Camp Requirements Set Mom to Learning New Skill - and Being Bested by Old Skill: Adventures in Sewing Capri with Functional Fly

The fabric you seen in the pictures was chosen by Gabi years ago - at least five - though I can't recall what the original project was supposed to be… maybe shorts? Anyway - a few years later, we used some to make floppy hats. Otherwise, it's just be sitting with a lot of other fabric just waiting for someone to decide it was good enough to use.

Well, it's come full circle since Gabi owned exactly 2 pair of capri length shorts, and then a bunch of small, men's gym shorts (that she loves). The gym shorts are great - except that when she sits they only come to the top of her knee, instead of the camp required below the knee (while sitting).

Camp begins only a couple days away as this development gets brought to my attention. Gabi, being so helpful, said she guessed she'd just wear jeans most of the week. She hates jeans. Hates them. Okay - she hates pants in general. (Takes of her dad - though that's another story)

I, of course, feel bad about the situation - and thus:

Enter Super Mom -

who pulls out a pattern she loved years ago, still cute, and with lots of options. Then find fabric - pulling out the one from years ago (pink camo). The only trouble… said Super Mom had never before sewn together a functional fly.

Super Mom pulled it off - though as it turn out, sewing the fly was one of the easy parts. Apparently said Super Mom needed a reminder that sewing isn't a walk in the part - no matter how much she might enjoy it. The button hole - something said Super Mom has rarely ever had trouble with - had to be ripped out no less than five times (and maybe more).

So, after the exhilarating high of figuring out something new - and having it work - and after two broken needles (yes, two), and fighting to put in a button hole for over an hour - said Super Mom just earned mother-of-the-year for the next decade. (Though she refuses to make another set before camp.)

From Mom to Sub to Teaching

Welcome back… oh, wait - that would be welcome back to me.

I took a break. Part of it was the normal life is so busy and I just can't seem to bring myself to get on here and spend the time. Don't hate me. I started this blog for my mother in law when I was across the country - but that has changed, years ago now. My own mother doesn't have the internet - don't judge her - and so the drive behind this blog has managed to be set aside for more important things - like spending time with my family. I'm sure most of you have noticed that from the last random posts.

I will not make an promises about how often I'll be on here, but I did want to share some things with those who like to keep up with us. Stuff that takes a bit more than what I feel is appropriate for Facebook - which is where I generally keep up with everyone. And by appropriate, I mean length.

If you've read my earlier posts, you know that this year was a year of transitions. A year for me to slowly make my way back to the workforce. Not necessarily full time - but rather as something so I wouldn't go completely insane when Jacob goes into kindergarten this upcoming fall. I still felt being mom first was most important.

After much prayer, I went into substitute teaching. This involved me taking a test to get an actual credential. (I didn't know you had to have one until I moved here - other states don't require it) At the time that I began, I spoke with an educator friend who started talking about the other tests you needed to become a teacher. I chuckled and said, "Oh no. I'm done. I'm not taking any more of those."

So I began subbing - and I honestly can say I really enjoyed it. I felt like I fit and belonged - more so on some campuses than others - at least initially. My favorite days were the ones when the teachers actually left me things to teach the class. I loved it. The other days, well, I was bored - and I could see the kids were too.

Towards the end of January, I received a call one day asking me if I would consider taking on a long term sub assignment in special education. My first thought was "yikes… I wasn't going to do anything more than two, maybe the occasional three, days a week because I still have Jacob home", but it sounded like it would only be a couple of weeks and I was heading out to a writing conference soon, so I figured it balanced out some.

I met with the site supervisor, and felt good about trying it out. So I did. In two days time I was connected - heart full for these kids I was working with. It was a group of mild-moderate kids - not all at the same time. I found that I wanted to see them succeed maybe even more than I'd wanted to see the other kids succeed. I looked for stumbling blocks, talked with their teachers, began helping them in their very own specific focuses. It felt like I could make a difference. And I felt the love for these kids - and their love for me.

At one point I had been asked if I would consider applying for the actual position, though it was already going into interviews. The problem was, I didn't have the credentials. But it started me thinking, and asking questions. I discovered there might be a way to jump in and earn my credentials at the same time. It wouldn't be easy - what with five kids and a husband - that's a lot of schedules. Add full time job and classes, and you get the picture.

Again, lots of prayer and thought. I felt strongly that this was a direction the Lord wanted me to pursue. As my time in that position came to an end, I was asked to consider applying for either a half time or full-time position through to the end of the school year. This requires another credential - the short term staff permit. It's something you can only do once in your life time. The idea would then be to go into something as an intern - or rather in preparation for intern - in the fall.

 A lot more prayer, thought and consideration. My impressions had me leaning toward the half time position. My heart was still in special education.

Things have played out - and for now, I am in the half time teaching position. I teach the reading program and work with the algebra students. I'm really enjoying it. Learning a lot. And the added experience of working in a classroom with a class that is "mine" and not just borrowed, has been wonderful. Though my heart is still with special education, there is a part of me that feels like a half time position would be a great fit - I do have kids to worry about, and I'd like to keep up with my writing - which is something else I know the Lord has guided me with. But I know that when it's time to choose which program to do for now, the Lord will guide me every step. If He thinks I can do full time, and school, and family right now, then I know I can. If He says it's best to do half time and school with a family, then the rest can wait. Right now I'm taking it one step at a time.

My favorite part is making those connections. Even these kids that I work with right now, who are mostly not special education kids (though I have a few in one class), need to know someone loves them, sees their potential, and is willing to help them reach it. I love seeing these kids come back around, their faces beaming, recognition that they are each important shining in their eyes.

This has already been a greater adventure than I would have ever dreamed.

Of course, now I get to eat my words - those tests I said I would never take are first on my study list.

A New Normal

Our new normal… okay, our new chore schedule. It has changed so many times, and I'm seriously hoping we can find one that works - forever - so we don't have to change it again. However, I'm wise enough to understand that for some strange reason, that's just not possible. But we have to do something.

Growing up we had a chore chart. We rotated weekly - that included both everyday assignments and weekly assignments. When I was smaller than that, and we were living with my grandmother for a time, we actually drew assignments out of a can every Saturday - the down side to that is that you might actually end up with the same assignment every week (which could be awesome if you actually liked your assignment, but that usually wasn't the case).

For some reason, changing things up every week feels like too much to me right now. Might be the new house - might be having just come out of soccer season (mostly) where so much was changing so quickly (well, just schedules between games and practices and such), or it might just be me being a little strange. Certainly wouldn't be the first time. In any case, we've (read that as I've) decide that we'll rotate on a monthly basis.

A whole month of the same assignments. Sounds long right?

But here's the beauty of it:

By being on the same assignment for a whole month, mom and dad always know who is on what. Because, really, it takes about a week to figure that out once there's a change anyway. This way there are another 23-24 days each month where we don't have to figure it out - we just know.

And because they each have the same assignment for a month, they have a good chance of actually get good at it. I'll be able to follow what is and isn't getting done. I'll be able to point out missed places, or teach specific skills as needed. Training each child in a specific zone of the house. And with a month to practice those skills, they should be pros!

For us, it's a room (or sections, if you want to count the entry, hall, bathroom area). These are the main areas of the house. There are five - not counting the kitchen. We have five kids. The four year old gets to have mom as a buddy all the time. Mom is mostly a floater based on what else she has to get done that day. The kitchen is a full on team effort directly following dinner. And each person is responsible for their own bedrooms. Additionally, the actual scrubbing of bathrooms is currently assigned to the girls (they each get one to do), while the boys are in charge of taking out the trash and recycling everyday - as well as burying any compost and bringing in wood - and any other side jobs needing attention outside. Eventually those assignments might also rotate. But for now, it's just the main section rooms that do.

Last night we set a timer (one hour) and everyone attacked what they could during that time. Then we had movie night (something we haven't done in a long time). Today we continued to attack - and we've mostly gotten things caught up. This next week will be the remainder of catching up (while maintaining what we've already done), then the following week should see us only needing to spend about 15 minutes (or less) each day in those rooms. Friday afternoon - or Saturday morning (as they choose) - will be for the weekly portions of cleaning (the vacuuming while moving all furniture, windows, dusting, etc).

I'm feeling optimistic - and that's saying something, because I'm rarely optimistic about housework.

Here's to a new routine!

I'd like to say...

I'd say I can't believe it's been so long since I posted, but that would not be entirely accurate. After all, it seems that once life gets moving, the ball never quite stops rolling. That has certainly been the case in our lives, and I honestly can't even see the next slow down up ahead.

This year we put several new things on our plates - starting with a move. Not far, just up the street, but a move none the less. I seriously believe it was easier to pack and move with four kids seven and under from across the country then it was to move with five kids between the ages of 4 and 12 just up the road - less than a minute's worth of a drive.

As we did that, we also jumped right back into coaching soccer, and between running the kids back and forth and here and there and coaching three teams (because at least we were smart enough to bump the one kid up to keep us down to three teams), we've been hectic afternoons and evenings. Add to that the normal dance, plus an extra day of dance, Bob picking up smaller jobs at work - to add to work - his having been called into the Bishopric in our ward, and me starting to sub this year and well, you start to see the picture we've been living. (And that doesn't touch music or anything else)

In between - whatever that really is - we've tried to finish unpacking (though we're not all there yet), figure out some semblance of order, fight off illness, and generally try not to fall apart when there just isn't any time left for each other (that would be me). Writing went to the side, though I'm fighting hard to try to put it back into a more prominent position in my life because, if nothing else, I need it.

Curve balls are never far away, and we're doing our best not to get totally knocked over. So, hopefully, I'll figure out some sort of sanity routine which might actually include the blog again. In the mean time, thanks for continuing to care about our family. We really haven't tried to fall off the face of the earth, but we are learning that with five kids and trying to be as involved as possible with each of them, even in keeping things "simple" it's not really simple.

Our Little Fiddler

Beth has finished another season of violin - and this year has tried out a couple of fiddling songs. She has always loved to play fast, and we find it enjoyable to listen to her as she goes faster and faster on the pieces she has played in the past. So you can imagine our fun in listening to her over the last month with these couple of fiddling songs she worked on for her recital.

Here are her two fiddling songs as played at her recital:

We also love how she has picked them out on her flute and plays them that way as well. She's a lot of fun when it comes to music - often picking out music from one of her three instruments on the others just because it's fun to cross music.

I'm sure there will be lots more fiddling in her future!

Our Own Little Minion

Jacob has recently discovered the enjoyment of dressing up on a regular basis. He's always enjoyed imaginative play, and the occasional dress up. But now he actually goes in search of a costume to put on - or make. Often he comes out with the teenage sized Superman costume, wanting help to put it it on. Then he "flies" around the house while mostly tripping on the crazy long legs. But he's having fun!

The other day, when he couldn't find Superman, he came out with a cape I had forgotten we had. It was actually just his size - a nice little man's vampire cape. He wore that around most of the day, but took it off as soon as he found Superman.

Well, as I mentioned, it's not just about wearing costumes, it's also about making his own.

One Monday night - prior to Family Home Evening - while Bob was cooking dinner and I was putting away laundry, Jacob was busy working with his tools. That meant he put on his little goggles (which he calls googles). That's not a big deal - but then he happened to have on his overalls - which makes sense with tools. He then picked up Daddy's hat and put that on. But his favorite accessories were the bolt rings he'd just discovered.

The effect was fun - and we couldn't help the enjoyment. In fact, when Jacob went to the kitchen to show Daddy what he had "fixed", Bob sent him back to the bedroom to "show mommy".  In walked my little minion - complete with oversized hat, goggles, overalls, and bolt rings. Needless to say, with the camera actually close at hand, it was picture time.

It was agreed that, though not a perfect match, he looked pretty close to a minion. Even Grandma and Grandpa agreed.

Write It, Draw It, Experience It, Dream Big: Lit Jam

This was our annual Lit Jam week. For those of you who have figured out that I like to write, you'll know this is a big deal to me every year. I know, it shouldn't be - after all it's all about the kids - but it is. A large part of that is because I work with my kids on their submissions. I don't change them - I do let it be their own - when or fail. But I'm the one who combs through their work, asking them deep thinking questions so they can improve what they've put together if they want to.

Of course, I can't do the same with drawing, painting, or any of that kind of art. That's not where my talents currently lie. But Beth makes sure that every year she submits a piece of art work along with her writing. I'm glad she does because I know art is really important to her - and I think she's amazing at it. Now, if only I could help her more in that area….

Lit Jam here is an opportunity for kids to not only submit writing and flat art, but for them to meet new authors and illustrators and to learn more about the processes that make for great writers and illustrators. It's open to grades three through eight, so this year we had Jeremy, Beth and Gabi attending. Every year, Bob attends as well as an educator (room monitor), so I stay home with my little monster and the others (this year, it was just Peter and Jacob). I don't mind the time with just a couple, but I know I would LOVE to be at Lit Jam. Crazy, but that's the kind of thing I get excited about. This year, I missed an amazing professional storyteller!!!!!!! I love those kinds of people!

In past years, awards were based solely on the rubric. This year, according to what I read, each student's work went through the rubric and then those with a full rating on the rubric were judged a third time to determine excellent or superior. In other words - they made it harder to get an award!!!!!!! Actually, I think this is good because over the years they've had more and more awards handed out. It was time to challenge them more - help them improve and stretch.

Each kid could enter up to two things. Gabi did narrative and poetry, Beth did narrative and a painting, and Jeremy did narrative and poetry.

Our kids did well and were able to place with at least one of their pieces. Proud Mama Moment for sure. Gabi placed excellent for both her pieces. Jeremy placed excellent with his poetry. And Beth took a superior rating on her narrative.

Additionally, we had the privilege of hosting Adam Glendon Sidwell for dinner and dessert, along with our dear friends. The kids and I had read his book, Evertaster, before I went to LTUE (a writers' conference in Utah). He was on a panel that I went to, and then I went to his presentation as well. I managed to introduce myself knowing he would be coming to our area for Lit Jam and that my kids (ages 3-11, at the time) loved the book.

He was great with the kids - talking to them about everything from his book and writing to whatever interested them. Jacob insisted that he was "Adam Sidwell" every time he said his name… but think a three year old voice in a very humanized form of robot and you might understand why that was so cute.  Additionally, earlier in the week, Jacob had said that Adam, the prophet, was coming to our house. When corrected that it was Adam the guy who wrote Evertaster, he said "But Adam was a prophet, Mom."

Adam Glendon Sidwell also spent his day before Lit Jam presenting and doing work shops at our school. So my kids got to see a lot of him. They really enjoyed all that he did, and his very dynamic presence.

If you're interested in learning about Adam Glendon Sidwell and his books you can see them at these sites:
http://www.evertaster.com/about-the-author/
https://www.facebook.com/AdamGlendonSidwell

He write middle grade fiction and also has a picture book coming out next month.

Our Little Competitors - Around the World and Throughout the Dictionary

Around the world, or throughout the dictionary, our two girls really have enjoyed learning a lot.

Gabi has competed in both the local Geography Bowl and the local Spelling Bee for the past two years, and this was Beth's first opportunity. This year, they both competed. They were in different competing groups for the Geography Bowl, but were in the same group for the Spelling Bee. 

This was Gabi's first year on World Geography. There was so much more to try to learn and understand - and to guess in terms of what would actually be on the list of questions for the competition.

Beth was on US Geography - which still has plenty to learn, though some of the stuff is studied in the classes along the way.

I would have to say that Bob did a pretty good job with his questions - and keeping the girls from having any hints regarding what to expect - since neither girl placed in their competing groups. Regardless of that, it was fun to watch them, and they both competed well. (To top it off, Jacob actually behaved quietly throughout both competitions - back to back - which meant I was able to watch all of it this year!)

Spelling Bee was much more exciting for us. The girls spent lots of time studying words - drilling each other, having mom (and maybe dad, I don't remember) quizzing them. Beth, being her first year, was especially focused on learning her list of words.

Gabi went back and forth about which group she'd be competing in. First she was told she'd be competing with 4-6 grade, then it was that 6th grade was competing with the middle group (6-9). In the end, it was 4-6, so the girls ended up competing against each other. But all the back and forth kept tossing Gabi from one word list to another. I don't think it hurt her any.

They both tied with two other kids for first place initially. Then, they ended up competing head to head for third place. And, because they had to do the first place tie breaker first in order to see figure out who would be doing the third place tie breaker, the girls ended up spelling a bunch of harder words for their third place tie breaker then when everyone was competing for first place. For a parent (that would be me) it was fascinating to watch - to see both my girls excelling and spelling words correctly over and over (especially since spelling - especially verbally - was never my strongest suit). Bob and I could not have been more pleased with their performance that day. They really did amazing! In the end, Gabi took third and Beth took fourth.

Of course - I can't leave it at that - because I have one truly amazing husband. Both these programs would have been done away with a couple of years ago had he not stepped up to keep them going when the county office no longer provided them. This year, he ended up doing a lot more of the work himself - though he had some great judges and announcers in the form of retired educational professionals. Thank goodness for such wonderful support so these programs can move forward and the kids can continue to be challenged in a fun way!

Getting Back into Things

Okay - I'm terrible. I won't bore you with the whole story of how we're just so busy and I just couldn't take my hands away from my knitting needles long enough to get you all apprised of what was going on in our little neck of the woods. What I will say is this:

Coming Soon:

Updated pictures (yes, we really have some)
Kids' Accomplishments
And a few looks at our crazy lives

And I'm not going to promise to be regular with this again, because I hate finding out I make myself into a lier. I will try - and I might succeed, but I leave you no promises because I cannot see the future and cannot promise that life won't get in the way once again. But I will try!

See you soon!

SLIPPERS FOR SALE: 100% Wool (Hand knit & felted) - Soft & Cozy, and Really Warm : MADE TO ORDER

Here you go! A glance at some of the slippers I've been making. Maybe I'll get to post more pictures later, but just in case, I figured I'd take a group shot. These are heading in the mail shortly, so they made it easy to take a group picture of - my kids tend to hide their slippers so no one else will get them.

It was slipper season and my kids needed new slippers, so I brought out the trusty knitting needles and proceeded to design my own pattern for felted slippers. These are truly my own - and I am excited! 

Pictured above are the low back style, though I do make I higher back as well. 

ALL SLIPPERS ARE DOUBLE SOLED FOR COMFORT AND DURABILITY

 - which also extends the life of the slippers -

The low back are good for people who like to to just slide their foot in, and the high back are better for those who don't mind pulling it on and would rather have the back of their foot covered.

Sizes are either custom fit, which involves 6 measurements of the foot, or regular shoe sizes.

Kids sizes from 4-13, and Girls/Boys sizes 1 & 2 are:

low back: $30/pair  AND high back: $35/pair

Adult sizes (including all Girls/ Boys sizes that transfer to adult sizing) are:

low back: $50/ pair AND high back: $55/pair

Please contact me directly for more information or to place an order and get payment instructions - and keep in mind, if you're looking for a Christmas gift, get your order in early as these are made to order, hand crafted and take a little time (and there may be other orders in ahead of yours).

Contact me at: butterfliesandbugaboos@gmail.com

(PS - if you think these are cute and someone you know might be interested, please link me so they can find me. Thanks!)

That Thing Called A Black Hole

Black Holes. Every home has them. But they normally remain the mysterious, unknown that they are. They typically aren't living - just some random weird swallowing nothing. In our house, it has a name.

Jacob.

And it's very much alive - and well. And active - no dormant season here.

There is nothing random is the items he takes. They are very much thought out. Dad's keys, every one of mom's measuring tapes, the calculator that has been needed daily, knitting needles mom is using to make slippers for orders she's received (yes, I'm making and selling slippers - I'll be happy to tell you more about that soon), lunch bags (though we found one), most favored toys, Dad's emergency flasher, Dad's soccer tools, certain cooking utensils, etc. You can see - the things we need and use the most around here.

Our black hole wasn't always a black hole. He once was just a typical toddler who liked to take things, play with them, and leave them stranded some place. But he could always tell you (or take you) where he had left them. Nothing was truly missing.

Then, one day, he mutated into this nasty black hole. He no longer remembers (or tells us) where things are - or where he last had them. He sneaks behind our backs and takes things he's been told to leave alone. And they disappear. For what appears to be forever.

Honestly - we can't seem to find these thing - no matter how big or small.

Hopefully this black hole will mutate back - soon - and we will no longer have a living, creeping, black hole. Preferably before I have to take apart the entire house, piece by piece. That is not a project I'm looking forward to.

We Are Busy, Busy, Busy

It's been a while - way too long as usual. And I wish I felt I had time today to post some pictures and fun stories - but I really don't. Because, as you may have figured out from other years, it's soccer season!

This year we are still coaching three teams - just that it's not Bob doing all three, though he's been a huge help with my team. We got lucky, really, because it was decided to make U-10 and U-12 coed this year, which allowed us to go from the expected four teams to just three. And this, for me, was huge - not only because of schedules, but because it meant only one team for me. And with a three year old in tow, that's enough. (The mother league came down and said a coach could only coach two teams, which is why Bob isn't coaching all three again this year.)

In addition to our soccer life, Bob transferred to the Juvenile Court School, so it's like starting a whole new job again. The perk of this position is that because the school runs year round, and he's only working five more days that in the past, he was able to set it up to work four day weeks. This is nice in so many ways, though I promise you, he'd not any less busy - just that he's getting more stuff done around the house with a little less stress involved.

I've also attempted to embark on a new plan to keep our house from completely burying us this soccer season - but, between school work, musics lessons and practices, and soccer - along with chores and such, has left little to no free time for the kids. Part of me feels bad about this, but then I'm reminded that the reason this happens is because they don't pick up after themselves, and that piles up. So, I'm refusing to give in to the "they need free time" concept (which I do believe) so that they can learn a very necessary skill - picking up after yourself. They are too old, save maybe Jacob, to not understand and follow through with this concept. And I'm hoping, over the course of it all, we'll be teaching Jacob the same thing so it is less of a problem for him as he grows older.

Sometimes we have to step back and figure out what it is that prevents us, or our children, from learning something important. I believe this focus on always making sure they have free time, even at the expense of the house, has been are biggest down fall. So - though we're crazier during soccer season, I refuse to put this off any longer - in the hopes, that by the time soccer season is done, we'll have it pretty well mastered - and the kids will have twice as much free time.

Catching Dreams : Another Blog

I briefly mentioned in the previous post, and you may have seen the link on the sidebar - I've begun another blog. I'm not replacing this one. This is my family blog - the one I share things more specifically for my family in various areas not around me - and the rest of you just get to peek in and share in the enjoyment.

This new blog is an addition - part of a branching out and embracing of dreams that go beyond my family. Not to replace my family or my role in it, but rather as a way to expand on a dream I've been working on in the few spare minutes I can grab here and there.

Remember me mentioning that I'm a closet writer - well, I know some of you knew that anyway. But most probably didn't - at least not until I mentioned it in a lesson I taught on Sunday one day - and many of you aren't here, so you still wouldn't have known. But I have always enjoyed writing, won several contests when I was younger, and, at times, actually have a strange ache in my hands that is only relieved when writing. I've learned that typing can help settle it too, though physically writing is still sometimes necessary (thank goodness for journals).

Anyway, this new blog is a step in moving further out of the "closest" - another step in accepting that, published or not, I am a writer - and I love it.

The blog is titled Catching Dreams with Tara L. Nielsen and focuses not only on my journey as a writer, but my journey with dreams - which includes my crafting and baking/cooking adventures. It likely will include other things along the way because that's part of the nature of dreams - they shift, they change, they come, they go, and sometimes they just grow stronger.

So, if you're interested, come visit me at Catching Dreams with Tara L. Nielsen.

As Promised ...

Okay, so I said pictures would come - and these are only a couple. Most were taken on my camera and those pictures were downloaded onto the computer this is not so friendly with the internet as of late. That will soon be changing, and when it does, a few of those pictures might make it up as well. But these were taken with my mom's camera, therefore having to be downloaded onto the laptop - which is not where I keep all the other photos. But I really didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

So... seems a long time ago already, but Jacob and I made an impromptu visit out to see my mother about a month after her surgery. Since Jacob was only a couple of months old when we went out last, it was really his first chance to truly met everyone. He was amazing!

Of course, that comes from me - the mother whose last child wouldn't let go of her and nearly cried when anyone else came near him until he was nearly 4 - and that was even when he wanted to be with other people. So strange. So, to have Jacob start talking to Grampi Kevin when he picked us up at the airport, and to have no problems about sitting in the back of the car while I road up front was truly wonderful.

Our plane rides were interesting - but I'll get into that when I post those pictures. Truly - a whole story in itself.

Braeden and Jacob hit it off right away. Just like the boys here at home, these two figured out very quickly how to tease and pick on each other. And, as it seems most boys are when together, they were tremendously loud! But, as you can see from the picture, they also played well together much of the time. In this picture, Jacob is showing Braeden how to play his game on the computer - Braeden had never seen it before. Then they were good and took turned.

On occassion, when my mother had returned to work and Braeden was at school, I tried to do a little writing. (Yes, I'm a closet writer - but you can see my other blog for that, though it's only just getting started). Of course, the little monster often needed to come and snuggle and "help", because that's what he does best.

There were also opportunities to visit with other members of my family while in Vermont. It was nice to visit with my grandmother, though all too rushed - especially since I'd promised to email all the kids and that was really where I could do it. Same as when I visited at my aunts house. Hopefully that won't be quite the issue next time I visit.

However, I did get to see some of the little guys, though not all. My sister's girls were in school when I met up with her for lunch. But it was nice to visit with her. And, as you can see in the picture, I was able to meet my newest nephew - Odin. Such a sweet and cute baby. Very good baby.

It was very cold most of the time we were there, but with little boys, cold or not, they have a lot of energy so out they went. And my mother and I stood out there with them. She had an extra full length coat, since she works at a school and does yard duty.

Since, as I mentioned before, these are pictures from my mother's camera, there are only a couple of her. They are all of her playing with Braeden. But since it's what I have, it's what you get. As you can see, she was feel a lot better, was up and around, and being able to enjoy interacting with the kids. This was, of course, at the end of my trip, a month after arriving.

I'll share the few Maine pictures later as well - because they were taken with my camera.

In the mean time, I'm starting to feel like I'm finding a rhythm to my life again, so I might actually find and keep this blogging groove. It feels good to feel like things are okay in life, and that there is something akin to normal - even if it looks like chaos to everyone else.

I've Been Back - And Pictures to Come

Okay - so I've been back for a while now. Honestly, I've been avoiding posting anything. Not that there is anything to really avoid, just that I think I've been allowing myself to settle back into my own normal life. Coming back was a little hard - transitions always are for me. But it's been good.

I have lots to post - and pictures too - and I will, I promise, start finding some time to put into the blog. Though I'm not going to promise how much time or how often - at least not yet.

But for now, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm back with my own little family. That my trip to see my mother (taking my two year old with me) was really good. That my mother is doing well, and aside from wearing out and becoming tired a bit faster, she's doing great - even been back to work since two weeks before my return.

I was fortunate, though it was a very short time, to have visited with some of my friends in Maine before having to come back as well. It was nice to see a bit of New England, and very comforting to spend time with my mother.

Now that we're home, I've jumped right back into all the schedules and have been trying to keep pace with the busy life of a family of seven. In addition, we've been doing lots of Family History work, my calling was just changed, we had a youth orchestra recital and Lit Jam, and that doesn't count anything more "normal".

So - I will get back to here - and you'll start seeing some pictures - and maybe, just maybe, we'll get in routine enough that you'll know when to check in to read. =)

A Glimpse of the Unexpected Disappearance

I need to stop saying we're back, because it seems we're never really back. I would have been - honest - but things got complicated for me.

Two months ago, I found out my mother likely had a form of terminal cancer. It was very emotional - I'm really close to my mother - but she lives across the country and that makes visiting (with a family of five kids on one income) a little more difficult - in other words, it means a lot more planning.

The last two months have been hard on everyone in our family - and likely many of my friends. I've been a mess.

My mother had surgery - the cyst was cancerous - but it was completely removed with strong, clear margins - which means they got it all - the very best we could have hoped for given the type of cancer and the statistics. This means she's as in the clear as one can get in such a situation and will have scans every six months, but she is far from her death bed (THANK YOU, LORD). It's just a matter of healing now!

But the surgery was hard - all surgeries are hard on the body, but this has really taken it's toll.

And my emotions haven't settled.

A decision was reached and all parties involved were in agreement with the proposed idea. So, Jacob and I will fly out and spend some time with my mother. She's doing well - but she's tired and needs rest so she can heal completely. We've not visited in a long time and so it will be nice to visit together, but mostly I'm looking forward to helping out where I can around the house so she can get all the rest possible before she's cleared to return to work. And then, if the clearance comes at the predicted time, I'll be there to help with the transition.

I know it will be a help for them, but I also know this will be exactly what I need too. I need to be able to help in a meaningful way - and I need to see my mom.

My family is not out of the woods yet, as we're still awaiting a recovery from one surgery, planning another and then recovery from that as well was pathology for my father.

This holiday season has been a real emotional upheaval for me. I'm ready to get me back - and I feel I'm already on my way. (I'm sure my family is ready to have a normal mommy again too). It feels good to be able to do something.

A Crazy Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving Break has been interesting in many ways. Of course we were excited to have the "holiday" from school, but we started it out with sick kiddos. In fact, Beth came home from her field trip the middle of last week and was sick that very night. Not too surprising given that she was only a person away from the little girl who spent the first night up and down losing her stomach even when there couldn't possibly have been anything left to lose. And, we had ridden down (and then back cause we'd already been exposed) with a boy who had been sick the following night. (That doesn't mention the other boy who was sick during the day at the trip) - and then there something like 24 third and fourth graders out the next day sick. Yes, the flu was already going around, and it hit those classes hard (that's about half of them).

Anyway - Beth got it that night and spent two days down. Then Gabi was up in the middle of the night Saturday and Peter joined her Sunday morning. Needless to say, they did not attend church that morning - and seeing as I was covering in one class and was the only member of our Relief Society Presidency able to be there during Relief Society - and since Bob had meetings in the morning - we did the tag team approach for the day. I was already feeling off my game, but by the time I got home I packed it in for bed, still managed to get up and begin to eat dinner, didn't get all the way through,and then, just as Bob left for another meeting Sunday night, it hit me. And hard. For the next few hours I was up and down and not so pleasant - and I kept thinking, here we go, I'm going be as bad as that poor little girl - instead of being hit hard and fast and then just being tuckered. Well, things stabilized between nine and ten and I finally fell asleep. Was some what functional on Monday, but if up too long I would feel awful again and spent most of the day sleeping. But I did manage to get some little bits of food and liquid down and by Tuesday I was more or less fine.

Then Wednesday hit - it was time to get ready for Thanksgiving and I'd already lost the weekend and part of the week and the house was letting me know it. So we tried to attack part of that all the while trying to be smart and bake up what we could for Thanksgiving then instead of doing it all on Thursday. (Yes, I really have been known to do that)

Each kid had their job to help me with a certain part. Gabi made a chococlate pie, from scratch - it was amazing. A great recipe we got from some friends we'd had for dinner a few weeks ago. And Beth made an apple pie - though the crust wasn't being as cooperative as I would have liked and I had to take over that. I'm not sure if that's because I wasn't monitoring every little thing that went in and when because I was washing as we went, or if it was just being a pain - pie crust does that some times.

Then the boys were mad because we hadn't gotten to theirs yet - but I had to wait for the pumpkin to cool so we could use it - seeing as it was pumpkin we'd harvested from the garden earlier and I had to cook it that morning. But then Peter made pumpkin bread (which finally came out the way it was supposed to - I have struggled for years with this... we used a different recipe this year... it's perfect) and Jeremy did Pumpkin Pie.

Well, in the middle of the Pumpkin Bread baking, I hear this pop and loud sizzle and turn to see my oven is glowing a dangerous shade of red. I yelp, race over and turn it off, swing open the door and there, on the bottom of the left hand back bend of the bottom element is a wonderful melted spot where the dear electricity was now able to come straight through, while still running the rest of the element hot - not in a safe way, and probably not again once I'd already turned it off. It was the exact same place that the last element had burned out - about a year ago... of course, this was also an older element. Needless to say, Bob is buying a new element and will install it this weekend.

But what about the pumpkin bread - which is, at this point, half baked - and the pumpkin pie which has yet to go in the oven? Well - here the blessing in all the chaos - we walked that stuff across the road and borrowed the in-law's ovens. Thank heavens for that (though I did have some others offer to help us out should we need it after they heard). Thanksgiving day baking - you know, rolls, and casserole, and such - were also done across the road. Quite the adventures back and forth.

But we had a nice meal, the kids had even cleaned up the main section of the house and their rooms were also clean - and so when dinner was done, and Jacob down for a nap, we spent the rest of the evening planning games and reading - and it was well past nine when we realized we really ought to get the kids to bed. Needless to say, it was a great nap time for all - save Bob (who took one yesterday) today.

Oh - and let's not forget all this flu we started with - yeah, well, Jacob's version (I hope) was in the form of the runs - and it was all over the house at various different times. I really don't like cleaning up carpet - and especially multiple times in the same day. He's not 100 percent yet, though things are looking on the up side there. And then Bob came home from doing some work - not feeling so great - and low and behold - it's got him too. The only one I haven't mentioned is Jeremy - but I'm pretty sure we're in the clear there only because he was hit just a week and half or so before Beth.

If we're lucky - this will have worked its way through before schools starts back up and we won't have to deal with it over the next holiday.

But adventures and all - it's been a good Thanksgiving - made all the better from the time we've had to spend with out children - to enjoy being a family - and making memories. And we're sure to remember it and talk about how we nearly blew up the house with the oven while making Pumpking Bread for years to come.

Love My Jacob

I have pictures coming - I really do - I promise. But since I have to download them - yes, everything from August till now - I thought I'd share this little piece of fun.

The beginning of the week was spent with Beth on her field trip to Sutter's Fort - which you will hear more about later. In order for me to attend the three day trip, Jacob had to stay home - first with Daddy (and Grandma and Grandpa - who helped out a bunch) and then with my really good friend (whose daughter is one of Jacob's favorite friends).

On my ride home, I found myself thinking about my reunion with my little man. He's been in the habit of saying "I so happy you miss me" which comes from when he would tell me he missed me and then I would tell him I missed him and that I was happy he missed me because it let me know he loves me. So then he started saying "I so happy you miss me" whenever I could get home from wherever I was. I love it!

So I was daydreaming about that. But that is not the actual welcome I received this time. Oh, he missed me and was happy to see me - and snuggled, and cuddled, and loved, and hugged, and wouldn't let go, or would come back within a minute to snuggle some more.

When I did pick him up, my friend told me how she'd had him in the store earlier and that he was looking around and then stuck his lip out in a pout. When she asked him what was wrong he said, "I think my mommy is missing."

Later that night, when I asked if he missed me, he said, "I miss you into town."

He's been my little snuggle bug, and doesn't want me to go anywhere without him. But that's okay - because right now, I just love having him so close!

And I love that he misses me when I'm gone. And that he can tell me!

AND....... WE'RE BACK!

Sort of....

That is to say, I'm back.

Maybe...

On occasion.

I hope.

I really thought I'd get more in before Soccer hit the family, but somehow the beginning of August gave way to the middle of August all too soon - and that, for anyone who was not aware, was the beginning of our fall.

See, every year we start with soccer - in mid August - then school & dance & violin in late August.

Doesn't sound too bad, yet, right? Well, consider this:

Bob coached 3 soccer teams this year (we bumped Peter up so the boys were on a team together). Each team typically played at least two games a week - plus there were practices.

My job in all this: warm up the boys while Beth was playing so Bob could just put them on the field on time. Oh, did I mention that was done with Jacob either on my back or in a toddler harness, and sometimes just on my hip. Thank goodness Gabi jumped in with some of that drag around adventure too. And that doesn't count the one game I coached when Bob was gone to 6th grade camp. Thank heaven's for one of the other boy's dad who offered to help - he ran on the field and I worked the subs (though I'm sure I messed that up along the way too) - all the while with my little monster too tired (from not napping well and from having already watched one game - that thankfully a different parent had coached) and dragging me, and Beth, and Gabi all over the place, the boys going crazy (can we say Peter was a perfect Animal - from the Muppets), and extra soccer balls and kids floating onto the field. There is a reason Bob coaches them all and I play mom on the side lines.

Anyway - soccer was the biggest part, but everything else required time and energy too - and, like I mentioned, Bob had 6th grade camp to plan and execute. And I had a house (still have a house) in serious need of reorganization (it's coming) and a strong need to find a schedule that worked for everyone (we're still working that out too).

Then, as if it weren't enough, Youth Orchestra and Beginning Band started up a couple of weeks before soccer finished. Beth is in the first, having had violin lessons for just over a year and having advanced quickly due to her back ground from piano lessons (thanks grandma) and Gabi was just starting the Clarinet with me, so we put her in beginning band. Who knows if she'll stay there the whole time or move over to the Orchestra - we'll have to see how that works out later on. Don't want to push too fast.

Okay - so you get the picture. We were busy, crazy, nuts. And the blog has been fully neglected - on purpose even - for shame - gasp - yeah, I know - but I think we can start to come back. Don't expect too much right off as I'm still a little swamped with Sutter's Fort around the corner and Halloween in two days and all the normal stuff. But with soccer completed for another year, we're back to finding the true normal in our home for the school year.

So I'll leave you with my favorite Jacob saying of the last month - as he noted I was frazzled once again with the boys and he comes out talking to me as we join up with Bob and loudly announces (though I think he was trying to ask a question):

"I'm driving me NUTS!"

Yup - I think that about sums it up!

Icy Cold - Sweet Treat - Homemade Sorbet

Okay - so no pictures - at least not right now. I'm kind of lazy when it comes to that kind of thing. But I wanted to share with you my new adventure this summer. Okay - so one of my new adventures. The making of Sorbet.

I've wanted to do this for years, but just never did. I would actually google recipes and all that and then never do it. Fear of failure I think, though some might say it was fear of success. In any case, it took me until this summer to do it.

See, I had 8 cups of raspberries sitting in my fridge and I knew they needed to be used up within the next couple of days. Normally I'd just make a raspberry pie - and for those of you who know me, you know I love raspberry pie. But it was really hot - and it wasn't supposed to cool down - and the nights weren't going to be bringing in a heavy breeze to cool down the house as much as I like - so I got determined.

I made a batch of Raspberry Sorbet - yummy, delicious - we loved it - big hit! But my real favorite sorbet is not Raspberry - it's lemon. Yes, I'm a bit of a lemon junky - I love lemon pie, I love lemon bars, I love my lemonade - and make it a bit tart please - I love lemon cake - if it is lemon, I probably love it.

Well - we had recently decided to take Jacob off raspberries again and give him until next year - so I needed something different for him anyway - so I made lemon sorbet (basically it's lemonade frozen). Bob and I especially enjoyed the two flavors together!

Anyway - here I am having made my second batch of both - but could I be certain I'd done the same amounts of everything? Of course not. See the other thing about me that my dearest friends already know is that I rarely (if ever) follow a recipe exactly (even the first time through) and then I'm terrible about not writing down what I did until I'm not certain what I did. A few times I've been smart enough to write things down and I've been very happy with the results.

So - tonight, after messing up my lemon sorbet (as in too tart, even for me) - I've made a new discovery.... Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet! OH MY GOODNESS! I think it's my new favorite! And I'm pretty sure I figured out what I did wrong - and then I wrote down all three recipes. Yeah for me!

So I thought I'd share... and no, you do not need an ice cream maker - and it's completely dairy free. So enjoy!

For all Sorbets, you will need either a food processor (which is what I have) or a blender, a pan and stove, measuring utensils, glass baking pans, and, of course, a freezer. You may find a few other things useful - like spoons! =)

Raspberry Sorbet
7-8 cups raspberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 T. lemon juice
2 cups water

Lemon Sorbet
1 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cup sugar

Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet
31/2-4 cups raspberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/8 cups lemon juice
3 cups water

Start by dissolving sugar in liquids. I do this by putting them all (lemon juice, water and sugar) into a sauce pan and heating just until sugar is fully dissolved. For the Lemon, pour into an 8x8 or 9x9 glass baking pan and move to freezer. For the others: Blend raspberries and syrup together until completely smooth and even. Pour into a 9x13 glass baking dish and move to freezer.

Should you desire to do so, you can stir the mixture every 30 minutes to an hour. I didn't bother the second time I made them. Once mixture is completely frozen (at least 6 hours), soften slightly and cut out chunks. Place chunks - a few at a time - in the food processor and blend (pulsing as necessary) until all chunks are smooth. Scoop out and place into a container suitable for the freezer (I like to place the container in the freezer for at least 5 minutes prior to beginning this process). Once scooped, place container in freezer, process next set of chunks, scoop those and put into same container. Once everything is smooth and in container, cover and freeze.

Hope you have fun! Enjoy!