A sad note...

As much as I hate to end this on a sad note, I was very sad to learn that Lucy lost her cousin, Millie, on Monday. As her former foster parents, we are very sad to hear this and sad for Randy and Emily.

I wanted to add one picture to those Randy already posted on his blog. Unfortunately, we really weren't picture takers at the time Millie lived with us, so I couldn't find any of baby Julian terrorizing her (I was probably too busy keeping him from pulling, pushing or climbing on sweet Millie! She was so patient with him...), but I did find this one of Kathryn loving on her (you can see Millie keeping her distance from Lucy - I don't think Millie was ever very comfortable around Lucy).

Memorial weekend

This was not a weekend off for us - we worked! We decided not to travel this weekend so we could get some things done around the house, and boy did we! Our lawnmower had been acting up and Jason spent about 8 hours last week working on it in the evenings and FINALLY got it to run Friday evening (and just in time too - I was this close to making a trip to Lowes to get a new one!). So I FINALLY got to mow the grass Saturday morning. Then I trimmed the boxwoods, and we put new mulch in the front flower beds. It looks beautiful! I didn't think to take "before" pictures until we were almost done in the front and didn't think to take any at all in the back yard, but oh well....

Unfortunately, I got poison ivy or poison oak either from pulling a weed I shouldn't have or from the mulch itself. No one else has gotten it, so I'm betting it was from weed pulling. I vaguely remember a weed that looked like the pictures I found of poison oak online today.

We were both exhausted Monday night when we finished, but I think we were both satisfied with the result. Here are some pictures of the re-mulching and some random flower pictures (you know we couldn't resist!)

Trike a Thon

Last Tuesday, Kathryn's class participated in the local "trike-a-thon". It was a lot of fun for the kids, and a lot of exercise for the adults trying to keep up! I must have walked 3 miles around that track!

Julian and Kathryn

I had some time to kill waiting for Jason to finish getting ready for church last week, so we had an impromptu photo shoot....not the greatest, but with such good looking kids, it's hard to get a bad picture! :)

Kathryn's world

We got a new camera a couple of weeks ago, and Kathryn borrowed our old one to take some pictures....here is the view from Kathryn's world:

If you get a chance - watch this....

I love watching documentaries. My favorites are science and nature documentaries - and more specifically, those dealing with climate change (f/k/a "global warming"), alternate energy technology, etc., etc.

I came across this one today, and I was blown away. I have no idea how difficult this would be to get in a video store, but if you have Netflix and can watch movies online - watch this if you get a chance:

A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2006)

"Produced by award-winning filmmakers Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, this documentary examines the world's dependency on oil and the impending chaos that's sure to follow when the resource is depleted. Straight from the headlines, this hot-button topic may represent the world's most dire crisis. Through expert interviews, the film spells out in startling detail the challenge we all face and underscores our desperate need for alternative energy. "

Awana pictures ...

Some pictures from our last Awana club night for this year. (It was pizza party/game night):

Some thoughts on Awana...

Last night also marked my last night as "commander".

I love Awana! It is an amazing program - probably the best I've seen as far as total evangelism, discipleship/training of children and youth. It even goes so far as evangelizing the family of the kids that come to club. Amazing. BUT, it takes a whole church and the commitment and dedication of many, many people to make it work. I am hoping and praying that me stepping down will not stop the program at our church, but I fear it might.

I have been praying that someone would take over - someone that has the "inner fortitude" to take all of the pressure and politics that come with leadership in our church, someone that can stand up for God in spite of opposition. I'm afraid I'm just not that person anymore. I'm worn out. I'm tired of the constant fighting. It's sad to say that I've done the bare minimum for months now, waiting for my "term" to end. That is not good service to God! He deserves my best, and I have not been giving that.

Anyway, it is with mixed feelings that I put this chapter of my life to rest. I am relieved that it is over - Awana has taken a lot of my time and attention for 4 years now. Nearly every Sunday evening during the school year, hours of planning during the week, untold amounts of stress over all kinds of different issues...But, such a blessing. To see 3 and 4 year olds reciting God's Word! To see youth making a stand for God! To see my own son come to know and accept Jesus partly because of what he read in his Sparks book! It is humbling to me that God trusted me to have a part in that.

I have been blessed by the time I got to do this. I will continue to pray for all the young people that I've met through Awana and pray that the Word they have already hidden in their hearts will help them in their Christian walk....

10 years

It's hard to believe that is has been 10 years. I have been married to Jason a full third of my life - amazing! I'm going to get a little sappy, so if you're not a fan of that, come back in a few days when I'm posting goofy pics of the kids again ;)

Before I met Jason, I was in turmoil. I was a messed up young woman, with no clear idea of what I wanted or needed in my life. I was a "baby Christian" - accepting Christ only months before leaving for college. I know now that God guided me to Jason and has used him to set me straight.

I am so thankful in so many ways for finding Jason...and I'm so glad that even after 10 years of seeing each other every day, we still like each other. We have been through our share of adversity - from within and without, but everyday, I choose to love him and he chooses to love me. I think that will have us going strong after another 10 years.

These have, no doubt, been the best years of my life, and I'm looking forward to many, many days to come with my wonderful husband.

Goodness, look how young we were! :)

Lucy and Pinkie

Julian to the dentist

Julian went to the dentist today and got a good report, and got this out of the prize box:

Mothers' Day 2008

When you don't have a mother to celebrate, mothers' day is just not fun. I love my kids, and I love that they get excited about celebrating me, but I imagine this day will always be hard for me to get through. I am thankful for my Stepmom and my Mother in Law - I have really been blessed to have them in my life.... BUT, all of that aside, my wonderful children gave me wonderful gifts that I wanted to share.



They made the hand prints in Sunday School. Each hand has a reason they love me. Julian's says: "Because you let me ride my bike, because you make yummy dinner, because you are the best mom ever." Kathryn's says: "Because I'm nice, sweet and get her a drink (it says "ring"but she told me Ms. Crystal didn't understand her when she said "drink")." Then each made me a card at school...very nice.

But, I have to say, my favorite part of mothers' day this year was the cake - my favorite - hot fudge sundae cake. It was made by Julian and Kathryn. It is not much to look at, but man does it taste good!

Rock, rock everywhere!

Some pictures from our hike through Pilot Mountain State Park...



I'm afraid we went a little over board with rock pictures, but there were as many rock formations in this park as there were waterfalls at the last one. We had a lesson in erosion, which Kathryn seemed unimpressed with. Julian did seem to grasp a little bit what we were saying about those big rocks breaking down, but I'm not sure he can comprehend the time it takes to do it... I'm not sure where we'll go next, but we are looking forward to it.

Crazy weather

Were you up all night with bad weather? I know most of the people that read this are within a few hours of me, so I'm sure you got it just like we did. It was a long night for us, and I am groggy and grumpy this morning from not getting much sleep.

A tornado touched down a couple of counties over from us, and we were under a tornado warning a good chunk of the night. Even now, we're under a flash flood warning. Kathryn woke up sometime during the night, scared because her night light was not working (the power was actually out, but I wasn't going to try to explain electricity to her in the middle of the night). Weather noises are one of the things my "super mommy hearing" does not pick up in the night - but Kathryn crying definitely gets me up.

Thunderstorms normally don't bother me a bit; I love watching them and listening to them, but last night was creepy. I'm glad it's over, the sun is shining this morning, the birds are singing, and when I drove the kids to school this morning, I didn't see any obvious damage to trees, etc. I know not all of our neighboring counties were as lucky. Our weather seems to get more and more extreme, doesn't it???

Here is the news story, if you're interested:

News 2

In training

Today was a quiet day around our house. Kathryn is spending the night (for the first time) with Aunt Courtney and Uncle Billy. It is amazing how this has changed the noise level - no arguing!! I've been studying most of the day, although Julian and I did go for a bike ride this morning - my first in many years! I worked on Spanish verbs, I and think I can finally remember all I was supposed to have learned throughout the semester. Flash cards really help.

Anyway, to the story - Jason and Julian worked on rotating our tires. Julian was an amazing help, and did a good job on loosening the lug nuts on a couple of the tires. I guess it's never too early to learn - it is definitely valuable to not have to hire someone to change brake pads, rotate tires, change oil, etc. Although Julian may regret having this knowledge and being forced to use it - I think Jason does!

Did you know?? Do not call list....

Did you know that you have to renew your registry on the do not call list? Well, not anymore, but if you registered before late 2007... I guess they just passed some law that will make it permanent if you register...anyway, check to see if your registry is up to date:

National Do Not Call Registry

Tennis

My first exam is tonight - tennis. While I should not be anxious about a tennis exam, I really am. I scored lower than I wanted to on the midterm, so I'm determined to do better on this test. It bugs me that I have to put any time at all into studying for a P.E. exam - I wish my school had for credit only P.E. classes like a lot of universities do, but that just isn't how it is. Tomorrow morning, math is at 8 am and health is at 10 am. I'm glad the time is finally here - I'm as prepared as I can be and am ready to get it over with!!!!

To catch up...

I've posted some pictures I've been holding on to for a little bit, and I think we're all caught up on events around our house.

A few more tidbits though - Jason and I have decided to start playing tennis. We bought rackets a few days ago (the $20 Walmart ones for now!) and are just waiting for a dry day to use them. I have really enjoyed my tennis class and I guess I've made it sound fun because it was Jason's idea for us to play together. We had planned to play Saturday, but Jason had a neck/headache that kept him in bed all day - so we'll just have to reschedule!

My final exams start this Thursday. I am nervous, but really believe that the best way to deal with being scared or nervous about something is to prepare for it; so that's what I plan on doing this week. I have finally gotten caught up with work and will not feel so torn about spending time with that as much - at least through Friday or Saturday of this week. So this week, I'll be nerdy, bookworm Robyn, aiming for good grades on my finals!

On a sad note - I learned today that a young lady in my health class died over the weekend in a car accident. It has really been on my mind since I learned it this morning for a couple of reasons. The young lady had some trouble in her life, and a mission group I'm in actually helped her at Christmas time last year. I did not know it was her at the time - I just knew it was a young lady in trouble that needed help giving her kids Christmas.

Also, she was 27 years old. She was in class with me Friday morning and sometime that afternoon she was driving - to home, to pick up her kids, to the grocery store - I don't know. But another driver crossed the center lane and hit her head on. She leaves 2 small children, which I helped buy Christmas presents for a few months ago. I actually was in a discussion group with her one time and we talked about our kids in the 5 minutes we were in groups. Her children are both younger than my kids, as she was younger than me.

I guess I have just been struck by how fleeting life is, and reminded that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. She was a nice girl that I barely knew, and had only one 5 minute conversation with, but it could have been me or any of my friends... life is so precious.

To end on a happy note - ya'll look at the flower pictures Jason took of the kids. He took them the last 2 times I've been in class at night. I think they are beautiful, and he is really becoming a talented artist with a camera!!

Ballerina Kathryn

Unfortunately, this dress will not last the season - Kathryn is too tall for it. She did not like the idea of packing it up, but agreed once we told her we would take her picture in it.

Some Awana pictures

Our ever dwindling group, taken the first week back in the outrageously expensively renovated sanctuary....the kids were very excited.

Weird visitor

This was on the stoop - seen on my way to take out the trash the other night, and of course Jason had to get the camera out. We get a lot of toads around, but this is the first frog we've seen.

Pictures by Jason

End of the semester

This week is the last week of my first semester back in college; next week final exams begin. I am so glad the semester is ending. It has been very hard, and I'm looking forward to having a bit of time to just relax. Today, I had to give a presentation in health, which counts as a test grade, I think. Take a look, if you want - nothing spectacular, but maybe you'll learn something :)



I had the above mentioned presentation today, 2 tests this Wednesday, then next week - 1 exam next Thursday, 2 on Friday and 1 the following Monday. Then I'M DONE!!! I'm going to forget for just a week or so that there are another 2 semesters to go before I finish with my associate's degree and then another 4 for my bachelor's.... right now the important thing is summer is almost here and I am SO ready for it! I worked hard in school (if you can believe it, I have a chance to get a 4.0 this semester....let's hope final exams go well!), now I plan to play hard in my summer!

Julian's creation

Julian made this tonight on his own, following the directions in his K'nex box... so smart!

(BTW - I took several pictures, and when he saw one, he realized the smoke was blowing the wrong way from the smokestack and fixed it so I could take another picture!)

Spring

We don't have much in the way of flowers yet; I am anxiously waiting for some color in our yard. Our irises have started to bloom, though, and have not been affected by the frosts of yesterday and this morning. I love these flowers - they are so "fancy" when you look at them closely, but also because they were given to us by Jason's grandma. Most of the growing things I have have been given to me, which makes them even more beautiful - in my mind anyway. I love Spring - every week brings new surprises of what may be coming out of the ground - everything's new.... again.