Joy in the Journey

Forgiveness and Grace makes the world a better place

2011-07-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

That little ditty ran through my head as I cleaned around the toilet this morning. My little daughter had "missed" the seat, tried to clean it up and left the tp there after telling me about the problem. I'd been busy all morning--feeding chickens, making homemade yogurt, prepping a room for painting and in the midst had forgotten about her telling me about the mess. Yes, I had left it there, forgotten and unattended. Until my husband got up, went into the bathroom and said, "Whoa! What happened here?!" He's steadily gotten tired of our son being lazy about aim and so this was an automatic trigger point. Only then did I remember what my daughter had told me about a while back. I filled him in and explained how I'd gotten distracted from cleaning it up right away. He chilled right out and smiled, saying, "I can't IMAGINE what could have distracted you!"
A sigh of contentment spilled out of me as I made my way to the bathroom to help my daughter with the cleanup. Forgiveness and grace. I thought about how he might have responded if he'd been someone else. How I could have been judged, ew, bad parent, bad housekeeper! Nothing is more important that getting pee up off the floor right away! (It does rank up pretty high, but still...) I thought about how wonderful it is when we have the habit of letting go of things. Giving space and grace to each other to be human and make mistakes and forget things once in a while. After all, we know that in our family we are ALL trying our best to be the best wife, mom, husband, father, kid, sister and brother that we can be. When we fall short of perfect, we have a choice. We can judge or condemn or just get pissed and offended with each other for not "measuring up", or we can soften our hearts, make space, forgive and let go, knowing that someday it will be us goofing up. I LOVE that my husband has chosen that path.

Now I know that some people might get their dander up here and say, "Why didn't HE clean it up?" Truth be told, if I'd asked him to he probably would have. Instead, he was busy making ME fried eggs and helping out in the kitchen. And another opportunity to look at the situation and NOT get offended, but rather, live easy and accept each other. It leads to so much peace, so much more love between us and so much more energy to live life instead of sabatoging ourselves and our families.

It reminded me to choose that path as well and get less frustrated with myself, trusting that I AM learning, growing, becoming more every day of what I hope to be.

It also reminded me to apply that grace to my children because that conveys trust that yes, they too are learning and growing and DO want to be amazing adults some day...who sometimes forget to clean up a mess because they got distracted.

P.S. A friend once asked me to explain this concept of applying grace. She said, "I hear you talking about grace a lot, but I don't know what that means." I explained that what I mean by grace, is to give space and accept the other person in all their humanness. Or perhaps at that moment just choosing NOT to get angry, offended and bitter. And to choose to believe that yes, they didn't purposely put you out. It just happened as a part of life. Or if they did, Wow! They must be really hurting or dealing with stuff to take it out on you. Having compassion. Living from your heart. And especially, stopping the judging and criticizing.

Kauai Delights

2011-03-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

We're experiencing our first day of Kauai bliss. It was windy and overcast and chilly, but fabulously beautiful! The kids were so excited to swim in the ocean, we walked a few miles to Poipu beach, which is more kid-friendly with protected little beaches. I am so proud of my kids, particularly Sophie for managing to walk along the cliffs and roads 1.5 miles there, play for hours on the playground, beach and surf and then walking all the way back...after a great burger at Brennecke's.
After a rest, we'll be heading to the pool for more water fun. Gotta get it while we can!

Note of self-reflection: One affirmation I've been dwelling on is this: Suffering is optional. (Especially for someone like me, from America with all my needs and a WHOLE lot of wants met every day.) I imagine it would mean a whole different thing to a mom with AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, or someone living out the aftermath of an earthquake.
But in my little world, it was remarkable how frequently I noticed myself going to "suffering." Like, wow. The long flight to Kauai I had to sit between my kids while Mark napped across the aisle. Or why does it have to be so windy, rainy and chilly when WE are here? Silly me. As soon as I noticed it though, and my tendency toward it, I also became aware that I DO have a choice. Do I want to see what isn't my ideal and focus on my perceived lack? Or do I want to simply relax and revel in the amazing gifts that are happening and available at the very same moment?
What a beautiful gift to have that pointed out to me! (Shame that it doesn't come naturally!)
I'm so grateful to have the daily opportunity to learn and grow and start anew. And how much more enjoyable this trip is with me making these choices. Not just for me, but for my husband, children and others I'm around.

Yay! I love a happy moment!

Room to Grow

2011-03-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

When I was younger and thought about becoming a parent, I was confident. I knew I'd be patient and loving and have the tools I needed to nurture and discipline and help our children grow into amazing adults. When I became a mother, I began to see things differently.
It's not that I don't have patience. It's that I didn't realize how very much that patience could be stretched. That it could be lost, completely and utterly lost. And that I could find it again. I discovered that patience is an intentional, cultivated practice. I learned that becoming more patient required a tenacious, passionate love. I found that patience was an incredible gift that I could give not only to my children, but also to myself.
Having children showed me how critical I was of myself and others. How I expected perfection and became quite angry when I didn't live up to it. As life unfolded and my children and I grew, so often the realities of our lives together did not match up to my ideals, my vision, and I found myself disappointed, disgruntled, and distraught with us all. Somehow, I believed, if I worked hard enough, if I read the right books, was disciplined enough or strong enough, if my children were good enough, the ideal family life I envisioned would happen. My children would be as I had dreamed them to be, and all would be right with the world.
Years later, after so many tears, struggles, fits and fusses (mostly mine!), I discover some beautiful and wonderful truths. My ideas of perfect are not perfect, nor are they necessary. My children are amazing and wonderful, challenging and fascinating, and not at all what I had imagined or expected. They are their own small people, growing and blossoming into what they were meant to be. I am learning that the true beauty in parenting these children comes not in molding them into my image, or the some other image, but in discovering the delightful surprises of who they are.
Patience is a gift. I began this journey of parenting believing this gift was given to my children out of love. I found that my children have blessed me by taking that gift, stretching it and returning it to me to use on myself. As I learn to treasure the messy, imperfect, incredible experience of watching them grow, I begin to treasure that same journey within myself. I gift myself with patience when I lose it. When I'm too tired to respond as I'd like to as a mom. When I make mistakes, or don't know, or find yet another little way in which I see that I have room to grow.

Blessing your children

2011-02-16T22:45:00.000-08:00

Blessing is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. In each heart there is a yearning to be known, to be valued, to be treasured. In the hectic life of modern families, finding ways to touch upon those yearnings can get lost amidst the logistics of making it through the day.

Here's one idea for letting children know we see the beauty in them, and showing them how precious they are. For blessing them.

Write them an annual letter. Choose their birthday, Valentine's Day or another special day. Take a few minutes to reflect back on the year. Think about how they've grown or matured, what they were like months ago. Remark on any milestones: their first sleepover or lost tooth, how they overcame their fear of spiders or won the spelling bee. Let them know what you see in them--the kindness, the joyful play, their great sense of humor. So often we are focused on what we'd like to see change, especially with a challenging child, but always there are glimpses of the special person they are if we look for them. And they need to see that greatness, that reflection of God in themselves too. Throw into the mix your feelings about them. The best of your feelings for them. How proud you are, how glad you are they are in your family.

Feel overwhelmed with writing a letter? Take 5 minutes and write 5 sentences. Something that made you smile about your child.
Something you shared together that was fun.
Something they grew in or succeeded in.
Something that is special about them.
How they make you feel on the best of days.

Think your child is too young for a full discourse? Write that one year old a letter...and save it in their photo album. When they are older--perhaps a teen--give them a copy of your letters. Let them see themselves through they years through the eyes of a loving parent.

The soundtracks of their lives

2010-09-05T19:13:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited about this idea because music is so important to me and how I live in this world.

Here is Chase's for his 10th birthday--a mixture of songs he loves, songs that made me think of him, and songs that share my heart and values for him at this point, with a hip-hop, calypso feel type theme....

The City is Ours--Big Time Rush
Halfway There--Big Time Rush
Famous--Big Time Rush
Ooh Ahh featuring Toby Mac--Grits
Get It--Grits
Bad to the Bone--George Thorogood
Hungry Like the Wolf--Duran Duran
One Tribe--Black Eyed Peas
Three Little Birds--Bob Marley
Don't Worry, Be Happy--Bobby McFerrin
I Get Ideas--Troutfishing in America
Love is the Seventh Wave--Sting
Sweet Dreams--The Eurythmics
Like to Get to Know You Well--Howard Jones

So Fun! I can't wait to see what comes to mind next year! He was so thrilled that he called me the BEST MOM EVER!!!! (Until I made him mad and then I was EVIL.)

Sophie's last year looked like this with a sunshine/rainbow theme:

Over the Rainbow--Eva Cassidy
Good Day Sunshine--Joanie Bartels
Walking on Sunshine--Katrina and the WAves
You are the Sunshine of my Life--Stevie Wonder
Twinkle, Twinkle
Waltz of the Cornflowers--Glazunov
Bim Bam--traditional
So Happy You're Here-Hap Palmer
Oh What a Beautiful Morning--Joanie Bartels
Easy Going Day--Joanie Bartels
Feelin' Groovy--Joanie Bartels
"A" You're Adorable--Maria Muldaur
Snuggle Puppy-Eric Stolz
It Had to Be You--Harry Connick, Jr.
A Whole New World--Peabo Bryson
Always--Lilo and Stitch Soundtrack
A Wink and a Smile--Harry Connick, Jr.
Make Someone Happy--Jimmy Durante
What a Wonderful World--Louis Armstrong

So fun!!!! And when they're 18 and off at college or whatever adventure, the will have a compilation of amazing songs that meant something to them through their childhood. Yay!

A Pep Talk for myself

2010-08-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

Just Today

Just today I got everything off the counters and wiped them down.
I unloaded and loaded and washed the dishes in the dishwasher.
I fed my children, gave them vitamins and did the same for myself.
I took a shower and got dressed.
I sorted my kelp and hung up lines over my tub.
I praised the kids and gave them points.
I disciplined Chase so he will grow to a mature, kind young man.
I ignored his fits, his tongue-lashings and arrows.
I encouraged Sophie and allowed her to join me in processing seaweed.
I dried fucus and made kelp pickles.
I laid out nori to dry.
I cooked noodles and made a healthy lunch.
I made bone soup.
I changed my daughter's diaper and helped her dress and brushed her hair.
I helped my son get his chores done and keep track of his computer usage.
I fed the chickens and let the chicks out.
I put a show on for Sophie and helped her learn to pause it.
I took pictures of my seaweed adventure.
I rested.
I made lemon ginger tea for my health.
I didn't allow my son to make me freak out.
I directed my children to help with the housework and got the place picked up and ready to be vaccuumed.
I was there for them and steady in my heart and attitude.
I read stories to my daughter and got her a drink and snack when she wanted one.
I listened to my son's stories and songs and ideas.
I was present and I did not allow myself to get overwhelmed.
I did not get angry or resentful of my husband for the leftover weekend mess.
I did not move into self-pity for the work or having to discipline.
I stayed steady, by the grace of God.

Note to self: I really did a lot and it's only 2 pm. My temptation is to see all I want to do and haven't gotten to yet and get bitter or frustrated or down on myself for not doing it. But really, could I have done more in the last 8 hours? If I just remain present and attend to what is foremost--having QII time to figure that out, then I will accomplish that which is truly important.

Friends in Minnesota

2010-06-24T06:17:00.001-07:00

The drive to Minnesota from South Dakota was pretty uneventful. No much to look at aside from rolling green hills. Nicer than looking at billboards and parking lots. We stopped at unmemorable places for food and finally arrived at Aniko and Jared's place around 6 pm.

They have a beautiful home in the farmland of Minnesota not far from Albert Lea off I-90. Jared's family has lived on that land for 3 generations of farming. He grew up in the house next door. It was wonderful visiting my friend--I hadn't seen her in nearly 5 years! It was fun to meet her three sweet children. Sophie had her first sleepover with Zsofi, An's oldest. Zsofi shared a doll with Sophie that she absolutely treasures! The little boys wrestled with Chase and then they all went outside to catch fireflies, which brought back memories for me of my childhood. Jared said that when he was a kid there were no fireflies--too much pesticide on the farms. Now, his uncle farms organically and the fireflies are back.

In the morning, we had a delicious baked oatmeal (I need to get that recipe!) and then shipped out. Our goal was to make it to Chicagoland the visit friends from our time there. But when we checked the weather, we discovered that they were having severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings, so we stopped an hour or so early and got a hotel. After dinner and swimming together, we all relaxed and went to bed.

Now we're heading to the Indiana Dunes for a romp and maybe a swim, then onward as we wrap up this leg of our adventure. We hope to get to my sister, Lori's by Friday night!

The Badlands

2010-06-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

Deadwood was a happenin' place, if you like casinos, since we don't we moved on. We took a beautiful walk in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Sophie loved blowing bubbles and running on the trails. Jakers loved it too. Chase found cool rocks and whittled as he walked. It was very relaxing. I loved seeing the slate formations. They stick straight up and down!!!!

Then we drove to the Badlands which were amazing. We saw Bison, Longhorn Sheep, Prairie Dogs and incredible views. After visiting the Prairie Dog towns, we drove out of the park to the Agate Allotment in the National Grasslands Park where we were able to rock hound.

After THAT, we drove on to find a hotel and crash for the night. The hotels east of the Badlands for 100 miles all had no vacancies. We finally found a little place and crashed.

Pictures from Montana drive

2010-06-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

Crossing Montana

2010-06-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday we had a full day of exploring and driving. We found Lewis and Clark Caverns--NOT discovered by Lewis and Clark! We took a 2 hour underground tour that was pretty amazing! 600 feet inside a mountain....Sophie got a little freaked, because I kept saying that the formations looked like fairy castles--she's been into fairies lately. Of course, she didn't say she was freaked until bedtime. Said she'd rather not go into mountains again. Chase liked it though. It was a LONG hike inside with 900 steps up and down and even a 6 foot slide you had to go down to fit between rooms. When it was half-way done, I thought we were almost done! Oh well. It was very cool though.

We drove from there to Bozeman. A cool town. We had a Thai dinner to have a break from burgers. Then we visited the Museum of the Rockies which is reciprocal to the Pacific Science Center, which we have a membership with. Yay! Free! We got there around 6:30 pm, and it closes at 8. We pretty much had the museum to ourselves. The kids enjoyed playing with Dinosaur puppets and toys, we saw amazing fossils and dinosaur bones and learned more about the Geological history of Montana. As a bonus, Da Vinci's inventions were being exhibited (we'd seen them in San Fran, but it was nice to explore them again.)

Drove for another 2 hours to Billings. At 10 pm we arrived to discover that the hotel we'd picked was in a very seedy and active part of the city. We cancelled and went back to the highway and got a place that felt much safer. Can anyone say midnight bedtime for kiddos? Quite a packed day. Now you know why I didn't blog last night!

Today we mostly drove to get to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was a long and mostly uneventful drive. We had a choice to take Highway 212 or stay on I-90. A sign said that 212 was a shortcut. We took it to save time. I highly recommend NOT DOING THAT!!!!!!! Highway 212 took us through several Indian Reservations--not a bad thing in itself and through two po-dunk towns. Problem is--we drove through at lunchtime and there were absolutely no rest stops, gas stations, restaurants, cafes, or even a hot dog stand for about 250 miles. We finally came upon a tiny town with one little cafe all decorated with Piggies. It looked cute and funky and well, there was nowhere else to eat and it was close to 3 pm. So we went in. The waitress person tells us that it's a buffet today--eggs, sausage, bacon or turkey and stuffing. We say, okay, we're starving at this point. She hands us plates and leads us back into the little kitchen (same room) and points to a row of containers with lids. Not heated, old as the day is long. $5 for the kids, $8 for us. Nasty looking cafeteria fodder!!!! I didn't know what to do or say. I was pretty much in shock! I got plates for Sophie and Chase while Mark looked around town for a sandwich. I resolved to eat the leftover spinach salad I had in the car. It was weird. Really weird. That town gave me the creeps and I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Another 150 miles later, we entered the Black Hills.

The Black Hills are beautiful and rich in gold and other minerals. The town of Deadwood is a happenin' place. LOTS and LOTS of casinos and speakeasies. It's a historic town--I think Wild Bill Hicock and Calamity Jane are buried here or something. Even the hotels have slot machines in the lobby! We had hoped to camp here, but there is a threat of severe thunderstorms and that just wouldn't be fun, so we're hotelling it again.

Tomorrow--on to a tour of the Black Hills, some hiking, and then to the Badlands where we will collect rocks and agates.

Photos of the Day in Butte

2010-06-18T21:47:00.001-07:00

The best laid plans....

2010-06-18T21:10:00.001-07:00

Flexibility and adaptability--those are my new mantras. What a great way to grow in the capacity to be flexible and adaptable---a LONG road trip!

So my PLAN was to go to the mineral collection and the mining museum today. I got up, did my yoga, went to the car to get the swimsuits...discovered that the rooftop carrier leaked and got all our camping gear wet. Took the kids swimming while Mark unloaded the rooftop carrier. Soooo instead of heading to the museums, we stayed at the hotel, unloaded the camping gear, spread it all over the hotel room and THEN tried to head out for lunch. At which time we hit a nasty pothole and pulled something down on the bottom of the front of the car. Yay for AAA! We called, they came, and duct taped it up, thankfully it wasn't a huge problem or a lot of damage. We finally got some lunch and hit Walmart for bags to keep the camping gear dry and clothes for Chase. Forgot to mention that we discovered that we left his ENTIRE BAG of clothing at the Taits in Spokane!!! During this eventful morning, my allergies decided to let loose--I think I react to something in the hotel rooms. We get pet rooms because we have Jakers. I'm not allergic to HIM, but I AM allergic to a lot of other peoples' pets!~ You know, I'm pretty excited about the fact that I didn't get super stressed out today, despite the detours and roadblocks. Actually, so many things "went wrong" that it was downright humorous and I felt like I was in a silly vacation movie.

We decided to go rock mining instead of the mining and mineral museums because the weather was so beautiful and Chase really wanted to find sapphires. The trip out (2pm when we finally got started!) was BEAUTIFUL. The DAY was beautiful--lovely blue sky, warm air and amazing scenery. It was fun picking through the rocks to find sapphires. Chase found quite a few, though they were small. I found one sizable enough to cut, but that's pretty expensive. Still, loads of fun to hunt for gems!

On the way back to the hotel we ate at a little diner in Anaconda, MT. Yes, ANACONDA. I wonder how it got that name? It was a cute place..we ate in a VW Bug that was converted to a booth. :)

So, by now I think I can safely say that you never know what a day will hold. Chase wants to go again tomorrow to the sapphire mines, but we're moving on...HOPEFULLY to Lewis and Clark Caverns.

Pictures!

2010-06-17T21:25:00.001-07:00

These are in reverse order!

Road Trip!

2010-06-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been nearly a year since I've posted! Facebook kept me in touch with you all in a more immediate way. But I want an archive of our road trip, so I'm going to try to blog as we go. And I know how to put pictures up here a bit more easily.

So we started out yesterday the 16th from our home in Carnation, WA. It took till 10 to get on the road, but we made it to Spokane by 5:30. The weather has been unpredictably crappy for June, but you know what? I've decided that we're going to have a fun road trip rain or shine.

So what's in Spokane? Our Come Alive friends who lived in the SF Bay area at the same time as us and moved to Spokane when we moved to Seattleland. Zoom had fun playing with their boys..they traded Yugioh cards and watched the Truman Show. Seriously. Danell made a fabulous meal and Mark hasn't stopped raving about her homemade bread. So that was a really nice way to start out our trip--visiting friends and having good food. The weather? 48 and rainy.

Day 2

We drove to Butte, Montana. Idaho was pretty. Pretty rainy. But still, incredibly beautiful. We saw this little town that looked like it was right out of the 1870's and had to stop. (It was lunchtime anyhow.) Turns out, Wallace, Idaho has its whole town--all the building--on the National Historic Building Registry. There are tons of bitty museums and such and a funky little dive where we ultimately stopped for lunch called The Red Garage. Part antique shop, part diner, they made good burgers and a mean huckleberry milkshake. I had two in honor of my birthday. The weather? 44 and rainy. Wallace is a mining town, actually the Silver Mining area of the world. Huge amounts of silver were mined in the day and still are. It was a neat quick stop.

Kept driving for most of the afternoon. Montana--the west end in particular--is amazingly beautiful like the crazy coolest movie set imaginable. Still rainy and 44. There was fresh snow in the mountains, and we decided NOT to camp in Yellowstone. I think they are having a late season snow storm. Still, I'm glad I brought our long-johns, fleece and wool. We're using them!

We got to Butte and checked two hotels. One didn't accept pets, the other was so skanky that after we lugged the exhausted kids, dog and stuff in and looked around, I made Mark get a refund and we drove across town. (It DID have an amazing pool with a cool slide, but I still wasn't going to pay for a room like that!) Found a good place for the same rate and got Sophie to bed while Mark and Chase went out to eat.

Tomorrow, we plan to swim a while, visit the Mining Museum and Mineral Museum and stay the night again. The next day, we will head toward Bozeman and the Dinosaur museum and Lewis and Clark Underground Caverns. So cool!

Pictures tomorrow--when I can find the camera.

Chick pics

2009-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Life just keeps moving along at the speed of light! All is well here.

The chicks are thriving, thankfully. Our friend was not so lucky with hers. We took them out three at a time into the garden yesterday.

Monthly

2009-06-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe you guys should just check my blog once a month. It seems to be the frequency I post to it!

A few current Behm events.

Zoom finished Nature Camp with a big bang! Literally. He fell off the monkey bars (walking on top of them 7-8 feet up) and broke his arm. Then gave his piano recital single-handed two days later. He did a fantastic job (at the recital) and so enjoyed the music. He can't wait for next year to learn more and made sure I got his summer practice packet so he could keep playing.
He's also gotten very into Pokemon and has a friend that he pretends to be a Pokemon catcher with for hours a day. The romp through the yard and to the lake and through the woods collecting invisible Pokemons. Summer fun!

We're doing house projects galore! Painting, redoing the garage to make it living space, building a chicken coop and other odds and ends. So fun. Really.

Princess is so enjoyable to watch play. Her imagination knows no bounds and she loves to talk to her little toys and nurture them and love on them. Fun to watch. I love when she plays hide and seek with me and Zoom and I count. When I finish counting she laughs and pops out of her spot with open arms and a big laugh!

I love it here in the Northwest. This is a beautiful time of year here. Makes me want to explore--when I'm not working in the garden or house. In my next post I'll add pictures.

Love you guys! Email me!
Dawn

catching up

2009-05-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while again! We went on vacation to Cabo San Lucas with friends. Soooo fun. It was perfect timing too. In March it rained a lot here at home and a trip to sunny Mexico was the perfect remedy. Here are a few pics.

The Alps...

2009-04-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

So as spring approaches the Pacific Northwest...gradually from coast to mountains, we happened upon an opportunity to join some homeschoolers sledding in the mountains. I had wanted to go into the mountains before the season ends. After driving there--only 40 minutes from home--I see I don't have to worry. At home there are signs of spring everywhere. Robins, daffodils, cherry trees blossoming...grass growing. At Snoqualmie Pass there is well over 7 feet of snow on the sides of the road. Not piled up, but just on the ground. Snow banks were immense and I really felt like we could have been in the Alps. It was an incredibly beautiful day. A foot of new snow had fallen in the night, and the sun was out--a balmy day in the 50s. Too warm for coats, really. So fun!

Getting Better

2009-03-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, my goal is to get better at keeping up with my blog so you don't hear the crickets so often.

I have some pictures to post! My fabulous mom and precious sister came to visit me! They are the best!!!!!! I so appreciate them taking time from their daily lives to spend some days with me and my kids and hubby.

Highlights of the visit were sightseeing in Snoqualmie Falls, doing the girl thing with pedicures...Sophie too! And watching them react to the foods I make here at home...duck egg omelets, green smoothies with kale and avocado, tapioca pudding in the rice cooker..oh and going to yoga together!

I'll try to blog about our recent mountain sledding adventure next!
Adios!

It's Been Ages...

2009-03-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy and mostly good. Health has been an issue but it's on the upswing. We go to Cabo San Lucas in 3 more weeks for a week vacation which will be SWEET. But mostly I wanted to post because I've reached a milestone and I'm excited.

For over a year I've been working through a book called, First Things First, by Stephen Covey. It's been great. This year I've been working on a personal mission statement. I JUST finished it. I suppose it will change and grow over the years, but it's my heart and mission in a nutshell. A way to keep myself focused and on track to what I am about.

I thought I'd share for those interested.

Mission Statement
I am blessed and I am a blessing.

People Matter to me.
My family , my friends, the elderly.
Those on God's heart.

I will Do more than just treasure them in my heart,
I will actively and consistently show my love
with focused attention,
a note, phone call or gift,
time together and prayer.

My home is a sanctuary.
It is a place of sacredness, calm, peace and order.
It blesses all who enter or spend time in it.
It is simple, not spartan
Filled with warmth and small delights.

I will take the time, effort
and money to make it so.
It is not wasted time,
Nor is it selfish.

My body, soul, and Spirit are Valuable.
I Care for them.
Doing so enables me to bless others,
My heart's desire.

I will take the time to learn about and make
nutritious and delicious food
for my health and my family.
I will have healthy snacks and foods
on-hand always.

My efforts are Fruitful.
I will continually learn and grow without fear.
I will make a plan,
have materials organized
and set goals.
I will take baby-steps toward those goals.

I will focus on nutrition, finance,
homeschooling my children,
and creating a home sanctuary
to bless myself, my family and others around me.

I will trust
as I take this time to learn,plan and evaluate
with an open heart
God's Spirit will lead us down the right paths.

I will remember the poor, the children,
and the elderly in my daily life and choices.

My path is never alone.
I Trust God!!!
I will trust that he loves me deeply
and clearly leads me--
Even when I don't see it.

I will ask for wisdom and move in confidence.
Therein Lies my power source, my peace
And all the ability I need to be blessed
and to be a Blessing.

I refuse to walk in fear, doubt or confusion.
When these creep in, I will STop.
I will proclaim these truths
and quietly and confidently seek God--
Until peace is restored.
Only then will I move forward.

My Life is a gift to enjoy.
I will Enjoy
my children, my husband
my home, my friends.
The beautiful natural world surrounding me.

I will glorify God and enjoy him forever!!!

When I'm tired

2009-01-11T21:09:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, being a mom can be draining! But then I read a poem like this one (it's by Eugene Field, our poet right now in homeschool) and I'm reminded and encouraged. Enjoy!

Pittypat and Tippytoe
by Eugene Field (1850-1895)

All day long they come and go---
Pittypat and Tippytoe;
Footprints up and down the hall,
Playthings scattered on the floor,
Finger-marks along the wall,
Tell-tale smudges on the door---
By these presents you shall know
Pittypat and Tippytoe.

How they riot at their play!
And a dozen times a day
In they troop, demanding bread---
Only buttered bread will do,
And the butter must be spread
Inches thick with sugar too!
And I never can say "No,
Pittypat and Tippytoe!"

Sometimes there are griefs to soothe,
Sometimes ruffled brows to smooth;
For (I much regret to say)
Tippytoe and Pittypat
Sometimes interrupt their play
With an internecine spat;
Fie, for shame! to quarrel so---
Pittypat and Tippytoe!

Oh the thousand worrying things
Every day recurrent brings!
Hands to scrub and hair to brush,
Search for playthings gone amiss,
Many a wee complaint to hush,
Many a little bump to kiss;
Life seems one vain, fleeting show
To Pittypat and Tippytoe!

And when day is at an end,
There are little duds to mend;
Little frocks are strangely torn,
Little shoes great holes reveal,
Little hose, but one day worn,
Rudely yawn at toe and heel!
Who but you could work such woe,
Pittypat and Tippytoe?

But when comes this thought to me:
"Some there are that childless be,"
Stealing to their little beds,
With a love I cannot speak,
Tenderly I stroke their heads---
Fondly kiss each velvet cheek.
God help those who do not know
A Pittypat or Tippytoe!

On the floor and down the hall,
Rudely smutched upon the wall,
There are proofs in every kind
Of the havoc they have wrought,
And upon my heart you 'd find
Just such trade-marks, if you sought;
Oh, how glad I am 't is so,
Pittypat and Tippytoe!

The true gift of the NW

2009-01-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

I've discovered the true gift of the Pacific Northwest. Naps. The gray skies and constant gentle sound of rain on the roof, the early sunset time (4:30pm) all lend themselves very much to making you feel cozy and sleepy inside. I put the kids down for a nap at 1:30 or so--well, Zoom went to watch Looney Tunes, and Daddio and I laid down for a long winter's nap. I woke up at 4, and well, Daddio is still sleeping. Ah. Good times. Daddio is also medicated for a strained muscle and a bit groggy anyway.

Odie is potty training herself. She's decided to use the potty everytime we change a diaper or clothes. And pees pretty regularly in it. And today for the first time, as I said to her it's time to eat, she said, "Let's change my stinky diaper first!"

Zoom was sweet--he offered to give her a starting deck of Yugioh cards--if she could prove that she could take good care of them. So he gave her one card, instructing her to not bend it or rub it or rip it and set the timer for 5 minutes. When she "passed" by taking care of the card, she got more cards. Then he gave her a binder and protector sheets and filled two pages up for her. So now she has her own Yugioh collection. He's excited for when she's old enough for an allowance to buy her own and trade with him.

Later!

it's been a while

2009-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hi! I realize that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's has come and gone without a post. There is much I'd love to share. But perhaps it's just better at the moment to let you know how things are today.

I appreciate the phone calls and emails checking on us in the deluge. It has been fearsomely wet out here in Washington, but we have been high and dry, snug in our little house on the hill. Our hometown and neighboring town were completely cut off by the floods for a few days, but we are on a hill in unincorporated rural area west of town and were pretty much unaffected. Prayers are welcomed though, for the neighbors and people around here that WERE affected by the floods.

Zoom is back to homeschool and it's going well. He's excited about money right now, and has determined that he wants to buy stocks. So we've been playing Cashflow 101 together. It's funny, because that game really does get you thinking differently about money. I'm learning right along with him. That's something I really like about homeschool.

Missy Moo currently wants to be called Odie, Garfield's sidekick. She affectionately calls Zoom her Garfield. She is so bubbly and bouncy and full of life! She loves all things Dora and participates with mucho gusto in our Spanish lessons. She still loves books and climbing and just is so fun.

Daddio is getting to paint all day! What a life to get to make cool monster art all day and get paid for it! We're working on clearing out the garage now so we can begin the process of building him an office out there. One step at a time...

As for me, my health and strength is improving. My dear doctor thinks that in general the stress of the move just wiped me out. Go figure.

Also, after a long time of feeling like I'm a hack or novice at life and if i'd just work harder or be smarter or SOMETHING I'd be an expert like all the other grown-ups, I've come to the conclusion that I will ALWAYS be a novice. I will get more experience in some areas...like cooking or homeschooling, but God and life will continue to ask me to stretch WAAAAY out of my comfort zone and learn to deal with and/or accomplish new things.

So on Sunday during church I felt God asking me to just get comfortable or embrace the feeling of being a novice, of not really knowing what I'm doing. That it's right where he wants me so that I continue to look to HIM, the expert, for what I need to do in a given situation and not rely on my own strength....

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding...." Prov. 3:5

An old lesson, a need to learn it again. And here I thought that by now at least, I'd be an expert at living....HA!

Lots of Love to all you scattered friends and loved ones around the country.
Me

Quick Blog Note

2008-11-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hi,

So sorry it's been so long...6 weeks, yikes! I'm still alive and all is pretty good out here. I've been a bit under the weather with some long-standing health issues and could use some prayer support. It wears me out and there isn't much energy left at the end of the day to blog.

On the bright side, I found an incredible naturopath who is really on the ball and is working with me to support my body in many different ways. AND health insurance covers her! Yay!!!!

Zoom is doing really, really well. He's made great strides in school--particularly in math and handwriting. Those have been really challenging subjects for him and not only has he grown a lot in them, he is also enjoying them. Yay!

Squeak, Missy Moo, Princess, now known alternately as Dora or Odie, is also pretty cool. She talks SO well it's startling. And when she's really emphatic about something she points her finger at you as she's talking. Didn't learn it from me.....:)

Mid-week we head to NJ for lots of fun with family. I miss them all so much it will be so great to see Mom and Dad, sisters, nieces and nephews, and some family friends.

Daddio's mom, affectionately known as Moma, (long o) came to visit last week. It was great having her here. The kids love to play with her and I was able to go to 4 doctor visits without dragging the kids along! They also carved pumpkins which was a hoot!

My Daddy came to visit just before that. I loved having him here and we got to explore Snoqualmie Falls. Really cool waterfall. The weather was perfect and the leaves were peaking. Got some good pictures. Missy Moo loved reading stories with her Papa.

Funny note for today: Zoom and Dora were preparing for a mock battle. Zoom asked Dora if she wanted to be civilized or Barbarian. (We just finished studying the fall of Rome.) She said she'd like to be LIBRARIAN. So fun having a 2 year old around!

When she throws a terrible two fit, Zoom (who would prefer to be known as Garfield these days) will sound an alarm like a fire truck and shout around the house "Warning, Warning Two Year Old Alert!!!!""

At least he has a sense of humor about it!

Gotta go rest. We're picking Daddio up from the airport at 11:30 tonight. Next time, I make the plane reservations!

Hope you enjoyed my update. With all that's on the calendar for the NEXT 6 weeks, you may not hear from me again for a while. (But I'll try.)

Lots of love,
dawn

Odds and Ends of our Days

2008-10-01T14:26:00.001-07:00

Wow! It's been three weeks since I've last posted. I guess it's because just after the last post, homeschool started in full force along with Zoom's birthday and life in general just picked up momentum. I plan to put some pictures of the party up, but they are on Daddio's computer right now so I'll have to wait.

A brief glimpse into our days: Zoom and Missy Moo and I are now enjoying schooltimes. This being our third official year, some things are more automatic and we can have fun doing them instead of developing the habits. Not that we don't have habits to continue to develop!

On Monday afternoons, Zoom has started a keyboard music class which he really enjoys.

Tuesdays we go to the co-op for P.E. games with kids. Missy Moo (who now wants to be called Princess) wants her own classes, so we've been working on beading and stickers and whatever other fun stuff interests her. Later in the day we head to the library. Zoom has chosen his favorite library. It's a small one and the librarian loves to help him find what he's looking for--usually comic books, how to draw monsters books, etc. He's a huge Garfield fan right now. I never was. Still not. Oh well.

Wednesday Zoom has Wilderness Awareness School most of the day. He loves it and has made friends there. He got knife certified (for carving and such), swims in the swamp, makes fires and this week, may be learning about processing a dead deer (it was road kill). They also play games, hear stories and learn about observing and caring for the natural world around them.

Missy Moo, my apologies, Princess, has a music class with me during the morning. She LOVES it. She wants to hear the music ALL the time! (I'm sick of it already!)

Thursdays and Fridays are sacred days for me. We stay home ALL DAY!!!!!! I love that time. It's so relaxing and we have school that we do, and resting, trampoline jumping, nature exploring and doing house stuff. Plus, we occasionally have a friend over.

Whew. That made me tired just typing it! Many people have more going on, but this is plenty for me and my crew.

Daddio finished his night job and is now a bit more free in the evenings, which is so nice. I've started a bit of yoga again which feels so good.

I'm hoping to see the Salmon Run this week. Really, Salmon rushing up the creeks around here to spawn. It's a big deal in the area. So cool.

Love y'all.
Dawn

Finding a church

2008-09-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here's how Zoom does it. When I asked him which church he wanted to go back to, this was his logic. "Well, this church had a big potluck afterwards with free hot chocolate and grapes and salami, so I like this one. I liked the other one too though, it had hot chocolate with WHIPPED CREAM, but you had to pay for it. Do you think that was because of the whipped cream?"

So basically, according to an almost 8-year old boy, the church you should attend is based upon how much and what kind of food they have afterwards....

Coming Along!

2008-09-01T20:52:00.001-07:00

So this post may only interest my mom, but I am so excited that I have my own little office area in the bedroom! Check it out! It's all Ikea and was on sale!!!! I love it. It matches my style and the square shelves and the boxes help me stay a bit more organized. And I can use all the help I can get in that area!!!

Love y'all!
Dawn

Practicing for Halloween

2008-08-27T20:43:00.001-07:00

Our Town

2008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

I'm learning bits and pieces about our area here and it's been fun. I thought that I'd share a little with you.

We live in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range in the Snoqualmie Valley. I recently learned that the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe still lives here. They weren't on a reservation, rather, they integrated into the towns in the valley. But they kept their tribal unity and identity. After 50 years of petitioning, just recently, like in the 1990s, they were granted the status of a Nation again. Their headquarters are right in my hometown! Not only that, but the small town I live in didn't have a doctor, so the Snoqualmie Nation stepped up and is providing healthcare not just to the tribe but to all who live here. (They take insurance too--and it helps offset the cost for those who don't have it.) So our doctors work for the Snoqualmie Nation! I thought that was pretty neat. They have an herb garden behind the clinic that helps to integrate modern medicine with traditional medicine.

More on our town in posts to come!

Jump!!!!

2008-08-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Another reason to love our backyard! And for still another reason, check out Zoom's Nature blog. naturetimeNW.blogspot.com.

Fun at the new house

2008-08-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of the beginnings of an art center in the living room area. I love this living room because it's so big with a two story ceiling and wall of windows. We have a sofa/tv area, a school area, a craft area...you get the idea. It will change and develop as time goes on, but it's a great space. The kids are having fun with the craft table.

Aunt Shugabug and Aunt Shell gave Zoom this cool hamster wheel thing for his birthday last fall. We didn't have a good place to use it in CA, but the meadow in our backyard is perfect! Zoom and Missy Moo have been having a blast with it!

LIttle things

2008-08-14T23:10:00.001-07:00

Two of my friends have blogs that they update almost daily, but just short blurbs. I thought maybe I'd try that. So you hear from me more often.

Our yard is so cool.
The deer love our yard too. The other day we saw 2 fawns and 3 adults in our little meadow. When we went outside, with Jakers, they stayed around and looked at us. So cool.

Zoom is stoked about his treehouse. We have to tear away the rotted parts, but the bones look good and we'll make it a project to work on together.

Jakers, our dog, is in heaven. We haven't seen him this happy since Texas. Room to roam, and he goes in and out of the house freely and stays in the yard close to home.

Daddio's Book is Finally Here!!!!

2008-08-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yay!!!! Daddio got a book of his artwork published. It's called Nightwork. LOL. He only ever had time to work on his artwork at night after work!

The first batch has arrived!

Click here to see it or order it.

Back to unpacking!

Dawn :)

We've landed!

2008-08-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you all know that we've finally landed in the Pacific Northwest and are slowly settling into our new home.

After a long, sticky, hot car trip up the country, we just couldn't wait to see our new home. So at 8 pm Sunday night we pulled up into our driveway. Zoom and Missy Moo were exhausted, but so excited to see our new place. Zoom said he thought we died and went to heaven. The two of them were dancing around and jumping up and down...it was so cute. And I felt like I WAS in heaven! The beautiful surrounding nature, the design of the house--just our style. I feel so blessed.

The move was fairly smooth and uneventful as moves go. The moving company was great and we got to stay in a nice hotel on the way.

We're all pretty exhausted and we're surrounded by boxes and will be for a while. But we're glad to be here. Though there's a lot of work ahead of us, we are so thankful for the opportunity to live in this beautiful home on this amazing land.

Somewhere in the Bible it says, "God gives us richly all things to enjoy." Today, we humbly stand with a heart of gratitude to our Maker and Provider who has truly blessed us...yet again.

Now that we're here, come on out and visit us!!!! It's beautiful. And I've yet to experience that Seattle-land rainy-ness that everyone talks about. Oh, I know I'll get my fair share, but it's been warm and sunny every day that we've been here so far.

Email me if you want our contact info.
Oh and please pray that we all get well. Zoom, Missy Moo and I have a cold that is keeping us down.

Love you all!
dawn

Missy Moo

2008-07-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

My how time flies! Squeak has changed in the past 19 months from being a little tiny being that slept most of the time and just snuggled in the crook of my arms to becoming a full-fledged toddler. And she's SO fun. I thought I'd take a few minutes to share some "snapshots" of our little girl.

She's given herself a new nickname. Whenever I was trying to be stern with her (so hard, really) I would call her "Missy". So she's dubbed herself, "Missy Moo". She shall be known here on out in the blog as Missy Moo until she grows into another name.

The other day we decided it was time to introduce Missy Moo to paint. So I put her in her seat with the tray, gave her some red and blue paint in her cupholders, some paper and a paintbrush and quickly went to the next room to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer. This is what awaited me when I got back.

We went to a water park last Sunday for Zoom. Missy Moo LOVED IT! Her favorite part was the Wave Pool. She was the only toddler in the waves and she loved holding onto Daddio's hands while the waves pounded her. She laughed and laughed.

Much like she laughs when she and Zoom play their favorite game, Splat. She shouts out, "Plat, plat!" And Zoom carefully moves the coffee table out of the way, puts pillows on the floor, pushes the ottoman against the sofa and the two of them throw themselves from the arms of the sofa, "splat" onto the cushions...or each other. And they wrestle and play "knock-you-down" and laugh and laugh. Despite the 6 year age difference, she somehow keeps up with Zoom's energy and rough-housing. And begs for more. She has a lot of spunk, this one.

She also has a lot of words. She loves to talk and now says two or three word sentences. Often her words are clear as a bell. Like, "Po-key-mon" and "din-oh-saur." Can you tell she has a big brother? She's also very clear and determined about what she wants. Zoom wanted to go to the beach today, and his ploy was to convince her to beg for it too. But she was not to be swayed. "No, no," she says, "Paygound." Zoom says, "Don't you want to go to the beach????" Says Missy Moo, "Paygound."

Missy Moo also LOVES books. Always has. Just like Zoom, me and Daddio. She loves to be read to. Only be clear on this, SHE'S in charge. She picks the book, and then you might be halfway through and she's close it hard and lean over for a different particular book. "Dis one." And if you get the wrong one, she'll say, "No, no," and push it away. Of course, halfway through that book she might close it and get the book she previously left half-read and want more. Or she'll want to stay on one page in a book and look at and talk about and learn that name and job of every single object on the page. Some books that were Zoom's and I'd read a million times before with him suddenly seemed to have new objects in the pictures that I never, ever noticed before. She doesn't miss a thing, this one.

She's also very into yoga. Believe it or not. If you'd told me that I'd have a 19th month old that was into yoga I'd have laugh myself silly Now I just shake my head and smile. She has two yoga kids videos (from Zoom's earlier years) and she asks for them every day. She has her favorite songs "Reach for the Sun" and "Namaste" and her favorite poses that she does at random times throughout the day. Current favorites include "volcano", "triangle", and "locomotive." Amazing.

I could go on, but it's getting late and I've no more hours to go before I need to get to sleep. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Missy Moo at this stage a little bit. I know she'd love to get to know you too.
Dawn

p.s. Can anyone get the photos here? OR are they too big?

New Blog to Check Out

2008-06-16T09:06:00.001-07:00

Hey All!

Zoom and I have started a nature blog to keep us looking at God's cool creation. We thought you might like to peek in and comment here and there--first to see nature from out West here since many of you are back East. Second, to encourage Zoom in his blogging!

Check out and bookmark...

www.NaturetimeNW.blogspot.com

Thanks!
Dawn

update

2008-05-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

Hey All!

I just re-read my last post and realized I never updated how the trip to Seattle went. It was crazy with the kids--sweaty, cranky, sticky--but good. The kids were real troopers. I still don't know why we took them this trip. But God knows. Zoom hit it off with his old friend from Texas. We enjoyed visiting our old friends too. And by the sheer grace of our amazing God, we found the dream home--and knew it.

In March, Daddio and I took a weekend away. (Thanks, Moma!) And while away, we wrote up exactly what we wanted for a home to raise our kids in. No limits. Exactly what we wanted, down to wood paneled walls, a south-facing two story wall of windows in the living room, lots of land to have goats and chickens on, a hot tub and a soaker tub with a skylight. OH, and it had to back up to state park that we could access from our backyard to trails. We figured, if we write what we want, we know what we're looking for and we can always prioritize what we can't live without and get SOME of what we want. Well, the first house our realtor took us to had ALL that. ALL of it. The hot tub, the wall of windows, the acreage backing up to the state park...etc, etc. etc. Amazing. It was exactly our price range and the owners agreed to the financing situation we needed. AND they can't sell it due to extenuating circumstances until early July. When we are really more ready to buy and move!!!

Okay, I knew we were children of a big God. But that just took the cake. We walked out of the place and knew it was home. Both of us. It's funny, and it's not all final by any means yet, but I feel so peaceful and grateful about it. Go God! And to all of you who prayed for our trip and for us to find our dream home, THANK YOU!!!!!

On a very different note, I was busy cleaning the garage today--trying to sort out yard sale stuff and packing and stuff--and dropped something sharp, heavy and metal on my mostly bare foot. (I was wearing sandals.) An hour or so later, I couldn't walk on my foot and it was screaming in pain. No, wait. I was screaming in pain. Zoom was at a friend's, Squeak was at my feet, and it was my driving foot so I couldn't even drive myself to the doctor's. Daddio came home from work early and took me. Thankfully, it doesn't look like it's broken. But it's very, very swollen and tender and hurts like the dickens. I have crutches, but I wonder---how the heck do you change laundry, feed and change a baby, take a kid to book club and make dinner hobbling on crutches? Any suggestions, please send them. I need it. BTW, Motrin makes everything better, although I'm still unable to bear weight on my foot.

Okay. Please pray for me to heal. FAST!!!!!!! I don't have time for this! Does anyone?

Dawn

gift musings

2008-05-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

Ya know, this post might feel a little weird to some of you. If it does, just skip it because it doesn't apply to you. But if you want the info, here it is.

Every once in a while I think, gosh, I would love to get that. But I know I won't because our budget has other priorities. My birthday is coming up (June 17th if you were curious), and some people may want to get a gift for me (NOOOO PRESSURE!!!!! and NO EXPECTATIONS!!!!) But I am an immensely practical person (in some ways) and figure if someone wants to get me something it would be fabulous if it was something I really wanted or needed. So here are some things I've been thinking of.

i-Tunes gift certificates (there is so much new music out there that I want and I just don't buy it)
a gift cert to Toque Blanche (a high end kitchen supply store in Half Moon Bay, CA--there are a few items I would really LOVE for my kitchen)
a gift cert to The Walking Store (I need new shoes and I'm very picky)
a gift cert to L.L. Bean (I'm in need of spring sweaters)
Amy Grant's cd-set Mosaic
New music from Nichole Nordemann, Twila Paris or Carolyn Arends
earrings
small perfume
nail polish
a Pilates ball
books from my Amazon wish list (especially: When Children Love to Learn)
Bath and Body gift cert. or Target (I'd like a new set of sheets)

I think that's it. I can't think of another thing I'd like more right now. Well, a dishwasher and a Roman bathtub. But that'll have to wait awhile.

On a related note, we head up to Seattle next week to look at housing. Please pray for us.

First pray that things go smoothly with the kids. They are coming. I don't know what I was thinking when I planned it that way, but c'est la vie. Pray that we have energy, they have fun and are flexible and that we can still look at houses. Pray for everyone's health and good sleep. Pray for food. We are all pretty much gluten-free right now and traveling with that isn't necessarily easy. God will provide though!

Then, pray for good communication with the realtor and the mortgage broker, and good homes to look at. Pray that I don't jump at anything just to have it done. (I tend to be that way!--Although usually it works out well.) Pray that our friends up there can watch the kids for a few hours while we look.

Pray for our dream home to be there and for us to know it. And for it to be in our price range! Pray! And Believe! God is so good and faithful and has provided beautiful places to live, amazing places, so frequently and so wonderfully. I know he will again. I thank you for your prayers in advance (especially my MOM) because I know they make a huge difference in my life!

I'm starting to get excited about our move to the Seattle area. School is wrapping up here for Zoom. Oooh...pray that we can get him a homeschool yearbook. There is only one left and it's spoken for but we're trying to get favor and get him one before we leave. It's going to be a crazy busy summer, but if it wasn't I wouldn't be fully alive, now would I? Life IS crazy, at least mine is, and the sheer miracle that things all come together in the end just leaves me in awe sometimes and I know I'm not walking through life alone.

Love you guys!
Dawn

A visit to the farm

2008-05-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

We visited Zoom and Squeak's grandparents this weekend. It was especially fun because they had just gotten two baby goats and have chicks that are turning into chickens. Zoom was very helpful with the goats, mucking out their stall, putting down fresh hay and feeding them their morning milk. :)

Squeak also really enjoy Moma's jewelry and Phil's tractors.

A Field Trip and a Declaration

2008-05-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Zoom had fun at "Take Your Kid to Work Day." He saw previews of Kung Fu Panda, learned about matte painting and had a crash course in Kung Fu. At lunch, Alex the lion, from Madagascar was there for pictures. Squeak was enamored by the huge Alex lion. She hug him and walked up and touched his paw and everything. So fun. Can't beat having a dad in the animated movie industry.

Zoom LOVES cartoon books. His current favs are Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield and Tintin. I think he can really relate to Calvin, would love to be Garfield, and finds Tintin dangerous and cool....I would also add that we've been studying the Founding of America recently. You'll see how this relates in a moment.

When we got home, Zoom zoomed into his room and began writing furiously some secret thing. A few minutes later he marched out very dramatically saying, "Announcing TinTin the messenger with The Declaration of Calvin's Independence." And he began to read.

"the Declorashan of Calvin,s independents
We or me or I am Bosste and we want to be free. We have no rites of us so we sould be let free!! L*et* us be free*:)!!"

Signed: Calvin Garfield Snoopy Tintin
Woodchck Gery Tom
Scooby Doo Clive
Cobra Stretch Pooky

Each name was in a neat column and underlined. Those brave souls declaring independence! Of course, Mama signed the declaration to avoid war, but with the warning that freedom comes with a price and the undersigned would need to be willing to pay that price. Squeak for her part, was thrilled with the pomp and circumstance and thoroughly enjoyed high-step marching around behind Chase as he paraded the document. What a cute moment. So fun.

Beach Day!

2008-04-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago we had gorgeous weather. Normally it's a bit chilly here, but this weekend in particular was perfect. We took full advantage and enjoyed the beach together as a family. Squeak could not get enough of the water and waves! The water's very cold here, so every few minutes we had to walk her up the beach to warm up our toes and such and she protested so much because she wanted to be back in the waves. Zoom loves the ocean as well and enjoyed the waves as well. It was such a nice family day. The photos don't do it justice...ah, well.

Some updates

2008-04-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

It seems to be so long between posts! Life does have a way of moving for me. Like the ocean outside my door, the waves keep coming, they don't stop. Not that that's bad. It can be soothing and peaceful sometimes, and feel like everything is crashing around me at others. I like that ocean analogy...I think I'll take that with me when we leave this place.

Well, that was a little internal musing that spilled out. What I PLANNED to blog about was updating what's going on in our life. So here goes.

First, my incredible sisters came out to visit and brought my niece/goddaughter along. The best part was that they woke her up at 2:30 in the morning to catch the flight and didn't tell her where she was going. She didn't know where she was going until she saw me at the airport! I could never keep a secret that long! I always feel so blessed when people choose to spend their time and money to come and visit me (and Mark and the kids). I know life is busy and flying is expensive, and so I am so grateful when people make that sacrifice for our relationship. It doesn't hurt that we live in a beautiful vacation spot, but still.

It was really fun to see Zoom and his cousin, Beanie, playing and running up on the bluffs and to see Aunt Nee and Lorelei teach Squeak about jewelry and sock puppets. Treasured moments.

Next, our oldest niece on Daddio's side had her first baby! He looks beautiful and I can't wait to meet and hold him in November.

Third, we are moving again. (Snuck that one in there, didn't I?) Some of you have known since last June, but Daddio wanted to officially keep it under wraps until his current bosses knew about it. Smart man. So this summer you'll have the opportunity to get your pencils out and put a Washington state address down for us. Daddio accepted a sweet job at a game company called Valve near Seattle. We're currently looking at buying a modest home with 2-3 acres so we can have breathing room and nature, some chickens and goats, a trampoline and zip line and such things that we've always dreamed of. We're hoping to truly put down roots. You can laugh. It's okay.

Fourth, Daddio has a book being published in May. It's called Nightwork and it's for sale! You can purchase one from us on his website. Well, not yet. But in a month or so.... Daddio is nervous about it, but it's a real honor and treat to have his work being published.

Lastly, today was a stellar day here on the coast with temps in the low 80s. (It's usually much colder.) We took the kids to the beach to build sand castles, climb rock walls and splash in the waves. Zoom loved the rock walls and waves the best. Squeak liked making patty cakes of sand and she kept crying "More, more, more" about splashing in the waves. The water was FREEZING!!!! But she loved it.

Well, I think there was more I wanted to post about but I can't remember it right now.

Hope all is well with you guys. Email me when you get a chance or if you want more details!

Love yas.
dawn

A few of Squeak's hats

2008-03-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

Squeak is so much fun these days. She's talking and running and generally hamming things up. So much fun. Zoom is enjoying her antics too. She LOVES to wear hats. All the time! All sorts. Here are a few pictures of her and her hats. Enjoy!

Legacy

2008-03-04T10:27:00.001-08:00

That word had been rolling around in my mind and I thought I'd share some musings and inspirations regarding it.

I've been reading two VERY COOL books and they are so inspirational that I thought I'd post about them in case somebody else could be inspired as well! The first is called "I Dare You" by Joyce Meyer. It's about living life with passion and purpose. The second is called "First Things First" by Stephen Covey. It's about looking at your life and instead of being busy doing urgent trivial stuff, recognizing the important stuff in life and focusing on that. This morning I was reading about what he says about the four basic needs we have in life--to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy. He was saying how when we focus on one and neglect another the whole suffers. And how leaving a legacy--having a purpose, meaning, spiritual life and passion is the fire what ignites your life.

That really excites me. I don't want to just go through the motions of living. I don't want to be so busy doing dishes and laundry and paying bills that I don't do the important work of living, loving, learning and leaving a legacy. I am excited to spend time with God and these books early in the morning to focus my time and attention and live a life worthwhile. I have a long way to go, but it IS a journey and I'm happy to be on it instead of doing time.

Last night I listened to a song by Nicole Nordeman about 6 times. It's simply called "Legacy." If I knew how to put music in here I would, but since I don't I'll leave you with the words to the song.

Legacy by Nicole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best

At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

the temporary trappings of this world

Chorus:

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred

Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

That's something to think about.

Next post: Squeak's hats. She loves wearing hats and as soon as I have a few minutes I'll get some pictures together for the blog here of her wearing them. :)

Zoom's Poetry

2008-02-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

Today Zoom was busy writing poetry about dogs. He had such a great time!
Here are a few of his poems to enjoy. They are a riot!

My dog is a mail.
He likes to play with a pale.
He sometimes bites my nail.
His drool feels like the bottum of a snail.
c.b.

My doggy fear,s when my sister, near,s.
c.b.

When my dog poop,s
His eyelids droop.
And when he,s in a growp
He does NOT poop.
c.b.

When my doggy bite,s
Some night,s (knights) take flight.
c.b.

When my dog hug,s his tedy bear,
He hug,s it with his moth. (mouth)
He drag,s it here, he drag,s it there.
He drag,s it north.
He drag,s it soulth.
c.b.

Spelling and punctuation unedited. Content completely original by Zoom--no mommy input. Okay, I did have the idea about dragging the teddy bear south. But he did the rest! :)

Rite of Passage...sniffsniff*

2008-02-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

Well, there he goes, growing up a bit more on me! Zoom has been blossoming lately in maturity and self-control, and kindness and so many other ways. Today he did something I didn't expect and to be honest, wasn't really ready for!

He decided to give ALL his stuffed animals to Squeak! This is the boy who, less than 6 months ago didn't want her to TOUCH any of his things, let alone play with them, let alone HAVE them. This is the boy who loved his stuffed animals so much and played with them all the time--even this, his 7th year! He'd make beds for them, talk to them, sleep with them at night, carry them around in his pockets...Once, he took a small sea otter stuffed animal with magnetic hands to Rite Aid. He was throwing it up in the air and catching it. Suddenly, he threw it so high that it stuck to the metal in the flourescent light box and wouldn't come down! (It must have been 30 feet high!) We had to come back the next day after the maintenance guy brought a huge ladder to get it overnight.

At any rate, I have so many precious memories of my little boy with his stuffed animals. Now, he wants to give ALL of them to Squeak. That's precious and a HUGE step for him in accepting and loving the little bundle that rocked his world last year, so I celebrate that. But ALL of them? Didn't he just want to keep the tiger that is Hobbes when he's Calvin? Didn't he want his special sea otter that we spent hours wandering in the dog park looking for? Lioney, the little lion who was his special buddy? Oy. I wasn't ready.

When I asked him what prompted him to give them to his sister he said, "I think I'm getting too big for stuffed animals." Sob. Sniff.

Well, at least they are still in the house. And I told him that any time he missed one, I was sure Squeak wouldn't mind sharing. Secretly, I hope he holds onto just one or two. I don't want him to give up that sweet innocent stuffed animally part of himself. Not just yet.

To end the year

2007-12-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

I love the poetry of Lord Alfred Tennyson. He's so intense, filled with longing and passion and faith in the Creator. My favorite poem by him is In Memoriam. I was reading it again to commemorate my Nana's life and death this week when I came across a well-known and apropos section for New Year's Eve. I thought I'd share it with you as we end the year and begin anew.

Ring out wild bells to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Right out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

May you ring out 2007 and all that you leave behind, and ring in 2008 full of promise and adventure and miracles ahead.

Happy New Year.....
Dawn

My Nana got her Christmas wish....

2007-12-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

Today my Nana went home to be with Jesus. She was 99 and 1/2. She had wanted to go home for almost 5 years. Today she got her wish. It seems fitting that it was on Christmas Eve.
I'm sad for me, but I'm oh so glad for her.

Soon, I'll write a blog on her.

BTW, last time I blogged I made two entries. Be sure not to accidentally miss Firestar's entry! She rocks.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!
Dawn

Two things

2007-12-23T20:31:00.001-08:00

We made a gingerbread house today! We celebrated Advent as we look forward to Jesus' birth and we make our hearts His home. It was fun. Trader Joe's makes a great little kit and left over Halloween candy took care of the rest.

By the way, Zoom was thinking about his future the other day and made a list of career possibilities. I thought I'd share them.

Spy, inventor (currently inspired by his friend, Cy, and Leonardo Da Vinci), construction worker (because he's not afraid to climb high), book writer (about battles with Squeak Guards), Rock musician, and pastry chef. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
DAWN

Firestar-My hero

2007-12-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

She's always been a true friend and a great inspiration to me. Now she's also my hero. Firestar homeschools her 3 boys with lots of love and field trips, activities and great books. Her energy seems boundless and her wisdom and love belie her years. Though we're states apart, and only hung out together for a year or so, she's still the one I call when I'm trying to figure out homeschool stuff with Zoom, or need a boost of encouragement or just someone who understands.

This fall, instead of just starting another year of homeschool, Firestar learned that she had breast cancer. With grace and an amazing attitude she faced the radical surgery. The doctors had hopes that it was early enough that she would not need to undergo chemo afterwards. Weeks into the recovery from surgery she learned she would need the chemotherapy. So now my dear friend would have to face the four rounds of toxic chemicals to eradicate the cancer cells. Through all this, she has been continuing to care for her 3 precious children, even taking them on fun field trips....I think it's a great distraction for her too!

I was so blessed this month to have the opportunity to go and spend a week with her. She'd just had her first dose of chemo, her husband who has been incredible through it all had to go on a business trip, and so Zoom, Squeak and I descended upon the home to bring cheer and chaos, some household help and maybe just a bit of distraction from the journey.

Firestar amazes me. Tired and I'm sure overwhelmed, she refuses to wallow in self-pity. She refuses to have breast cancer become her identity. She's trusting in God and slowly but surely walking her way out of this chapter of her life. She's a true hero.

A few highlights of our visit:

It rained all week, but the boys had a lot of fun making inventions, dressing up in costumes and above all, playing legos together. We also went bowling. Our "team" did great! Firestar even had us signed up for a field trip to a homemade sweet shop chocolate factory tour. Too bad I am allergic to chocolate. It was amazing!

God orchestrated things so that Firestar and I were able to go to my old gentle yoga class with M, who was such a wonderful nurturing help to me after my endometriosis surgeries prior to Squeak's conception. My son's old babysitter was amazingly available to babysit. And I couldn't believe that Firestar was willing to go! I don't know if I would have been. Miraculously, after the yoga, Firestar slept well for the first time in 8 weeks and the next day felt fine--no sick chemo feeling. Mysteriously during yoga I got very sick with migraine and nausea. That evening I got violently ill. I half-jokingly said, "I'll take the chemo for you just for tonight!" It sure felt that way to us. She's decided to keep doing yoga with M for the duration twice a week. She said, "Finally, I can do something FOR myself instead of things being done TO me!"

We also had the chance to spend hours together just sharing homeschool and parenting ideas and resources, enjoy a chick flick, and share life together as we support our husbands in their careers, learn to provide healthy foods choices for our families, and grow as women of God. I was so blessed. Yes, the kids all got sick, it rained and it was tiring for us both, but such a special time that I will treasure always.

Take some time this winter to pray for my hero. She has 3 more chemo rounds to go between now and Valentine's Day. Each day she gets up to love and build into the lives of her three boys, despite the effects of the chemo. She longs for the day when this is all behind her. Pray that time flies and the silver lining in this cloud carries her through her days.

When she's completely done and healed, she's going to come visit me and we'll celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in Firestar's life!

Love,
Dawn

The Kindness of Strangers

2007-12-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

So often I think we overlook the good a simple, small gesture of kindness can do.

Saturday morning I was flying back home from a visit with a dear friend. I had spent a week with her, her 3 sweet boys, and my two munchkins. All the kids got colds, but had a lot of fun, and NOT a lot of sleep! So here I was, flying home with two tired (exhausted) sick kids...
Squeak (age 1) wanted to just climb around and explore--not sit docilely on my lap for 3.5 hours. I did my best to distract and entertain her, but I was really tired too. After a while, a woman came by and introduced herself. She too was a mom of two young ones, but they weren't with her on this flight. She offered to take Squeak for 10 minutes or so to give me a break. Normally, I would have thanked her and told her I was fine. But this time, I needed the break for sure. I handed Squeak over and she took her for a walk down the aisle.
I cried. Having that stranger offer to give me a 10 minute break just meant so much to a tired mom. I don't know if she has any idea how much she blessed me. More than just a few minutes to rest my tired arms and read a magazine article without worrying about the page being ripped away and chewed up, it was that someone cared about me. Someone left their comfort zone to give me a break with nothing in return. It was a gift.

May you be blessed by the kindness of strangers. May you be the stranger who does the blessing. You never know how you may touch someone in need.
Merry Christmas
Love,
Dawn

quote of the day

2007-11-28T17:17:00.001-08:00

So Zoom and I were listening to Huey Lewis and the News in the car today. I know, I'm dating myself. Anyway, he asks me, "Is this 80s music?" I said, "I'm not sure, this album may be from the 90s." He looks at me quizzically..."Are they the same group?"

He'd been listening to a cd I had of 80s music and assumed that all the songs were done by the group called, "The 80s."

The things we THINK they understand!

Smiles,
Dawn

2007-11-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

This year you get our Merry Thanksgiving email in lieu of our traditional Christmas card/photo/note. Our physical snail mail address has changed since last year, so if YOU intend to send us a Christmas greeting, please email me for the address. I do wish I could personalize this to each one of you because you are precious to our lives. So feel free to email a reply and I'll cheerfully write you back and reconnect.

Now on with our Thanksgiving post.

I felt that Thanksgiving was the perfect time to send our love to you and let you know how we are, and that you hold a special place in our hearts and lives.
I so often reflect during the day or evening on how blessed our little family is. The lion's share of the blessing is in the people God has placed in our lives, for eternity or for a season. I am so grateful for my sisters, my sisters-in-law, my parents, my nieces and nephews, my brothers-in-law and mother-in-law. I never feel alone because I know I have dear girlfriends (and sisters) in NJ, CT, MN, TX, CA and other scattered points who I know I can call at anytime, day or night when I need a prayer, a long-distance hug, some advice or encouragement or just to laugh again (usually at myself!). This year you all proved it. I have met so many wonderful people through our homeschool adventures that inspire me, and I am blessed by women around me who love God and worship him with their lives. Those of you who I am not as closely in touch with anymore--our high school friends and dear ones we've left behind in moves whose Christmas cards bring me joy but I haven't seen in years--you too bless me each day. I think of you in quiet moments and the memories flood back and remind me of how blessed I am. I know this may sound effusive but I truly feel this way and words don't adequately convey my heart of gratitude for those whose lives have touched mine either briefly or continuously. I thank you for being you, and for blessing me.

Well, in case we HAVEN'T been in touch, here is a snapshot of us and our 2007.

Sophie has changed from being a sleeping, eating, crying sweet cuddle-doll of less than a month old, and become a talking, climbing, crawling, clapping, laughing, bundle of energy and joy. She keeps busy making messes, climbing and reading books. She LOVES books. She's a beautiful, fun, sweet, easy-going girl--except for diaper-changes. Life is too interesting to just lay there....

Chase began the year as a first grader just learning to read and write. Now he is a voracious reader, especially of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. He is adventurous, mischievous, active and introspective. He loves the outdoors and is thrilled with his Wednesday nature class where he gets to play and explore out in the redwoods for 5 hours a week. He loves history, literature, poetry and music and spends much time making up his own songs and singing to us.

Mark began the year swamped with working on Shrek the Third and continuing Animation Mentors in the evenings. However, this year he also spent much time digitally painting and becoming a part of the illustration and visual development/character design communities, and was richly rewarded by being given the opportunity to have a book of his artwork published. The book should be heading to the publishing company this month! He also managed to find time to go to Tracker School, acquire Lyme's disease and break his foot twice. (Skateboarding)

As for me, I've just been growing as a person as I'm stretched as a mom of a busy 7 year old and a nearly 1 year old. Life as a homeschooling mom is often incredibly challenging. Sometimes I thrive and am invigorated with it all, and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Yet even when it's rough, it becomes a tool which makes me a more humble person, a more patient person, and a more forgiving person--of myself and others. And then I get glimpses of God at work in the everyday, which is the best blessing of all. It's also been fun to learn to become a green mommy(www.greenmommies@yahoogroups.com), having a knitting group at home for a while, and finding some time to do the things I love--play piano and sing in a choir.

Highlights of the year included:

A visit from Mom and Dad when Sophie was 3 weeks old. What a joy!

A move--this time only down the street!!! We now live in a nice home that is just the right size for us and is literally 2 doors from the Pacific Ocean, the Marine Preserve tidepools and harbor seal rookery. We also have great bluffs and cypress woods to explore. What a blessing.

A visit from Zachary, Chase's 12 year old cousin, for two weeks. They had so much fun together and we SO enjoyed having him here.

A visit to NJ, CT and MA. It was a beautiful whirlwind 3 week trip. We had such a great time visiting with family and friends, sight-seeing (Cape Cod, Independence National Park, Betsy Ross's house, King Tut....) and hanging out "down the shore" with my sisters and the kids. We also had 3 special events--Chris Edward's (Mark's nephew) wedding in Ocean City, Chase's 7th birthday party, and Sophie's dedication. I can't think of anything more wonderful than spending those special times with the friends and family we treasure.
Many beautiful days spent at the beach or in the woods exploring this amazing land with the kids and the dog.

We are looking ahead to spending Thanksgiving with Mark's mom camping in Big Sur--an amazing place I've always wanted to visit!
There's just so much to be thankful for. I hope this email makes you smile, and that you too can take a moment and reflect on the blessings in your lives. May Thanksgiving fill your home and heart this week and in the weeks to come.

We love you, really, and hope to hear from you soon.

Dawn
(and Mark and Chase and Sophie)

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Eleanor Roosevelt

Our first Earthquake!

2007-10-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

We just experienced our first earthquake! Everything and everyone is fine. Squeak slept through it, Zoom felt a bit shaken about in his bed, Daddio thought I was jumping up and down in the kitchen, and I thought perhaps a thunderstorm had started (I had just hopped into the shower!)

That's about all we can report. It hit in San Jose (where Zoom, Squeak and I spent the day at a zoo). 5.6 on the Richter scale. That's all the news!

Happy Halloween!
Dawn

a few pics

2007-10-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

A very happy baby! Squeak enjoying the backyard.

"What's this?" Zoom and I introduced Squeak to her first crayon. Most of the doodles were ours showing her what those magic sticks can do!

Zoom's entry into a Lego contest to build an alien vehicle. His is a warship complete with escape pod, energy collector, electrical force battery, missiles and an invisibility shield....

≈

Where to begin?

2007-10-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Hey All!
Once again it's been ages since I've blogged. So often I think, "Gosh, I'll have to put that in my blog." And then life gets busy and I don't get to it. And I'm incredibly bad about pictures. Well, maybe I can console myself with the thought that at least I'm living life instead of spending all my time writing about it...

A few thoughts to share...

We had an awesome, incredible visit back east. Much thanks to all those loved ones--friends and family--that we got to visit. That hosted us, fed us, put up with our messes...and just loved on us. I really enjoyed Squeak getting to meet everyone. It was especially fun to see her older cousins be "mother's helpers". (If only they lived next door to me!) All the previously mentioned activities--the wedding, the baby dedication, the field trips and birthday and mini-vacations--were wonderful too. I am so blessed.

We jumped right back into school when we got home. Zoom is doing very well. He's learned to read so well he's now reading a lot of his literature and history texts himself. His handwriting has improved and he thinks great thoughts. He said today that he likes school a lot. Lest you think things are all rosy...he insists on playing his own songs on the recorder and doesn't want to learn the new ones in his lessons, he alternately lays on the floor or flips around the room while narrating his lessons, and at least once a day he sits down and writes Daddio a letter detailing how mean Mommy is and what horrible things I've done to him. Oy. Welp, it's never a dull moment.

Squeak is growing so quickly. I was talking with a first time mom about that and we decided that the first time around everything DOESN'T go quickly, each new thing is amazing and terrifying and could last forever (thank God it doesn't!) The second time around you realize how short each baby stage is and that it flies by (especially when you are busy with another older one!) Before you know it, they are no longer infants by toddlers... A friend gave me a book for Squeak's dedication called, "Let me Hold You Longer." It's about the "lasts"--last time the baby nursed, last time he /she jumped into your arms for a hug...etc. I read it and literally bawled my eyes out! Hysterically. For at least 15 minutes. The dog came in and sat next to me with worried eyes and a sympathetic nuzzle... Each time I get special moments with Squeak I just want to freeze-frame them and savor them. She is such a sweet girl and so easy. I don't want her easiness to cause me to miss precious moments of connection. That is something I want to be intentional about.

Zoom started a class called NEWTS. Every Wednesday he goes out into the Redwoods with his instructors and 5 other boys to get muddy, find salamanders, learn survival and environmental stuff and get in touch with nature. Inevitably he's soaking wet when I pick him up from falling into the creek. Or last week, I wished he was soaking wet because he'd camo'ed himself with mud and sticks in his hair, face and body. The instructor has said to me that she sees him in the future as a avid rock-climber or a professional outdoorsman. He's in his element. A huge bonus is that once a week, Squeak and I get a 5 hours to ourselves to have our girl time. It's a blessing to have a class like this when homeschooling...and it's all year long! Chase will be attending this class for years to come....I am pretty sure of that!

Other blessings....we had decided after riding my sister's bike with Squeak on the back in NJ that we wanted bikes for Christmas. That means, a bike for Daddio, one for me, a new one for Zoom (he's outgrown his) and a seat and helmet for Squeak. I wondered where we'd get THAT kind of money. It's been very limited recently. But I prayed about it and set a bit of Christmas money aside and just asked God to do a miracle. Ya know, He's good about that.....
Not long after I set the money I had aside (about $150) I saw on craigslist.org a bike shop ad trying to get rid of bikes so they can make room for new inventory before Christmas. We stopped in the shop and got all three bikes for under $200 TOTAL! And they are very good bikes. My bike is a Cannondale that originally sold for $700-$800. And Zoom's sold for $300 originally. The bike shop cleaned them up and tuned them up which they normally charged $80 for and we bought the bikes for less than that! They truly blessed us and we are tickled that we have bikes for Christmas. Now all we need are helmets for me and Squeak, a seat for her and a bike rack for the car. God is good!

I love to sing God's praises and look at what's good in my life. But it ain't always so. I know life isn't just roses...

I'd like to ask your prayers for some people precious to me.

Teddy bear--his wife of over 50 years just died. He's lost his best friend. I can only imagine the depth of that loss. Please pray for his comfort and encouragement.

Firestar--my dear friend just diagnosed with breast cancer...She's amazing and brave and a homeschool mom of three great boys. She's got a great prognosis, but goes in for major surgery next Monday. Pray for her..strength, perfect surgery and recovery and full cure.

Mariah--her husband is dying of cancer, she's not much older than me. She needs God's light and hope and strength in her day-to-day and in her family interactions. God's grace.

My prayer is that this LONG-WINDED blog finds you well and counting your blessings. May they be many.
Love,
Dawn

Been a while...

2007-08-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hey!
It's been quite a while since I've blogged. That's NOT due to the fact that I've fallen off the edge of the world or that life is too boring to blog about. :) I've been busy getting ready for our big trip back east!!!! YAY! It's almost here and I can't even tell you what I'm most excited about...seeing my Nana who's nearly 100, seeing my sisters and my parents? My nieces and nephew? Sophie's dedication? Chase's fun party? Or maybe the cool field trips to Philly for Independence National Historical Park or Breakfast with Ben (Franklin) or Cape Cod.....Seeing good friends like Gem and Neen? or Visiting King Tut with my sister-in-law? The beach? Reconnecting with old friends? The wedding we're attending on the beach?

Ah...I'm so blessed. To have a wonderful extended family to look forward to seeing, to have great friends who love me even when I'm horrible at keeping in touch, the means to fly out and "do real life school" with Zoom.

Please pray for a good flight. Zoom has been feeling a bit under the weather (a virus or allergies, we can't tell) and so we pray that he'll not experience discomfort on the descent. Also that Squeak will be happily and quietly entertained for 6 hours in a seat...hmm. Okay, pray hard. :) I also pray that we will be a blessing to those we visit and not a burden, that we'll bring joy and blessing and refreshment with us and not stress, and that we all stay healthy!

Now, my mom has been pestering me (nicely) for pictures of my house, so I'll try to get some up next blog post.

Otherwise, hope to see you East Coasters soon!
Dawn

Squeak said "Mama!"

2007-08-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

Squeak said "Mama" today! She's JUST starting to mimic what we say and it's so precious. One of those things to keep in my maternal memory bank. I was sitting in the rocker with her with the lights down this evening and she was babbling and said Mama. I said Mama. She said it again. So sweet looking up at me with her cheerful eyes and smile.

A visit from "home"

2007-08-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

Zoom's cousin came to visit in July. It was great having Champ here. He's a great kid. The boys played lots of legos in their downtime and enjoyed the ocean a beach a ton. Champ was a great influence on Zoom regarding being a big brother. Zoom has been pretty negative about having a little sister and hasn't been very nice to her recently, but he SO looks up to Champ , who was awesome and sweet with Squeak so Zoom starting acting much nicer to her and seeing her as a fun little playmate and baby instead of just competition. It was sweet to hear Zoom conversing with Champ. He asked him about being a big brother--"Do you like your sisters?" "How old were you went Bean was born?" Etc. It was very therapeutic for him to see how Champ deals with having sisters and that his world didn't come to an end.

After Champ left Zoom went to camp for a week with church (9-4 each day) which was the most he's ever done. It was great because I got to have some quiet playtime with Squeak and lots of time to organize and plan school for the year. I'm excited about our new school year and activities. Zoom will be in an outdoor nature study class each Wednesday from 9-1 and will do listening lessons in the car on the way to and fro--it's an hour drive from here. He's also hoping to take intro to fencing. We'll be studying the Roman Empire, stories from Shakespeare, wildflower identifying, collecting and pressing, bird identifying and beading. He's hoping to make jewelry for the holiday craft sale. He also want to get a rabbit so we'll be researching that. He's all about pets.

Speaking of animals and such, we just got back from a farm we participate in. It's a CSA--Community Supported Agriculture. A family farm that we pay into to have shares of the harvest each week. The couple is so sweet and like us, from the 'burbs. But they've been farming organically for seven years now or so. The produce is great and it's $20 a week! I've been reading some amazing books about food and the environment and pesticides and organic stuff. I highly recommend "Chemical-Free Kids" by Allan Magaziner, "Newman's Own Guide to Good Living" by Nell Newman (yes, Paul Newman's daughter--she lives in Santa Cruz!) And "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I'm now perusing farmer's markets and buying locally as much as possible and nearly all organic--no pesticides and chemicals. It's hard on Zoom to give up bubble gum, but on the other hand, Champ flew home and announced to his mom on the way home from the airport, "MOM, You've GOT to buy organic! It tastes SO good!"
Okay, so my segue from animals didn't quite make sense because I didn't mention that they have goats and chickens. And I hope to someday in the not so distant future have goats and chickens myself--the fresh eggs and milk are amazing. Plus, we won't have to mow the lawn. :) And I'm not allergic to them (a big bonus) and Zoom loves animals. Squeak thins they're pretty cool too as far as we can tell. :)
Well. It's been a long post and I've lots to do.
Gotta go.
Daw

Florence Nightingale

2007-06-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

I feel a bit like Florence Nightingale these days! Squeak is teething--new tooth seems imminent. Zoom has a BAD cold and ear infection. Daddio was recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease and is on a powerful antibiotic that ate an ulcer into his esophagus so he's sleeping sitting up and eating and drinking only with severe pain. Top it off, he's now got Zooms horrible cold so he's consigned to bedrest until he starts to improve!
Please pray that I stay well so I can care for the sickies and please pray for them to get well in a hurry. Daddio has an important interview on the 21st, so he needs to be in top form by then. We appreciate your prayers, and any advice you care to send our way too.
Love ya.
Dawn, AKA Flo

Squeaker Pics!

2007-06-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

Squeak is nearly 6 months old now! How time flies! She's an easy, very mellow and fun baby. She loves to eat her baby food and drink water and is a pretty good napper. Her new skills include rolling over--at least from back to belly, supporting her self for a minute or two in a sitting position, squealing and grabbing her toys. I am enjoying her immensely. Zoom is not so sure about sharing the limelight right now, but he and I are heading out for a mommy/son date next week--probably rollerskating or bowling together. :)

Squeak and I had fun with this photo shoot. Zoom was over a friend's house so we had some one-on-one time and she just looked so cute in the little dress her Big Mom got her from Mexico. I tried to get pictures of her doing her new stuff--getting her knee under her for the pre-crawl thing, sitting up by herself, and I love the last one--falling over!
Enjoy!

enough for now

2007-05-20T20:32:00.001-07:00

Mama and baby

Yet some more, but still not up to date

2007-05-20T20:28:00.001-07:00

Take your son to work day was really fun at Dreamworks. Lucky kid!

Squeak gets cuter by the day. She sure enjoyed her sweet potatoes!

More pics

2007-05-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Went for a walk in the redwoods with Zoom and his friend. They found newts and "adopted" them for their walk. We returned the newts to their home on the way back to the car. Did you know newts only come out after the rain? Their skin secretes an enzyme that is an irritant, although it didn't seem to bother the boys at all. I did read that some drunk guys ate live newts and died though. I guess you'd have to be drunk to eat a live newt though....

A bonding moment with Zoom and Squeak. Zoom enjoyed feeding her and she just adores his attention.

Promised Pictures

2007-05-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Squeak's first meal. :) She likes to eat as much as her brother does! This was about a month ago.

He's topped himself!

2007-05-18T21:19:00.001-07:00

Wow! It's been a while since I've posted. I bet you all felt we dropped right off the face of the earth! Sorry about that. It's been a very busy season and I don't have my new computer yet either. But here is the news and I PROMISE that this weekend I will post some pictures!

We are all moved into our new home. The rooms are 80% done and the garage holds the rest of our life. When we moved into our "old" CA home, we felt so tremendously blessed. Living on the coast with a view of the ocean, a hot tub, a custom kitchen, we were feeling very spoiled. We knew though, that the lease was for just one year, non-renewable. At the time, we felt like it was a good deal for us and I was feeling the need to get settled SOMEWHERE as the pregnancy progressed and 1st grade homeschool loomed for Zoom. Anyway, the whole year (or 9 months as it turned out) I was praying for God to prepare a new home for us. And I began to believe that God could and maybe would bless us even more than we had already been blessed here. Crazy, huh? Well, He did. He truly topped Himself. Only God could be so good.

Our new home is 3 doors down from the ocean and directly across from the Marine Preserve picnic area. At night, while Daddio is putting Zoom to bed, I take a quick 1 minute walk to a bench on a cliff right above the ocean (okay, the cliff is only 8 feet tall) and sit and watch the sunset. Over the ocean. And I think to myself...this is my backyard!!!! I am in awe. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed and undeserving of such treats.
Our home too, fits us even better than the last one. Now Squeaky has her own room--just in time for us to set up the crib and cool jungle bedding we received--again from God and his people's goodness. I have an amazing built in office in the bedroom for my homeschool stuff and bill stuff and photo album stuff...It's great! And Daddio has a great office of his own that he doesn't have to share with us! And we have TONS of storage in the garage AND a shed. And a dozen rose bushes of various colors. I miss my rose bushes that I had planted in Texas. We also have carpeting, which I missed in the last house. So much more comfy to get down on the floor with the little ones, and the dog hair doesn't show nearly as badly! (Even though it's still there!) The kitchen isn't so great--no dishwasher (except me). But it's functional and open and worth the trade off for the location, the space, the storage, etc.

Zoom is going through a lot of growing right now. Dealing with big brother issues and new home issues and making friends at the playground issues. The great thing though, is I see growth--slow as it might be sometimes. He's also recently asked Jesus into his heart and life as he's come to realize that no matter how badly he wants to be good and do everything perfectly, he still does wrong. So he's asked Jesus for forgiveness, and salvation, and help with the daily stuff. What's really sweet is that he's taken to telling me, "The Holy Spirit told me....[fill in the blank.] Often it's an answer to a question--like how Jaker's cut his nose. Or how many Pokemon cards Chase owns. But sometimes it's profound...like "The Holy Spirit told me that M will follow what I do." (That's his friend and they'd been having trouble because together they'd get into a lot of mischief.) Anyway, there's a lot going on in that little boy of mine right now. He's also have fun reliving his babyhood as he watchs Squeak grow and play. I've been bouncing Squeak on my knees with little rhymes I used to do with Zoom as a baby. And Zoom wants me to do them too. So I am. We are both having great fun and he feels included and my thighs are getting a great workout!
Squeak is doing new baby things every day. She's having fun playing with sounds and squealing like her cousin Magpie did as a baby. She loves blowing raspberries and coughing to get attention. She's still really mellow and low stress which is a huge blessing in itself! She's also grabbing everything and putting it into her mouth--teethers, fingers, books, toys, the spoon, her baby food....So fun.

Daddio is done Shrek the Third. You can go see it. He didn't like making it all that much, but he's excited about Mad 2. He's wrapping up a book deal too--someone actually wants to print a book of his artwork! That deadline is in August.

I'm enjoying the knitting group and Charlotte Mason homeschool group that meets at our home on Thursday nights (alternating). It feels good to step out of the routine mommy needs of the week. Daddio goes to the movies that night and loves that too. I'm hoping to get back to yoga soon.

Never a dull moment here. Our fridge (we own it) konked on us right after we moved in and I had just gone grocery shopping. Zoom offered to eat up all the ice cream so it wouldn't melt and be wasted. I don't think he was quite as upset about the fridge crisis as we were. :) He liked the ice cream "smootie." For me, it's been a great opportunity to practice trusting God and letting go of things and accepting that life will have it's bumps. I guess I needed the practice!

Can't wait for Sept to see everyone!
Love y'all.
Dawn

so much to say!

2007-05-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hey All!

There is really plenty going on around here, and I'd just love to sit and chat about it--and hear what's going on in your lives too. But I only have a moment before Daddio returns to the office and kicks me out so he can work. So here are some highlights.

On Thursday, we begin the move-in process to our new home. I forget what I shared with you--it's a 3 bedroom/2 bath plus office (yay!) right across from the Marine Preserve. So nice. It'll be nice to stay in one place for a whole year!

Squeak is enjoying solid foods, she can roll herself over and back and grab lots of stuff. Today she practiced making wet raspberries with her sweet little mouth. She's 5 months old!

The weather here is gorgeous. We went to the beach for a few hours today and all enjoyed it. Squeak checked out sand between her toes and watched the waves a bit. Zoom dug in the sand with a friend and then climbed rocks for an hour or two. I enjoyed watching the harbor seals schlump around on the sand and pop their heads up in the water to watch all us strange creatures gallivanting on the beach.

School is going pretty well. Zoom and I actually enjoy our days more when we start it off with an hour or two of school. Last week we had a field trip to an art museum in lieu of class and then later in the week had to miss school to prepare for the move. I'm going to have school with him this week even with the move because it just makes everything go better and he loves the intellectual stimulation and the special mommy time. :)

Daddio and I went to a fancy club last week for a cast and crew screening of Shrek 3. No spoilers here or I'd get in big trouble! It was enjoyable, but I think I'd rather Zoom wait a while to see it....The party afterwards was fun, but being parents we had to leave early to get the babysitter home on time.

Summer is nearly upon us and we've lived out in the Bay area for nearly 1 year! We're looking forward to camping with family out here, having family come visit, and flying home to Joisey to see family and friends in September. (Do you see a theme developing?!)

Anyway, I hope to get pictures up soon--but not tonight. Sorry.
Dawn

My Momma told me...there would be days like this!

2007-04-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

My Momma believes wholeheartedly that God is GREAT and delights to do great things for his children, if we just believe. I guess that belief is contagious. :)

Friday was a banner day. After school Zoom was dropped at his friend, Jewel's house. Then Squeak and I went on to our church to drop off a ton of donations. We always try to clear out the house of stuff we don't use anymore before we move. Our church *just so happens* to be having a FREE SALE--where the church members donate items and we can freely go and take what we need for our homes. The next day, the FREE sale is open to the public. I had hoped to find a few small things to bring home. I prayed and asked God to open my eyes to see the items that He had for me.

Well. My eyes fell upon a just about brand new natural wood crib that turns into a daybed. It came with bedding in just the theme and colors that I had wanted for Squeak. (Currently, she shares our bedroom in a pack-and-play, but will have her own room in two weeks.) And it was free!!!! I also received amazing books for our homeschool that are perfect for what we are working on, brand new, beautiful and would have cost me hundreds of dollars if I'd bought them from retailers. Not to mention some sweet jammies for Squeak and a Lego Knights Kingdom board game--unopened--for Zoom. We just about had our socks blessed right off!

The Free Sale is a great idea. Blessings all around. I hope that some of the things we brought are just what people needed too. And you can donate money to "pay" for your items--that money benefits the teens going on a mission trip. I'm going back today to look for two baby items that I yet needs and we're going to donate to the missions trip.

AFter the sale, I went to pick up Zoom and take him, Squeak, Jewel and the dog for a hike in the woods. But it was so HOT (pretty rare for here) that we decided to go to the beach instead. So I dropped all the new stuff at home, got Zoom's suit and skimboard and we headed to the beach. For two hours Zoom and Jewel splashed in the waves, tried skimboarding and generally ran around. The dog got exercise and playtime with some other dogs and then laid in the shade of the stroller. Squeak nursed and watched the kids alternately. I relaxed in a chair and just rejoiced in how good God is to me.

We got home about 5:30 and lo and behold, Daddio was home early! That so rarely happens! It was so delightful to see him that early and I had made a crockpot meal, so we could relax, too. He got to see Sqeak before bed (doesn't normally) and we played the Lego game with Zoom.

What a day. I have to praise and honor my God because I felt his rays of love shine on me. I know that even on my worst days that love shines down, but I get particularly tickled when I see special things he does--like provide the perfect bedding for Squeak right before our move. :)

My Momma told me there would be days like this! It makes me want to sing the doxology.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Praise Him all creatures here below...
Praise Him above Ye heavenly hosts...
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost....
Amen!!

BTW...Zoom went with Daddio to "Take your Child to Work Day" on Thursday. What a blessed kid! Every kids dream to go to a movie studio for a day! He had a great time, met Shrek and did fun activities.

I hope to post pictures this weekend...check back by Monday!
Did I mention Squeak is starting on solids?
This is a really busy month for us (April/May). I'll try to post the hightlights as I can.

BTW...My parents bought a home in Mexico, and my in-laws just bought a farm in Petaluma! How fun for them to be following their dreams after raising us kids. I'm so happy for them all.

Small updates

2007-04-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that we have our beautiful rental here for only one year. That year is rapidly ending and the owners have asked us if they could come back early. That actually works for us in a crazy way (more on that in a few months). So we have house-hunted for a rental for a few weeks now. God, of course, has been so good to deliver us a 3 bedroom + office place right down the road, even closer to the Marine Preserve. We move May 10th.

In other news, Thursday nights are getting exciting around here! I've started a Charlotte Mason support group. There are about 5 moms who want to talk together about how to run our homeschools with Charlotte Mason's approach and so we're meeting together twice a month to share and try things out. The other two Thursdays I've got a knitting club going. Tomorrow is our first knitting club meeting. Should be nice! Daddio will be heading to the movies on Thursday nights for "research."

Squeak just started eating solids! She is a hungry little girl and is enjoying every little bit of a meal that she can get! So far, just rice cereal. Zoom fed her today and really enjoyed that interaction. Tomorrow, avocado!
Love y'all!
Dawn

Friendship theories

2007-04-18T20:50:00.001-07:00

Just a thought and questions for y'all.

I'm wondering, did you have a best friend growing up? One that you couldn't be without? Were you always playing with other kids when you were elementary school age or did you have plenty of time on your own? Were you bored when you were alone, or did you have fun by yourself? If you were the "loner", how do you find friendships now as an adult? Are you like me, fairly comfortable with people and equally comfortable alone? Do you feel you missed out as a kid and now are unsure of how to relate to others? If you were the "best friend-never alone" type, how are you now? Are you unhappy or uncomfortable alone? Do you still find it easy to have lots of friends, or do you find yourself a bit insecure in friendships and making friends?

Okay, that's a lot of questions. The sociologist in me is coming out. Did you know that I was a sociology major in college in addition to education? I loved research studies. This seems like one to me.

At any rate, my theory--as I seek to raise my own kids--is that kids benefit from time apart from friends. That too much time with peers at a young age can squash the opportunities to grow and develop their own interests and become comfortable with who THEY are. That in the long run, they will experience more joy in relationships because they are not dependent on others to be happy or have a good time. Not to say that children should be isolated, but rather that the balance between time with playmates and time on their own is important. Has that been your experience? What you you think about my theory?

Love ya.
Dawn

Updates all around

2007-04-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've last blogged! Often I don't blog when there's not much to say, but this time, I think it's just been logistical. Daddio has been working evenings frequently and I haven't been able to get to my computer. And when I have, I've been replying to emails and doing school prep.

Anyhow, no more excuses! Squeak is now more than 4 months old. I just keep thinking about last spring, when I lived in Texas and no one could tell yet that a little life was inside of me. I just kept seeing butterflies pass me at the playground and heard the whisperings of the Spirit saying, "I kept my promise."
Today, we just bought Squeak a high chair. Actually, it's a high chair that attaches to a regular chair which is great because of our bar height table and chairs. She seems excited about it. For a few weeks now she's been jealously eyeing our food and taking a keen interest in the goings on at the table. I think she's pretty ready for some food. I'll wait a week or so longer, but then we'll start some simple mushy stuff--maybe rice cereal, bananas or avocado....
She's also outgrowing her clothes so fast! 6-12 month clothes mostly fit now, and she loves to sit up or hang around with us while laying on her belly looking at the world. She took an interest in airplanes the other day while laying in a hammock with me. So fun to have a baby around again.

Daddio heads out tomorrow for Tracker School. Normally he heads back east, but this one was available in Boulder Creek, CA, which is merely an hour's drive from home! His foot is mostly healed--did I mention in my last post that he broke his foot? I don't remember, but in case I didn't, He broke his foot! He was on crutches for 2 weeks and hopping around for a week or two thereafter.

Zoom is a wild and crazy 6 1/2 year old ball of energy and spunk. He's been dancing little a silly man--jazz dancing around the house. It's fun to watch. He's got a few good friends here now and they love to wrestle and climb rocks and fences and trade pokemon cards. He's reading amazingly well know, and in his free time has been researching turtles in library books and on the internet. He wants to get a turtle for a pet. He's also learning to jump rope. School is moving steadily along and I'm glad we have that time together.
We went on a field trip a week or so back to the Sanchez Adobe Historical Site in Pacifica. Zoom had fun stomping around in a mud pit learning how they made clay bricks, dipping candles, grinding corn and roping cattle.
We made some new homeschool friends too, and I learned of several moms who were interested in implementing Charlotte Mason's ideas in their homeschools. So, with some prompting from the Spirit and inspiration of another homeschool mom who started a science club on a whim, I've created a Charlotte Mason homeschool support group on the coast! 5 moms besides me are interested so far. Our first meeting is this Thursday. I'm really excited! I'm no expert on CM homeschooling, but I hope to grow by us meeting together. We're going to meet 2x a month and Daddio will get to go to the movies those nights for "research". The other 2 Thursdays a month I'm going to try to have a knitting group here. That should be fun and relaxing and I've met so many moms that either knit or want to.

Easter was pretty low-key here but nice. Daddio's mom came down and had a nice Easter dinner with us and we dyed 40 Easter eggs. You haven't seen Easter eggs until you dye them with an artist and a creative mom (his, not me). Some really neat eggs resulted. I'll have to put a picture up of that soon. Zoom had a great time finding hidden eggs for a LOOOONG time. Squeak got her first Easter basket with 2 pacifiers and a little babydoll in it. :)

In other news, we've been looking for a new rental for this coming year and we think we've found it!!! Hopefully, May 10th we'll be at a new address just down the road. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 office one-story house just across the street from the Marine Preserve! The kitchen is no where near as nice as the one we have now, and we lose the hot tub, but we'll have much more storage, a room for Squeak and a nature preserve at our doorstep, not to mention the Pacific a stone's throw away! And we are very thankful that we are in the same town, because it will be so much easy to maintain friendship and homeschool community continuity.
Well, that's about it for now on news....
I'll see if I can get a picture or two up soon!
Dawn

Goodness

2007-03-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

Hey All! I so apologize for the long breaks between posts. I know it's frustrating for some of you who want to stay in touch and see the baby growing. Can't say that the breaks will go away, but I'll do my best. :)

My brother and sister-in-law from PA came to visit this weekend. It is always SO nice to see family. I just appreciate so much that they would take time out of their busy lives and spend lots of money for plane tickets and such and endure the long flight to be with us. Zoom and Squeak really enjoyed their visit too. We just hung out and ate together--real fellowship. Somehow, when it's not big family gatherings, but just a few of us together, we have a chance to get to know each other better. We (us Behms) are looking forward to September when we get to head back to the east coast for an extended visit and see their youngest son tie the knot at the shore.

In other news, Daddio broke his foot. Yup. He was skateboarding or some such thing. It's been a royal pain for him dealing with crutches and trying to sleep with a throbbing foot. Plus he's still working like a dog. I can't express how much I appreciate and don't take for granted how hard he works so I can stay home and love on our kids and teach them. I have to admit that I've sometimes been a grump on the weekends since to break because of all the extra work for me. I really didn't realize how much he helps me on the weekends, and gives me a break.

On a different note...one thing I am continuing to learn to trust God for is our housing situation! I so want to worry about it until it's all worked out. But that is such a waste of energy and also dishonors God who promises to provide all our needs. So, daily, and sometimes minute by minute, I am learning to believe with all my heart and mind that God has an awesome home for us for this next year and he will reveal it to us at the proper time. His timing is never mine though, is it?

School with Zoom is fun, and we get little breaks to play with Squeak when she is up. She's such a sweet smiler and a happy little girl. Zoom has been blooming too with me learning to show him unconditional love and acceptance instead of shaming him to try to get him to become somehow perfect.

Being a mom has been such a humbling and growing experience for me. Nothing in my life has been used of God so thoroughly to grow me--out of selfishness, out of pridefulness, out if criticism, out of laziness, and on and on--as being a wife and mother. Sometimes in church the pastor will say that spiritual growth happens in small groups of people doing life together--meaning a bible study fellowship type thing. I think his idea is right, but that the main group God uses to grow us is our nuclear family. That's where truly the rubber meets the road. Will I be grumbly and act the martyr as I serve my family on the weekend, making meals, cleaning up after everyone, preparing for activities and caring for them? Or will I count it pure joy and serve as Jesus did, washing his stinky and childish disciples feet? Will I feel sorry for myself when I see the (seemingly) insurmountable amount of work to do to run a household and care for those precious people in my life? Or will I dig down deep to remember that God promises to give strength to the weary and power to the weak? Will I rise up in faith and believe that what He has called me to do He will enable me to do?

Okay, off my soapbox. I'm going to try to see if I can post some new pics.
Love you guys!
Dawn

It's getting late...

2007-03-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's getting late, but I promised pics. So here they are.

Wondering?

2007-03-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

I bet you are wondering what we've been up to! Sorry. It's been busy (duh) and my computer is slowing to a crawl before it finally dies. On the bright side, we finally got a new digital camera thanks to Daddio's overtime funding. Over the weekend we'll get some new pictures up. Squeaker looks tons like her big brother--we looked in his baby book this week to see.
School's going pretty well, baby is sleeping better and better all the time. Daddio is working massive overtime, and I'm pretty tired myself. But nothing to complain about.
Went to a Beth Moore simulcast event on Saturday. She's the teacher whose bible study I started at the beginning of this blog. The Believing God study has been amazing, and I'm growing inside a lot. I am beginning to see that my worries and fears choke the life out of me, and that they get me stuck in a pit! Really, if I AM believing God, who says so many promises to care for us, and asks us to trust him, then I won't be full of worries or fears. So I'm working through that. Learning again to trust. Particular areas in which I'm focusing are trusting God for good housing and a move in a few months, my parenting abilities, and Zoom's character development. I'm also learning to accept myself and my kids for who God made us, and not for how well we perform on any given day, or wishing I or they were different. Lots of internal growing going on. That's all good, but hard to describe or share. Just thought I'd throw it out there though.
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are coming out to visit this month! I can't wait to see them and for them to meet the baby. It'll be a nice treat and I'm so glad they're coming. Open invite to all you other friends and family!
Much love,
Dawn

Still here! And Milestones

2007-01-14T22:42:00.000-08:00

Hey All! We're still here! I'm so sorry for leaving you hanging. My dear sil (sister-in-law) called just to check and make sure we're okay. I've been neglecting my blogging and email the past few weeks. We've just been busy with homeschool, baby, family visiting (my wonderful 'rents came to meet their newest granddaughter!) and being sick--AGAIN! Just a head/chest cold this time, but enough to wear me out at night so that I've been going to bed when Squeaker does. Which is fine with her because she loves to be held at night for sleeping. She's also been fussy the past few days due to a stuffy nose (probably from me!) So I'm holding her a lot and not getting nearly as much done around here as I'd like! But it is a treasure to have this little sweetie and she'll only be this little for a short time, so I'm choosing to neglect other things--like this blog, some emails and a few phone calls I really DO need to make!

Anyway, we are alive and well (mostly). Zoom is growing unbelievably. My sister said that he just looks bigger because Sqeak is so small. But that's just not true. He's turning from a preschooler to a little boy before our very eyes. His head is bigger--no lie! His teeth are further apart, his feet have grown a lot, only 1 pair of pants fit, AND HE'S GOT HIS VERY FIRST LOOSE TOOTH! He had been complaining about apples hurting his teeth recently and today he got bumped by Jakers, causing his tooth to wiggle and bleed. I explained that it was just about ready to do this anyway, and he said that Jakers was the best dog in the whole world for helping it along. He feels like such a big boy now!
Squeaker is 6 weeks old now, and about 11 pounds. She's chubbing up like her big brother did with the cutest pudgy legs and chubby cheeks. She makes sweet little girly noises in addition to her repetoire of burps and grunts that make her big brother proud. She's smiling up a storm at us when she's awake and engaged and loves to push off with her little legs when she's on her belly. Zoom gets a big kick out of her.
We had a wonderful visit with my parents, who stayed for a week. I got spoiled with my mom holding Squeak A LOT, especially when I was doing school with Zoom, or dishes, or cooking, or gasp! showering. Not sure exactly how I'll do it all now that she's gone. It was very sweet seeing my dad on the floor with Squeaky just making faces at each other. Zoom got some quality time in with his Papa too. His favorite time was watching Over the Hedge with him and walking the dog and having hot cocoa. Over the Hedge is a must see, BTW.
Also, our digital camera bit the dust--I think I might have mentioned that. So my mom took tons of pictures, but sadly has not gone digital yet. When she gets home she'll get the pictures onto a CD and Shutterfly them to me. Then I'll post a few new pictures of Squeak and Zoom.

On a sad note, another milestone that occured today was Cookie's passing. Our second gerbil got the same cancer tumor that took Twix a few months ago, and last night he died. We had a funeral after church for him today and buried him next to Twix's grave. Zoom took it well as he knew Cookie was sick and in pain and now is pain-free. But it was still sad. We're cleaning the gerbil stuff up and giving it away, hopefully to a local homeschool family. I think our next pet will be either a parakeet or a fish, but not for a while. Zoom asked where we'll bury Jakers when he dies. Of course, Jakers is only 2 years old and a dog, so we told him it was a bit premature to worry about that.
Zoom is saving up his allowance for another dog. He wants a million dogs instead of a wife and kids when he grows up, says he. He asked how much Jakers cost-we said $800. He decided that he'd better start now if he wanted to save up enough for a Pug, which he hopes to purchase when Squeak is 5 or 6.
Anyway, I'm going to shower now (gasp!) while Squeak sleeps! Thanks for your patience during this busy season!
Bye!

Out of the woods

2006-12-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Thanks so much for your prayers. The doc has deemed me finally fit! I had more bloodwork on Tuesday to see how things were going. My anemia is almost gone--praise God! And the pregnancy hormone is fading fast, which means that the retained placenta is all gone. I'm still having some trouble with bleeding, but the doc is not too concerned. Seems I should not hemorrhage and normal activities won't affect things. So I am getting back to my regularly scheduled life!

We started school up again with Zoom. He was so excited about it. We really thrive on that routine and time together. And Squeaker sleeps well, so we've been able to have a decent chunk of time to work together without much interruption. Squeak and I went to the library today and everyone oohed and ahhed over her while I got some school books and baby development books out. It's amazing what I've forgotten over 6 years! I hope to begin taking dog walks with Zoom again. It's been really windy here though, and chilly so I didn't want Squeak out in it too long.

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Really. And that 2007 will be filled with blessings for you to overflowing.

I've gotten lots of Christmas cards and letters and pictures, and am just reminded how truly blessed I am to know each of you. My life is rich and full and my family and friends are the very best part.
Miss you.
Dawn

Again???

2006-12-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Welp, my recovery is going ever slower. On Thursday the 21st I had an ob follow-up appointment. They deemed that my bleeding was still not normal so I had to get an ultrasound the next day. Friday we got the ultrasound which determined that I had retained placenta in my uterus with a vein feeding it fresh blood--hence the bleeding problem. So I had to go back to the ob for an emergency d & c procedure. That went pretty well, we think, and I walked out of the office hoping that this would all be over.
Saturday we had our family gathering, which was tiring, but okay. However, I'm still bleeding pretty heavily as of Monday, Christmas Day, which I'm not sure is normal. So I'm waiting to hear back from the doc.
Please keep my recovery in your prayers. It's kind of scary and frustrating to feel like I'm not healing as I should.
Thanks!
Dawn

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hey All!

We hope you are having a great Christmas (or Hanukah for our Jewish friends!) Ours has been nice, very low-key. On Saturday we had our west coast family over for dinner--my mother-in-law did the cooking. Zoom had fun with his cousin, and we enjoyed being with our step-siblings. It's just so nice to be with some family at the holidays. Sunday we opened gifts from far-flung family and Santa came this morning for Zoom. He was thrilled with his Lego Star Wars video game,marble ramp and skimboard. He can't wait to try that out at the beach.
I wish I had pictures to show you, but our camera died and so we're using a disposable regular camera right now! Gotta get a new camera!

Squeaker and Mr. Grunt-grunt

2006-12-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note. When Zoom was a baby, he made the cutest little grunting noises all the time. We called him Mr. Grunt-grunt. Baby Sophie makes occasional grunts, but she makes the cutest little squeaks all the time. So she shall henceforth been referred to on this blog as "Squeaker". :)
Enjoy!

Bad to worse and back to normal again!

2006-12-18T13:59:00.000-08:00

Hey All!
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. I didn't know it at the time of my last post, but things were going to take a dive. That day, Sunday, I started hemorrhaging again and had to be readmitted into the hospital until it got under control. Thankfully, Sophie was able to stay with me in the hospital and nurse. She was my little security blanket. :)
I am getting better now. I was released Monday night and have had to stay pretty rested so that it doesn't start up again. The house has gone to pot and the residual Christmas shopping I had needed to "wrap up" didn't get done, but we have a happy, healthy baby and a mama that is getting better daily. So if your Christmas gift or card doesn't arrive until mid-January, you know why. Thanks for understanding!

A prayer request

2006-12-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hey All!

Things with Sophie are going well. She's nursing, sleeping, pooping, etc. She's great, and Zoom loves her.
I do have a prayer request for myself. Aside from the normal lack of sleep, nursing round the clock and anemia from the hemorrhaging, I am sick. I had a bit of a cold going into the hospital. While there, it was in my throat and glands and I lost my voice. I also have a terrible sinus headache that started in the hospital and hasn't gone away. I have thick chest congestion which has caused my asthma to flare so I'm on my inhaler again. Zoom came down with pink eye on Friday, and I caught it in both eyes by Saturday night. I will go to the doctor tomorrow--they aren't open today. Please pray for my health to be restored because it just makes it so much harder to take care of baby feeling this way.
Thanks!
Love
Dawn

She's here!!!!!!

2006-12-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Announcing the birth of Sophia Noel Behm! She was born on Tuesday, Dec. 5th--her due date at 6:32 pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. and is healthy and beautiful. Mom had some complications--like post partum hemorrhaging, but is now stable and home. Daddio was an amazing help and support through a difficult labor. The nurses and midwife and doctors were just the best. We have been so blessed. Zoom is delighted with his little sister. He loves to look at her and kiss her and talk to her and make comments like:
"She's really thirsty." "She's cuter with her eyes open." "She'll love seeing my lego creations."
Gotta go nurse--she loves to nurse....all day and all night.

Sorry I did'nt call many of you...I also had a head cold with swollen glands and laryngitis so I couldn't really talk.

Pictures, phone calls and more details to follow as I am able!
Yay!

Just beginning....

2006-12-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Hey All!

I thought I'd blog before things get rolling. Saturday night and Sunday I was really tired and having a lot of prelabor contractions. We finished packing everything up and putting it in the car so we're ready whenever. Then we tried to Christmas shop. Didn't accomplish a whole lot, but we tried. I went to bed early last night.
This morning, Zoom noted that baby looked a lot smaller--I guess she's really dropping down more. I threw up. (Sorry if this is overshare...) I read in my doctor's paperwork that vomiting is often a sign that real labor will start in a day or so. I'm stillhaving contractions but nothing overwhelming or regular yet. But I think tomorrow is a full moon AND baby's true due date. Perfect timing!
My mother-in-law is back from her travels--got in late last night after 72 hours on airplanes. My midwife returns tonight from her vacation. I'm hoping to go to prenatal yoga one last time tonight to limber up and get relaxed for the real deal. Playing it all by ear, of course.

Please pray that all will proceed smoothly and peacefully! Well, as peaceful as labor and delivery can be!
Love you guys and thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and love and support!
Dawn

Our tree....and a prayer request

2006-11-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

Hey All!
We had fun on Sunday going out in the rain to get our tree. Not sure if Daddio would call it fun, but it was good. And the end result was funny!

We went to a tree farm where you saw your own tree and haul it away. We found a beautiful and (we felt) reasonable tree. The price was the same no matter the size so we didn't skimp. Zoom helped Daddio saw. Daddio said it REALLY was help this year! Zoom is growing up! Getting the tree atop the car was no mean feat. But we managed.

When we got it home and into the living room we burst out laughing! It was HUGE!!!! It quite literally takes up half our living room floorspace! Literally! I think it belongs more in a town square than a medium sized living room! It fell over three times in our stand--full of water with lights half-strung. We finally had to find a bigger treestand to keep it from tipping! But it's beautiful, and we decided we're just going for an EXHUBERANT Christmas!

On a different note....we went to the midwife today and I have some prayer requests for those of you who pray!
The baby is facing sunny-side-up which worries my midwife as it can be more difficult to labor and give birth this way, especially as I am unable to do an epidural due to a blood disorder. SOOOOO, please pray that baby turns around to face the right way before she is born.
Also, my midwife will be out of town from tomorrow until Monday--the day before little girl Behm is due. There is other coverage if I do go into labor, but I really like her and would like to have her deliver. So please pray that Baby waits until her due date! (Tuesday,Dec.5th).

Thanks!
Love ya'll.
Dawn

Nothing much going on....

2006-11-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hey All!

I'm sorry I've been so sporadic on blogging lately. To tell you the truth,there isn't much going on. Life is good, baby is growing (still inside), Zoom and I are wrapping up "exams" from the first semester of homeschool, Daddio is still working hard juggling his many careers and interests.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! We had a nice one. Ate a delicious turkey dinner with Daddio's side of the family that live out west. Zoom got to enjoy his cousins and uncles. He has a baby girl cousin out here (4 months old) and a 2 1/2 year old boy cousin who adores him. I think Zoom enjoys being the BIG cousin for a change, although he misses his east coast cousins terribly.
This weekend we're wrapping up annoying household projects, getting the house decorated for Christmas, paying bills and chilling out. I tried to coax the baby to arrive yesterday (It was MY Daddy's birthday), but she's planning on arriving in her own good time. We're STILL not settled on a name. Zoom and I still like Sophie, but Daddio's more for Anya....maybe we'll just have to see her to name her....
Hope you all are staying warm and cozy...Happy Advent season.
Much love and thoughts.
Dawn

So blessed!!!!!

2006-11-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

That's right. I have been and am so very blessed. This past Friday my sisters and my mom arrived to help me get ready for the baby!!!! It was SUCH a treat to see them and just giggle and shop and such. That all would have been wonderful blessing enough--but tricky them and sneaky YOU ALL decided to shower our family with blessings from around the globe! It was so fun seeing the packages on the front porch and the cards in the mail each day! What a treat! (I know I said that already, forgive me!)
I had lost many email addresses this last move, and so there were people who didn't know we'd moved to CA OR that we were expecting. My dear sister salvaged an old email she'd gotten from me (one of those mass emails letting everyone know we'd moved to Texas) and sent a new one to everyone explaining the situation. :) We were so touched to receive cards, gift cards and special gifts from so many friends and family that we didn't even expect--my former 5th grade student, now nearing college graduation sent some sweet (and useful) things, my old college roomy now living in Australia sent best wishes and a gift card, my dear mentor from Connecticut, my treasured friend (whom I babysat for from when her children were born---now finished/finishing college) she handmade a lovely blanket. My knitting buddy and dear friend in CT sent a sweet handmade cap and a gift for Zoomer, old friends from Texas, my aunts and cousins, old friends from NJ (one made a scrapbook for me to put photos in...), dear NC friends, and others...oh my. My cup runneth over. My mom and sisters had fun enjoying the extended shower with me.
Of special note, my sisters bought me a precious Moses basket, which I had wanted for Zoom but couldn't find--they carried it on the plane and guarded it with their lives! My mom bought a pack-n-play bassinet which is just lovely, so between them both we now have places for the baby to sleep in. Yay!!!! Mom and sisters took me out and we bought many of the baby necessities, thanks to all the gift cards! They also patiently helped me organize the house for a new member--no small feat!!!! Furniture was moved, feng shui discussed, differences settled....or accepted. :) They worked HARD!!!! Also of note, my sweet sister even gave me a pedicure. We also managed to hang out together in the hot tub (turned down low for baby's safety). My thanks to them and I shout from the rooftops--I am blessed with an awesome family and wonderful friends.
Now, I feel ready for this sweet baby to arrive. I just got back from the perinatologist. My ob wasn't thrilled with my low platelets in my blood. Ah well. The perinatologist has just given me the clean bill of health and sanity!!! He was thrilled that Daddio and I don't want me to have medicine to raise the platelets. He checked and said the baby fits perfectly in my pelvis and is ready to go. He feels I should have a fairly easy time delivering and that it could be any time (in the next 3 weeks or so). So perfect timing for the blessings and the house being prepared.

Much thanks to those of you who received my sister's email and were able to bless us. For those of you who didn't get it or couldn't participate, you are treasures in your own right and I'm thankful for you. Pray for a good delivery at the perfect time, and pray for Zoom to adjust well to the changes. :)
Seester should be uploading pictures to shutterfly in a day or so if you are interested in seeing some of the fun. Those of you who surprised me, expect to hear from me over the next two weeks. I'm so thankful I feel like I could burst. (Of course, it could be the baby that's making me feel that way!)
Love ya'll.
Dawn

Some wondrous things, and Halloween

2006-11-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Yes! The baby is dropped and ready to go! We have 5 weeks left! How exciting!

This past weekend was beautiful. Daddio took Zoom to the beach and they built fabulous sand castles for hours. I'll have to take pictures next time. People were stopping along the beach to watch. Daddio had great fun creating. Zoom had great fun building towers to block the waves from knocking over Daddio's creations!

Halloween was a nice treat for us this year. We were invited by some sweet neighbors to a family Halloween party. The kids played and jumped and ate pizza while the adults had cider and wine and ate and chatted. Then we all trick or treated for a few streets before heading back to "count the candy" and play some more. Zoom had a great time meeting other kids near his age. He decided to be a raccoon this year which was fun considering our neighborhood is plagued with very bright raccoons who love to tear the trash apart--despite bungee-corded trashcans!

This year we've decided to try something different. In the past we've tried to moderate Zoom's candy consumption keeping it reasonable for his body weight! It tended to have him obsessing about when he'd get the next piece. This year, we gave him the candy bowl and just let him moderate himself. So the candy is almost gone I think--it's after lunch the next day! No more worries about candy until Valentine's day! I think Zoom's mouth is a bit sore though!

For some reason, my photos don't want to import at the moment. I'll try again when Daddio is home to troubleshoot.
Love ya'll.
Dawn

The day's excitement

2006-10-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today was kind of fun and exciting in different ways. Thought I'd share a moment for those who'd like to peek in!

First, I went to a diaper workshop this morning. Yup. A diaper workshop. We've decided to try cloth diapers (with a diapering service). It was fun--and made the impending arrival seem even more real!

Daddio took Zoom and Doggie-doo to the beach where the created amazing sand castles. Daddio had gotten a book at the library on professional sand castling, so they were trying out some new techniques. Unfortunately, the waves were pretty big and a rogue wave got to the library book. So now we OWN a book on sand castling...worthwhile though I think. Zoom said it reminded him of sculpting--something he's been busy with lately. This morning while Daddio and I were pulling ourselves together Zoom was busily engaged in creating a necklace of beads out of his sculpey clay. It turned out pretty cool--I want one!

Later in the day we went back to a different beach. It was low, low tide and we found a tide pool area around some rocks. Zoom had fun identifying for Daddio the critters and things we'd been reading about--limpets, anemone, barnacles, chiton, crabs and snails and such. He remembered reading that you can touch the center of the anemone and it will suck on your finger but not hurt--the sting is too little to get through our skin. PLUS, if you squish (just a bit) an anemone that is closed, it will squirt seawater at you in defense. So he had fun getting them to squirt. There was also a sea lion on the rocks that wasn't feeling well. A rescue group came and picked him up to take him to a marine vet place.

All in all, a fun, fruitful, busy Saturday. Tomorrow we go after church to see a free outdoor staging of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. Should be fun!

Also, I'm wondering if the baby dropped. How do you know when that happens? I never noticed anything about it when I was pregnant with Zoom....
Just a thought.

P.S. Today was the hottest it's been since we've gotten here! Crazy weather!
Love
dawn

You might not believe it....

2006-10-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

...but, Summer has finally arrived to the Northern California Coast!!!! Today--yes, October 20th--it was beautifully sunny and warm. The temperature was in the mid-80s wish a warm breeze and lots of sun. Obviously, we headed to the beach.
Those of you heading into crisp autumn days and chilly winter nights remember that my "summer" here was in the 50s, chilly, grey and foggy. I'm so confused!

Just a minute...

2006-10-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, this will be short. A minute...
So Zoom was watching his favorite show this morning..."The Most Extreme." It's a countdown of the top ten animals with a theme. Today's theme was divers. They told the time the animals could hold their breath under the water and such facts and fun.
So Zoom came to the breakfast table and said, "Mom, did you know the sperm whale can hold it's breath for 80 minutes?"
"Wow, over an hour!" I said.
"Yeah, 20 minutes more than an hour," said he.
"Did they tell you how much longer than an hour?"
"No, I just figured it out in my head."
He's 6!!!!

Late in the day, in the car driving home.
"Mom, ask me a hard question."
"Okay, when baby is 12, how old will you be?"
"Wow, I'll be 18. How old was Daddio when I was born?"
"30."
"... and when I'm 18, Daddio will be 48."
?????!!!!

He likes playing with numbers in his head. It's relaxing for him. Don't know where he gets that from!!!

An update on life...

2006-10-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

Trying something new….

It’s been a really long time since I’ve blogged. So sorry about that for those of you who continue to check! My internet connection has been limited as we are trying to slowly get my computer back up to par. It’s merely limping along at this point, but hey, it’s still running!

Anyway, last time I blogged we had just returned from Legoland. That was close to a month ago. Since then, we’ve gone to the Northern California Renaissance Faire, The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival and the San Francisco Zoo. They were all fun. I think the Renaissance Faire was the best. Zoom dressed up in costume (he LOVES costumes) and was amazed at all the incredible Renaissance costumes there were! He also loved the jousting. He went to that event twice and has been pretending to be the black knight ever since. I think we’re going to so many things on the weekends because we know there will shortly come a season when we won’t be getting out so much! Daddio often has to work weekends, and hasn’t had to recently, and with the baby coming in roughly 7 more weeks, we’re seeing some downtime coming up! But I will admit, I am beginning to tire more easily. Okay, very easily!

School is going very well too! Zoom is starting to get used to it, and we’re reading some neat things. His reading is getting very fluent too! He’s starting to pull books off his bookshelves in resting time and really READ them! Right now we’re exploring tide pools, Roman times, and Tales of Shakespeare. He’s plugging along with learning the recorder. It can be frustrating for little fingers to get those holes plugged up to make the right sound, but when he does, it’s pure delight for him. He loves his swim lessons (Lego class was cancelled for the fall, so we chose swimming.) I think it is one of his favorite activities.
We’ve had some fun field trips too—again, cramming it in before the baby arrives! This month we’ve visited Sunset magazine gardens with a group and learned some California history and ecology and went to a Harp soloist concert where the soloist taught the kids (all homeschool) about the harp, its history, styles of music it can play and a Q &A time. We also went to the Marine Preserve to check out the harbor seals and the tide pool life at low tide. Tomorrow we attend a Young People’s Concert by the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, and on the 30th we go to Homeschool Day at the Monterey Aquarium. It’s been busy but great, and incredibly, most events have been free! We have 4 ½ weeks of school left before 1st semester exams and then some much needed time off!

Baby is growing like crazy—at least, my belly is! She’s due in 7 weeks, like I said. I can’t wait. We finally started to shop a bit for her arrival. Not much yet, but a start. As for a name, it is yet to be determined, but we are all pretty happy at the moment with Sophia Noel. Zoom likes it because he can have fun with nicknames. Right now, Sofa-Bofa is a big hit.

Well, as I briefly mentioned, I’m getting tired more and more easily these days. I’m 8 months pregnant, and heading to be at 9:30. I'll try to upload pictures next time.
Hope you all are doing great. Email me when you get a chance!
Love
dawn

Legoland!!!!

2006-09-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Our birthday trip to Legoland with Zoomer was really wonderful. Daddio got off work for Friday and Monday and we headed down south of L.A. to visit the Lego mecca. Zoom was SOOOO excited. He was really, really, well behaved and fun and just an enjoyable kid to be with on the trip. It took all day Friday to get there. Zoom made faces and took pictures of himself! Early Saturday morning we headed over to Legoland.
Legoland is really neat! There are so many huge and small and intricate Lego models all over the park--even in the entrance and the bathrooms! Zoom LOVED to roller coaster rides, and the 4d movie, and even got to go to "driving school" and drive around a miniature town complete with stoplights and lots of other kid drivers. Then he got a Legoland driver's license with his photo! Miniland was really neat--20 million legos to make intricate replicas of New Orleans, New York, D.C. and many other parts of the country.
Sunday we went back for some more fun, and then drove up to our friends' north of L.A. for dinner and cake for Zoom. They were his Texas grandma and family and he was SO thrilled to see them! (They've since moved to the L.A. area from Texas.) Monday morning we started the long drive home.

Two fer!

2006-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

This is a two'fer!! If you read this post, don't forget to check the one previous to it, because I wrote them the same night. Didn't want the post to get too long or wander-y.

I just wanted to post about my fabulous Mom and two sisters. The just told me that they will be all three flying out together to see me in November and shop for the baby! I'm so excited that they are coming. I can't wait to see them and hang out. And I am so blessed that they'd take the time and money to fly out to bless me with their company!
Today in church the pastor was talking about relationships and 4 things everyone needs. They are acceptance, affirmation, assistance and forgiveness. I realized that that my mom and my sisters have consistently given me all four things. I am truly blessed and I love them dearly.
What better gift could they give me than their presence, their love, their friendship, encouragement and forgiveness for my shortcomings. I love you guys! Can't wait to see ya!

I'd post a picture, but I couldn't find one of all three of them together in the time I have now.
Gotta go get school ready for tomorrow!

Have a great week to my family (both coasts) and my friends--scattered around the country. You know who you are, and you are in my heart!
Love
dawn

Chase's party and miscellaneous musings

2006-09-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

Today we had a birthday barbecue for Zoomer, his Moma (Daddio's mom), and the LondonLassie who so kindly put us up for a month at her home when we were homeless.
It was really nice. Daddio's stepbrother and stepsister and their spouses and babies came too. It's really fun getting to know our West Coast family. What a blessing to have family on each coast!

Zoom and his cousin had fun in the hammock!

Big Mom and Papa sent some cool gifties too! Daddio and Zoom had a great time racing 'round the track!

Jakers meets "Tiger" the marionette the we made with Zoom. Zoom LOVES to walk the marionette around, and Jakers thinks it's a puppy to play with!

The "Dog Park" and other news

2006-09-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

The "dog park" in our little village is one of our favorite places to go. We try to get there every day. It's a short 5 minute walk from our home. It used to be the Coastside School complex, about 50 years ago, but is now just foundations and dirt roads overgrown with wildflowers, junipers and other trees, and lots of pampas grass. Our sweet lab can go off-leash here and play with his friends that he meets...seems everyone in our village has a dog and walks there!
I love the wildflowers and the views of the ocean. Note the growing baby belly.

Zoom loves the trails, the pampas grass (he turns the dried reeds into lightsabers, torches, swords, spears, and feather dusters), and the huge tree that he climbs and swings from .

Zoom went to the eye doctor's for a normal check-up. He did great and passed everything with flying colors! Daddio got glasses!!!! (Picture to come later.)

In other news: Twix our beloved gerbil died today. He was buried at a special spot in the dog park. The eulogy was as follows:
Twix was a great gerbil. We are so glad that he spent his life with us. He was brown and cute and soft. He was adventurous and curious and loved to explore the tubes. He loved his cheese and nutbutter treats. We will miss him. But we are glad he's in a great place now.
Amen.

It's been too long!

2006-08-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

So sorry to not be blogging for ya! It's been busy here. Baby is growing in belly. First grade has started at home! I must say, I was a bit nervous about starting the big first grade with Zoomer. But it's been absolutely wonderful. Zoomer is in a really great season--he's just incredibly fun to be with right now, doesn't argue much and is willing to do all the stuff we're doing. He enjoys school immensely, and I'm amazed at what he can do. I know (after almost 6 years) that these seasons don't last indefinitely, but I'm enjoying every minute right now! We will be getting a good full semester in before the baby is due.

Zoomer is enrolled in a Lego Engineering Fundamentals class through the local rec. center, and we're doing recorder and rhythm lessons at home. Daddio teaches art, flintknapping and nature studies. We have a FREE field trip to the Monterey Bay aquarium lined up. Of course, we also have subjects like reading, math, handwriting, science (marine life), history (ancients) and literature--Aesop's fables, Just So stories, Baldwin's 50 Famous tales and some Tales of Shakespeare (written in narrative for children). It's fun. We're done by noonish and spent this afternoon at the local beach--digging in the sand, running with the dogs. Ah. It's fun.

In other news: Daddio is a contributing author to a book called, Thinking Animation, which has just been published. We just got a copy, and it looks very interesting. I couldn't figure out which parts he contributed to, but I'm pretty satisfied anyway! :)
Baby is kicking and growing and become more and more real to us all. Zoomer has started contributing to the name pot. His favorites right now are Macy and Jane. Jane...I wonder why Jane???
Anyway, we haven't done much in the way of preparation yet--of course, I got out all the baby stuff, but the extent of that is: 2 boxes of baby books for Zoom to read with baby, a basket full of stuff animals, a blanket or 3, a handful of my favorite little newbie outfits from Zoom, a breast pump and baby carrierpack. I have a feeling we'll be needing to get some other stuff--like a crib or pack-and-play (we're leaning toward that...more useful and practical for the first year), a carseat, some clothes...that's all we need, right? Can a girl forget so quickly??? Yes. I have. Ah well. I'm sure it'll all come together. We still have plenty of time...

In just over 2 weeks we head to Legoland for Zoom's b-day. Have I planned it all out yet? No. But it'll work out. We drive down. We hang and play. We drive back. What can be so complicated? It'll be a fun little mini-vacation. WE had hoped for a 4-5 day trip, but Daddio is pretty busy at work. Shrek 3 is coming along, and there's a lot left to do evidently!
We're also having a little family bbq here on the 10th for Zoom's b-day and his gramma's b-day. Daddio's step-brother and sister and their families will be coming too. It's such a blessing to have family on both coasts. We have been able to spend a good bit of time with our East Coast half over the last 6 years, and now we're looking forward to getting to know the West Coast part of the family. Doesn't make me miss my East Coasters any less though! I love you guys!!!!!
I'll try to send some pics soon. Check back in a few days.
Love ya.
Dawn

More pics

2006-08-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

This one here is on a river near Mendicino. We went camping there with Zoom's gram. It was 115 degrees inland on the way, but here near the ocean it was in the 80s. Nice.

Went to Happy Hollow Zoo and Park in San Jose on Sunday. If you look closely you can see Zoom's "buzz cut".

The campground we stayed in when near Mendicino was in the Redwoods--amazing trees!!!! The one Zoom had climbed was right next to our campsite--it was a "stump". Huge!!!

Our gracious hostess for the month of July had just bought a swing chair. I think Zoom looks like a caterpillar (or butterfly) just coming out of the cocoon!

These pics are pretty random, but give a glimpse into our lives the past few months as we settle into California life.
Love y'all.
Dawn

Pics

2006-08-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try to do a picture again. Zoom and I are standing on the porch of our new home. Maybe you can see my bit of belly showing.

I'll try to get some inside and backyard pictures up as soon as I clear out the remnants of the move-in clutter. Maybe next week.

BTW, the weather out here is funny. When we left our coastside home at 9 am, it was chilly and damp, foggy--maybe in the upper 50s, low 60s. We drove south an hour to San Jose--it was sunny, in the mid-80s. Drove back around 3pm, back to fog and 60s. Never lived in a place with such meteorological diversity in such a short area. It's kind of nice. If you're tired of the heat, you can get away quickly. If you're tired of the fog, you can get to sun and warmth quickly too! Ya know, when the tell the weather on the news they list 2 numbers for each day--coastal and inland and it can be a difference of 20 degrees or more!

The buzz

2006-08-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

Zoomer has a new doo. He's stylin' the buzz cut. Why? Because he decided to give himself a bit of a haircut. Didn't do badly. Made me think of his Papa's hair in the morning. :) But Daddio took the hair clipper he had and buzzed it all off to even things out. Now his hair looks like his cousin's hair--before he grew it long. ZO, you know who you are...Zoom looks as cute as ever though.

Baby girl is growing like crazy! I look like I swallowed a small watermelon. My bellyskin is protesting that she wants it to stretch too much too fast! The rest of me is about the same as always though. :) She also kicks a lot. I think she'll have no trouble keeping up with her big bro'.

We are SO enjoying our new home! Getting settled in. Preparing for homeschool first grade! Exciting! Fun! Lots of great things here!

Did I mention that we can walk to the Fitzgerald Marine Sanctuary? One of only 34 special places like it in the whole US! We went down last week during low tide and beheld hermit crabs scurrying, sea anemone reaching and closing up (at least when Zoom poked them gently with a stick!), lots of types of seaweed and snails. When the tide is even lower, we will be able to see starfish, urchins and such. I hear that the Grey Whale even migrates past our little corner of the ocean in December...
In my humble opinion, this beats living near Whole Foods and Target.

Happy family. Happy, tired, glad to be home family.
Love to you all!
Dawn

We're in!!!!!!!

2006-08-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Yaaayyyyy!!!!!!! We have FINALLY moved into our new home in Cali. It is a beautiful place. I have to take some pictures and post them here. But first, I want to unpack and make it home! The move went smoothly, although our movers were not the best...you get what you pay for, they say. Anyhow, that's past and we are in the process of unpacking. The kitchen is done, the living room is mostly put together. Today we tackle the bedrooms!

Zoomer is thrilled! When his things arrived into his room, he tore into them, taking everything he could out. It looks like a tornado in there at the moment--but he said, "It's like heaven!"

Jakers is a bit bewildered and nervous, but given a few days, he'll figure out that we're home!

If you want our contact info, please email me. I lost all my friends and family email addresses, and I won't post that info here. Also, I don't have cell reception here, so if you call leave a message and I'll eventually get it--I'm not ignoring you.

Well, off to joyful unpacking!

Joy in the Journey

Forgiveness and Grace makes the world a better place

Kauai Delights

Room to Grow

Blessing your children

The soundtracks of their lives

A Pep Talk for myself

Friends in Minnesota

The Badlands

Pictures from Montana drive

Crossing Montana

Photos of the Day in Butte

The best laid plans....

Pictures!

Road Trip!

Chick pics

Monthly

catching up

The Alps...

Getting Better

It's Been Ages...

When I'm tired

The true gift of the NW

it's been a while

Quick Blog Note

Odds and Ends of our Days

Finding a church

Coming Along!

Practicing for Halloween

Our Town

Jump!!!!

Fun at the new house

LIttle things

Daddio's Book is Finally Here!!!!

We've landed!

Missy Moo

New Blog to Check Out

update

gift musings

A visit to the farm

A Field Trip and a Declaration

Beach Day!

Some updates

A few of Squeak's hats

Legacy

Zoom's Poetry

Rite of Passage...*sniff*sniff*

To end the year

My Nana got her Christmas wish....

Two things

Firestar-My hero

The Kindness of Strangers

quote of the day

Our first Earthquake!

a few pics

Where to begin?

Been a while...

Squeak said "Mama!"

A visit from "home"

Florence Nightingale

Squeaker Pics!

enough for now

Yet some more, but still not up to date

More pics

Promised Pictures

He's topped himself!

so much to say!

My Momma told me...there would be days like this!

Small updates

Friendship theories

Updates all around

Goodness

It's getting late...

Wondering?

Still here! And Milestones

Out of the woods

Again???

Merry Christmas!

Squeaker and Mr. Grunt-grunt

Bad to worse and back to normal again!

Rite of Passage...sniffsniff*