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.)

it's ok

Yesterday I super-glued my fingers together, and was stuck giving the "ok" sign for 4 hours. Today I am leaving my kids for he first time ever for more than 2 nights. When leaving for a four day road trip, it does a mother good to know that any hands she leaves her children in have to be more competent than her own. Thank you super glue and very old sequined hats.

Life Lessons

In eighth grade I would run giddily toward the school door as soon as the bell rang - however if I saw my grandmother’s car I would skid to a halt dreading the moment I slunk into the front seat and heard her pointed question, “What did you learn today?” I knew I had to think of something fast, because she was not a woman that would accept the adolescent shrug of “nothing.” No, I knew all too well the lecture that came after that word.
“Amanda, you learn something every day. If you don’t, your life is not worth living - and I would hate to think you are so lazy that you wouldn’t be willing to at least open an encyclopedia and start reading. There is so much to learn - you are either arrogant, lazy or not paying attention. I suggest you pull out an encyclopedia before dinner.”
So I got creative - anything became a lesson - thank you Grandma. I do learn something every day. And the other day I thought while I’m not doing much interesting in life I should just daily blog about some random thing I learned. For example - last Tuesday, it became quite clear to me that while those cute long sleeve shirts with the thumb holes may be incredibly comfy and stylish - they are completely ridiculous while changing a poopy diaper. Just in case you were wondering.


I learned that you can in fact please “all the people all the time” if the people are under five and the meal is PB & J.
You know that eight grade algebra about exponential growth? It could actually come in handy when figuring how much preparation time is needed when getting 10 kids ready to go to the park. 1 child 5 minutes - but 10 takes more than an hour - somehow. I wish I could remember the equation.



Girls WILL accessorize.



Brothers need each other.

The lessons are small - but ya’ know they could be important.

Most lessons are annoying to learn. Like the melt down Jude had after entering Walmart and perusing the toy isles. He quietly began to whimper as we left saying - “I just can’t DECIDE what I want for my birthday - the Star wars helmet or that transformer car.”

“Well, that is fine Jude, it isn’t up to you. You may not get either.”

“But I want them both SOOOO BAD.” And the tears welled up in my boy's eyes making my usually joyous son so obviously MISERABLE with desire.

“Jude, I am so sorry we came and saw the toys; you were so happy before you saw them.”

“I know mom - because I didn’t even know they EXISTED.”

Well, isn’t that about how it goes? Sorry Jude - you learn something everyday.

A half an hour later he apologized for being so sad. But we know it will happen again. Learning to be fulfilled in all the blessings one has been given instead of wallowing in despair over the things just beyond our grasp is a lesson that you re-learn almost every day.

The stay-at-home mom that wasn't

So with a job and now a car – our life is looking a bit more settled these days. But strange. Over 2 years ago I started this blog with the title of “Chronicles of a Non-Desperate Housewife” - and really we've kept faithfully along that vain. Whether here or Honduras – that is what I do – keep house and care for kids. Until recently.
Do you realize how difficult (or should I say pointless) the life of a housewife is – without the HOUSE part of things? Here is an illustration:

These are my fingernails. They are all the same length. That has never happened in my life. Ever.


My mother-in-law attributes it to her dishwasher. I am thinking it is the direct result of doing nothing for a month and a half. No garden, no “fix-it” projects, no REAL housekeeping (let's face it I was a much better housekeeper before I had kids and then moving to a developing country where the rest of my mom-friends” had dirt floors really lowered the bar.) I try to be helpful, I really do – but with 4 adults and 2 kids, and a very clean and spacious relatively new house I am thinking I might just deserve a lay off.
But then of course we have the children. They still need me right? After several comments made by my progeny this week I am considering getting a more predictable and civil contributing career – say – as a McDonald's fry cook. As a fry cook you just know the worst you do in a day is contribute to obesity – whereas I am beginning to wonder if I am creating young consumerist assassins.

4 year old in stoic voice, “I only like things that shoot, stab, cut, blow things up, or kill. That's all I like.”
4 year old in whiny voice after his first ride in our nice new car, “Why didn't you get a Cadillac? That's what I really wanted.”
1 year old after a spanking - “you's meeaaaann.”
1 year old to every other child who happens to be holding a toy - “mIne”
1 year old to the three cats she lives with - “meeoooww” “kitty” - pull hair – run away – laugh. A million times a day.

Yeah... I'd fire me – just sayin'...