Hays Nature Preserve

Well, I've had some technical issues with the blog lately, but I think I finally got it all figured out.  Now is't time to play catch up!  Here are a few pictures of our field trip to Hays Nature Preserve.

back to school

Scrolling through facebook this morning, I was bombarded by first day of school pictures.  I felt kind of weird that I didn't have any pictures to post and couldn't hop on the happy mama bandwagon.  I guess I could take my kids outside and take a picture of them walking inside, but it just doesn't have the same appeal.  I thought... I wonder what these mamas do all day.  If I just dropped my kids off for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, I could get SO MUCH DONE.  My house might actually be clean, the bathtubs might know what a sponge looks like, my windows might be cleaned for the first time ever, and once my house was spotless, I might actually have time to read or grocery shop without little hands throwing things in the cart, or shower without having to settle a sibling rivalry in between shampooing and shaving my legs.  I might have a moment of quiet to just sit, time to exercise... alone... without a million questions about what yoga is and why I put my body in funny positions and judgments that my downward dog doesn't looks as good as Wai Lana's.
But then I thought again... I wouldn't get to have lunch with my kids every day.  I wouldn't get to see the little grin sneak across Maddi's face when she recognized a sight word.  I wouldn't get to see Drew's little mind churning as he analyzed his latest Science experiment.  I don't have to listen to stories about little bullies making my children doubt themselves or watch my children struggle with their self perception. I don't have to hear horror stories about substitute teachers calling my kids names or being hurt when I was nowhere to comfort them.  We wouldn't get to travel on a whim, chose our own schedule, or take the time to learn from God's creations.  I get to kiss every boo boo, share in their accomplishments, and fulfill my calling as a mother... to educate my children both spiritually and temporally and not have to trust another to do my job for me.  I get to whisper I love you whenever I want to.  I get to share in their joy and help shoulder their burdens.
I alone carry the responsibility of teaching my children what they need to know, and kindling a desire in them to continue to seek knowledge on their own. It is a huge responsibility with exponential rewards.  I might not get a backpack picture by the front door, have a perfectly clean house, or have as much personal time, but I'm pretty happy giving all of myself to my kids, sharing my knowledge with them, and meeting the challenge of motherhood with my best effort.

A deacon

Sunday was a special day for our Drew he turned 12 and choose to be set apart as a deacon in our church.I'm so proud of this kid. He's kind, loving, hardworking. He loves hockey and science and hates math and mashed potatoes. He's finally enjoying trying new things, but still thrives in structure and consistency. His favorite food is shrimp, he loves riding bikes, swimming, and has a weird thing about scabs. Last night while maddi went to a birthday party, I got to spend some time with just him, and I loved every second of it. He's easy to talk to, skimpy with his smiles, and always makes me laugh. Time had passed so quickly. It seems like I just carried him around on my hip yesterday, but I'm realizing his childhood is almost over. Every moment I have with him is a blessing, and I hope we always have a relationship of love, friendship, laughter, and respect.

Celebrate America

Here are a few pictures from the patriotic concert I got to sing in. It was an amazing experience, and allowed me to share the gratitude I carry in my heart for our country and the men and women who sacrifice themselves for my freedoms.

summer fun

So here's a quick recap of our summer so far... from my cell phone and in no particular order...

                                                           afternoon movies on the weekend

                                                       horse riding for Sean's 31st birthday

                                                 ballet camp with a Frozen theme

                                                         family bike rides

                                                    Uno and Concerts in the Park

movies and shopping

                                   art camp with painting, an Elsa makeover, and ice cream

                                                                       mother's day

                                        swimming.  They're both going underwater this year!

                                             Maddi learned how to ride her bike

                                                 So we've been on LOTS of bike rides.

                                                     drive-in movies under the stars

Bacteria

We ended the homeschool year with a few Science labs.  We dissected a dogfish shark which Maddi really got into.   Her favorite part was seeing how the eyes look behind the lens.  We also swabbed a few icky places like Sam's water bowl and Drew's hockey skates  them transferred the contents of the swabs onto agar petri dishes.  Then we put them in a dark, damp place for a week.  After a week, we checked the results, and YIKES.  The kids loved it though, and I'm grateful to take the summer off!

summer rush

This summer has had us running all over the place, so I have a lot of blog catching up to do, but I thought I'd take a moment to write down a special little something about these two kiddos. 
I've been doing a lot of volunteering lately.  I volunteered to sing in an Independence Day concert with the Military Band which was an awesome experience but took a lot of time practicing and memorizing music, and I volunteered at the local Scout day camp even though my little boy is too old to attend (He just turned 12! I'm really behind on posting!)  I'm not alone in my volunteering, Sean is always quick to help someone change a tire or mow their grass, but as a parent you always wonder if the good things you do go unnoticed by your kids.  I spend so much time carefully steering them in the right direction, but I wonder if the small things that make us who we are can be recognized by their growing little minds. 
So, the other day, I heard the front door opening and closing, cabinets banging, the wrestling of bags... very unsettling, messy sounds.  I went to check on them and to remind them that it is a million degrees outside and I might have a heat stroke if they continue to let the cold air out when I see Maddi giggling and pulling the door shut with her toes as she sneaks outside with an armful of garbage bags.  With my curiosity peaked, I gazed out the window unsure of what I'd find and saw my two little love bugs cleaning up a mess in our elderly neighbors yard.  No one asked them to, they just saw a need and went to help.  I love these two more than life.  I feel so blessed to know them, to learn from them, and to call them mine.  I hope they continue to find joy in service and through that joy and love, are able to live in gratitude and grow closer to God.  With their compassion and humility, the world is theirs to change.


Here are a few pictures of them trying out the archery station before camp started.  I would post pictures of the choir and them cleaning, but I've been a bit lazy with my camera lately.