A magical door

First, Here's your pic Carrie.

The other day a magical fairy door appeared at our house! There are hints of getting our summer lessons from the fairies.

We may have to use our really cool magnifying glass to read what the assignments are.

I hear that fairies sometimes leave little gifts too.

Things that ring true

Next year will begin our 17th year of homeschooling. Wow! We started when Travis was living with us for a time and Maliea was 4 1/2 and now she is 20. We have probably experimented with every kind of curriculum and non-curriculum that is out there. We always come back to our holistic, nature, Waldorf inspired eclectic mix of wonderful. There is just something about sitting in the woods, finger knitting, gnome math and wooden wonders that rings true with my soul. You know it really is so much more than that. The implements are the extras. Really having time to be a family, learning and exploring together, growing and experimenting as we truly learn to love each other is what is it about. I am so grateful that when I prayed, fasted and meditated on this homeschooling journey so many years ago to get a confirmation; that Heavenly Father knew what my/our lives would hold and how this would hold our lives together. Summer doesn't bring a break here as we take plenty through out the year, so we are on to more learning, laughter and love.

Mini-vacation to California

After a little thought we thought we would just take off and relax. A mini-vacation to CA is just what we needed. The beauty of home schooling is that we have time to be a family.

We left on Wednesday late afternoon. Stopped at Quartsite for potty and ice cream break. Then headed down the road to meet a blinding dust storm and fierce winds. In the middle of no-where a funny smell started wafting through the van. Then Thayne started to hand me handful of poo mess. ACKKKKK!

When I say middle of no where I meant it. The first turn off was miles and miles down the road and when we finally got there, it only had an abandon gas station. So we dropped him off.....just kidding.

We made our first evening at The Date Tree Inn in Indio. The staff was marvelous especially the next morning when the battery was dead on the van. The free breakfast was excellent with hot item as well as the traditional. Once we finally got our act together and were done watching the design shows on cable tv we got on our way. Our van newly charged headed on to La Jolla. If I had money , it might be where I would like to live. Despite the crappy homeschooling laws.

That storm was still swirling around, although it had turned into rain.

Our first bit of fun was a Birch Aquarium!!! This is a gem of a place. Lots of hands on stuff for the kids. Chaiya and Quayde loved the tide pool area and really touched a sea cucumber and sea stars. Maliea loves every thing about the ocean. The best part was playing with the flow/current display.

We then headed to downtown San Diego for our hotel. We got a kids suite which had been recently renovated. So recently.... like a hour prior to our getting there. I think there was only one other family on our floor. There was construction stuff everywhere. This turned out to our advantage as they let us have extended check out for free on Saturday and knocked off $30 off one night due to a small problem.

After check in we went to Seaport Village. This is the place where I ate my first Jelly Belly jelly beans in 1985 so it has lots of happy memories for me. We rode the carousel and walked around. Chaiya got some ice cream from the Ben and Jerry's shop. We purchased our traditional magnet and postcards and a set of really cool Lunastixs.

We found a restaurant for our dinner and fell into that happy dreaming place around midnight.

Next morning was Maliea's Birthday!!!! Our plan was the Zoo. Maliea loves animals and we were determined to have a happy day despite the cold freezing rain. May I repeat that...we were determined to have a happy day! Lydia said her favorite part was seeing the polar bears. Quayde was quick as he pulled his brother out from in front of a tour bus. The joys of having a lightening fast two year old that likes to cheat death from time to time. By the way the zoo sells these great little plastic rain covers for $3.50 and hot chocolate to warm one up.

We got back to the hotel for Maliea to open presents. Then she got to go to a steak house for dinner while the other children enjoyed pizza. It was still raining. Lydia wanted to go to the beach at midnight.

Saturday morning dawns a little sunny and we are supposed to be headed home. Not a chance without going to the beach. Off over the bridge to Coronado. Okay , so cold and wet is all perspective. Chaiya who was grumbly at the zoo, eagerly strips down to her bathing suit and spends at least an hour playing and swimming in the ocean. Lydia finally got to make her sand castle and she wasn't afraid of the water this year. Thayne didn't last long with the cold , he was turning a little blue at the lips. If we lived in California, Quayde would never be at home. He loved the ocean so much that I spent 20 min trying to get him out after everyone else was already in the van. Maliea helped Lydia build her sandcastle but I don't think that she liked being cold again.

Once packed up we headed back up to La Jolla where we experienced grocery shopping nirvana! Whole Foods Market. Organic blackberries that just melted in our mouths was a highlight. We also bought these chocolate dipped organic frog cookies. Not quite sure how that was healthy but they tasted fabulous.

Crossing the freeway we went to spend a few moments at the San Diego temple. Which is amazingly beautiful but trying to park our van in that parking lot was a challenge.

Heading home....Thayne gave us another poo present. I think he needed less fiber.

We stopped at Rancho Mirage for dinner at Panda Express and cleaned out the local health food market there of Willow Run margarine. Yes we bought all of it and put it in the cooler for the ride home.

Arriving home at 2:20 am I promptly ran to the bathroom to throw up because Michael, sweet man that he is, missed the Skull Valley turn off and drove up the curvy curvy always makes me sick way to White Spar.

Believe it or not we had a blast! The next time we need about 2 weeks to go and play.

Long week

Wow! This week has gone by so incredibly fast. Once I get some pic off the camera I will post more (thanks shawna). My laptop is acting up again so I am on the kids computer trying to get some things done and not having my "favorites" list to refer too!

Lydia turned 8 on Tuesday!!!!! Eight !!!!! Yeah. Eight long, wonderful , incredible years filled with so much joy. Every single day with her is amazing. I look at some of the ladies at church, with their "lives" and a small part of me wishes that I had friends and had time to go 'play', sometimes this path is lonely but I know how very, very valuable this time with my littles are. It can't be replaced ever. Not ever! If she dies tomorrow , I wouldn't be okay but at least I would know I did everything I could to give her a happy life. I once heard a quote about how every act can be an act of service unto our Savior. Sometimes I don't want to change another diaper but then I revamp my attitude and give thankfulness that I am able to be this child's mother and change that diaper. Every single day there is so much to be grateful for.

On Thursday , she had surgery. Once again I had conflicts with a doctor, he gave her a drug that is clearly marked on her records DO NOT GIVE. After an intense discussion with him, it just didn't matter and he wasn't worth my energy because he wasn't even open to my why reasons for not giving her that drug. I don't think I will ever respect people that play god just because they have that DR with their name. I'm still a little ticked off.

We had three weddings/receptions in three weeks. My living room looks like a wedding exploded in it. We might leave next week for a few days just to get away.

Michael's truck was broken into this week and they took the few toys he has (had) Like his I-pod and gps. I know he was listening to conference talks on it so maybe the thieves will get some inspiration. lol.

Right now my man is in the woods on the Father/Son campout. He took Thayne with him. Quayde said that he wasn't going to chase after him so dad better be prepared. I am going to go get a very (hopefully) restful sleep now!!!

Chaiya's Birthday

Pulling any kind of surprise over on Chaiya is near impossible! I knew that we would be traveling on her birthday so I was trying to devise a plan for a family birthday party. There is a great little rest stop that is on the Hassyampa river preserve right out side of Wickenburg ; this was the place. Although it wasn't a total secret, she spotted her presents hidden the day before, it was mostly a surprise. Chaiya wanted danish instead of cake and we couldn't find the lighter so she pretended to blow out her candles. Michael is instructing the boys on how to make balloon animals. Lydia thought it was all great fun. Maliea, I think, was just too tired and relaxed in the sun to be very present.I kept getting pictures of her with her eyes closed. We had great fun and Chaiya loved it.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

It is a beautiful May day for celebrating our moms and all they do for us. I am so appreciative of my mom who took the time to work so hard for all of us kids! We had a wonderful phone conversation this afternoon and she told me how she got away this morning for some alone time to herself. Bravo for her.
I was reflecting on how I have so many dear, dear friends that are GREAT moms! I truly hope that everyone had a great day. Remember to take care of yourself too!
I actually received gifts! Quite unexpected since the day has usually gone by unnoticed because of all the birthdays, weddings etc.. we have in May.
My sweet super husband came home from work earlier so he could go to church with us and surprised me with jewelry. I got to take a shower by MYSELF without interruptions!!!! The kids made cards and pictures and bought me a new scarf and a great little teapot. Lydia made a potholder in primary with a butterfly on it. Very very cool stuff.
Yesterday we had a surprise birthday for Chaiya at a rest stop on the way home from traveling. More on that later as we do have some pictures (thanks Carrie!) but they're on Michael's computer.
Have a great weekend!

Very Interesting

Jay used to work as a computer software programmer for the Palo Verde Nuclear plant.
In the same department as the man from Iran, I believe, if I remember correctly.
Read this article Interesting that he was terminated within 24hrs of this man being arrested.
I am so grateful for my wonderful husband Michael and how honest and upright he is!!!!!!!

FYI

Chaiya says she is having a Dr. Suess wedding. Complete with truffla trees and fish and hunches and bunches hats with the arrows. She is determined not to be a typical mormon bride. And we are serving green eggs with ham.

bread baking instead of ironing tablecloths

In an effort to boost my vibrational level this morning, the littles and I are making bread . Here's is our easy wheat bread recipe. It makes two loaves or one and a lot of little funky shaped whatevers that the littles are designing.

Wheat Bread 300 degrees 25-30 min

3 Cups very warm water
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 TBSP yeast
1/8 cup gluten
3 Cups whole wheat flour

Mix together and let sponge 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly.
Then add 2 1/4 tsp salt and gradually add more flour about 3 - 4 cups until you get a good dough.
I mix in my Kitchen Aid mixer and let it knead for about 6 to 8 minutes.
Place in bread pans let rise once and bake.
Yummmmmm!

It will be okay.....

I'm trying to be okay because I know things will eventually be okay.
But right now I am not "breathing" as well as I should so I thought if I just write it down , it will get out of my system a little.
The dr's office called today about Lydia's surgery on the 15th and said there was a problem. Apparently her insurance was terminated on the 11th of last month.
So I told them I was sorry and I would find out what happened.
I tried to contact her bio-father (last contact was Christmas 06) at work. His office phone didn't work. So I called the main switchboard, they said he wasn't in their system. Okay I freaked out a little. He's worked for APS for 26 yrs.
So next I called his home and talked to his wife. Jay apparently got "laid off" (ummmm right) and the insurance is supposed to still be in effect, but he's in Nebraska and for some reason she can't get a hold of him. The severance check was supposed to come on the 1st for her and it didn't. By the time I got half way through the conversation with her, her voice was shaking and she wasn't okay. They tried to get a hold of me but had lost all of our information. (ummm right on that one too!) She also told me that Jay has had a heart attack and kidney cancer in the last year. OKAY.
So now I have calls in to drs, medical equipment places, therapy places etc... to try and figure the insurance problems out. This is a major deal with Lyd! I am going to have to cancel her surgery until I can find out how to fix this. NONE of her current doctors accept Michael's insurance which is 80/20 anyway. Lots of fun!