Trip to Cali

What a week to finish off our season of ‘vacation.’ Jarod has had a job now for almost 2 months, and sadly that kept him from experiencing the joys of the last week, but the kids and I finished off our 3 1/2 month time of no responsibilities and visiting the ones we love with a bang. We spent the end of last week with the Stafford side of the family for my cousin Mariah’s wedding in San Diego, then we went up the coast a way to spend time with our dear friends the Bernards, then we met back up with my parents for a five year old’s perfect day in lego land. That night we ventured further up the coast to visit the 82 year old woman that I was named after (Mom and Dad hadn’t seen them in 27 years - but some friendships last the time and distance with such grace *good to know*). We spent a lovely afternoon with our friends the Servinghouse family who we bonded with in Honduras. Christina gave my parents their first grand tour of IKEA (and may I tell you I will fight coveting more as a homeowner than I ever thought possible.) Our last night was spent with Uncle Joe and Aunt Sue again, before we headed back to Kansas for my mom’s 60th Surprise party (Great job everybody on KEEPING THE SECRET and making it such a success.) We had a short but sweet visit with my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins - from as far away as the east coast. And a super sweet reunion back to Jarod - and back “home” with Joan and Bob. We even had time today for a quick science lesson with Uncle Brandon and Maysyn. And now with the whirlwind tour of late nights and great chats over.... tomorrow we close on the house and open a new chapter of life. Thanks for the memories and thanks for the support on the new adventure.



Andrea let me play with her camera and even gave me some lessons!








Favorite Legoland Construction:


A favorite past time of the Severinghouse boys:



Amanda and Tommy Wallace:



The part planning crew with the birthday girl, and my cousin Luke:



Home at last:

He turned 5

It really is something I should blog about. Some milestone. But I guess he IS 5. It has taken only 5 years for his absurd growth and constant changes in perspective to become “everyday” to me. Sad in a way but comforting to know that we get along in such a nondramatic kinda way.
Although I detest the fact he changes his obsessions as often as I get around to reminding him to change his underwear, I love the kid. One day it is superheros, then it is star wars – always falling completely pray to the winds of consumerism - though I know not how. He is the child that wants yogurt if it has SpongBob printed on it – string cheese with Shreck – and anything violent. He is the kid that bombards me with the questions of “Who do you want to be?” before my eyes are all the way open in the morning. “Who do you want to be?” “Spiderman or batman?” “Buzz or Woody” “or Evil Emperor Zurg?” “Luke Skywaker or Darthvader” “Iron man or a ninja?”
I adore his vivid imagination and quick wit. I admire his intelligence and tenacity. I love his independent spirit. But he will not be who I want him to be. Long gone are the days that I thought we could form him and that he would comply. I am no longer under the illusion that we can protect him (Last week in children's church he was the kid that yelled “Boobies” as the answer to something that started with the letter B.) He probably doesn't want to learn Spanish, or be into Science and Cross country. He will never be EXACTLY who I would have hoped. But I will love him anyway. And he will love me anyway, because he knows who I really want to be... everyday – His mama.



His favorite position - costumed, wrestling with Izaac



His first soccer practice was on his birthday



Grandpa Bob is to be blamed for all Star Wars issues




If you had bet me five years ago I would be saying something along the lines of "Jude I am your MOTHER" in a Darthvader
voice several times a day - you could have won some big money.

Dear Diary

Today our offer on 703 Fort was accepted. In a month's time our life will be consumed with remodeling, furnishing, renting out and maintaining a 5,000 sq. ft building that signifies an amount of commitment to a certain goal that we have never had. Sure – marriage was a commitment but it was mobile. We have kids but they don't even know that we just kinda expect them togo with the flow. There is very little “flow” involved in a home purchase of this size. In fact. There is no flow. From this point on, there will be bills, and there must be employment and responsibility. And strangely for a “glass is half empty” kinda girl such as myself, there is very little regret and “what if” involved. There is very much a sense of, “How, Dear God, are you going to make this all happen?” There is anticipation.
But, before we go anticipating our life away, let's take a quick moment to review the season of “unknown.” The “basement months” if you will... where we have grown strangely comfortable living out of our suitcases in my in-law's basement (Yes Chrissy, I did empty out your sock drawer for storage and Jude has very many questions about your art décor, but soon you can have your room back and Joan and Bob can have their life back.) They have been good months – and the way the kids grow and relationships develop and opportunities arise are constant reminders that life has very little with what you do in a day, but who you become because of it.
So, before my blog becomes a giant running commentary about how to best strip wallpaper and acid stain floors, I'd like to say, it hasn't been half bad waiting around to see what comes next. And I never would have guessed the “next” would be this.

(P.S. The photos have been minimal lately because we purchased an "outdoor" camera for Honduras which is worthless in low light - meaning it pretty much isn't a Kansas Winter camera.)

Strangely occupied

I have been horrible at blogging of late - and there is no excuse. Life is as interesting as ever, potty training Lucy -watching her grow into herself and maybe a little too much like her brother - Thomas the Train has come alive once more. I went to Minnesota last week - catching up with friends from Kindergarten, and stayed busy this week making new friends through local mom's groups and such. Oh, and we are putting an offer in on a house tonight - and I haven't slept much in a week - refinancing and remodeling my brain into the early hours. My friend from China the other day told me that all families live with the husband's parents for years on end. So I guess we are experiencing Chinese culture here in Hays.
So, I'll let you know if we get a house - I got a cell phone 2 weeks ago - but it is out of batteries and I don't yet have a charger - so that doesn't seem to be going so well. Hope the house purchase is a little more successful if it goes through.
Keep the prayers coming - and we love any updates we get from you all (....ehehemm - women in Honduras who I know have internet.)