thoughts about Christmas, traveling ect...

Now that Christmas is over (at least the secular holiday), everyone seems to start thinking about the next holiday. In this case Valentines day. I could probably go to the store and see a number of heart related stuff. However Christmas isn't over. In fact, Christmas day is the 1st day of the Christmas season which will last until at the minimum January 6th, Epiphany. But like everyone I'm ready for the tree to come down and the lights to be put away for another 12 months. Maybe I'm feeling this way because it's a sloppy mess outside. It was so pretty before Christmas. Granted, we were house bound because the roads were so bad but it felt nice. It was beautiful outside and we were inside listening to Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate. Now, we could be doing the same thing but it just doesn't feel the same.
I had a friend say to me that she couldn't believe I had to travel for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I told her "well I've been doing it for 15 years so I'm used it it." However, I'm starting to think we are in for a change. I don't think my family (parents, siblings, husband and kids) are ready for the change but I'm thinking that traveling 5-7 hours in opposite directions a month apart from each other in the winter may not happen in the future. We'll see. I keep telling myself what is right for MY family is what i need to do.
As I look toward the new year, everyone looks at what they can change about themselves and I find myself doing the same thing. What do I want to change about myself, better about myself.... I'll keep those thoughts to myself since I have not concreated them in my own head yet. Just know that my goals are to live life to the fullest and not view the world as what could happen or what has happened but what is happening!! words to live by!

Being a mother....

Being a mother is an amazing journey. Watching such a tiny thing develop into a person with their own personality is so neat and sometimes frustrating, but for the most part amazing. Sarah is really becoming her own person. Phil and I keep asking ourselves "Did Erik do this, or that?" and usually the answer is no or I don't remember. I know she is a different person but all kids have similarities and especially siblings. For example, both my kids are screamers but they come by that naturally. Sarah, however is much more of a "talker" than Erik ever was. He just liked to watch people. Sarah likes that as well but she will voice her opinion about whatever she happens to see, sometimes happy and sometimes mad and you never know what side is going to come out. Right now I'm watching her sitting in her rocking chair clapping her hands and watching the snow. I think she is most fascinated by the fact that she can make this chair she is sitting in, move all by herself. I would love to know what is going on inside her head. It's just another amazing thing about children.

Erik participated in our yearly church play today. He was a king who was part of the rhythm choir. I wasn't sure if he would get his lines down but in a short time of practice he got them down. Now being in front of the crowd today, I think he got a little shy because most of them came out but he spent more time playing with the crown that was suppose to be on his head but he liked looking through it and playing with a feather he found on the floor instead. I kept thinking, sing... say the line... but then I realized he's 4. I need to let him wiggle and play. It made it more entertaining for the video camera.
Watching the massive amount of snow piling up outside reminds me of my childhood. Builing snowmen, snow forts and going sledding. I'm looking foward to making memories with my children....

Winter traditions

Life in Walla Walla doesn't usually mean snow at any time of the year let alone before Christmas. Last weekend we got a treat when we woke up on Saturday morning, it was snowing. It wasn't sticking quite yet but eventually it stuck and stayed. YEAH. We were going to get our Christmas tree that day so we were very excited that it was snowing because it's not fun to pick out a tree when the grass is a sloppy mess. So we bundled up the kids and heading for the hills (literaly). It took us awhile because half way there we decided we couldn't make it there and back on the gas we had so back to the pumps we went. Once we got up there we spent about 30 minutes to find the perfect tree (or at least one that would be good for our house) and heading back home. We found a place that we get to cut our own which makes it fun. Erik had a blast being pulled in the sled and Sarah tolerated being out in the wet snow as long as mom held her. (She lasted in the snow long enough to get a picture).
We didn't get the tree up that night because just getting it home and in a stand in the garage took it out of us so we took part in another new tradition. Roasting marshmellows over the fire and making smores. It's really fun to do in the winter and we used homemade marshmallows YUM! If you are a fan of marshmallows, you HAVE to make your own. It's soo easy and very very yummy!
Sunday we were able to take the kids sledding at the park where there is a great hill for children to go down (and adults). Erik went down once by himself and crashed and burned (yes, he slammed his face into the snow and got snowburned), so he refused to go by himself again and when I bribed him to go, he screamed the whole way down. Oh well, maybe next year. My boy is just not as brave as others. After an hour, Sarah went from mildly annoyed to histaria so we headed home. That afternoon/ evening we finally got the tree up and decorated. I wanted to start another tradition of stringing popcorn, well that won't happen. It takes a lot to string popcorn and enough to get around the tree would probably have taken me days of stringing popcorn so I stopped with one strand that goes half way around the tree. Smores= doable tradition, stringing popcorn= undoable tradition.
Enjoy the Christmas season and all it has to bring. Remember what we are really celebrating and it's not how much of a deal we can get, it's the birth of Christ and we should praise him for all he gives us because if he didn't give it to you, it doesn't exist!

Yes, I'm biased!

Ok, I know that I'm her mom and all but you all have to admit, this is a cute girl! Over Thanksgiving Uncle Marc took this picture of Sarah and I think it's magazine quality. I would enter it into a photo contest but I didn't take it so I can't. Everyone tells me how cute she is and of course I agree but man, this is a cute picture.

Also, I am so thankful for both my children. God reminds me daily to appreciate my children. Today we (kids and I) with a friend and her kids. I thought Erik was hyper but man oh man, Erik is calm compared to her kids and it's great that they are so happy but I'm so glad Erik can calm down when asked (most of the time). I am greatful to God for showing me how wonderful my children are, even on the days they are driving me bonkers!

Being an outsider

We are back from a trip to Idaho for Thanksgiving. This year it was with the Auth's. It's interesting how different people are from each other. I come from a quiet (comparitivly) family compared to the Auths. Now granted, there are 25 of them to my family of 5 so its going to be louder because of the people. However, I find it interesting how different people are and yet seem to get along very well. We had fun in Twin Falls. I think the best part was throwing a shower for my sister-in-law who is having a baby in March. The hardest part was the difference in parenting with others. We like putting our kids down for the night at an early time in the evening and they don't bother. I know this post may piss off someone but these are my thoughts. Kids thrive on routine, they thrive on discipline, they thrive on being kids and having parents. Why do some parents not want to give their children what all children need to the best of their ability. I got mocked and barrated for wanting to put my children to bed at a decent hour. Why is it when an outsider (like an in-law) makes a suggestion or a request or a thought, they are looked at like they are on drugs or speaking a different language from the rest of the people in the room. If a member of the family says it, all of a sudden it's acceptable. I have heard so many times about people getting married to someone whose family they don't like and they said something like "well I'm not marrying the family" well to those people out there, if your future spouse is close to his/her family, you ARE marrying the family. You get to be with them also and have to deal with all their different behaviors and quirks. Being an outsider you see things that even your spouse can't see or doesn't want to see. Sometimes it's nice to be the outsider because the family doesn't expect the same behavior out of you or they just write it off as you being the "in-law". However, over time you will slowly get closer and closer to the family and maybe even someday agree on something but highly unlikely because you are from a different generation and a different world. It's ok to be from different worlds, but just remember sometimes different worlds don't mix well and you have to be gentle and understanding when your worlds colide, for the sake of your spouse.

I've joined the 21st century

Ok, I know this is my third post today. I don't post for a month and then do three in one day but what can I say, I should be in bed (ok, I am in bed, just not sleeping)
I thought I was part of the 21st century but I haven't been totally part of it. I have a cell phone, I email, I have a flat panel TV and a laptop. However, I had never sent or received a text message, at least not received one from a real person. However tonight my phone made a noise like a message had been received. I thought I wonder what that was (see I'm new to this cell phone world). I realized I got a text. I figured it was some ad from AT&T but I thought I would look at it anyway. It was from my bro-in-law Jon asking me about wine for Thanksgiving. First of all, I was excited I got a text and then I sent him a note back (I'm pretty sure). I felt very grown up. It's amazing how far people have come in their lives. It makes me wonder what I will be talking to my grandkids about. Will there be things that I never had that will be second nature to them? Yes there will be. Imagine what it will be like.

Thank God for TEACHERS!

I picked Erik up from Preschool yesterday. The whole class comes outside and sits on the steps of the preschool and each parent goes up one at a time to get their child. When the kids came out, they were all wearing Native Amerian headbands with a Phesant feather sticking out. It was so cute. They had been doing a whole Thanksgiving unit. I had heard different bits and pieces over the last few weeks but yesterday he came home with a whole bunch of stuff he had made, a house for the pilgrims, a tepee and a canoe for the Native American's and a necklace to represent harvest. They also sent home a bunch of qustions about the first Thanksgiving and Erik knew the answers to ALL of them. I am so glad I'm paying someone else to teach him. I would not have thought what to do to teach him about that and yet he gets it from his teacher. It is so rewarding when your child learns something and understand a piece of history.

What would I be like without kids

I sometimes wonder where my life would be if I didn't have kids. I ussually wonder this when my kids are driving me bonkers. I think things like I could sleep in, I could go places that are not kid friendly, (which I can't think of any places like that now). The question is, would I want to go to those places. Would I be happy not having children. There is no way to tell because you can't miss what you haven't experienced can you?
We had a playdate with a new friend today. I was a little worried about it because from the outside looking in, this fellow mom seemed to be what I was really looking for in a new friend. She lives close by, has kids the same age and seems really happy with her life. However I tend to think that about people (other moms) and then they turn out to be crazy or their kids drive me nuts. However, I was pleasently surpised. She was all those wonderful things I thought I saw and our kids got along with each other with no tears (almost). I don't really have a point but I just wonder where my life would be without kids. I can't imagine it.

"Just a mom"

a couple of years ago at my parents house, we started talking about how we define ourselves. I believe it was my brother-in-law William that called me "just a mom" in front of my mom. Well needless to say my mom who was a Stay-at-home mom didn't like the term "just a mom" because moms "do it all" in her mind. They clean, cook, take care of the children and their husband all while taking care of themselves right. Well I personally have no problem telling people I'm "just a mom" because in today's society being a mom is recongnized as a BIG job.

I guess today I'm feeling rather good about being a mom because my children are actually behaving and being fun to be around. They are almost always fun to be around but I got my main living area clean so I'm able to enjoy them better. It helped that Phil took both kids to Home Depot for 2 hours so I could get the house cleaned.

My point in writing today was to tell you more about what the kids are up to. Erik is enjoying pre-school. He is a little behind (according to his teacher) so we are practicing things at home like cutting, coloring and writing letters. I am guessing by next Spring he will be about par with the rest of his class. He can't wait for Halloween. He doesn't understand the true meaning of Halloween so it is fun to listen to him talk about dressing up and going trick or treating. I got his costume out tonight to let him play with it and the look on his face was so awesome. It's like he had never seen it before.
I felt bad for him, he split his lip open this afternoon outside. Phil was washing the windows (yes, I know I'm keepin' him), anyway Erik had just said "I love outside, it's my best" which is his way of saying his favorite thing to do, well then he slipped off a rock and went face first into a ceramic planter. Luckily he is ok although he milked the situation so he could watch scooby doo.

Sarah is doing good. She is 8 months old and starting to think about crawling. We don't put her on her tummy enough because she is happier sitting up, but we are starting to lay her down more. I think in her head she understands but can't get her body to listen. She wiggles but only goes backwards. It's quite cute but she gets mad when she can't reach whatever we put in front of her. She also discovered a new friend. That is, her reflection in the window at night. She waves to her new friend and talks to her and it's amazing, her friend has a mommy that looks just like hers! I don't think she realizes the baby is her. I love watching another human being discover what most all of us take for granted.
If you have children and grandchildren please don't take them for granted. They will show you amazing things about life if you let them, no matter how young or old they are! Remember they lived a completly different life than you did. Let them teach you as much as you teach them.

We have a new house!

Ok, we don't actually have a new house but we do have a new roof and a new paint job on the outside of our house. We have been putting off the roof for a few years. Partly because so many people told us to wait (because it wasn't that bad) and also because of money and not wanting to do it period. After a couple years of a leak in the laundry room and then the main bathroom, we decided to paint the house then do the roof. We started the process of painting the house in August when it was warm, because that is when you are SUPPOSE to paint a house. Well long story short, we took a break from that in the middle of September because that is when our parents were able to come help with the roof. We thought we'd be done with the painting by then but we were not even close. So before my parents and Phil's dad came we (phil and I and thankfully some friends) tore off the old roof. My parents showed up and the next day Phil's dad came. Phil unfortuantly had to work 10-12 hour days at the Dam so he wasn't able to help us except in the evenings. I didn't think we would get it done in a week (which is how long we had the help) but with 3 of us on the roof (Two dads and me) we were able to get it done about 3 hours before the rainstorm hit. It was hard work but fun. I ran the nailing gun and also helped tear off old boards.
We did have 3 people fall through the roof as we were taking off the old boards. Phil almost landed on the refrigerator. I fell in up to my waist and our 76 year old neighbor fell in up to his thigh. Yeah, I was a little worried about that one.
So, after 1 1/2 weeks after tearing off the 1st shingle, we have a brand new roof.
So does that mean we can stop and breath. Nooooo. We have to paint the house now. So after hours of Phil sanding and scraping we were ready for paint (almost). We decided to at a little texture to the house by doing what is called batton on board. We added verticle boards to the siding. It took us 4 hours to prime because of this and 1 hour to paint the entire house. (Thanks to aunt lisa for the use of your paint sprayer).
So I think I've gone on long enough. I will try to update more often. It's hard with the two kids and a house with a million and one projects.

"Free Time"

What is free time? I am asking because I hear people talking about free time and it's like they are speaking greek. Erik recently started pre-school. I have 2.5 hours twice a week where he is out of the house. I don't get anything done or at least it seems like I should have a sparkling house with a break from Erik 5 hours a week going to school. Granted I have Sarah at home and she is demanding most of the time, but she sleeps while Erik is at school. Maybe it's that I'm not used to doing work without little ones screaming or asking questions. It also could be that the house is finally quiet and I just want to sit and enjoy it.
It is so nice that Erik is in school. All the things I've tried to teach him, like cutting with scissors, coloring and writing his name he is doing very well at school. I know I'm suppose to inforce it at home but like a friend said, "that is why you are paying them to do it for you".

We also just got done re-roofing our house. It was a week of chaos. Phil was working 10-12 hour days at the dam so my parents and phil's dad came to help. Along with some friends here in town. I was very proud of myself. I pulled shingles, ripped off old boards and nailed new ones back down. Phil was quite surprised. We had no major injuries except a few people (Phil, Me and a neighbor) fall through the roof. Phil is the only one that went all the way through (he landed on the refridgerator). Happily I only fell up to my waist. I did get a good gash on my leg however.
But alas it's done. We won't have to worry about leaking ceilings this winter. Now our next project (that we were in the middle of when we started the roof) is painting the house. Hopefully we will get it done before the weather turns nasty.
Now as far as free time. My living room has toys and clothes all over it. I have laundry I have to fold and Erik's shoes are sitting on the table next to me, however now that I have both kids down for quiet time at the same time, I will go veg out and watch a show because I can't do that when the kids are awake. I'm going to enjoy this thing called "free time" even though it's not really free. Free from kids but not work.
No wonder I can't get my house ever clean!

Family Reunions

I was told that i don't keep my blog updated enough so I thought I would update it with what is going on this weekend (labor day). We traveled hours to visit Phil's family in Twin Falls, Id. It's always interesting to me to see Phil's aunts and uncles. The things that come out of their mouth. I guess I should be glad that people have the confiedence to say what they want to say. So far, nothing too crazy has come out of their mouth. It's been fun. It's neat to see such a big family get along with everyone.
It was fun to sit around with some of the girls and talk about babies and pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Sarah & Erik have been having fun. Because we want to visit with the adults, Erik has been watching a ton of TV. He is in hog heaven. Sarah has reveled in having everyone hold her, especially her God mother Rebecca. Well that is all for now. I may write more later.

Being a homeowner is fun....kind of

Let me tell you something: Growing up, going to college and gettting married, everyone always told me owning your own home means you have an investment, means you are not throwing money down the drain. They did not tell me you also have to mow the lawn, fix broken pips and above all, rebuild the whole house after you bought it. Now I know most people don't have to do that because they buy a house that maybe needs paint or a touch up of something. "We" bought a fixer-upper. By "we" I mean, Phil bought it and I went along with the notion I may have to sweep and mop and paint a litte. I was such a naive homeowner. I didn't realize I would be ripping up carpeting, scraping floors and moving walls. I'm glad to say that 95% of the inside is done. Now we are moving outside. Currently we are working on getting our house painted. We are doing it ourselves as well, because they (the world) charge an arm and a leg for professional painting. Then hopefully we can re-roof the house before the rain comes. Don't get me wrong, I love being a homeowner. We get to have things the way we want them but obviously it's a lot of work getting there. I keep feeling like I'm a "I'll like it when..... type of homeowner. Someday soon it will be done. We've only been at it 4 years.

Swim Lessons

Growing up on a lake, I learned to swim fairly young. It was always something we did, especially since our parents had the summer off. We would spend our summers either camping or at the beach. I remember my swim lessons very well. We learned at a neighbors house. I was about 4 or 5 I think. My most vivid memory is being told to jump off the dock into very deep water to learn to tread water. I was so scared because the water was deep. I wasn't going to jump but my older sister decided to help, by pushing me. I wasn't very pleased with her but it got me in and from that day on, I was a swimmer.
So it seems fair that I should reciprocate the same loving "push" to my son. I signed Erik up for swim lessons at the local country club. I know I know, you are thinking "what, the country club, how hoyty toyty, however it's not like that. It just means smaller classes. The first day was a challenge for Erik. He is a little freaked out about being in water over his head. However teacher Christa got him to do what everyone else was doing. They are learning different kinds of kicks, treading water and going under water (which Erik has done once kinda). He's had 4 days at this point and he has 4 more to go. It's amazing how much he has improved in just 4 days. I am enjoying watching him grow up. It doesn't seem like that long ago that he was just my little boy who used to cuddle with me. Now I have a pre-schooler who is taking swimming lessons and going to pre-school in a month. Yikes, where did the last 4 years go. I understand the saying "The days are long and the years are short". How true that is. Now I must go and enjoy one of those loooong days with a teething baby!

Oregon Coast Trip~ July 28th

We just got back from our Oregon coast trip that I am hoping to make an annual event with some friends from The Dalles, the Loughmillers. We got there Wednesday night and left Sunday night. The first day was cold and windy. Erik did not have fun at the beach but I'm sure it had something to do with his ear infection that we found out about the day before we left. Sarah also had one. It made for a fun vacation. Actaully we had a ton of fun. The rest of the time was good to moderate weather. It wasn't too hot or too cold. We spent a lot of time on the beach and at our vacation home that we rented for the week. We also visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Erik especially loved the divers in the water that were cleaning the tank. Our last day was probably the best. Jenny and I enjoyed the local farmers market where we tasted organic salads, vinegars, goat cheese and breads. It was spectacular. That night for dinner we had salad, fresh mushrooms, bread with goat cheese and the cream la da cream, fresh Oregon Coast Dungeness Crab!
Our trip home was very long because we took the scenic route up the coast to Tillamook for a tour of the cheese factory only to find out they don't work on the weekends so it was a bust as far as the tour but I got some "sqeeky" cheese which took me back to my childhood when we lived across the street from the cheese factory in Sandpoint and my dad always got us "squeeky" cheese, otherwise known as curds.
it was great to go on vacation but it's also great to be home!

Half way through summer

Ok, growing up I always looked at the 4th of July as the half way point in the summer. Now it still seems like that even though school is getting out later and starting sooner. I'm not worried about the school schedule yet, but I still think of it that way.
Well I will try to blog more later. My cat napper is awake yet again so I will update you on my 4th of July week later.

VBS Week

Well now that's it the end of the month I can catch you up on what has been going on. This week is VBS. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's Vacation Bible School! I volunteered to be the craft leader not knowing what that would involve. Now that I'm in the of it I know for a fact I will never be a school teacher. Having between 20-35 kids in a room would literly send me to an early grave, if I had to do this everyday for 180 days straight. I have a whole new respect for preschool and elementary teachers. Preparing the crafts have been very time consuming. I have 91 kids to prepare crafts for. I have 4 different classes of crafts. Yesterday was the hardest with piggy bags. Note to all who want to work with craft foam; double sided tape DOES NOT WORK! Glue dots have been my friend this week. I've made it halfway so far and it looks like I'm going to make it. Happily I have vacation at my parents next week, so it will be chillin' on the beach for a week! Yeah. Since I noticed the weather in Walla Walla is going to be in the 90s.
Time to vamoos! More later
Oh, I also forgot that in the midst of all this week our computer broke so even though we were planning on buying a new one (in a year), we decided to buy one now and got a fun new laptop. So far, we really like it.
Later~~~
Natalie

Sleep deprivation

Having children will give you the best joys of your life. I think the reason this happens is because our idea of what is great is masked by endless sleep deprivation. I absolutely with all my heart and soul love my children but I pray that they give me sleep tonight. Ironically it's the 4 year old that has been keeping me up at night not the 4 month old. Isn't that a little backwards.
Anyway, that is about all I have for tonight!

Cutest Kids

Ok, I know I'm their mother and I may have a blind eye (actually I have two of them) but my kids are the cutest thing in the world. I got their pictures taken yesterday and they are sooo cute. However by the end, they were not so thrilled at having their picture taken. Fortunately, all other people see are the happy smiles in the pictures.
It's starting to get warm in Walla Walla. I'm sure soon it will be in the 90's and then the 100's which is what I don't like about Walla Walla, but the rest of the year is wonderful weather. I'm glad to be getting some sunshine.
It feels weird to have a blog. It's like I'm having a diary that everyone can read. But I guess that is ok because if they want to know what is going on in my life, they will read it, if they don't care then they won't even bother.
I've had some response from people so I am going to keep doing it. I'm new to this blog world but I think there is a way for anyone to post something on here so if you want to be an "author" all I have to do is send you an invite so let me know if you want to post anything. Just remember anyone can read it, not just us!
Well enjoy the pictures of the kids and let me know if you want to be an author! We'd love to have you join and let me know what is happening in your world.

Starting again...

Well here I am again, starting a blog. I've tried so many of the new web stuff, myspace, facebook and now a blog which as you can see I started a year ago and have not done anything since. However, I am going to try to keep the blog going this time. I need something that is my own and with the cost of gas being so high, I will keep in touch this way with people... maybe!

The latest trials and tribulations in our family is we just spent a week in Portland. Phil had a training class for 4 days so we went with him. Having an extra child (last year we went also) was a bit more challenging but it was worth it. We got to go to some great restaurants and Erik loved the Portland Children's Museum. He also liked the Portland Street car and the MAX which he called "the hotel train" since it was right outside our hotel. We came home for one night and then it was off to camping in our new tent trailer (well new to us, it's a 1978) at Wallowa Lake, Oregon. It rained every day except the day we left which was blue sunny skies. Oh well, it was fun and we didn't get that wet thanks to our trailer with a heater!:)
Well now that we are back, I am attempting to tackle the mound of laundry and both kids are sleeping (or at least quiet in their room! YEAH) I should go.
Let me know what you think of the blog!
Natalie