I have posted many pictures and several blogs in the past couple of weeks. You will not see all of them on this page but will have to go to the older posts page to see them even though they are all very recent.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Our daughter and her sweetheart
I must say that our children are growing up. Our younger daughter was allowed to officially date when she became a freshman. There was a young man (really great kid from a great family) who had been waiting and they are now allowed to date. This is one picture from a recent outing. The two of them went hiking up into the lower parts of the mountains. Yes...he is VERY TALL. Our daughter is tall but looks like she is short when she is next to him. We are happy that all of our teaching about standards sunk in with her because she had her own requirements that her prospective-beau had to meet for her to agree to be his girlfriend. All the talking over the years is paying off with our girls...thank goodness they are listening to our advice. I have to say that I wish my parents had been open and honest about relationships and dating and all that. It does make a difference. However, our job only intensifies from this point on.
I have posted many pictures and several blogs in the past couple of weeks. You will not see all of them on this page but will have to go to the older posts page to see them even though they are all very recent.
I have posted many pictures and several blogs in the past couple of weeks. You will not see all of them on this page but will have to go to the older posts page to see them even though they are all very recent.
H*a*P*p*Y******B*i*R*t*H*d*A*y******Little Guy!!
Our "Little Guy" turns 10 years old today. He is the baby of the family and is growing into an amazing older child...who I know will grow into an amazing teenager and adult.
WE LOVE YOU LITTLE GUY!
WE LOVE YOU LITTLE GUY!
Calmer Waters (Aaron,Michelle, Eli are in the front raft...Asia, Sereah in the rear raft)
Once we were in calmer waters, the raft guide in my raft switched places with me and I got to guide! I can say that Asia and I are hooked....and are looking for our next extreme adventure!!
White Water Rafting (Asia and Sereah's raft)
Looking at the raft on your computer screen, Asia is the 3rd back on the left side and Sereah is the second back in the center (non-rowing) of the raft. Our Parish Priest is across from Asia.
White Water Rafting. Pics of Asia, Sereah's raft (txt way below in another entry)
Looking at the raft on your screen, Asia is the 3rd on the left side. Sereah is riding in the middle of the raft, second back.
White Water Rafting. Pics of the raft Aaron, Elijah, and Michelle were in (you can see where Aaron is going over and saved the raft from flipping)
Read the blog a ways down about this adventure......in another post.
White Water Rafting on the Wind River
We went white water rafting on June 27th on the Wind River through Wind River Canyon. What an experience! AMAZING! The river is the highest it has been for a decade, so this was the perfect time to go. From our family, my husband, myself, our oldest two girls and our youngest boy went. Our family was split between two rafts. (we went with a group of people and counting the entire group, there were 3 rafts) Our daughters were on one raft with most of the other teens and our Parish Priest. My husband, youngest son, and I were on another raft with five others plus our guide.
We rafted approx 8.4 miles and it took a couple of hours. I can't describe how amazing, beautiful and incredible the experience was.
However, we did have a scare. On a category 4 area called Ft. Washakie Falls, my husband fell off the raft and it was a very frightening experience. He later told me that he really did think this was the way he was going to die. He was under the raft and then the rapids just sucked him under and tossed him around and when he finally surfaced, we had a heck of a time pulling him back on the raft since he was exhausted and weighs a lot. He calls it his near death experience. I'm not sure if he will be game to go again anytime soon, but the best way to get over fear is to face it down....so I hope he goes again with us. We will plan on going next year a couple of times starting with the same one we did this year and then my younger daughter and I plan on going to what is called the upper falls where all the rapids are category 3 and 4....it will be a rush! They say one out of every two rafts flip over on the upper falls route. (so our oldest daughter and youngest son...and probably husband will not be going on that trip)
One thing is for sure...I have never been so sore in my life! (and I'm very active) I ended up with some bruises and cuts from helping to rescue my husband. Thankfully he was not hurt at all!! We later realized that if he would not have fallen out, our entire raft would have flipped and we had our 10 year old son in the raft as well as some other older people...so my husband falling out probably kept some worse things from happening.
What is crazy but really quite fantastic was what Asia did. We don't have it in one of the pics (I wonder if the outfit does not take pics of these things when they allow people to do it....legal reasons maybe? Hmmmm) Anyway, when you look at the front of the raft you see it comes to a point and there are a couple ropes. Well, in a lower category white water area, Asias guide let her get up on the front of it. It was described to me as Asia sitting on it like one would do to ride a bull. Legs/feet dangling into the water off the front of the raft and holding on with one hand (to the rope) with the other hand raised above her head cowboy-style. *lol* She closed her eyes for part of it and just went for it! She is the child who is really wanting to take some training through NOLS her Junior and Senior year. I told her if she makes National Honor Society (expected of her anyway) we'd help pay for it since she'd get a partial-scholarship.
Anyway, may God Bless you!
I will post pictures.
We rafted approx 8.4 miles and it took a couple of hours. I can't describe how amazing, beautiful and incredible the experience was.
However, we did have a scare. On a category 4 area called Ft. Washakie Falls, my husband fell off the raft and it was a very frightening experience. He later told me that he really did think this was the way he was going to die. He was under the raft and then the rapids just sucked him under and tossed him around and when he finally surfaced, we had a heck of a time pulling him back on the raft since he was exhausted and weighs a lot. He calls it his near death experience. I'm not sure if he will be game to go again anytime soon, but the best way to get over fear is to face it down....so I hope he goes again with us. We will plan on going next year a couple of times starting with the same one we did this year and then my younger daughter and I plan on going to what is called the upper falls where all the rapids are category 3 and 4....it will be a rush! They say one out of every two rafts flip over on the upper falls route. (so our oldest daughter and youngest son...and probably husband will not be going on that trip)
One thing is for sure...I have never been so sore in my life! (and I'm very active) I ended up with some bruises and cuts from helping to rescue my husband. Thankfully he was not hurt at all!! We later realized that if he would not have fallen out, our entire raft would have flipped and we had our 10 year old son in the raft as well as some other older people...so my husband falling out probably kept some worse things from happening.
What is crazy but really quite fantastic was what Asia did. We don't have it in one of the pics (I wonder if the outfit does not take pics of these things when they allow people to do it....legal reasons maybe? Hmmmm) Anyway, when you look at the front of the raft you see it comes to a point and there are a couple ropes. Well, in a lower category white water area, Asias guide let her get up on the front of it. It was described to me as Asia sitting on it like one would do to ride a bull. Legs/feet dangling into the water off the front of the raft and holding on with one hand (to the rope) with the other hand raised above her head cowboy-style. *lol* She closed her eyes for part of it and just went for it! She is the child who is really wanting to take some training through NOLS her Junior and Senior year. I told her if she makes National Honor Society (expected of her anyway) we'd help pay for it since she'd get a partial-scholarship.
Anyway, may God Bless you!
I will post pictures.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
Today was a wonderful father's day. The girls and I started out early for a good run/walk on the high school track.
When we got home, the guys in the house were starting to get moving. We gave Aaron his father's day present (iPod...he has wanted one for a long time), opened cards and waited to see what Dad wanted to do on his day.
Once decided, we packed up the vehicle and headed to Sinks Canyon for some trail hiking and then into town for a nice early supper seated outdoors at one of our favorite places to eat.
We were able to see some wildlife upclose today! Cool.
Then it was home and after a bit of housekeeping needs, we watched a movie.
Some of the best news is that my first marriage is finally officially dissolved in the eyes of the Catholic Church. We have been waiting for a year for this to happen and now that it has, both Aaron and I will be receiving not only several sacraments but also will have our marriage blessed and recognized in the church. Preparations are being made for these joyous sacraments!
A blessed day. I am going to share just a few photos from our day.
When we got home, the guys in the house were starting to get moving. We gave Aaron his father's day present (iPod...he has wanted one for a long time), opened cards and waited to see what Dad wanted to do on his day.
Once decided, we packed up the vehicle and headed to Sinks Canyon for some trail hiking and then into town for a nice early supper seated outdoors at one of our favorite places to eat.
We were able to see some wildlife upclose today! Cool.
Then it was home and after a bit of housekeeping needs, we watched a movie.
Some of the best news is that my first marriage is finally officially dissolved in the eyes of the Catholic Church. We have been waiting for a year for this to happen and now that it has, both Aaron and I will be receiving not only several sacraments but also will have our marriage blessed and recognized in the church. Preparations are being made for these joyous sacraments!
A blessed day. I am going to share just a few photos from our day.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Busy....Busy....isn't this summer break?
Boy have we been super busy so far! I hope that "summer break" will eventually come around.
I am happy to report that our youngest daughter (high school freshman) is just about fully recovered from the surgery she had on the 5th of this month. It sure was a rough recovery, but we are all happy it is over.
I've been taking a class this week to help my teaching of mathematics. It is a long day, but worth the time.
Our youngest son has been in class at the local community college 4 days a week taking various science classes. He is enjoying himself! We are still not sure which musical lessons he will be taking later this summer.
Our oldest daughter (high school junior) is busy with her job and she will be taking a course in July.
Our daughters started into their orthodontics...thankfully we have insurance for the first time!
Lets see...our refrigerator broke down. So we had to buy a new one. There are some fancy choices out there! It is on order and hopefully will be here in another week or so.
My husband is moving back into administration. (I have mixed feelings) His first big "fiasco" was today in dealing with the swine flu. It looks like his school is the first one in the county....and with the superintendent out of town, dh was the one who dealt with the concerns. Thankfully he has been in administration most of his career and this type of issue (people freaking out) is not an unfamiliar situation.
After much discussion, my dh has decided to wait on finishing up his PhD and it is my turn! I will start my Masters degree this fall. (slowly....at first due to finances and time issues with my full-time work and dh's extra work responsibilities with his new position at his school) This is something I've wanted to do for some time, but I am moving out of my field for my Masters so I will have to take some undergraduate classes before I can be "official" in the program of my choice. It will be worth it. I know this is the direction I must move into and who knows what wonderful adventures await me in the future....all from one decision.
Life is funny and fascinating....the decisions we make really are significant. Even those decisions we may not think of as "significant". I fully believe as long as I am prayerfully following what God's plan is for me, the best will happen.
I'm thankful and blessed.
I do ask for prayers (if you are so inclined) for our oldest son. He continues to make choices that we just can't wrap our brains around. I don't know if it is the half-sibling issue on a genetic level or what...but he has been raised in the same home, but has made horrible choices and as an adult, it is coming back to him. We hope to hear from him sometime and all we can do in the meantime is pray.
Life can be difficult, however it is during these moments that I truly feel God's grace is there. During these moments, I believe that I am experiencing a small part in agony and suffering. I count this as a blessing. Sure I'd rather avoid it...but my life has been one that has been more difficult than most and as time goes on I see this in a different light. A light that is filtered through my faith. I do not expect nor do I buy into the "prosperity doctrine" that I think is doing much damage to the Christian community at large. Thankfully, we Catholics are mostly still orthodox in our viewpoint regarding suffering.
May God bless you.
I am happy to report that our youngest daughter (high school freshman) is just about fully recovered from the surgery she had on the 5th of this month. It sure was a rough recovery, but we are all happy it is over.
I've been taking a class this week to help my teaching of mathematics. It is a long day, but worth the time.
Our youngest son has been in class at the local community college 4 days a week taking various science classes. He is enjoying himself! We are still not sure which musical lessons he will be taking later this summer.
Our oldest daughter (high school junior) is busy with her job and she will be taking a course in July.
Our daughters started into their orthodontics...thankfully we have insurance for the first time!
Lets see...our refrigerator broke down. So we had to buy a new one. There are some fancy choices out there! It is on order and hopefully will be here in another week or so.
My husband is moving back into administration. (I have mixed feelings) His first big "fiasco" was today in dealing with the swine flu. It looks like his school is the first one in the county....and with the superintendent out of town, dh was the one who dealt with the concerns. Thankfully he has been in administration most of his career and this type of issue (people freaking out) is not an unfamiliar situation.
After much discussion, my dh has decided to wait on finishing up his PhD and it is my turn! I will start my Masters degree this fall. (slowly....at first due to finances and time issues with my full-time work and dh's extra work responsibilities with his new position at his school) This is something I've wanted to do for some time, but I am moving out of my field for my Masters so I will have to take some undergraduate classes before I can be "official" in the program of my choice. It will be worth it. I know this is the direction I must move into and who knows what wonderful adventures await me in the future....all from one decision.
Life is funny and fascinating....the decisions we make really are significant. Even those decisions we may not think of as "significant". I fully believe as long as I am prayerfully following what God's plan is for me, the best will happen.
I'm thankful and blessed.
I do ask for prayers (if you are so inclined) for our oldest son. He continues to make choices that we just can't wrap our brains around. I don't know if it is the half-sibling issue on a genetic level or what...but he has been raised in the same home, but has made horrible choices and as an adult, it is coming back to him. We hope to hear from him sometime and all we can do in the meantime is pray.
Life can be difficult, however it is during these moments that I truly feel God's grace is there. During these moments, I believe that I am experiencing a small part in agony and suffering. I count this as a blessing. Sure I'd rather avoid it...but my life has been one that has been more difficult than most and as time goes on I see this in a different light. A light that is filtered through my faith. I do not expect nor do I buy into the "prosperity doctrine" that I think is doing much damage to the Christian community at large. Thankfully, we Catholics are mostly still orthodox in our viewpoint regarding suffering.
May God bless you.
Friday, June 12, 2009
I've come to the conclusion that I am not sensitive enough to be raising girls
It has taken me 16 years to realize this.
I am a very direct person and this is how I prefer people to be with me. I do not game-play, nor do I engage in passive-aggressive tug-of-wars. My honesty has at times caused me some trouble in my adult years and while I am learning to be "PC"....I sure do not come by this naturally, nor is it enjoyable since I feel like it is not real. (enough)
It is possible I have become this way as an adult as a extreme reaction to the adventures of my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
I have daughters who seem, from my point of view, to need a larger than normal amount of "nicey-nicey" phrasing in any conversation that crosses into personal issues. This I am not good at. I am a facts gal and would rather get to the point, discuss, and move onto something else. (unless problem solving is needed or something further)
I need to work on this aspect of my personality and try to become more of a touchy-feely type of person. Being raised in a home where I don't remember gestures of love (verbal or physical.....whether or not I am correct....who knows since I have no memory of much of my childhood) and I think this has affected my admitted lack in being "nicey-nicey" in conversations and is something that I realize I must work on.
I don't know if I'll ever not have the impulse to roll my eyes when someone engages me in conversation that way. I'd rather be told like it is...be allowed to debate back (if needed) and then self-reflect when I am alone, implement anything that needs be, and move on.
This also may play into why I have said many times that I'd be happiest teaching at a private all-boys school. (rather than the co-ed private school I do teach at) I have come to appreciate the way most males handle conflict and this, according to my husband, is the way I tend to operate. I like things that way. However, I must bend...I realize that.
Hence, my comment about not being sensitive enough to be raising girls. (and two teen aged ones at that!)
Peace and God Bless
I am a very direct person and this is how I prefer people to be with me. I do not game-play, nor do I engage in passive-aggressive tug-of-wars. My honesty has at times caused me some trouble in my adult years and while I am learning to be "PC"....I sure do not come by this naturally, nor is it enjoyable since I feel like it is not real. (enough)
It is possible I have become this way as an adult as a extreme reaction to the adventures of my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
I have daughters who seem, from my point of view, to need a larger than normal amount of "nicey-nicey" phrasing in any conversation that crosses into personal issues. This I am not good at. I am a facts gal and would rather get to the point, discuss, and move onto something else. (unless problem solving is needed or something further)
I need to work on this aspect of my personality and try to become more of a touchy-feely type of person. Being raised in a home where I don't remember gestures of love (verbal or physical.....whether or not I am correct....who knows since I have no memory of much of my childhood) and I think this has affected my admitted lack in being "nicey-nicey" in conversations and is something that I realize I must work on.
I don't know if I'll ever not have the impulse to roll my eyes when someone engages me in conversation that way. I'd rather be told like it is...be allowed to debate back (if needed) and then self-reflect when I am alone, implement anything that needs be, and move on.
This also may play into why I have said many times that I'd be happiest teaching at a private all-boys school. (rather than the co-ed private school I do teach at) I have come to appreciate the way most males handle conflict and this, according to my husband, is the way I tend to operate. I like things that way. However, I must bend...I realize that.
Hence, my comment about not being sensitive enough to be raising girls. (and two teen aged ones at that!)
Peace and God Bless
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