Showing posts with label family ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family ramblings. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

What are your days looking like?

We're pretty laid back right now.
Can you tell?


Sissy is reading in her spare time. Never mind that it is a school text book and that we are on summer vacation. (and that we don't even use textbooks for school anymore, lol).







Andrew is enjoying being, well, Andrew! Loves the simplicity to just play, imagine, do.



~psstt...He's secretly learning to read, as I have caught him reading zoo, boy, so, go, & stop. Random? I kinda think so? He knows waaayyyy more than he lets on. I'd like to think it was because of Asperger's, but really he probably inherited that trait from his dad. *smile*






The littlest brother had fun helping make spaghetti this week. They even took turns
"stirring" which doesn't always come so easily. =)









The Calm....
before the storm...

sort of...

Things here are pretty low key. The weather is still Pacific North West Wet. We are slowly packing up our things, mostly our school books, since everything else has lived in storage for 2 years. Katie-girl doesn't quite know what to do w/o me coming up with "all the fun things to do". We are having to get creative for fun while packing up all the fun things.



I am excited to be moving! I love a fresh start to getting organized! I almost thrive on it. *hee* My dear husband is not such a fan, lol. Bless his heart, he is hanging in there well. He's needing to help his mom some as she will be living with us too.


I try not to think about what we are going to do with 2 households of "stuff", oh my!


I, er, my husband, downsized us quite a bit when we moved up here 2 years ago...
gave away our TV's, couches, some desks, a foosball table, etc...
so we are pretty low key...
i hope.



What am I most excited about with our new house?


3 toilets!


and that we will be using a formal dining area as a school room.


A whole room for school!


now THAT is my kind of fun!


Monday, May 2, 2011











A Random Update:



* I will continue my Happiness 101 journey.
Here is (# 40)



I may have fun with all my boys, but my dear daughter knows how to melt my heart.



* Our house hunting continues... this is a very exhausting process as I spend all week gleaning homes, then the week-end we take the day trip down to look at those homes...and...nothing has been productive. There is hope though, as I am in contact w/ a lady from our hometown area who is looking for renters...yay... the size, area, and cost are perfect... so do pray that she likes us. =)



* I won't be posting a l.i.f.e. Academy outline for this month. Basically we are just wrapping up the details of last month, and reviewing for our year end State Testing.



* ditto for Learning w/ the Littles. Although, Andrew has shown much more interest in reading AND writing... yay! We are just playing random phonic-type games for now, along with some reading time. We are slowly packing up our school books to get ready for our move, thus life will be our lessons for awhile.



* Our Monday trips for Campfire & French lessons are wrapping up in a few weeks. We have loved our 2 years of French study; it has been a fun family study.



* I am looking forward to Mother's Day. With 5 boys and a non-romantic husband (no worries, I knew what I was getting myself into, lol), I don't expect much in the flower, card, & chocolate category. But what I do get is a full day of yard work out of everyone! This is priceless to me, as I love the jumpstart to face our summers. This year we will be blessing my mom by doing her yard. =)



*Guess what? While we were down hunting for homes, our Nick had a soccer game, AND it was sunny! AND I got burnt... on my nose, forehead, forearms, a bit on my neck, and my ankles (yes, ankles, I was sitting in the grass and my pants must of been scrunched up??) AND I am not complaining... nope... not at all... real sunshine is much more cheery than that liquid sunshine we have been enduring for months now!



*and speaking of weather... truly we are praying for all the victims of the recent tornado disasters some of the States have endured. It is indeed a crisis, and many people are still missing... May God's grace comfort them all.



Blessings,
Sheri




Sunday, February 20, 2011

Family Ramblings...

Bryson is a big boy now. No more diapers! This would be the first time in 22 yrs without diapers being in our daily routine... seems as if we would get one young child out of diapers, another child would be on its way... well, not any more.
*sigh* Yes, we are done. I love those baby days! but I also love those preschool years, middle years, teen years, and yes, those adult years... all the different seasons of parenting are a gift in themselves... I love being a mom!


"The Move" saga continues....
for my newer readers, our family was from small town nowhere, and due to a company expansion, moved into big city somewhere. This journey began almost 2 years ago. Our "house belongings" are still in storage. We have lived alongside my dear m.i.l. & s.i.l (*wave* to Michele & Chanelle) for a season, and are currently living at my parents. They love us here, we love reconnecting a closer relationship with our kids & grandparents.

Fred will be wrapping up the BIG job up here, and it looks as if sometime this summer we will be moving back down towards Oregon. I want to move back to small town nowhere (in Oregon), but Fred wants to stay in Washington. He is not fond of the State income tax of Oregon, can't say I blame him.

I am not fond of the labels/requirements of homeschooling laws in Washington, and I want to be left to my own accountability in Oregon. (*note: we already over exceed what Washington tells us we "have to do", I just don't like being told to do it. petty? yes! but I also don't like to be told to tip a waitress; I am already a great tipper... add the $ amount to our bill, and that is all they get, rather than my usual appreciation. - it's just me, I am a brat that way).

Anyways, back on topic... the MOVE... so it looks like in the summer future we will be finaling having our own house again. We are hoping Fred's mom will come join us when we move, but we also don't know the details of that commitment.

The move...
Don't know when, exactly;
don't know where, exactly;
just know changes are coming...
Ha, how's that for an update?

Joe, our oldest son, has been stayin up here with us for the past month. He works for/with his dad at the Company. Joe has his own place down in the vancouver area, so it is nice to see him for a bit.

Nick just finished up his soccer season. He had fun playing at a higher level. Now we are focusing towards his graduation this May. Oh my, the years do fly! He is still pondering the "what to do after highschool" options...

TJ has been pretty laid back through this transition journey. I think once we move he has some interests he would like to check into... more fishing, a gun/archery club, soccer possibly... he will be entering his highschool years this fall, which I feel is a perfect time to look into a variety of interests. I really enjoy homeschooling those last years!

Katie-girl is preparing for a dance recital for this June. She was advanced up 2 classes this year, and will have 2 parts in the recital. She is pretty excited- Sleeping Beauty is the theme. Katie has been not.so.thrilled about math lately, as in quite reluctant to get it done; I find it humorous cuz she is good at arithmetic, just.does.not.like.it.

Andrew is finally falling into a good school routine. I will probably continue his schooling through the summer. It will be more hands-on, montessori led activities as I want his curiosity to be stimulated... I will share more of my ideas on that later....

Bryson is, well, Bryson... rambuntious, active, fly-off-the-seat-of-his-pants excitement! No dull moments with this child around. Spring will be a very good thing for this wild-child. =)

Our School week:

We have fabulous friends coming to visit with us Tues-Thurs, so schooling this week will be low key. I think I will officially call it a mid-winter break. Nick injured his *right* hand during the soccer tournament this week-end, thus minimal 'writing' is probably necessary. I will assign a fun read for each one of them, continue our nightly read aloud on George Washington, and make our week full of some "rocketing" experience! lol, just got a book on Rockets; who knew so much fun could be found in science, technology, engineering and mathmatics? too much fun to call it school, right? ;^) We will just label it "something to do"!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

GIGANTIC MARSHMALLOWS!




Can anyone say "Sugar Rush"?


2 minutes after eating one, Bryson starts running about like he's performing for some old ancient pow wow....






5 minutes later...








...Andrew goes from giddy...






...to pouty...

...to downright falling apart!
~
I think next time we will offer apples instead!

Monday, August 2, 2010

MONDAY MUSINGS....

Where's Flat Brat Charlie?

Having Story Time w/ Aunt Chanelle.
Poor Charlie has not had many outings in the great northwest as of yet. His first trip out with us we went to Alki Beach...such a beautiful place...and I, yes I, left Charlie at the pizza place. *gasp* Thankfully a dear cousin was still there and saved the day! Maybe there is a reason we have chosen not to have a baby #7 =)

Athletics vs Academics~

Today is our 1st day of the school year.... 2010-2011
Today is also a day I needed to take Nick to the urgent care.
Ummm, yeah, those places are never very quick...
so...
we will begin school....
tomorrow.
Ofcourse tomorrow is when he will see the orthopedic surgeon and most likely have a cast put on his wrist. He did play a great game yesterday, and the 'take out' was at the end of the game. Did I mention he was already seeing a chiropractor and doing physical training for a hip that was jolted out of place while we were in California? Hmmm, the next soccer tournament is in 3 weeks...wonder how that will go?


Vacation vs Education
Have school books; will travel~

Next week we head to Oregon for a couple of weeks...sorta.
We get to house-sit for a dear friend. The kids are thrilled to spend some time in our hometown. Fred is needed in Oregon for a period of time for his job, so this was perfect timing for the family. Our precious dog Asia will not be so happy...she gets to stay home with the Grandparents. I may need to go back occasionally to check up on her, as she is lost without a house full of kids... seriously.

Reunions vs funerals~

I had a family reunion this past week-end. I have always like them. I like seeing family. I especially love to see my cousins! My mom is one of 8 children... I have lots of cousins... I think it is a beautiful thing! My dear Grandpa's time is almost up... he will soon get to go up to Heaven...what a glorious thing that has to be! We were blessed to have the reunion very close to his home so that we could take turns going to visit him. He is such a sweet man.

Just wondering...

If I should cut most of my hair off for a good cause?? It has been a very long time since I have had short hair... but I am blessed with lots of hair... the lovely girl I want to help does not. It would be a kind thing to do....hair is a funny attachment... a part of us, yet not really. I am still thinking about it....

Grateful for...

the unique relationship I have with each individual child we have. My heart's love is beyond what my mind can comprehend... full and overflowing indeed.

Friday, July 23, 2010

What IS Weird?

Please note: comments made here are how we approach ideas in our lives. My comments are not intended to point fingers, nor judge;
This is just how WE approach things.

I find it interesting when I hear the statement,
"I don't want my kids to be seen as weird."
From personal experience, I hear this from Christian parents.
So, what is WEIRD?

definition: odd, strange, unusual, not sensible

What IS the worry? That we do not want our children to stand out amongst their peers? To be seen differently? Especially in todays world, why is that such a bad thing??

Are we weird?
We have a dress code.
Boys~ no baggy pants, no side-wearing ball cap, no piercings.
Girls~ no middriffs exposed, short/skirts/dresses are to be no shorter than the tip of your fingers when you arm hangs down. Ear piercing only.
Clean is encouraged, lol.
I find it strange to go to the little girls/young lady section at the department store only to find~sexy~encouraged.

Am I weird?
I choose not to drink (alcohol, that is).
My dad was a drug addict, my sister's dad was an alcoholic;
all of it was ugly.
I, as a child, did not have a voice to how I felt.
I, as an adult, can politely decline.
I now have a choice.
I find it odd that my choice makes others feel awkward,
yet I am not judging them.

Is it weird to realize TV/movie/game ratings are there for a reason?
M for mature; I find that to be an oxymoron!
How 'mature' are we really being to want to watch sex/nudity, violence for entertainment, or listen to swearing & trash talk?
And shouldn't we, as adults, be the role model of what is morally acceptable for our eyes, ears, and mouth?
In California, I had the opportunity to show my kids how to step outside the 'normal' box. While eating pizza with the teammates from the soccer team, they were planning to go see a movie. One kid asked if I wanted to go with them. (I am the cool mom after all ;^) It was rated-R, so I declined. "Why?"...I don't do rated-R..."Wha?" w/ puzzlement, "why?"....cuz there ain't nuttin' in rated-R that couldn't have been made a PG. The kid whips out his phone to confirm the movie rating, which ended up being PG-13.
This teen did not find my choice weird, but adults will find it unusual.

As a family, are we weird because we:
1) have more than the statistical 2.5 kids?
2) want to raise our own kids?
3) live in a multi-generational home?
4) play together/pray together?

Are our kids weird because they:
1) get along?
2) are well behaved?
3) choose to be homeschooled?
4) wait to date?

Why is it a seemingly a bad thing to be considered unusual,
when our choices seem so sensible to me?

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Having fun with the our 'oldest' son...

Joe is soon headed back down to our hometown.
The job is shuffling around, Joe is needed down south;
but we are here to stay, up in our new area of the woods.






*pictured: Yes, he really is sleeping, but my husband has a sense of humor when he sees fit to. ;^)



Summer is still NOT here... one warm day, lots of rain, and some snow/sleet/hail stuff. Yeah, so we just keep waiting for those popsicle-dripping, sprinkler-jumping, game-playing days of real summer!

Good news of the week:
I am so thrilled. Our Andrew willingly began his school work this week! I cannot call it "school" or "school work", it agitates him. So, we just do his 'lesson'. =) Andrew works on his own schedule, by his own mood, at his own will... I am slowly trying to guide that into a consistant structure before our real school year begins in Aug. I am observing the rhythm of his days; his current lessons are during Bryson's nap. I have discovered that he does listen in on our nightly read alouds too.

This week:
The boys (Nick & TJ) have had the opportunity to spend a few days doing yard labor for some kind folks down the way. Good ole manual labor is such a good thing for boys. I believe it builds character, strength, integrity, and determination. I find it amusing that Joe, being our oldest, is already pulling the "when I was your age..." to his siblings. Imagine the stories he will have by the time the littlest gets to working. =)

Week-end plans:
Nick has a college-showcase Soccer Tournament in Oregon this week-end. His dad and brother will be going. I will not ...
because...
Katie-girl is having her 1st dance recital this week end also!! I hope to post pictures soon!


Future plans:
I also have been going over our school plans for next year. We are going with a new curriculum, and I am very excited to begin. I am currently working on a scope & sequence that I will share later (for those who homeschool too).


Until next time, be blessed my friends....

Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do; do it all for the glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31

Wednesday, February 3, 2010


For those whom choose not to earn an income in order to be with your kids, what is your job title??

Housewife?
Stay-at-home-mom?
Domestic Engineer?
J.A.M. (just a mom)?
My job title? MOM
My employer? GOD
My job description? Teacher, mentor, nurse, limo driver, cheerleader, life coach, house keeper, cook, activities co-ordinator, party planner, nutritionist, accountant, driving instructor, fitness trainer, & missionary... (to name just a few).
My hours: on call...24/7
My salary? PRICELESS!

I love being a mom! It is an amazing gift to receive. It is joyful, and heart-warming, a simplistic beauty... (pictured above is my sons TJ & Joe)

Oh....I hear you...
I did not say it was easy! It is a tiresome job, full of mistakes, and challenges at every turn...
~My kids are spaced out very evenly, so I feel I have been changing diapers for over 21 years now.
~I have not, but on rare occasion, the priviledge of sleeping through the night.
~yes, those ear-piercing screams of a toddler hurt my ears also!
~I do have moments of feeling like I am drowning in housework.
~At times, there are poor choices & complacency to correct.

...but at the end of the day, when I pray over their sleeping faces, I am in awe of what has been entrusted to me!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

Thursday, January 14, 2010


SHARING LIVES FOR A SEASON

Picture: Myself & Chanelle

Chanelle: A super-fantastic aunt...whom takes the boys to soccer and hockey games, teaches us all French, enthusiastically joins us for family-read time, leader of Katie's campfire group, and puts up w/ sleepless nights along side me when Bryson feels the need to scream at 2 a.m.
She is also a fabulous friend, always positive, always encouraging, and always kicking my behind w/ endless miles of walking. (really, who walks 8 to 14 miles a day??). I could not ask for a better sister-in-law; I am blessed.

Note the word SEASON above...
Our days of living in a wee bit of a house together is sneaking up to an end. The house is going up on the market next week, thus I am actively looking for a place for our family to live. It is time...Chanelle is ready for her own place, own life, and an opportunity to finally settle back to the States on her own terms (fyi...was in Ireland many years). She is a beautiful free spirit, much like a butterfly who needs to flutter about, touching many lives as she enjoys life!
Fred & I are praying that God will open up housing opportunities to us; the right town, with a house that meets our needs, to prepare our hearts while seeking out a church for our family, and mostly to trust Him in His timing for answers to all of those things. At this point my dear m.i.l. will also be moving with us. To let go of what she knows in turn for relocating to a new area will be challenging for her, it may be full of change, but can also be full of blessings...just praying one moment at a time...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE!


(a statement on 'Monk')

So I interview our family about their view of happiness:



Happiness
is...


...a peacefully sleeping baby!
(sheri)

...is when Daddy comes home from work.
(Bryson;
yes, I helped him share his thoughts ;^)


... a smile!
(Andrew)

...when you feel really good inside, and get along.
(Katie)

...playing soccer in the rain!
(TJ)

...only a tear drop away.
(Nick-now what movie is that from??)

...being alive with loved one's
(Joe)

... eternal forgiveness.
(Fred)

So what is happiness really? Personally, I think it is based off of feelings and positive situations, and is very temporary.
JOY is what matters...
JOY...
is a presence of
peace from within regardless of outer circumstances.

In a humble way, I share the difference here, as I have had my share of challenges along my life. Some of those challenges come as physical trauma, others as emotional drama...but most of us know 1st hand, somehow, that life is not easy. Do you want happiness...or do you want to seek out true JOY?
It all comes down to a choice...to choose Jesus Christ... or not.
That presence of peace? It is a gift from God, it is the comforter, it is the Holy Spirit that comes from receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior.


Here is a verse I live and breathe daily, and helps me keep things in perspective:

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16/17