Bunco!!!

I Love love Love Bunco! I ran it for two years, and took a break this year to focus on being a GirlScout Co-Leader.

Tonight was the reason I love Bunco. It is once a month~I have not missed a bunco night. You get to meet new people, laugh and get silly. You can be invisible and quiet or loud and obnoxious. You can have a baby the whole night sleeping in your arms. You can be young, old, or middle of the road and still connect, have good clean fun and maybe find something to be proud of yourself about. The fact that you can count, or roll a Mini Bunco or even a Bunco upon command. Someone always walks away with something, may it be a pound or two from the treats or an actual prize or a friend.

These pictures are from 2011, but you can see the fun on these ladies faces. My hope is that people find the true love of Jesus in the group. That each lady can feel the acceptance, warmth, appreciation, and fun, that defines Love. I hope heaven has dice...cause I would be heading that group up too! "Hey Peter, want to see if Doubting Thomas will get the Most Losses prize again this month??" LOL would that be a funny conversation!

Advent: Dec Has Arrived!

The stockings are hung, the Tree is decorated and we are ready for Christmas.

We are opening the Elfs and reading a couple bible verses every night. It is nice to give spend the time as a family together.

This is the first year we were able to make it to the Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner at the Sons of Norway! The kids loved it and I felt good teaching and instilling a tradition we can do every year that stands for our ancestry.

I hope my kids will pass down some of these with their kids!!

Week of The other Job

I took this last week off work, or so I thought. Turns out being a mom and wife is my other full time job. I am pooped!

Monday...
Got up at 6am, went grocery shopping with the 2yr old, put the food away. Did two loads of laundry, picked up the 8 yr old, Came home for nap, did two loads of dishes and took the kids to nanna's. Went to the parent-teacher conference, got dinner, feed mom's cat, scooped the poop, came home to put kids to bed and chat with hubby and watch shows till bed.

Tuesday...
Got up at 8:30am, did the dishes, more laundry, played with the 2yr old. Picked up the 8yr old from school, made lunch, naps. Made dinner, cleaned up, Left for yoga. On the way home stopped at the store, came home cooked another dinner and pumpkin bread. Put the kids to bed, chatted with the hubby and off to bed.

Wednesday...
Got up at 8:30am, did the dishes, more laundry, dropped off dinner, delivered pumpkin bread. Picked up the 8yr old from school, took the kids to Chuckie Cheese, then off to the Girl Scout Store! Dropped Rachel off at hubby's work, went home and went through all the Girl Scout stuff while the 2yr old cried and played in his bed for 2 hours. Then made dinner, made green bean casserole for Thanksgiving, and more pumpkin bread. Feed the cat at mom's house, scooped the poop, rearranged the linens, more laundry, sent the kids to bed so hubby and I could rest before crashing.

Thursday....
Got up at 8:00 am, made breakfast, did the dishes, got the meatballs in the crock-pot for lunch, watched cartoons with the kids to wake up hubby in time to get Grandma. Watched the parade, got lunch made, watched some more TV and showed grandma pictures. Made Thanksgiving dinner, put together TO-GO package for hubby for the in-laws who spent the day at the hospital. Watched a movie with the kids, sent them to bed and crashed in bed with Star Trek.

Friday...
Got up at 9am, made breakfast. Watched cartoons with the kids, and then did the dishes. Chilled out for a bit then got in the car. Took Uncle back to the hospital, got lost in Seattle. Went to the airport where I drove around for two hours. Picked up mom, went to Applebees, and then got home to chill with the kids, watched movies, to send the kids to bed, and BLOG.

This weekend....Get the 8 yr old to Gymnastics, go through storage, get Christmas decorations up and harvest decorations put away. Get the bed, currently in our closet, to grandma's go to her house to go through stuff, hopefully go see the zoo lights and get ready to teach Sunday School. Teach Sunday School, get ready for the work week. Go grocery shopping, more cooking, more dishes, more laundry.

It helps to have this documented to look back and see that I really did something. Cause it feels like I did nothing extraordinary.

Growing Pains

When you are younger you experience growing pains. I had them bad in my legs. I remember them just aching so bad! My daughter has the same thing.

Growing Pains as an adult looks so different. They are growing pains of the emotional level that I have found linked to the physical pain that you may feel getting up from a chair or out of the car after a long drive or that third day burn after a super hard workout. You could scientifically argue that is the the lactic acid build up in the muscles, but after yesterday and today I would say it is emotional pain linked with the physical. If you take care of the emotional pain, by facing it, allowing yourself to truly feel the pain, love it and release it,I believe it will be gone forever.

That is all easier said than actually done. I haven't been able to allow myself to truly feel the pain...it is too overwhelming right now. I think that is ok though. I know it is there waiting for me, and I am closer than I ever have been before to getting rid of it once and for all.

In the mean time I am looking forward to a nice long vacation next week. Lots of time with the kids to drive them around, get a head start on some Christmas presents, and look at this awesome view of the fire in the afternoon instead of the evening.

State of the Union

If I were to write a 'State of the Union' address it would look something like this:

SuperMan Quit to Blog:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/23/superman-job-online-dc-comics

Disney bought Lucas Films:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/10/30/disney-star-wars-lucasfilm/1669739/

Star Trek Fans have their very own dating site:
http://www.startrekdating.com/

I don't know who will win the election next Tuesday, but these are platforms I would like our elected officials to take a stance on. The end of Newspaper, the demise of the sacred Lucas Empire, and whether a Vulcan should be allowed to marry a Romulan.

In a world of Rain, Falling leaves, Time Changes, and Pumpkins I find that it is hard to be happy everyday where we find ourselves. The future looks like doing the same thing everyday for the rest of time. I am learning to be happy with the prospect of being the best customer service rep from 1999-2055. I will be 76 years old, a grandparent by then hopefully, and as we will not get social security we will have to work till at least 76! :) What do you think SuperMan's profession will be then? What version of StarWars will be released? Will it really matter if a Vulcan marries a Romulan then?

The Seattle Worlds Fair had a trip the future exhibit that was super popular. What will 2055 look like? My hope, and hearts cry is that my kids and grandkids will be healthy, happy, working, contributing to society, bringing their friends, and family to a closer relationship with Jesus and I am still holding the hand of my dear sweet hubby. What will the State of the Union look like in 2055??

SuperMan

I think about posting in the blog everyday. I think about all the topics I think would make a good story, and by the end of the day, I have run out to time and energy. I feel like I go and go and go all day and want to crash on my chair with a good show till I fall asleep every night the last two weeks. 

We have been worrying about Grandma the last couple months/weeks. Learning how to be supportive, help the family make good decisions for her. Help mom put everything together and stay positive, while taking care of the normal dishes, laundry, housework, homework, schedule for the kids, family playtime, oh and relax somewhere in there. Did I mention work...yeah we have to work full time with all of that too. 

I here my older friends say...yes I remember when the kids were younger, 'I just ran around all day.' I suppose it is my age, it is our life. Working moms with the expectations of being a stay at home mom work two full time jobs and try to find themselves in the middle. Sometimes us moms can do both really well for a short time, but usually both jobs find that not Everything can be done perfectly, and the pieces of both can get dropped. I feel like I have dropped both and I am barely ready for the next thing. 

Today on our way home from church Owen was playing with this figurine that he was saying was SuperMan. It was so cute, I went shopping this afternoon and found a cool SuperMan sweatshirt with a cape and everything. I was so excited for my little man to put it on and be excited for it too. But what 'Actually' happened? He hated it. :( Pouted in his room about getting it and threw a huge fit when I finally wrestled him into it. It broke my heart today. I wanted him to explain to me why. All he could say was, 'cause mommy'. What did I do wrong? Why doesn't he like it? Did I miss understand? Why wasn't he as excited as I was to get it? 

To Politic or not to Politic?

Voting Night for the Sheldon's.

The Question is do I share my political views or do I save them for you to figure out? I think I will let you figure it out, as Blogger 101 is to always leave them wanting more.

Foreign Policy~If the leader of Iran doesn't believe the Holocaust then I suggest you send him two tickets and a plane trip to the Holocaust Museum. Lend Aid if it doesn't deplete our resources for our citizens here in the US. Reinforce our Consulates in all countries, bring back our military so they can work and help the US economy.

Immigration Policy~If you live in this country, on US soil, you better be contributing to society, voting, paying taxes, and act responsibly. I don't want to work my whole life to pay for someone who usurps the government funding available.

Economy~If you work, pay taxes. If you don't work but want to, don't be ashamed to work at the drive-in for minimum wage. Everyone has to clean a toilet, Everyone! If you are working, don't do the minimum, always look to make yourself indispensable and make your boss look awesome. If you take care of yourself, the rest will fall into place.

Education~Our taxes should pay as much as we can for Teachers and to our schools. Kids, go to school~be smart~get smart~rule the world.

Budget~If you have 100%> 30%-education, 20%-military, 10%-Debt, 15%-government workers, 10%-medical/dental, 10%-new technologies, 5%-government assistance-Done!

That took me 33 min. I am still listening to two men talking about the same thing over and over again with different perspectives, different motivations, and I don't see a bridge to bring them together. Divided we will fall, but if we come together and compromise we can build the nation we can all be proud of. Where is the bridge??

If you are not registered to VOTE, and you live in WA State please click here:http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/

Lots of Work, Little Time

My hubby is awesome! My mom is incredible! What a team to help me work! 

I have not been posting alot lately cause I have been working 9~11 hour work days. Then on the weekends attending Girl Scout events.

I am watching the town hall debate tonight. The one thing that strikes me is RESPECT! Why is it that people have to go over time, talk about points from three questions ago? Why does Candy have to say we are moving on? Why can't people that are going to be running the country obey the rules? How am I to teach my kids to obey the rules when the president of the US and the Governor can't? I am glad they are in bed snoozing so I don't have to try and figure out a real answer to that.

I do see two people passionate about this country. I am passionate about making life good for citizens of this country. I love researching and figuring out my own opinion of the biggest issues we face today as a people.

I have figured out that I want the International Policy of the Democrates, the Education Policy of Republicans, the Budget Policy of the Independants. Who are you going to vote for?

~Three rules~

Oh love a duck! He he

A friend at work says that all the time and it tickles me, so I thought I would share it with you tonight.

Our kids struggle with bedtime. I don't know if you parents out there struggle like we have. From the first week my daughter struggled going to sleep. Rachel was just about 2 when she figured out how to climb out of her crib, however she didn't climb, but used her body weight to force herself over the edge to slam on the floor. After two nights of that we decided to take make it into a toddler bed. I was afraid she was going to hurt herself or break something.Well, the little stink was now free to get up anytime.

We used the SuperNanny trick of putting her in her bed shutting the lights off and then sitting by the door and slowly sneak out. We did that for about 6 months and we would end up falling asleep on the floor...clearly not working. Then we got a brilliant idea. The baby gate! We tucked her in and turned out the light and put the baby gate up. Well that was just like the crib, but with a little more freedom for her to get up and turn the light on to play with her toys. When she got bored she would flop herself over the gate. The next brilliant idea...Two baby gates! One on top of the other. We found that to be a bad idea. Rachel scaled both gates and flopped herself over.

Eventually, we all figured it out. Hubby came up with three brilliant rules.

1) Stay in your bed.
2) Be Quiet.
3) Go to sleep.

We have found that summing up behavior expectations to three rules saves so much arguments, fits, and makes it clear cut when it comes to discipline.

Try it out!

Parenthood

Lesson of the Day: Know when enough is enough.

I am feeling a little like Doogie Howser, and for those of you who don't know who that is :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096569/.

I have been crazy busy the last three days. I felt like there was not enough of me to go around anywhere today. Parenthood brought it back for me. What it is all about? What I am doing here, right now. In my search for identity after so much loss this last year. It is about making your world, your family know that you love them. It is about sharing a little bit of yourself everywhere in hopes that in the end some love is seen by those around you. Lord knows I don't do that perfectly at any given time, but the intent is always there. Yes, I am one of those that believes that all people are good. It is the actions-the things we do without knowing it or fully understanding that causes the breakdown in ourselves, our community, our world. Maybe you even do things knowing that it is wrong...based on a misguided understanding.
                                           

Hurting People Hurt People~Joyce Meyer. 

In the quiet moment of the night, just like Obama said in his 60 min interview last week. Reflections and study are must needs to push through cause if you aren't going back and you aren't staying still, you have to push forward. Finish well brothers and sisters! Honor our Father, Ephesians 6:1-4.

Sat Night

Aaahh Sat night! It is amazing how much changes from your 20's to your 30's. When I was in my 's I could stay out till 1am and still get up and have energy the next day.

It is 10:30 pm and I am about to crash in my cozy bed! We had an amazingly busy week, fun, but too busy for my taste.

Beginning around August I decided that I would no longer be offended by people. It is not worth loosing my peace over others actions. Have you tried not to be offended by people? I want to hear about your experiences of not taking offense.

I have found it to be freeing. I look for the good intentions of everyone around me vs looking to see what their angle is to getting what they want out of me. I assume people to want to help in all situations. It takes some mind training. But as I continue each day, I find it easier and easier and in turn see the best of people.

Accompanying, not being offended, I have created a new rule. I am not allowed to say anything mean about anyone or about myself. This one I have found to be the hardest of all. I have caught myself being so mean to me! I am doing ok at not saying mean stuff about other people, it is being nice to me that has been the hardest. Hopefully that will get easier.

In the mean time....ha ha get it...MEAN time Fake it till you make it!

Reason's Thursday's are my Favorite Day of the Week.

1) The best show's are on Thursday's so all the advertisers can get to all the weekend shoppers.

2) It is the day before the Last Day of the Work Week for most.

3) The best gifts are given on Thursday's. When Christmas comes on a Thursday, people are more giving.

4) The house is usually clean and in order by Thursday.

5) The mail has the checks, or the package you have been waiting for.

6) Sleep, I try and make sure to go to bed early on Wed so I can stay up late on Thursday's.

7) People are nicer on Thursday's than any other day. I would argue that if some school did a study they would find less complainers.

8) I would argue that one is less likely to loose a job on a Thursday. Maybe Friday morning...but they need to make sure you finish the job before, you know.

I am sure there are more reasons for this but, as it is Thursday I am way into Grey's Anatomy!

Perception

Today's Lesson: Your perception of how others see you may not be so off.
Word of the day: Fruck

Today was not a day you want to miss as a parent...but I almost did. I was so tired and drained from the go go of the day that I was about to just sit on the blessed chair and collapse. Instead I decided to take a walk with my son. We played, ruff-housed, and had fun with cars. Rachel never said Fruck...and tonight on the way to the bath he said it...and said it and said it. Tickled my heart.

Rachel finally finished her book for her first ever book report. She had to rewrite it, but it turned out so great! I helped her spell some big words and then glue it all together to make it look pretty.

I had a great conversation with a friend I so admire. In many many ways I feel misunderstood to people. Misunderstood is a nice word, Judged. I feel judged and the jury has already said 'guilty', and now I am trapped. I guess that is why I like this so much. I can express who I am and why I am in full. However in other ways it opens the door for more judgement and you have to expect that it will never be all good judgements. So the question then turns to fear. Can you face the fact that you may continue to be judged and misunderstood? Can you be ok not having everyone like you? My logical next step is perception. What is perception of myself and of how others see me and what can I do to change the perception without changing who I am?

As the internet is always accurate I looked up Perception:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perception. Isn't that what actors do is trick your perceptions into seeing the characters they are asked to display? What part of the character is the actor and what part is the character?

If you are a Christian and you look to be Christ like, you take on the characteristics of Christ. For those who are not Christians and don't look to be Christ-like what characteristics do you take on? Black/white/Gray or Good/Bad/on the Fence-where do you see yourself? Where do think others see you? Can you live today and the next with the answer to those questions?

Matthew 11:28

'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

Today is just about over. The quiet hour of blissfully sleeping little ones fills the house. We have faced our failures and look forward to find the blessings we are trusting God for, hopefully in 3-5 business days.

The first of October. I don't look forward this month with the scary demonic images, things that make me think of demons. I don't like the way it makes me feel or the notion that evil wins. Hubby and I celebrate the harvest. Since his mom and step-dad own an organic produce farm it is nice to celebrate all the hard work they have done.

This is a picture from 2009's harvest.

Expect the Unexpected~Always

Word of the day: Next
Number of the day: 4
Lesson of the day: Meet people on the level and expect to go with the flow.

Today was crazy! We didn't make it up in time to go to first service...but we did make it to second.

Next thing you know it is 11:55am, AAaaahhh! We were supposed to meet our friends at noon. We rushed out of church and made it about 10 min late. Not too shabby if you ask me. To get two kids from their respected class rooms, loaded and buckled into the car, to the top steps of the house within 14 mins.

Then the girl fun began. Girl Scout Troop 50877~Chocolate Factory Tour~Theo Chocolate Factory to be specific.

Believe it or not this was the first I had heard about Fair Trade! I don't know that I can explain it very well so here is a link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade.

We had a blast and ate way too much chocolate!

Our tour guide was more than gracious with my daughters antics. They had LOTS of questions.

Then we were off to meet up with the boys who were fixing a couple computers. We got there, and Rachel was finally able to let loose and run rampant. Our friends have two boys and our kids really get along well. They played and we talked. The computer problems were worse than we all thought, so we made plans for dinner. We got home about an hour ago.

Luckily I was able to get some Lunchables for the kid's lunches and super healthy breakfast of doughnuts/pumpkin bread. Tomorrow we get to go to work, then come home, eat as quickly as we can so we can get to the store to buy our week's food. Drop off Grandma's food at her place and then get the kids ready for bed and for Tuesday. Whosh...I am tired just thinking about it all, but who knows what will happen and always be prepared to expect the unexpected. Diapers~Juice boxes~Barbies~Cars~smart phone~Coffee and you too could rule the world!

In the beginning.....

It is late, I have had the kids in their beds for the last two hours while I try and figure out how to create this blog and customize it to match well...Me.

I have yearned to write and publish for as long as I can remember. I have started my book, but found that between the hubby and the demands of my eight year old and two year old...oh yeah and the 8 hours I work M-F, there just isn't enough time for me to devote to the scale of work I would like to create. So, I researched blogging. I have been praying about this and feel the push to get my words and stories out there for all to read, connect to and enjoy(hopefully) with a shorter blurp of my life.

I will talk about my Faith, and some Christianize may pop out now and then. Forgiveness and grace are two words that I hope for from myself as well as any who decide...'hey this chick isn't half bad'.

So what do you say on the first day of a blog?

I don't know...this is only the forth one I have read and I never read their first-ever posts.

Today, I will start with today. Peaceful is the word of the day and 640 is the number. Pg 284 out of my Jesus Calling devotional says, "You are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made!" Psalms 34:4-7, John 17:3

Lesson of the day: Get up and go....8:27am to the sounds of Owen crying, hubby snoring, and Rachel watching History-something about the constitutional whatever. I had not had my coffee and found my hubby had set it all up to being a button away. The kids were eating peanut butter and calling it breakfast. The end of the day after hearing the request for juice for the millionth time from a wandering little boy and a cranky...'no it's mine', tantrum from my daughter they are peacefully asleep. The hubby is out playing with friends leaving me to explore this new adventure called blogging.