Them Fighting Words (& Faces)

My boys wrestle and play like puppies, but they very very seldom physically hurt each other on purpose.  For that I am grateful.  It's the words they use to hurt each other that break my tender heart.  I know siblings will always know the best way to love and hurt each other, but oh my, sometimes I wonder.

Jumping In

The first time in the lake is always a bit unnerving.  It's cold for starters.  I'm more of a wade in kind of person.  Slowly allowing each nerve layer of my body to get settled before freaking out the rest.  Kids, however, seem to just jump in.

Mr. Man used a little "incentive" and shouted out to the children, who were deliberating trepidatiously on the dock, that the first one in would get to pick a treat on the way home.
Miss J responded, "For reals?"
During which time Little J proceeded to jump and successfully be the FIRST one in
(he got hubba bubba gum tape on the way home).

After the initial jump, things get much easier.  Is it because they're already cold and wet?  Do they acclimate to the temperature?  Is the unknown now predictable and perhaps even comfortable?

Super hero pose

Oldest and youngest taking the plunge

This was my view from where I was laying down watching my children jumping into the lake.

After so much jumping in, exhaustion usually sets in.  It's not just the jumping, it's the "staying afloat" that tuckers one out.  I know how that is, don't you?

Even those who are the fastest, swiftest, little jumpers usually need to be held and hugged.  Whatever you're jumping into, remember to give yourself a break too.  Those who can acknowledge, appreciate, and ask for the love and help they need are typically the most resilient and best-practiced jumpers.

Play Hard

I got married way too young.

One of the benefits of getting married young is not having preconceived notions and ideas for marriage, family, and life.  Who thinks much about such things as a teenager?  So as each decision or issue has presented itself in our marriage, family, and life, Mr. Man and I have had to work together to figure things out.  It's not easy.  And we don't always make the best choices (I don't think there is always a "right" choice).  To be certain, we don't always agree.  And heaven knows we occasionally make separate choices.  But one decision we have made together, early on, is to go on a family vacation every year.  With.just.our.little.family.

Even as students we squirreled away small amounts of money for our planned-in-advance vacation.  We still have yet to do Disney (I have zero desire to EVER to Disney) or the most trendy or extravagant destinations, but I do love when our little family is on vacation.

Day-to-day in our family is pretty regimented for the most part.  We have budgets, schedules, and charts. We work hard.  Each and every one of us.  However, part of the benefit of working hard is having the chance (and, in Mr. Man's case - the time and the money) to play hard.

I think we're quite good at it.

This year we traveled back up to beautiful Flathead Lake with our camper and spent a week at a camping resort.  Seriously.  We were just meters away from the swimming pool, hot tub, playground, showers, laundry... delightful.  We booked our "spot" way in advance.  And it was perfect.

We were one of the only pop-up trailer campers there... surrounded by mostly elderly people from hot places like Arizona or Florida who were spending their summers camped out in humongous RVs (our site also provided cable and internet connections for those who had TVs, and our kiddos were happy for some ipad/ipod time here and there).  I can't count the number of retirees (walking their dogs) who stopped by to chat and reminisce about back when they had pop-ups and kids to take camping.  Either that, or they were curious with all the bikes and stuff just how many kids we had with us.  I always answered: "just four."

Typical camping site (neat, sleek, nothing outside)

OUR camping site:

Doesn't it look like fun?!
We're the party site!











The nights were warm.  We're very used to mountainous chilly evenings, and it was an unexpected change not to have to turn on our heater!  Unlike our "neighbors" we didn't have an air conditioning unit, but we did have the fresh night air and clothes and covers to kick off.

After the first couple of days we buckled down and made a small flexible schedule so that we would fit in the activities we most wanted to do.  We had some unexpected medical issues to deal with, the kids made some local friends, we discovered some new and exciting stores, parks, and boat rental locations, and even learned how to play pickle ball together!

I love me some family vacation!

After dessert every night and no chores or bedtimes, I have a feeling this week is going to be a little rough around here.  Play hard!

The "Hair"

Remember way back when... when Little E started growing out his hair.

It became an obsession for him.

His hair became him.

As his parents, we were happy to let him express himself in such a simple little way.  We had no idea if it would be a permanent fixture, a temporary right of passage, or what.

His "golden fleece."














He loved his long hair.
He was gorgeous, even during all the awkward in-between stages.
But...
He didn't like being called a girl by random old men in costco.
Neither did he appreciate the daily detangling that had to take place.

When summer hit, he was hot.

Especially while wearing his favorite "wool" hat.   Geesh.

He wanted it buzzed.  We compromised with a trim, since we had a wedding to attend and were worried he would miss his hair.  But once we returned, he was still ready.

Doesn't he look so grown up? (ignore the chocolate ice cream on the tip of his nose!)

That cute face, adorable eyelashes, splattering of freckles.  I love him with or without his long hair.

We'll see what's next with this kid.  I can't wait.

Travelling through Time

Returning to this blog is a little like travelling through time.

Where oh where have my babies gone?

Why oh why have I stopped recording my many coloured days and our beautiful daily adventures?

I suppose I've been occupied writing papers, lesson plans, and exams for school. And on top of that, how could I take the time to blog when every minute I have at home (not doing homework) I attempt to spend with my family?  I think I am finally getting a handle on how to balance school with the rest of my "lives," and here I am almost done.  In fact I have no more classes to take, at all.  Ever.  Student teaching and graduation are calling my name.  I'm so proud of myself.  It's a huge goal.  A huge accomplishment.  And something I almost gave up on too many times to count.

This past year, with all the children in school, I was able to go to school full-time without going any more crazy than I already am.  I pushed extra hard last semester to get in all of my reading minor classes in order to shave off a semester next spring.  So many times I almost quit.  The course requirements were not difficult, in fact often the opposite, but the time away from home  for these extra classes (mostly evenings) and internships was demanding.  Mr. Man was a saint and often was the before and after-school parent.  I truly missed those crazy moments, even though I knew how well taken care of the children would be with him.  Some of our traditions have changed.  Many of my expectations have altered.  And in order to find harmony in our home, we've had to simplify; I've learned to let go of a lot of the guilt that  I have often felt put on myself and inadvertently placed on my family.

Silly guilt.

Days and weeks go by where I don't take any pictures.  We are so entrenched in living, that it has become almost obscene to pause and capture the moment.  I find I am almost afraid of what I will miss if I take the time to do so.  I love these people I live with.  I am enamored with the place where we live.  I am learning so much through the time and experiences that are taking place each day.

I'm going to try to write about them.

Be patient with me.

(guilt-free blogging may be quite sporadic)

Seriously, how is it already June 2013? {Written June 13th, unfinished}

Today is the children's last day of school.

Deep breaths.

I'm ready, as usual.

Though I expect to be overwhelmed, overtired, and over everything soon enough.

I cannot believe that after today I will have a 1st grader, a 4th grader, a 5th grader and a 7th grader.  I can totally remember my crushes from both 5th and 7th grade.  As I giggle dreamily within, I wonder how on earth I am mature enough to parent kids those ages.