Big A, Little A, and Momma Chae

Going Live, On Monday

2012-01-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

Click HERE and become a follower of a new blog designed to make you smile every day.

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

2011-11-15T09:22:00.001-08:00

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

Mothers' Work

2011-10-27T08:31:00.001-07:00

Loving this.

BFFs

2011-10-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Alignment

2011-10-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

Hello. Is there anyone out there? This has been, and continues to be, the most solid writers’ block I’ve ever experienced. What could be the cause? The last time I had a writers’ block, I was in my early 20s…. and at a crossroads in my life. Perhaps I’m at one of those transitions now. Perhaps it’s a “once a decade” kind of affliction, ehh?
In my early 20s I was going through a crisis of sorts. It was emotional, physical, and spiritual. I was afraid that all the most precious things I had dreamed of were going to end up a pile of rubble. It was only after throwing myself out in the world, meeting a bunch of new people, and exhausting myself on behalf of others that I experienced the most profound healing journey I’d ever known. Oddly, the epiphany I experienced was also described in a book that I finally just read: “Eat, Pray, Love.” While I’m firmly Christian in my beliefs, I found the book to have many cross-cultural relevancies that are inspiring and delicious in nature. The author seeks to find her own healing and finally does so in a manner similar to my own. It goes something like this: If I was so lonely, so heartbroken, and so scared, it mostly came down to love, or the lack thereof. I was so horrified that my life would be barren, both physically and emotionally, that I was frozen in grief. What finally came to me, during a quiet and solitary night, was the idea that I was responsible for 50% of my loss. I may not have love coming in my direction, but the love flowing from my own actions was completely up to me. I could choose to love. I could choose to throw my love out to the universe and not expect any of it to bounce back at me. Just the giving would be a joyful act and a reason to keep on going. So I did. I fell in love multiple times every day. I loved my volunteer work. I loved the crazy folks I met there and the broken and abused animals that I helped piece together. I loved the dirty, sweaty work and the physical challenges. I fell in love with my home and the process of doing my daily chores. When my work became a kind of prayer, I ended up having a home so tidy and clean that I could never hope to duplicate the same standard these days. I loved my job, my coworkers, and my students. I loved to coach, getting to know the families and teenagers as they worked towards their personal goals and self-confidence. I poured love upon my pets and the feral cat colony I cared for at a nearby park. I loved to exercise, to grocery shop, to curl up with a good book, and to sit down to a favorite TV show. Every day was a little love story. I was happy. And I healed.
Now, 31, I think I’m going through another transition. This time, I think I’m simply growing up. Although it is invisible, and would be surprising to those closest to me, this year has been about alignment. It’s been about aligning my greatest priorities with my actions. It’s been about giving a little more. It’s been about forgiving myself for all those traits I dislike most. It’s been about appreciation and warmth and about being a woman. As subtle as it has been, it has also been about growth and about keeping my path steady and sure, even when so many things seem to knock me off course. I’ve learned that most of these come naturally and easily. Forgiveness, however, takes an almost constant meditation. So many moments of the day I have to forgive myself. For not being thin, for not being more successful, for not being more artistic, or smart, or funny, or confident. I continually have to forgive myself for standards that I would never dream of imposing on another woman. I love women who are comfortable in their own skin. I prefer women of great substance, bold flavors, and vibrancy. I love women who are cerebral, feisty, and ferocious. I love a woman who can laugh loudly, strut proudly, and give of herself extravagantly. I see this woman emerging in my daughter, and I fall more in love with her everyday because of it.
So, my absence from the written word seems to be due to a preoccupation with living. I have been embracing the everyday absurdities, the tiny triumphs of parenting, and the memories I’ve been making for my little family. Sticking dinner in a crockpot becomes an act of love. Teaching a boy how to tie his shoe is a reason to celebrate. Cleaning a closet is a laughable moment of motherhood. Throwing love out to the universe, and getting so much back in return, is helping me align myself. I feel aligned with other women, with all of creation, and with my God. And for this, I am thankful. In all of this living, I'm learning to live with myself.

Some of Our Summer

2011-08-23T14:49:00.001-07:00

2011-05-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

There is an instinct in a woman to love most her own child - and an instinct to make any child who needs her love, her own.
~Robert Brault

Ok, So the Sunshine Didn't Last Long,

2011-05-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

But that didn't stop us....

Time-out for rain

The platform where the house will eventually sit had to be covered until a dry day when we can treat it...

SUNSHINE

2011-05-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

Today, we finally woke up to some sunshine!!

At Port Townsend:

A fort (prior to getting the cool fort making kits from Grandma)

Visiting the navy base:

Back on Addison's birthday:

I'm Just Saying....

2011-05-13T11:38:00.001-07:00

You Have to See This Movie.

Beautiful scenes of compassion during hardship and great examples of integrity among men and women.

Marge Piercy - A New Love of Mine

2011-05-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

To Be of Use

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

Marge Piercy

The Woman in the Ordinary

The woman in the ordinary pudgy downcast girl
is crouching with eyes and muscles clenched.
Round and pebble smooth she effaces herself
under ripples of conversation and debate.
The woman in the block of ivory soap
has massive thighs that neigh,
great breasts that blare and strong arms that trumpet.
The woman of the golden fleece
laughs uproariously from the belly
inside the girl who imitates
a Christmas card virgin with glued hands,
who fishes for herself in other's eyes,
who stoops and creeps to make herself smaller.
In her bottled up is a woman peppery as curry,
a yam of a woman of butter and brass,
compounded of acid and sweet like a pineapple,
like a hand grenade set to explode,
like goldenrod ready to bloom.

Marge Piercy

Is it Odd...

2011-05-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

that THIS is my daughter's favorite song?
Is it strange that she know every word and begs to listen to it soooo often that I had to give her a "once a day" limit?

Ok, so it might be weird. She IS only 4. But isn't she downright COOL?!

Other current Addison Favorites:

And both kids are nuts about this:

Family Dance Parties and tuneless singing are known to spontaneously break out in our household... and that is AWESOME, to say the least. My kids ROCK.

I had noticed that Addison seems to choose songs based on the lyrics and the mood behind them. She prefers songs about love, hope, and freedom. She likes her ladies to have full-bodied voices and her men to have sweetness and poetry. When I asked her if she even knew what "free" meant, as she loves to sing that word at the top of her lungs, she was silent for a bit, and then she said, "Well, it means that you get out of something you were stuck in...." (and with that, the little twinge in my gut that tells me I have a smart and challenging little soul in my care started to act up on me.)

Aidan is a bit more traditionally "young male" in his musical taste. He likes anything he can rock out to, preferably with a bit of air guitar and a false look of angst on his face. I imagine years of hard core teenage-monitoring in my future, because this boy can shake his hips and has the long eyelashes and dashing good looks that will be a magnet for the gals as he grows older. (well, as long as his dance skills improve moderately and he stops wearing superman capes, that is....)

Four

2011-05-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Much to my horror, Addison wanted a Princess Picnic when she turned 4.

Being one of the most awesome moms / suckers in the world, I accommodated her.

I rented a pagoda over the water at a nearby salty marina and set about making a magical day for my little girl.

The look on her face when she arrived in all her finery = Priceless.

(jewels and planted seashells from our treasure hunt on the beach.)

I lucked out by finding a Disney Princess Song CD that I was able to have as our background music as we all ate.

finding jewels:

One More Day

2011-04-23T18:24:00.001-07:00

I've heard the Trinity explained in so many ways over the years, and I've wrapped my mind around the concept as well as any average person could. What really made an impact on me, though, was a simple act of God in my own life.

Now that I'm a mom, seeing my Savior as someone's Son makes me see the sacrifice in a whole new light. The crucifiction seems more horrific, more personal, and more beautiful.

New Car Seat Installation Standards

2011-03-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

New Car Seat Safety Information : HERE

six

2011-03-19T17:23:00.001-07:00

The Athletes started to arrive.....

They were intense....

They were confused.....

They were cute....

They did a little smack-talking about who was going to win the race.

Race numbers were pinned...

After a warmup and some stretching to the "Chariots of Fire" soundtrack,

they lined up at the start line.

And they were off...

Thank goodness we had some course monitors to keep the little ones going in the right direction.... sorta in the right direction, at least.

And Thank Goodness -- The birthday boy won the race!

Joey

Giovanni

Jorgito (winner of the toddler group)

Cannon

Addison and Cora

Graesen

We rested and had some energy drinks and bars.

Did a little long jumping...

Softball Throw

Cupcakes and Rain quickly followed...

Award Ceremony:

It was Epic.

I can safely say that everyone left tired.

And smiling :)

Lately

2011-03-19T17:15:00.001-07:00

catching up

2011-03-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

Aidan's 6th birthday party pics will soon follow! This year we had a TRACK MEET - that's right. Complete with a race, a long jump, a softball throw, and medals. It rocked.

I am currently planning a Princess Picnic party as well.
March is a busy month for me...

Some of the party pics can be seen on my sister's blog, here.

Mother Nature

2011-03-15T11:41:00.001-07:00

While Addison and I were transferring 28 little plants to our patio flower pots this past Friday, we had a little taste of the blood thirsty side to Mother Nature.

After weeks of torrential rains and wind, we (ok – I) had to have some color. I don’t care if they all get taken out by this grim weather - I didn’t want to wait another week before filling the flower pots with blooming plants. Lately, it’s been like we’re living in “Twilight,” or another movie set in or around Seattle. Usually the movies are too dramatic and they make our weather seem so much more dour than it really is. Not this year. This year, the movies have it right. Our land is past the saturation point. The yard is a puddle, the tree roots are in ground so sodden with precipitation that they periodically fall over, blocking roads and making a mess of branches to clean up. Class is interrupted as my students pause and look up every time the wind violently gusts and the pounding rains seem to shake the ceiling with sheer volume.
If you’re going to have rain, though, I’ve always preferred it to be dramatic rain. I mean, if you’re going to get wet and cold – you might as well get the whole shebang = thunder, lightning, and all.

Anyways, Addison and I were out in the rain, planting some flowers. I was hurrying, because for once it was merely sprinkling rain – not pouring. My hands were covered in potting soil and I was rushing around with my little “helper” when we heard a horrible screaming from one of our neighbor chickens. After observing my lovely hens wandering through the property, my neighbors (the vampires mentioned previously) had gotten jealous and purchased 25 of their own. (a little competitive, don’t ya think?) My hens and their hens were running about, free-ranging, when this horrible scream made me jump. This wasn’t your usual chicken scream. This was a death scream. So, I took off running to the neighbor’s property with Addison jogging along behind me. I made it in the nick of time. A beautiful, beastly hawk had some hens pinned in a corner of a small lean-to on my neighbor’s property. She was jabbing at them as they tried to burrow themselves under an old rototiller. It was awful. I thought they were dead. As I ran towards them, the hawk finally flew away. I saw all these feathers and bodies under the blades of the rototiller, so I lifted it up, propped the handle on my shoulder and leaned down to pick up the first chicken I saw. She was one of the neighbor’s pretty white hens. When I touched her, she started to scream in fear until she turned her head and saw it was me. She then seemed to go limp with relief and snuggled closer to my body and I ran and put her safely in her coop. This is when the neighbor’s teenage daughter arrived to help. As she tried to gather the other scared hens, I went back to find my own two hens under the rototiller as well. The poor things were crammed under the blades with their bodies half buried in dirt. They were alive and unhurt.
The hawk then came back for more! With me standing right there! To make a long story short, that darn hawk came back over and over again and would sit and stare at me from the roof of the shed, or from a low tree branch as I scrambled to save the scared chickens. I had potting soil all over my hands, galoshes, frizzy, wet hair, and I was running around, waving my arms like a crazy lady to fend off the hawk. I found chickens who had crammed themselves in the most unlikely of places, but…. we didn’t lose a single one.
Ranger was let out to go on hawk duty, in the hopes that his running around the yard would prevent the hawk from doing any more dives at the chickens as I walked around looking for them.

It was a real drama-rama. For the rest of the night, Addison kept asking, “Why do hogs want to eat my chickens?”

As I watched the news coverage on the events in Japan, I realized that my own little brushes with Mother Nature have been so mild and inconsequential. If Seattle ever has the "Big One" that we're warned of, I can't imagine how tragic and terrifying it would be to try and locate family scattered by school and work during the business day. If I take my own panicked search for injured chickens, and apply it to a scenario involving my children ------ It becomes a scenario so grotesque that it's hard to even think about.
My heart hurts for all the parents frantically looking for their children.

2011-02-14T14:33:00.000-08:00

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."
~CS Lewis, The Four Loves

Mumford & Sons "Sigh No More" (live @ la Maroquinerie, P...

2011-02-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

My Valentines

2011-02-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

In our neck of the woods, not much hiking would get done if you cancelled on account of rain.
So, we loaded up the kids, the dog, and a grandma and headed to our favorite little hippy town for some hiking in the dripping green trees and saltwater air.
We found a brand new little local foods/organic grocer on our way, complete with a hippy teenager at the till and a painting of an egg on the outside of the building. I loved it.
I had to buy some fancy local cheese to share on the ride, even though they were out of the "New Moon" cheese. (I wonder why....)
After two more stops at funky bakeries, we were driving past antique-looking farmland, eating creamy artisan cheese on hazelnut crackers, sipping Pear Soda out of the bottle, munching on chocolate rum balls and some fancy French pastries complete with some kind of cheese and pesto...
You can see why I associate Port Townsend with deliciousness... (for all the senses)

Slap Dash, Rainbow and Glitter Kind of People

2011-01-30T21:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes reading blogs can make me feel like a slob, or just really, really lame. All the women are stunning, their homes are like magazine spreads, and everyone seems to be professional photographers and homemakers. Not I.

As I reorganized my daughter's room this weekend, I thought about going all crazy and doing a massive paint and Pottery Barn conversion of her room. But then, would it really be US? I might always have a slight craving for airy, ocean colored rooms, but we're really more of a slap-dash, rainbow and glitter, barely contained in the borders of our house kind of people.

I'm the type of mom whose real life consists of a whole lot of fairy wing clean-up, dinosaurs in my shower, and finding rolls of tape routinely being put to use on my walls and random household items as modern art.

Sometimes it's exhausting just keeping us all healthy and hygienically sound. (I mean really - I think I vacuum three times more than the average Momma due to my 3 cats and golden mountain dog.)

So, I'm going to give myself a break. We may not be sophisticated or beige, but we sure are colorful.

A wide space in the hall is our "activity center" where we do math. (that's right - I'm working on creating math prodigies --- because that's how hardcore I am. Ok - to be honest, a lot more modern art is done here than actual math, but still... )

Most recent art found on my wall:

Super Aidan fighting off evil monster: (self portrait)

Super Addison fighting off evil monster: (self portrait)

artists in repose:

Every morning, I have Aidan go let the chickens out of the pen for their free range time. This morning, I went to watch him out the kitchen window and saw him prancing down the lawn looking like this:

Since a fairy party at the local library, Addison hasn't been able or willing to take off her fairy flower wreath. She wore it to the store, to church, to the Chinese Buffet, to the feed store.... etc.

(notice, she's wearing one of my little wooden dolls. This means I rock.)

Aidan was good at church, so they let him choose a prize out of a bucket. This is what he chose. Now that he is very conscious of his pinky, he spent a lot of time waving his hand around and sticking his pinky out while drinking his water at the Chinese Buffet. He looked awesome and, ummm..... colorful.

Right After a Woman Complimented Me On Having Such Well-Behaved Children

2011-01-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

Sneak Peek at a Valentines' Treat

2011-01-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

To put it into perspective, the little box is about 3"x3". The little dollies are about 1 3/4" and 2" and can be strung on a little silky,pink necklace for portability. I chose a thick, silky piping string for easy unknotting and dipped the ends in wax to slow the inevitable fraying. The little dollies also come with a little quilt I attempted to make... It sucks, but I figured Cousin Cora probably wouldn't notice or care. (she's only 1, after all.)

Addison has her own box of dollies with varying levels of detail. I'm not an artsy person, so it took me a few dolls to learn how to steady my hand and try new things. A real artist could make these so adorable! We have about 5 girl dolls and one little boy pirate doll for Aidan, which kept him busy all through church this past Sunday!

Gymnastics Free Trial

2011-01-28T15:57:00.001-08:00

Once again, these are some really crappy pictures, but I wanted my mom to see.... and you get the general idea, if not the aesthetic value, right. :)

There was a HUGE difference in how the gymnastics center works with 3-year-olds compared to other sports and kid-centered places we've been. I guess it makes sense, because gymnasts start sooner, peak young, and retire around puberty.... but it was so strange to see my little girl out there trying all these crazy new things and see that not a single coach spoke to them like they were anything but young athletes in training. They weren't coddled, their cute antics weren't noticed, and fooling around at all wasn't tolerated. (Even though they were 3 and 4 years old and they were told to swing on ropes hanging from the ceiling....) Anyways, I was wondering what she would think of it all, but I didn't have to wonder long. She LOVED it. She was so pumped and absolutely flushed with a heady sense of accomplishment and a new knowledge of her own strength... So, I think the free trial might end up being another sport we'll sign up for this year. Ahh well....

A Portrait of Me

2011-01-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

By Addison: (on the ferry)

Sorry for the fuzzy cell phone pictures...

Loving This

2011-01-12T15:48:00.001-08:00

I've been loving This
No one has ever said it better!

Finally a Soccer Mom

2011-01-12T15:00:00.001-08:00

I'm one of those moms who doesn't believe in overly managing my kids' schedules with activities and structure. Let kids be kids, ehh? They can make blanket forts, use their imaginations, and think the backyard is as good a playground as any.

But, there's a catch. I REALLY believe in sports. And I REALLY believe in sports for girls. I'm a teacher and I can SEE everyday what confidence and strength can do for teenage girls. So, in an effort to start the slow mindwashing of my youngest, I signed her up for soccer. You must admit, dance just wasn't her thing. So, I sucked it up and paid the price, we arrived a half hour early to scope out the location, and my heart giggled when I saw my little girly girl get in the game. I envision cold bleachers, spirit sweatshirts, and coolers of healthy treats in my future.....

everything I've ever dreamed of.

For now - doesn't she just look darn cute?

Trying to Catch Up

2010-12-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

Little tops for Cousin Cora and Addison. These are so easy and

fast to make! I love being able to pick my own fabrics.

Hanging with the boys:

Addison is always the only girl at the birthday parties, but

she doesn't seem to mind. This was her first time bowling.

3-4 year-olds bowling.... It was like herding cats, but really cute!

Addison made Mod Podge Christmas soap and thumbprint

reindeer cards for her friends this year. :)

For Addison's teacher - these sweet little gift bags

are only 25 cents at Target!

Key Fobs for all the Teachers this year:

(these are REALLY easy to make!) Maybe I shouldn't tell

you how easy these things are, so you will be impressed by

my craftiness, ehh?

One of the ways I want to spend my retirement:

2010-12-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

"Free" - Zac Brown Band

So we live out in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

We'll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand
Just me and you

Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be

We'll drive until the city lights
Dissolve into a country sky
Just me and you

Lay underneath the harvest moon
Do all the things that lovers do
Just me and you

Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
and ever ---- be

No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
No we don't have a lot of money
All we need is love

We're free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be

So we'll live out in our old van
Travel all across this land
Me and you

Want to be in my caravan?

The Advent Conspiracy

2010-11-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

2010-11-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

The Post to Make Up for My Lack of Posts

2010-11-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

At Daddy's school carnival

First big kid birthday party:

The invitation was to an "art show" featuring art from age 2-6 from the birthday girl. Cheese and "wine" was served after a play time at the YMCA.

Josie, the birthday girl:

Salmon fishing on Halloween Day:

(2 large salmon are now in our freezer)

First trip to the dentist:

Someone fell asleep immediately when put in Temper tantrum time out - notice the burger in her hand?

Girl Shopping Day:

Impulsivity at the mall:

Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

2010-10-26T20:11:00.001-07:00

I really should have gotten more pictures of this, but I was lazy.

Cousin Cora Brynn and her daddy:

On a slightly related note: Our new table cover:

Mod Podge pumpkin made with Grandma

My Mom Hat

2010-10-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Aidan's school to volunteer in his kindergarten classroom. It was really a nice change of pace to be in school as a "visitor" and not a teacher! I spent the day tagging along with Big A as he proudly showed me around, introduced me, and had little moments of jealousy when other kids interacted with me. The teacher had asked me to do a craft with the class, so I spent 2 hours working with small groups of kids at a time to make mod podge Halloween soaps, pipe cleaner bracelets, and then rewarded them with Halloween pencils to take home. This was the simplest craft I could come up with, and it seemed to be perfect for their maturity level. I have a whole new appreciation for kindergarten teachers!

After a long day, we had to brave the city traffic,

hop on a ferry,

and then entertain a 3 year old who was really wired after a long day at school, then a fun afternoon with her aunt Alisha, Uncle Greg, and cousin Cora. (notice the pants. She refuses to wear her pants without rolling them up to look like capris.)

And just because that last photo of Addison looks trashy, I have to add this one to show her looking more photo friendly: HA!

We had a meeting with Aidan's educational "team" to discuss how best to help Aidan with his transition he's been going through in kindergarten. It's been a rough few weeks and we've come up against some obstacles we never expected, but I think that with so many people advocating for him, he's bound to shine. As a mom, I'm learning that sometimes the the things you are BORN TO DO are actually pretty hard. I've always known I was going to have kids. I've always known it was not only my dream, but my ultimate destination to be a mom. I was born to do it. Now that we are faced with a new parenting schedule as Aidan enters kindergarten, leaving us less time with him during the school week, and now that Aidan is struggling with all the new stimuli in his life, I'm finding that the reservoir God gives "us moms" is as deep and full as it ever was. It's going to be hard. It will probably take a lot of determination and stamina.
But when have I ever lacked those?

A gift for a little cousin

2010-10-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

Halloween T-Shirt and matching Hair clip:

Addison's Halloween costume:

This picture made me SUPER FRUSTRATED! I love photos of my kids, but don't know enough to be able to take good photos anywhere but outside in broad daylight. I'm not sure how to fix the problem, but all my indoor photos end up orange and blurry. Ugh.

An Interesting Conversation With Addison

2010-10-06T21:42:00.000-07:00

Addison: "Mom, why do I have little bosoms?"

Me: "Because you're a little girl."

Addison: "But they're supposed to be big."

Me: "Well, they'll get big when you're older. Right now you're a little girl so you're little all over."

Addison: "My bosoms are little, but they're supposed to be this big." (holds her thumb and pointer finger an inch apart)

Me: "Has someone been talking about bosoms at school?"

Addison: "No, I was just thinking about them."

Me: "oh."

Travels with my Daughter

2010-09-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

My little girl dresses herself for bed every night.

She's in love with fashion and funky accessories, so the deal has been that I dress her during the day, but she gets to dress herself for bed. In this - there are no rules. Some nights she wears dresses, some nights, cute little skirts and tops. Rarely, does she actually wear pajamas. She likes to set out her bedtime ensembles when she gets home from school, as though her dreams are going to be fabulous journeys for which she must dress the part.

She is girly. She is extravagant. She sparkles.

I seem to be traveling my own magical highways these past few weeks. My usual bland sleep has been transformed into grand expeditions. I wake up with cobwebs of dreams at the edge of my memory and the sweet, but unsettling, emotions that accompanied them. I like to think that my girl and I are living delicious and secret lives in our sleep every night.

It takes a few years off my old soul when I go on heart-racing adventures, or fly the nighttime skies in my slumbers. I’ve been waking in love, in anticipation, in laughter, and in nostalgia – like I’ve shaken off layers of myself and found my center again.

I don’t know if it’s something I’ve eaten. Or maybe it’s all the exercise. Whatever is causing these unusually vivid dreams, I’m enjoying this season of my life and I hope they continue.

We all need our secrets, our dreams, our wishful thoughts. Mine have been visiting me nightly, reminding me not to discard them.

Maybe Addison’s are as well.
I can only wonder where she’s going each night when I tuck her in to sleep.

Graphics were found here: http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Tuesday

2010-09-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

Learning all about the alphabet

tired dinosaur

Spoiled ...(but not rotten)

2010-09-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Summer is over. This school year I'm teaching new and more challenging courses, Aidan is in kindergarten, and Addison is feisty as ever in preschool. We spent the summer hopping from place to place and covering a lot of memory lanes for the kiddos. I think it's definitely a modern motherhood thing, but the expectations are awfully high these days and I have to realize now and then that I'm doing ok and the only expectations that matter are my own. I'm proud to say the kids have hiked, kayaked, camped, have pets, spend time with family, go on adventures galore, and spend much time doing what kids should be doing. So if I have moments of blog or scrapbook apathy, at least we're living life, ehh? :) I can document the drama as we live it, but sometimes I just coast along for a while, reading all the other blogs out there for pure entertainment.

I'm happy that my kids like sleeping in the woods and find magic in a moody beach. I love how they proudly hike up steep mountains and eat crab and artichokes dipped in salty butter. They impress me with their goofy awesomeness as they hunt for ghosts or monsters with their flashlights and go on spur of the moment drives to the nearby dock with me to see a "moon path" on the water. My heart smiles when they sneak homemade cookies in the mornings and then can't eat their breakfasts and I laugh out loud when they routinely put on capes and gowns to play as royalty in our little castle in the woods. They are growing and changing every day, and I have to say that they are really, really cool.

(the only picture I've taken lately. Look at those mosquito bites from playing in the sprinkler for less than an hour! Addison had NO bites..... How freaky is that??)

And speaking of cool.

My sisters and I are training for another marathon. This next one will be in Spokane in 3 weeks. We are oddball gluttons for punishment, I guess. Last weekend I went to Spokane to do one of our 20-milers with the sisters. I have yet to find the motivation to do something like that all by my lonesome. Besides, it's just plain FUN when we have each other. All kinds of cool conversations come up. You know - poop, men, kids, pets, bodily funtions and general mockery of one another and ourselves. Our conversations are often unfit for the young and innocent. I think most men would be horrified to hear how our "locker room" conversations probably resemble their own.... Anyhow, as we were about 3 miles or so into our workout, a man on a bike went zipping by us at a very fast speed. We glanced at his backside and noticed that his backside very much resembled grandpa! We yelled, "Hey, Grandpa!" but he didn't hear us and kept right on peddling Armstrong Style down the road. So, totally convinced that we had see him, we called Grandma to verify. She told us that yes, indeed, Grandpa was out on his daily kick-butt bike ride and he was in fact wearing a green shirt and a polar fleece vest. Odd.

So, a few miles later the phone rings and grandma asked us what we would like her to bring us. Of course, most of our runs/walks are spent thinking and talking about food, so I knew instantly what I wanted. Slurpees. Good old fashioned slurpees. And 10 miles into our workout, grandma and grandpa drove up in the middle of nowhere to deliver us slurpees fresh from 7-eleven. And licorice too. Heaven. Absolute heaven. Grandpa was wearing his green shirt and was absolutely dumbfounded, having no memory at all of cruising by us in speed demon mode. Just goes to show that he has his mind in the game, ehh? (and our minds? Well, we were thinking of slurpees.)

Grandma and Grandpa are awesome.

So as we hustled down a beautiful country road, the sun shining and the sky a dreamy blue, slurping away at cherry slush, we laughed about how cool our family is and how spoiled we are.

Pictures of the grandfolks: Here and here and here

As Per Usual

2010-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

As per usual, the busier I am and the more I have to do, the more I choose to add to my plate. Today was our first day back to work for "meetings" before the kids come back to school next week. With getting up early, getting kids ready for daycare, going to meetings all day, planning for the year, having to pack for a day away from home again each morning, and dragging in the door drained of all energy, I felt compelled to do a little crafting. (something I didn't have time for during summer vacation. Go figure.) So I took an old pair of Addison's jeans that still fit her waist, but had gotten too short to be cool, and we improvised. Since Addison is all about accessories, we made a hair clip to go with.

We'll have to get a better top now, since the rest of the outfit was free! I had plenty of scraps to choose from and alligator clips sitting around. This is so simple, I found myself wanting to rip up her perfectly fine jeans just to make another skirt. Since this was all about "recycling," though, I suppose that would be counterproductive....

Just in time for kindergarten

2010-08-16T22:05:00.001-07:00

So far this summer, Aidan has:

1.) Learned how to swim (for real)

2.) Learned to ride a bike (without training wheels)

3.)

He yanked this tooth out all by himself after I assisted by tying a piece of dental floss around it. While he was wiggling, Addison literally cheered him on, and then would say, "Aidan, you're the BEST! I love you!" And then she would hug him. I wish kids would keep doing those cute things while I had a camera available.

You may have noticed that he is wearing pink pajamas. That's because we saw these:

at the Sportsman's' Warehouse when we were shopping for camping supplies. The ladies' extra small union suits were on sale for $5. (It doesn't take much imagination to figure out why they would be on sale, does it?) When I joked with Aidan about buying him a pair, he actually jumped on the idea and begged me to get him some. He would wear them every single night if I let him. The mystery was solved when I heard him telling Addison it gave him Easter Bunny Powers....

And just because it's cute:

Apparently still a cavewoman when it comes to home security

2010-07-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

I'm a feminist.
I believe that women can do anything men can do.
In fact, a recurring debate in our household involves my husband's assertion that a woman couldn't handle being on the "Deadliest Catch" crab boat and my equally passionate assertion that a woman could, should, and would kick butt while doing it.

Anyhow.

It turns out that when the man is out of the house on a guys' only camping / quad trip, I start to feel a tad bit like a helpless cave woman. We live in the woods, so it's not entirely wimpy of me to be nervous because if I screamed, there would literally be no one within earshot.
Admittedly, I have a bit of an imagination. I think, however, anyone would get a little jumpy when they're sitting all quiet, watching a movie late at night, when something LARGE walks by the windows, throwing a huge shadow seen out the corner of your eye. So far, it's always been a deer or two, and not an axe murderer or Sasquatch, (knock on wood.) but that makes it no less creepy. So, I may be able to do most anything a man can do, but I think it's still in my cave woman nature to want one around for home security. You never know when you might need someone to club a saber tooth or a woolly mammoth for you, after all.

Actually, 4 years ago we were victims of a good old fashioned home ransacking. I came home from work one Friday to find our house, yard, and sheds completely trashed. It took a few slow seconds for everything to sink in as I saw our belongings strewn about the yard and the door that had literally been kicked in. It was a very scary few moments as I wondered if the bad guys were still around. As we waded through the ruins and tried to take inventory, it was obvious that we lived in a place remote enough for the lovely thugs to take their time as they stole every single item that was worth money, and searched for anything we might have hidden. (they tore apart beds, mattresses, dressers, filing cabinets, linen closets, etc, etc, etc. They even stole our thawing lasagna out of the fridge, as well as some sloppy joe mix!)

So, while the man is out of town, I circle the wagons each night and lock up like it's fort Knox.

Chair against bedroom door, check:

Mace and telephone, check:

Trusty guard dog to defend the children and I, check:

(yes, we all sleep in the same room when H.W.O.C.M.- home without cave man.)

Laugh all you want, but if any beasties find their way into my nest, Ranger and I are prepared to kick ass.

In other news:

Falling off the Shame Wagon

2010-07-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

I've had a shame issue for years.

So much of who I am and who I wish to be was dependent on circumstances that I couldn't always control.

So much of my self worth, inspiration, and drive came from a steady stream of powerful coaching, fabulous teachers, and spicy friends.

I was always fed great stories and was surrounded by brilliant minds and larger than life athletes. I was around people with a zest for life and an unbridled quest for adventure. I was incredibly lucky to be fed a steady diet of fire and passion in my youth. My transformation from a painfully shy childhood to a loud and satisfying coming-of-age arrived with a lot of hard work and a lot of help.

The problem came when I saw myself changing. And suddenly, in the post-college world, the steady stream of motivational videos and tales ran dry. The opportunities to make myself proud came to an abrupt end with my last great knee injury.

What did I do when I feared that those around me saw me in a different light? Well, I saw myself in a different light as well.

When I let an abusive and empty marriage to a high school boyfriend end, I was terrified at what my friends would think. So I avoided them.

When I became less of an athlete and more of a normal woman, with a normal body, I was so uncomfortable with myself that I didn't want anyone who knew me then to see me now. So I avoided them.

And since then, I've had a daily struggle in condoning who I am with what I look like and how I live. What do you do, for instance, if you felt like a butterfly that somehow got shoved back into your cocoon?

How do you live without steady doses of this?:

And I guess the answer is that you just DON'T. Even though I'm not in the habit of kicking butt on the track anymore, and even though I may appear to live a more subdued existence, I'm still the same person on the inside. The trick is to honor myself by no longer fearing that others may not see it. I'm still Rachae. I'm still on fire inside (and have the faded tattoo to prove it). I'm still full of dreams, goals, and adventure, and I love the life that I have and the path that I'm on. And if there's anything positive in this epiphany of mine, it's that I now know that maybe we're all like this. Maybe the most calm and collected looking moms are all really rock stars or rebels or mountain climbers in their hearts and they're just hoping someone comes along and notices.

I know I am.

And I know that if no one notices, I'll be just fine.

I'm going to continue my journey with a lot more looking forward and a lot less looking down. I'll find a way to be who I am with a little bit of who I was thrown in for good measure. There are still mountains to climb and races to run. I still need to feel some dirt on my feet and some wind in my hair and I definitely have a lot more bumps and bruises and adventures to experience!

I'm JUMPING off the shame wagon and don't plan on returning anytime soon.

Proof that the dog's more important than me:

2010-07-18T18:48:00.001-07:00

Coincidentally, for a couple of days now, both the dog and I have been on our death beds. Let's just say we both had a little issue with our tummies. (too many gross details, so I won't go further than that.)

I merely moan and groan in my bed/bathroom for hours on end, but Ranger gets a quick trip to the vet and comes home with this:

Yep. I somehow have to get 6 prescriptions in my dog 2x a day for the next couple of weeks.... and then when we use up this fancy sensitive tummy food, I'll get to make him rice and boiled chicken until he's all better. (while I languish away eating Popsicles and ice chips.)

Nope. They don't know what's wrong with him. Best guess - dufus got into a plant that isn't exactly edible.

I love this dog, I love this dog, I love this dog.

(keep saying it, and maybe I'll forget the $300 bill and this little pill regiment.... right?)

Meanwhile, I'm too cheap and too lazy to take my sick self to the doctor to end my own misery.

Slacking

2010-07-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit it. After a week of camping at the ocean and a few days of summer at home with the kids, dog, cats, and chickens, I should REALLY have more cool photos. I've been slacking. For you detective types, better pictures of our happenings can always be found on my mom's flickr site, "Meema's Photos" on my link bar.

4th of July in Poulsbo

Dad

2010-06-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

"He defined me first, as parents do. Those early characterizations can become the shimmering self-image we embrace or the limited, stifling perception we rail against for a lifetime. In my case, he sees me as I would like to be seen."

- Kelly Corrigan in The Middle Place

When I first read those words, I instantly thought of my dad. I remembered how dad always had the coolest dreams for me so that I couldn't help but adopt them as my own.

We would be tooling around a cool town like Port Townsend and dad would see a funky chick writing poetry by a bagel shop with 2 dogs at her feet and a bike propped nearby and he'd say, "Hey, Rachae, that's going to be you someday." Or we might see a cabin surrounded by wild flowers and pet goats with a quirky mailbox and dad would tell me, "There's your house, huh Rachae?" My future looked so vibrant and sassy in my dad's visions. Every camping trip, Sunday drive, or Country Magazine, was bursting with my future - and it was glorious. I think I said it best last year: Here

When Summer Comes to the PNW

2010-06-22T17:59:00.001-07:00

That's "Pacific Northwest" for those not familiar with my locale.

And here's how it goes: Summer starts. I stay home with a sick kiddo on my last day of school, missing all the last day parties with my students. Rain falls. We continue to wear coats and sweatshirts. The chickens have a heat lamp on at night. Slugs are eating all my flowers.

But here's how it goes on a not-so-glum personal level:

Thursday - We feel bathed in friendly smiles thanks to a quick trip to a local farmers' market. In large part, I think the smiles are based on the sorbet colored bouquet of wildflowers in my hands, the golden mountain of a dog wagging along beside me, and a little sprite in a twirly skirt eating a loaf of brie and tomato bread bite by bite, right out of the paper bag. It would make me smile, anyways...

Friday - My trusty golden mountain of a dog and myself end the evening with an 8-miler and stop to watch the sunset over the mountains from an old green bridge while a sea lion flipped and frolicked in the water below us.

Saturday - My little ones snuggle in a tee pee indoors, watching "Toy Story," while I made chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. When the rain drizzles to a stop, they snag as many cookies as I permit and run outside to gallop like cowboys around the yard for the rest of the day.

Saturday night through Monday night - I get struck by the stomach flu from hell. (stay tuned to the fathers' day note I planned on writing before I turned into the disgusting stomach flu girl.) :)

Dancing Queen

2010-06-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Addison is on the far right in the video

Catching up with the Kids

2010-06-09T12:56:00.001-07:00

Not-So-Unusual dinner attire at our house:

I've started registering the kiddos at Lowe's Build and Grow clinics. So far, they've made:

Free snacks, crafts, and an educational activity?! Can't beat it. I highly recommend!

Addison's first root beer:

Marathon weekend

2010-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Aidan ran the 1.2 mile kids' marathon

After a weepy finish, caused by running into another little girl, he was very proud of himself and promptly wandered over to the play equipment.

Janelle and I woke up bright and early for our 7AM marathon start that happened to be at a park right across from our hotel. ( I didn't know that when reserving the room!)

the course was beautiful and quiet.

I was not.

We had some very tired supporters.

I survived.

Janelle barely did.

On the way home, she kept saying how her eye was bothering her. She assumed she had some sand in it. When I took a look back at her, I noticed that Janelle looked like she had been beaten up. she had puffy red and purple eyes with gunk and all. She called her doctor and was told to go to the ER right away, since urgent care was closed.

She had pink eye.

So we limped to the ER, making people wonder what the heck had happened to us.

While there, I took some nice photos of my feet (and blisters) for you.

along with my black and blue toenails.

Pretty, huh?

And then we watched "Jon and Kate Plus 8" in the hospital room while we waited.

We are so cool.

Lucky

2010-05-27T07:45:00.001-07:00

Last night we went to THIS GAME.

A generous, anonymous parent donated 4 tickets to the counselors and I was the lucky teacher that happened to be entering grades in my computer when the "first come, first served" email was sent out.

I felt incredibly lucky.

We would never have been able to afford these kind of tickets.

Free, parking garage parking so we never had to walk in the rain to get to the game, ( a very big deal in Seattle!) a free dinner and drinks before the game, and then dessert at half time. (fried bananas and cream as well as stacks and stacks of hot dogs.) Dinner was sweet and sour chicken stir fry, meatballs, endives with blue cheese and walnuts, rice dishes, bread sticks, some other fancy stuff in lettuce leaves, etc, etc, etc. And all you can drink Jones Soda.

The crowd was friendly and the whole experience felt like we were in another country, since we were playing Argentina and half the announcements were in Spanish.

I haven't had so much fun in a long time.

This is my brother-in-law, Greg, with Aidan and I.

Look familiar?

Major family resemblance in this clan.

Aunt Alisha and baby Cora watched Addison for us and had

a blast at the public library and the bathtub. :)

awww.........

2010-05-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

A late Mothers' Day gift from Aidan. He pulled me aside last Friday and asked me, "Is it Mothers' Day?" When I told him that we'd already had Mothers' Day, he said, "but I have a present for you!" He turned and pulled out a present he had hidden in the bookshelf. Here it is:

Using an old crayon box as a gift box, held together with a sticker:

A picture of the two of us together:

I wish I could have snuck up on her sooner! She was in her messy room, singing a really loud song that went something like this: "I love my mom.... I love my family.... I love my dog..... I love my friends...." and on and on. I caught the tail end of it, before Ranger went in and stole her "lamby."

Lastly, sleeping cutie:

Wordless Wednesday - Pretty Clothes Made by Grandma

2010-05-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mom

2010-05-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

I always knew she was a force of nature.

I always knew she was powerful, good, and true.

I took for granted how she painted a perfect picture of childhood for me - until I became a mom myself.

My mom gave me heart-shaped sandwiches in my lunch, watched every single sporting event, made dinner every night, smocked sweet little dresses for her 3 daughters, gardened, cleaned, volunteered for everything, and spent hours at the doctors, orthodontists, dentists, and sports therapist offices.

She may have looked graceful and lovely, but she was never afraid to stand in the mud to cheer us on. She didn't hesitate when confronted with bloody noses, scraped knees, or toes that bent in ways toes should never bend.

Mom's always been a tough chick.

She ages gracefully, fills her days with artistic and athletic pursuits, listens to phone call after phone call of random daughterly chit chat, and comes running at the sign of any emergency in the lives of anyone she knows.

I know if it came down to it, there's nothing Mom couldn't or wouldn't do.

To me - these videos are about my mom.

20 miles = a million smiles

2010-05-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Janelle and I set out to do our 20 miles this past Saturday. I was a bit apprehensive, but knew that with company and with the scenic route, we would be ok.

Much like last time, though, the weather was starting to look a little ominous when we were about 6 miles in....

Mom, our trusty groupie, made us peanut butter balls for the journey... but when we took them out for a quick calorie boost, we were amazed at the transformation. Our peanut butter balls were now a peanut butter blob. Still tasted good, though, so we trekked on.

We picked up our pace when we noticed the nothing Creeping up from behind

When we realized that it was hopeless; we were going to be overtaken by a twister a least, and the nothing at worst, Janelle took off through the fields to avoid sure death.

She didn't get very far before the hail struck.

And then the winds started howling.

So I held on for dear life and was almost blown away.

seriously.

After the mini-storm passed us by, we had a couple of miles of blue sky. Notice that I said a couple of miles. A few more glances over our shoulders showed us that ANOTHER storm was on the way. This one was even more intense than the last.

So I asked God, "WHY?! WHY? Oh, for the love.... WHY?!"

The hail actually HURT. We had 2 kind folks stop and try to rescue us, but we nonchalantly shrugged off their help and dug in to our inner amazon strength to forge on.

(this is Janelle channeling her inner amazon...)

Here, you can actually see the streaks of hail coming down:

You can see that this cow is clearly thinking, "What the.....?" as we hustled by.

a patch of blue sky at last!

Mom and dad appeared with our kiddos, a platter of warm chocolate chip cookies, and ice water. Then they drove ahead to leave water at a couple of locations several miles further. How cool is that?!

and then a THIRD story was gearing up at our backs.

You can literally see the dark clouds rolling on the bottom right:

We ran the last mile and climbed into mom's car before this final storm could have it's way with us. Nothing makes you appreciate nature like getting out in it for a few hours with no shelter!

A is for Athlete

2010-05-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

When I asked Aidan if he wanted to train for the 1.2 mile kid "marathon" that takes place the day before my marathon, I didn't realize just how serious he was about the commitment. The very next day when we got home from school, he told me, "I need to train for my marathon so I can get a medal!" And then he proceeded to get dressed in what he thought a fast runner should wear. After some negotiating, I was finally able to convince him that runners don't wear shin guards, but they DO wear super hero shirts.

Here is Aidan doing his "stretching."

(Note: excited super heroes have trouble sitting still for stretching exercises.)

And he's off! We had several laughing bystanders whom Aidan would breathlessly tell, "Hi! I'm training for a marathon so I can get a medal!"

I spent the whole mile hollering at him to stay at the side of the road while pushing a jogging stroller and containing the dog.

Aidan is also a proud T-Baller for the first time.

God bless the patient high school girl coaches!

Aidan and his friends find that part of T-Ball practice includes putting softballs down their pants, doing summersaults while going after the ball, hugging each other, and purposefully falling down as often as possible.

PLEASE PRAY RIGHT NOW

2010-04-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Her doctors are trying to save her life at this very moment.

Wordless Wednesday - The Age of Forts

2010-04-28T12:14:00.001-07:00

Flashback Friday - because Momma's been scanning old photos.

2010-04-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

These first few photos show me that my daughter is definitely mine:

especially this one:

1st day of 1st grade:

My high school team:

Rocky: the raccoon that taught me all about rabies shots. (7 of them!!!)

Regionals at Pacific Lutheran.... I think:

(that's ice strapped on my ankle - a very common accessory among my teammates and I!)

Seattle Pacific University XC team on our way to Nationals in Kansas...

(don't we all look a bit skinny and pale?)

Whidbey Island:

My little Henry and Sam the day I brought them home - 8 years ago!

Playing Catch-Up

2010-04-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we took the kiddos and met Nauni, Uncle Greg, Aunt Alisha, and cousin Cora at a gathering of antique tractors in Sequim. The tractors took turns plowing huge untouched fields of grass. It was a blue-sky day, the dirt was was chocolate brown, the grass was vibrant green, and dogs were running everywhere. In short - kid heaven.

My favorite:

Aidan took this VERY SERIOUSLY

After our tractor day, Jeff and I went to the Black Eyed Peas concert. We didn't end up with any good pictures, but what a FUN show!

Then, a day or so later, I had to learn to share:

It turns out that the toddler set are totally into ipods these days.

Last, but definitely not least, Aidan getting down in the kitchen:

When asked where he learned to dance like that, he said "The Chipmunks."

It's a good thing last week was so much fun.

This week I'm home.

With Pink Eye.

(the joys of motherhood....)

2010-04-15T13:49:00.002-07:00

I was a little girl alone in my little world who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees, and fed my houseguests bark and leaves, and laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest swing.
I had a dream.

Long walks in the dark through woods grown behind the park, I asked God who I'm supposed to be.
The stars smiled down on me, God answered in silent reverie. I said a prayer and fell asleep.

I had a dream
That I could fly from the highest tree.
I had a dream.

Now I'm old and feeling grey. I don't know what's left to say about this life I'm willing to leave.
I lived it full and I lived it well, there's many tales I've lived to tell. I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now to fly from the highest wing.

I had a dream

Copy Cat

2010-04-09T10:32:00.001-07:00

I'm copying FOXY, because I'm at work, it's my lunch break, and I WANT TO. :)

One of the most important items in a junior high classroom as Spring Begins:

(because the boys haven't learned about deoderant)

If you haven't seen this, and if you care AT ALL about the Earth, watch it!

My favorite photo from high school cross country, when things were so simple:

A couple of my favorite kid pics:

a total "mom purse," which means - a bag that can fit anything:

the egg cartons that everyone gives me once they find out I have chickens:

Evidence of my addiction:

(box full of books that I finish at work and need to take home someday.

along with the recycling bin, and my heater, because my classroom is an icebox.

Pile of awful 7th grade persuasive research papers I have to grade:

looking all teachery:

Easter

2010-04-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Outside of church with the cousins:

First Real Egg on Easter morning:

the Hunt:

Church:

Swimming with Grandma:

Cousin Phoebe:

Waiting in line for the Easter Bunny to get off of lunch break:

Easter Morning:

To play with in church, by grandma:

On the Ferry:

Cousin Graesen:

Hello Kitty Party

2010-04-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

I was too busy to take pictures, so I stole these from my mom's flickr page. :)

Craft Table:

Feeding the chickens with her friends:

As always, Addison ended up taking off her pants when the last guests left:

We decorated flower pots and planted some seeds to take home:

extra party favors - hard boiled "bunny" eggs from our very own chickens:

First Flowers from a boy:

Writing Thank You Notes

2010-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Now that the parties are over....

Spring Break Culture Clash

2010-04-05T09:55:00.001-07:00

The day after my Addison's 3rd birthday party we cleaned the house, packed the car, prepared for the chicken and cat sitters, and hit the road early the next morning. With my family living across the state, I've made an art form out of packing, unpacking, and transporting children and canines across the mountains and through the plains. It never gets old. Really.

Anyhow, it was nice to have some company on my workouts when I was at my hometown. My sister Janelle has been my faithful companion as we train for our Marathon in June. We had another blog to chronicle this journey, but we both got lazy and quit it. Yeah - but don't count us out yet! Just because we quit the blogging about it, doesn't mean we quit the mileage.

So, this past Saturday we had to do 16 miles. We created an awesome route out in the country near my folks' place and ended up with this little tour through Nostalgiaville... She posted pictures on her blog of our little jaunt through The Country We're talking cows, a herd of 30 elk, a flock of wild turkeys, lots of rolling hills and silent farmland. We were caught in incredible hail squalls, snow flurries, and gusting wind, as well as lovely sunbreaks and blue skies. It was AWESOME. If you need a pick-me-up, head for a country road and walk a while. Detox for the soul.

Well, the day after that, on our way back home, I ran into another critter that brought up fond memories of my past. Oh yeah, baby.

That's right. We ran into Sir Mixalot at Wendy's in Ellensburg, WA. He was in line behind us with some of his "entourage," and then sat right next to us to eat! Jeff was brave enough to talk to him and confirm who he was.... I just got out my camera and tried to drum up some guts.

I danced to "Baby Got Back" at EVERY SINGLE high school dance. If you're my age, you probably did the same. The song was a friggen anthem. You know what I mean....

"So your girlfriend rolls a Honda, playing workout tapes by Fonda, but Fonda aint got a mota in the back of her Honda...."

Alas, I chickened out. Jeff told him in the parking lot, though, "My wife is too scared to ask you to smack her butt for a picture..." (insert visual of me hustling to the car with averted eyes....)

I suppose these two snapshots of my Spring Break fit together in a way, because although I'm following a MARATHON training schedule, I have yet to lose any weight! I love Addison and don't regret a THING about my pregnancy, but MAN, she sure did mess of my metabolism! So I'll keep training, but maybe I should add a little Mixalot to my iPod....

3

2010-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

In the book The Female Brain, Louann Brizendine shared a study that was done comparing male and female brains upon hearing their babies cry in distress. With electrodes monitoring the active brains, they had mothers and fathers simple sit in the presence of their fussing babies. While the fathers’ brains responded in the way you would expect, with stress, emotion, and an impulse towards action, the mothers had all those same responses, but another part of their brain lit up as well.

It turns out that the mothers’ brains literally think of their children, before and after birth, as a physical part of themselves. When hearing her baby cry in distress or pain, the part of the brain that responds to her own personal injuries lights up in the mom. In effect, it’s like empathy on steroids. A mom’s brain responds as though her body has been dealt a blow upon hearing her baby vocalize sadness, hurt, anger, or fear.
While this explains for science how a mom can respond instantaneously and sometimes virtually subconsciously when it comes to the care of her babies, it really comes as no surprise to me. And it’s probably really no surprise to any of you.

Addison has been a part of me from the moment I learned I was pregnant. She shows me every day the best example of unconditional love and devotion.

She’s a song for me –
A moment-
A mood –
And a story.

And she loves me.

Since my own parents held me in their arms, I have never been loved so flawlessly and so completely. With her constantly wanting to be held in my arms, her chubby hands running through my hair, and her concern over ever freckle she finds in her innocent memorization of my body, she shows me that to her – I’m good enough. To her – I’m lovely. And to her – I’m all the answer she needs when she is scared, hurt, or sick. I’m who she goes to with her questions, her wonderment, or her discoveries.
Every day I make sure to appreciate her devotion, knowing that the teenage years will come along far too soon and I’ll miss her when she stops thinking she is an extension of her momma.

But for now, she’s three.

She’s gorgeous.

She’s spirited.

She’s part of me let loose to wander around the world at my side.

And I love her.

Dinner

2010-03-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Addison found one of Angelina's eggs last night when we were cleaning the coop area. She insisted on carrying it around the yard for a couple of hours and then had it for dinner. She was very proud of her foraging, and I was happy to see her eating our healthy, happy, organic eggs!

It was fitting that she had on this adorable new hair clip from the Shining Star Boutique on Etsy

Angelina (the redhead) and Uma:

(Don't worry - she isn't pulling. She is actually very gentle with all the animals, so they LOVE her when she sits still long enough to cuddle.)

Uma thought that Henry must be getting a treat from Addison, so she ran over there to check it out:

Sweet Henry:

When the Sun Comes Out

2010-03-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

The first place they go to play when the neighbors have a pile of dirt:

I like your face

2010-03-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Addison and I impulsively decided to stop and buy some flowers to plant after school this week. It had been cold that morning, so I was bundled up in a winter jacket and was caught by surprise when the sun came out and the temperature jumped to 65 degrees. I barely registered the change at first, and kept shopping the nursery aisles, pushing Addison in the shopping cart, and awkwardly trying to push another cart loaded with plants and potting soil. I was on a mission and I wanted to get home and plant before dark.
Then, Addison said this:

Addison -- I like your face, mom.

Me- You like my face? Why, thank you.

Addison - You're welcome. I like pink. Your face is all pink.

Me - Ahh.... well, thank you. I'm glad you like my pink face.

Wordless Wednesday - "the one who worships me"

2010-03-10T10:11:00.001-08:00

Super Hero Birthday

2010-03-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

arm bands and headbands for our friends:

Monster Repellent

A break to watch a cartoon while the adults visited. (Does Addison look like a trashy party girl, or what?!)

Reading superhero books with a cousin

Super powers pills, handed to each kid as the arrived at the party:

Five

2010-03-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Today the little dude turns

He is handsome,
He is smart,
And he is without boundaries.
Aidan loves everyone he meets, is compassionate and generous in a way that almost startles us at times, and he believes in magic.

Aidan is a dreamer, a teaser, and a cuddle bug.

He likes to work, play, and tells me he wants to learn how to run fast so he can win trophies.

He is every opportunity and every possibility.

He is unafraid, uninhibited, and often does the unexpected.

At times I see the other moms in the store with 5 dutiful, silent, and bland little children and I think, Man, that looks nice and easy……

But then,

Who wants boring, when you could have a
Superstar?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

The Marrow

2010-02-26T09:37:00.000-08:00

Since I turned 30 on February 9th, I was thinking I would do some big "Now that I'm 30..." kind of post. As you can tell, I never came up with one.

I knew that reviewing my mountainous past decade and verbally gearing up for the next would end in maudlin, weepy tales of my valleys and dramatic exaggerations of my peeks. I just wasn't in the mood for the Memory Fest.

Instead, I decided that the new me ( the ever-so-wise-and-grown-up me) is the kind of chick who sums it all up in a few short sentences and Moves On.

So --- I would say that the last decade has brought me heartbreak and hope. I saw my body change, my priorities change and my dreams come true. I became an adult, found respect for myself, and blossomed under new self expectations. I was relentless, I was absorbent, and I was adaptable.
I saw some of my greatest fears come true and some of my greatest dreams become reality. I loved, I wept, I fell down, and I got up.

In short - I lived.

And the one most important thing I learned this past decade - Life doesn't have to be perfect to be sweet. I love my story. I love my path. I've found joy in my every day.

And now I get to do it again.
I vow that this next decade will be as full of the marrow as the last.

What adventures I'm going to have!

lunch break at my desk:

the greatest dreams that became reality:

Addison going to spend over night with Nauni on Thursday:
(which resulted in the most luxurious weeknight I have ever had!)

Like a nasty old Pirate

2010-02-05T18:49:00.000-08:00

I was trying to explain to my doctor, over email, how my daughter had been clearing her throat all day and all night at an explosive and alarming volume. Kind of like a nasty old pirate or something....

You would be calmly sitting beside her, when all of a sudden this noise would come out of nowhere and send you into a mini heart attack. I caught it on camera in case she wouldn't do it on cue when the doctor came in. (this is NOT one of her loud episodes. It got much worse.)

Doesn't she sound like a delicate little lady?

Life Imitates Art

2010-02-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

Party Favors for the big 3-0, and Addison's performance

2010-02-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

The Post Where I Talk about Puking, and Vampires, and Ninjas

2010-02-02T14:02:00.001-08:00

Momma may be a tough broad, but….
She sure has a weak constitution!

I went to go see the movie “Avatar” yesterday. Initially I thought the movie had all the signs of being a nerd fest, but I was eventually swayed by the good reviews. My husband and I threw caution to the wind and decided we had to see it. On a Monday night. (craziness, I know!) Now you won’t even be shocked when I mention that he has long hair, I have tattoos, and we occasionally run with scissors…

What happened, you ask?

Well, since the movie is in 3-D, you get the super cool glasses and the whole screen is constantly twirling and swirling and jabbing out at the audience.

So I got motion sickness.

Bad.

And we had to leave because I couldn’t even sit there with my eyes closed because the pulsing and flickering lights were going to put me into a complete seizure or puke party – or something equally as interesting for all the innocent bystanders.

I’ll have to redbox it, I guess. Take away all the nausea, and I was actually enjoying myself before we took off.

On a completely random side note – We have vampires for neighbors.

Yep. Since vampires are currently all the rage, I guess this makes us super trendy, right? Get this – all the lights in the house will be out in their home until sometime around 1:00 AM and then it suddenly wakes up and looks all festive over there. (no - they don't work weird shifts or anything.) Plus, they seem to go out walking when it’s raining and grey – and avoid the sunshine. We can go weeks without seeing a single sign of them.
And to add a bloody twist, they own goats. So it’s like they could be “vegetarians” like Edward, Eh? Surviving on their goats’ blood so they don’t have to eat their scrumptious, but unwilling neighbors…..

I could be wrong, but I bet I’m not.
Then again – they could also be Vikings or Robin Hoods or something like that. The teenager wears capes, the mom and dad host parties with basket weaving and archery practice….

Anyways, I’d better keep my game on, because down the road there’s a ninja with nun chucks and

I bet there’ll be a turf war any day now.

P.S. There really is a ninja with nun chucks.

Jilted

2010-02-01T12:26:00.001-08:00

Well, It turns out, Aidan was right. Instead of THIS:

She's a bit more like THIS:

With cameras poised, 4 grandparents, a mom, dad, and a brother breathless with anticipation..... the curtains rose, and.....

no Addison.

That's right.

Her first recital, and...
She chickened out.

With her little classmates flitting about the stage in tutus and tights, Addison was backstage, stubborn as a mule, refusing to perform for her doting Momma..... the Momma that did her hair with a pretty flower clip, went to two stores to get the right leotard, and even carried her into the auditorium so she wouldn't soil her pretty little slippers.

Don't get me wrong - you never would have caught me dancing on a stage or donning a dainty little costume.
And I will be ecstatic if she turns into a little jock with muddy shoes and bruises.
But (just this once) - I wanted my little ballerina to appear on the stage and give me a nice photo op. Just this once!
Oh well - I guess she's my daughter, all right.

Dinner Discussion

2010-01-28T19:39:00.000-08:00

Addison- "I'm a princess, Aidan."

Aidan - "No you're not! You're a rock star, superhero, monster truck girl."

Addison - "yeah."

Home

2010-01-27T19:42:00.001-08:00