Category: being a perpetual student of life

he’s my hero

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Ya’ll.

Yeah. Ya’ll.

Well, after more than one glass of wine I get a “Southern Drawl”. Some might call it a slur, but I like to call it a drawl.

So, ya’ll…

My husband impresses me daily.

I don’t write specifically about him because this blog is mine, not his.

His business is his, not mine.

So, I mention him, but don’t necessarily write about him.

Anyway, I have to tonight because he told me an awesome story.

He flies for work.

No, he’s not a pilot, but he is on an airplane every week. Multiple times (and thanks to this we get perks like flying first class to Maui).

Anyway, he was on a flight home today…flying first class…which he deserves for how much he travels.

During one of the announcements the flight attendant mentioned that you could add a donation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to your purchase of a snack or beverage.

In first class, you don’t purchase snacks or beverage.

Towards the end of the flight, Ryan asked one of the flight attendants about the donations. She said that people rarely make donations and that none had been made on the flight.

Ryan told her that he would like to make one.

She told him he could make a $1 or $5 donation.

He said, “I’d like to make a $50 donation.”

She burst into tears.

Someone she was close to was battling breast cancer.

Another flight attendant also knew someone fighting breast cancer.

And, the passenger next to Ryan knew someone fighting cancer.

Soon, one of the flight attendants walked by Ryan and said, “He’s the hero on this flight.”

“Oh, I’m no hero,” replied Ryan.

He just did what he felt was right.

I know him. He was going to make that $50 donation whether the whole flight had made donations or not.

That’s just who he is.

I love that man, and I am so blessed that he is mine.

home is…being blessed by the people in your life.

grateful

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for some one to share my coffee with

for a boy who says, “Mommy, I love kindergarten”

for the love they share

for today

for awesome vintage finds

for remembering how to ride a bike

for going on rides around the block with #47

for a couple of hours to myself

for happy fabric

for this man

for the first morning of fall

for the view outside my windows

for soccer on saturday

for girl time

for a dog named Ben

for patience

for sunlight

for a three year old’s imagination

for another day of outdoor play

for bath and bedtime

home is…remembering to be grateful.

school days

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It’s official.

I now have a kindergartner…

…and a preschooler.

I have always loved the beginning of a new school year and I hope to get my kids excited about school each year instead of dreading it.

Last night I set out their clothes, made Reece’s lunch, and got them to bed early.

Today, I set my alarm for 5:30, made a pot of coffee (can you believe all we had in the house was decaf?!), fed the dogs and cat, and made the kids hot chocolate and breakfast.

Then, I headed upstairs to wake my sleepy heads.

Reece was sound asleep in his bed (bedtime was a breeze last night AND he slept in his bed all night) when I slipped into his room an quietly opened the shades on his window. I sat down next to him and put my hand on his back. He rubbed his eyes, stretched, and sat up.

I quietly said, “iIt’s time to get up. You’re a kindergartner today.”

We quietly walked into Lorelai’s room, opened her shades, and sat down on her bed. She sat up quickly, and I reminded her that it was the first day of school.

We went downstairs where the promise of a show and hot chocolate awaited.

Reece ate two scrambled eggs.

Lorelai ate a banana.

Reece listened and obeyed all morning.

Lorelai threw fits about breakfast, her clothes (no skirts, long sleeves, buttons, or ties), and her shoes.

Finally, I got Lorelai dressed and we headed out back for some photos…

They are both attending school at the same school Reece has been at the last two years. The kindergarten is state accredited, but private. Reece has 13 students in his class. Half of them were in his pre-K class last year. It’s awesome to see familiar faces.

It made the morning go smoothly.

One of the first faces he saw was his buddy James who has been in his class since he was 3.

We dropped Reece off at the kindergarten class.

No tears.

I was so proud of the little guy.

{Don’t let this photo fool you, he’s playing it cool}

I took Lorelai to her class, which is right next door.

She wanted me to stay.

I showed Reece to her in the classroom next door (through an adjoining door), handed her off to her teacher and left.

It’s easiest to do it that way.

{And, don’t let this photo fool you, this was way before we got to her class}

Now, you may wonder what I did with my 2 hours of free time…I slept.

I have been battling a cold for the last 10 days and I think it may have turned into a sinus infection.

Yeah, exciting first day of freedom, but I’ve got to get healthy!

When I went to pick Lorelai up they were walking from the gym back to the classroom. She was second in line and doing fine! She saw me and waved, but stayed in line with her class.

We were reunited and she wanted to show me some special things in her classroom.

We went home, had lunch and went back to pick up her brother (in the future, she will probably stay for lunch so I am not driving back and forth all morning).

He had a wonderful day and I think kindergarten is going to be awesome for him.

On the way to school I asked him what he wanted to learn at school today and he said he wants to learn to read!

home is…the beginning of a new school year.

bedtime

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Just fair warning…this is kind of a rambling post, but I just have to hit publish ’cause I’m too tired to think about it anymore…

 

it’s killing me.
not really, but…
i put the kids to bed by myself on average 3 nights out of the week.
we have a routine.
bath (every other night)
read books in lorelai’s room
take Reece to his room and he can read while I settle lorelai
lorelai easily snuggles me, and let’s me leave to get Reece to bed on the promise that I will come back and snuggle her.
then comes the hard part…
getting Reece to settle down
its always been a battle to get him to settle to sleep.
although he slept through the night (8 hours) at 8 weeks old, he was always difficult to settle to sleep. we would literally bounce on a balance ball for hours to settle him…or just let him cry.
when we transitioned him to his big boy bed he was not even two.
we wanted him in his bed before lorelai was born.
we (i) didn’t want to cribs.
now, in hindsight, I feel like we should have kept him in a crib longer.
from the time we put him in a bed that he can get out of bedtime has been a nightmare.
we’ve tried baby gates, locking the door, reward charts, bedtime rules, bedtime pass, etc. etc.
I remember when lorelai was a baby and Reece kept getting out of bed. I tried the super nanny technique. night after night I would put him back in bed “without emotion” over 50 times. I think a couple of nights it was over 100 times.
we have had some decent stretches where some techniques work…then something happens to stir it up…travel, visitors, sickness, or some kind of change in routine.
and, when Ryan is home. forget about it. he plays us off eachother.
he has always thrived off of routine and this summer we have had NONE.
it’s been awesome, but also not so awesome.
most nights, I spend from 8-10 trying to get him to sleep.
he eventually falls asleep if I snuggle him in his bed or if he can come snuggle in mine.
and, don’t even get me started on the coming into mommy and poppas bed in the middle of the night!
he started doing that about 9 months ago..maybe even longer.
I used to put him back in his bed, but night after night of doing that exhausted me…and I got sick…over and over again.

****

I wrote all of that 2 nights ago after being home with the kids for three nights alone. The first night Reece went to bed like a champ. I was so happy, but I was also sick and went right to bed after him.

The second night I just gave in and let him sleep with me in my bed…he finally fell asleep around 10.

The third night we battled it out. I didn’t want to give in, but I didn’t want to lock his door or get angry…I actually HATE (and I don’t like the word hate) locking his door, but there were some times where it had to be done. He finally gave in and fell asleep on his own after I helped to remind him that he was brave and his room is the same fun, safe room he likes to play in during the day.

Last night, Ryan was home. We split bedtime duties like we always do (I rarely get a full on break from bedtime duties because Lorelai doesn’t want anybody but mommy putting her to bed). Reece played us against each other. We’re all sick, and I finally gave in and had him come into bed with me.

So, I’m not really sure what to do next.

I would love to have at least an hour after 8 pm to have some time for myself (when Ryan is gone) and time with Ryan when he is here. I go to bed early because I NEED my sleep…or I get sick. So, staying up later to get MY time in is not an option…especially with earlier mornings starting next week with school everyday.

I am hoping a regular daily routine will wear him out enough so he will just be exhausted.

Just kind of venting…and asking for help.

I’m tired, sick, and cranky…and secretly wishing my kids started school this week like everybody else!

home is…sometimes not knowing the right answer.

game day

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September 1st.

Everything was quiet this morning when I slipped out of bed and tiptoed down the stairs before 7am.

It’s game day…in more ways than one.

{ryan}

Ryan is in Idaho with the boys…Ben and Odyssey.

They did not get out to hunt AT ALL last year.

I wanted it to be different for Ryan this year.

Hunting is his passion.

It fuels him to be in the outdoors.

Watching the dogs work.

Soaking in the sun.

Seeing the birds fly.

Maybe even hitting one once in a while.

September 1st is game day in the world of bird hunting.

I hope that Ryan is in a mountain park chasing after Blue Grouse, laughing with his friends, and filling his spirit.

Game on.

{me}

Today is game day.

I had a goal when I came downstairs this morning.

I turned the TV on and the sights and sounds of ESPN’s College Game Day filled the room…and my spirit.

I love nothing more than the sights and sound of football.

It means my favorite time of year is here.

For years, before we had kids, I would spend the weekend working on design school projects, cooking, crafting, or relaxing to the sound of football.

The crowd noise.

The whistle blowing.

The announcers.

The school or team spirit.

It fuels me.

Today, we will listen to football while we play, craft, clean, and enjoy the last days of summer as they turn to fall.

Game on.

{refueling}

September 1st.

We’re refueling…in more ways than one.

It’s game day.

home is…sights and sounds that fill your spirit.

good mornings

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This summer I am trying to spend as much time as I can in my happy place…our backyard.

After I feed the dogs, I head out to what I call “the best seat in the house” and drink my coffee.

Sometimes it is just minutes before one of the kids wakes up, or yells from the house in need of something.

Others, I have had nice chunks of time to sit and watch hummingbirds, read, catch up on blogs or blogging, and just soak it all in.

Each of those mornings I have a friend join me for coffee…

Odyssey LOVES coffee.

If I leave my cup unattended he will drink it all!

I love these summer mornings in my happy place with my special coffee loving friend.

home is…sharing my coffee.

no balloons

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For the first time in the five summers of living in this house we did not make it to the Tigard Festival of Balloons.

I love to get up early beginning on Friday morning and walk down to the park to watch the balloons launch.

Unfortunately, it was rainy.

Friday.

Saturday.

And, Sunday.

When my 5:20am alarm went off each morning, I listened for the rain, heard it on the roof, and went back to sleep.

Here are a few photos from years past…

And, you can see my posts from last year here and here.

It all worked out ok as baby girl woke up on Friday morning with a fever, so we spent the day lounging and fighting her fever.

By Saturday she was getting some energy back, so we headed out to goodwill while the boys washed Ben and took Odyssey for a swim.

We found a couple of treasures…

so, I have new projects to work on.

By Sunday afternoon, the sun began to come out…

These horses were out on my drive home from Trader Joe’s.

And, I was able to get out and enjoy my happy place a little bit.

We weren’t able to cross balloon festival off our summer list, but we’ll be working on some other items this week.

Stay tuned for a peek into our home later this week…

Oh, also…

Source: kellehampton.com via stephany @ on Pinterest

Kelle liked my yellow dress!

home is…no hot air, but lots of rain.

here it is…

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summer list

Last year I was inspired by Meg to come up with a Summer List of our own, and I loved it!

I absolutely love how Meg’s looked on her giant chalkboard with the photo collages in what is now her craft house!

{I also adore her old school chairs and would love some of my own.}

Source: megduerksen.typepad.com via stephany @ on Pinterest

Anyway, it gave us (me) a reason to plan some fun activities each week, but also left room for spontaneity and lazy days.

Although the little guy has been out of school for a couple of weeks, this week is the “official” start of summer break for all of the “big kids” as the last day of school was yesterday.

I have a giant chalkboard like Meg’s, but the kids use it and I am afraid that they would erase our list and I would constantly be re-writing it this summer.

I decided to use our giant bulletin board instead.

You may remember that it has been used to display our christmas cards in the past…

in our playroom…

and, in our family room.

Now, the bulletin board is located on the huge wall next to our open staircase in our entryway.

It has been displaying the kids artwork from the school year.

Since we won’t have school work, and we have two other bulletins on the wall to display artwork, I decided this would be a good place to put our summer list.

So, here is our Summer List 2012…

We walk by it every day and we can make sure that we are checking things off as summer moves along!

I printed out our list in a fun font, cut out the items, and glued them to scrapbook paper that was cut into different sizes.

My hope is that each time we do something on the “list” we can write the date on the card and I can write down a little bit about our adventure.

I will also print some photos of our adventures to put up on the board.

See my handsome cousin and his fiancé up there? We’re going to their wedding in August!


I will put additional invitations and postcards (my mother in law sends the kids postcards frequently) up here as well!

And, the big thing on our list…

no more diapers!

So, what do you plan to do this summer?

photos from {m}iphone

Here are some recent photos from Instagram…you can follow me as @homeisablog!

Well, we’ve got to to cross something off our summer list…

home is…hot fun in the summertime.

working on it

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So, I said it in my about page…I’m a procrastinator.

Yep, still don’t have our summer list done.

Actually, the list is done, but the display is not…and I’ve got to have it all ready for a blog post, right?

We have already crossed two items off the list…

5th annual playgroup birthday celebration

The first year (when all of our oldest turned one), it was 30 adults and 15 kids.

This year we had 26 adults and 26 kids (with one more due this month)!

One of the families lives on 5 awesome acres near wine country, apple orchards, and berry farms.

They graciously hosted the crew and it was fabulous!

Lala found this jumprope…

…and wouldn’t let it go.

And, we lucked out with June weather here in the Pacific Northwest…sunny and in the 70’s!

Bobo had a great time playing with some of his buddies and ran all over the place until he got blisters from his Batman Crocs!

It’s always fun to get the dad’s together with all of the kids.

The dad’s play with the kids, and , after 5 years, I think they know everybody’s name!

They all looked relaxed.

She finally played with the other kids after following me around for almost 2 hours.

Isn’t this outhouse awesome?!

We did it all potluck…the kids love the homemade cupcakes!

We sang Happy Birthday.

The kids shared their cupcakes with me.

This hammock was a hit with all the kids…Lala even wanted me to change her diaper on it!

I gave it a try and decided we need to get one for our backyard!

pool

Today we “officially” went to the pool.

Bobo had gone in a couple of times before his swim lessons, but today we packed a lunch, brought our beach towels, and all had our swimsuits on!

The kids has a blast!

So did I!

Actually, I didn’t sit around.

I got in the pool, went down the water slide multiple times, and left feeling like I had been on a mini vacation.

Sometimes, the easiest way to take care of kids is to act like one yourself!

colton+cadence

I made a fun graduation gift inspired by the theme of the graduation party we went to over the weekend.

I’m thinking about making more to put in the shop…so check it out later this week!

home is…working on our summer list.

sounds of sunday morning

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coffee brewing

hummingbird flying

rooster crowing

big boy whining

toaster popping

kids waking

geese honking

dog drinking

cat meowing

“mommy!”

door slamming

peacocks screaming

shovel digging

train whistle blowing

birds singing

hammer hitting

ipad playing

fingers typing

baby girl laughing

home is…sunday morning.