Catch-up

Here are some pictures of some fun things we have been up to lately.....


The boys had recently read, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, so thought it would be fun to make some oobleck for ourselves....it was lots of fun and surprisingly easy to clean up.

Michael and Josh traveled to the Rose bowl for their annual UCLA football game.  This has to be one of the highlights of Michael's football season for Josh.  He just loves going to the Rose Bowl.

We took our annual trip up to Oak Glen for pumpkins.  It still seams a bit strange to me that we are picking pumpkins in our tee shirts and shorts, but I guess that makes it more fun, right?!  Our trip ended a bit short b/c the truck's battery died.  We replaced both car's batteries in less than a week...yikes.  The good news is that now the next time one of the batteries dies we'll just buy two and leave the second battery in the car that hasn't died yet....trying to think proactively.

On Veteran's day, Josh and I took in the movie, Wreck it Ralph, while Carter and Michael went to Ford park to feed the ducks.  Carter loves feeding the ducks and is surprisingly not afraid of the big ones.  

On Thanksgiving weekend we decided to go for a hike up near Jenk's Lake.   It was so gorgeous out.  The boys hiked the entire way and never once asked for help.  They really enjoyed the little nature hike part that came with an interactive booklet and stops along the trail.  Fun ages!

Time management

I would say I'm definitely type "A" personality.  I enjoy making a "To Do list" and take pride in crossing items off the list.  Love the feeling of a productive day.  Though lately I have felt anything but productive, I would say more scatter brained.  Yes, that sums it up well.

So I am trying to figure out why I feel like I am getting so little done each day....let's look at a typical week day schedule:

6:15am     Rise to either the alarm or Carter climbing into bed to snuggle (LOVE)
6:25am     Shower
6:55am     Wake Josh up
7:10am     Eat breakfast w/ the family
7:20am     Making lunches
7:30am     Get Carter and myself dressed and ready.
7:45am     Head out the door
7:45-8:10am SIT IN TRAFFIC-fun times!
8:15am    Drop Carter off
8:30am    Arrive at work
WORK
4:00pm    Leave to go get Carter
4:30pm    Go to RCS for Josh (though some days Mike is off early enough to do this)
4:45pm    Head for home or grocery store
5:10pm    Arrive at home if no grocery stop, otherwise arrive home at 5:45pm
5:15pm    Help Josh get set up to start on his homework
5:20pm     Prep dinner
5:30-6pm  Eat dinner
6-6:45pm  Play w/ the kiddos -all about the kids time, review homework, spelling words, etc...
6:45-7:15  Bath/Shower time
7:00pm     Start a load of laundry....seems there is always at least one load of laundry ea/day.
7:15pm    Clean up the kitchen while boys pick up their room.
7:30pm    Read books with the boys.
7:45pm    Lights out:pray & sing bedtime song (aka. Calvin Alma Mater...yes, we are training them well)
8:00pm    Hugs and kisses good night.
8:05pm    Rotate laundry
8:10-30pm    General house pick up/paperwork catch-up
8:30pm    About the time I plop on the couch and catch up on emails.
9:00pm    Hubby sits down and we start a show from the DVR
10:00pm   I'm off to bed....I can't keep my eyes open past 10 most nights, some nights even 9:30pm.

This is just our schedule when Mike isn't coaching/officiating, and Josh isn't in sports.  A typical week when Mike and Josh have sports include us just not getting home on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday till either 6:30 or 7pm.  That gives me an hour to get dinner, homework, and baths completed....no play time (I miss my kids terribly these weeks).

My favorite thing about the long Thanksgiving weekend was that we put nothing on our schedule and stayed home as a family....NO SCHEDULE.  These are the moments that refuel us and keep us focused on the importance of each other.  I feel so tremendously blessed to have such a great job and such loving places for my kids to go to when I am not able to be with them.  As much as I would love to have more time with them I know that I am very purposeful and diligent in making the most of the time we do have together.  I love my family and feel tremendously thankful for our full schedule...no matter how little of my projects I get completed or crossed off my "To Do List". 

That's not to say that I wish I could get more done both with the kids and with my craft projects.    Where does all the time in a day go? Ugh!

In-laws

Growing up you hear about, "those crazy in-laws" and how much they drive the spouse bonkers.  Well I have to say I feel awfully blessed because my in-laws are anything but crazy.  Michael's parents are kind, compassionate, loving, God fearing, grandkid spoiling, family loving people.  It goes to show in how they raised such a great son, Michael.  I will never forget the first time I met them and how at ease they made me feel and how I immediately felt part of the family.  They have such a natural way of making sure everyone is comfortable and feeling loved.  They are seriously the #1 host & hostess.

Christmas time is always extra special when under their roof.  Not only are they great a hosting, but they reflect the kind of marriage that Michael and I strive for.  They understand each other with out having to say anything and understand their roles as they move around playing host to all us kids and grandkids.  Before Michael and I got married we would sit and talk about what was important to us in a marriage and what our roles would be.  I will never forget b/c it was then that I realized how much Michael admired his parents, he said, "I would like to have the kind of marriage my parents have."  Well, as if I hadn't fallen in love with him already, I was absolutely head over heals for him now.  A man that admires and respects his parents is one that I am proud to raise my children with.   I'm thankful for my in-laws and the example they set for their kids, b/c I know that Michael's siblings would reciprocate what he said.  I'm thankful for their incredible trust and faith in God and how they raised each of their children to live each day as a reflection in Christ.

Not only have they blessed Michael by raising him with solid morals, but they have blessed me and our kids to give us such a great man to admire and love.  Thank you, Mom & Dad!

Michael's health

Today, I feel tremendously thankful for how healthy Michael has been.  If you had asked me a year ago if I thought he would be doing this well, I would have just laughed.  But looking at him today he is just as strong and healthy as ever.  We go by most days not even realizing or thinking about the disease.....and for that I am extremely thankful.  

Wish I had a picture of him today, but he was in a serious rush to get out the door and I was well not in any rush to get anything done....it's my day to relax with the Roo.

Little kicks

Today I feel thankful for those little baby kicks I have started to feel over the last couple of days and look forward to when the boys can start to feel those little baby kicks.

Quiet time

Thankful for those simple quiet moments that just seem to invite the calm in and wash the busy day away...

Nov.7: Redlands Christian School

There is many, many reasons I am thankful for Redlands Christian School (RCS).  This year, Josh's 1st grade year, has added even more reasons to that list. 

RCS has provided my husband with his dream job for 12 years.  Michael loves his job, and that may even be a bit of an understatement.   I know very few people that wake up as excited for their job as Michael does.  I know my husband well and he has such a passion for those kids and he has such a gift for what he does.  I really admire him, and I try to tell him that often.  Though one of my favorite things of all time is seeing how much my father in-law admires him and continually tells him how talented and gifted Michael is at teaching.  Teaching is definitely a gift and RCS has given him the opportunity to use that gift to his best ability.

We have had the privilege of seeing more people with this same gift work in Josh's life this year....his 1st grade teachers (Laura Witvliet & Mary DeWaard).  Josh just beams when he talks about his teachers and what they are doing in class.  I have cried tears of joy to see such amazing joy in my child's heart for learning and his teachers.  Each of Josh's three years at RCS so far we have had such amazing teachers.  I am so thankful for Lynda Hofman, Julie Brandenberg, Laura & Mary for using your gift and passion to share God's world by show God's love to Josh.  I know he will always treasure each of you and remember the love that you showed him forever AND that is priceless. 

The community of parents that surround and love the school.  I absolutely enjoy walking Josh in to school in the morning and seeing all of the smiles on familiar parents faces.  It brings such delight and comfort to me to see that my child is surrounded by loving people that genuinely care about others and about their school.

Nov. 6: America

 Thankful and proud for this beautiful country that stands for our freedom....

If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking

I believe yesterday's post was necessary for me (us) to realize just how fully God's love for us is.   I read this today and it humbled me so much that I had to share it.


http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/09/when-its-all-pressing-too-much-youd-like-answers/

November 4 & 5

Well I'm going to have to do a combined post today and  it includes no pictures....failure!  The last few days have honestly been a challenge for me emotionally.  It seems as though when you are trying to make sure you find all of the good in life and things to be thankful for that satan tries his hardest so you don't, right?!  I've tried to make sure I see the good in this process of waiting on the house of our dreams, but the reality is it's killing me inside....like breaking up with your first love, rip my heart out kind of feeling.  I can't stand when people say, "It means that God has something better in store for you".  Great!  Maybe He does, but have you ever been so sure of something before and watch it slip right out of your fingers and there is absolutely nothing you can do?  It's some good hard tears hard.  It's  realizing the house you pictured the Thanksgiving day turkey with loved ones gathered around, and your kids running down the stairs Christmas morning to look under the Christmas tree, will never happen.   We could already envision where the stockings would be hung, and where the Christmas tree would be displayed.  We looked forward to finally having a house that we could comfortably welcome friends and family.  It almost seems silly to say we could see those things, but with this house it was so easy, it just seemed right.  This holiday season is going to be especially hard as we see friends and family placed in their homes with room to host others.  It feels like a slap in the face.  Like we've done something wrong or are undeserving.

This wasn't just any ol' house this was "the house".  We were so intentional about praying and talking with God before even putting an offer in on this house.  We felt till just today confident that this is where God wanted us to be and we have prayed fervently throughout this year that God would lead us where he wants us.  Our judgement of where God was leading us felt so right with this house.  It has felt so right for so long, and as we watch the house slip out of our fingers we have grown more and more weary, unclear, and completely confused.  How can we trust our feelings and judgements?  It seems like in the last two months our prayers have changed to asking for clarity.

As we look towards the future and the uncertainty that it brings we continue to pray for clarity.  I feel especially heavy hearted for the family that has been trying to sell their home.  They have done everything in their power to get the 2nd bank to approval...including hiring an attorney.  The house is on the market due to a job loss and I can only imagine the pain and hurt this family is going through.  So even as we struggle to grasp our understanding and find answers through this, it's important to realize the family on the other side of this and what their struggles are.  What I wouldn't give for the Bank to have a bit of heart and understanding.

Freckles

Love those freckles and the personalities behind them....

Outdoor Fun

today i am thankful for the opportunity to play outside, my children's love of the outdoors, and my husband's passion when he plays with his kids outside.

Children's imaginations

today i give thanks for my children's imagination....

Giving Thanks

The month of November has to be my favorite; the smell of apple cider, pumpkin, Chai lattes, the leaves covering the ground, and the opportunity to to give thanks and share a huge meal with loved ones.  This year I am following the suggestion of a blog that I subscribe to and will post a picture daily of things in life that I am thankful for.  There is no blessing to small to be thankful for and this month I want to concentrate on simplifying and giving thanks for everything.....