I thought I could post pictures of the latest Quilts churned out by Charisma's Corner

These were all made by Dotty in NEw York City...Dotty and I have been working together for quite some time! She is always a pleasure to work with!

HI Everybody

Well I have had so many changes since my last post!

I have started another blog on a website...I post to it pretty much everyday....Pictures of a majority of my work..kids stuff and all of my daily thoughts.

But I am thinking it is so specific that maybe I should start posting here again as well...It can't hurt.

so I may also try and post some of my pictures....

Here is the link to the other blog... so you all can catch up...LOL

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-28188-1.htm

The first page is the oldest..the last page is the newest entries....

I am going to try and keep up on this daily as well..and hope I can get you all up to speed.

Basically......

I am in school full-time..I am in my senior year at WSU!! GO COUGS!!, I own my own quilting business...which has flourished.

All of my kids are in school..various activities...and my DH (Dear Husband ) "The ROb" is working hard at National Frozen Foods.

We attend Bread of Life Christian church..I am a youth group leader there...and I attend a Women's bible study.

We are gearing up towards getting a play ready for our youth group...a Christmas play....Other than that you will have to catch up on Charisma's crumbs...and I will keep a daily entry here...Have a great night!
Blessings!

Oh...How times escapes me......

Well here we are already in the middle of January. School has started and I am excited about some of my classes...but have not gotten all of my books..so STRESS! because we are in week two of classes.

I posted some pictures of recent quilts on some forums that I am part of and got a HUGE response..my quilting machine should be paid off in no time!

We are going to re-arrange the house in the next couple of months so I can have a bigger studio and the kids can have more room. We re converting my garage into my studio. It should be nice to have so much space.

Rob is having surgery next week...I am also have oral surgery next week. They are going to knock me out..thank GOd!

The kids are out of school today and tomorrow..it was 45 degrees outside today and all the snow is now melted. It will probably snow by the weekend? Weather has been so strange this year.

Well I hope you all feel the blessings for the new year. I will post some pictures of my most recent quilts.

2011

HI All,
I am in reflection of everything that has happened this last year. Many trials and tribulations...celbrations and accomplishments!..I am looking forward to this new year with so much angst and wonder.
Rob and I celebrated 8 years of wedded bliss (LOL) Yesterday....by going out to dinner after I worked at the shop...That is more than we usually do.
My new business is going off with a bang for the new year which is a great thing..I feel so many blessings and compliments coming from complete strangers in regards to my quilting. It gives me much confidence..I know GOd is paving teh way for me.
We have 8 days until our pre-op appointment with Rob's surgeon. The surgery is on Jan 25th. Who knows what this year will bring by this tiem next year our house may have a new member.
School also starts a week from tomorrow...I will be in my second semester at WSU...life is so amazing! All my dreams are coming true and thinsg are coming aroudn full circle...it is amazing to see and feel.

We have been talking with all the kids about their life plans and what they want to do in teh future..it always makes me happy to hear them talk and know that we ( their parents) will all work together to help provide them with the means and skills to accomplish their goals. Some of my boys want to join teh military at this point (you know we have a few yers ..they could change their minds)at first this always scares me...but in truth...I would be so honored and proud to have them join...if that is their dream I can't crush it by worrying about them. If they run off to college it is just as scary..partying, drinking..drugs....Things are so scray everywhere.

So far they are all thinking college or military....none of them are saying taking a yar off and backpacking through Euprope....so We are good.

Clarissa is definatly coming out of her shell..she goes from not talking to anyone..to just spitting out exactly what she is thinking to everyone around here...although funny at times..she is amazingly RUDE sometimes..and I need to work on that.

Bryce is a very insightful young man...but also so rough around the edges...adn roughly hormonal these days.

Carl is exceptional...very kind, thoughtful...wants to please everyone. Very good young man...still insecure..hoping he can find himself..as he is such a good guy!

Cole is emotional a bit still..likes perfection...struggles in our imperfect world....matches all of his clothes ..organizes his things and hates to be slighted in the least bit...he is going through a very vulnerable stage. Very soft child.

Preston is "highly capable". very thoughtful..antagonizes most situations and loves to be the center of attention! He is excelling on every subject in school..his sense of accomplishment rules his life.

Jeri is sweet! she is still struggling in school a bit...has one close friend...compromises herself to much and is still thinking of owning her own beauty salon someday. We push her and tell her how smar adn beautiful she is..so she can believe it. She loves tv and talking on the phone..and TTWILIGHT! I have never seen the movies or read the book..I don't care for Vampires..scary.

I hope many blessinsg upon you all for the new yer!

End of the year

Well it has been quite some time since i have posted..weird. Time just escapes and before you know it a new year is approaching. This happens the older I get the faster time goes...and that is why alot of changes has happened since the last posting.

First ..since is has come and gone I should post pictures from Halloween..cause I so wanted to post the pictures of the kids in their Costumes...I actually got that weekend off from work..and we went to Spokane to spend Halloween with the MCgees...one of our favorite families. It was such a highlight of our fall ..we carved pumpkins...spent an afternoon at Wonderland...watched Despiciple me at the Garland Theatre and trick or treated. The Mcgees always welcome us with open arms and let us invade their house..it is always a pleasure and comfortable....we don't have to worry about being messy..or breaking things....or that my kids will eat to much....they are the best Hostess'.


I started my long arm quilting business and put in notice at my job. My last day will be January 1st at the local quilt shop (LQS)...but I will be doing long arm quilting for them at least until spring. I am going to get a website up and running to get a wider audience...but so far I have been up almost everynight burning the midnight oil this Christmas season with all of the orders that have come in ...and I am so thankful to God that he is blessing me in this new adventure....it is so surreal that people are paying me for my art.....I took in almost every quilt that was offered or inquired about...had to turn a few away because I just knew I wouldn't have time..But Rob thought I still took in to many..I got sick from the lack of sleep and late nights...but I did it!
At this point I am not really making any money because I have payments to make on my industrial machine and frame....so I took a part time job at the school to compensate for the payments in case I don't get quilts in regularly.

SO my new job is a site coordinator for school tutoring..I am in charge at the middle school site and I fill in at the otehr school where needed..when I get more students I will work at the middle school full-time..but I just started the site two weeks before winter break....It is a great program funded by the federal Government..great incentives for the kids to stay in the program and keep up ontheir studies. I like that I work less than 2 hours a day M-Th and I get paid a good salary .....and I get all the same holidays off that the kids do ...and it covers my Innova Payment....so everything works out beautifully.

I finished my first semester at WSU last week....with everything that was going on..I am surprised to say..I am a B student.....but I am happy with that considering everything....I had going on..I thought I was going to collapse at one point. School starts again JAn 10th.

I am anxious to be home with the family and spend more time with them rather than running around on Autopilot getting everything accomplished.

ALl the kids are doing well......all have good grades except one..of course. ALl the birthdays went well..Carl had his 13th LIMO party. ROb got to go with them this time...and of course dinner was at the China Buffet (Carl's Favorite) and he had a good turn out. Hard for me to believe he is 13 and I was weepy all day. OF all the kids he really appreciates everything we do for him and I am so blessed to have him in my life....
Bryce turned 14 in November..and Bryce is Bryce. Need I say more? He invited two friends over for dinner and a movie...they met up with some girls at the theatre and I had to leave them there by themselves without a chaperon.....I am in counseling trying to let go of my children... and this is what I have been advised to do..I did tell my Counselor is something bad happens I fully hold him responsible..He laughed at me?? I wonder why I pay him? LOL I guess I have to let go at some point ..but it doesn't seem like they are old enough yet. All those boys did was talk about girls..hormones.

I keep telling my boys that I would like them to let me at least live in some sort of denial about some things because they insist on talking about some personal issues that I can't or should not hear...and they don't listen...so I have learned to kind of make it a serious "talk" if I possibly can with out the rolling laughter and it usually seems to work.
However, dinner time in our house is a honest real talk time and although I wouldn't trade those times..sometimes I think other people sitting at out table would think we are weird.


Anyway...as CHristmas time draws near and all of the thinsg that we are thankful start to appear more vividly.....I woudl liek to list some:

GOd, when dreams come true, therapy (for when dreams are delayed), pink, minkee...it always feels so good!, my children, My husband,my friends!, my home (even though I see all of it's flaws), the snow, laughter, apple cider, quilting, and a good book ( not a text book!). Those are just a few of course. I try to see the good thinsg in my everyday...because without those life just wouldn't be worth it! I hope you all have a fabulous new year and a Blessed Christmas!

Sept. 21st 2010

Today is a sick day. I came home from my trip with a bit of a cold and it has progressively gotten worse. Carla called last night I told her I just haven't the energy to even quilt...She said "Now we know you are really sick!"
Yeah..I actually did other things because when you leave home for five days and Rob gets to rule the house..well I came back to filth! SO I can only stand it for so long even being sick..have to do something about it.
I need to get some homework done today and I called into work..nobody wants to catch my virus anyway...so very good.
We had a family meeting last night to once again discuss chores..I have tried teh finance plan...awards...punishments and everything in between...nothing! These kids are killing me!
SO now we are using different tactics.....I will let you know how it works.

All of my classes in Tacoma went well last week..I didn't learn as much as I had hoped....but it was a good experience none the less.
I have lots of samples I need to put together for the shop...for my classes no time!
The kids all have dentist appts coming up..we are waiting to hear the results of Rob's MRI on his back..maybe another surgery in his future and things just keep truckin along.
I feel fall in the air.....LOVE fall...but hoping that I can stp and smell the cider in these times..because time just keeps getting away from me.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Sundays......

Today was a relaxing day....I think. Last night I was so exhausted from the anticipation of "Charisma's Corner" a class I am teaching monthy at The Fabric Patch...yesterday was my first class..it went well..and I am so happy that it did and that everyone loved it. But I was exhausted.....I have no idea why?? But I fell asleep at 8:00 pm..weird for me..adn I slept until 6:30 ish?? then got up and made breakfast for my family and started doing homework....fell asleep again..tntil just after noon..really weird!
So now I am trying to get homework done before I leave for Tacoma and get training from all the best quilters in the USA!! WOOOOHOOO!
Things for this week:
1. Jeri had her first kiss ( found out after Labor day...she kissed a boy at Rim Rock Labor day weekend)

2. Getting in the swing of homework again is hard..but I can't let go

3. My husband is teh most supportive man on earth and I am glad to have him in my life...even if I have to hear about grid kids football every day ...every hour and over and over again 6 months out of the year.

4. Sometimes we just have to deal with things....even if it is about the principle..just give in..it makes everyone's life easier..Dang Laundry!

5. Carl has decided for his thirteenth birthday he wants a LIMO party....he hasn't decided if he wants dinner at the CHina Buffet or the Golden Corral buffet..tough choices..LOL.

6. Clarissa finally decided she didn't want to lose her art supplies so she miraculously cleaned her room in one evening ...although it took her parents two weeks to realize what privledge to take away from her that would make her do it..who is the smart one here?

7. Cole and Preston won their first football game yesterday by the skin of their teeth apparently and I got the play by play from Rob..I will hear it ten more times as he tells everyone around us within the next week.

I hope you all have a great week!

Memorial day weekend.

We had a great weekend. We took the kids to Rim Rock Meadows again...The Steppe's , Carla and Stacey met us up there as well...along with the White's and Ponozzos. We had such a nice time..relaxing and fun. We played "Catch Phrase" which is always fun and brings out lots of laughter.
The kids played boffer swording and went swimming. Jeri also had her first kiss...disturbing as that is (for her parents).....she is talking on the phone all week with her friends about it.
Clarissa got to stay an extra day with the Whites up there..so she could have a sleep over with Katie..they played so well and it is rare that Clarissa gets to have play dates or stay anywhere so I let her.
I started commission quilting last week and the blessings just keep rolling in...I think I have done 7 quilts so far..... YIPEE! I bout an INNOVA quilting machine which costs more than my car...(I know) but I get to quilt for my payements..so far this month I have had enough jobs to pay my payment ..now anything I do is extra! But Next week I will be gone to Seattle for some quilting classes all week..WOOOOHOOOO! Investments in the business.
School is going well...I was a bit stressed over the weekend....but I think I now have everything under control and I am just buzzing along..Next week will be my first test of course!
Preston and COle have their first football game this weekend in Othello. They aren't really looking forward to playing Othello becuase they say they don't take care of their feild so there is dog poop everywhere..GROSS!
Rob has an MRI on Friday for his back it is acting up again...plese pray! I am hoping there is no more surgeries..but if there has to be...I told him he had to get it done before the end of December because we have already met our deductible for this year with Cole's surgery..so I don't want to pay again.( Hey it's a logical thing..right?)
Bryce is being teased every night at the dinner table about his Beiber hair..which I happen to think is cute...and he actually traded shower times..so he could shower in the morning because he has to fix his hair??? How long has he teased Jeri about having to fix her hair?
Preston showed proof yesterday in a picture that he at least brushed his hair one day in his life...lol.
Carl.....makes fun of the beiber hair....but can't stand anything in his eyes...if his hair even starts to hang aropund his ears it bothers him and he begs for a cut..so I doubt he will ever have the long shaggy hair....he is such a sweet boy.
Clarissa has been grounded for two weeks from treats for not cleaning her room....she is so stubborn..so now I am taking away her markers and crayons and paper..I think these are the only objects that will motivate her..she doesn't have attachment to "things" but she loves her "art" supplies. SO I have to take her down with these...silly girl.
Well that is our update as of lately.....I have to get ready for work..I hope you all have a great week!

Back 2 Skool!

Well the 26th ( last thursday ) was the first day of school for the kiddos.....I never know how I will handle the first day of school until it comes. I hate sending the kids back to school every year.....just becuase I know it is one step closer to them getting older....I like having them at home and I know now on all of my days off I won't be taking them to the lake...or bowling or to the free movie. So once again back to routines and schedules. I thrive in that environment as well but there is something nice about having the kids home to distract me from everything else and spending lots of time with them.
So I got pictures.....the boys are hard to get pictures of..I get one chance and I have to be fast. The girls area bit better but not by much. Clarissa is the baby and she is in second grade now...she would not let me walk her to her class...Why can't she let me baby her on "special" days? She is so independant and she refuses to carry a back pack ..she wants a handled bag like Sissy. I have noticed this year she is matching her earings to her outfit everyday and she is fixing her own hair..she only wants me to fix her hair when she wants something specific she can't do herself. She is getting really good at making her own pony tails and that sort of a thing. I can't beleive how much she has changed recently.
JEri is a sophmore and before school started Clarissa and I made about 20 HUGE flower hair clips for all of us girls to share/wear. Jeri has worn one to school everyday and now the kids are calling her "Flower Girl" ...I think she is darling and she had me make her school bag this year..which I was only happy to do and of course I used Amy Butler fabric..only the BEST designer EVER!
The boys are ......The boys. They are happy with new tennis shoes...jeans and funny 8$ shirts. Everyday is a new day...they are at a funny age where they want to be grown up and treated so..but then they throw fits about chores....want to play video games and bionicles. BRyce is in 8th, Carl is in 7th, Cole is 6th and Preston is in 5th grade. It is hard to believe this is where we are and I am in the thick if parenting but I think we are all managing and life is GOOD!
Football starts today .....for COle and Preston. My QFL ends today and I am ready to start fall cleaning and getting better organized for our routine. I hope you all have a great week.

One day until school..........

for me anyway.....the kids start Thursday. SO now it is back to routine time and making them go to bed early and getting organized?? HMMMM
I am nervous about school as I always get the first week or so..but I know I will get back into the groove of things and I will love it as always. I love school becuase it is challenging (most of the time) and it also gives me a sense of accomplishment which is a feeling I really love...I think I will probably be one of those life time students..not fulltime of course but one of those that will always want to take a class here and there for a refresher. For so many years I told myself I was to stupid or that I could not do it and now after a couple of years and a degree later...here we are? Funny how things turn out.
IT is also a funny twist of fate that happens.....as soon as i decide that I need to be practical and that I need to focus on a grown up job....my passion has been handed to me on a plate..ART. I am expecting a Long arm quilting machine to arrive at my house this week and I will be doing some commission work which is exciting and teh beauty of it is that I don't have to advertise for customers....so trying to balance those thinsg I think is going to be difficult...but isn't that a good difficult?
We went school supply shopping on Thursday night...225$ later and we didn't even buy back packs! School clothes shopping came Friday...a trip to Wenatchee was in order...it was CRAZINESS! There is no way to keep track of all these kids and as soon as the boys find their stuff (which doesn't take long) they are ready to go and Jeri has barely looked...so What does Rob do? Wrestle with them..egg them on and it gets worse....OH MY!
We went to dinner at Wendy's...what a great place..SHout out to Wendy's in Wenatchee WA..they played CHISTian music in the lobby/restauraunt! WOOWOOO! NOt only do they have the best CHILI ever...but they had great service..it is hard when my family walks into a place to get all the orders correct ...which they did...but they also came out to our table refilled our drinks ..they treated us very well....nice place to go!( I am going to send them a thank you note!)
We have school open houses the next couple of days...and we will be gearing towards fall...fun..fun...fun! I hope you all have a great week!

My Family

At the space needle...as you can see? We are a funny bunch! Carl was wearing a green shirt...so he is lost in digital imagery.


Things to remember:

1.DOn't make specific plans..or better yet..pack for unexpected plans...I had only packed flip flops.....my feet were killing me...Thank Goodness Cole had packed extra shoes..I wore his sandals the second half of sunday..or I would be crippled today for sure!

2. Kids like to eat in food courts...get cash...sometimes it is better so you can wait in one line..instead of 3?

3. Experiences are worth more than gold...and making a dream come true for someone is worth fortune!

4. Sometimes being flexable is key to success.

4. Don't ever eat octopus..they have a brain.....only live for three years..long enough to mate...they like to play... They change colors with their moods...they are pretty and I fell in love with Fi-Fi from the aquarium......Poor Fi-fi is being released back into the wild to mate and die..I feel so bad for her.

-she has 200 suction cups on each of her 8 arms
-she likes to sleep during the day
- she will lay 100's of eggs and only 3 babies will live

She won't even be able to see her babies grow....amd she dies for them.....I am forunate not to be an octopus.

5. I found out some sort of weird Eel fish ) can't remember the name of him)....he mates for a season or a lifetime? ISn't that much like human males?? Just making sure? *wink*

6. JImmy Hendrix -----so many facts I read about him....but the jist of the smashing guitar ....he painted symbols and poetry on the guitars he smashed as a sacrifice to his music...kind of interesting.....He also served in the military..also from Seattle.

7. There was a recording studio in the music experience..well several of them..anyway one of them tourists could go in and record a profound moment of their own personal music history they wanted to share..I didn't go in and share but I thought I would share all of this with you...When I was a freshman in high school ..Nirvana had made their "movement". I was not into grunge. I didn't know who Curt Cobain was? ...I was on the school bus and a fellow student was listing to a CD in his discman..yeah remember those? Expensive back then. I asked what he was listeing to..he told me NIrvana? I said "who"..he said "Have you ever heard Teen Spirit?"...I said "Well I have the deoderant..if that is what you mean?"..he looked at me like I was from outer space..LOL. I still don't listen to that music ..but I know who he is...although not a profound moment in music..a funny one!

8.Clarissa and I could be traveling partners...she liked all the same things I did and lingered in all the same places even if I wasn't paired with her...her favroite part of teh music experience..was the fancy costumes they displayed of the Supremes..they were gorgeous...Clarissa's favourite was called "Cotton Candy"..she didn't know the name before she decided it was her favorite..but very fitting all the same. He otehr favorite thing was the space needle...her teacher was talking about it one day in class..and Clarissa has been talking about it ever since...and she couldn't fathom leaving seattle and not going to the top of it before we left..Saturday night I tried explaining to her that we probably would not go up because we had other plans....when we changed plans her dream had come true and she was elated.

9. On the cruise we learned that Seattle is not the rainiest city in the USA??
- The Space needle is the only structure they have left from the worlds fair...and it is the most secure structure in the city.
- The only episode of Frazier that was actually filmed in Seattle was the very last episode when Frazire Crane was mugged.

10. Did you know that I had the same reaction in the sci-fi museum as Carl and ROb?..My eyes kind of glazed over and I started drooling? ALthough for two very different reasons. I didn't know anyone in there excepy "yoga" from Star wars...and E.T.. I think I saw a bit on the JEtsons...who knows?

Seattle.

Every year my Brother buys us tickets to go to Wild Waves. I know that is not cheap! There is 8 in my family! So we make the trip...that is kind of our Christmas together...lots and lots of special time together..having fun. Seattle weather is unpredictable...or maybe predictable if you count on rain? YEP! it rained Saturday...but Seattle is prepared for that...so all the water rides had heated water and there were three hot tubs...yes I said 3! SO a little rain didn't stop us from FUN! We had a great time.....then had dinner at FAT BURGER! Sounds funny ..but I think they have fabulous burgers there and you special order all of them...and you can get FAT fries..yeah! We decided to stay at Robert's hotel..he got us a great discount..it was in downtown Seattle....blocks away from the Space Needle.
We were originally planning on going to Alki beach for Sunday...but walking around Saturday night we saw the Science Fiction museum...you all know my husband right? Carl and he sort of started drooling and got glazed over eyes.....we decided we should do that fist thing in the morning.....which turned into skipping the beach...buying City Passes and making a day of tourist activities...we went up the space needle twice....did a harbour cruise...pacific science center....Music experience at Sci-fi museum..and the sci-fi experience (of course)...hit the aquarium..fit in two meals...Ye Old Curiosity shoppe ...We didn't get home until Midnight......but can you imagine doing his in a group of 10...6 of them kids? My kids are troopers and the best travelers...not one problem! They are experienced....
I have to say I am a bit disappointed though because we have done all of these activities before and half of them didn't remember them....I have pictures of them..because I have scrapbooked them several times doing this same trip...but it makes me think ...Why do anything with them if they never remember? It's oK ..they will see the photos.
I love spending time with my brother ..he makes me laugh..he is good with my kids...and he understands where I come from..afterall we come from the same place...We also ate dinner at the Spaghetti factory...MY BIL paid for that...I felt kind of bad..alot of money and we didn't have a great experience there.....kind of disappointing. So If you are in D-town Seattle avoid that restaurant.
I felt bad for splurging in the moment for all of this extravagance....but in the end it is all about the experiences we have with our families.....and pretty soon it is all going to be over..school starts for all of us in just a few short weeks and we won't be able to take this sort of time...Tomorrow is my birthday..I will be 33..unbelievable. My friend Carla came with us over the weekend..she is a JEM....I just LOVE her. She spoiled me today before she left..she bought me two seasons of the "Golden Girls" DVDs...my favorite show of all time...she bought me two shirts..a memory card for my camera...took me to lunch and a movie..How fabulous is that? THANK YOU GIRLY FRIEND!
More experiences....
I just want to cry because I didn't want this time with anyone to end..but how GREAT Was this birthday? I had all of my family together...a special friend and my lovely brother?
I think this will be a great year...LOTS of BLESSINGS to come and I am ready for the ride....I hope you all fine fulfillment and blessings.

Together.

Well the boys came home on Friday..it is nice to have everyone back together again. They will all leave again next week for another spell at their Dad's house...so I am trying to make the most of our time together. I am taking another short week at work. We played Apples to Apples Saturday night and all I can say is that there are certain key words that send my kids into a fit of laughter.....Anything with Balls....nuts....wood...you get the picture. There are also a few others that seem to be innocent enough that they can turn bad....yeah ..so there was a lot of laughter playing a seemingly innocent enough game. I would like to be able to go into denial at some point in my life especially when it comes to my boys "maturing" but they don't even give me the option....I just get to know....and face it.
So yesterday we decided after a big breakfast ..that we would go to Steamboat for teh day. We had a great time..we had a picnic....swam and played. When we got to our favorite swimming nook...we saw that someone had submerged a table into the deep part of the little area and it became a novelty item for a our family. Well the boys and Rob decided to play "King of the Table" and the park rangers came over and asked where the other table was...I said " My husband and 4 boys are playing King of the table with it"...NICE. How embarassing. Good times...Good times!
Then we came home made dinner..cookies and popcorn and played more Apples to Apples.
I am trying to make the most of the time we have together and school starts for all of us at the same time and it creeps up on us fast.

Funny Clarissa line this lats week:

Clarissa: Daddy can I make eggs today?
Rob : No Not tday Clarissa ...just eat cereal.
Clarissa" Why can't I?
Rob: Because you can't do that by yourself...maybe one day when you get older you can go to school and be a chef.
Clarissa: I could be a chef today if you would let me in the kitchen!

random things...of course.

not much has been happening here since the boys left a week ago.....but they come back today for anotehr week ----HURRAY! That always lifts my spirits as I hate it when they leave and really their is no life in my house of they are gone.Carl will be so thankful when they come back..he has been bored out of his gord. He went to a friend's house the night before last and they played video games all night. I worry about all of the video games.....it is so hard to balance teh things in everyday life that could have harmful affects on your kids. Jeri has been addicted to TV since I met her and no matter how hard I try to break it...doesn't change. Clarissa is starting to get that bug after this summer too...and I refuse to battle another addicted kid...so we need to nip it in the bud.

I am part of a quilting competition and in the month of July we get double points for christmas projects....I am sewing my christmas stockings....I bought material and everything last fall and never got around to them...well we will all have fancy new stockings this year that coordinate...very nice. I am thinking in the future I may make stockings as gifts for other people ..we will see how I feel at the end of this project.

Jeri is doing well from what I can see on her lifestyle change?? But I don't watch her every moment ..but yesterday I did fairly well as well....so many veggies and fish..brown rice....it was a good day all the way around.


Clarissa has been teasing Rob and picking at him...I think he is getting a taste of his own medicine with her..she will do random things to him and say smart funny things to him and he just laughs at her because he doesn't expect it and it catches him off guard..quite cute to watch actually. She has outwitted him a few times.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

zuchini bread

Well yesterday when I stopped into work to give my schedule ...also had breakfast club ..Thelma had picked some zuchini from her garden to share ..so I took a bunch and Carl and Clarissa are making bread today. Clarissa and I are trying to be patient with him and he is learning but we both lose our patience and want to work around him to speed him up....but neither of us can..so she keeps walking away...and I keep trying to find other things to work on. Whenever he needs to find something I tell him which cupboard it is in and he looks for 30 seconds and then tells me it is not in there...this drives me nuts because he can't ever find anything....he looks for his shoes on the ceiling. All of this is part of his Aspbergers. So I have to be patient and walk away and let him do it his way so he can be functionable. STRESS!

Clarissa has less patience..LOL...she is young has not had to learn to tone it down some.....so she is going to make her own bread when he is done because she can't work at his pace. That was my way of letting her out easy and him as well...he will get stressed when we hover and he will just give up and be mad.

I was going to take the kids to the free movie in MOses Lake today but ROb took all the car keys with him to work..so we are stuck...UGH! SO I guess I could work on my laundry that I have been neglecting?
I have been working in the kitchen all morning ..cutting vegetables.....cooking brown rice...brown pasta and planning. Jeri had a talk with the counselor yesterday about diet and exercise and I commited to working with her to accomplish her goals. It is actually going to be harder for her becuase she does not like fruits and veggies. She also needs to cut out the sugar.....she says that will be the hardest part for her.... I say Welcome to the club!

I Actually like veggies and fruit...so doesn't bother me. Although she is upset that she can't have any of the zucchini bread that is baking......no good things come without sacrifice.

Well I am going to go do some work before Rob gets home and sees...hmmm nothing I have done? Except dinner? LOL

bits and things

I am scattered lately...school is approaching and this means life as I currently know it will be over. I keep thinking about everything I want to accomplish....this consumes my thoughts everday.....every moment of my life....everything from the big things to the little things...did I tell all of my kids that I love them?...Did I learn something?...did I get that done?..I hope one day I will just have some epiphany that wipes out that mentality because a person only has so much time here on earth and living with these unrealistic expectations is not healthy (all of the time)but old habits die hard.

I have a few friends that are having trying times in mariage and another who is going through a lengthy divorce and Rob and I are truckin along thank goodness....but I wonder if any of us feel completly whole...full and fruitful in our marriages.....and when I brought this up to my counselor (who is a Godly man) he explained to me "no"...People don't feel this way in their marriage.....why is that? Because just like any relationship on earth.....we have to struggle to have growth..be it a child/parent....husband/wife and that is why we need God to be the center of these relationships because without that grace...faith and gratefulness we can"t demonstrate those things properly. This all makes sense to me.....without pain or struggle no growth...does this mean we need to create it? Ummm No! Does this mean it is easy "no"...but as we all know nothing worth while is easy so here I keep truckin on and be grateful for all of the goodtimes because the bad things makes those good things so much richer and I am thankful for the good things...but I also have to say I am almost more grateful for the bad things because I appreciate growth. Just because there is strife in a marriage doesn't mean you can't be HAPPY in a marriage and have mutual love and respect...for those of us who are black and white people..this may be a hard concept to understand...but YAY! I got it! LOL


I also heard today that if a son has a good mother (particularly) he will show three charachteristics as he changes into manhood
1.provider
2. protector
3. reside

I just wrote that blog about Bryce and all of those things ring a bell......That warms my heart..that I am doing such a good job with him despite some of my bad judgement calls along the way and how things just seem to work themelves out if you are faithful (see growth!....everyone can learn..even if you were not taught well)...Bryce has a tendency to hang around me and he wants to be near me or know where I am at all times....who I am talking to ...and what my plans are..and just as I do with all kids I don't think about these things until they are presented to me I just adjust and give them what they need to feel stable (naturally) and that is his thing...doesn't bother me....hmmmfunny how these things come about.

The last thing bothering me lately is the fact that Jeri is struggling with her weight......I think she is beautiful no matter how much she weighs.....but it is bothering her....I don't say anything about her size becuase people who live in glass houses should not throw stones if you know what I mean? I would never judge her. But what is really bothering me is that I am not happy with myself and I am not doing anything to motivate myself..so how do I offer her advise or help her when I can not help myself? She is old enough now that I don't have to to manage her diet she needs to do that on her own.....if I do it I could damage our relationship ..so I don't unless I feel she is just harming herself on 20 hot dogs or something..you know? So how do I cross that line to say ..OK this is what WE have to do and work it out myself so I can set a good example for her? I mean she has plenty of good examples around her..The boys.....but deep down I know she is looking to me to help her and I feel inept.....guilty and worthless in this area...I need to be a good and healthy Mom....so maybe I need to pray about it and see how I can at least work on it.

He.

I keep thinking about BRyce. HE is going through changes....it is not easy on him or any one around him. HE and I have to navigate through our relationship frequently...just when I think I have it down it changes..I suppose that is natural.
I always thought 13 was the magical number that they {kids}(especially the boys) would not need me anymore...but it isn't true they need me more...I always have this unnatural fear that they are preparing to dump me...(self protection).....but it doesn't happen... I realize.

Bryce hugged me two times yesterday and came about to say he loved me several times. Not the teasing....I need attention way..but the genuine...."I am happy you are here" way. I appreciate that....it warms my heart and keeps me up until he changes with the hormone flow....I know it is normal but I do realize that it it something to cherish as it comes.

Bryce has a strong personality and sometimes it is hard to tell which traits he gets from which side because unfortunatly he has two parent with strong personalities...but he is figuring things out on his own turf and that is a good thing. He is a STRONG leader..when he wants to be.( he needs to rule with a Godly spirit and not and iron fist...)..but he really does have a soft sensitive side that appeals to people around him and he notices people...reads people and loves to be needed...and genuinely loves people in general (when he wants to)...but if you hurt him or someone he loves (especially his MOmma!) He will make you pay...hopefully the latter part will get better with age and experience.

Bryce wants to be a lawyer or a special needs teacher.....I think that fits the spectrum that is BRYCE...he is a puzzle that is complex but simple in some ways and he is a good boy who loves his MOmma and I am extremely proud of him.

This is the summer before his 8th grade year and it is sad that I can count on one hand how many summers I have left before he leaves for college on whatever path he will lead and I need to push those thoughts out and think about everything I need o teach him before my summers end and hope that I got it all in.
This summer he was a camp counselor at OMNY.....he started sewing a quilt(picture above)...his Best friend moved back home. He played in Hoopfest. cared for his sister. bought a turtle. hugged his mom.

Not feeling well

I have not been feeling well the last couple of days...I am so very tired..I think my body is trying to fight off something but I don't know. I thought maybe it was because I didn't get alot of sleep last week..maybe my body needed to catch up but after Monday....I should have been well. On MOnday I went to staff meeting and then came home and slept most of the day..until we did family activities.....and then yesterday I took the kids to a free movie in Moses Lake..had a lunch date with my dear friend Donna and then came home and stayed in bed (reading) until dinner. I read a whole book yesterday..and then went back to sleep...today I don't really fel moivated to do alo but I have to work. It has taken me an hour of talking myself out of bed...this is unlike me....not to mention I have not turned on he sewing machine in 5 days...very unusual. Especially considering I have a class tomorrow night and I am supposed to have some things done.
Anyway....Last night the book I read ended in such a great way...that I think I should use it as a scrapbooing /blogging tool myself.
This Gal ends the book with all of these key words or phrases of the lesons she learned during the process of the book..isn't that great? I am trying to think of how far back I should go...or if I should just keep a steady stream of them going each week?
Well I should get ready for work....It may take me awhiel in my current mind set..LOL.Sory body from laying around to much and tired body from sleeping to much...poor me! LOL

School clothes shopping

Well this year is a bit strained to say the least...you try not to rely on certain things but as time passes you realize you have.
Usually I buy all year round hitting the all the sales and stocking up for when my kids go to school...that way football fees....school supplies and odd and end things don't ruin your complete budget....and I still never have enough for school pictures..we have not bought school pictures since all the kids have been in school ..even before that I think..it is so expensive..and I always tell myself I will just take pictures of them....and I never do...we also have not had family pictures since Clarissa was 18 months old?? She is 7 now....that needs to be a priority..well this year I think I have been neglecting alot of things because I am working. I have not been shopping.....I would go to Wenatchee several times a week for school..but I wanted to get there and back..not look for kids clothes...so I have no stock pile.
Last year Bryce was entering 7th grade and clothes seemed to be a big deal to him..everyhing had to be name brand and I did buy him all the best brands..it still was not good enough so this year I talked to all of them and explained that I have to buy clothes for 6 kids ( usually only 4....but Trina does not have a job so I am thinking she can't afford it this year..time will tell) and that they each will get 100$ I know 100$ does not go far.....but between 6 kids and then school supplies..well we are looking at around 800$ and I have no idea where I am getting football money?
I don't really stress about these things...it is only money....and I think it is good for my kids to have to make sacrifices...they need to learn and it all actuality they have risen to the challenge.
We went to Tri-state outfitters last night..The Horton boys all got NIKE shoes and all together they spent 75$ with tax for three pairs of shoes! YAY!
They bought their jeans at Wal-mart....they never would have done that last year....but they are counting pennies....since they are on a budget.....now we just need shirts...socks and underwear.

Things always have a habit of working themselves out and God provides..so not worried but want my kids to learn valuable lessons.....so in these times...they get it and I am preparing them for life...which always makes me feel good.

We went to Silverwood last weekend..had a great time..weather was perfect and we got to do everything per usualy because I am the fun Nazi! At one point I stopped to smell the flowers ..Clarissa loks at me and with serious hand gestures says "MOM..FOCUS!" "We are here to FOCUS on the FUN...NOT the flowers!" Well OK then..I am focusing! Sheesh..I have no idea where she gets these things.

They have a new dunk tank now and it takes volunteers and then people pay to dunk them...everyone was discussing who would go in the tank....Bryce said he would so I paid 5$ for that....he was complaining all day....harassing people all day in his usual fashion so I thought I would give the other kids a chance to dunk him..LOL.They did! Funny thing is they had another kid in the tank heckling the crowd and no one would pay but as soon as little Bryce got in teh tank people were coming from out of the woodwork to dunk him....they must have recognized his voice in the park complaining about everything..LOL....Preston also got dunked..and Jeri.

On Sunday we stayed in town with our friends the Steppe's.. Mary made us all a big breakfast and then we played cards for a bit until lunch.We had lunch with Rob's Parents and then we all went back for fun. All of us girls went for pedicures while the boys went to play mini golf...what a great weekend..but always makes me homesick for my friends.

LAst night was a good night as we took the dogs for a walk...did a bit of school shopping and spent time together as a family. I hope you all have a great week and get plugged in with your families.

A few things to blog about

I need to blog some things because life gets in the way and you forget things along the way that you want to remember. I have been writing alot about Clarissa because she is young and she still does cute things ...the older kids may do funny things but not so much cute things...and teh funny things they do would not probably be things I want to remember or blog about at this age...the boys are becoming hormonal and perverted and I choose to block those out 10 seconds after they do the...it is like a parental block...self defense mechanism.

Yesterday I got home and Clearly Clarissa had a blotchy face...swollen eyes and nose...she had been crying....this is the conversation:

Me: Clarissa is something wrong?
C: No any more
me: What was wrong?>
C: I can't explain it
The whole time she won't look at me.

Me: Did someone hurt you?
C: NO
Me: Did someone say something mean to you?
C: no
Me: Hmmmmmmm Did you get frustrated
C:Yes....
Me: About what
C: A math problem I could not figure it out!

Sidenote: Clarissa has not once told us that she has reading or a summer homework packet...I knew she had it..I just didn't ask her because I see her work on her reading and homework at various times.....she likes to be in control of things and work at her own pace.....so I let her. Problem is she hates asking for help she wants to figure everything out on her own and sometimes she gets very frustrated...I don't know where she gets it from? Anyway..she is almost done with everything and she is a real self starter...I never have to make her do her responsibilities.....she does them on her own..I just LOVE that about her!


Me: Clarissa why didn't you ask for help
C: Shoulder shrug
Me: Instead of getting worked up about something you could ask anyone for help....Did you figure it out?
C: Yes I got it all done and I figured it out.
Me: Are you sure...Do you want me to look at it?
c: NO I got it done.
Me: OK Well I guess you got it!
Tehn I just had a nice talk with her about how I think she is a great child and that she is way ahead of the game by being so self sufficient but that it is ok to ask for help and that I am really proud of her for sticking to it until she was done.

Two days ago we went to wal-mart..Clarissa needed a bike tube for her tire. I bought it got home and she came in to tell me ..while holding back the choke of tears ...I could barely understand what she was saying...She kept telling me that I had got the wrong tube because her tires would not match if we used that one? I said "why" she said "because it is black!" Tears coming out "I won't have matching tires..I will have one black and one white tire." LOL...Well I explained she would still have matching tires and that the tube goes inside the white tire...Then suddenly the world was right for her..LOL. These are important things you know?

My new sewing machine is coming next week and I am super excited to start long arming ...hopefully I can get the hang of mymchine really soon.
Well I hope you all have a great weekend!