For the first time in 2018, I am caught up on work. WOOT WOOT This is obviously the lifting of a huge back-of-the-mind weight off my shoulders. Sure, that's a mixed metaphor of body parts, but you get my drift.
Our co-op is going exceedingly well. Every mother is responsible, positive, and kind. In my years of co-op observation/participation, the truest measure of the co-op is its mothers, not its children. Good mothers usually have good children, both of which make for a good co-op.
Our local library is such a rich resource. I use a library book almost every week at co-op; we read physical books daily; we access audiobooks via overdrive every day; and "books on tape" narrate most minutes spent in the car. Just this week I used the new scanner for the first time - how easy and fast! 13 pages with the push of a button sure beats 1 page/minute on my machine at home! Even if I went to the library just to scan, I'm convinced it would be faster than one page at a time at home. :)
Hazel got to play her first 2 games of soccer 2 Saturdays ago. Of the 4 Saturdays scheduled for soccer, only 1 has actually happened due to the rain. It looks like we'll be bunching up double headers for the remainder of the season. She has a great coach (knowledgeable, kind, encouraging), she had 3 friends on the same team, and she's enjoying the opportunity to meet new girls.
Rain. We've had so much of it in Sept/Oct, and it's amazingly green around here. In years past I've heard that a wet autumn means brighter colors on the falling leaves. Wouldn't that be beautiful?
I had a "personal" meeting last night with a student who is struggling in life and confused about her educational pursuits. I'm thankful for the opportunity to speak honestly and faithfully into the lives of students at crossroads. It's a trust I don't want to waste.
We're going through a couple of great studies right now: Praying the Names of Jesus and The Hole in Our Holiness. Both have provided great weekly small group discussions and truths to ponder daily.
The windows and doors are open right now letting in the delicious cool air.
Wes and Zeke are planning a camping trip soon. I'm excited for the memories they'll make outside and the memories the girls and I will make while they're away. Those BOGO Dairy Queen coupons we got in the paper this morning will come in pretty handy, I think. ;)
Unlike last time, Betty neither pooped nor peed in Petsmart this afternoon while there to get her nails trimmed. Phew.
Showing posts with label the husband. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the husband. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
gratituesday
My intention is to keep gratituesday-ing. I think it's an important practice/pause. We'll see...
We're 4 weeks + 1 day into 2018/19 school year, and things seem to be going well. Starting in August means we really love ourselves in April when we can surrender to Spring Fever without regret.
While we really just homeschool, we're technically enrolled in Epic online charter school. This only works because we have an amazing teacher who believes learning should be mostly hands on for littler learners. She's vetted our system and trusts our process (because she can track our growth on quarterly tests). Essentially, we're doing minimally more work for maximum rewards; for us, that's objective measures (those tests) which reassure me that we're on track and - what's really the driving factor for me - the learning fund which pays for piano lessons and the occasional art class. A free day at Frontier City or Dodgers game is just the icing on the cake.
This year will be our 6th as homeschoolers. I'm glad to be more certain and confident in the steps we're taking. Listening to newbs who're trying to figure everything out reminds me of the mental exhaustion that comes with uncertainty. It's not like we've got it all figured out, but it's much less a mystery these days, and that is so nice.
The kids are at such fun ages! They can do so many things that make life easier (e.g., make a sandwich, put away their laundry, wipe their own hineys, etc), but they're still so easily amused and easy going. I love how they are usually up for most anything. Maybe it's because they realize they don't really have a choice and so they just go with it??? Not sure, but that's a good skill too. :)
Although I changed my schedule at UCO this semester this year resulting in one class not "making," I have plenty of work to do right now. Out of nowhere home studies and updates keep me busy enough to make up for the lost income.
I was up late trying to knock out some semester preparations when I lifted a book that had my phone inside which was plugged into the charger whose cord was behind a glass that got knocked over ONTO MY KEYBOARD spilling tea everywhere. Panic stricken, I turned my laptop sideways to drain the liquid off the keyboard and used my robe to wipe off/mop up what I could. I had just read a story about a lady who had spilled her drink on her laptop and how everything seemed to be A-OK until 10 minutes later when she got the blue screen of death. I immediately backed up the stuff I was working on and started copying everything most important over ASAP before going to bed with thoughts of "...bet that won't be working in the morning..." rolling around on repeat while I fell asleep. Thankfully, here I sit 4 or 5 days later on that very computer having lost nothing. Some of the keys were a bit gritchy the first day or two, but even that seems to have straightened itself out. Whew! That was a close one!
Oklahoma therapists/counselors are privy to a national pilot program resulting in 28 free continuing ed credits, and the training is actually really informative. The goal is to increase adoptive/foster competent professionals across the nation, and the material is just so good. I'm so glad it's worth the time invested.
Perennials. I'm hoping our investment this year will pay off next spring.
Hazel had her first soccer practice last night. This is our first foray into team sports, and it should be an interesting experience. :) The beauty is that we're playing at the Y (hoping to avoid the most serious club team-type play), our coach is a close friend, and Hazel has 3 good buddies on the team.
I'm reading through 66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb, and it's providing an interesting walk through the 66 books of the Bible and the themes that run throughout. I love just about anything that highlights God's creative ability to intricately weave His inerrant word using 40ish humans over thousands of years that is as applicable today as it has been at every point of history. Incredible.
Our neighbor calls us when her mobile pet service is calling on them so that Betty can jump in and get her nails trimmed in a trailer across the street. Not only is it convenient, it's proven very helpful in figuring out that Betty's nails had remained too long before we got her and now we can course-correct the issue (that would otherwise lead to skeletal issues in her legs) by getting her nails trimmed every 2-3 weeks. We've already got her back feet in good shape, and her front paws are on their way.
The Stallings, some dear friends of 20 years, are moving to Wisconsin tomorrow. It has been a possibility for years, but it has all actually happened in a startlingly short amount of time - 8 days from accepting the job to actually leaving. 40+ friends were able to gather Saturday for a "see ya later" party, and I was doing just fine (not really thinking about it) until the end of the night when Rachel hugged me long and hard and then pulled away with tears in her eyes. I know it won't change MY day-to-day interaction with her since we haven't lived in the same city since college, but it's hard to see a good friend do hard things so far away. Rachel said she'd told Monty that she'd be back in OK for our shared birthday in a few months, and I'm looking forward to it already.
Speaking of looking forward to it, after not having flown anywhere since 2013, I've made plans that include flying TWICE in the next two months! I'm beyond excited. I'm headed to Chicago with a couple friends in September to catch a live recording of a podcast and eat a good meal or 2. That's literally all we'll have time for as we leave town Saturday morning and will be able to eat lunch with our families after church Sunday morning! Wes and I have booked an anniversary trip to Oregon in October, and I'm beside myself with anticipation.
We're 4 weeks + 1 day into 2018/19 school year, and things seem to be going well. Starting in August means we really love ourselves in April when we can surrender to Spring Fever without regret.
While we really just homeschool, we're technically enrolled in Epic online charter school. This only works because we have an amazing teacher who believes learning should be mostly hands on for littler learners. She's vetted our system and trusts our process (because she can track our growth on quarterly tests). Essentially, we're doing minimally more work for maximum rewards; for us, that's objective measures (those tests) which reassure me that we're on track and - what's really the driving factor for me - the learning fund which pays for piano lessons and the occasional art class. A free day at Frontier City or Dodgers game is just the icing on the cake.
This year will be our 6th as homeschoolers. I'm glad to be more certain and confident in the steps we're taking. Listening to newbs who're trying to figure everything out reminds me of the mental exhaustion that comes with uncertainty. It's not like we've got it all figured out, but it's much less a mystery these days, and that is so nice.
The kids are at such fun ages! They can do so many things that make life easier (e.g., make a sandwich, put away their laundry, wipe their own hineys, etc), but they're still so easily amused and easy going. I love how they are usually up for most anything. Maybe it's because they realize they don't really have a choice and so they just go with it??? Not sure, but that's a good skill too. :)
Although I changed my schedule at UCO this semester this year resulting in one class not "making," I have plenty of work to do right now. Out of nowhere home studies and updates keep me busy enough to make up for the lost income.
I was up late trying to knock out some semester preparations when I lifted a book that had my phone inside which was plugged into the charger whose cord was behind a glass that got knocked over ONTO MY KEYBOARD spilling tea everywhere. Panic stricken, I turned my laptop sideways to drain the liquid off the keyboard and used my robe to wipe off/mop up what I could. I had just read a story about a lady who had spilled her drink on her laptop and how everything seemed to be A-OK until 10 minutes later when she got the blue screen of death. I immediately backed up the stuff I was working on and started copying everything most important over ASAP before going to bed with thoughts of "...bet that won't be working in the morning..." rolling around on repeat while I fell asleep. Thankfully, here I sit 4 or 5 days later on that very computer having lost nothing. Some of the keys were a bit gritchy the first day or two, but even that seems to have straightened itself out. Whew! That was a close one!
Oklahoma therapists/counselors are privy to a national pilot program resulting in 28 free continuing ed credits, and the training is actually really informative. The goal is to increase adoptive/foster competent professionals across the nation, and the material is just so good. I'm so glad it's worth the time invested.
Perennials. I'm hoping our investment this year will pay off next spring.
Hazel had her first soccer practice last night. This is our first foray into team sports, and it should be an interesting experience. :) The beauty is that we're playing at the Y (hoping to avoid the most serious club team-type play), our coach is a close friend, and Hazel has 3 good buddies on the team.
I'm reading through 66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb, and it's providing an interesting walk through the 66 books of the Bible and the themes that run throughout. I love just about anything that highlights God's creative ability to intricately weave His inerrant word using 40ish humans over thousands of years that is as applicable today as it has been at every point of history. Incredible.
Our neighbor calls us when her mobile pet service is calling on them so that Betty can jump in and get her nails trimmed in a trailer across the street. Not only is it convenient, it's proven very helpful in figuring out that Betty's nails had remained too long before we got her and now we can course-correct the issue (that would otherwise lead to skeletal issues in her legs) by getting her nails trimmed every 2-3 weeks. We've already got her back feet in good shape, and her front paws are on their way.
The Stallings, some dear friends of 20 years, are moving to Wisconsin tomorrow. It has been a possibility for years, but it has all actually happened in a startlingly short amount of time - 8 days from accepting the job to actually leaving. 40+ friends were able to gather Saturday for a "see ya later" party, and I was doing just fine (not really thinking about it) until the end of the night when Rachel hugged me long and hard and then pulled away with tears in her eyes. I know it won't change MY day-to-day interaction with her since we haven't lived in the same city since college, but it's hard to see a good friend do hard things so far away. Rachel said she'd told Monty that she'd be back in OK for our shared birthday in a few months, and I'm looking forward to it already.
Speaking of looking forward to it, after not having flown anywhere since 2013, I've made plans that include flying TWICE in the next two months! I'm beyond excited. I'm headed to Chicago with a couple friends in September to catch a live recording of a podcast and eat a good meal or 2. That's literally all we'll have time for as we leave town Saturday morning and will be able to eat lunch with our families after church Sunday morning! Wes and I have booked an anniversary trip to Oregon in October, and I'm beside myself with anticipation.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
s'more to love
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
august odds and ends
Love these piggy twisty buns.
We went shooting at Daisy, and while Wes took his turn, I played with the panorama feature on my phone. I need some practice! This one is about 380 degrees. :)
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
staycation: surprise
For quite some time - I'm not even sure exactly how long - Hazel had been making plans to celebrate our anniversary. I think she was a little confused about where we'd be or what we'd be doing, so her original plans didn't work out quite as she expected. Or at least this is what I've gathered. (She and her MawMaw have been a little secretive.)
Nonetheless, Hazel and her MawMaw conspired to surprise us on our 13th anniversary. MawMaw sent a package, and Hazel was the lookout. When the package arrived, Hazel could barely contain her excitement. She opened the box to reveal an angel food cake, and we had a delicious celebration!
She was thrilled to have pulled of the surprise, and none of it would have been possible without her graciously accommodating and insistent MawMaw. :)
Monday, July 18, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
why is it that...
Why is it that the kids are so entertained?
They experienced their first hibachi grill!
Truth be told they enjoyed the show more than the food, but what can I say? At least I got to eat the extra fried rice.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
kelly kettle
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Monday, November 30, 2015
oh deer
Although it made me SO sad (as in I cried at goodbye even), I knew that Zeke was SO excited to head to deer camp with the burly menfolk who share his surname. And thankfully, my sadness was somewhat mitigated by the pictures Wes sent throughout the week. Knowing Zeke was having such a good time made it easier for me.
And if I had known about the sweetest longest hugs and kisses Zeke was going to give me when we reunited Thanksgiving Day, I would have felt even better. :)
And if I had known about the sweetest longest hugs and kisses Zeke was going to give me when we reunited Thanksgiving Day, I would have felt even better. :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
why is it that...
Why is it that we had a great weekend?
Camping!
Wes's family has been camping on the mountain behind Granny's house for decades, and it is a great spot! We had tried to take Zeke and Hazel camping when they were 2 and 1, but that ended with an emergency descent in the wee hours when Zeke had an allergic reaction to an old sleeping bag we had borrowed. (<-- moment="" p="" parenting="" scary="" three="" top="">
This year - even with morning rain, a close-range skunk sighting, and getting stuck on the way back down - was much more successful! Good times were had by all.
Only one person "fell" into the creek. I'll give you one guess who that was.
Camping!
Wes's family has been camping on the mountain behind Granny's house for decades, and it is a great spot! We had tried to take Zeke and Hazel camping when they were 2 and 1, but that ended with an emergency descent in the wee hours when Zeke had an allergic reaction to an old sleeping bag we had borrowed. (<-- moment="" p="" parenting="" scary="" three="" top="">
This year - even with morning rain, a close-range skunk sighting, and getting stuck on the way back down - was much more successful! Good times were had by all.
The Bigs took the opportunity to sketch, and their little sister took the opportunity to pose with her pencil....
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
gratituesday: date swap
For the last several months, we have swapped date nights with the Bolerjacks. It is easily one of the best things we have ever done! We watch their kids while they go out, and they return the favor another night. The kids get along so well and have the best time, and I love having a regular time set aside to go out.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
gratituesday
adjustable kitchen shelves
a runner for the hall a'la carpet tiles
a new kitchen faucet to replace the yucky gold one I've despised from the beginning
a handy husband who fixed the leak under our sink for nine American dollars
fitnessblender.com
sweet tea
finally recovering the chair that sat unfinished in our living room for months
bigs riding bikes without training wheels
repeat students in every class
loads of fun in the last few days - rodeo and parade over the weekend and breakfast with friends this morning
kids promoting to new classes (and more great teachers) in Sunday school
chocolate milk
Bible study starting today
PawPaw's good reports from the doctors last week
homemade granola
honey wheat bread
instagram
piano lessons
Monday, July 27, 2015
staycation 2015
We have just wrapped up a great week of staycation! It was so nice to just be together for the week and take it easy - doing as we pleased with no reason to rush. We had the opportunity to do lots of fun things some of which the kids had been wanting to do for a year or more.
Perhaps my favorite part of staycation is eating out all the time; actually it's more the not cooking and doing dishes that I liked more than eating out. :) AND, we indulged in sugar cereal AND pop tarts for breakfast - such a rare treat!
Wes and I started the week off celebrating our 12th anniversary. Woot. We ate at our favorite hibachi grill, and I commemorated the occasion with a double order of fried rice. Double woot.
We took the kids to see Inside Out. Hmmm.... what to say.... 1.5 Kelloggs liked the movie.
Zeke was VERY pleased with his winnings - a bookmark, a top, and these "creepy" vampire teeth.
We headed to the zoo another morning and FINALLY made our way to stringray bay. The kids have been asking to go with Wes since it opened however long ago. Once we got there, however, some were more excited than others about what was about to go down.
We headed to the sea lion show next, but we had a little time to kill, so the kids opted for this photo op. See what I did there??
Zeke is enamored with this picture of himself.
The sea lion show was a hit. A hot hit.
Yesterday was a little sad knowing that staycation was behind us for another year, so we decided to sweeten our sorrows with a little ice cream and send staycation out with a bang.
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