You Don't See That Every Day

It seems like it was just Thanksgiving Day ... but now it's almost Christmas?! We've been going non-stop since turkey day .... The boy had his 19th birthday ... pretty low key this year. Welcome to being an adult, where birthdays aren't always a big deal.  We also had some fun company at our house. The niece and her new husband came for the weekend with their dad in tow. We really enjoyed getting to know the newest member of the family .... He fits in perfectly with this crazy bunch. We also had what we hope is a new tradition -- gingerbread house making. We recruited an honorary family member to be on our team too. Such a fun event at church! Swim has begun in earnest. The Girl Who Swims has had her first meet, and to me, she looks fast! She will have a couple of meets a week until February. I'm sure glad we have stadium chairs to ease our sitting and watching times. This past weekend we got our tree at the same tree farm we've been visiting for year...

I ran away from home last weekend. My family helped me pack. Now before you think about staging intervention - it was actually a good thing. Every 10 years or so, I go away to a women's retreat. Yeah, 10 years! It took me that long to recover from the last women's retreat I went on. Back in 2004, I managed to make it to 2 different retreats ... and at/during both of them, something tragic happened. One involved the death of a neighbor's child, the other involved my miscarriage. So, maybe way down deep inside I had subconscious reservations about going again. Or maybe life just got busy with babies and school kids and health issues. And beyond that, my fears kept me home. Some of you know about my chronic hives story. They are better; but lately I have been having gut reactions to some foods, not just hives reactions. So when I first heard about the retreat, which was going to be held at the coast, I was excited! because I love going to the beach. Even the cold, Oregon b...

I've finally dug out from under the mountain of laundry and found time to tell our tale The mountain, minus one load 4 states in 1 day of a two day road trip. 2100 miles. 5 children, 2 adults, and only 1 minor meltdown. Burger King and Denny's - more than once. Lots of snow, lots of love and cousins. It was a beautiful Christmas vacation. sledding! And yet, there is so much more to say. We saw God's hand on us in many ways. We originally rented a van to haul all of us and our gear to Wyoming. When we went to pick up the van, the rental agency said they didn't have one... but had a Ford Expedition instead. I thought at first, it would be too small. And yes, it was a little tight. But that just meant we had to pack lighter and that meant less to lose along the way. It also meant 4 wheel drive. Which we needed the first night, and the second night of traveling. We hit snow in Spokane and again in Billings. Driving in blowing snow, when the temps ou...

I know, I know, you have been waiting and waiting,  wondering why I haven't written in days and weeks. Well, we went on a family vacation this Christmas break. And what a doozy it was - in a good way. There is so much I am still processing that I haven't gotten a good posting written yet; But I thought I would share a little bit of our time. A teaser ... There was lots of snow, some ice skating, some sledding, plenty of good food, and plenty of craziness We saw God's hand upon us at so many times. Details to follow once I find my notes from under the laundry mountain.

It was the second day of 'vacation' for us. And I felt like I was the turkey running for cover. Or running around like a turkey with its head off. Was it the sleeping in until 8 am that did it? Or maybe making pancakes for the crew, and then going for my run that left me feeling undone. I didn't get my own breakfast until after 10, scarfing it down with one eye on the clock. My daughter needed to be somewhere by 10.30 -ish. So we didn't make it there until 11.30. It was a pretty flexible get-together, so it worked out ok. But it left me scrambling to get to the eye doctor and another meeting on time. So, about the eye doctor. Little K has some moves that she uses on her older sister. Moves that involve some screeching and physical contact. Those two fight like ... like ... girls. Sometimes K and M can be best buds and play so well (for a 3 yr old and 8 yr old), and then other times.. sigh... things happen like they did earlier in the weekend. Little K's hand ...

We're entering day three of our break here. Although with all the time off we had last week because of health issues, I can't really call this day three of a break. More like day 45. The first day was spent shopping. Now that might sound like a good time for some people. But it was a chore I put off until we had lots of free time. I have a couple of very picky children. Those who have to have just the right feel to their jeans or they won't wear them. They will let them sit in their drawers and languish, never to see the light of day, unless I pull them out and ask, "What do you mean you don't have any pants?! What about these?!" And I'll get the standard reply, "They don't fit right." Meaning, I can't stand them and there is no way I am going to put those on. Yes, my mother's dream came true. I am re-living my childhood through my own children. I was one who didn't want certain clothing items my mom got (or made) me. And I wou...

It has been a long time coming, but G and I were finally able to run away from home without the children. I think our last trip for more than one night would have been in 2009. Maybe. He was traveling a lot back then, and I don't remember going with him. So when he said he had a trade show to attend in Las Vegas, we made plans for me to go with him. And we are both so glad that we did! The immensity - and the excess - of it all was nearly overwhelming. The trade show was held in Caesar's Palace, which was pretty glam; unfortunately we did not stay there. Our hotel was a dump, as you can see in the photo. Note to self, pay attention to the online reviews. A hotel that duct tapes its carpet... better make plans for elsewhere.   But we made the best of it, and enjoyed our time together. I had time to sleep in and read and relax. It was lovely. Not until Friday did I really miss my kids.  I was able to help G in his booth, and meet some of his colleagues. That ...