wool conservative." I hold to the values of conservatism as a part of who I am. I filter new ideas through these values, rather than how they sound like they would benefit me. I believe conservatism upholds the best of the country (and even the world) over the what is best for self. Obviously, dems disaggree.
My voice and conviction to speak the truth (at least in politics) comes sporadically and mainly through this blog right now. I appreciate you letting me clarify my values to myself, if not to you.

As far as the rest of you, I promise to put the eyefire away and get back to our happy vacation pictures soon. Stay tuned....

Free Handbag Anyone?

2008-10-11T22:50:00.002-05:00

Ladies, check out this site that is giving away cool purses!

Guys, Christmas is coming! Can't beat free for your budget!

http://www.handbagplanet.com/contest

Eyefire--And a little bit more

2008-10-08T14:15:00.003-05:00

I've written this post many times in my head, but I guess I haven't been mad enough about it yet to actually publish it. But after watching the debate last night and hearing all the political crap stack up for the past few weeks, I'm done.

First of all, let me clarify my political convictions. I am a dyed in the wool conservative. I believe that this nation was established by deeply religious men and women who knew what it meant to take greater responsibility for the greater good. I believe they knew what would happen if all power was given to the people, and set up a Constitution with a system of checks and balances to prevent some of the pitfalls that we have been able to weasel ourselves into (with the help of our Constitution-interpreting friends). I believe in the same values of great presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Regan, and even George W. Bush. Yep! I said it! GW! Now I know my liberal-come-lately friends (if they're still reading) will take great offense to this, but I believe GW made a lot of politically unpopular choices just because they were the right thing to do. I'm not saying he's been the greatest president, and he will most likely lose the election for John McCain, but he has not pandered to the political powers in Washington (except perhaps in the recent political season) or the low polling numbers of the "what can my country do for me" public.

So now I am faced with choosing between a liberal and a flaming liberal to receive my vote for president.

I am irritated that so many people believe the "truth" presented to them by George Stephanopoils, Katie Couric, David Letterman, Tina Fey, Oprah, and all those smart Hollywood do-gooders on the red carpet! "Wow! That sounds really good! It must be true!"

I am irritated that for weeks we have been listening to the same political ads that tell us absolutely nothing! And we will only be assaulted with many more in the coming four weeks!

I am mad that the current financial crisis has some voters looking for immediate answers! Do you think Jimmy Carter (renowned president in history) thought he got away with one the year I reached my terrible twos? Could anyone see this $700 billion bailout looming in the future then? No one can say, Americans have had a part in creating this recession by spending more than they earn for years! "Why should the rich get to live like they are rich when I cannot. That is unfair!"

I am upset that charisma and charm are paving the way to the White House for another politician who will do just enough voter favors to say that he did and then maintain business as usual. Yes, there will probably be a tax refund, and a discussion on health care, but the problems that face the nation and the world will not be gone, but different and bigger in a way no one can yet anticipate. There will be more programs that the government will have successfully implemented, but nothing will be different.

But what I am most angry about is the fact that there is no one in this race that I hear speaking up for America! All I hear is politicians pandering for Americans' votes! "Everyone deserves..." "Under my plan, you will get..."

We are poised for an election where we will get what we want. More government bailouts. Equal privileges for all. Except maybe not an enduring democracy that will lead the world on the moral and economic front.

Vacation 2: Iowa Retreat

2008-10-06T22:51:00.009-05:00

Yeah, Iowa. We didn't start out thinking, where is the most luxurious vacation destination? But we were ultimately trying to get see Ryan's grandparents in Wisconsin, so this (really nice) resort was on the way and had ONE one-bedroom unit available just for us! We jumped on it and hoped for the best.

So the big sellers for a resort for us are the on-site free amenities. This one had both mini-golf and and indoor pool. (It also had an indoor mini-golf course that was someone's attempt to clean out their garage! We only went to that one once.)

Here we are enjoying the outdoor course.

Ashton liked to employ the "sweeper method," using her club more like a broom. Hey, whatever works! The best golf tip of the week: we put everyone's ball in Daddy's pocket after every hole, and whoever's ball came out was who went next. Bonus for me: I didn't have to bend over to pick up my ball from the hole!

Here are the kids enjoying the pool and daddy. It was the largest indoor pool we had seen at a resort!
Here is the kids' room for the week. Kids' room by night, school room/kitchen/dining room by day. It was just connected to our room by a lockout door (see picture below). Our room is not pictured (because is was a mess!) but it was just like a typical hotel room with a King sized bed. I set up my scrapbooking station in there and got quite a bit done during nap/nightime!

Here is the same room as a dining room! You can see the corner of the kitchen behind me. It was very small, but it worked for us and was a great money-saver for the week. Another bonus for me: Ryan did the dishes every meal! (He's even kept this up a lot since retuning home!)

Another of the great amenities of the resort was the sandy beach on the lake. It was probably our favorite thing to do! We went three days to "swim"/play in the sand. (I'll post a lot more of these pictures later!) Here you can see the dock that enclosed the swimming area. You can't see the sand, but it's between the grass and the water.

One other free thing we took advantage of was the free movie "theater." We saw "August Rush" there and then took the kids back to see "Snow Buddies." You can't beat a movie with talking dogs for them! It was a great resort for our family!

Vacation 1: Monumental Moments

2008-10-02T22:39:00.007-05:00

So we started our trip with a trip northward towards Mount Rushmore. I had been as a child, but Ryan hadn't been and and we thought it would be a good educational stop for the kids. I had gotten a book about it at the library and Reed was super excited!

We spent the first night with my sister in Denver and saw all the family there. It was great eating and laughing with all of them there. Thank you Beth and Joe for the fabulous meal and lodging, Katie and Wayne for the picture tour of NY, and Amy for the free advice about the kids! I think I can skip the kids' year appointments now! It was fun to catch up with all of you!

We left early the next day because we still had quite a drive to Mt. Rushmore and we wanted to see it all in daylight. It was cold and rainy the whole way, but we made pretty good time. As we got closer and I was studying the map to see how to get there, I saw the Crazy Horse monument was right on the way! I remembered being there as a child and how amazing it was. I told Ryan we had to stop there as well. He trusted my judgment and we stopped. Well...time has a funny way of playing tricks on you....This is what I remember, an amazing sculpture of a man on horse carved into the mountain:

As you can see, it was quite a spectacular undertaking for the artist. However, if you scroll down and look through the fog, you can see what the sculpture actually looks like at this point.

Yep! And the documentary movie said the face wasn't even done till '98--at least 15 years after I visited as a kid! I have no idea what I was "remembering!" If the fog a had cleared at all (this was the best picture) I wanted to take a picture with the kids in it. It will be interesting if they someday take their kids to see the progress in their lifetime.

So then it was off to Mt. Rushmore. Again, Reed was very excited. Here is just a beautiful picture of a beautiful kid!

And here is that beautiful kid running ahead of us and fighting with his errant pants! (The adjustable waist had come undone!)

And here we are under the famous presidential faces. They seemed to be crying because of the rain. Reed wanted a quarter for the binocular machine, but I told him no, because my parents had told me no to that when I was a kid. That's something I remember quite well (at least, I think). I also remember taking my first real picture there of my parents and sister under the state flag of Missouri.

From here we went down the road a bit and spent the night in Wall, SD. We did not go to the famous Wall Drug Store, but enjoyed the continental breakfast to the fullest extent! The next day was our third driving day, but we made it to the condo in Iowa. I post on that later!

The Bailout Plan

2008-09-30T22:59:00.002-05:00

So I'm not a financial genius or a political junkie. However, I do believe we are in a critical time in our country and we should stand up and speak out for our money!!

So I will defer you to a financial expert (NOT a political junkie) who I truly trust--Dave Ramsey. He has truly transformed our life and gotten us on the right track financially and I think his plan is superior because it takes those nasty politics out of it!!

So check it out and do your part! He's got it set up very well!

P.S. I promise to post vacation pictures and stories soon!

You Know You've Lived Too Long in New Mexico When...

2008-09-12T21:55:00.002-05:00

So we've left on vacation. I packed all day on Wednesday, everything from DVDs to coloring books and gifts to open at every state line. I knew we were going to have three fairly long days in the car and I wanted to be prepared.

So what provided the best entertainment of the first day?

The Windshield Wipers.

Yup! The wipers! When it started to sprinkle, and Ryan turned them on, Ashton giggled and giggled and eventually broke out into hysterics with her low "huh, huh, huh, huh!" This, of course, thrilled the rest of us and sent us into laughing fits as well.

Sometimes you just can't pack what you want to.

From My Sister Beth

2008-09-07T15:07:00.001-05:00

I hate to get political, but...

(An email from my sister in Denver)

I just read an interview in the Denver Post with David Freddoso, the author of The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media’s Favorite Candidate. It sounds like an interesting book. Has anyone read it or heard about it? (denverpost.com, Sept. 7, Perspective Section – By the Book, 6D, in case you want to read the article:)
One of the questions that the Post asked: “Involvement in the Chicago political machine would in all probability stop most people from seeking the presidency. How has Obama been able to avoid substantive questions about his relationship with not only Tony Resko and Bill Ayers, but other unsavory characters like Emil Jones and Todd Stroger?”
Freddoso answer: “It’s a simple case of national reporters who don’t bother to read up on Chicago politics or talk to people in that town. I had people beating down my door at the Evans-Novak Political Report in 2006, trying to get me to cover Stroger’s election, because it really looked like the reformers had a chance to defeat the machine. Conservatives and liberals came together for the common good, and Obama thwarted them.”
We met someone in Rocky Mtn. Nat’l Park last week from Illinois that said that the Ill. Governor is thought so corrupt that he was not invited to speak when Obama announced his candidacy in Springfield, Il or at the DNC. I guess that is part of Obama distancing himself from that organization.

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!

2008-09-04T22:18:00.003-05:00

So it always seems that Ryan's birthday gets the shaft in our family. There's always something that distracts or interferes so that we can't celebrate him to the extent he deserves! Even the first year we were dating I didn't do anything because we'd only been "dating" two days. (I think there was a card...) I've always felt a year behind!

Yet again that happened this year so I just want to give him a few of the kudos he deserves here. There are so many reasons why I love an respect him. Here are just a few:

He's a stand up guy who will do the right thing even when it isn't easy. He has faced this issue many times, and I know he doesn't enjoy it. But I always have the confidence in his character that he will do what's right, even when I don't feel comfortable with it.
He's a great husband! My sisters-in-law tell me I got the romantic in the family! Even if it's not all flowers and chocolates all the time, he always tries to take care of me: giving the kids breakfast so I can catch a few more zzzs, letting me go out with the girls, ALWAYS putting gas in the van so I don't have to, preparing financially for the present and the future, etc., etc., etc.
He's a super dad! Not only does he take responsibility for the hard part of parenting ("You're gonna have to talk to your dad when he get's home." "NO, please, No!"), he always makes sure the kids know he loves them. And he plays all those games with them that, frankly, I can't watch all the time!
He is not afraid to try anything! Seriously! Car repair, home repair, yard work, ANYTHING! I mean, one time he cut a hole in the side of our house and had a window installed by nightfall! Impressive!
He puts up with a lot! Not just from me, but the kids, and a lot of other people, too. And he usually does it with a pretty good attitude!
And don't tell him or anyone else I said this, but he's funny! In fact, he's the funny dadest Reed has!

We love you, Ryan, and think you're the best! You deserve a whole lot more for your birthday, and someday you'll get it!

Everything Old is New Again

2008-09-02T22:58:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm not sure I'm talking about me. I'm not sure how new I feel, but I do like the revisiting of my youth that has happened lately.

I was super excited about the New Kids On the Block getting back together for their reunion tour at the beginning of summer! I was a fan from the beginning and really never got over them (even though I did keep my fan-dom a secret throughout part of high school)! Yes, it is funny that they are touring with Hannah Montana, since her fans' parents are my age! When I watched them on Good Morning America (yes, I got up for it) those same feelings of youth came flooding back! What a good time of life!

Now there is 90210. I used to watch it every week in my parent's bedroom while I sat on the phone with my friend Mel. We didn't talk except during the commercials, mind you, but we were on the phone! The Facebook of it's day I suppose. I found out later that my parents watched in the living room, I guess to stay connected with me. I have been excited about the new show, only because some of the old characters are coming back as their original characters. Since I was in high school with these guys, it seems like a reunion of sorts.

I watched tonight with a different eye than before--of course, partly distracted by the obligations of motherhood, but also using the more discerning eye of one bearing the responsibility of moral guidance on a day-to-day basis. But I really liked what I saw. Not because it wasn't overly dramatic (Okay, do you remember high school? It's high drama!) or because of the new story lines (Yes, they pushed the envelope further than before, but there's only so many ways you can write looking for acceptance.), but because it's classic 90210. I guess I like that it makes me feel young again. But I also think I could watch this with my teenager and feel comfortable discussing it. I know, I say that now....

I just wonder what my parents thought of it.

Another Good Idea I Just Found

2008-08-27T22:27:00.002-05:00

So I don't have this problem of girls trying on and spreading out clothes, but I've heard of a lot of moms who battle this. This is a good idea even if you don't. Check it out!

Some Good Ideas--I Must Be Nesting

2008-08-26T23:52:00.003-05:00

I love it when a good idea comes together. And works.

I don't seem to have many that really do what I envision, but a few seem to work out. Here are a few that I will share, and then you share yours with me.

1. So we don't really keep toys in the living room any more, but a few always seem to find their way out there anyway. So now I've put baskets in the living room for each of my kids on the bookshelf where they're out of the way. When I find a toy, or piece of a toy set, I put it in the owner's basket. Then once a week they take the baskets to their room and deposit the pieces to the appropriate places (in theory).

2. I like my kids to be independent but they were always bugging me to get them a cup for a drink! I don't really want them climbing on the counter--too much independence! So I have instituted the perpetual water cup. It has a lid and can be taken from room to room and refilled in the bathroom at will. I do have to pop Ashton's lid off, but she can get it back on by herself.

3. I have started using all those blanket and comforter bags that I have saved and never used for clothing storage! I can fit an entire season of Ashton's clothes in a normal size comforter bag and the smaller blanket bags are great for shoes. I write the size, season, and gender on the back of a Post-it and stick it to the inside of the bag so it stays on, but is easily changed as needed. Sure beats buying all those big bins every time I need to store more hand-me-downs!

4. More Trashcans! I don't know why I have been storing trashcans of various sizes in my garage, but I just got smart enough to bring them in and place them around the house! Best new places: Corner of the living room, where Ryan looks at the mail sometimes, and inside the front door, under the bench where we keep bags, jackets, items to go, etc. Both places can get junked up pretty quick so I hope this helps. (Also under the bench: a box for shoes and a basket for hats extra bags, etc.)

So I guess these are mostly about having small kids around, but please share all your ideas.

A Few Zoo Pics

2008-08-21T00:28:00.006-05:00

So I've been inspired by two other blogs to post these photos of a day at the zoo for us. Thank you Jess for taking the pictures--I don't take my camera to the zoo. One more thing to carry and more pictures to feel guilty about not scrapbooking.
Here is Ashton navigating out visit. I think she was just tired and wanted to sit. It was her first full day of walking at the zoo. Consequently, it was my first day of carrying a heavy backpack! Olivia and Jonah inspired this post with their same picture. Navigation must be the hot new thing in childhood.
Here is Reed being encouraged by Lesley to feed the giraffe. That long curly tongue really freaked him out!
And here I am early that morning before my Coke! Ha ha! Funny Jess!

What fun! Our zoo is not FREE like you all in St. Louis, but it is cost effective and great cheap entertainment, once you've bought the family pass with guest and split it between two families! cool!

Poured Out

2008-08-16T22:58:00.002-05:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry, a lot going on. I've had this on my mind for a while and hopefully I've sharpened my thoughts rather than lost them. (For the record, I have no brain to speak of right now!)

I have felt lately as though I am spent. I know physically I am so falling apart in this pregnancy. I am definitely dragging there. But even beyond that, I have been spent in many areas of my life.

It made me contemplate that cheesy but true preacher illustration about the sponge that must be squeezed out or it will get moldy, or the one about the potter's cup that he fills up to pour out on other creations he is shaping on the potter's wheel. That clicked with me: I have been completely poured out.

But it's not as though I have been doing things in a formally organized ministry. I've just been poured out in everyday life: poured out to my friends, poured out in my family, poured out in potty training (almost literally--I can not tell you how many pans of soaking underwear I have poured out into the laundry).

So this leads me to the drink offering. I have never really understood it and it's place in the sacrifice process. I mean the meat that is offered makes sense because it is used to feed the priests. But the drink offering is simply poured out. Doesn't this seem like a waste?

Yes. I feel a lot of times like what I'm doing is a waste. I mean how many more buckets of underwear water will I pour out before I see results? What good am I when I have no clear answers to offer to those asking? Will I ever be able to say things just once and see immediate action? Will the things I spend hours on each day always be undone within minutes?

At least I know that even in the "waste" there is an offering.

I, Who Am Not a Cryer...(Thoughts on Brett Favre)

2008-08-06T23:16:00.005-05:00

I, who am not a cryer, have cried a lot over this Brett Favre situation.

To many (or maybe all) of you this may seem silly. Here is a man who has played football all of his life, who made a decision to retire and then changed his mind.

And really I have wondered why it is such a big deal to me. Is it because as long as I have been a Green Bay Packer fan, there has been a Brett Favre leading the team? Probably at least in part. Is it because I am loyal to a fault? Definitely. Is it because it will damage my fantasy line-up? Probably not.

I think the main reason this has become so personal for me is because it is reminiscent of what my Dad went through, when he was forced to retire earlier than he wanted.

I didn't realize how much this bothered me until I have had to watch Brett go through it in the media.

I have always known that I am deeply moved by stories of a spouse lost in death. Both my parents lost their spouses before they met and had me. But even though that is not a part of my personal family history, it is. I know those people had a part in making my parents who they are today. I have always felt a deep connection to this part of their story.

One story that has always made me cry is when my dad, a few weeks(? months?) after his wife had passed away, went out and laid on her grave and cried. And any story or movie that reminds me of that brings out the tears. When I watched Return to Me, I sobbed through most of the movie.

Now, having seen the treatment of Brett Farve from a team to which he has been so loyal, I have seen that connection to my dad's story again. I have been angry and cried again. My dad was loyal to a company all his working life and when it was sold to out-of-town owners, he was encouraged to move to retirement. I knew at the time (a ninth grader) that this was hurtful, but seeing it happen (through Farve's story) again as an adult, I am more hurt by it personally.

I don't know why people don't honor loyalty. When someone has given all of themselves to a team, or organization, or company, or church, why can they not be given the dignity of making their own choices? Who is it that places themselves above that person to get ahead? I believe those people should be honored EVEN TO THE SLIGHT DETRIMENT of the group.

I am disappointed in the Green Bay Packers. I know there are just a few who are responsible for the management of the organization, and they have lost my trust. I think they have hurt themselves by trying to get ahead. It will take some time and some better choices for me to support these people, and to a point, the team, again.

On the other hand, I commend Brett for his loyalty, even to the end, upholding the dignity of the team and fans of Green Bay. I hope he will make the Jets proud.

Nothing New to Cover the Sun

2008-08-06T00:55:00.001-05:00

Looking for curtains for Ashton's room. I am so disappointed. Same ol', same ol'.

Overheard while Cleaning the House for Dinner Guests...

2008-07-29T23:33:00.001-05:00

Ashton: Who made your bed?

Reed: Why are you trying to make everything look so fancy?

Random Excitement

2008-07-26T17:34:00.002-05:00

These are not in any order or even all on the same level of excitement, but they all bring me joy:

Ashton can now not only blow bubbles, but catch them again with the wand and blow them again. Bubble recycling!
We've had rain today from the remnants of Dolly. It was such a nice steady rain--unusual in NM. No thunder.
We decided to try a different approach to the last half of pregnancy and found out the sex of the baby. (We haven't done that with the other two). It's a boy! But the most exciting result of the ultrasound is that the baby measured 12 days ahead of schedule and that may mean we get to move the due date up to 12/8!
My hubby got me a new set of silverware! We have been running out of cereal spoons since a few of our spoons have had a trip to the garbage disposal, and we all use the same size now! So now we have service for 12(!) or three days of cereal for a family of four!
I found bing cherries for $.99 a pound at the farmer's market! I snatched them right up!
We went swimming yesterday and I got to wear my "new" cute maternity swimsuit! Thank you Stephanie! The kids did great without floaties! Ashton still needs a hand, of course, but I can really see the swim lessons paying off!

My Husband's a Better Homemaker than I

2008-07-21T23:16:00.002-05:00

I spent 3 days plus on a ladies' retreat in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico.

My husband was very willing, but also reluctant to let me go. He had never had the kids on his own overnight before, much less three nights and days and with a Sunday morning in the mix. He was really worried about doing Ashton's hair.

So when I got home I found

He had Ashton's hair in cute low pigtails.
They had not eaten out the entire time I was gone.
He ran the dishwasher everyday, finding things around the house to put in it.
HE CLEANED THE OVEN! (and the pans under the burners)
He did at least two loads of laundry.
He finished the landscaping wall in the front yard. (So he did this on top of everything else.)
He had the kids clean their room everyday before supper!

I think I can safely plan many more trips on my own.

But I wouldn't want to. I missed them all too much!

Look at Your Profile

2008-07-14T20:43:00.002-05:00

Everyone is on a blog hiatus today for some reason. Which is sad for me because I'm needing some outside adult conversation. But it leads me to look at other things on your pages. So I ask you to go to your own pages and check your profile. Some are fine, but some are way outdated!

Oh, and I know I can't complain about taking a break from blogging!

Summer Fun

2008-07-11T22:09:00.006-05:00

So I downloaded 294 pictures tonight. I won't share them all with you. The sad thing is there's another card around here somewhere with I think last summers pics. Here are a few of the highlights from this summer. If you've been to Ryan's facebook, this is a repeat for you.

Reed's Big Five Year celebration at the "Sprayground." We had about 20 kids and 30 adults. Ryan got the award for wettest adult. The kids loved that he could jump up and tip the buckets of water on their heads! It was so much fun! (Even for those of us who stayed dry!)
Those trick candles are the best fun at a kid's birthday! And we only gave him one cupcake, so the others stayed dry and germ-free!

Lots of presents, lots of help!Here's most of the crew there! Reed is turned around because Ryan had them say "Reed's a knucklehead!" Ashton is on the left holding the small blue playground ball. She did a lot of running around that night, but not a lot of getting wet. She was a great little sis and didn't get jealous at all. She knows that "my birt-day's in winter" and she is pretty sure she will have it at the same place! Might be hard to get any guests...
Here is where we found Ashton sleeping one morning. She is laying in the hallway between her room and Reed's. Moved sometime between midnight and 7am. She slept later here than she usually does. Notice she has both her blankets, a bear, a drink, her frog, and I believe two "pappys" (pacifiers).

To rotate, turn your computer!

Here is Reed on his first day of swimming lessons. He is standing in the pool! We didn't know he would be in the baby pool, but they said they would move those who need to be moved by the end of the class. Since he stayed, we thought he must be in the right place. After coming home he told us, "One of the teachers asked me if I wanted to go in the big pool, but I told him no." He's too polite! So we worked it out for the next day.Ashton spent the entire time whining "I wanna go swimming." 287 times! This is her looking in from the outside. The class was for 3-5 so I hadn't enrolled her, but there were at least 3 kids younger than her. I can never tell her again that her whining doesn't do any good because...
...I got her in the next day. Since Reed had moved up, they let her move into his spot. I knew it was worth the money not to listen to the whining for 35 minutes and beyond everyday for 2 weeks. And she really is learning. The bad thing is she'll have to be in this class for a couple years before she can move up. And today they went into the big pool! Impressive!
So this is Reed in the big pool on the second day. He did really well and told us we were right-- that he did have more fun in that class. However the next day was cold and windy, AND the heater in the pool was broken! Everyone was miserable! You could tell the lifeguards were not even excited about getting in that day. I had to do a bit of convincing (special treat) to get him back in the next day, but he did (even though the water was still a bit cold).Okay! You've got to love this! They know how to pose!

Struggle

2008-07-06T22:32:00.003-05:00

There has been and continues to be an on-going discussion in our home lately. Within a worship service, what is the place of patriotism?

First, let me say we are very proud of our country and those who serve it on a regular basis. We know we have no idea how the sacrifice that has been made for our country. Our freedom should be honored and celebrated! We hope we can pass on an attitude of respect and gratitude to our children, as well as an understanding of what our freedom means. We also recognize the values of our founding fathers were grounded in their faith in GOD! Our country was established under the grace of GOD!

Second, let me also say that through his studies for his Masters, Ryan has become very comfortable with the idea of the role of tradition in worship. Tradition is a relevant tool to point people towards God. This is not just a "contemporary worship" issue.

And, let me say I was not in the service this morning, so I cannot attest to the events firsthand. I was in the nursery.

After a lot of personal struggle, discussion, and study, Ryan shaped a service that highlighted our country, but made God the focus of our worship. The service opened with Ryan leading the congregation (from the back) in an a cappella verse of "God Bless America." One man immediately stood up and the congregation followed. A few minutes later when the praise team began leading in the worship songs, no one stood (except, oddly enough, a guest) for the first verse, until Ryan prompted them to at the chorus. Very disheartening when the people stand to honor our country, but really give no thought to standing to honor God.

So, some of the questions up for discussion are:

Is it appropriate to use a Sunday morning worship service to honor someone or something other than God and what he has done for us? (e.g.--"God works through mothers," but should we use Sunday morning to give awards to the mother with the most children; or "Our country needs our prayers," but should we highlight our love of country in a worship service?)
How does our view of our country as God's chosen people affect our view of world missions or the universality of Christianity? How would we feel about a similar service in a different country?
Where should flags (American & Christian) be placed within a church building? (Not flag etiquette, but as symbols and in relation to the cross.)
If a tradition is found to be unhealthy, what role should it play as education is taking place? (i.e.--Should some elements be left in to appease those who cling to the tradition, or if the conviction is strong, should the change be complete immediately.)
What do you do if you, as a leader, believe something, but it is not upheld by the leaders around you? If all the leaders do not agree, what do those with the conviction do?

I hope this presents a struggle within you. I look forward to hearing ALL of your comments. If you're reading, again, please comment. But don't quote me any Scripture out of context. I hate that.

Can't Catch a Break

2008-07-02T23:15:00.002-05:00

Tonight at supper, Ryan was highlighting some exciting things coming up in the next few days. The semi-pro ball game on July 4th (with a tailgate party by our church beforehand), church on Sunday (which Reed had the same gasp of excitement for), and Reed's swimming lessons beginning on Monday. "And guess who has the day off on Monday?"

"Mommy?!" I asked (jokingly, with only 5% resentment).

"No, Daddy!" Reed laughed.

"When does Mommy get a day off?" Ryan asked.

"Everyday."

That Makes Sense...Somehow

2008-06-27T22:45:00.002-05:00

I love it when my kids put something they see into the context of what they understand, even though their thinking is faulty.

When Reed had just turned two we took a group of college kids up to church camp in the mountains. We left after our evening VBS so it was late as we were pulling in. Reed had slept part of the way, but woke up when we slowed down on the mountain roads. A deer ran in front of the van and then leaped the fence right next to us. "Look at the deer!" we all exclaimed. About two minutes later Reed asked, "Why did we see a kangaroo?"

Tonight we had a similar moment with Ashton. As we were driving through a neighborhood we saw a man walking a dog wearing a white cone collar (you know, those post-op or no-scratch collars). Ashton processed for just a moment before she declared, "I saw a dog with a light!" We, of course, laughed hysterically, which only added to her delight. It definitely explains what she saw!

Don't know if the dog had been drinking....

The Rumor Mill

2008-06-26T23:04:00.002-05:00

Alright.

I need to set some things straight.

Yes, I'm pregnant. Here are the details:

Status: 14.5 weeks

Due Date: December 20th, 2008

Cravings: One middle of the night craving for a dish made by a restaurant that has been closed for a year. More consistently, stewed tomatoes, especially with macaroni and cheese. My mother used to make me eat these with the mac-n-cheese, and I hated them! Weird!

Side Effects: Headaches, varicose vein farther up and down my right leg, round ligament pain mainly on left side, more constant ear stoppage from possible TMJ, and nausea (which has mainly passed).

Planned?: Baby, yes. Timing, no.

Maternity Clothes: Got them out last weekend. What a relief!

Reed's Comments: "Is your belly getting bigger yet?"

Ashton's Comments: "When you go to hospital?"

Ryan's Comments: "I hope it's twins!" (It's not!)

Sara's Comments: "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

God's Comments: "For I know the plans I have for you..." (Glad it's not all up to us!)

Excavation Services

2008-06-16T16:12:00.003-05:00

For Hire: Team of excavators to help move dirt from your yard.

Methods of excavation include shovels, sticks, rocks, or any toy not meant for digging. For quicker jobs we use a fast-digging dog.

Methods of movement include buckets, shovels, air travel, shoes, and (our favorite) clothing.

We specialize in the making and moving of mud.

Lots of experience! We will not stop till all your dirt is in your house!

Call 1-800-ASH-REED.

Also...

2008-06-12T17:39:00.000-05:00

In regards to the house,

Visibly Blown Schedule!!

Period of Absence

2008-06-06T00:25:00.002-05:00

Yes, I have been away.

Why? you ask.

I have been working on writing our church's VBS.

What is VBS? you ask.

Apparently it's a Veritable Blog Stealer.

Promise to post at a later date.

The Wonders of Color Wonders

2008-05-09T21:20:00.003-05:00

In order to prepare for our plane ride to Missouri, I made a "briefcase" of projects for the kids.

I gave each child one of those big pocket folders with the 3 sides enclosed and the flap and elastic strap that goes around--I have no idea what they are really called. I had filled these with various papers, stickers, pens, post-its, etc.

However the smartest thing I did was put back the $1 velvet picture/markers for Ashton and invest in the $7 Color Wonder Coloring Book of Disney Princesses.

On the plane, I realized the investment paid off far more than $6-worth peace of mind. She could color and I did not need to hover.

My Happy Birthday

2008-04-30T23:36:00.002-05:00

1. Slept in till 9:13.

2. Awoke to Darlings serenading me and bringing breakfast in bed (Pillsbury cinnamon rolls). Ryan brought in the little table and we all ate in the room. When clearing out, Ashton said, "You welcome we sing Happy Birthday to you!"

3. Got to shower with the door locked while Darlings went present shopping.

4. Took children to pre-arranged child-care and had lunch with best friend Lesley. What interesting adult conversation we had!!!

5. Got unsatisfying chair massages with Lesley. But then went to get satisfying slushes at Sonic!

6. Came home to the smell of husband baking my childhood birthday cake--Chocolate, Chocolate Chip.

7. Went to favorite restaurant, Flying Star, and had their wonderful macaroni and cheese.

8. Arrived home too full for cake, so we opened presents first: New white sweater (desperate need), cute red coat, new Sharpies of all sizes and colors!!! My Darling knows me so well!

9. Indulged in wonderful cake.

10. Can't remember the rest, possible result of a sugar high. But it was good!

Thanks for the kind words and emails!

Thanks for the Advice

2008-04-22T00:03:00.002-05:00

So I do thank all of your for your input on the problem. I have taken all you have said to heart and have even used a few of the tips. And I know it's good, but his behavior on the whole has been WAY better. Maybe last weekend was just what we had to navigate to get to this good part. (Last weekend was the first weekend since February that Ryan has been all ours because he was done with his paper.)

My plan of action:

1. Clearly (over)define when to make these noises and when to not make these noises. I fear the latter will be a very short list and may depend a lot on my mood.

2. Duck the neighbors for a while and ignore the sounds when outside. Again I feel like too much of this will depend on my mood.

3. Clap to get his attention rather than yell his name.

4. Try to more often catch him using an appropriate volume and tone.

5. Take him to some loud sporting events.

6. Get the hearing tested at the five-year check up.

7. Buy some earplugs, and perhaps buy stock in the company.

Seeking Advice

2008-04-14T22:28:00.002-05:00

Okay! This is an interactive blog. If your read it I expect you to comment at the end. I have a problem and I am seeking advice. I mean it, people!!!!! This is serious.

Here is the Problem: MY SON IS SOOOOO LOUD!

I knew going into parenting that girls talk and boys make noise. I was okay with that. And I have a very verbal son. When he hears a new word, he assimilates it into his vocabulary within the day.

But the Noises! They seriously drive me to the point of insanity sometimes. And I can't just send him outside because we have neighbors six feet on either side of us. I don't even know how to best describe the noises in words. There are screams, high-pitched whoops, and growls. Make all those sounds to yourself for the next five minutes and see if you annoy yourself.

And then when we get to the words, most of these are said in range that communicates to the very hard of hearing. I SAID THE VERY HARD OF HEARING. Do you get the picture? He seems to have no ability to speak in an appropriate volume.

My real concern is for Reed as he grows and gets new friends. Will he drive them away? Already I feel like some of his friends notice his volume and comment on it. He's almost five! Will he grow out of it, or do I need to start addressing it for his own benefit? And, if so, HOW? Most of the times I make it an issue, I have to yell just to get his attention! That seems a little counter productive.

So now it's your turn. Weigh in as a mother of boy, former boy, neighbor of boy, observer of boy, empathetic ear, wise counselor, etc. Please!

That's Not What I Had in Mind

2008-04-10T15:54:00.003-05:00

What I said: "Go play quietly in your room."
What she heard: "Go take everything off of your shelves and dump it on the floor."

What I said: "Somebody let the dog in."
What they heard: "Run to the back door screaming about who gets to let the dog in."

What I said: "No, you may not have a third story before bed."
What he heard: "I am going to sell you to a pack of gypsies."

What I said: "Go wash your hands in the bathroom."
What they heard: "Go fill the sink in the bathroom, add some soap suds, and give yourself a cool hair do."

What I said: "Put this stack of laundry in your drawer."
What he heard: "Take this stack of laundry, unfold it, stuff it in the right drawer, but please under any circumstances, do not close the drawer again."

What I said: "Work together to clean up this mess."
What he heard: "Boss your sister into doing whatever you want her to do, and if she doesn't, threaten to spank her."
What she heard: "Lay on the floor and tell me how tired you are. Also, please run to me screaming if Reed threatens to spank you."

What I said: "Be careful to not get ketchup from your corndog on your shirt."
What she heard: "Use the corndog as a brush, the shirt as a canvas, a this ketchup as your medium, my precious little budding artist!"

Much Rejoicing

2008-04-09T15:39:00.002-05:00

There is much rejoicing in the Nelson household today. Ryan has sent off his paper for final review by his professor. He really looks like a different person today. I'm trying to decide if it's just because he doesn't have computer attached to his hands, or if it's the natural light coming from sources other than the computer screen, or if he truly looks more relaxed. We are hoping the comments that come back this time will mean only minor revisions.

He even woke Reed up last night and told him he was done. This morning after waking me up with the gentle back-rub (he is a very smart boy), Reed's second question (after how long till I can come out of my room?) was, "Did Daddy tell you he was done with his paper?" Reed is glad he is done so he can "just be a Daddy again." We are all glad for that.

One good thing that came out of the last minute rush to finish: Ryan was able to use a line on a telemarketer that you don't get to use very often--"My master's thesis paper is due today, so I really can't take this call." They hung up with no argument!

Pictures of Petroglyphs (And Our Family)

2008-04-05T15:47:00.004-05:00

So I'm trying to expand my blogging abilities. I'm sorry if you're in my family and have already seen these pics through email. It's still all I have on my computer.

This was a trek that we made on the west side of ABQ when Beth (my sister) & Joe were here. Ryan was working on his paper and could not join us. This is the Petroglyph National Monument.

Reed hiked both up and down without complaining. Ashton made it 3/4's of the way up and then was done. Reed liked seeing all the Pet-ro-cliffs. We had fun hiking with Aunt Beth and Uncle Joe and were glad they were there with extra hands (and also the camera).

The picture to side is us at the top. It was really a short hill, but very rocky and a bit of a challenge to navigate at times.

My Funny Kids

2008-04-04T15:57:00.002-05:00

Ashton has been sharing the same Knock-knock joke with us for at least a month and we still think it's pretty funny.

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Candy fall down.
Candy fall down who?
Monster eat you!!

Reed does not really understand why we think that one's funny when we don't fall down laughing at the ones he makes up. But he has more of a natural ability to crack us up on a regular basis.

Earlier today Ashton had hurt herself and was crying quite a bit. She was clearly in need of Kleenex so I asked Reed to go get one for her. When he looked up and saw her giant need, he said, "Woah! That's as green as a bean!" It was.

The Anti-Schedule Schedule

2008-04-01T15:48:00.004-05:00

I am not a scheduled person. I don't like feeling like I don't have time for the things that come up because I can't fit them in my schedule. I want my kids to hove lots of free-play-explore-time and be ready to do something new at the drop of a hat (or all the toys in hand at the moment). But realizing that I need a more proactive plan than Scarlett O'Hara's tomorrow-is-another-day plan, I have implemented a new flexible weekly plan of household tasks.

What I like about this is that things get done fairly regularly and I don't have to feel guilty for what is not getting done on that day, because another day is assigned to that task. Now I still do a load a towels or sweep the floor on other days as needed, but if my kitchen floor needs mopping on Monday, I spot clean and do not feel guilty for waiting till Wednesday. And, of course, I still have my daily tasks each day.

Also as a part of this, we have started the kids on Money chores. They have one Money chore per weekday which will earn them a quarter if completed well. (They get a raise at age 5 to 1 dollar!) They have other things they do just because they are a part of the family. These are more the weekly tasks.

Here is the breakdown.

SUNDAY--Do nothing--I mean unless you count getting the kids ready for and to church all by myself, napping/watching NASCAR or football in season, and sponsoring the preschool part of the Children's Choir. Otherwise it is a day of rest.

MONDAY--Straighten/Vacuum (In response to Sunday's non-work)

Kids--Clean bedrooms and vacuum them as needed. (Yes, they pick up their rooms throughout the week, but this is the day we put everything in place.)

TUESDAY--Blog or do some other writing, like in my kids forgotten journals.

Kids--Backyard cleanup--Reed--dootie duty--Ash--Toys
(Reed just did this one for the first time yesterday and was utterly disgusted.)

WEDNESDAY--Clean Kitchen/Mop floor as needed--This is a good day for this because we eat at church on Wed. night and my kitchen can stay fairly clean for a few hours at least. My goals on this day are things like wiping down cabinets or chairs (yuck!), cleaning out the fridge, clearing the clutter from counters, hiding old Sunday School papers in the trash, etc.

Work on a Project from "the list" (i.e.--storing outgrown/out-of-season clothes, cleaning out cabinets, make curtains for Ashton's room, etc.)

Kids--Reed clean his fish tank--Ash--Dust (They haven't tried these yet, we'll see.)

THURSDAY--Laundry--Alternate kids' one week, adult's the next. Way less overwhelming for me.

Grocery shop--This is the beginning of our money week, so it's good to stock up before we blow all the money in our food budget eating out.

Kids--Put away their own laundry. (There is always some of theirs in ours.)

FRIDAY--Clean a bathroom--Since we only really use two this works out well. I have also done things like scrub all the toilets and do nothing else.

Kids--Reed--Take out trash from bathrooms and his room--Ash--Clean Mirror (closet doors in my room) or backyard door windows.

SATURDAY--Blog/Writing again

So that's the current plan! I have been doing it for a month or so and it has helped.

Sadness

2008-03-31T15:11:00.005-05:00

I have a sense of sadness creeping into everything I am doing the past few days. I am not sad for myself, but for my friends, the Tolberts. They have sadness permeating every part of them right now.

They lost their baby girl, Norah Rose, at 21 weeks along.

At the first sign of the problem, she had called us to pray and hear of those around us who had experienced similar situations. I tried to offer as much hope as I could without being in denial about the gravity of the situation. I "worried" my prayers that day, praying for the Author of Life to sustain this precious life and Jehovah-Rapha to heal the problem.

I am always a bit offended by the argument that we should not be surprised when God answers our requests in prayer. Who are we to offer a nonchalant "Yeah, I knew he would,"? But what is our response to be when he doesn't?

I know God knows the plans he has for us. And I am very thankful that I DON'T! Praise to our LORD, the Everlasting Father!

Catching Up

2008-03-25T16:41:00.004-05:00

Wow! It's good to be back! Sorry to those of you who are better about checking blogs than I am. I have been dying to blog for days, but we have had major computer malfunction in the Nelson household lately. I finally have my computer back, but the hard drive is scrubbed clean. The good news is I didn't lose anything too significant--a few nursery files that I will have to recreate, and a really good blog article that I had worked on (in Word) for quite some time but hadn't felt led to publish yet. I had planned on downloading the pictures from our camera (last summer thru current) while we were on our trip and I'm soooo glad now that I didn't!

So I have several blogs written in my head and hope to have a chance to get them on a screen sometime soon!

So here are a few random thoughts to catch you up!

Ryan is nearing completion of his Master's paper. He has submitted all the chapters, but now has to go back and wrestle with the professor's comments and correct as needed. He was hoping the end was nearer than it is at this point.

I have instituted a new "anti-scheduling schedule" to be more proactive about the piles (and I mean that literally) of work that I have to get through in the week. I will tell you more about that later. One thing to note, it puts blogging/writing in general as a regular part of my week, so maybe I will have more posts.

Reed is the proud papa of a fish named Willie, who happens to be the third fish he has picked out. Third time's the charm. More on this later too. Let's just say we celebrated the fact that Jesus has victory over death first thing Easter morning! And also Easter Monday (in Canada, I think).

Ashton is in her new room--the pink room. We were worried about the transition, but she has adapted quite well. We did have to remove one of the paintings that was hung in there from "my room" at my grandma's house. It seemed to be girlie enough and fit in the room well, but she did not agree. She cried and pointed to it one night after the lights were off and said, "Dat scare me!!" We have removed it to the hallway and all is well. She also has a "new" doll house that we brought back from Ryan's parent's garage that was the first one made but his Grandpa and Grandma Nelson. It is very cool (with retro decor) and both kids love playing with it. Right now we do not have but a few pieces of doll furniture, but they have found that shoes work well for beds! (I did not even make that suggestion!)

Tacoma is loving the warm weather and insists that the back door remain open so he can let himself in and out at will. He has gotten a new collar tag since he chewed up the last one and has been venturing out over the fence and into the neighborhood lately. He is very good to come back and scratch at the front door when he is done. Reed opened it for him one day and said he knew it was him because "a people would knock or ring the bell and not scratch!"

My naptime alarm is going off in the other room. No more peace and quiet for me. That reminds me: Reed asked the other day what peace and quiet was anyway. I told him I was sure I didn't know anymore.

Golden Chicken Nuggets--Recipe Request

2008-03-08T16:44:00.003-06:00

So a few of you asked for the nugget recipe from Valentine's Day. This has been a family favorite since I was a girl. My mom made it special for birthday dinners. I guess the recipe came to her from my sister Judy.

Also, I am soooo tired of just heated veggies as a side dish for supper. If you have a great way to "spice up" (really, no pun intended) your vegetable side dishes, please share them with me.

Golden Chicken Nuggets

Cut Chicken breasts (1 per serving or less) in 1" pieces.

Mix:
1 egg
1/2 c water
3/4 t salt
1/2 c flour
2 T. sesame seeds (opt.)
dash of paprika

Heat 2 cups oil in large skillet.

Dip Chicken in batter and place in oil one layer at a time.

Cook 5 minutes or until golden brown. I usually turn mine, depending on the depth of the oil.

Drain on paper towel. Serve as immediately as possible.

Back to Normal

2008-03-08T16:20:00.003-06:00

So we are home again. Back to normal. Everyone said towards the end of our trip, "I bet you can't wait to get home and get back to normal!" I have always loved to travel and always get a little sad when we turn homeward. Even with the craziness of being on the road with two small children, I love to travel.

But here we are back to normal. I have to decide what to make for supper again. I have to go grocery shopping again. I am completely in charge of caring for the kids all day by myself again. We came home to a fairly clean home and had it trashed again in less than 24 hours. We have nearly endless options of toys for our dumping delight. My bathroom really needs to be cleaned. The dog is barking in the middle of every wrestling match again.

I think normal is a bit overrated!

However, we do have our own space to spread out in again. We do have our own bedrooms again. We are getting back to normal discipline and routines again. I know normal is good.

Normal is what makes the abnormal so exciting! I sure can't wait for the next trip!

A Stay at Grandma's House

2008-02-24T19:59:00.004-06:00

So we're on the road. It's been hard for me to blog since my computer isn't online. But we are staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house (Nelson). There are many advantages of staying with family when you are on the road. There are also many disadvantages. Let's explore a few.

Advantage: Grandma has new toys. They are so enthralling -- for two days.
Disavdvantage: Grandma only has two sets of toys. There is only so much you can do with two sets of age-appropriate toys.

Advantage: Grandma and Grandpa will watch the kids for an overnight get-away for Mom and Dad! Despite the ice, we went to the Mansion at Elfindale and stayed in the suite where we had spent our honeymoon night. It was delightful!
Disavantage: Kids are hyped up from abiding by grandma and grandpa rules.

Advantage: Free room and board. We even have a separate room from the kids!
Disadvantage: Kids are sharing a room. On the East side of the house. With an uncovered semi-circle window over the regular window. They haven't slept past 6 any day this week. >:( (If you don't really know me and my kids, Reed gets up at 7:30 and Ashton and I don't rouse before 8--9 if we're lucky.) This makes for very long days, in more ways than one.

Advantage: Grandma has found the entire series of Berenstain Bears books to give to us!
Disadvantage: The Berenstain Bears books are the longest books ever written for preschool age kids! And since my kids are used to two books at bedtime....

All in all I wouldn't trade it for the world! I know this time with Grandma and Grandpa is precious. Later this week we will be moving to my parent's house. Things there will be just as good and bad. But also very precious. What a blessing!

The Perfect Valentine's Day

2008-02-15T00:05:00.003-06:00

Since Ryan and I will be celebrating Valentine's Day next week (when we have free child care), we decided to make today a family affair. So I decided to go all out and give the kids a Valentine's party. Now before you get all impressed, I only invited one other family (my friend and her two daughters whose age match my kids) and I have never thrown either of my kids a birthday party to this degree. And I guess I missed my teaching days.

We started by making our own pizzas with heart-shaped pepperonis and then cut sugar cookies from already-made dough. (While the cookie dough was very good itself, the cookies were a disaster at almost every point, although the kids didn't seem to notice!) Later we had crafts: lacing hearts with red ribbon, gluing hearts around the paper plate to make a heart wreath, and gluing your name on the heart (like the conversation heart candies) for the older ones. All the kids seemed to have fun, although when it came to the conversation name heart, Reed said with a cheerful attitude, “That's not really fun, but I'll do it anyway.”

Tonight we cooked a fancy dinner at home. Grandma Pat's famous golden chicken nuggets, baked potatoes, individual sweet potato casseroles, stir-fried ginger pea-pods, and pudding with cookie crumbs (from above failed cookie attempt) for dessert. Reed was impressed that I could make chicken nuggets that taste good! And for the peas I got the thumbs-up from Reed and the index-fingers-up from Ashton! We even ate on the china and (two of us) used the crystal glasses! (Granted: while making all this, I actually said to the kids, “Mommy is trying to make a special dinner for you and all you're doing is screaming at each other! Go to your rooms!”)

It was a pretty perfect day!

Two things I wasn't ready for

2008-02-05T23:47:00.000-06:00

If you were around when Reed was a baby, you know that I dug in my heels when it came to him growing up. I didn't let anyone mention his impending first birthday, and I put off the first haircut as long as I possibly could. I realized later (when dressing Ashton) that I had even kept him in clothes longer than I should have, just because he was that age and still supposed to be that size!

When Ashton came along I realized that time would slip by, but I could celebrate the milestones of growth rather than dread them. I have gotten into a rhythm of enjoying life and seeing how she grows as a person each day. That rhythm was disrupted last week.

Ashton has been hinting for some time that she might be ready for potty training—going every time she was on the toilet, insisting I change a wet diaper, and even trying to use the bathroom on her own. I, on the other hand, am not ready for this. I know why children used to be potty trained so much earlier. What is the difference between washing cloth diapers and washing underwear? Nothing. Now there's a big difference!

So I broke down and got the pull ups—little pain, little gain. Since she has donned the pull ups, which she is very proud of, she has not made one attempt to go on her own and keeps them dry for about 10 minutes. So I guess this is good news. Neither of us is ready for potty training. This was not so hard on me.

The other thing we did last week was try out the big bed. We have had a double bed in her room since Christmas. Ryan suggested we try it for nap, so we did and she did great. I laid her down and closed the door: she immediately followed me out. I simply took her back and encouraged her, “If you get up again, I will put you in the crib.” She did not get up again and napped well.

That night I said we would go back to the crib for night time. She pointed and said, ”No, big bed.” She is a very insistent little thinker. It is hard to dissuade her from her plan. She got in the big bed and did not get up at all.

When I went back to check on her that night, I was suddenly overwhelmed. I remembered when we first moved her to her crib. We would lay her down perpendicular to the bed. We set the baby monitor camera about a foot away from her so her sweet wondering face filled the entire TV screen.

I am not really a cry-er—Ryan cries at the Extreme Home Makeover, not me. But I sure cried then and there. I had to come out and explain to my alarmed husband that it was really nothing. Everything was okay It was just time that was lost.

The good news is that I can now lean over and kiss her while she sleeps. It's been about 2 years since that has been possible without a gymnastic feat. And she can sleep perpendicular in the bed again.

I've Finally Come Around

2008-02-01T15:29:00.000-06:00

For years I have gotten emails from friends and family announcing their new blog. My response has always been, "I'm supposed to have time to blog now, too?" I have resisted the idea of adding one more responsibility into my day. But it hit me a few weeks ago as I was doing laundry..."I am blogging." Until today it has only been posted in my head.

I have always loved words. I believe words are very powerful and I do not take their meanings lightly. You can ask my husband, who has learned over they years that, when we are in the midst of "discussion," 10 minutes of silence is not necessarily me ignoring the question. I am simply crafting the words that will best describe my emotions and point of view best. (He wisely waits several minutes and simply asks, "Did you hear me?")

I believe the written word to be even more powerful! Though they may sometimes be misconstrued, words that are written are methodically crafted together and can convey an even greater truth. This is why I have been writing in my head for years. (As a mom I rarely get time to write with anything slimmer than a crayon.) And since I have organized my thoughts with article titles and subheadings and the little bubble to the side with the "how to" bullets (more appropriately "how not to.."), I have decided to publish my head here. Well, at least what's left of it.

I do not promise regular posts. I do not promise profound reflections on life. I do not even promise to be funny. What I promise here is "Truth." At least the truth as I know it so far.