Springtime is in the Air

Well we all know that there hasn't been much sunshine lately! One of those sunny days in late April or early May - we went to Bellingham to pick up a baby swing.

Days before, Rod had pulled the one we used with all of the rest of the kids, out of the attic. The circut board died - so we needed something new. Rod check craigslist and there were a ton on there for sale. If you need one - that is the place to look!

Anyway, on the way home, I needed to nurse Jevonna - so we stopped at a park to let the kids play for a bit. Rod took a few pictures...

Anyway, one of the places that I like to get my digital scrapbook supplies from is having a scrapbook challenge. I downloaded their free template and thought I would put in an entry.
If you're interested, here's the place to find out the challenge info:
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2010/06/03/easy-as-pie-template-challenge-two/

Passing the Test!

Quite awhile ago, we realized that Josiah was going to need to get his hunting licence. For the last few years, he's been accompanying Rod & Dad on their hunting expeditions. This last year, we got Josiah a one year hunting licence deferral, because we just didn't think he was ready to take the written test. So we did the deferral and here we are a year later, hoping that his reading and test taking skills are good enough to pass. No pressure here, right?

Well, before Jevonna was born, I went online to see where the hunting classes were and the times. Classes are offered all over the state of Washington, but they are sporatic (that's putting it kindly.) Trying to find one in your area that fits your schedule.. well, let's just hope that you don't have a lot going on in the first place!

I knew that they had the online class. I didn't know if Josiah would like doing it online. He'd have to be responsible for his own learning - keeping track of chapters, websites, etc. And then he'd have to pass the written. (If they go to classes, they can have the test read to them.) Ack! That's putting a lot of responsibility in his hands! Well, we decided to give it a shot. With a new baby in the house, we need less to do - not more...

So, when we began, we told him what he'd have to do to pass. I made him a checkoff sheet with a black sharpie, so he could keep track of his work. Then I asked him every few days if he'd done a chapter or two.

Last week, he said he'd finsihed all of the chapters! Hooray! He took the practice test, and it was obvious that he was going to need a refresher on the earlier chapters. Then a day or so ago, I realized that his certification course is THIS weekend. In order for him to GO to the class, he had to have his test printout notarized. Which means that his test had to be taken before Friday (today!). So the last couple of days, Rod & Josiah have been going over and over the practice test in their spare time.

Late last night, Josiah took the real test. I know that $15 isn't a lot of money - but Rod's unemployed. So, I guess, right now, $15 is a lot of money. If Josiah fails the test, we have to pay to have him retake it. I was praying that the Lord would give him discernment through the questions, so that we would only have to go through the stress of the test and pay - ONCE.

I thought I was all calm and collected while he took it. Then at the end, when I expected to hear that he passed or not (Rod had to get on to pay with our credit card), Rod sat over at the laptop clicking and pecking away. How long does it take to put in a debit card number - is all I could think! I guess they asked a bunch of questions after the test was done - before it would give the test score. Finally, HE PASSED! With flying colors too! 96 percent! Way to go Josiah! (And here I was concerned - aparently for nothing!)

I am SO entirely proud of Josiah for passing the "written" exam for Hunters Ed last night.

www.hunter-ed.com/wa/wa_internet.htm

Afterwards, I realized that that is the first test in Josiah's life that he's ever taken that actually mattered for anything real in the real world in HIS life. We do standardized testing every year - but that set of scores go into a folder - and just sits there. He's done All Stars tryouts and passed - but in the scheme of life - whether or not you make it one the All Stars Team really doesn't matter. Yet, if he didn't pass his online hunting exam this summer, there are real life consequences.... no hunting in the fall.

Now, all he needs to do is pass the certification - and i'm hoping that that goes just as smoothly!

Digi Layout: YOU

Layout titled: YOU
by Zindra Nelson
Photo by sweetpeamemories.com

Wording: "Our Jevonna Jean
I say "our" simply because you are not just mine and your fathers -
You belong in an entire family. Jevonna, you were born into a family, with older brothers and a sister who smile deeply each time they see you, hold you or kiss your tiny face.
Each of whom appreciate you
Each of us claims you
You are loved"

Last night, I decided to do JS's Photoshop Phriday tutorial on recoloring a black & white image. Here it is... the template, pages and most elements are from jessicasprague.com.

I pulled in a couple of elements that I made in my Illustrator class to finish it up. I love making brushes (the line of hearts at the bottom of the picture.)!!!

I've also learned how to do templates, and at some point, when I have a few minutes, I'm going to make some for myself! In the mean time, I have a few saved up from classes I've taken that I'm going to use....

A Real Post...

Since my last "real" post, last few weeks of my pregnancy came and went... as well as a few other things. Friday School included.

(Julia in her friday school class with friends.)
I missed a couple of Friday Schools this time around - either from not feeling great or having Jevonna. Personally, it was really a great Friday School term. I have really enjoyed being available to talk to Moms. Sometimes we chat, sometimes we talk Friday School business, sometimes I have the opportunity to minister or be ministered to. It's a good place to be and I'm glad to be a part of it!

(the boys at display night with their chess awards.) Because Rod & I are in charge at FS, I've been trying to lighten my load here & there about FS business. One of the things that would help me out is finding someone to do the newsletter. In March, Julie S. & her daughter Sarah said that they would be willing to give it a shot. So, they did their first newsletter for the co-op in May. I'd have to say that when we printed it and I saw it all nicely done, that for a slight moment in time, I missed doing it. Just for a moment. Since then, I've just been proud at how well they've done & looking forward to their future issues! Thanks Julie & Sarah! I so really so much so appreciate it! Bless you!

(Jedediah with his Star Wars lego display.)
This year, Graduation was on the same night as Display Night. Display night is an evening where we can invite friends and family to come take a look at projects that the kids have been working on throughout the year - as well as introduce them to others who are homeschooling.


(the boys with granddad in front of Rod's chess class display, our Garden club display board and Josiah's artwork display - which you can't really see.)

The boys are wearing their chess awards - each of the won one in their round robin tournament that Rod does during his chess class. Not until I tallied up the class results the night before DN that I realized that ALL 3 were getting awards :D Proud Momma! (Jedediah got gold. Jaden Silver. Josiah Bronze. Jaden is in a different grouping that Josiah & Jedediah.)

(Class of 2010 and their parents.)
This year we had 9 teens graduate! We had a fantastic ceremony at Emmanuel. It was so great to see the kids get recognized as graduates as well as to see the parents of non graduating kids and their kids co-op catch the vision for graduation. Up until the last year or so, I had really stuggled with what I wanted to do with graduation for my kids. I realize that I still have a few years until Josiah is old enough, but still... I wanted him to have a real graduation. Now, we've had a "real" graduation for two years - and I think that it will continue to happen as long as we have graduates at First Class as well as someone who's willing to organize it!

Well, here's to catching up... one of a few posts I'm sure.

Welcome Jevonna Jean!

Welcome baby Jevonna Jean!
(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of sweetpeamemories.com)

I can tell you that I very much like having a baby in the house. Well, I suppose you might be able to tell that already if you know me :D Such a sweet little darling. She's been everything that I dreamed of and more.

What I didn't see coming was how much the kids would take to Jevonna. The way Josiah held her in his arms those first few days.. like she was worth her weight in gold. A moment, a flicker of time, that I could not have ever imagined.

Jedediah has told me quite often since she was born (him being the more practical one) that she was worth all of the inconviences that we have had the last few months. (Mom not entirely being herself, not doing the things that we normally do and me just plain not being around as much because I was napping...)

(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of sweetpeamemories.com)
Since Jevonna has been born, Jaden has found the caretaker part within himself. He has taken to holding her and taking care of her and her needs in a way... that to me wasn't as much of a noticeable part of his character before. He's blooming.

Julia has found that having a baby isn't as easy as she thought it would be. She is a very good big sister. But she often doesn't know what to do with Jevonna when she cries or is fussy or when she just plain is done with playing with her. I keep assuring Julia, that things will settle down. Little Jevonna will get bigger and easier to handle and easier to play with...

(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of sweetpeamemories.com)
Rod is his usual baby self. He has such a knack for his babies! When he holds her (which is just like the other four kids) she settles right down. He knows how to settle down a fussy baby! Jevonna curls up in his arms and settles in like she's known her daddy all along. Hmm, what a beautiful thought.

Me, well, I've come to realize that I am grateful to have another child in our home. I've been tired, sore, frustrated with life, etc. but I'd have to say, when I look into her big blue eyes, that the thing I feel the most is awe - that I was given the opportunity for a relationship with this little being that God has so graciously blessed us with... and it brings tears to my eyes!

She's an amazing little gift from God. Her name means "God's gracious gift."
Welcome little Jevonna Jean ~ We are so glad to have you in our lives!!! Here are a few of my favorite photos that were taken of Jevonna when she was 5 days old. (photos: Jevonna, courtesy of sweetpeamemories.com)

It's a Girl!

It's a Girl!
Miss Jevonna Jean was born on April 8th.

(photo: Rod & Jevonna, courtesy of Shannon, sweetpeamemories.com)
Rod & I were quite surprised to find ourselves the proud parents of another baby girl. For some reason, it just seemed that for so many years that we only made baby boys - and that the Lord blessed us with a baby girl once... could it happen twice?

We love our three boys & I would have welcomed another with open arms. Rod & I didn't find out what we were having until that much anticipated moment in the hospital room - where everyone is waiting for the all important announcement that we've waited 9 months to find out! It's a Girl!

The delivery was the best delivery that i've ever had. And I can say that honestly, since it was my 5th! When we came home from the hospital, I wrote down the different times different things happened, but at the moment, I don't remember all of the specifics.

Around 1:30 pm in the afternoon on April 8th, my water broke. The kids had spent the night at my parents. I had been in to the hospital with false labor the afternoon before - and my parents had said that they would watch them that night.

(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of Shannon, sweetpeamemories.com)
The next day around lunch, Rod & I decided that we should go get the kids & find a place to go take a walk & see if we could get things rolling. A nice stroll somewhere pretty, like Washington Park.

I was laying in bed, pouting, as Rod went to call my parents to let them know we were taking the kids.. Oh, how I just wanted it all over! To have the gem of a baby in my arms and to be on the road to recovery - it was all that was really on my mind. I decided that I would go along with Rod to pick up the kids when I heard what sounded like to me an audible "pop". Hadn't had that experience before. I thought that was odd and sat there for a bit longer. When I got up to go get ready to go ... uh... I stood up and I was dumping water. Water everywhere! I hollered at Rod down the hall - "uh, Rod, call Dad back - my water just broke! We won't be picking up the kids afterall!" YAY! All of a sudden, I was SO excited! Not long now :D

(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of Shannon, sweetpeamemories.com)
Rod & I have a tradition when I go into labor. Once in labor, we have "my last meal" at Taco Bell. My midwife said that she would have allowed me to eat in labor, but it "used to be" that they wouldn't.. So normally, and I guess I can say "normally", when I go into labor, I take a shower, take the kids to my parents (if they aren't already there), eat at Taco Bell and then it's off to the hospital.

This time around, I also had to call all the gals that we invited to the delivery room. Okay, haven't had quite so many around before, but I believe birth is such an amazing experience, that everyone that's had a baby, should be able to see one born... somehow - there's no denying that the beginning of life is such an amazing experience. Simply amazing. So a few of my girlfriends were there!

(photo: Jevonna, courtesy of Shannon, sweetpeamemories.com)
Skagit's updated Labor & Delivery since I had Julia - so everything is so nice & new. I was able to walk the floor while getting things going (opposed to the hall the old hospital had.) And then once I hit 5cm - I went into the jetted tub. Wow, I can honestly say, that if that would have been around in the old days - it would have made such a difference in my labors! Seemed that it cut the pain in half... The only thing I felt bad about, was Rod sitting on a doctors chair next to the tub holding my hand - that often was cutting off the circulation to his. It was just an odd position for him to be in for a couple of hours... but I appreciate his sacrifice :D

At 11:30 pm little Jevonna was born. 8lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long. Beautiful little girl! My midwife, Lynette, didn't announce that she's a girl for quite a long pause... It seemed like forever before someone said "It's a Girl!"

(photo: Rod looking at Jevonna, this is one of my favorite pictures that I took of him at the hospital...)
What an amazing experience for me, to be surrounded by family, Rod, Mom, Shannon (sister in law) and friends... Shannon took post birth pictures for me & they turned out so neat! She captured moments that I have experienced but not seen on film. I'm also thankful for Rod, who is so amazing, and somehow walked me through the experience of birth one more time. I felt truly honored that he was so there for me. Thanks Rod, you're so good to me!