Making a Difference

It's hard to believe another school year is already at an end.  This concludes my 7th year teaching at Bethel Baptist Christian school and as with most ends, begs for some reflection.  I had the pleasure of teaching the seniors in Government and Economics this year.  Usually, my classes only cover 7th - 9th graders but I thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with these upperclassmen.  What a great group of kids!  As I looked around the room at each of them and we played Catch Phrase during our last session together, I couldn't help but wonder what, if any, impact I had on each of their lives.  As a teacher, kids come through my doors and I know it is my job to teach them what needs to be taught...this year, mostly math.  But as a teacher at a Christian school, my teaching spreads further into their lives and includes standards and how to apply Bible teaching to your life as well as the designated subject matter.  I know I can teach math and I like to think I do a fair job at it, but I am at a loss as to whether or not any of the "other" teaching has worked its way into their hearts.  I have struggled somewhat with this throughout this week, knowing my time to influence these few has come to an end.  What has my influence been?  I don't want to be their hardest teacher, or strictest or funniest, or even their favorite...I just want to make a difference.

This morning, before leaving for school, I asked my husband, "You need me, don't you?  I make a difference in our home, right?"  I know, sounded just as ridiculous coming out of my mouth then as it does typing it now.  I followed it up by voicing the same concern about making a difference and he reminded me of something I think I occasionally loose sight of when I walk in these school doors (yes, I'm at school now).  I am the difference in our home...I will forever influence my own children and so I need to make a conscious decision to turn my attention and my need to be needed toward those I know will embrace it.  My sweet baby girl is graduating from Kindergarten tomorrow and my oldest is entering the youth department on Sunday as he heads into this next phase of his life.  They both need me and I know my little Zach Attack, tender hearted as he is, will always need his mom.  When I think of these three and my amazing husband, my heart overflows.

I do hope and pray that I make a difference in each life that walks through my classroom doors.  I hope I can teach them and reach through to them and leave a lasting impression, but if not...I'll have to be okay with that, too.

Lazy Day

Kevin and the oldest boy are off playing paintball as part of Raymond's birthday week, so the two younger ones and I are spending a lazy day at home in our jammies!  After a cup of coffee, our first order of business is a few board games.  I may or may not try and get a load of laundry underway, but I'm definitely planning to enjoy an afternoon free of any external obligations.

 

 

With summer vacation just around the corner, I've already started thinking and planning for days like this.  I know...keeping a calendar over the summer seems like some kind of oxymoron, but it's not!  Truly!  My kids LOVE having a "plan" and look forward to whatever it is we've got going.  Traditionally, I've tried to consistently do the same type of thing for each day of the week and that is my game plan this summer, too.  I've tweaked some of the categories, but I think it's gonna work.  Besides all the fun stuff, I've also thought about a few basic things, like cooking and cleaning that I'd like to spend time teaching my kids.  But, for today...it's just the 3 of us, some snacks and some board games!

Mother's Day

I always look forward to Mother's Day...we've settled into somewhat of a tradition in our family.  I spend the Saturday prior with my mom and then my brothers get her on Sunday.  This year, Addison and I started our morning out with a birthday cake pop and some coffee at Starbucks.  No body's birthday...my girl just likes pink stuff!

 

 

Next stop was the church, to pick up and transport ladies to the Mother's Day Brunch in Tacoma.  I was the "official" driver, so Mom just met us in the parking lot and rode the shuttle with us to David's Mansion on Broadway.  Addison was extra excited to have Grannie along for the day.

 

We found some seats next to friends, then explored the neat, old house before enjoying a delicious brunch.  The food really was quite good!  Since the brunch was fairly early, we had plenty of time when we got back to try out the new nail salon near our house.

This was Addie's first ever manicure and she really enjoyed it!

I was pretty impressed that she sat so still...she doesn't usually manage quite so well when we do her nails at home.

But the end results were fantastic and we've already decided we'd like to try that salon again.  Maybe for Addison's birthday this summer.  All in all, we had a lovely day; enjoyed some good food, a little pampering and best of all, spent time with my two favorite gals!

 

Basketball

It's been a few weeks, but Raymond participated in our school's "junior league" basketball season.  It's a short, one month season that allows 3rd - 6th grade boys an opportunity to play a little basketball during lunch.  The high school boys coached this year and it was neat to see the interaction across the grade levels.  Raymond's team, the Knighthawks finished their season in 2nd place and we were very proud of his effort and attitude.

 

That exposure apparently lit a spark in my boy because all he thinks about now is basketball.  He wants to play ALL the time...at lunch, after school, after church and every second he has free at home is spent "shooting hoops".  I'm not complaining, far from it!  As a lover of sports, I couldn't be happier that my boy has taken such an interest in a basketball.  It's just a little bitter-sweet for me to watch him grow up and let loose those proverbial apron strings.  In fact, just recently he was asked by some high school boys to stay after school and play ball with them.  One even offered him a ride home, if he could stay.  I can't describe the feeling I had as I loaded the other two up and headed down the hill for home.  Sort of a mixture of pride and sadness, I guess.  I had to call Kevin on my way home so he could reassure me that the boy would be just fine.  I knew he would, it's just...

 

 

So that brings us to today...our boys' basketball teams are getting a jump on the next basketball season and have already starting practices in preparation for next year.  Raymond will be attending his first "official" basketball practice this evening and I must admit, I'm experiencing a bit of anxiety over it!  Will he do well?  What if he gets hurt and I'm not there?  What if he hates it?  What if he LOVES it?!  So many what-ifs, it's hard to imagine but in my mind, I guess I am still seeing that sweet little boy whose picture I have on my desk and I'm not sure how OK I am with leaving him at school, alone...or more accurately, with out me.  But, truth be told, if my baby is gonna be a baller, he's most surely going to get hurt (physically and maybe even emotionally) and I'm just.going.to.have.to. let him.

Happy Birthday Raymond!

I asked my students this morning if their parents told them all about what happened the day they were born...they looked at me like I was a little crazy, so apparently it is just something that my family does :)  Every year on my birthday, (well, not in recent years, but definitely the whole time I was growing up!) my mother  would tell me what her day was like, the day I was born.  Now, I do the same for my kids.  They all love it and usually ask questions, I think so they can hear more about "their story".  Anyway, I am particularly fond of Raymond's story...partly because it was a crazy kind of day, but mostly because we almost lost him.  Hard to believe this handsome guy was ever so sick the doctors told us he might not make it through that first night.

We make a pretty big deal over birthdays in our house...it's not usually a one-day, one-time event but lots of little treats over their "birthday week".  So, today,  Raymond's actually birthday, I brought him one of his favorite fast food meals, the shrimp basket from DQ.  I had offered to take him out for lunch, but he declined...apparently I am not as entertaining as his classmates!  I also sent cupcakes to school for him to share with his classmates and arranged for Grannie and Grandpa to make a surprise visit at our house after school.  We are normally busy on Wednesday, since we go to church, so he wouldn't have imagined we'd have a party on his actual birthday this year.  But I am getting ahead of myself, so more about that in a sec...trying to keep things in a timeline!

 

Another "tradition" is that the birthday boy gets to choose what they have for dinner.  Typical pre-teen that he is, he chose pizza.  So I ordered from his favorite, Papa Johns and we left immediately after school so we'd have time to pick it up and get home before the "surprise" arrived.  In the same parking lot as Papa Johns is a Starbucks and we were in time for their Frappuccino Happy Hour so we stopped in to take advantage and everyone got their own drink (I usually make them share).

Look at those beautiful smiles!
 

Drinks in hand and pizza picked up, we headed home and almost made it to our driveway before the two little ones almost gave up the surprise.  What was I thinking telling them "Grannie is coming over...shhhh, it's a surprise for Raymond" anyway?!  Oh well, he had all but figured it out when we pulled in and there was Grannie's car!  Ray was pretty happy to see them both. 

 

 

 We enjoyed some time the the grandparents while we waited for Kevin to get home from work before starting the festivities.  Grannie helped Zach with his homework while Grandpa got the grand tour of the garden with Addison, then they switched it up and Grannie read to Addison while Zach and Raymond found the kittens to show to Grandpa.

Then a very good friend of Raymond's, Jeremy Kwon gave Ray a call to wish him a happy birthday.  The boys don't see as much of each other as they used to, since they no longer attend the same school.   Such a thoughtful gesture and one that Raymond obviously appreciated.

Just look at that smile!

 

Finally, Kevin was home and we did the whole birthday thing and watched Ray open his presents.

 

He had asked for a new watch (which he got) and we also bought him some new t-shirts, all with a basketball theme.  He was in heaven!  I am always happy when my children are so obviously appreciative of the things we buy and do for them.  He was all smiles the rest of the night and even got to pick our seats at church.  All in all, it was a wonderful day and I hope my sweet boy enjoyed his day as much as the rest of us enjoyed preparing it for him!

 

Grandview Ladies Conference

I just got back from a ladies conference in Oregon and feel like I can change the world!... or at least my home :)   Isn't that how it always is?  I always learn so much and have to pick and choose which things I want to try and implement at home,  because changing everything that I'd like to change is simply not an option.

The theme was "A Clean Heart" so they focused on keeping your house, life and spiritual walk in order.  The actual cleaning tips and thought were very helpful and I really felt inspired to fix some of the ways I do things at home.  Let's hope it works out...anyway, more about my fabulous trip...

It was a beautiful weekend, weather wise and we were upgraded to a suite because of an unfortunate incident that occurred when we checked in...they gave us a keys to someone else's room and we walked right in on a sweet lady half dressed.  Lucky for us (or her?!) she attended our church and we could joke about it afterwards.  It was quite uncomfortable as we back-peddled out of the room, though!  At any rate, we got a family suite on the first flour with a great view of the Clackamas river.

Not a great shot, through the screen door and you can hardly see the river, but trust me, it was very nice!

It's always nice to just get away with some other ladies from church... we have a great time.  This year, the conference landed during Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour campaign and we took full advantage of it!  Starbucks was followed by some thrift store shopping and then back to the church for a play and dessert.

 

I had a wonderful time and, as always, learned more than I fear I'll ever be able to put into practice. 

Planting the garden

We've had some really beautiful weather already this spring so I've already gotten the itch to get out in the garden!  I managed to start a lot of veggies in the greenhouse this year and I think they are ready to go into the ground...

 

So I solicited the help of two of my master gardeners

and we got busy planting seeds for corn, carrots and spinach

as well as planing the peas that we had started earlier.

My kids LOVE peas, especially right off the vine,

so they were more than happy to help put them into the ground!

I am so glad that my kids enjoy being outside, and in our garden in particular, ALMOST as much as I do!  I am excited about our crop this year and am learning more and more about what I can and can't grow as well as what things I know we'll use the most of!

 

Date in Seattle

Kevin and I have been enjoying a concert series put on by the Seattle Symphony this year.  The concerts come about once a month and I always look forward to going to Seattle on a date.  Tonight was the last concert we'll be attending this season.  Kevin had the day off work and it was beautiful weather, so I took a half day from school and we headed to Seattle to enjoy the afternoon sunshine and a nice dinner before heading to the symphony.

We parked at Benaroya Hall, then walked down to Pikes Place Market.  Tourist season is obviously in full swing, as there was a line out the door at the original Starbucks.  Now, I love my coffee and I like Starbucks, but out the door?  Maybe they didn't know there were at least 5 more in a 5 block radius :)  Oh well, I know it's the attraction of the ORIGINAL place that drew the crowd.

We wandered through the market and got a few snacks and of course stopped by one of my favorite places in all the market...the fresh cut flower booths.   My date was sweet enough to buy me a bouquet to take home.  When we were had our fill of the market, we headed down to the piers to look around and eventually find dinner.

After much walking and window shopping we were definitely ready to sit down for dinner.  We had already decided on one of our favorite restaurants in Seattle,  The Crab Pot.  The food is always good here and we usually order one of the feasts.  Who doesn't love having your food dumped out on the table in front of you?!  Lot of fun!  We took our time on the uphill, return trip to Benaroya and then enjoyed the symphony.  One of the things we like most about the series we chose, entitled "Untuxed" was the length of the concerts.  The concerts in this series took no intermission and lasted about an hour.  Now, I enjoy classical music, but an hour is about my limit before I start nodding off!  As the title implies, it was also a very laid back atmosphere and even the folks in the symphony wore casual clothes. As an added bonus for those of us less educated in the fine arts, the lead bass player came out before each concert and talked a few minutes about the piece we would be hearing.  I loved that!   What a perfect afternoon!  Couldn't have asked for better weather or better company :)   What a great date! 

Caps and gowns

This school year seems to have come and gone in a blur!  After auction and spring break, I thought for sure that the last eight weeks would sort of drag by.  Yet, here we are with only five weeks to go and those weeks are packed full of things I am looking forward to.  Our baby is graduation from Kindergarten this year and our school has a special ceremony, just for them...complete with cap and gown.  They tried them on today and I got a sneak peak of the pageantry as they all came in my classroom to say hello!  What cuties!

Especially that tall blonde, third from the left!

 

Here's a close up of my girl in her cap and gown...*sniff*...okay, probably won't cry on this one, but the one in 12 years...that'll be another story!  Congratulations to the class of 2025!

 

Monster trucks

We went to the spring fair yesterday and they had Monster truck rides

so we bought tickets for the kids

We already had tickets for the Demolition Derby that night, and truth be told, when we bought the tickets, we thought there would be monster trucks, too!  Oh well, this was still pretty neat and the kids enjoyed the the derby all the same.  The battery on my phone died about half way through the day, so I didn't get any other fair pictures.  I'm sure we'll be back for the regular fair in September!

Kittens

Our kittens are about 3 weeks old now and since momma cat keeps them in the garage with her, we don't really get to spend much time with them.  They just recently opened their eyes and started moving around a bit, so we waited for momma to leave, then brought the kittens in for a few minutes.

The kids were all pretty excited, since they really hadn't gotten to see them up close yet. 

Of the 5, one of them is grey and this is one that we want to keep!

There is also a very cute, striped one that looks a lot like the momma...maybe we can keep this one, too?!!  Addison sure likes her!  We've already found homes for 3 of them, so that just might work out.  One of the benefits of living on a farm is that our kids have gotten to see LOTS of baby animals!  What a neat experience :)

School daze

 

There are a great many benefits to working at Bethel Baptist Christian School.  At the top of my list is getting to see and be a part of my kids school day on a daily basis.  I love that I can peak in their classrooms at any given moment just to see how they are doing.  I love that I know each of their teachers on a personal basis and, over the years, have called many of them friends.  Such is life in a small school where you attend church with most all your co-workers and all your kids attend class together and are friends with one another.

 

Happily reading!
 

Another benefit is that I find out first hand when there is a struggle or something amiss with my kids.  Each of their teachers this year have made a point of keeping me posted on not only their school work, but also when they are having an especially good...or bad...day.  Our usually very social and active kindergartner recently decided that she didn't like school.  Odd, she has always been the only one that wanted to go!  She complained about going for several days in a row, so it was no surprise when her teacher stopped by to chat with me.  "Addison has been one of my top readers this whole year, now all of a sudden she wants nothing to do with it..." she said. Hmmm, something is definitely wrong so I spoke to her that evening and in a rather round about way, I discovered that she was finding her reading difficult and just didn't want to admit it.  So she and I got her little reader out and went over it maybe 10 times....she was in homework heaven!  I honestly think that we had been focusing so much on the boys during "homework time" that she was getting a little jealous.  Well, that and she was confusing some of her long vowel combinations.  So now, while the boys are busy with their homework, she gets out her book and reads to me while I make dinner or works on her cursive writing along side her brothers.  Funny how a little work can make you feel more accomplished!  Thanks Mrs. Sears for taking the time to tell me about my girl!

 

 

Sunday best

I love Sundays!  Kevin and Raymond are usually up and out the door to work on our church's bus ministry long before these two sleepy heads wake!  Anyone with kids knows that with each combination of siblings comes a different dynamic...while Zachary and Addison usually bicker when all three kids are together, they get along surprisingly well when it's just the two of them.  On this happy day, they were getting along famously and we'd all managed to get dressed and ready for church without much to-do.  There they stood, waiting for me to get my shoes on and chatting amicably enough when I looked over at them and thought, "my word, but those are some good looking kids...all dressed up for church and happy to be doing so!"  There are days I'd like to lock them both in their closets and maybe find a quiet spot for myself and there are days like today... when I know I am blessed and I can't image loving my kids any more than at that moment!  I think Sunday brings out the best in us all :)

Bike time

These two were up and at it EARLY this morning!  Dressed and on their bikes at 7:30am.  They both recently learned to ride two-wheelers and we've promised them a "bike ride" once they are stable and relatively self-sufficient on our gravel road.  I guess they want to take advantage of their time and get some extra practice in!  That or avoid homework, which is usually part of our Saturday morning routine :)

 

Uncle Steve

Kevin doesn't get the chance to see his family in Michigan very often, so it was a nice surprise when we got a call from his sister Linda's husband last week saying he'd be in town on a business trip and would like to meet up for dinner.  But, of course! Uncle Steve (not to be confused by my brother, Stephen, whom my kids call Uncle Steve as well) was working/staying in Bellevue so we decided to meet him in Tukwila, allowing him to avoid much of the southbound traffic at dinner time.  We picked Red Robin, since is a long time favorite, easy to find and I knew the kids would really enjoy it.

They had a million questions for Uncle Steve who happily answered them all and we enjoyed a nice evening.  I'm hoping he'll bring Aunt Linda and cousin Stevie out for a visit next time!  We sure would love to see them ALL!

Spring Break!

I've really been looking forward to Spring Break,especially since we finished up all the auction work...I guess I just really wanted a break!  The first couple days were pretty low key, just hung out at the house with the kids, did a bit of housework and poked around in my flower and garden beds awhile.  Today, the sun finally came out, so we headed to the park to play awhile and enjoy the fresh air.

We chose Sprinker since it has a nice playground

for my little monkeys

and more importantly, a basketball hoop for my up and coming basketball player!  Raymond is playing on  a junior league at school (pics of that later) and loving it so he was excited for a little extra outdoor practice.

Here's hoping the rest of the week is just as nice :)

 

 

Greenhouse

Last year, my sweet husband bought me a greenhouse and I used it a bit, but this year I was determined to get a jump start on the growing season and started some seeds earlier than I normally would just to see how they fared in my fancy new greenhouse.

There are broccoli on the right and peas on the left.

 

And a week later (the tray on the bottom left of this photo is the same tray of starts as the picture directly above it!  Growing like gangbusters!  I am making a concerted effort to grow only what I know we will use...the first couple of years I planted a garden, I planted EVERYTHING and a lot went to waste because it was simply stuff we didn't eat much of.  This year, I am growing salad items, as well as some zucchini, peas, beans and herbs.  New to us this year are going to be potatoes but since we use a lot of them, I figured I might as well as give it a try.  I'll take photos of the potato cages we are attempting just as soon as I get them put up.  And I can hardly wait to start my tomato plants!

 

 

Easter Sunday

I love traditions and look forward to many different ones thoughout the year.  One of my favorites, if I had to pick one is Easter Sunday.  We get to sleep in just a little longer since church starts a half hour later to accommodate a special Easter service.  Then after church, rain or shine the kids have what our Pastor likes to call an "Easter egg dash"...not so much a hunt because it is thousands of eggs strewn across a field and then kids run out and collect as many as they can.

Here is Zachary  

and Addison collecting all they can.

 

Another part of the day is gettng a few token pictures with friends.  Some of them we've taken the same picture each year.  One of these days, I'll have to round them all up so we can see they years pass by.  It might make me cry though...kids are all growing up SO fast!

And after the egg dash, we host a family dinner at our house.  I love that everyone still gathers for holidays!  It's one of the few times each year that we all get together and I always enjoy spending time with my mom and brothers.

This is Addison and one of her friends from school.  They were really enjoying the beautiful weather and a chance to get outside together!