..."And School Comes Along Just to End It"

In case your children aren't avid followers of "Phineas and Ferb", the cartoon, on the Disney channel - that title is from their theme song:

"There's 104 days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end it.....and the annual problem of our generation is finding a good way to spend it"

So, school has begun. A few observations from the first week.

Mikayla, Fourth Grade:

This little gal is the smallest kid in her class, which is saying a lot, because there are 35 kids in her class!!! Gasp!!! With 3 fourth grade classes of either 34/35, I can't believe the district hasn't allocated an additional teacher - but, our district is in dire straits, so what do I expect?

However, and thankfully, her teacher is FANTASTIC! Everyone I know who's had her has really liked her and Mikayla is no exception. Her class is also "stacked". Since we were on the other end of that scenario with Brayden when he was in 4th grade, I don't feel too horrible....but, it's kind of obvious that those kids with parents who exert the most pressure got their kids into this class. At least there will be no shortage of parent helpers.

I think it will be a great year for her, especially if she can survive this first week of 90 degree temperatures in an unconditioned classroom with that many bodies inside.....


Brayden, Seventh Grader:

It was fun when I dropped off Brayden to finally spot some kids walking into his middle school that were smaller than him. God Bless those little 6th graders.

Brayden reported that the day felt like "just the next day after the last day of school". Well, there you go. For the most part, he's happy with his classes, though the next two trimesters offer better electives vs. what he ended up with this trimester. At least pe and woodworking don't involve homework!


As for me, well the week has been about what I expected. Back into the gym full force, which I was pleased didn't instigate headaches....that is until yesterday afternoon. I'm still suffering its effects this morning, so if you wouldn't mind, I'd love some prayers for it to dissipate given all that will still be going on and needs to be done before John returns this Sunday afternoon. Tonight, he'll be kicking off the start of Mens' Round-Up with about 1500 men, and tonight I'll be gathered with about 100 women learning about football at our church (and listening to a former Duck player speak). Yeah for the Rileys doing their thing...I just wish we both felt optimal when doing it.....

11 Highlights of Summer 2011

As we face the transition into the school year and fall this week, I felt like, for my own sake, it would be fun to review what this summer of 2011 was all about. I went back to my blog posts and pulled out some of my favorite memories and pictures that represented them. There were a few that I found myself passing over - while the idea was exceptional, the experience was less than - often due to not feeling well (i.e. Bullwinkles). And, for sure, Camp Harlow would be in the mix for the kids' sake, but that can go in their blog countdown, right?! =)

#1: Kick off the summer, "Green Lantern" date with Brayden. SO MUCH FUN!!! I was GIDDY by the time we left the theater, not only about the movie, but for all of the summer to come!

#2: S'mores, bbq's, and dining al fresco on our side patio. Kind of a broad definition, but between "Tuesday Night Ladies" visits, Fathers/Mothers Day celebrations, "Third of July", our birthday dinner with Mom and Dad, and the Impact Team dinner - we really made use of this space this summer.




#3: Movies and Meals with the "Schitelys". This picture represents us all at PF Changs, honoring Travis, Michele, and I's birthday after having watched "Transformers 3". I love how much we enjoy each other - from restaurants, movies, on the boat, on vacation, or just hangin' in any of our houses. Priceless....

#4: Celebrating the Fourth of July. This has now become one of my favorite holidays - especially when you throw in our annual pre-celebration at our house on the third. Florence was a hit again too, especially when we kept warm this year.




#5: American Idol Concert with Stephanie and Michele. It was fun from start to finish - the roadtrip up and back, and especially staying in a hotel room with other "grown-ups" that can get their own selves ready and even clean up after themselves! (Not to mention laugh at each other and eat all sorts of bad stuff for us....)


#6: Our trip to Sunriver. Between the wildlife, the outdoor setting (and scent!), the hot tub, the great books that I read, and all of the bike riding - this place was a taste of paradise for me.





#7: Michele and I celebrating our birthday together. While it's a bummer to not have the whole family around (the boys were at Sons of Thunder...which would definitely make their lists for best-of-summer). A trip to Bello, Red Robin with the girls, and having them be so thoughtful to light up this KFC "bonus" cake to honor our birthday - it was low-key, but very special.

#8: Camping with the girls on the Metolius. Honestly, this dirty, out-house using, outdoor-tent sleeping experience is really my summer highlight. At my core, this all brings me tremendous amounts of happiness - especially when a good book and a campfire is included!


#9: Time spent with these ladies. From the beginning of the summer goof-off time on the trampoline, to taking them out on the lake, to watching Kimmie shine at Harlow, and finally to the magical culmination of Christi's romance at her wedding, it's been a treasure indeed to be a part of these young womens' lives.



#10: The Boat. Outside of that one fateful trip that included my migraine, Traig's broken arm, Andrew's hyper-extended knee, and Brayden's punctured lip - the rest of the experiences were so great this year. We took lots of folks out, got lots of first-timers up, and yes, I even caught a little "air"! And, oh yeah, at the end of each trip it amounted to way too many DQ Blizzards.... =)







#11: Packard Creek Camping with the crew. This was probably my favorite trip ever. Everyone in relaxed, silly moods, the kids ADORING their time with Mom and Dad, and TREMENDOUS water on the lake. Definitely a tradition that will keep going...




(Some honorable mentions include "Cars 2" at the Dallas Drive-In, the trip to Larison Cove, Safari Sam's, the hiking at Proxy Falls and riding Merlin with Mom and Mikayla.... =) )

Losing...Not a Lot of Fun

...LOSING as the Oregon Ducks against LSU. That was NOT the outcome we were hoping for. Our poor boys shot themselves in their feet over and over again with interceptions and fumbles. I know I've got some readers from the south, but I have just have to put it out there that it's not easy being beat by the SEC 2 games in a row. If you watch ESPN, one would say the world spins on the "SEC axis", so we wanted to prove something.

HOWEVER...now the anxiety is lowered a bit in watching each game. Perhaps the "big one" is out of reach, but lots of positive results are definitely attainable. The outcome of last night's game wasn't just one person's fault, there's a lot of Ducks hanging their heads for mistakes they made, but it will draw them together and they will learn. It will get better.

...LOSING the freedom that summer offers. The "what's on the agenda" for the day independence, and opportunity to sleep in. The adventures and all the fun.

HOWEVER...it is TIME for some structure. For some routine. For some discipline. A family can only maintain chaos for so long without it wearing us all out. I think we've reached that point (but it doesn't mean we all won't still live for the weekends and vacations!)

...LOSING the weight. Oh yes, that 15 or so pounds I've put on since seeing my doctor in June. Once again, it's been quite a ride, a whole lot of fun! There's a lot of opportunities to "celebrate" with feasting in the summer, and particularly in August, I don't miss a one.... =)

HOWEVER...how I feel about myself? NOT so fun. Not at all. It's time. I want to wear all the clothes in my closet, not just the select few that hide the most. Plus, with my neck the way it is, it's really important I'm consistently back in the gym, particularly with the Group Power and how it strengthens my back. Actually it's PAST time...

...LOSING the summer weather and sunshine. This summer started a bit late, but once it began for us, it's been glorious. No complaints, just phenomenal.

HOWEVER...I really don't have a however. Well, I wouldn't mind the temperatures to drop; allowing the flannels, scarves, and cozy sweaters to be brought out. But to suggest getting rid of the sun, nah not so much - except for the days in which we want snow! =)

So, there you go. It's time for change. But, I still have two more days to enjoy. Tuesday is when the change happens. In the meantime, I'll be "wallowing over our losses" with the Schillings in our sweet little retreat at their home.

So Much Less Stress

Wow, my sleep schedule is way off right now.  Last night I was awake until 2am, no headaches or anything, just kind of "wired".  (It was a fantastic Wednesday night sermon...and I felt like dwelling on it for a while).

So, here I am again, nearing on midnight, doing the "night owl" thing - which is so not my norm.  On a whim, I decided to peruse my writings of the first half of September of last year.  You know how there are times when in the midst of it, you recognize it's hard, but only in hindsight you realize just how hard?  That was totally last year for me.  I was adjusting to Brayden being in middle school and so worried about how he'd cope academically (organizationally!) and socially to that big step.  It was also a scary time with a new football coach and heightened concerns for him not being "enough" for that situation.  Throw in worrying about my daughter's soccer team, me suffering withdrawals of summer, and the consideration of substitute teaching - and I realize now what a wreck I was then.

As for this year...well, I don't want to get too ahead of myself, as school hasn't even begun - but, I am breathing easier.  Brayden has the same coach and after having endured the first week of grueling conditioning, they've already moved onto position/strategy practice and the temperatures were even more comfortable.  While Brayden is still the smallest guy, the team numbers are down, and he's already had a year under his belt to prove himself - so he'll do just fine.

In addition, yesterday we got his schedule.  They haven't assigned electives yet, but of his four core classes, three of the teachers are ones he had last year and liked.  The one that's not a repeat is probably just as well anyway - at least Brayden would say so.  Okay - I can handle this!  In addition, I watched the rapport he had with others as he confidently walked into registration - that kid is just where he needs to be and is doing FINE.  Fine enough, anyway for me not to stress indefinitely over.

As for Mikayla, she just found out she'll have a veteran teacher that we were really hoping she'd have for fourth grade.  There was a possibility of her getting someone I would not have been okay with, so I am very thankful it all worked out.  Kenady is in her class too....and she's choosing to just focus on volleyball this year, so we don't even need to cross the "sports" bridge with her yet. 

So PHEW!!  Next week will be busy enough and crazy enough in its own right with John heading off from Wednesday through Sunday serving as president of Mens' Round-Up this year, the kids starting school on Wednesday (Mikayla) and Thursday (Brayden), a very big "Football 101" event with the Womens' Ministry of our church on Friday night that I'm helping with, a Duck game on Saturday, a wedding Saturday evening, and Brayden's Football Jamboree on Sunday.  Given all of that, there's just no room for me to give in to anxiety for the kids....good thing it doesn't seem necessary.  Thank you Lord!

Tyler and Christi Get Married!

On Sunday night, my dear friend, Christi, married the love of her life, Tyler. I met Christi about 18 months ago, when I took a chance of going to a new hair stylist at Bello. Honestly, I scheduled the appointment with her, sight unseen, based on the fact that she was available, and because she was new, her prices were reduced. =) Oh my, it's just proof that it's these little things that most people wouldn't consider God being part of in terms of seemingly insignificant details....He totally is!

Because Christi had shared with me about being new to town and wanting to meet more Christians, I went out on a limb again and asked her to join our emerging women's group last year. I was shocked when she said "yes", because she knew no one but me....but then again, it was a very eclectic group with many of the members in the same boat.

Over the year we were all together, we heard about Tyler as a wonderful boyfriend, prayed for Christi's patience and perspective as she awaited the "hoped for" proposal, and rejoiced with her when it happened. How incredible to finally arrive at this day and be there to support her. The wedding was SO AMAZING. It was beautiful in its simplicity, Christi largely let God's creation speak for itself in terms of decoration, and boy did it shine!

This was at the entrance gate to the winery where the wedding took place:


Upon arrival, Heather and Elaina were waiting for us - and sat next to us during the ceremony. Kaela was VERY busy serving as the wedding photographer! Way to go Kaela. John assisted as best as he could taking shots from different angles to supply as many images for Tyler and Christi as possible to preserve these precious memories forever.

This little guy is Christi's nephew - A-DOR-A-BLE!!!

Tyler, awaiting his beautiful bride:

Look at the pride in that Dad's face:


The embrace Christi's dad gave to Tyler was one of the most impacting points of the evening for me. He'd been virtually adopted into their family as they had all recently moved up to Oregon from California. Oh how I pray that we will have the same confidence and love in the man Mikayla chooses as is evidenced here.



The ceremony was sweet and poignant and not very long....perfect!




Me, Heather, and Elaina - we kind of clung together through the event, rejoicing over this priceless day for Christi

Yup, our kiddos were invited too. Kaela took a special picture of Mikayla and Christi together, I'll add that when she's finished putting the album together.

At one point, I had the girls pose around this light pole. Heather leaned out, and we all loved the effect - so we had her pose again on her own for John's camera..... She's so photogenic!

Guestbook:

Wedding Favors: (I'm pretty sure I'll put this image up on Pinterest!)

I tried not to put any of the "pose" pictures up to give the credit to Kaela that she deserves for orchestrating it all - but I couldn't help putting this one up that she had staged and I took from a distance.

Christi running out to the field to pose with us, her "Tuesday Night Ladies"....



Another set-up shot for Kaela that I took from a distance....love the sun shining on the hills in the background:

Love this napkin, and in the next photo - what the flowers were sitting in....fresh blueberries. Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but after dinner we poured the water out and ate them! (Her dad suggested it!)



The setting for the ceremony/reception is just so breathtaking...

Not pictured (yet) was the food - hands down the best meal I've ever had at a wedding. I know everyone's taste is different....but this one nailed it as far as my opinion goes! After dinner, Kaela got a chance to breathe (by the time we left, she'd been there for 12 hours!), and pose for a picture and be on the other end for a change.

After this picture was taken, our family took to the dance floor - and for the first wedding we've attended yet (among those of the younger gen we've been working with), we actually stuck around and did some dancing to music with an actual beat. SO outside of my comfort zone, but John and I just couldn't help but get caught up with the sheer joy and elation of it all (and when you have your kids to be silly with, it helps). We left around 10pm, while the party was still going....I'll look forward to seeing from Kaela's pics what we missed out on.

By now, Christi and Tyler are in Maui for two weeks....sigh....Fortunately, despite the fact that they now live close to Portland, Christi will be maintaining a one-day work week at Bello. As our whole family now goes to her for our hair, those Thursdays that she's agreed to return are important to us! We're also hoping, as our Tuesday Night Ladies will soon become "Thursday Night Ladies" that she'll be able to pop in and join us as often as she desires. Only, this time, she'll have a different last name.... =)