♥♥♥Happy Valentine's Day♥♥♥

(Julia & her Valentine's Day present, Feb. 14, 2009) Many times since Rod & I have been married, we have realized that it is just easier or prudent or whatever the reason may be, to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or holiday (such as Valentine's Day) on another day. Usually the day before.

When our kids were little, if something was going on, we often just told them that it was their birthday and left good enough alone. I suppose some would consider this a little white lie (or a lie period) but now that they are getting older, we tell them what is going on.

This time, we did that for ourselves. Our tax return arrived, as it was supposed to - so Rod & I celebrated the 14th on the 13th. We decided to celebrate it early, because we could either get into eat at a restaurant with better luck or get a really nice room at a hotel - on shorter notice.

Rod surprised me part of the way through Friday, letting me know that he was booking a room at one of the newer local hotels. The kids don't understand why we want to spend time alone together. I tried to explain the best that I could that when Mommy gets enough of Daddy's attention - then Mommy will let Daddy give them attention. Instead of trying to get it for herself. Who knows how much they really understood...

I took the kids out to my parents before he got home from Redmond. I ended up hanging out there for quite some time. (Sometimes my parents can be in the best mood! You have to take advantage of that as it comes up I've learned over the years!) It was great to chat with them about so many things.

(Rod and our new Nikon D-90, Feb. 13, 2009) Rod met me at home. We were planning on going out to dinner. We wanted to go over to Costco and pick up the camera that we have been planning on purchasing for awhile now. Afterwards, we drove through the Olive Garden parking lot. We realized that we really just want to spend time together, not necessarily eating at a restaurant together. (Although, the requirement for the tax return WAS restaurant food! It's been months since we've eaten out.) We decided to skip the restaurant, order the food for pickup and eat in at the hotel. Of course we had a great time together. It was a great choice to go somewhere to stay. We ordered Olive Garden food, he bought me flowers :) We didn't really do gifts to each other (which we usually do).

We stopped by target and picked up a couple of gifts for the kids for Valentine's Day. My Mom always gave us kids something for Valentine's Day, esp. as we got older. It has been nice. Even now that i'm grown she usually gets me something. We gave each of the kids something and then we gave Garrett money for an itunes card and my mom a box of chocolates. My dad, I gave a box of sweethearts (he's diabetic, and can't eat them, but I gave them anyway. He's not a big gift guy).

(Dad & his chimi's, Feb. 13, 2009) Got home today, picked up the kids, had Dad's Chimichangas. Those are Rod's favorite. Dad's so funny, he went into this long explanation on Friday about how after all these years of deer hunting and deer eating, that he's finally found a use for the neck meat. (Sorry, if that's too descriptive, that's how I grew up!)

On Friday night, Dad was bummed that we weren't eating the chimichangas with them for dinner. I told them to save Rod and I each one or two for Saturday, and that we would eat them for lunch when we picked up the kids. They were of course as good as ever!

Afterwards we went over to His Place and saw the Missoula Children's Theatre performance of Robinson Crusoe. I would post pictures, that are in my camera... but... MS (my computer, Miss Spontaneous) shut down on me twice tonight - and I just don't feel like straightening her out tonight! So, I'll post pictures tomorrow. If you want to take a peek, you'll have to actually go to my website in the afternoon to see them!

On a more expensive note, we really need another car. You can pray for us. We are trying to decide whether or not the car needs to be family friendly or not - for Rod's obvious work reasons. Personally, I'd like a Sequoia - just like Jessie. Yet, that's not exact-tacly economical gas wise.

Highlights

(Jaden, showing off his Lego's, Jan 2009)

Yesterday, Faith & I went together down to Homeschool Potpourri. She needed to do some school book shopping and I told her if she ever went, to let me know & I'd tag along. I ended up getting a few things. One book was for Jaden - one of the Abeka art/cut out books. I ended up with quite a few books, amazing how things cost so much less used. If you're willing to rip out the first five pages, you can get things there for SO MUCH LESS!

Josiah started seriously started reading last sept/oct. And in the last six months, he's gone from readers to third grade reading. So I took some time to look at the reading materials to see which level I really want to get him into.

A friend of ours, Shawna, met us there with her three kids. It was quite fun to see them & joke around with them for a little bit. Although, honestly, I wished we could have stayed longer just to chat! I do enjoy seeing how much her kids love to read :D It's also nice to know someone who's farther down the road in homeschooling than you. Shawna's always good to ask about which product is better for this or that!

(Julia, showing off her Legos, Jan 2009)

On the way down & some on the way back Faith & I talked about our wills. We both realize we don't have much in monetary significance.. but we both need to get down on paper who are kids would go to, if something were to happen to us. Since our tax return should be arriving, one of our goals is to get our will & my parents will done. Yet, I'm not really sure who to put down on paper for my kids.

As long as my parents are alive, I want my kids to be able to see them. They've earned that much, a right in my opinion, because they've have truly been there for Rod & I. If something were to happen to us, it would be hard for them to loose our kids. So that means that I probably would not send them to either of our siblings out of state. Yet, my parents are getting older - and although they would willingly take custody of them, how much longer is that really feasible? Decisions, tough decisions are going to need to be made in that dept. here soon.

Last night, we went to Bible Study. Rod met us there. There was spaghetti for dinner. Josiah went off with the boys small group. He took Halo 3, because the previous week, they told Josiah that there was going to be a video game night at one of the boy's houses. Josiah was a hit and all they played was Halo 3. Since he's the "new" kid, I thought it was fun that something that we own, would help him break in and make friends a little easier.

Rod & I ran into some old friends, who we've wished somehow we could get reconnected with. They were the family that Rod first lived with when he came out here from New Jersey. They were reacquainted with our kids - and were surprised at how much they look like Rod! (I always think that is so funny, that people really think they look like him. And they do!)

Nothing exciting really happened today. Kids did school work & chores. Rod worked. I had a headache a few hours of the day. I spent too much time reading email though! Somedays, I get barely any email. Others, like today, I spend reading and responding to many many emails.

I need to get Rod's friday school class materials ordered - but we are waiting on getting the final rosters, to make sure I have what he needs for classes. I think it's taking longer than usual because of a kid mixup.

One of the highlights of my day was sitting in front of the fire, after the kids were in bed, next to Rod, watching a show that Faith recommended called Numbers. Not that the show was really that great, but hanging out with Rod in front of the fire was!

Not Now, I'm Twirling!

(photo: me & Jess, Friday school, April 2008)

My dear friend Jessie, suckered me in to one more thing! Well, at least that's what I tell her. I've heard about Beth Moore bible studies for quite some time. Haven't ever done one. Well, she told me this last weekend about one that is on Tues. nights. I told her I'd talk to Rod about it..

Rod and I agreed that I should go. 1st- I would like to take it. 2nd- There's child care. 3rd- He can do homework for those two hours uninterrupted, and hopefully take some time off of the homework he's going to need to get done on the weekends - giving us more family time. I think it's a 10 week series.

A few months ago (even a couple of weeks ago) I wouldn't have ever imagined myself in the situation that we are in! Job change? Rod in School? Rod commuting? None of those were options! Somehow, through God's grace, we are doing fine!

What I didn't know, is that I am in for some homework myself. 2-3 hours of homework a week. It'll be good though, I've needed some motivation to really get back into God's word.

Rod got home from work, we ate dinner and then WE left without him. I got teary eyed. Then I go to bible study and tell one of my best friends (who's husband has been deployed for a few months) that I really miss Rod and I can't believe I *volunteered* to be gone while he's at home!

She's so kind and understanding. She's says when Nick's been home for while - and then goes back to work it's a hard transition for her too. I'm SO COMPLETELY thankful that she's not judgemental. She could have been if she wanted to. Don't get me wrong, i'm not being a cry baby, and I haven't complained even once to Rod... Even you'd be proud of me!

Tonight, I need to look through the info for tomorrow night's small group. A year or so ago, we found out what a blessing it is to have a family night at church that includes dinner. Tomorrow nights small group is just that - it's for the whole family, has dinner, bible study and fellowship!

I'll end with something "super cute" from today. Awhile before we were ready to go to Bible study, I had gotten Julia's tights on, she was wearing a dress. A little while later, I asked her to get her shoes on. Her exact answer to me was, "Not now, I'm twirling!" Standing in the middle of the kitchen floor twirling. She's such a girl, and i'm glad!

Two Down, Two to Go!

Today my cousin had her tonsils taken out. I had her daughter here for a few hours. The kids really enjoy having company. I should make that happen more often.

(photo: Oscar the Grouch. Rod's homework buddy. They've spent many hours together. He's in the tank next to Rod's desk. We feed him feeder goldfish. He's one of the coolest homeschool projects that we have ever received.)

This afternoon, it snowed. You know, that's something I DID NOT consider when Rod took the job at Microsoft!!! Uh, him commuting in the snow! Pray! Pray! Pray! I know Rod's supposed to be there, so the Lord will take care of him. This is *supposed* to be a very short term thing. So *hopefully* the snow won't be a factor, right?

This last December we were basically at home for 2 weeks. We took my parents groceries, went to an adoption and ran a few errands. I enjoyed the part of it where life slowed down, but not the part where I felt like I couldn't go anywhere. I'm not looking forward to repeating that ANYtime soon!

I just can't wait until Friday (tax return, hopefully) so that I can put new tires on the van. That will make me feel much better about him commuting, even in the snow.

That happens to be Valentine's day weekend :D Our other plans are: a dinner at a REAL, non fast-food, restaurant without children. *Smile* Will be asking my Mom & Dad if the kids can stay the night so that Rod & I can have a romantic evening at home alone! Bless the grandparents!

Tonight I worked on the FCHM ezine. I had put the articles in previously, Heidi put her article in and made some changes. It looks good. If you want to take a peek, CLICK HERE.

FCHM recently got archiving through Constant Contact (last month). I went in and looked around but I didn't really understand how it worked. Today, Heidi had me send out this email, and I played around with the archiving... and I figured it out! I think I'm going to love it!

Previously, I would do the ezine and then Jay would upload it to the FCHM site and add links. It worked, but it was still cumbersome on the SJ's end. Now, if it's done, it's done and I can send it out! Woohoo! One less thing for Jay & Heidi. That's something that will really help! (And it will make me feel more useful :D)

With the archiving up, I'll need to update archive page. That may take me a couple of days to do. It'll take some finger work, but I really think i'll like the results.

Tomorrow is a no errands day. So, that means the kids will get a full dose of chores :D and a full day (our standard day anyway) of school. Josiah needs to get to work on his math. He's really excelling right now in reading, so I can't complain too much about anything else. (I am so happy he's finally got the reading thing down!) One down, three to go. Although, Jedediah's about got it. So, two down, two to go!

Jaden's named it, Julia's claimed it

(Photo: Julia & my dad) Last night we went and hung out at my parents. I always enjoy watching my parents around my kids. My dad always brightens up when he sees them!

Dad puts lotion on his feet often. (Not that anyone needs to know that.) Last night, while dad was putting lotion on his feet Julia was dead set on helping him. Honestly, you could just see, she wanted to be of help. We all had a few good laughs over her attempt to rub on the lotion.

Julia's burn is better. I just wish it would heal. I really hope that it doesn't scar. Somehow, I don't think it will. Nursing runs in my family, but not through this girl!

(I think i'm really getting ready emotionally for a new camera. I love this one, except for the fact that it doesn't do as well as I would like in low light. The picture above shouldn't have been a problem. sigh.)

(photo: Rod, at his laptop, Jan 2009) Rod spent most of the day working on homework. Yep, most of the day. He is completely caught up in all three of his classes. One class, the intro to multimedia, he higher than average test scores (strange that all that info is now available. How I would have loved that info back in my college dayz!) and in his two other classes is has 100% in both. Uh, that's better than I've ever done. Go figure.

Yet, I am extremely proud of Rod for -
1)Keeping up with his school amidst everything that is going on
2)That he's getting such good grades!

(photo: Nelson kids, Donut Hockey, Feb. 8, 2009) Tonight we did something that we haven't done in such a long time, that it really did feel like a treat! We went to Krispy Kreme. Somewhere along the lines, it's gotten renamed in our family as "Donut Hockey." I think there's an online veggie tale game with donuts where they look like they are playing hockey. Jaden has renamed it, Julia's claimed it and it's stuck.

(Nelson kids, Donut Hockey, Nov. 2006.) Wow, the kids have changed!

While we were there we got 6 donuts, each one is specially picked and a cafe creme mocha (for me :D).

Jedediah prefers Maple bars (much like his dad). Julia and Jaden like color and chocolate, hence, sprinkles. Josiah, wanted an apple fritter (he says it's the biggest). Rod and I just plain enjoy the hot glazed donuts. I really like this picture, because it shows all of our different preferences.

(photo: Nelson donuts!)

A few notes from the weekend:

I don't know if I really would ever plan to have another day that was as busy as last Friday! That was crazy. Registration, 2 birthdays and hanging at another friends... it was nuts!

We have the teen group down for ice skating in Lynnwood on Saturday 2/26.

Rod brought his work laptop home this weekend. It runs Windows XP :D Funny somehow that it's not running Vista. (I can't wait for Microsoft's new operating system to go public!!!)