The Weekend

Friday School was fantastic this week. It might of had something to do with the fact that I didn't do much work :D Sometimes that just happens. Jay & Heidi SJ were in town so I had a little bit of a chance to catch up with them. I don't usually get to go to chapel, but since Jay was leading worship, I did. I miss the days where he was the worship pastor at EBC.

Randy, Jay and I sat and talked about database stuff for awhile during block A. Block B, I couldn't get back to the espresso machine to save my life. I ended up making coffees block C. It's kinda like riding a bike. Haven't done it for weeks - and somehow you just remember how to do it.

Rod's classes went good. Robert & Rod's teen class they talked about some basic things that they need to know as they get older. Rod and I have a hot button for focusing on teaching people people skills. How to look someone in the eye, how to shake someone's hand. How to make someone feel like you are listening to them. I think I need to practice that one better with my own kids, personally!

Rod's planning on teaching the kids how to tie a tie at some point. One of my pet peeves, is guys who don't know how long their tie should hang.

The teens in the techno sketching that I talked to... were surprised at how hard the class was. I'm sure that they'll get used to it, but I love to give them a good challenge anyway. Hopefully, we'll come up with some sort of challenge, so that at Display night we can give out an award or two. They love to be acknowledged for work well done. They also really like to win. It makes them work better :D

Chess is chess. Although this time, we waited to order the new students chess sets. It's been a problem, trying to remember how many times each student has taken chess. We get these cool bag tags for the students - each time they take chess - after they win their first game that term - they get their bag tag. This time Josiah will get his King. He's pretty excited about it. I think Jed's due for his bishop (Jed started a taking chess later, when he was in the first grade). Next week they start their round robin.

A couple of the Moms at Friday school asked me to ask if we could have a 1st grade class, like we have a K class next term (fall 09). I think it's a great idea. I'm really hoping that the board thinks it's a great idea. One reason, I'm not sure that Jaden is really ready for "classes." It would also give more room for kids in big kid classes. Thinking about it, praying about it.

We had a good weekend. We realized today that we need to redo the brakes on Mom's white van. Maybe later in the week. Today we went to church at The Gathering. That was nice. Jaden wants to go back there. We've been going to churches all over, I guess we eventually need to settle on one :D

Spent the afternoon at Jessie's. The kids are always asking to see her kids. We had chili (hopefully I won't be able to smell that all day tomorrow). Rod sat in the kitchen with us moms and listened to the chatter while doing his InDesign homework. It feels so good to see their family. Refreshing. I feel better than when I arrived. Jess is one of those people who has truly made a difference in my life. I know I've told her, but somehow I just feel the need to SHOW her.

Jess really got a kick out of how Rod was able to sit in the kitchen with 3 moms and listen to us chatter. Relationships are important to Rod, and he knows that relationships with Jess & Rosemarie are important in my life - so he just listened. I'm sure he got lots of insight into the whole world of a woman :D

Rosemarie's husband showed up on their Harley. He gave all of the willing kids rides on the motorcycle. You'd be proud, I let my kids ride. I'm just not much of a motorcycle fan. All of the kids really enjoyed it. Should have sent Rod out with the camera.... Why do I always think of things after the fact?!

Rod was able to get quite a bit of homework done this weekend. Two InDesign projects today. We took a look at what's left - due in a few weeks. He's on track better than I realized. I'm glad he figured that out, it gave me peace about the whole thing. I mean, he is working full time, commuting AND going to school full time! I sincerely hoped that his schooling wouldn't suffer! He has to work hard to get it done, but he's getting it done!

That Was Relatively Easy

(Josiah at Granddad's Greenhouse, Feb 2009)

Mom called and asked if Dad's helpers were coming out to help with the greenhouse again today. So I arranged to take the kids out - so Josiah could help. Mom said she'd watch the kids so that I could run my errands. So I guess the kid's schooling today was helping out at Grandma & Granddads (that's two days in a row!).

Since we got Rod's car yesterday, I took it over to the insurance company to get insurance put on it. Other times, they've come out & looked at the car. They didn't today. That was relatively easy.

Took the papers that I needed to copy at EBC over to the church and asked if I could use the copy machine... they have been known to say no - my back up plan was to use the upstairs copy machine if I needed to. The receptionist let me. That was relatively easy.

Went over to Lowe's to get duplicate keys made for the Saturn. For some reason, one key, just didn't sit well with me. I got duplicates made for it & the caravan. Even that was relatively easy!

Dropped by Janet's, of course, when I do decide to stop by she wasn't home....

Went out and picked up the kids - came home and put lasagna in the oven - waited for Rod to get home.

(photo: Mom, Jed & Julia, Feb 2009)

Rod got home & we realized that we realllly need to finish up our Friday School plans for classes. So we went to walmart to get a few class supplies. Came home, put the kids to bed and work on friday school prep. While I was busy, Rod got an assignment done.

In Chess class, Rod does a chess tournament. I got a program online, that helps you set up your Round Robin schedule. I'd forgotten how long it takes to set up three round robins! Nine kids in each round robin, 27 kids total in class.

Rod finally got his highest enrollment ever, in Techno-Sketching - he's got 31 students! Good thing he's got good help! (Amy & Trevor are fantastic. I'm still the Barista in Coffee Corner.)

I'm seriously hoping that we find the time for him to finish up this quarter!!! There just isn't enough time in the day! Although, I really want him to finish, it must be that "finish what you've started" saying that's been stuck in my head all these years - that I work so hard on with my kids... it's coming back to haunt me! College too, eventually shall pass :D

Rod's New Car

(photo: Saturn SL2, picture at night, from Rod's cell phone)

We've literally looked at 40 cars within the last 10 days. Maybe not in person, but contacting, emailing, test driving... and it's getting old. I told Rod today, that if we don't find something in the next couple of days, I'm personally going to need a break. He said that Great Minds Think Alike! He's feeling the same way!

He was supposed to go to a car dealership yesterday to look at a car... they closed early without letting him know. So today, he went, I'm not sure if it was the same dealership or not, to see what they had. They told him about the Saturn SL2 that's pictured above.

Because he'd gone to the dealership, he missed bible study. I'm okay with it though, I just want this one particular issue in our lives resolved :D He test drove it and really liked it. No body damage, leather (or lookalike leather) seats, extremely clean interior, really nice stereo. Best of all, the engine sounds good & it has low miles (considering how much we paid for it) & newer tires. The hub caps are shiny.

Rod bought it. My pre-approval was a really long conversation while he was in the car lot, and a MMS message with the above photo! Then I realized that this is the THIRD car that Rod's purchased - and I wasn't present. You'd think for spending that much, that you'd both want to be there.... Rod and I talked about all the must haves (low miles for the year, good sounding transmission, cruise control, electronic windows, an a/c that works, etc.) - the actual car body style wasn't on the list.

I trust Rod with my life and my kids. I trust him with honoring my parents. I trust him at work. I trust him with so many things, why wouldn't I trust him with the purchase of a car? Afterall, it IS just a car.

It was a bit more than we had planned on spending. But, this is God's money. If that's what he puts before us, that is what he puts before us. We did our due diligence of looking for a car that gets good gas mileage without completely being a tin can!

So, Rod has a newer car, gold, but doesn't get to drive it tomorrow.. I need to take it to the insurance company and have it added onto our insurance tomorrow :D Oh well, he gets it the day after!

I do need to add that I drove it home. We stopped at the smokey point rest stop on the way home. I must say that it either handles reallly well or I've been driving a mini van for tooo long (or maybe both!). It was so much fun to drive!!!!

(photo: Me & My Dad) Today, the kids and I went out to my parents to help my dad put the plastic on the greenhouse. We were supposed to do it on Saturday, but dad must have gotten up & seen that the weather would be fantastic for doing it. When my mom brought the boys home from the Gleaners.. she said that dad wanted us to come out and help him put it on.

We spent the whole afternoon out there. Putting the plastic on was relatively easy. That surprised me. My dad got the overhead stuff nailed down & then I told him that if he had a hammer that I wouldn't mind helping putting on the 2x6's (??).

(Dad's Greenhouse, Josiah's inside) I was so excited! I really did help put it up. And then my dad really did let me nail on the wood pieces to hold the plastic in place. He was so thankful too. That type of activity is extremely tiring for him & I saved him a lot of bending over & a lot of work. Although, I looked like I'd done a lot of work when it was over! Josiah helped too! Thanks Jos! My dad is still awesome - when I was a kid I knew he could do stuff... still as an adult, I am amazed at how accurately and how fast and how hard he can swing the hammer!

Josiah and I also watched/helped him install the fan for it. My dad is amazing - his design to get airflow between the two sheets of plastic. It is fantastic. I imagine by this time next week he'll have the ends of it and the doors on & it will be a full fledged hot house! Really looking forward to dads homegrown tomatoes for my favorite salsa!!!

(Julia & Easter, our bunny, who resides at my parent's house) BTW - I was able to get some great outdoors shots with the new A350. I simply cannot believe how quick the focus/shot is in live view! Sony may not be the favorite of most DSLR afficionados - but they've done SO much to change camera technology since they really got into designing cameras. Their cameras seem more for those of us who didn't grow up with "traditional" photography, but more for those of us who've really gotten into it since digital photography has come into it's own.

Another New Camera

Today, I spent the morning dealing with Friday school issues that I found particularly irritating. I'll spare the details.

Josiah & Jedediah stayed the night at my parents last night so that today they could go to Snohomish to pick up plastic for my dad's warehouse from a greenhouse wholesaler. They had a fantastic time of course. My dad has arranged with a local retailer, to have the boys grow and sell vegetable plant starts, and then wholesale them to the retailer.

Since they have moved further back on their property, my dad has yet to get his greenhouse reestablished. He's got it moved, and it looks like we'll be helping put on the plastic on Saturday morning.

Then my dad is going to be working with the boys, as a homeschool project, to help them learn to grow starts - and then they get experience in delivering and selling their "products." I thought it was a fantastic idea from the start! What a great experience. Feeling quite blessed that my dad wants to take an active role in the boy's "homeschooling."

Rod went to look at another car today after work. I guess the guys at the car lot thought he wasn't coming, because it was closed when he got there.

(H7 Lowlight pic)I took some time today and looked at cameras online. Found that they have a Sony A350 at the Northgate best buy... so instead of buying a car, he bought a camera. They don't carry them in the stores north of Seattle!

(A350 lowlight) Tonight we got the D90 back into it's box, nicely done, I might add. That was a feat unto itself. We sat around and took pictures with our H7 and compared it to our A350. From reviews I read, the A350 has issues with low light. Our H7 did for sure, which was one of the reasons we were looking for a new one in the first place. As far as we can tell the A350 has truer colors in lowlight (w/o flash) as well as it's somewhat clearer.

There were so many things that I like about it... the Live View, acts like a click & shoot live view.. but it's so entirely faster. I will really like that. The lens caps fit on whichever lens - not specific to one lens. (Silly enough, but it was really irritating with the D90).

I think the biggest change, besides the actual size of the lens on the DSLR will be the transferring of photos. I'm used to inserting my card into my laptop. I'm going to have to use the transfer cable. It uses a media card instead of a SD card.

The place I like to take digital scrapbooking classes online, is having a DSLR class here soon and Rod said I can take it. Registration is Monday, and I can hardly wait!

♥ My Personal FaceBook Addiction ♥

(Rod's new shoes. Tax Return enabled me to "splurge" a bit on Rod! I liked the Brown ones, and then I double dogged dared Rod to get the other ones, so that he could have a pair of Converse like Branden :) He's never owned a pair of converse before. Talk about reaching out & doing something new!)

Rod posted a note on Facebook - "How to know if you are a addicted to Facebook." Uh, that would be me! I love staying in touch without staying in touch. How else could you really keep track of so many people at once? I couldn't. Tonight a friend tagged me in a note about how she & her husband met. That has to be one of my favorites! I wrote mine out & retagged her. I love ♥Love♥ stories, even my own!

Today we went to church at His Place. Pastor Bruce talked about the authenticity of the Bible. We have friends who struggle with whether or not the bible was God-breathed or not. I think I got some info that will help me stand in that dept. Only God knows that that has been a topic on my heart. Glad to see that He obviously knows I need that info too!

Then we went to the TenBrinks for lunch. It's always interesting getting our kids together. Although I haven't spent much time with their kids really, I love them so much. An extension of the love and respect for their parents, I suppose. Our kids are sandwiched in between their kids.. which makes it interesting when we get together.. no one has friends their age really. It works though, somehow.

Spending time with them reminded me once again how good it is for all of us to fellowship with others. Of all things, Faith and I logged into FB to check on our Mafia Wars! :) That's something that I never thought I would do (play FB games!). Thanks TenBrinks for having us over!

(D-90 camera box) I think we've decided to return the camera we just bought. The stipulation for buying a DSLR was that the Live view had to work. The reviews on it said that the live view was a bit "klunky". Well, it downright is worse than klunky. Klunky, is kind. How about - WON'T FOCUS IN LIVE VIEW! That would have been honest, but it wouldn't sell many D90's! So, we bought it at costco, they have a good return policy. Well, that's unless in the next couple of days I can mess with the settings and get it straightened out!

Which means that I'm going to be looking at the Cannons (as per Jay) and the Sony's (as per Rod) to see which one has the best live view. If neither, well then, I've just saved myself a ton of dollars! Oh, but to be nice, it takes FANTASTIC pictures with the eye piece.

(one of the cars we looked at)

Rod test drove a car that we both liked. While he was taking the car back, I prayed asking the Lord to provide something reliable - and that if this wasn't a reliable car, to let us know. The fact that Rod doesn't have the time to mechanic on our cars, and won't for the next few months - he needs something that will be reliable. Turns out he went to return it and there was a problem with the ignition. Back to square one there too! (PTL we found out before buying!)

Tonight, while Rod cruised through his homework (too cool!) I did my whole week's homework for our Beth Moore bible study that's tomorrow night. It took me an hour or so, but it was quite interesting. Makes me wonder why I haven't done this style of bible study in awhile! This week our study was on the different kings of the old testament. How something one did or didn't do - affected the next reign. And how when there was a really bad king - that the next one usually straightened things out.

Kind of reminded me of parenting too - how when someone doesn't like what their parents did with them, that they change it with their kids....

I also learned there was a prophet named Oded. Odd name Oded.