Time Flies...

I just happened upon my blog and noticed the title of my last post. "Happy 2010!" This really made me realize something: I don't blog very consistently. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I'm too busy living life to write about it. Too true.
Anyhow, being that Jill is at this moment enjoying a hot bath with an alarming amount of bubbles, and my boys are at basketball practice, I've got a few moments to write about life. Sadly, not much too exciting to write.


Jill finally proved me wrong for all my bragging that my kids never get sick. Last week she developed a pretty scary fever- 104, for three days straight. She missed an entire week of school, (so did I). As she got to feeling better, Jill & I were almost giddy at the prospect of going grocery shopping. Sad, I know. You know you need to get out more when you find yourself getting all gussied up for Safeway.


Hayden has been keeping busy with his basketball schedule. He's doing great and really enjoying it- except for all the running. Who would have thought there would be running in basketball?
So, Bry & I have been busy with a whole lot of nothing. You know...grocery shopping, bill paying, work, dog walking, dentist appointments, get-togethers, church happenings, homework helping, basketball games, play-dates, laundry, housecleaning, and all the things in between. Mind you---NOT complaining, just stating the facts...

Happy 2010!!!

Here it is- 2010! That sounds so futuristic. By now I thought that we would all be zooming around in our flying cars and eating food brought to us by our live-in robots. Hmm....Kind'a glad I was wrong.

So, Christmas 2009 has past, along with our annual voyage over the mountain to Sunriver. We had a very nice time with my brother and his family. Also, mom came along with us. I'm fairly certain as the years pass that our kids won't remember the different houses that we have rented at Sunriver, the sledding trips, or the gifts they received. However, I know they will look back and laugh at the memory of sharing a Chevy Trailblazer with Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Chili, our 75 pounds of lovable dog. Oh, and five suitcases, Christmas presents, sleds, and anything else that can be smooshed in with us. I make fun, it was fine- but did give us a few laughs along the way.

We arrived on Christmas day and left on the 29th. This gave us four nights instead of the usual three that we have done in previous years. This will need to be repeated in following years- much better. It also let us be with my brother on his birthday- his fortieth, this year. Why does my brother's 40th Bday make me feel old? Anyway, I hope it didn't bother him too much that I gave him a pill organizer as his gift...

Our house had a membership to the new health club in Sunriver. We spent a fair amount of time there. There was a large, warm pool, outdoor hot tub and this thing called the FlowRider. The FlowRider was a kind of surfing machine. Hayden gave it a try, and did pretty good. I'm always so proud of him for trying new things.

When we arrived at Sunriver, there wasn't a whole lot of snow to play in, so we ventured out to find some sledding snow. Lisa found us a great sno-park close to Mt. Bachelor. It was perfect for us.

So, looking back at Christmas 2009, I realize how much fun we had, and how blessed we are to have everything that we do, and the wonderful memories that we are making. Right before I sat down to write this blog, I took a pic of Bry and Jill relaxing. These are special memories too. We don't have to go anywhere, just be together. Perfect. Happy New Year!

African Children's Choir

Our family had the pleasure of hosting three kids & one adult from Africa. They are performers in the African Children's Choir. The kids are from Kenya, usually orphaned, and come from dire situations. When chosen for the Choir, they undergo five months of training, which includes the learning of English for most, then they tour in America for ten months. They keep a grueling schedule, one that I don't envy. However, in my entire life I have never met anyone with such wonderful dispositions, such joy, such optimism. These are kids that cart everything they own in a backpack. These kids have known so much sadness, sickness, and despicable evil that one can only imagine. It was truly an honor to meet these people and their visit will stay in our family's heart forever.

Where to start?

Oh dear. I've been gone from blogging so long that I don't know what to blog about. I'm going to go through some pics, that will help me remember some...

We met my brother and his family at the Salem Carousel Park. We were celebrating my niece's 2nd bday. What a cutie. The whole family was there and we all had a nice time.

I finally bought a couple trees for our yards. We put one in the back and one out front. I LOVE fall colors, so I got trees aptly named, "October Glory". Funny thing, now that they are in the ground, Bryan & I think they aren't the same kind of tree. One is, one isn't. Oh well, they are both beautiful.

This pic has nothing to do with anything- just thought it was awfully cute of Jill & Chili.

Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. We had fun, except for mom (me) crying in the middle of the patch. I noticed a young family out there with their two kids, about 2yrs old and 5, brother & sister. I just couldn't believe how fast time is going and that it really seems just like yesterday that I was carrying Jill around the patch, trying to keep her close and making sure little Hayden wasn't smashing pumpkins. It just hit me, then Bryan, as nicely as he could, told me to get a grip.

And of course, carving the pumpkins. We always look so forward to this, then reality: Jill & Hayden get tired of scraping, mom & dad get tired of the whining, there's a huge mess...Ahh...memory make'n.

The Swanks came for a visit. I can't even begin to describe how much we all looked forward to seeing eachother. The one & only good thing about not seeing them as often is that it is so interesting to see how much the kids are all growing. They had a terrific time together, however, the boys were wishing for some sunshine.

Dawn & I were so happy to share a cup of coffee and just pretend that they weren't leaving in a couple of hours. Ugh, I miss them.


Oh, and soccer. What would life be without soccer? A lot less crazy- that's what. As I write this my girl is getting her cleats on for her last game tonight. I am smiling.

Hope to blog again soon. We are excited to be hosting three kids from the African Children's Choir this weekend. Hope I'll have lots of pics to post!

My 1st Anniversary!

Today I looked over my blog. I was feeling rather, "Fallish", and decided it was time to update the settings, to better mirror my emotions...whatever. Anyway, I noticed a little slice of Bday cake on my Blogger sign in and wondered what that was all about. Then it hit me. Well, not really...after I checked my archive, it hit me. I've had a blog for a whole year! Wow. Time goes way too fast. I really hope to blog more in the second year. I just get so darn busy living life, I forget to write about it. But, looking over my last year's entries, I really enjoyed thinking back and remembering not only the times I wrote about, but remembering how I was feeling when I wrote about them. I just got a new job at the school, and it's part time, so I'm hoping I'll be able to write more and have lots to write about! Toodles!

Ahhh...routine.

Well, the kiddos headed back to school yesterday. They were so excited. Hayden didn't have a very good day, I'd say why but then he'd hate me. Despite getting a kick to the head at recess, Jill had a great day. I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't have a good day either. That morning I had sent up a prayer asking that my kids could have a great first day. Perhaps there was a bad connection. I tried again today. Ugh. Anyhow, today is a new day.
Going to start in on my mile long list of things to do when the kids aren't under foot. Making strawberry jam today. And maybe tomorrow. My old friend Stanley Steemer is coming for a visit tomorrow. The carpets are HORRIBLE. Thought it best to wait until kids weren't running in & out of the house forty two times a day. Of course, I will implement a " no shoes worn in the house" rule. That will last about a week- if I'm lucky. I'm also still trying to teach my pooch how to wipe his paws before coming in, but that is still a work in progress.
I have found that when the kids are home for the summer, I make a very long mental list of what needs to be done in the fall. However, I don't write then down. Now that fall is here, I feel overwhelmed with my new sense of freedom and I don't know what to do first. So, I find myself having another cup of tea and thinking about it. Ok. Now I better finish that tea and get on with things! Oh, one more cup can't hurt...

I can smell Fall

Yeah! My favorite time of the year is fast approaching. I always tend to look forward to the upcoming season towards the end of the present season- I'm just never happy with what I have, I guess. But Fall is my absolute, beyond a doubt, can't wait for season. A lot of parents are sighing with relief about this time of year because their kiddos are going back to school. Not me. Truthfully, the only thing I like about school starting is getting back to some kind of routine. Bedtimes, wake up times, get out to the bus on time times. What I don't like is saying goodbye every morning. I HATE making lunches every morning. I dread fall outs with school friends, which are sure to happen. I detest homework. I LOATHE it. I detest having to pretend that I truly believe homework can be fun and builds character, blah, blah, blah. Oh, and those silly reading logs that turn out to be homework for me! Honestly, Hayden & Jill read for a half hour every night. Can't I just say that? I can just as easily lie on paper as I can by mouth. Do they have to know who the author is? Why? Gonna check up on me?! Whoo0, breathe Kelly, breath.
Hayden and Jill are looking forward to school starting. They too, actually crave a little routine in their lives. They want to see their friends and get back to all things "kid-like." Me, Myself and I have plans too. A LONG list of plans. Although last year I said the same thing and I seem to get overwhelmed by my new found freedom that I'm in too much shock to start that list for at least a week or so...
One thing I do know for sure, is that just like last year and the year before, I will stand in the driveway with a smile on my face, waving goodbye to my kids. Then I will go inside, close the door and cry.