All the Things We Are

them

2012-03-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

clay creations

2012-03-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Clay is really such a fun, clean and easy way to keep the children happy, do a fun art project, and end up with little toys to keep forever. This is FIMO or some other kind of oven bake clay, super cheap and easy to find. Good times for mom and kids.

beach

2012-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

They took the risk of swimming in February, even after I warned them. They brought extra clothes just in case, and they used them after getting soaked and shivery. Then we went spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying the beach. It's so nice to be able to do this in the wintertime.

exploding bag bombs

2012-03-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

When Cedar and his dad are together I really never know what to expect. The two of them are so much alike, they get into all sorts of fun and interesting explorations and conversations, and they come up with some crazy ideas together. At some point we chatted with Cedar about Fifty Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do, and after debating about which activity to do (break some glass? light some stuff on fire? find an underground tunnel? lick some batteries?) they settled on doing more Bombs in a Bag. It's always fun to mix up ingredients, hurl bags outside, and watch them explode, right?

linked 52: spirit

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

This month begins the rest of our year-- of Matt being away at sea, that is. That calendar up there? The blacked out days are his "underways" (on the ship at sea-- meaning not at home), then in August he'll leave for 7 months. I'm trying not to think much about it quite yet, and frankly there isn't much I can do other than breathe and let it go, or laugh, or just go ahead and enjoy what I'm given as best I can. When I do stop to let it sink in, I find I have so many questions... How will this affect me, our children, us? How will I/he/we handle it? How do I live my life and raise my kids without my buddy and partner? What will I find about myself in the process? What will it take for us to open up to our life as it is, even when we don't want it this way? How will I nurture my own spirit, all our spirits, as we walk this path?

I'm about to find out...

Check out what these other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena, Rhonda, Tracy, Heidi, Liza

chalkboard

2012-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cedar has been drawing up a monster storm around here lately. And I've been wanting something to put on a wall in our house. So, I figured a new chalkboard might be a nice way to watch those monsters as they grow and change. I've got free art on my wall every day now, a homeschooling 'ploy' to get them to draw and write more, and a creative space for all of us to use. I think it was a good choice.

winter warmth

2012-02-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Just another day enjoying the beautiful weather here in Florida. Getting outside is so simple with year-round warmth and sunshine (although this past week or two has actually been mostly gray, rainy, and cool enough to wear long sleeves-- for part of the day). I am thankful for this part of my life; in fact, I think it may be a challenge for me to go back one day to a cold climate-- we may just have to become Floridians after all.

homeschool group baking

2012-02-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

We've been having a really nice time getting to know the women and children in the homeschool group we've been participating in for the past several months. It's really rewarding not just because of all the friends I'm making and cool people I'm meeting, but because I love seeing my kids come out of their shells to interact with all these new people (they tend to be quite shy at first with people). They are becoming more and more at ease with this group, playing with the kids, and engaging with the adults. Without their grandparents and aunts and uncles around to connect with, it makes my heart happy to see my children connecting with these women... and to see these women loving my children.

homeschooling with GAK

2012-02-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

You are looking at a typical morning at our home-"school." Every day is different-- most include math and reading, others arts and crafts, sometimes we take trips out with friends or our homeschool group, other days are heavier on computer games while some include those trips to the woods or beach we love so much. Homeschooling is a work in progress: our routine changes as our needs, wants, and interests change. I continually re-evaluate what we're doing and think about how I could be a better leader for my children. I really like the days when the kids pursue their own interests-- like on this day filled with Valentine's card-making and Cedar's ooey-gooey glue-borax GAK.

linked 52: romance

2012-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

When he's home, he loves being home... with us. He lets me sleep in when I'm tired; he watches the kids and sends me off to the thrift store; he cooks, shops, and makes amazing desserts; he plays legos with our son and reads books to our girl; he listens to me-- a lot, even when he'd rather be doing something else; he's a crazy wrestler and a mean swordfighter; he feeds me chocolate and sweet beverages; he snuggles, especially during movies; he pretty much does whatever I want, especially if it's fun, and definitely if it makes me happy; he loves me.

Check out what these other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena, Rhonda, Tracy, Heidi, Liza

him

2012-02-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've talked so much about Ashton lately that I thought I'd showcase our little guy today. He's growing up, too, but still often at our sides, holding our hands, needing and snuggling.

her quilt

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

This post is another one about the current awesomeness of Ashton, who seems to be growing not only older and taller, but also more and more capable of learning, understanding, and practicing a variety of new skills. Sewing included. She made her own little quilt, much like the one we made before, only this time she did it almost completely by herself. I tried to take over a time or two, and she gently guided me aside so that she could do it... and she did.

her book

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Later we typed a story and glued it onto the pages.

The Princess

Once there was a mom named Strawberry, and she had a daughter named Juliette. Juliette had her own daughter named Rapunzel.

One day while they were watching a movie called Rapunzel, a bad guy jumped into the house and another bad guy jumped in and landed on the back of the TV. Then he took all the people-- Strawberry, Juliette, and Rapunzel-- and tied their feet and chained them up and put them in a big truck and gave them a drink so they fell asleep. The sign of the truck said “Don’t Come Inside” and “No Taxi”. Then another bad guy named Black Blobby snuck in to see the princess. He let the bad guys chain him up because they did not know he was a bad guy.

The princess Rapunzel had a prince boyfriend with golden hair. So she made her hair golden, too, like her boyfriend. The princess also had a beautiful, magic necklace. It was the bad guy queen’s necklace, but she had died so it got scattered all over the place. A mouse had a blue one and the princess had an orange one.

The bad guy snuck over, found a knife on the floor, and cut his chains free. Then he got the princess and cut her chains free. He ran out, found a boat, stuck it into some ocean water, and jumped inside. A mermaid swam over. He cut the princess’ arm with the knife and threw her into the water.

The mermaid was swimming toward her. Then the prince, named Eric, disguised as a shark, swam over and saved the princess.

They went to his house and he put the necklace into a golden drawer, wrapped the princess’ arm, and put a huge bowl on a huge plate so the princess could rest her hair in it. Then he made the princess lie down on a red bed with a green pillow on it. He dressed her in some red shorts and a pink dress.

When the princess was better they married. Then the princess had a baby. Snip, snap, the umbilical cord got cut. The princess screamed because it hurt to have her baby come out. Then they found out the baby was a tiny baby girl. It was a lovely, beautiful, princess baby girl.

Rapunzel and the prince had a lovely daughter. The very next night they named their daughter Laurice. They flicked the lamp on, put on a lullaby, and hugged their arms around each other, put the baby to bed and went to their bed and fell asleep.

And there were no more bad guys. And they lived happily ever after.

playing piano

2012-02-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Her papa is teaching her to play the piano. It just seems to be the time for her to start learning-- and asking for, practicing, and thinking about-- things like reading, writing, and piano. On her own, without our pushing (well, we are learning to engage her without pushing), happy to get better at these things she's working on. On the piano, she is learning to play simple songs and make up her own songs. She's starting down a new path of being a "big" kid.

linked 52: body parts

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Getting those body parts fresh and clean. And because, after 7 years of raising children, I don't think I have even a single bathtub photo of either of them. Sadly they are drawing nearer to the day they will no longer bathe together anymore. For now, though, barring the occasional bickering, tub time continues to be a fun and playful time for these two.

Check out what these other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena, Rhonda, Tracy, Heidi, Liza

hello mister snake

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Just another day of homeschooling!

drums

2012-02-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, we have drums. It started when, after buying a cheap electronic drum set for Cedar for Christmas, Matt realized a cheap drum set just wasn't going to offer our children the musical learning and experience he wants for them. Matt is a musician, and he's getting silly and excited about playing music with our kids-- lately he's even been dreaming up visions of a professional 'family' band one day in the future. So he found a nice drum set at a great price. And now we have drums. In our garage. So far the neighbors haven't said anything. My boys (and sometimes Ashton, though she's been more interested in singing and playing piano) seem to be having a really good time playing drums together.

new gown

2012-02-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

I sewed a new flannel nightgown for my growing girl. It will be a replacement for this one, again here, and this one, again here, both made for her by her grandma. She wears them all the time, loves them, wears them out so they are coming apart. I am so very happy to make her a new one and to see her dance around in it. It's amazing to see how quickly she grows. My beautiful girl.

seeing magic

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Because even a rock is magical when seen though open eyes.

linked 52: quiet

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

I imagined, when I first began thinking about what to photograph that would represent "quiet" in our life, I would post a photo like the one below. The solitude of nature, the early morning quiet, the beauty of morning dew...

But then I realized that, for us, "quiet" happens not from walks in the outdoors or early morning sun reveling, but more often from children playing games on the internet. During computer time these two are focused on things other than being 'bored', getting irritated with each other, feeling hungry/tired/sick, or following mama around asking for things. For some it looks like setting the kids down to a movie (which, I confess, I have also been known to do). For me, computer time means a few minutes of quiet.

Check out what these other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena, Rhonda, Tracy, Heidi

a girl and her doll

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

in the woods

2012-02-08T08:00:00.029-05:00

Just some photos from our walk in the woods today.

those toes

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am not a feet person... at all. I despise the photos people put on their blogs of their toes--- blech! I'm sorry if that person is you, and please know I still adore your photos if I am still reading your blog, but I will skip over the toes photos. But for some reason, even though I can hardly even take my own feet, I adore my children's feet. Love them. I love seeing them whip around everywhere barefoot, only wearing shoes if we make them and then taking them off the moment we get in the car for the ride home. I just love those kids' toes.

beauty

2012-02-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

... because she is beautiful.

Linked 52: sleep

2012-02-03T08:00:00.005-05:00

My sweet boy. I wonder what he is dreaming of?

Check out what these other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena, Rhonda, Tracy

Cleopatra

2012-02-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

puppets

2012-02-01T08:00:00.004-05:00

If you haven't seen this video of Jim Henson making puppets, you really should. And if you have kids, please watch it with them. We have watched it several times and after each viewing our little boy has gone straight for the craft baskets to make himself some puppets. During the latest viewing of this little video, Matt happened to be in the room (actually he was in the next room but ended up dropping his project and coming over to watch) and when it was over, just like Cedar, he went on a wild hunt around the house for puppet-making materials. It really is amazingly simple to make puppets from random things around the house. Watch that video, if nothing else just to experience the creativity of Jim Henson.

still little

2012-01-31T08:00:00.004-05:00

forest walking

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Walking through the woods in Florida really is like being in a magical fantasy forest.

I know that last photo doesn't really fit in the magical forest theme, but that little nose wrinkle is just too cute not to include. The little guy really gets into his sticks!

Linked 52: tired

2012-01-27T08:00:00.031-05:00

Sometimes when I'm tired and the day seems bleak and purposeless, I know it's time to go outside. With kids in tow, we head for the park or the beach or wherever I can get to that isn't me pining away inside my house, wising things were different. I bring my camera along, just in case.

Thankfully we live in a place that is warm and sunny, full of life and beauty. I relax, soak up the healing sun, and remember the truth about myself, my life, my situation, my children. I am grateful to have discovered a hobby that helps me see the beauty around me.

This week's linked theme is... tired.

Visit these other participants to see their take on the theme:

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli, Carla, Lena, Rose, Naomi, Tracy, Heidi, Kristin, Veronica

doctoring

2012-01-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

I love getting doctored by the kids-- especially when they let me snooze through it... which doesn't really happen anymore since so much of "doctoring" now is them asking me lists of questions and taking lengthy notes. But, still, it is nice to lay on a bed in the sun in the afternoon and get "doctored."

just a little family fun

2012-01-25T08:00:00.003-05:00

a bit of self-celebration

2012-01-24T08:00:00.014-05:00

Last year on January 24th I went to surgery to remove a bit of breast cancer and with it both my breasts. I got reconstructed breasts over the course of 2011 and now, one year later, I am looking and feeling fine. Between surgeries (6 surgeries to be exact) and recovery periods my working out has been intermittent through the year (like maybe half the year I actually trained), basically putting me back now where I was before surgery (in terms of pounds I can lift). Though I may be where I started in pounds, I can say that today I'm smarter in my knowledge about form and lifting, I'm more confident in my abilities, I want to get stronger and leaner more than I did before, I am more self-driven now, I'm enjoying it more, I have adopted a more fun and flexible diet, and... well, basically I'm pretty sure I'm a badass. I'm doing multiple sets of weighted pull-ups, deadlifting around 210 pounds, squatting 175 pounds, and bench pressing about 115 pounds (and those aren't my one rep maxes, but lifts I can do 5 or more times). I'm just kidding about being a badass, because really this is just the beginning for me: now that I'm free to train without interruption (barring any health issues), I have a long way to go before I'm a true badass.

I'm not saying all this to be arrogant, but just to say that after having been through what happened to me last year, I feel proud of myself for continuing to go so fully for my physical health and fitness, and that even after having cancer, I might just be in the best shape of my life. And I'm going for it even harder.

parkour practice

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

A teenager from our homeschool group demonstrated a parkour move for us at the park the other day (I asked him to show us a move because he practices it and we think parkour is awesome), so this teen happily and simply climbed onto a pavilion roof, ran across it, and jumped down. After seeing this, Cedar got super excited and started doing his own moves all over the playground. We think running, climbing, jumping, pulling, and other natural movements are a great way to exercise, condition, strengthen, and have a lot of fun in the process. We did quite a bit of this kind of working out last year, but haven't in recent months. I'd like to get back into it-- it is really a lot of fun for the whole family.

home

2012-01-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's so nice to get our man home again after a week away.

Linked 52: waiting...

2012-01-20T08:00:00.019-05:00

... for mama to get outta bed and hang out and play and make breakfast and do stuff, cause, in his words, "Mama, I just don't know what to do with myself!"

This week's linked theme is... breakfast. I know, it's sort of close to the theme.

Visit these other participants to see their take on the theme:

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli, Carla, Lena, Rose, Naomi, Tracy, Heidi, Kristin, Veronica

frustrated

2012-01-19T08:00:00.027-05:00

She is 6 going-on 7, and she wants things to be just the way she wants them. I totally understand how she feels. When I remind myself that she makes sense, I see that I behave exactly the same way.

getting outside

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've been doing my best to get us out-of-doors every day, because I think it's good for us. Whether it's to the beach or the woods or biking to the park, we've been enjoying the Florida sunshine as much as possible. We have a friend (and her mom) with whom we've been enjoying kid bike/park dates, which I am really happy about-- it's nice to have a friend.

reflecting

2012-01-17T08:00:00.014-05:00

I am grateful to have children that see life, almost every day, as a fun place to play in and be excited about. Things can look so miserable and scary to me, and yet here are these human beings smiling about simple things, unafraid, OK with life as it is, always seeing things to be happy about. It's amazing. I want to let go of my fears and be like them.

just the three of us

2012-01-16T08:00:00.010-05:00

We're on our own this week while Matt is away at sea. I hope we've gotten used to his absence enough that we will fall easily into a rhythm, finding the ways that work for us to partner, cope, and have fun together without Matt. We got his schedule for the next year, and it shows us that many weeks will be spent away from us. It isn't what we thought we were getting into, but it is what it is. This Navy thing has its good parts and not-so-good parts... but I know that life, no matter what our situation, always brings its ups and its downs, its easy parts and its hard parts, its blessings and its challenges. And I also know that it is all a blessing, in one form or another. Now my question is how to remember that, especially when things seem so hard.

Linked 52: Cold

2012-01-13T08:00:00.010-05:00

Cedar is almost always ready to play with Ashton should she be open to it, and though our girl is highly unpredictable and we never quite know what to expect from her, we love the mornings when she wakes up happy, snuggly, and ready to open her arms to her little brother. This particular morning when Cedar complained about being cold, our girl grabbed our homemade quilt and wrapped that boy up tight, just like a big sister (sometimes) does.

I've met some really nice, supportive, loving and talented photographer-blogger women online over the past several months, and I'm happy to be involved in a year-long photography project with them. Every week we are shooting photos for a different theme, then sharing our photos on Fridays. I really like the sense of community I feel with these ladies, not to mention it will be really good for me to diversify my photography skills, so I'm going to go for it.

This week's theme is... cold.

Check out what the other ladies came up with for this week's theme:

Jenn, Tracey, Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Heather, Kristin, Amanda, Lesli, Amanda, Sara , Janet, Naomi, Rose, Carla, Lena

Winter's Beginnings

2012-01-12T08:00:00.013-05:00

blog book

2012-01-11T08:00:00.007-05:00

A big reason why I keep this blog (and why I post so many photos) is so that we have a family journal to look back through, talk and laugh about, get ideas from, and reflect on, as well as a family photo album created without the work of having to print photos and put them in albums. Now we have not only a digital version of this family album, but a real-life print one too. The book is far from perfect (next time I might spend more time designing it) but it was quick and easy: I just put in my URL and it spit me out a book which I received a week or two later, simple as that. It is pretty great to have it.

By the way, I used Blog2Print for this, although I am curious to know if others have done this and how you did it.

golden shimmer (and a sweet boy too)

2012-01-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

family photos

2012-01-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

Thought I'd share again the family photos we took for one of our advent activities. It was my first time using the self-timer on the camera, and our first time getting family photos by ourselves, and we are so happy with the results. We had a great time and I feel really thankful to know we can do it on our own.

Zombie Joneses

2012-01-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

Please don't be offended or turned off by us... but we have transformed into a zombie family, and as a zombie family we have celebrated a zombie Christmas (including a zombie Christmas play). OK, just kidding, we aren't zombies! But because we've all been enjoying playing Plants vs Zombies on the iPad (which is actually a really good game of strategy), our kids have been fascinated by all things zombie. All in good fun... and it is really very silly and fun.

Beauty

2012-01-05T08:00:00.004-05:00

I can't believe this little ball of beauty and magic will be turning 7 in just two months. Sheesh.

Popcorn Balls and Pants

2012-01-04T08:00:00.004-05:00

The kids each picked out fabric for some new mama-made cotton pants (I did hem up Cedar's a bit-- he's just growing so quickly that I figured I'd make them longer). This kind of pant is so simple and fast to make, and the picking out of the fabric so very exciting for the kids, that I really enjoy the times I get to make them. Now Matt wants some too!

And in their new pants they spent an afternoon making popcorn balls with Matt. He's all about food when he's home, so our vacation-at-home with him involved LOTS of desserts.

In the Weight Room

2012-01-03T08:00:00.010-05:00

We love seeing the kids get enthused with us about exercise, especially about lifting weights. Matt in particular is great about getting them involved while he works out-- it's serious partying out there in the garage sometimes, with music blasting, weights hitting the floor, hoots and hollers, lots of new kinds of lifts and some dance moves, too. We want them to grow up strong and lean and, since we don't have a farm and bales of hay to throw around, lifting weights will suffice. Ashton has been especially impressive, picking up the 44lb kettlebell 15 times or more in a row (not to mention her "tyrannosaurus rex exercise"). We actually just purchased a smaller set of weights for them to use (the 45 pound olympic bar is just a bit too heavy for them), so soon we'll have pics of them doing legitimate deadlifts, presses, and squats.

... and it's fun to see the weight lifting drawings, too. :)

Dancing

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Joy in the New

2012-01-01T15:09:00.000-05:00

My life is quieter right now with Matt back to work, and with a crazy schedule too, but that's OK-- we had a great vacation-at-home together for the first time in years and I am grateful for it. Now it's on to other tasks, like homeschooling, getting back to a routine, connecting with my children, making friends, and developing my own skills and sense of contentment.

To be honest the idea of 2012 has me feeling anxious, because it comes with Matt going on a 7 month deployment later this summer. I know that hanging onto my fears only holds me back from remembering the things I have to be grateful for, the opportunities waiting to be seen, the work I have to do here and now, and the connections I can make in the process. So my purpose now is to accept my life as it is, tell the truth, and open up to the joy and blessings that really are always flowing to me.

Merry Christmas from the Joneses!

2011-12-24T08:00:00.004-05:00

This Christmastime: Coloring and Cookies

2011-12-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Because it's fun to invite our dinner guests to 'draw Christmas' with us, then eat up all the cookies (thanks Mom!!!) leaving only crumbs in our wake.

This Christmastime: Makings

2011-12-22T08:00:00.006-05:00

Knitted hats, lots of ornaments, and popcorn garlands are just a few of the holiday makings going on around here these days, thanks to our advent calendar. The ornaments pictured above are crystal ornaments, a feather angel, salt dough cut-outs, and strung seashells.

This Christmastime: Singing Along

2011-12-21T08:00:00.013-05:00

Christmas carols have been sung and enjoyed around here, but even more enjoyed has been the music from Tangled. :)

This Christmastime: Cookie Cut-Outs

2011-12-20T08:00:00.012-05:00

Because cookie decorating is important: to make, share, eat, and remember.

This Christmastime: Woods Walking

2011-12-19T08:00:00.080-05:00

I LOVE having Matt home with us. It's just plain awesome and fun and wonderful to be a family that has time to share together. One of our favorite things to do as a family is to play in the woods together, and thankfully we found a perfect woods spot full of climbing trees, archways, hiding places, and beautiful plants... and not too far away from our house either. I voted to go there every day while Matt is on leave, though that may be a touch unrealistic.

When Matt and I first met we shared a love of woods. Our friendship developed over long walks, hikes, backpacking trips, and hours spent talking in the woods around Missoula, Montana. We married under a giant old pine tree in the woods, and our children are named after trees (ash and cedar). Although we have found less time since those college days to dwell in the woods, we still value being in nature and want to hold it as a priority in our family. We hope to do those long hikes and backpacking trips again one day-- with our children this time (and hopefully we'll be back in some mountains by then too!).

Sparkles

2011-12-17T08:00:00.006-05:00

...because who wants a holiday season without a sparkly light photo? And these retro colors are pretty neat.

Matt took some time off for Christmas, and I'm very much looking forward to some time spent relaxing with my husband and children. This Navy job seems to keep him away a lot more than we want.

Have a great weekend! :)

Ninja!

2011-12-16T08:00:00.005-05:00

This lil' fella can transform from sweet little boy to fierce ninja in just under 0.3 seconds!

Doll Magic

2011-12-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Ashton recently used her allowance money to buy a set of Pet Shop toys that came with a house and some furniture. I love it when she buys new toys-- not only is it exciting to see her doing her own shopping, but her new dolls tunnel her into a world of imagination for days and days afterward. She brings her dolls around the house with her everywhere, plays for hours with them in the bath, draws pictures and stories of them, shows them to her friends, and tells us bedtime stories about their adventures. It's such a pleasure to watch this beautiful girl, so full of magic.

A Busy Season

2011-12-14T08:00:00.003-05:00

This is my life lately-- trying to accomplish homeschooling on top of extra activities, parties, visits, appointments, holiday crafts and gifts, vacation and more that seem to be filling up the days on my calendar faster than I can fit it all in. I think it must be this time of year, which is good and fun to be sure, but as nice as it is to keep busy with the kids, I think I prefer a more balanced approach. Like maybe one or two activities each week...

Nutcracker

2011-12-13T08:00:00.030-05:00

We went to see the Nutcracker for the 4th year in a row and had another magical time. It was so sweet to see them come home, put on their dress-up clothes, and run around outside being a Snow Fairy and the Mouse King. Ashton doesn't dress up anymore like she did when she was little--where we played "Nutcracker" over and over and over again-- so it's really precious to see her wearing those fancy dresses when she does. Makes me get a bit teary, actually.

Soon their dress-ups were caked with mud (and when a friend came to collect her daughter I presented her with a very muddy girl), and that is as it should be... and just what I want for them.

This Silly Wonderful Boy

2011-12-12T08:00:00.134-05:00

An afternoon in the life of a sweet 4 year old boy.

He is sometimes such a challenge for me with the occasional tantrum, whining, pestering of his sister, breaking things (really just checking out how they work), getting frustrated and lashing out. And yet I get that he's really just a wee lil' guy who is learning what he wants, how to go after it, and how to be a human being in a world that so often doesn't just give you what you want.

For me, I want to be patient with him, look for understanding, hold him close, walk with him through his struggles, and enjoy his laughter and silliness.

Home Again

2011-12-09T23:14:00.000-05:00

You might think they were more excited to have the iPad home than their dad upon his return after a week at sea, especially when the first words out of Cedar's mouth were, "Dad, can I play the iPad?"

In truth we are happy to have both Matt AND the iPad home with us again.

Friday: I'm thinkin'...

2011-12-09T08:00:00.021-05:00

... that I am in awe of my children's energy, wonder, ease, and acceptance of life as it is... and that I want those qualities in the way I am with my own life.

I'm joining in with a group of women and their beautiful blogs this week for a daily "I'm thinkin'" theme. Hooray for new friends!

Check out the other ladies' thoughts for today:

stacey michelle tracey susan georgia heather naomi andrea rose liza

barbara shawntea ashley tami veronica kelly carla karli

Thursday: I'm thinkin'...

2011-12-08T08:00:00.049-05:00

... that carousels are magical.

I'm joining in with a group of women and their beautiful blogs this week for a daily "I'm thinkin'" theme. Hooray for new friends!

Check out the other ladies' thoughts for today:

stacey michelle tracey susan georgia heather naomi andrea rose liza

barbara shawntea ashley tami veronica kelly carla karli

Wednesday: I'm thinkin'...

2011-12-07T08:00:00.033-05:00

...that sometimes, no matter how old we are, we just need someone to kiss our ow-ies, snuggle, and make it all better. Today I want to remember that really this is all my kids want from me.

I'm joining in with a group of women and their beautiful blogs this week for a daily "I'm thinkin'" theme. Hooray for new friends!

Check out the other ladies' thoughts for today:

stacey

michelle

tracey

susan

georgia

heather

naomi

andrea

rose

liza

barbara
Shawntea
Ashley

Tami

Tuesday: I'm thinkin'...

2011-12-06T08:00:00.013-05:00

... that some days I feel like all I can do is hang on for the ride, and hopefully in the process remember that I am still loved as I am.

I'm joining in with a group of women and their beautiful blogs this week for a daily "I'm thinkin'" theme. Hooray for new friends!

Check out the other ladies' thoughts for today:

stacey

michelle

tracey

susan

georgia

heather

naomi

andrea

rose

liza

barbara
Shawntea

This Season

2011-12-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

A few iphone photos of several of our latest Christmas activities: tree decorating, setting up nativity pieces, this year's advent calendar (decorated envelopes strung on a ribbon with cards inside for daily Christmas activities), salt dough ornament making, Nutcracker on the ipad, and building a nativity stable with Matt. And there is oh so much more to come. Love this creative time of year!

A Day to Celebrate

2011-12-01T13:18:00.001-05:00

One year ago at Thanksgiving I found a small lump in my breast. On my 32nd birthday, November 30th, I had a biopsy that led just a week or two later to a breast cancer diagnosis. Then came the double mastectomy, the infection, the multiple surgeries and recoveries, the hours spent driving one hour each way 1-2 times per week for appointments, the hours spent on the phone scheduling and handling insurance issues. And the fear, the pain, the scars, and intensity of it all.

One year later, on my 33rd birthday, November 30th, I celebrated the beginning of a new year of my life. I am 6 weeks out from my last surgery now, which means my weight restrictions are lifted and I am free to move (and lift heavy weights like I love to do) as I wish. I have one very simple nipple reconstruction ahead, and that is that. Cancer is done, surgery is done, recovering is done, and moving forward has started.

For me, birthdays have generally been about me wishing someone would make me feel loved and special... but now my birthday is about me celebrating that I AM loved, special, healthy, and alive.

Thank you to all of you for your prayers, thoughts, words of encouragement, visits, and love.

Fishing

2011-12-01T09:00:00.005-05:00

Simple Homemade Book

2011-11-28T14:25:00.000-05:00

Ashton and I made a simple journal out of cardboard and paper, using this easy tutorial, so she can have a fun place to draw her pictures and stories. It was so simple to make, and there are so many different ways to make simple books, that I think more homemade books may be on the horizon.

Family Hiking

2011-11-22T09:00:00.004-05:00

We ventured out to find some woods recently and found that this definitely ain't Montana, but there are woods to walk in and beautiful things to enjoy here in Jacksonville. We had a full day together of driving, walking, picnicking, and playing. We rode a ferry across the river and Matt and I saw dolphins for the first time, which was very exciting. We learned some spots we want to go back to, some we want to check out next time, that our kids are capable of walking several miles (we walked through the whining!), and that being outside is most definitely a favorite thing to do for us.

Riding

2011-11-21T09:00:00.004-05:00

Beautiful Girl

2011-11-18T09:00:00.012-05:00

Sun-Soaked and Still

2011-11-17T09:00:00.002-05:00

The sun came out, the weather turned a relaxing and sun-soaked warm, and we headed out for a walk. As we passed the pond, Ashton said she wanted to stop and sit in the sun. Sit in the sun?? Ummm, YES! A girl after my own heart. So we stopped at the dock, sat, rested, drew, checked stuff out, searched for the supposed alligator in the pond, took some photos, and enjoyed a good long time of being still. Reminded me a lot of being home in Montana.

Learning at the Beach

2011-11-16T09:00:00.004-05:00

We went to the beach on a warm day and, after they realized mid-November is just a wee bit too cold for swimming (at least this day), we did some learning instead.

Fall Colors

2011-11-14T09:00:00.020-05:00

Sometimes it just takes wandering through the woods to see that there is much, much more than green and brown here in Florida. We don't have the fall foliage with breathtaking trees of vibrant colors, the piles of leaves to rake and jump in, or the crisp cold air with frost at its fingers; we DO, however, have green abundance everywhere, life still growing, warm days to explore and play, and lovely colors to find and enjoy.

This was my first time photographing nature, and I might just have to do it more often-- it was exciting to 'see' things with my camera I would normally overlook. I love the way photography opens up a world of beauty for me.

Making Robots

2011-11-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

After reading this post about children's robot creations, the kids and I got excited about being able to create robots out of whatever we could find around the house. We searched the trashes, the recycle box, and the craft basket and, after amassing a table full of materials, Ashton made a "Welcome Home Dad" robot. This homeschooling stuff is pretty fun!

Fall in Florida

2011-11-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

... is windy and rainy this week-- cold enough for pants (for me, not for anyone else in my family) and even sweatshirts-- at least until it gets back up toward 80 degrees next week. Crazy warm for us northern folk!

And for an update, my implant exchange (breast reconstruction post breast cancer) surgery went well, with a great recovery so far and beautiful results. Fingers are crossed that things continue to go smoothly. After having an infection after my surgery back in February, more surgeries and hospital stays, and a re-re-replaced implant, I get a little worried about strange things happening, so I am thankful that things are fine right now. The worst part is that I have a weight restriction for 6 weeks, so I am getting creative about keeping up my strength while staying safe. In a couple of months I will go back in to get nipples, and that's pretty much the end of the saga. A little over a year after the craziness began, I'll be done with cancer and have a beautiful new set of breasts.

Matt is busy learning the ropes of his new job and his new ship. This Navy job means he's gone much more than we expected, both during the work week while in port, and during the week-long 'underways' out to sea they've been doing once a month. They are preparing for a 7 month deployment in May, which means that up until then they will continue to go out to sea more frequently and for longer durations. We are planning on moving the kids and I back to Montana during the long deployment.

In the meantime we are doing our best to enjoy the time we have together, keep our bodies fit and healthy, enjoy the Florida weather, be parents and partners, and bring the best we have to what we are faced with.

Gratitude Tree

2011-11-07T09:00:00.003-05:00

A tree of thanks for November. We painted with acrylic paint on cardboard, made leaves with our fingertips, and attached string on which we will hang daily leaves of gratitude.

At the Museum of Science and History

2011-11-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

During our family's recent trip to the Museum of Science and History here in Jacksonville, we got to see and learn about quite a lot of things. Like dinosaurs, whales (one cool thing to know is that humpback whales come to this area in winter!), manatees (they live here in FL), the human body, space, local history, geography, and flora/fauna. We got to see live fish, reptiles, a huge turtle (outside in the pond- 45 years old and 130 pounds), owls, frogs, and an opossum. We had the pleasure of watching a snake swallow a fish (yum!). We are definitely looking forward to more visits as the exhibits change.

Toy Success!

2011-11-04T08:08:00.002-04:00

I'll bet you always wondered what the best toys are? I have the answer, and they only cost a few dollars.

They are simply pots, pans, buckets, and spoons.

We have had these toys since the kids were babies, and they continue to be a huge success, year after year, for children of all ages wherever we bring them. We have taken them with us to beaches, parks, playgrounds, sandboxes, lakes, and, wherever they go, it is inevitable that we are soon surrounded by a group of children.

Mostly what these toys have done is sit outside our house, ready to be used when neighborhood children come around looking for something to do. I am happy to let them use these toys, along with dirt, water, leaves and rocks, and I love watching bored kids turn into happy, creative, imaginative kids who play constructively for hours with these simple materials.

Recently I decided to turn a couple of extra wooden boards into a stove for the kids to play with. Matt built it and Ashton and I painted it, and now we have another fun thing the children can work with.

Seeing (and Catching) Life

2011-11-03T09:00:00.004-04:00

It's fun to live in Florida where life is abundant all around us. Today on a family jog we saw an armadillo (what it is we still don't know, but looking it up will be a good family learning opportunity). We've seen lizards, turtles, many different kinds of birds (some huge!), jellyfish and crabs. Still no alligators, monkeys, dolphins or whales, but we just got here! One thing we also have, to the happiness of a certain little boy, are plenty of frogs right outside the door, ready to be captured.

Homeschool Projects

2011-11-02T09:00:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd share today a few of the recent projects we've done with our new homeschool routine.

This is a lapbook we made using the Five In A Row (FIAR) book we read, Owl Moon. Throughout the week, as we read the book every day for 5 days, we worked on a variety of discussion topics like owls, phases of the moon, and similes, in addition to various art projects like collage and drawing techniques. We made a lapbook, put our work in it, and enjoyed looking through it at all the things we did. I really like these lapbooks and will continue to do more as we read FIAR books.

We've been working on math by creating and playing math games like the one below. In this game we roll the dice to move, answer addition/subtraction question cards for rewards or penalties, and occasionally land on evil witch spots (courtesy of Ashton). Ashton has really enjoyed playing, especially since she had a big hand in making it. As we've played she has gotten more and more proficient at understanding what the cards say/mean, and at adding and subtracting. This is a really fun way to learn math so far!

Here is some writing practice that happened while playing "boarding house" (we pretending we were running a boarding house-- which was awesome cause the kids totally cleaned and decorated the house!) using our FIAR book, Mirette on the High Wire.

And after reading Mirette on the High Wire, about a girl who becomes an amazing and famous tight rope walker, Ashton has been practicing her balancing skills. She, too, may one day become a tight rope performer!

Halloween!

2011-11-01T15:41:00.000-04:00

After days of deliberating and mind-changing, our little ones decided to dress up as a skeleton and a 'nice' witch for Halloween. The whole family joined throngs of other costumed children and parents on the streets, and we scored quite a haul. It was a lot of fun for us to join the festive night with so many others, see all the great costumes and, of course, get lots of candy for free. When we got home we had an 'eat-as-much-candy-as-you-can-right-NOW' munch fest, asked them to choose several pieces to save for the next day, and the rest of the candy disappeared. Fun and just right for a family that, other than the occasional bar of chocolate, doesn't eat candy.

Halloween Decorating

2011-10-31T09:00:00.015-04:00

Matt is awesome at Halloween. This decorating was all him. I am so glad he will be home for trick-or-treating-- the mad candy eating is so much better with him!

Nature Journaling

2011-10-29T09:00:00.036-04:00

We've been using Five In A Row (FIAR) as the main part of our homeschooling program for the past year, and we've very much enjoyed it. With FIAR we read a certain picture book every day for 5 days, while using that book as a discussion/learning generator over a variety of subjects and topics. I have found it to be a connecting, organic, comprehensive, creative, engaging, and simple homeschooling curriculum. Because I've been very intentional with doing our daily FIAR over the past few weeks, we have lots of projects completed (which I hope to share here), as well as a little girl who is excited about the projects we've done. It's really neat to see and hear both of the kids making connections in daily life to what they've learned in FIAR, and thinking about things they would like to learn about.

Recently we read the book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and, per a FIAR suggestion, I took the kids on a 'nature walk'. The idea was to act like the characters in the story- and as naturalists- by going out and observing nature. I talked about it with Ashton beforehand, and got her buy-in. The kids brought their pencils and notebooks and had a really fun time wandering around finding things to draw. Thankfully Florida is teeming with life, so in every nook and cranny there is something interesting to find and draw.

I'm going to make nature walking/journaling a weekly part of our homeschooling program. And I'm going to find magnifying glasses to bring along as well. I wonder what other gear would be useful to bring on these adventures? Please comment if you have an idea.

Nature walking is cool, but pictures of poop on the blog, Jessica? Really?? That's what I wanted to say to my children on our walk as they excitedly shouted, "Look, Mom, POOP!", and proceeded to plop right down and copy it into their journals. I do suppose poop is nature, too, isn't it?

Marching

2011-10-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

I hope I haven't steered you away from this blog with the multitude of posts from our Montana trip, but for me this blog serves both to share our experiences with others and to keep a kind of album for ourselves to remember those experiences. One day I hope to print my blog as a photo album or book, and I know we will enjoy the memories. It was really fun for me to take, edit, and share all these photos of our trip.

Now I will continue to do my best to take pictures of our everyday lives and activities (even without the fancy camera).

But as a final set of images, I love the story these photos tell of the group of cousins and the one in charge. See how she gently directs her flock? So wonderful.

Fun With...

2011-10-27T10:02:00.000-04:00

Bubbles...

Hoops...

and Marshmallows...

Cousins

2011-10-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

With Friends

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Our mentors, friends, and adopted grandparents for our kids, we aspire to be like these two. Thanks for showing us the beauty of you, of us, and of the place you live. Looking forward to next time.

Sweet Toby

2011-10-24T09:15:00.008-04:00

Still on a roll with sharing our Montana photos, today's images are of our sweet little nephew Toby. We finally got to see him again and had a really fun time getting to know him, walking around with him, playing games with him, dancing, holding, talking with, and generally including the little guy in all the goings-on of the group. How lucky he is to be the so well loved and cared for among so many. Can't wait to see him again.

Peace on the Lake

2011-10-22T09:15:00.002-04:00

Cedar in Action

2011-10-21T09:15:00.000-04:00

Swords and Wings

2011-10-20T09:15:00.004-04:00

Montana Fun!

2011-10-19T09:30:00.002-04:00

Faces

2011-10-18T09:17:00.030-04:00

My sister-in-law let me use her expensive camera while we were visiting Montana, and now I am overwhelmed by the many beautiful photos I took during our stay. You will be seeing many of these photos on this blog over the coming days, cause I really can't just let them sit in the computer without sharing them. The good thing about using the fancy camera is that I now understand the value of investing in it... which is the bad thing too, cause it means investing in it. Oh well, maybe one day.

Here are some captures of the beautiful faces of my children, niece and nephews.

Together

2011-10-17T07:30:00.000-04:00

For the past several days Matt has been gone, somewhere out at sea on a Navy destroyer. He'll only be gone for five days this time, but I expect there will be many more days and weeks at sea in the days to come. I'm thinking I need to adjust my mindset to one of being OK with being alone... definitely easier said than done. I am learning.

Since we've been back from our 5 week vacation in Montana and California, we've had a nice time of nestling in and being home. There are long periods of quiet (especially while Matt is gone), some structured homeschooling activities, and a lot of the kids playing with one another (something they did not do much of at all while visiting with so many other people). When they squabble, they really go for it; but when they find joy in being together, it is really an amazing thing to watch.

Random shots of my kids

2011-10-15T15:39:00.012-04:00

... just for fun. :-)