Better Late than Never....

 

and

Happy New Year!

Multnomah Falls

The kids and I went to Multnomah Falls last month.  They were out of school for a teacher workday and we headed out to see the falls.  You might remember that we drove past it on our way into Portland this summer, but did not stop because I already needed to go potty.  Well, I have discovered they actually have bathrooms near the gift shop, so we could have stopped and saved myself some discomfort...

We found the most interesting caterpillar on our way up to the bridge.

Here's Claire in her new-to-us stroller and that funny "cat-a-pilla".

When Jacob was born, we took pictures on this same bench.  Katy was younger than Amanda and Jacob was in the backpack.  Since it would require my finding and scanning that one, you'll just have to imagine it.

We sat there for about 20 minutes, watching the water fall and the leaves.  The falling leaves were my favorite part.  Absolutely beautiful leaves were falling from the trees up on top of the clliffs and floating down like big orange snowflakes.  I tried taking pictures, but none of them show how special it was. 

I guess you'll have to imagine that one too.

I had a great time with the kids. I think I'll take them up to Mt. Hood next, looks like there is already snow up there on that guy. 

(We've been reading a lot of Junie B. Jones around here lately!)

last night

Well, we took the kids trick or treating last night. We haven't taken the kids door to door to ask for candy from strangers in....well, ever.

In the past, we were very pleased with the annual harvest/ fall festival at our church, playing a few carnival games, winning a cupcake on the cupcake walk, karaoke, popcorn and bounce house with our favorite people.

This year I had no plan, so we ended up at a cute little neighborhood, sure to have candy. But in the dark, surrounded by people I didn't know, walking up to strangers' doors to ask for a handout, past horror masks and scary sounds I don't even let Katy watch on TV (much less the littler kids) - I felt sick. Nauseous really, and I was ready to turn the kids around after the very first house.

We were only a few feet from the van. I could have dealt with the stares from those other
"wonderful" parents, wondering what was wrong with me, while my children completely fell apart - crying, arguing, falling limp to the ground. I could have, really I could have. They're not the boss of me!

But I didn't. We walked on.

Soon the desire to puke passed, only to be replaced with tears. I was saddened for all these people.  Saddened that everyone thinks this is a holiday worth celebrating.  I was reminded of a quote from You've Got Mail, "We are... an American family." Tom Hanks is talking about how his grandfather has married someone half his age and now has children younger than his grandson... "We are... an American family, celebrating an American holiday."

But I don't think they understand what they are celebrating. Sure there were some cute costumes and my kids love free candy (well, most of it), but walking next to the scream or Freddy or crazy zombie clown or any of the other inappropriate costumes isn't my idea of family fun.

The tears finally stopped (luckily it was dark and only Becca noticed... she notices emotions, you know) and I was able to refocus my attention on my own cute kids in their own, homemade costumes and the fun they were having. Walking and talking and laughing.

The kids all created/ found their own costumes from around the house. I just helped with the hair. The Marshmallow of Liberty. A damaged cyborg assassin. The white queen from Alice in Wonderland. Queen Lucy from Narnia. Uniqua the pink. And I don't know what Claire is (one of the sisters dressed her).

Halloween is not for me. I already believe in angels and demons. I don't want to ask them for candy or anything else they might be "offering".  Next year, we'll do something different: watch a movie, play games, have our own harvest festival, but I won't be sold on a materialistic holiday that means nothing but fear and cavities.

I do think we'll hit that little neighborhood again once they've decorated for Christmas. Walking, talking, laughing and looking at twinkly lights.  That sounds like family fun. The fun that was missing from last night...light. Light in a dark world. 

"Is that where the giants live?"

Yesterday, Amanda looked across the cloud covered gorge and asked, "Is that where the giants live?"

It was beautiful. The hills of Camas were poking out above the clouds... not fog, clouds. And it looked like a city above the clouds.

Of course, I said "yes. That is exactly what a giant town looks like." I even thought we'd get to go through that cloud bank as we crossed the river... but alas, we did not.

She was disappointed there were no clouds on the bridge and most of all, "Why can't we go see the giants?" We'll, Aunt Priscila was waiting for us.

However, we could see the clouds up the river a bit. It was an awesome sight and I'll forever think of Camas, Washington as the home of Amanda's giants.

On a side note, Darren asked Amanda what she thought they made at the factory (in Camas)... she said "Clouds?"

Of course, what giant city doesn't have a cloud factory?

Heidi's Messy Oil Spill

My good friend Heidi blogged about her oil spill. A bottle of olive oil fell and broke - sending oil and glass all over her kitchen.

During cleanup, Heidi was able to reflect for a moment on what the Lord was saying. He reminded her how oil is a prophetic picture of Holy Spirit and how when He's around, it's bound to get messy.

I remember a time when time Darren and I made a conscience decision to let Katy make a mess. She was learning to be independent and desperately wanted to pour her own milk. All I could see was the mess she would make and I would have to clean up. All she could think of was the thrill of doing it by herself. But in the end, it was just spilled milk...

I know, I know, no crying over spilled milk. But I could only see more work for me, not the joy for her. (By the way - at 12 she still spills the milk. So does everyone else in this house.)

In Heidi's story, she ended up doing a prophetic act... the oil (Holy Spirit) breaking out of the container (we can see Him, but not touch him. Talk about Him but never to Him. Grieve Holy Spirit and somehow not know it?). And the "mess" was all over her feet (and her kitchen). He annointed her feet with oil.

As I think back to my decision to let Katy make a mess, I realize I have to do the same thing with Holy Spirit. I have to give Him permission to make a "mess" in my kitchen, in my life, in my heart...or else fear will cause me (us) to miss Him altogether.

It's a scary thing to let Him have free reign...because that means we are not in control. But things fall and break all the time. This time, it might have to be us.

Don't forget to stop and smell the 4 year old

Amanda: "Mom will you read this book to me?"

Mom: Thinking all the wrong answers
- I have more productive stuff I should be doing
- Maybe I could have one of the twins read to her
- If I read one, she'll ask for another
- Later - maybe for naptime

but Mom finds the right one "Yes".

After I move a few boxes off the couch, we sit down with Blueberries for Sal. One of my favorites.

I've read that book so many times! With every child. We'd change the name at the beginning of their season with the book... Blueberries for Katy. Blueberries for Jacob. Blueberries for Becca (and then re-read it in the same sitting) for Emily. Then it would get put on the shelf for a while until the next one started asking for it.

Today was the first time in at least 6 months that I've read Blueberries for Amanda.

A few minutes of my time to read a book, to remind me how ALL these people of mine used to be little, to make sure Amanda has her turn. If Claire will let her.

Claire: "That me?" (Pointing to Little Sal)

Mom: "Not yet. That's Little Amanda"

Summer at Ceep's House

Remember lazy summer days with your cousins. No decisions to make... just figure out who you wanted to play with next.

That's what we've been doing this week...

- the creek - cold water, sunshine, mud, rocks and branches dams, fresh oranges, wet dogs.

- backyard - trampoline and sprinkler, slides and water hoses, mud puddles and more wet dogs.

- tv, wii, ds, ipods, facebook, email, media, media and more media

- naptime? The big kids want one and the little ones don't.

- legos, legos, legos, puppet show, legos and more legos (there are a lot of boys around here)

- just hanging out, talking about everything and nothing.

This is what "summer" is... being together.

Double Arches

I think my favorite part of Arches National Park was feeling small. These huge orange and brown rocks against a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.

“Oh. Beautiful. Wish you were here.” – French Kiss

When the Lord started talking to us about leaving Texas, Chuck had a word about “being sent out from the center, like a dandelion being blown away”… or something like that.

In the middle of the Utah desert was a small oasis of green…and probably the largest Dandelion I’ve ever seen.

Since it was 100 degrees, we only took the family on one hike – Double Arch.

When we got closer, Claire kept telling me "namebow" ... rainbow.

Yeah! We all made it.

I am standing in about the same place for both of these pictures…. do you see how small Darren is in the 2nd one. The blue spot to his right is Jacob.

Emily and Becca got to go a little higher as well, but on the other side of this arch is a cliff dropping straight down…. a LONG WAYS DOWN. So we didn’t get to close to the edge!

Now you are looking back out to the cars. Nana volunteered to stay in the cool van with Layla (no pets on the trails). Can you see them?

Hurry, hurry, hurry. Time for one last picture before the battery dies.

Here's a few other pics we took... it's really beautiful, there just isn't much grass. Being a big problem for Layla... made it a problem for me.
Just pee on the rocks! And their were plenty of those.





Quote of the day: I think I have sand in my mouth. -Emily

"How are ya'll doing?"

I think we are doing well.

Darren started a Drupal job yesterday. Seems to like it so far...but I haven't talked to him today :)

Katy got her wish... her own room at grandma's AND her very own Facebook account! Like is good for the pre-teen sect. She actually got her horn out yesterday. Good to hear her squeaking, I mean, practicing. I think she and I are going to start taking advantage of the tennis courts across the street.

Jacob is with the cousins for a few days. I'm sure he's having a great time: food, DS, wrestling, tv, bikes and skateboards, repeat - who wants to come back over here?

The other are all in one room. Katy's old nursery. White picket fence wallpaper and a blue ceiling with clouds and glow in the dark stars. There's bunk beds, crib, toddler bed and dresser.... and that's all the room there is. They are ALL excited that grandma has stairs AND cable tv.

Layla treed a cat the other day... that was funny. I could hear the owner calling his cat, so I "tried" to pull Layla back. She's so strong. I was able to drag her some, so the cat could get down. The tree is on the outside of the fence, but I don't think either the dog or cat knew it :)

How is Jenn? Well, it's a bit tricky to have 6 kids in anyone's home for longer than...3 hours. They hit a lull in their playing and it's time to start making food again.

So being at the in-laws brings all that about, but there is also the joy of sneaking in to bed with grandma and watching early morning cartoons, or family meals with yummy desserts, and working in the garden (my favorite). With more work comes more memories... and a chance to make the kids work.

It really is great to be with the cousins and in-laws. We've been apart for a bit too long. We are trying to pace ourselves, just a little bit. Well, it's a nice theory.

We are praying through our options of where to live, closer to his parents or closer to his brother. The original plan was for us to visit for 2 months, so I figure we have that long to figure it out.

The weather is MUCH cooler than Texas. I am enjoying that. Maybe a bit too much rain, but I'm not complaining (very much).

Guess I'll go check on the raspberries before I head through the woods to find the girls (over at a friends house playing in the sprinkler).

Hugs and kisses to everyone.

We ARE doing well.

Like a Band of Gypsies...

Day 1 - Denton, TX to Amarillo, TX. Once we finished saying good bye - we hit the road.

I think this chicken is at a Stuckey's in Decatur, Tx?



Day 2 -Amarillo, TX to Farmington, NM. There isn't much grass in New Mexico.


I might not have noticed too much,
except I have this dog who likes to do her business on the grass.


It is beautiful in the distance, I just don't want to live there.


One of the kids caught this lady picking her nose, while her son watches us pass
(look real close in the back seat).


Every time we pulled out the camera, ClaireBelles was already "all done".



Everyone cheered up when we made it to the pool...




Great idea, Daddy :)



Day 3 - Farmville, FB... I mean, Farmington, NM to Provo, UT

Who's ready for another day of driving?
We had to stop for a few essentials: mom's medicine, lunchmeat and more DS games.


We went to Arches National Park , but you'll have to go check out those pictures over here (We took so many pictures, I'll put up another post in a few days)...



Day 4 - Provo, UT to Boise, ID. I don't even remember driving this day.... I'm sure there were hills, trees, maybe grass, sunshine, clouds, cars, gas stations and miles and miles of road.


So I'll give you a few more pictures the kids took...



self portrait by Emily


air guitar by Becca


dirty mirror by Katy


faces by Jacob









I do remember that the pool was ICE COLD!!!
Amanda, Claire and I got as far as the first step.
Katy did the big dive, without even testing the water first...bbbrrrr.
Jacob wanted to stay longer,
but he was a bit sick (pneumonia as a matter of fact).


Nana took them next door to Denny's for dessert :)

Layla did great. We were able to find grass for her in Idaho. She slept in Nana's room, with Katy, Jacob and Amanda. We had Claire (in the pack n play) and Emily and Becca in our room.


Day 5 - Fairview, OR

We stopped at a gas station inside a Native American Reservation
and found a little critter next to the pump.
It was like a souvenir but different.



We finally made it to the Columbia River George...


There were so many windmills. A few were really close to the highway.
It's surprising how BIG they are.


As we got ready to fill up for the last time, we thought they must have changed the laws, since we had pumped our own on the other side of Pendleton. So Darren tried to pump his own gas... well, it's self-serve on the reservations, where we found the little critter... but it's not allowed in the rest of the state! Earl looked at us like we had 2 heads.
Trying to pump our own gas - stupid tourists.



We passed beautiful waterfalls for the last 30 minutes before we got to Darren's folks house. But some of us needed to go potty so bad, the last thing we wanted was to stop and look at waterfalls. So here's the best we got.
Multnomah Falls out the back of a dirty window.



For those of you who remember the U-Haul fiasco of '01, we did not attempt that trick again. However, on our last day, I noticed some other poor soul giving it a try. Just had to get a picture....
to remind me how far we've come.



This time, Cool Whip and Blueberry ( our walkie talkie call signs... ) did a great job.


10-4 good buddy. Over.