It really IS Paradise

I had the most amazing day with my children yesterday! We began the day making the kitchen tidy after breakfast and picking up the house a bit. I put a pot roast on in the crock pot and we began to "pack up". We gathered some snacks; apples, celery, cookies, cheese & crackers, all in the picnic basket. Everyone got a change of clothes and a jacket and I grabbed a couple towels and a blanket. Then we loaded ourselves up into the van. (Darren had to work so he wasn't able to join us on our wonderful adventure.)

We left the house around 11:30am and stopped off at McDonald's (a RARE treat) and each got a couple things off the Dollar Menu, then we hit the freeway heading south.

Patrick read to us from his book for a while and we listened and sang along with the radio. We turned east and aimed for the coast.Our first stop was in Newport. We went down to the harbor and watched the sea lions that hang out on the docks there. They were sunning themselves and playing in the water. Some of them had a bit of an attitude when another sea lion wanted on the dock or wanted to "snuggle" with them. There was a large rock formation out a little way from the docks and it was covered with barking sea lions, as well. Many were climbing up the rocks then jumping back into the water. Others were playing and jumping and splashing and swimming around seeming to be playing and having childish fun with one-another. They were so entertaining to watch, we could have stayed for hours! However, after about 30 minutes we tore ourselves away.Our next stop was the light house in Newport. It is a very unique lighthouse as it was built specifically for the light-master and his family of 7 children. It was only used for 3 years until a bigger and brighter light was built further north up the coast. The light only shone for about 7 - 10 miles while the newer one shone up to 30 miles out to sea. It was also unique because it was built only for the Newport harbor where other lighthouses were built to offer safe lighting for greater distances.

After we left the lighthouse we returned north with Lincoln City as our destination. There is an area of the beach where you can drive right down to the sand. There are wonderful tide pools there with water-life in them. First we laid out the blanket and had a picnic snack while watching a couple men flying a kite and trying to make it do aerial tricks. After our snack we began searching the tide pools and beach for treasures.The kids found a lot of shells that they wanted to bring home and I came upon a very unique and beautiful rock formation. I am SO glad I had my camera with me! While I was taking a picture of the rock formation a young boy came running up asking "What did you find? What did you find?" I told him I didn't find anything that I was merely taking a picture. He replied with, "Well, we found a jelly fish. You wanna come see?" So, of course, we went to see. He and his father had, indeed, found a small jelly fish. It was REALLY neat to see. After admiring his jelly fish, we went back on the beach in search of our own treasures. We saw a seagull with a fish, about 12 or more inches long, in it's beak. Patrick and Aaron tried to sneak around behind it as I slowly walked in front of it so we could get a closer look and so I could get a picture (that part did not happen). The gull jumped off the rock it was on to the sand. As it landed the fish flopped and wiggled and the gull dropped it just as the tide was coming in. The fish quickly found the water and begun to swim back out to sea. The seagull screamed and screeched and tried to recapture it's prey and was unsuccessful. Then the gull began to scream and screech at us, as if we were to blame for the loss of his dinner. And, I suppose, maybe we were a little to blame :). We began to walk the beach again and I quickly found a large jelly fish - which, it turns out, was dead. A few feet away from that I found another smaller one, which was alive. We took these to the small pool that the boy and his dad had made for the purpose of closer inspection of the prizes discovered.Further down the beach we found many small (and some large) hermit crabs, small fish with some of them as big as my thumb and some tiny clear fish. The kids found some really long sea weed things that they were using like lasso ropes, running up and down the beach. The kids were playing "chicken" with the waves. The all 3 held hands and ran out into the water and waited for the waves to come back in. As the waves started towards them they all started running back towards the dry part of the beach. Aaron stopped to look back and see where the water was and he tripped over his own feet and fell face first into the surf. I don't know who laughed more, me or HIM! It was such a WONDERFUL day!

Around 7:00pm we left the beach. Leo and Becky had invited us to stop by on our way back home so we did. Becky wasn't home, but we visited with Leo for a while. We were about to leave when Becky called and said she was on her way home and that we should have something to eat before we drove the rest of the way home. So, we did. Leo made some wonderful grilled tuna and cheese sandwiches. Patrick and I helped him. The tuna was fresh, caught and canned by someone they know. It was SO yummy! Becky served toll house cookie dough for desert. The kids thought they had actually died and gone to heaven...or at least that Aunt Becky was an angel!

We cleaned up the dishes and visited for a few more minutes, then, about 9:00 said our "thank you"s and "goodbye"s and began the journey back home. We arrived home at about 10:45pm. The kids had fallen asleep in the car and were happy to snuggle into their beds.
And so ended our "cool, family fun, bodacious, exciting, stupendous, awesome, good, silly, funtastic, memories" day together.

(if you'd like to see the full album check out my 'space)

Daily Devotions

At the school where I work we, the teachers and staff, have morning devotions together before the beginning of the school day. We each take turns leading the devotions. While reading my Bible, looking for inspiration for my turn this coming Wednesday, I came upon a verse that holds some meaning for events that have happened in my life.

Matthew 18:15-18
Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, have have gained your brother. (16) But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (18) Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

These are words that I, myself, have had occasion to practice but did not. Sometimes it seems easier to talk to someone else about a problem than to address the situation head on. None of us likes confrontation, either as the confronter or the "confrontee".

My Mom used to say, "Never say anything behind someone's back that you wouldn't say to their face." Ya', Mom...much easier said than done.

I have found that often when we have told someone directly of feelings they have gone on to share the conversation and hurt with others rather than deal with the situation directly with us, which has only caused greater issue. So, more often than not, I simply let my personal pain sit in my heart rather than say anything. Because of this and because of my wanting to avoid confrontation or simply not wanting to "stir the pot" or overstep my bounds, feeling like it wasn't my place to say anything, relationships have been lost. Some of them lost to the point where trust and friendship can never be regained. I am sad about that. I'm sure some of you can relate to that, as well.

I know I am not perfect. I have never pretended to be. What's the point, it would be such an obvious lie! I am starting a new chapter in my life in a new place. Along with that, I am going to do my best to be a better person and put into practice the lessons I have been taught my entire life...

That's my girl!

As Tammy Wynette says... "Kids say the darndest things..."
Yesterday Emi said, "It's stupid to be stupid." Pretty deep for such a little girl. But her insight didn't seem to last very long. Tonight at dinner the boys (including Darren) were being boys (that means being gross) talking about making chocolate in the toilet and so forth. And then Emi, completely oblivious says "Chocolate is my favorite candy, you know." We all started laughing and she honestly had absolutely no idea why! Yep -- That's MY girl!!

FTWC (for those who care...)

We are still pretty busy putting the house in order and unpacking, but we are finally online at home again. I wasn't planning on posting much here because I prefer myspace. However, I was told by a couple people that they prefer reading here, so.... guess I'll be doing "double duty" :~)

That's it for now. I'll be back to give an update, probably later tonight.

Bugs in Paradise

Before we had even nailed down our new housing arrangements I found a job, or rather, a job found me. I will fill you in about my job in greater detail in a future post. For now, very basically, let's just say I work at a private school in Salem.

Last week I found out that one of my duties consisted of "disease prevention", since I've had some limited experience in that area in the past. "Hhhhmmmm..... interesting", you might say. Well, actually, not so much! For those of you who have never had the "Lice Experience", you are sure missing out on some GREAT FUN!!

I had to check the heads of the entire student body. What an adventure! No one knows where they come from and no one knows how they arrive, but we had 2 unrelated students with bug eggs (nits) hitching a ride on their scalps.

The children have been treated and the passengers have gone to "Lice Heaven". But you know, I still just can't quit itching!

Building Paradise

Well, we have finally begun getting things in the house and unpacked. I am SO happy and SO exhausted!! I feel like I have done nothing but pack and move boxes for the past 2 1/2 months. I cannot wait to be done!

I did treat myself to a LONG bath last night. I even stayed in the water until it was so cold I began to shiver... candles and a book - it was WONDERFUL! I think I am ready to tackle the big job again after work. It's coming together, slowly but surely. Hopefully we'll be completely done by the weekend. As soon as we have it all together I'll post some pictures. I have to wait, you see, to get my computer all set up and some internet service :~) {I'm currently using the one at work}

I have to tell you -- I have the greatest kids EVER!! They helped pack stuff, load it into the car, unload it into the storage unit, unload it from the storage unit and into the moving van, unload it from the moving van into the shop and then, this weekend, unload the shop into the house. They have done a great job in unpacking their own things in their rooms and taking boxes and trash out as I unpack things. They have worked SO hard -- even Aaron!! Patrick is building some muscles - he has been my "right hand" helping me carry in book-shelves and other pieces of furniture. Emi & Aaron have been carrying a lot of heavy stuff, too. When we are done I plan to give them a HUGE reward -- not sure what it will be, yet -- but it is going to have to be something good for all the work they've been doing!

Once we get settled in I've told the kids we can paint their rooms how they'd like them and they can decorate to fit their own personalities. They are REALLY excited for that! The boys have to share a room, but I've arranged the furniture so they each have their own space -- and they seem to like it. Aaron, of course, would like more room to play with all of his Hot Wheels, but I've promised him some space in the garage for all his cars - after all, isn't a garage where cars are supposed to be? ;~)

I am looking forward to having a home where our family can come and visit. Once I get everything unpacked and put away, I plan to have those who helped us and the family that lives nearby over for a nice dinner. I appreciate the help we received SO much!! And the family that lives nearby -- well -- the kids really enjoy playing together - so it would be a treat for everyone! I really miss having big family dinners - up until the past few years - we would have the whole family together nearly every weekend at one of our homes or another, helping with yard work, spring cleaning, holiday decorating and such -- we'd all pitch in and help at each others' house, making small work of big jobs then share a family dinner. When there wasn't a job that needed doing, we'd just visit and play Monopoly, Pictionary, Oklahoma Rummy or some other game. I miss those times.

I am so blessed, now, to have a great husband and spectacular children to build new traditions and have happy times and memories with. My only sadness is that my mother and sister are gone and my dad and niece are over 700 miles away...and my brothers, well.....