Josh's group didn't sing, but instead had special Christmas notes for each letter of the alphabet. Josh was the letter, G. Here is Josh with the letter, G, message...
Monday, December 17, 2012
The River Christmas Program
Our church has such a wonderful Children's ministry program and leaders. This year they led the children in some wonderful Christmas songs. Carter sang, "Rock the Baby" and "Away in a Manger". He wasn't too sure about rocking his Panther because it wasn't a baby, but he did very well. I think he really enjoyed that he got to sit next to his buddy, Luke DeBoer.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
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 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!
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!
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!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
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!
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.
Friday, November 16, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
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.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Quiet time
Thankful for those simple quiet moments that just seem to invite the calm in and wash the busy day away...
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