backpacking #2

We headed up the trail guided by my girls ever present 'Lewis' impression. Thomas had the best attitude out of the three. Although his pack was just as heavy he was slow and steady. We talked about video games and held hands. I love looking at life through my kids perspective. The conversations we had together make all the fussy moments worth while. Hiking with kids lends new perspectives on the scenery. They marveled over millipedes, salamanders, and the occasional frog sighting. Not sure if they really did see any frogs.

backpack trip #1

Since I am so exhausted tonight and there are 135 pictures from the trip (mostly taken by my girl) I decided to spread them out over the next few days. By then I should feel more chatty. This trip was our gage for the next few during the summer. Some things I learned? Weigh your kids packs before you leave. NO estimating. My estimate for 9-10 lbs turned out to be more like 15 lbs. Whoops on my part. The way back there were fewer 'my backpack is to heavy' comments. Secondly, spaghetti makes a great backpacking meal even when you forget the silverware. More on that later. Have a great night!

snakes

  Tis the season to cuddle gardener snakes. We currently have three. You know your missing out. *wink*
  I was talking to a mom friend of mine and she was lamenting about her kids not being very science orientated. That sort of thing is an oddity around my three, and you know what? I'm glad my kids watch documentaries about nature and read non-fiction books about the wonders of this big earth. I'm 30 and it still amazes me to walk in the woods and take breathe in Gods creation. There are a few documentaries I could live without, but that's another story. Happy snake season!

head shots and 1000th post!

Wow, three very different looking kids. I did not notice just HOW different they look until I threw these pictures on the sight. Crazyness.Thomas said to me, " I am going to blow you a kissel...that way it can find you anywhere...you know like a missle except a kiss." such a sweetie. Both the boys are growing thier hair out. I asked Mr. Steel what he would think of people mistaking him for a girl. He said, matter of factly,"I have a boy face, they wouldnt think I was a girl. He also refered to himself as Adepunzel...hmmmmm


By the by, its my 1000 post. I guess I can accomplish more than 7000 words in one place. Here I thought that a book was never possible. *chuckle* Happy 1000 post to me!

decisions

The pictures are me playing catch up. The first three are of the writers conference. A huge success on non writing levels, and a few good tips for upcoming article submissions. Getting away from home helps me clear my head about life and see things properly. First of all, we made a final decision about school next year. We are giving the local school a try. My girl has made great strides scholastically and after 4 years of homeschooling I'm ready to pass the torch and be a teachers helper. This way I can have a few days to volunteer and the rest of the time to focus on writing while the kids are at school. Changes are scary. I'm Mrs. Cool when things happen according to plan....but when it veers from that? Well, its an internal/external struggle to keep calm. When God brings change shouldn't I be welcoming it with open arms? *cough* I understand that he knows best. Personal experience tells me that this is true...scary but true.
  You notice my not-so-puppy! She is finally going through her seasonal shed. That large pile is one of 4 so far. Looks like a few more weeks of fluff flying around the house before she is done. Our fist backpacking trip of the season is coming up. I have waited 9 years for this stage! The two dogs are going with us. Nukka is going to sleep in Greg's tent, heh heh heh. He doesn't know it yet. I considered taking a dog class with her, but at $180 for just 5 lessons I decided she can learn to sit/stay/lay down at home. She already knows all the commands and usually obeys them. Come is another matter. "Come, Nukka" While waving a bloody steak never fails. "Come, Nukka" while waving my arms...well if dogs could mock, that's what she would be doing.
  Meme 'passed away' as Mr. Steel calls it. She went from having walking trouble to uncontrollable fecelation (no that's not a real word) We took her into the vets last Monday. It was rough on everyone but it had to be done. No more dogs from Craigslist, no matter how honest the previous owners seem.
  Summer isnt just creeping up anymore, its coming at a run! Woot! One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is the family camping trip we are taking with my sister, her husband and the three cousins. Perhaps the 6+ mile hike in will guarantee that the kids will fall asleep. (sarcastic face)
 

Plans

  I have an upcoming writers conference this weekend. Each evening I feel the date creep closer on the calender and wounder why I'm going. My sister is pitching her stories to publishers...everyone there seems to be pitching something. I received an e-mail about volunteering during a session on Saturday at the bottom was her blog URL. Another had their book covers plastered to the closing. Perhaps that's why I canceled my appointments with the publishers. I just didn't have writing worth bragging about. How can I push my book or paper on someone if I, myself don't like it? Next year looks more promising for me. There's always next year.
  I'm looking forward to getting away the most. Greg will be taking care of the kids and keeping the house clean? (fingers crossed) and I get to eat out, sleep soundly..thank you benedryl..and find myself again. I am a mom, I am a comforter, I am an artist (all be it a frustrated one), I am a woman...and I am in need of a day off!
   Its easy to feel like a dragon waltzing about the house giving orders and threatening to breathe fire on those who do not keep quiet after 9pm. if you cant remember you use to be a princess. Lets put it like this...when you find yourself sympathising with the 'bad guy' in kids movies because he clearly needs a break...you might just need one yourself. 
  *cough* oh my! Burned the couch with dragon breath.
 

an artists wall

    My girl and I went together and stopped off at Goodwill for some quality time. We rustled through the clothing racks and down the art isles. She found a $3 jean...well I'm not sure what it is, but its made out of jeans and I found a painting tucked behind several posters. At first when I saw the vermilion and sienna I shoved it back thinking someone got rid of the 1970 on canvas. But, it haunted me. I went back and pulled it from its hiding place revealing a sailboat at the end of a dock. The colors I judged to be dated were in fact part of the painting that I couldn't do without. It is now hanging by my front door after my husband did some frame repair work on it. There you have it, my $30 steal.

school school...and other things

  Only weeks left! I repeat ONLY WEEKS LEFT! I think summer means more to me than the kids. The backpacking, camping, and swimming lessons begin and school is down to 30 minutes a day. This summer I plan on focusing on handwriting and reading. Those things they can do on their own and it will just have to police them. Mayhaps then I will actually get writing assignments in on time.
  I still am up in the air about school next year. My girl has done so well at the local school. She loves having a teacher (other than me) and I love being just her mom. I will have to do a few things differently if she decides to stay home next year. She still hasn't decided yet. My difficulty is, I want to volunteer at her school more often but find that homeschooling the boys makes it near impossible. If all three were there I could just volunteer in all their classes. If all three were home I could travel more. You see the dilemma? It would be nice to have everyone in the same place. But who knows. More prayer I guess.
  Yesterday I was able to attend an outing with my girl and her class. They walked to the beach. It was fun to see her in that atmosphere. She has done so well.
  On another note, I have started jogging with another firefighters wife. We meet once a week and run an average of 5 miles. It use to be so difficult to wrap my head around running that far. In fact I might have commented that people who run like that are crazy. I guess that makes me crazy. Today I am trail running. Its a little more difficult, but the scenery is worth it. The ache in my muscles has started to feel good and I endure just a little soreness at night. My knees will probably need to be replaced in 10 years because of it, but for now its a little bit of peace in life.

For Judy

 Bird feeders and cats, its like PB&J

 I know its not gorgeous, but it was much worse before trust me. The lattice will soon be covered in the clematis plants or nasturtiums. Something pretty and bright. You cant see it but I also stained the front of the fence today. I got a bit carried away with my Saturday.

Do you see the garden planter!!! I asked Greg to build me a box between the two barrels. I was thinking 1 1/2 feet wide, he was thinking bigger. More garden space is never a bad thing though. He stained the outside and today I got it off the porch. I wont say how...I'm sure to get a good scolding from my husband when he gets home since the thing weighs a ton...but its done and I didn't need the kids to call 911 (which in my case would be even more humiliating since my spouse would be the one picking me up)

and the flooring creeps on

 Not sure why the wall looks so yellow? As you can see the flooring is comming in like a tide. I say one more week and we'll be done with the frontroom and dining room

Happy Charlotte. Nice soft wood floor to lay on. He's an odd one.

happy mama's day

  Yesterday was a much needed shopping day. I met Greg at Freddies and trolled the isles. We split up when the dire need of a bathroom overwhelmed a coupple little boys. When we reached the van together...lo and behold at the bottom of the cart was a new nook.
  "Some things you just cant live without" he said to me.

  Last week my original Nook e-reader gave up the ghost. The e-ink went bad and rendered it unfixable. My girl has a nook so I just have been asking to borrow hers when I want to read a book from my library. This was a huge suprise, but fantastic all the same. He even got a cover for this one, something I never afforded for the first one. Wheee!!

Haiku Tuesday

Bursting from the soil

Green shoots stretch and leaves unfurl

The Son brings new life

click for Kristen