I just signed my son up for his first week of camp. He is very excited but I am experiencing mixed emotions. Is he ready? I hope he is a good boy. I wonder if he'll remember to change his underwear, or his clothes, for that matter. Will he lose his towel, or his pillow? Should I mark everything with his name, and if I do, will it really make it home anyway?
I wonder what a week without him will be like? Will Megan be bored? Will it be quieter without a pesky boy teasing his sisters?
I guess I'll have to wait and see. One thing is for sure: my kids are growing up fast!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
With Them
Ahhhh. My week of freedom is almost over and I am savoring the final moments over a cup of lemon balm tea.
Contented Sigh.
My house is clean. I shared brunch with four girl pals. My garden looks the best ever. It has been weeded and fertilized with stuff from the floor of the old chicken coop. The front of the house was landscaped with new bushes and perennials. The barns and sheds have been cleared out and two dumpsters were hauled away. A box of clothes is washed and pressed and ready to go to Once Upon a Child. All the toaster crumbs have been vacuumed out of the lazy susan cupboard. Various other storage has been organized and sorted. One morning was spent at the Prime with a friend kitting 300 boxes and then we had lunch with another friend. My errands will be completed tomorrow. And then my kids will be back from Vacation Bible School full time.
This sending my kids away thing is tempting. I could send them to school and live this life all the time. However, I feel compelled by this magnificent task of homeschooling, this challenge. I will not shy away from it, though I am exhausted and despairing. Others may be called to complete their task differently. I will not judge them, nor will I envy them. I will press on as I share truth with my children during the smallest, most unexpected moments of the day. I will live my life in front of them, all the time. I will share my tears, my joys, my anger, my laughter, my faith, my God. I will be with them. And He will be too.
Contented Sigh.
My house is clean. I shared brunch with four girl pals. My garden looks the best ever. It has been weeded and fertilized with stuff from the floor of the old chicken coop. The front of the house was landscaped with new bushes and perennials. The barns and sheds have been cleared out and two dumpsters were hauled away. A box of clothes is washed and pressed and ready to go to Once Upon a Child. All the toaster crumbs have been vacuumed out of the lazy susan cupboard. Various other storage has been organized and sorted. One morning was spent at the Prime with a friend kitting 300 boxes and then we had lunch with another friend. My errands will be completed tomorrow. And then my kids will be back from Vacation Bible School full time.
This sending my kids away thing is tempting. I could send them to school and live this life all the time. However, I feel compelled by this magnificent task of homeschooling, this challenge. I will not shy away from it, though I am exhausted and despairing. Others may be called to complete their task differently. I will not judge them, nor will I envy them. I will press on as I share truth with my children during the smallest, most unexpected moments of the day. I will live my life in front of them, all the time. I will share my tears, my joys, my anger, my laughter, my faith, my God. I will be with them. And He will be too.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Robb's home
Robb's home! When we talked by phone earlier in the day, he said he planned on going straight to the PRIME for some end of week office work before heading home late in the afternoon. Instead, he surprised me with flowers and mocha in hand for a short visit before backtracking to the office. What a sweet man. :)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Spring is finally here, but last you heard from me, we were in the middle of a great MN winter!
As when someone asks in passing, "What have you been up to?" I must pause and really think to remember. Life flies by- the fun and the not so fun- and I focus on what is to come and forget what is behind. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes, unforgivable!
We began the month of February with a trip to Wisconsin Dells with a bunch of families from church. What fun! On the way home, our friends' van broke down, so we stayed with them at a casino (a new experience for us!) and extended our vacation by one day.
Robb and I took part in the marriage study Love and Respect during the months of Feb. and March and found it to be encouraging and challenging.
For Valentine's Day, we saw Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and I believe it's our favorite of the shows we've seen there!
The second weekend in March, Robb traveled once again to the CO mountains for the Wild at Heart Advanced camp, this time taking his friend Kyle along for the journey. The following week, our friend Aaron visited while I attended our church's women's retreat.
My women's Bible Study wrapped up at the end of March, finishing Beth Moore's When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. As always, Beth did not disappoint in speaking truth and proclaiming Christ. -And I love my ladies!
And that brings us to April. I am on my 11th week of working out. I am proud of me. Previously anti-anything sweaty, I am now dedicated to my treadmill! I even sweat- and live to tell about it. Astonishing! I've not lost a pound, but keep telling myself muscle weighs more than fat. I now own the most expensive pair of shoes I've ever bought- and they are tennis shoes! Here they are:
Ugh. Another history making event! I previously despised wearing tennis shoes as being too sporty and not enough girly. So. I guess I am a changed woman. HA!
We just came home from Arrowwood Resort yesterday after spending the weekend there for a wedding. Brandon went to college with Robb and I, and now works with us, and we wish him and his new wife God's blessing in their new life together.
So that brings everyone up to date. Robb left today to travel to the funeral of the pastor's wife of his family's church in Ohio. I will survive this week - I hope - as a single mom. Yuck. I will stay up late every night because I hate sleeping without my hubby. I will watch lots of chick flicks. I will eat plenty of snacks. I will medicate my loneliness with Facebook and friends. And then I will realize nothing is as good as a good man. Love you honey. Come home soon. Kiss.
As when someone asks in passing, "What have you been up to?" I must pause and really think to remember. Life flies by- the fun and the not so fun- and I focus on what is to come and forget what is behind. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes, unforgivable!
We began the month of February with a trip to Wisconsin Dells with a bunch of families from church. What fun! On the way home, our friends' van broke down, so we stayed with them at a casino (a new experience for us!) and extended our vacation by one day.
Robb and I took part in the marriage study Love and Respect during the months of Feb. and March and found it to be encouraging and challenging.
For Valentine's Day, we saw Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and I believe it's our favorite of the shows we've seen there!
The second weekend in March, Robb traveled once again to the CO mountains for the Wild at Heart Advanced camp, this time taking his friend Kyle along for the journey. The following week, our friend Aaron visited while I attended our church's women's retreat.
My women's Bible Study wrapped up at the end of March, finishing Beth Moore's When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. As always, Beth did not disappoint in speaking truth and proclaiming Christ. -And I love my ladies!
And that brings us to April. I am on my 11th week of working out. I am proud of me. Previously anti-anything sweaty, I am now dedicated to my treadmill! I even sweat- and live to tell about it. Astonishing! I've not lost a pound, but keep telling myself muscle weighs more than fat. I now own the most expensive pair of shoes I've ever bought- and they are tennis shoes! Here they are:
Ugh. Another history making event! I previously despised wearing tennis shoes as being too sporty and not enough girly. So. I guess I am a changed woman. HA!
We just came home from Arrowwood Resort yesterday after spending the weekend there for a wedding. Brandon went to college with Robb and I, and now works with us, and we wish him and his new wife God's blessing in their new life together.
So that brings everyone up to date. Robb left today to travel to the funeral of the pastor's wife of his family's church in Ohio. I will survive this week - I hope - as a single mom. Yuck. I will stay up late every night because I hate sleeping without my hubby. I will watch lots of chick flicks. I will eat plenty of snacks. I will medicate my loneliness with Facebook and friends. And then I will realize nothing is as good as a good man. Love you honey. Come home soon. Kiss.
Friday, January 16, 2009
crazy days
UFFDA! That's what I say these days. A bunch of stuff is hitting us all at once, and it's been a stressful week. Last week was so great. We've made some decisions and a schedule to help our family connect and learn together, and then this week happened. It all fell apart. But we will recover!
One big stress factor is taxes. Yes, everyone has to deal with this, but owning a company and some of the changes we've made this year make it all doubly time consuming. Robb's been stressed to the limit!
Another contributor to our busy week is a shipment of 1000 T-shirts that have to be folded and packaged and sent out. This wouldn't be a big stress if nothing else was going on.
Our business is doing great after some "restructuring." That's the not-so-nice-word for having to let our dear friends and employees go. The most difficult thing about owning your own business, I think, is having people depend on you and then letting them down. Thankfully, one of our employees has found a new job, and the other provided a supplemental income for her family. As a result of these changes, I've been taking on the responsibility of data entry. At the moment that requires about 7 -10 hours a week. That time will probably improve as my typing improves!
So you can see a bit why I say UFFDA! Add all the above to my normal duties of playing teacher, mom, housecleaner, wife, friend to many, cook, and child referee, maybe you can understand my state of mind.
One big stress factor is taxes. Yes, everyone has to deal with this, but owning a company and some of the changes we've made this year make it all doubly time consuming. Robb's been stressed to the limit!
Another contributor to our busy week is a shipment of 1000 T-shirts that have to be folded and packaged and sent out. This wouldn't be a big stress if nothing else was going on.
Our business is doing great after some "restructuring." That's the not-so-nice-word for having to let our dear friends and employees go. The most difficult thing about owning your own business, I think, is having people depend on you and then letting them down. Thankfully, one of our employees has found a new job, and the other provided a supplemental income for her family. As a result of these changes, I've been taking on the responsibility of data entry. At the moment that requires about 7 -10 hours a week. That time will probably improve as my typing improves!
So you can see a bit why I say UFFDA! Add all the above to my normal duties of playing teacher, mom, housecleaner, wife, friend to many, cook, and child referee, maybe you can understand my state of mind.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sunset on Snow
It's FREEZING!
The snow is gorgeous, though, and as the sun rises and sets, a pink halo forms on the horizon, and reflects on the white fields, causing them to join the pink parade.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Town That Forgot About Christmas
Our church put on a Christmas program yesterday adapted from the book "The Town That Forgot About Christmas." Mitchell and Megan were carolers and Mitchell had a short duet. Everyone did a great job and we are proud!
This group picture was taken during practice with only a few of the props, but you get the general idea. Mitchell is standing on the right edge of the group on the left with his hand on his hip and Megan is on the far right wearing a red shirt and white scarf. (I dusted off my sewing machine and sewed her outfit as she had nothing in her closet that could pass for 1940's English era!) My dad took more pictures, so I may add a couple later.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Piano
Mitchell and Megan started piano this year, so of course, that meant we were looking for a piano! I watched craigslist for a couple of months, and nothing ever panned out. Finally, I found a piano listed as free and emailed for more information, called Robb to get ready to go pick it up, and then nothing. No email back. No answers to my questions.
"Well, Lord," I said, "That is not the piano you have for us."
Mid-afternoon, Robb called and asked if I had heard anything from the seller on craigslist. At my negative answer, Robb said, "Well, he is a really nice man, and we are going to pick it up tonight!"
Then I still had my doubts. It was free, after all. Maybe it was a piece of junk. I didn't even remember that verse about God giving good gifts; The one where he says something like, "If my children need bread will I give them a stone?" Of course not!
So we picked up our piano, got it home, let it warm up. Guess what? It not only goes well in my living room, and has no chipped keys, but it's in tune!
"Well, Lord," I said, "That is not the piano you have for us."
Mid-afternoon, Robb called and asked if I had heard anything from the seller on craigslist. At my negative answer, Robb said, "Well, he is a really nice man, and we are going to pick it up tonight!"
Then I still had my doubts. It was free, after all. Maybe it was a piece of junk. I didn't even remember that verse about God giving good gifts; The one where he says something like, "If my children need bread will I give them a stone?" Of course not!
So we picked up our piano, got it home, let it warm up. Guess what? It not only goes well in my living room, and has no chipped keys, but it's in tune!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
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