Camping, Part 2

Sorry part 2 is trailing so far behind part 1.  That's because my personal photographer and photo editor was exceedingly busy with a 3 week summer intensive ballet program and only recently got the photos finished.  She takes amazing pictures and edits really well, and yet I was still a bit disappointed when I saw them.  

I think it's because although the beauty of the things we saw is evident, you cannot experience the scope of it all in the photos.  You cannot feel the soft, cooling breeze and the spray of the waterfalls.  You cannot hear thunder of glacial water rushing over the boulders.  You cannot know what it feels like to stand somewhere so majestic and so grand that in comparison you feel your life and your problems and your worries are so insignificant.  Hopefully you have been somewhere like this at least once.  If you have, maybe you can feel these pictures.

HIKE #1

For our first hike we went up to Sunrise.  The elevation there is about 6700 ft. It's the highest spot you can drive to in Mt. Rainier National Park.  We went on an easy hike, nearly all level, and had the view of the summit almost the entire time.  We were also there for the only couple of hours all day that the summit was not obscured by clouds!

Thank goodness for big brothers when your little feet tire out.

The meadows were bursting with wildflowers.  It was so beautiful I told my kids I wanted to build a house, right there on the top of that little ridge because I was going to live there forever!  I get a little carried away when I'm in such places.

I'm seriously agonizing over which of these photographs to enlarge and hang in my house.  

Do you see that green speck at the bottom of the valley?  It's this amazing lake we saw from the trail at Sunrise, not far from the White River.  And we kept wondering where on earth that was and if there was anyway to get hike to it.  But we couldn't find anything about it. 


HIKE #2

The trail head for our next hike was just a few spaces away from our own campsite.  We were headed up to an overlook to see the snout of the Emmons glacier, and the beginning of the White River which flows from it.  This was billed as an easy hike.  Perhaps this was optimistically labeled easy by some professional mountaineer.  While it was "easy" to walk, no climbing gear and roped needed, it was 1.5 miles of straight uphill. When a walking trail needs switchbacks...  easy if you're not old and out of shape.  But SO worth the effort!

The information about the trail neglected to mention the MANY waterfalls right along the path.  At least 6 or 7 that I remember.  And each one got bigger than the last.  

This one went up much higher than we could photograph...without falling off the trail where it continued

under our path, crashing to the valley below.  Awesomeness.  

Zach just had to try going across this.  Which he did successfully.  But Alyssa almost cried before he was done because she was sure he was going to fall to his death.  

After crossing over the White River in a lovely spot, the trail continued.

Or what's left of the trail.  There was a warning that the train was eroding and to be careful.  The "trail" was about an 18" width of soft dirt with a drop off on the left.  It was worse coming down.  So glad we continued because at one point, Zach strayed just off the trail and called for us to come look.  

It was the lake!  The same one we had seen from Sunrise!  We couldn't find any safe path down to it, but WOW!  What a wonderful surprise to discover. No amount of editing does justice to the brilliant blue-green color of the water. They could have left me there and I would have died happy.  

We went a little farther and could see the valley below, the evidence of the 2006 flood, the White River, and to the far left of the photo...the "snow field" you see is really the end of the Emmons Glacier.  

We all had pictures taken here.  The scenery was so stunning, and the scope so huge, that I felt like we were posing in front of some fake backdrop. It was almost surreal.  And, again with this hike, the two hours we were exploring was just about the only time all day that the sun was out and the mountain not totally hidden behind clouds.  The poor people headed up while we were headed down missed this.  How blessed were we?  

So where to next year?  Back to Mt. Rainier and trails we haven't taken yet? Olympic National Park looks amazing as well, and we've never been there.  So much beauty, so little time to see it all!

Camping Part I

After two years of not camping, I was so ready to go! 

This wasn't even all our gear.  I think the neighbors thought we were moving.

I can't explain it exactly, but something in me NEEDS to be in the mountains, surrounded by beauty, at least once a year.  This was only our second camping trip in about 5 years.  It was a little disappointing that we couldn't all go since two of the boys needed to be home for jobs etc, but we went anyways.  Since we haven't been to Mt. Rainier since before Chloe was born, that's where we needed to go.  I ♥ Mt. Rainier. 

The day before we were leaving, Ken found out that he lost his job. As of immediately.  Well, pretty much every employee of that company in the state of WA was "eliminated".  Wow. Hey good news, that vacation time is approved!  Thank goodness we were able to get away and commune with nature a bit and put things into a better perspective, and most of the time simply not think about it at all.  

We had a few other minor things like injuries, our car battery dying the night before we were heading home, and one ridiculously cold day 

(high of 58 and steeped in fog) but...  we survived.  Sort of.  We sat around in our jeans and sweatshirts desperately trying to stay warm while most of the other campers walked around in their mountaineer leggings, wool socks, hats, and extreme weather vests as if it were as comfortable out as a June afternoon.  Overall the good parts outweighed the bad (except for that stupid job thing).  

We stayed at the White River campground for the first time (because we were too late to make reservations elsewhere).  In the past we've stayed at Ohanapecosh (LOVE) and Cougar Rock (meh). We ended up loving White River and the Sunrise area.  SO AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL.  Ohanapecosh gives you hikes with forests and waterfalls.  Paradise gives you mountain views.  White River gives you both.  

One thing we love about Mt. Rainier in general is the Campfire programs held nightly Th-Su where the rangers speak about different topics related to Mt. Rainier.  Family friendly, educational, and fun.  We learned some fascinating things about Black bears for sure!  They have a Junior Ranger program where kids of all ages can earn patches, badges, and a lot of great wilderness information.  They meet for an hour most mornings and Natalie and Chloe LOVED it as my other kids did when they were younger. (Hmmm...maybe I need to imitate this for homeschool).

We also visited the Sunrise area, about 10 miles past and 2000 ft higher than our campground.  Stunning, and not so crowded as Paradise.  We went on two hikes during our trip. Words cannot describe what our eyes saw, so Part Two will have a few words, and lots of photos. 

Wedding

For those who missed it, couldn't be there for all of it, or just wanted to see it again...   here it is.  All of these gorgeous photographs are thanks to our wonderful photographer Sara. 

Caitlin and Neil met this past spring.  

And before we knew it, we were planning a fall wedding.  11/11/11 to be exact.  

It was a beautiful autumn day. 

Bride and Groom with some of both families on the temple steps.

I LOVE this!  I'm not sure what these men were laughing about, but I love the happiness, and how Caitlin stands out like a princess among them.

Neil and Caitlin with Neil's parents, Richard and Francisca.  We're so happy to be family now!

We had to have our turn too!

There's a story behind that scowl.  Chloe was convinced for some time that she was also marrying Neil.  So..when she saw them come out of the temple in wedding clothes, she knew she'd been left out.  There were a lot of tears.  In this picture, she still wasn't having any of the attempts to make amends.  

We're proud of the choices they made that brought them to this place on  this day.  We're so happy to see them begin their life together and pray that God will give them all blessings they can hold.

And then it was time to party!

The tables were absolutely stunning thanks to the beautiful chair covers, as well as the lovely centerpieces that Alicia made.    Mauricia and her sisters made all the Mexican food..  and it was GOOD! So many people loaned us things, advice, and help to put this reception on. We appreciate them all!

Caitlin chose some beautiful bridesmaids.

Is it really a party without chocolate?  I think not.  

I may be a little biased, but I think they make a beautiful couple.

This is Neil's "Padre" from Arizona,  who's loved him like a son for so many years.  He was so happy to have him here!

Cake cutting time!

Caitlin wanted dancing.  It was a good choice.  Everyone had so much fun!

Neil danced with his mom.

Caitlin danced with her dad.

Everyone ate, and laughed, and danced.  As Caitlin said once, "Wedding receptions are such happy places!"  This one certainly was.  

Before we know it, it'll be her turn.  Which makes me want to cry like a baby just typing it.  Because Caitlin was this big just five years ago...   well, ok, maybe more than five... but that's what it feels like.  

Our first week of school

So, the school year has officially begun.  We're easing into the routine, both at home, and at outside activities.  I think the initial sting is gone, and it's become normal again after a low key summer. We are doing our learning a little differently this year, so that I can be available to work several days a week, and the new curriculum's not in full swing yet.  But here's some fun things about this past week.  They may not all seem like "school" but as a homeschooler, I firmly believe learning opportunities can be found anytime and everywhere!


1.  Taylor, who is in public high school auditioned for the first theater performance of the year, the musical production of Beauty and the Beast.  Parts are being assigned late tonight and we're all hoping for a major role for him. He's playing Maurice, Belle's father!  In fact, he's taking so many music and drama classes, that there isn't room in his schedule for all the required classes.  So he'll be doing those online this summer (hhmm...   sounds a little like homeschooling to me!)


2.  Alyssa and Natalie auditioned for Mid Columbia Ballet's Nutcracker (Alyssa's 7th year and Natalie's 3rd).  Parts should be out this week!  Always exciting, anxious, and sometimes a little disappointing (only initially).  When Taylor and the girls are all cast, we'll have a total of 21 performances in the month of December.  Yikes!


3. I spent Saturday with all 4 of my girls.  And Neil.  (Caitlin's fiance).  We went to the Pasco Flea Market for the first time and Neil helped with Spanish translation.  The girls had a blast!  Then we went to the Pasco Farmer's Market, some dress shops to look at sparkly dresses, a Mexican bakery for lunch, and then a stop at the ballet studio before hitting some thrift shops to bargain hunt.  Neil got am ample dose of estrogen!  He was a good sport, and we all had fun!


4. A trip to Moses Lake to the orthodontist..   ok, that's not anyone's idea of fun, but we did take one route there and another back to see which was shorter in mileage and time. Because we'll be making this long trip a lot over the next two years. Now we know.  


5. The hunt for bridesmaid dresses might be over.  Trying to find something affordable, modest, in the right shade of the right color, available before we need it....   aaaggghhhh!!!!!!   Hopefully we'll get that in stone this week (of course I said that the last two weeks, but whatever).  


6. Chloe has learned to be an awesome helper by picking up her own toys pretty willingly. And happily.  It's a happy day when the kid that makes the most mess starts to help clean it all back up.  


7. I've gotten my educational goals back on track.  I admit I didn't engage my brain much this summer.  But I've got a reading list and some good goals of things to study between now and January when I start college classes.  I read Everyday Grace, by Marianne Williamson.  And I'm reading Chaos, Making a New Science, by James Gleick.  Again. Because I got 1/4 of the way through it 9 years ago and I need to finish.  I'm starting at the beginning.  I'm not a big science person, but I feel the need to challenge myself.  I don't get it all the first time I read it, so it's slow going, but fascinating. 


8.  Spanish.  I took it in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, then a semester in college.  You'd think I could speak it, but I can't.  Classroom Spanish is never spoken at the speed a real person speaks it (not even close).  I can still read some. Understand a native speaker though?  Not even.  But I figure I will need a second language for my degree, Neil and lots of his family speak it, and it's time I conquered it.  His mom teaches it as WSU Tri Cities..  so I've got all the books I need.  Caitlin's learning too, so we can practice together.  


9.  I met my soon to be in-laws last weekend.  I was SO nervous.  They are both so smart and talented. And accomplished. And educated and degreed.  I was feeling pretty inadequate with just my degree in diaper changing.  We had a wonderful time with them! They are wonderful, gracious, kind, welcoming, fun, and interesting!  If we have to lose a daughter, at least we get to gain a family! 


10.  I didn't get my fridge cleaned, my photo albums organized, my bedroom dusted, my college transcripts ordered, and a host of other things.  But it's ok.  They'll get done.  This week we had better things to do!

Happy New Year!!

To me, the start of a new year is September, not January.  They should move New Years to 
September.  I think anyone with kids kind of sees it this way too.  January's the halfway point, right?  Well, I'm starting this "new year" with some excitement, some anxiety, some fear, and lots of questions!  


As a home school family, each year has looked different.  Different needs, courses of study, interests to follow, groups to belong to, activities to be involved in.  Each year I think we've made bigger changes than ever, only to discover the next year, I feel the same again.  But still I say, this year may have the biggest changes ever!  I'm NOT the adventurous type.  Not unless that adventure is well planned, far in advance, will all variables and bases covered.  (I'd be a blast on a road trip, wouldn't I?) But I'm trying to see this all as a big adventure and hang on for the ride.  


My oldest is engaged.  She's getting married this November.  She is blissfully happy, and therefore, so are we, because mothers love to see their children happy, don't we?  But what a big change this will be for us!  We will be losing a housemate, but gaining a son (and a great one at that).  And frantically pulling together a wedding that is 10 weeks ago.  The adventure is beginning!


My second oldest is on a waiting list for his own apartment, and when his name comes up, he'll be moving out.  All this "moving out" business has it pros and cons.  Pro:  more room for everyone left here  Con: less children, laughter, and conversation around the table.  I know it's time.  It'll be good for him to stand on his own, and see what being an adult is all about.  But I feel like a little piece of me leaves with both of them.  


Another went off today, for his first day of sophomore year in public school. Chamber choir, advanced drama, millionaire club, and debate club are just a few of the things that will keep him away from home 12 hours a day many times.  I miss him already.  But I'm happy to see him thriving and adjusted and involved and stretching himself to do great things.  


The rest will be home with me (well, kind of, because I won't necessarily be here), at least for half the year.  Home school will look different yet again.  They will have to work more independently, which means all new curriculum and strategies.   I'm in the process of being hired as a substitute para-educator for North Franklin school district where I'll be working at Basin City elementary and maybe Mesa elementary, three to four days a week.  We'll have to frequently evaluate how it's all working. It might be public school for everyone next year (but I can't think about that yet). I know there are many women who have juggled work and family, and I think they're amazing.  I just didn't want to be one of them. My goals haven't been very lofty.  I wanted a family...  lots of children, and the joy of being with them every day.  That's it.  No career to run back to when they started school.  No big ambitions.  If I had to sacrifice some material things and be financially creative, well that was ok.  


Things have changed. I've put this off as long as I can. It's necessary.  And I'm trying to tell myself it's all good.  This week I'm putting my house in order.  Making menu and chore binders to help the kids stay on task while I'm gone, and play a bigger part in helping the family run smoothly. That'll be good I think.  I've not delegated and relied on them as much as I could have.  I think having to step up will be good for them.  


I have also come to see very clearly that at mid-life, I am uneducated, unskilled, untrained, and unprepared to do much of anything that's worthy of a paycheck.  At least not a paycheck that's worth having.  The way I see it, if I have to give up what I love most (being home each day with my kids), then the job better 1. Be a good measure of fascinating and engaging  2. pay really well.  I'm pretty sure that's NOT the job I've snagged for myself.  So....


Back to school.  I was trying to choose between work and school (because I'm an all or nothing type of girl thinking only of full time college), when my almost son-in-law mentioned taking part time classes (DUH!).  So, in January I'll be taking a couple of classes per quarter at the local college (online, so I can work it around everything else).  I'm currently still torn between courses of study.  I see two basic options.  Study something that will get me done the quickest and make the most money.  Or, study something I find fascinating, but that takes twice the time, AND that I have no idea how I'll use to make money.  I'm torn between what I should do and what I want to do.  Enter the guilt.  ACK!  I'm leaning towards what I want to do (because as a mother for the last 21 years, what I want has so rarely been the focus).  But then I feel guilty. So I wonder. 


Then, as a woman who has barely kept it all together as a stay at home mom, I wonder...   HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE THIS ALL WORK?  You know that saying that goes something like this; I had it all together, but I forgot where I put it?  That's me baby!  So I'm a little afraid (ok, a lot).  I go to bed with lots of questions on my mind (which doesn't make for the most restful night).  Can I really be one of those women, who juggles work, school, weddings, ballet performances, school performances, music lessons, meals, grocery shopping, quality time with kids, driver's ed, and on...  and on...?  I guess I'll see!  And you will too.  Because  I best sort out my life by writing through it.  This year in blogging will be a record and study of something..   and I hope it's good!

The Legacy of Strong Women

I posted a while ago about the struggle I'm having concerning what to be when I grow up.  I feel torn between the opportunity to build a small business from home.  That I already have.  But never intended to be in charge of.  Yet it's brilliant, and so maybe I should stretch myself.  Or then again, I could run with the business idea I've had (forever) that would be totally different and allow me to indulge my creative side, and that is more in my comfort zone.  I really felt I had to choose.  Why?  Well, frankly, I feel I do a poor enough job of juggling a family of 9, home schooling, life in general with the daily fires to put out, volunteer commitments,  miles on the road, etc.   If I split my focus yet one more way, won't I just break into pieces too tiny to matter?  Won't everything I do, if I do too much, just suffer from lack of care?


I'm wondering now if that's wrong.  Is there a way to do it all, and do it well?  If so, can *I* do it?  So here's what got me questioning.

We're studying American History with A History of Us, by Joy Hakim.  

Cannot say enough how much we love these books!  We're in book 2, "From Colonies to Country" and we came to a story that so impressed and fascinated me about a strong woman.  The chapter is titled "The Girl Who Always Did Her Best".  Well, that's an understatement!  Eliza Pinckney moved with her family from the Carribean to South Carolina when she was 16.  Her father almost immediately went off to war and her mother became seriously ill.  

photo from A History of Us

She's well noted for her intelligence; speaking three languages, playing instruments, and studying.  She also took over all business operations for her father's three large plantations.  At 16.  She experimented with new crops, growing the first successful indigo in the colonies.  She rose up early each day and read for a couple of hours, then took some exercise while checking on the plantations.  She studied her music, and reviewed things she was learning (like French and shorthand).  At 22 she chose a husband for herself who was 45.  She had three children, and then her husband died.  So, she ran her three plantations along with her husband's SEVEN.  According to history she did this and raised her family outstandingly.  


And I can't seem to fit it all in.  Yes, life today is different.  We have places to be, phone calls to make, meetings to attend, emails to answer... and she undoubtedly had servants to help.  But so do we.  They're called dishwashers, washing machines, and microwaves.  Right?






I'm about ready to read a book to learn a lot more about Abigail Adams. Impressive woman. Wife of John Adams, mother of six children in 10 years, two of whom were buried young.  John had long absences from home and Abigail ran home and farm while he was  away.  Their well preserved letters show a woman who was his intellectual equal (at least), always studying and learning, eloquent in speech, and independent.  She made financial decisions and investments while he was away.  She was often referred to as "Mrs. President" while he was in the White House because she was so politically active.  

photo from A History of Us

I love the passage in Proverbs (31: 10-31) that I hadn't taken much notice of until recently.  It describes a good and virtuous woman.  Her husband's heart is safe with her.  She works willingly with her hands, and brings her food from afar.  She rises early, before anyone else, to feed her family.  She transacts business, buying a field and planting the vineyard with her own hands.  She strengthens herself and sees that what she produces is good. She cares for the needy.  Her family is richly and warmly clothed, and she makes and sells extra linen. She speaks with wisdom and kindness and is not idle.  There's more if you want to read the whole thing (and more beautifully than my paraphrasing).


To be honest, until recently that would have probably made me a bit...  well, defensive.  I don't know about you, but I often feel my to-do list and the expectations of others for me are plenty long.  As I often tell my family, "I am only one woman".  Yet look at what one good woman can do.  Think of all the powerful and strong women throughout history.  Think of the ones you know today!  What have they done? I now see that rather than a list of things to do, that passage in Proverbs simply outlines all that I have the power to be!  Good women do much because we CAN.  


This week I think we'll have a short home school holiday. Monday and Tuesday off.   We haven't really taken any days off, and this woman needs some time to ponder and plan the possibilities.  Home and family must be preserved.. yes.  Some things in life are more important than others..  true.  But if these women could do it, can't I find a way to be more and do more and still be true to myself and my priorities?  Am I capable of more than I think I am?  Do I have more power than I realize?  Life is a choice.  It's all a choice.  And I have some choices to make.  

Gifts Galore

Christmas is my favorite holiday, is it one of yours too? I love the music, the tree, the baking, and  I love giving!  I love making other people happy with something I can give them.  Sometimes though, all that giving can either stretch the budget beyond repair, or become a little too focused on "stuff".  For both reasons, I've gotten into the habit of making at least some of my gifts.  It's more personal, they're usually unique, and people appreciate that YOU went into the gift and not just some cash.  


I want my kids to appreciate heart felt gifts, and not only the price tag.  I want them to know that they can give wonderful gifts without emptying the bank.


Are you done with your shopping already?  If you are I'm SO jealous.  I try every year to get done before December 1st, and I made a better effort this year.  Not.  Quite.  Done. (shoot).   I'm going to give a short list of ideas for gifts, and include plenty of websites so you can explore and find some great giving options.


1. grandparents love photos....   in frames, scrapbooked, mini albums to carry


2. homemade gifts baskets... ie, if you have a movie lover you can give some DVDs or gift certificate to a local theater along with some homemade treats to enjoy while watching, and some microwave popcorn


3. coupon books for free chores, dates, lessons for something you're good at and they want to learn, special services like back rubs, etc.


4.  little kids love dress up...   buy a box and fill it with dress up clothes and accessories (jewelry, hats, scarves) from Goodwill.  It's a hit every time.


5.  burn a CD mix of someone's favorite type of music




Gifts from the Kitchen

Everyone loves a gift that warms their belly!  These are some great ideas to start with.

Do it Yourself Christmas

An assortment of reader contributed gift ideas, some of which are pretty unique.  If you have a tween, the Secret Hollow book is awesome!


Family Fun's crafty ideas

A lot of good ideas, especially for smaller gifts that could be used for exchanges or stockings.

Homemade Gift Ideas for the Family

This site would be good for kids making gifts for other people.  A lot of very fun and simple things to try.


Martha Stewart's Gift Ideas

Ok, it's Martha...  love her or hate her, she's got some brilliant ideas.  Some of these are a little more pricey or may require a bit more skill than I can get my hands on, but it's well worth a look.


Great Ideas for All Ages

This site lists ideas by age.  Have a 1-3 year old?  She's got a whole list of inexpensive but well targeted things to give.  It's where I decided what to give Chloe this year.  She's also got ideas for Mom and Dad, so kids can get involved making things too.  

Hopefully this has you thinking of some awesome gifts to make and give this year.  If you have a favorite idea, let me know!  We start "birthday season" in our house right after Christmas, so I'm always up for a great gift giving idea!

Monopoly Anyone?

I bet some of you just love board games.  I feel like I should....  doesn't every good mom want to play endless hours of board games with her kids?  We played some growing up, but let's just say our family didn't always play....  well.....   functionally. So I'm not a fan.  Even though I feel guilty about it. 


Because of this guilt, I do from time to time get sucked into playing.  Last night Alyssa asked me to play Monopoly.  The mother of all board games.  You're looking at a 3 hour minimum time investment.   Do you know what I could with 3 hours?  (read a good book, make a gourmet meal, sleep, plant a garden, rearrange my closet...... )

This is what I got when I said I didn't want to play.  Ok, how do you say no to that?

Soooooo.....   he we are.  Setting up and getting ready to play Monopoly America Special Edition.   It's going to be a long night.  We started at 6:30pm.

Taylor got in the game too.  He was the top hat.  Alyssa wanted the space shuttle.  And I picked the pie...   because everything else was weird (like movie reels) and I could relate to pie.  Oh, and by the time we got the board set up and the money counted out, it was already like 7:30.  

Taylor was the banker.  This picture is out of focus, because he didn't want his picture taken and after 10 attempts, this was the best shot.  And the top hat really isn't the best piece for him....   but what piece do you choose to illustrate how cutthroat you are in Monopoly?  Hhmmm...... maybe they need a new piece.   An icicle maybe?  How about a scrolled up eviction notice?  All I can say is,  the boy is cold.

Oh fake Monopoly money....   how I wish you were real.

Oh, and right before we started, Dad jumped in the game too.  

Early in the game, Alyssa accused Taylor of cheating and left the game in a 12 year old girl emotional melodrama.  Natalie quickly took her place much to the annoyance of others who insisted she can't play on her own.

We've got hotels and some serious real estate happening here...   and Natalie learned that she CAN count out money on her own!

Now, one thing I so dislike about board games, is that as a mom you are constantly interrupted because one child or another needs you.  In the few minutes it took me to get the 3 year old a snack, something sinister went down.  When I came back to the game, Mafia Pete here and his Dad had formed an unholy alliance.  They agreed to merge all their holdings (and they had most of them already), and give each other amnesty (AKA free rent) until they took Natalie and me out.  Then they'd dissolve and go after each other.  Wow....   that's all I can say.   Such cruelty from your spouse and a child you gave birth to (without drugs, who weighed over 10 lbs).....   I'm just sayin'.

They just sat there and waited for the inevitable bankruptcy.  It didn't take long.  Which is actually not a bad thing.  Because my bankruptcy, which came shortly after Natalie's, ended the 3 HOUR LONG GAME.    Next time could we just play chutes and ladders?  Or, here's an idea!  Play without me.