Talk About An Oxymoron.

(photo: Jed in front of the van)
Today's been a car day. First my mom locked her keys in the car... so I had to put the kids in the car, drive to Burlington, to pick her up, so she could go home & get the spare...

Later, my dad said that one of the shocks in the strut on the van is going bad. I've been hinting at him test driving it for a couple of weeks - I just knew something was going on. So I ordered the part. Rod came home from work & picked it up. Meanwhile my dad was over, to help change it, when he realized that we needed a special tool, in order to put it in....

At first we thought we'd rent the tool from Schucks - it was $49.99 for the day. But they didn't have one. Rod called around and the Schucks in Sedro Woolley had the special tool for sale for $39.99. Go figure! So we drove to Sedro Woolley to pick it up. Then we drove out to my parents to switch cars, so that my dad can work on it tomorrow. I guess if he needs help, he'll wait until Rod gets off work.

Rod got an email from one of the advisers at Skagit, saying that if he didn't turn in a FAFSA application that they wouldn't pay for his Spring quarter classes. So he got online & filled it out. We spent an hour or so looking for 2007's tax records... other years are filed and right where they are supposed to be... 2007's weren't. Apparently, he may be eligible for a grant. Who knew?

Then he got another email, from the workforce people saying that, because of all of the people applying for the workforce program, that all workforce students have to pay for their own books - uh... a couple hundred dollars??? Are you kidding me? He was approved last Sept for tuition AND books! Literally, if Rod wasn't working, we could not pay for the books that would allow for him to continue to go to school and stay on unemployment. A month or so ago, we were barely paying our rent - books would have been a luxury! Talk about an oxymoron. It irritates me - we are trying to get on our feet - and things like this DO NOT help!

The workforce people want Rod to stay in the program. You would think that keeping Rod happy would keep him in the program. It makes them look bad if he doesn't finish. Go figure. He's not in it for them! I want Rod to finish because he's always wanted a degree. Workforce is supposed to pay for two more quarters. Rod'll end up with two certificates. If he wants a degree, I think he needs two more quarters. That's almost tangible - if we ever get that far.

Woot! Winter Quarter IS DONE!

(Rod's Photoshop Final 50/50) I am so excited! Rod was able to finish his final - final project today and he took his Photoshop Final Exam. One more quarter down! We officially have two weeks of dad/evening time! A couple of weeks ago I was stressed about these three final projects that had to be done.

Rod worked hard & got them done & they were fabulous. He will get two, if not three A's this quarter. In InDesign he got 100%! Uh, I've never done that! His InDesign & Photoshop final projects he got 50/50. I think on his third final project he got 94/100. So all's well!

Next quarter, he'll be studying *Multimedia Design *Digital Photography and *Web Design.

I'm up at 6 in the morning - Pregnancy has a way of messing with my schedule the first trimester. Sunday, I must have slept three quarters of the day. I know it's just part of the process. I was talking to Rod about it, and for some reason, I was thinking that because I know it happens, that this time, I would be able to overcome it... right.

Still praying about what to do about Josiah's coach. Haven't heard back from the President of LL about switching him out - but I sincerely hopes it happens soon. He's supposed to have practice tomorrow!

Jedediah is signed up for LL for the first time this year. I hope it's a good experience for him. We have the first pre-practice meeting on Tues. night.

Tonight we went to Big5 and picked up cleats. Josiah is in a 10.5 cleat! (He normally wears a 10!) We got Jedediah 5's. We also got Jed his first glove & first pair of Baseball pants. The team usually provides a set of clothing, but Josiah usually wears out an extra pair of baseball pants every year - so we thought ahead and got Jed an extra pair. Josiah has lots of clothing from over the past couple of years. Couldn't go get their socks/belt because we have to wait to find out what the team colors are.

Just Three More Days...

(Heidi, showing a lapbook)
Here we are at the end of another week. Rod hasn't worked a typical work week since we were married. It's odd for me for him to work m-f and take sat/sun off. I'm hoping at some point I'll adjust. With my luck, I'll finally have it figured out & his job will change. Seems like just about the time you are comfortable with something - something else comes along to challenge your comfort. In many ways that's a good thing, right?

Thursday night Heidi St. John did a lapbooking/notebooking workshop for those of us in Mt. Vernon. Wow, there were many homeschooling moms in our area that I haven't met before. That was fun & educational. Heidi has the gift for speaking - she's relatable & funny.

Josiah found out at his first practice Thursday who his coach for this year will be. Let's just say, that I was not happy. I emailed the president of the LL assoc & asked for him to be switched to another team. Josiah hasn't had him per se, but we saw this coach at games last year. Although, this coach - his team won every game against Josiah's team last year - I seem to remember some cursing, a lot of yelling and a few unacceptable stolen bases. And I'm being kind. So, Lord willing he'll get switched!

Earlier Thursday, I went to make copies for Rod's Friday school class. Speaking of churches, I want to go to a church that believes in being ministry minded - not that they can't have their financial ducks in a row... but that people are what's really important. I suppose that's one reason why Rod & I aren't "planted".

We are working on that though. Rod has one friend (you know who you are!) who calls every week and finds an excuse for us to meet them at church. And they are sincerely valid reasons. I'm wondering if he'll at some point run out - then again, probably not! Especially, if that's where the Lord wants us :D

We know so many people from so many churches, and we are trying to figure out where we are supposed to be. No matter where we are, we find people we know. People from different churches want us to go to their church. We just really need the Lord to speak to us and pinpoint a specific one.... I guess I'll have to add that to my prayer list. I made one recently, and I really need to spend more time in prayer! There are so many needs around me!

Today I found out that a friend of mine, her dad, has brain cancer. A couple of my young adult years, I spent growing up in and around her family. Though I haven't seen her dad for quite a few years, this news greatly saddened me. I sat & cried. As I'm sitting here, I have tears in my eyes. I love this family. I ache for their struggle. Yet, there is hope that God will do great things in this situation - and I sincerely hope He does.

On a happier note, Jedediah has become good friends with Spencer SJ. This last summer we traveled down to their home a few different times. I realized today that their four younger kids are all about the same ages as our four kids. I love their two older teen girls. Anyhoo, while at lapbooking thurs. night, I asked Spencer if they were coming to Friday school - and he said they were. And that he wanted to surprise Jed. I found out that Friday was his birthday. B'c him & Jed are friends, I asked what they were doing for his birthday. He said maybe going to Jungle Playland. I told him & Heidi, that if they'd like company, I'd bring Jed & maybe the rest of my kids.

So the highlight of my day, was spending a couple hours, for Spencer's birthday at Chuck E Cheese (J. Playland was full) with the SJ's. Our kids got to play together, my kids got to do something we haven't done since Rod has been unemployed, I got to continue to build a relationship with a couple of people that I deeply care about and we blessed all of the kids by sharing our tokens & giving all of the tickets to the birthday boy. Happy Birthday Spencer!

Rod's only got a few days left of Winter quarter at Skagit, then he'll have a couple of weeks off for Spring Break. Rod's got two final projects completed & emailed in. He's got one final project left, one test and one final test. It's due Monday at noon. It's do-able, I just hope it all gets done without too much stress. Just three more days...

Luna, Luna

Here are a couple of great shots of the moon from tonight. Jessie said something during bible study that I should go take a look at it. I took a few shots with our smaller lens and then when we got home, Rod took another couple pictures with the larger lens. It was just cool this evening.

Tomorrow we are supposed to have History club - I still have to come up with something for Josiah to do. Here soon, maybe next month, I'm going to give it over to him as a project. Especially with me being pregnant, I just don't see myself putting in the kind of time that we have in months past. Although, I love the results!


Yesterday, I went to my very first doctors apt! With each of the boys, after birth, I had to share a hospital room and I had decided when I was pregnant with Julia that I didn't want to do that. So I went to St. Joseph's hospital in Bellingham. I loved my doctor. This time though, since SVC has changed their rooms so that you have your own room - just like in Bellingham - I decided that we'll have the baby here. That's nice & all, but I hate changing doctors.

I didn't mean to, but I got an appointment with one of the Midwives in the clinic at the Medical center - instead of one of the doctors. They said that if I want to, I can stay with them, unless there are issues with the pregnancy, in which case they would turn me over to a doctor. Midwife Mary seems nice & knowledgeable enough.

She kept asking me about pregnancy complications... I just kept telling her - I don't really have problems during pregnancy. It's postpardum that I have problems with. My next apt. is in april. It's early in the morning. I will have an ultrasound - so Rod should be able to go with me, yet still be able to go to work afterwards.


This photo was taken by my budding photographer - Jedediah. He asked today if he could use my camera (he's 7). I said "sure." Tonight I looked on my camera, and there must be 50 bird shots! Wow, that boy can take pictures! Apparently, Josiah, Rod & Jedediah have plans to use bird shots and do a bird identification poster board for Display night in May. Very thoughtful and a great idea boys!

I think that Rod & I have decided on a boys name. We didn't name Jaden until right before we left the hospital. I don't want to do that again - it was stressful. Now I just need to figure out a little girls name!

Fantastic Weekend with Friends

(photo: my current pregnancy addiction. Okay, well, it was when we first found out last week! Rod first figured out that I was pregnant last week when I ate 6, yes 6, snack sized almond joy's. For some reason, I just couldn't get enough of them. Rod teased me so much that he said that if it's a girl, we should call her "Joy" after the Almond Joy craving. Rod bought me one for "just in case" for our trip this weekend - and today Jay borrowed the car & ate it!)

Friday was a fun & crazy day! We did friday school & then we zipped out of there as quick as we could. Rod needed to do three hours of work - then we could hang out with some friends and then even later drive down to stay the night at the St. Johns so that we could go to the FCHM leaders retreat on Saturday.

Rod took me down to where he works. A big shiny building :D with lots of windows. I thought I would sit in the car and work on my bible study material for Tuesday night, while he worked. I tried to see if there was a wireless network I could log onto nearby & that didn't work. I realized though, once the network thing didn't work - that I was tired.

So, I took a three hour nap. Which was quite refreshing! Pregnancy makes me tired the first few months - and I know I should just expect it.

We went to dinner with the TenBrinks & the Powells at Azteca. Hadn't eaten there before & they had such huge platters of food. I guess we should have asked before ordering - maybe we would have shared a dish like we normally do! Instead we had leftovers!

Afterwards, we went on a long & windy drive down to "Kent." I'm not sure we really were in Kent when we arrived. The TenBrinks had some friends who play in a band. The band wants video & stills for promo materials & Jay asked Rod to go with to see scope it all out. Somehow it turned into us three couples going - Rod ended up doing stills. I didn't realize that quite a bit of their music would be country, but it was. I haven't listened to country really since I lived a home or rode in the car with Shannon. That's been awhile!

When we usually do stuff with our Teens group, we sometimes go to Lynnwood or somewhere a little out of the way. Partly on purpose. Time in the car usually equates into building relationships - and that benefits us all.

The band was good - but just like with the teens, we spent more time in the car than we did listening to the band. We had so much fun riding "an hour" both ways! Whenever we spend time with the TenBrinks & the Powells, it makes me wonder why we don't do it more often! We have such good clean fun!

We got down to the St. Johns about 1 in the morning. The door was supposed to be unlocked. It wasn't. It must have looked like we were trying to break into the house! Finally, Rod went around the house and opened the sliding glass door. I was really glad that we figured out how to get in. We stayed in "our" room (we always end up in Savannah's room - which we've now adopted). The last thing I would want was to wake up the St. John's in the wee hours of the morn - considering they were speaking the next day! We all had a good laugh about it in the morning. In the morning, the Laws had made the most fabulous omelet breakfast!

(photo: a few of us in a breakout session.) Soon thereafter, we headed over to US Digital. US Digital has office space for christian non profits that they donate for use. Literally, FCHM does not pay a penny for the space or the electricity. Computers and desks were donated to fill their "offices". I think they have four! Apparently they filled out an application for the space months ago, and it's turned out terrifically.

There was real conference room space for FCHM's use, an actual meeting room, a storage room, and a fancy cafeteria! There are 14 other ministries in the building. A receptionist. We were all simply in shock at how fantastic it all is. And I'm not talking dumpy office space - I'm talking brand new - fancy - immaculate space. What a shot in the arm, confidence wise for the entire ministry! Way to go God!

(photo: Leadership retreat, Steve Lambert speaking) Steve Lambert spoke - he has such a gift of cutting straight to the heart. An amazing speaker who is a vassel for the Lord. Heidi, Jay & the Kvalviks did break out sessions - on things relevant to the ministry. We had lunch in our lovely cafeteria. If I were working there, I think I'd pinch myself upon entry every time!

One thing that I love to do, while at the St. Johns is hang out with their teen daughters. One of them in particular, tried really hard to talk us into coming down to Portland for a concert later in the month - it looks like we may go too! The other one, I chatted with for so long, in the bathroom, that I forgot & almost missed a breakout session! Love you girls!

On a side note, when I think about having teens, I just know that I have a greater peace about it than I ever have - the St. John teens, a couple of the different teens at friday school - instead of being afraid of having teens, I'm thinking that i'm actually looking forward to it!!

After the retreat, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Rod & I met with co-op leaders from the 2nd & the 3rd First class co-ops. We encouraged, gave ideas, explained how we work with the teens - apparently we were supposed to be at that table!

On the way home it snowed. I so badly wish it were spring already. At one point I had wondered if we were going to be able to go pick up our kids. It all turned out fine.

What I loved about our little "trip" was that the friday/saturday combined - really felt like Rod & I got some good quality time together. I love quality time. So, riding in the car chatting or singing to music for a couple of hours, can actually fill my love tank :D

Today, Rod finished the two assignments that he HAD to finish. We took the kids over to the YMCA to go swimming. I was in the water for about an hour, but I couldn't stay warm (they said the pool wasn't the right temp) so I got out and watched for the second hour. If I had known I was sitting on the side line, I would have taken my camera - the kids are so much fun to watch in the pool!

Today I realized that Jaden can swim. He needs to take lessons again to really get going, but I guess Julia's the only one left - that can't swim! Wierd! We quit doing swimming lessons when Rod went on unemployment & gas was so pricey... I will have to look into it again. For some reason, whenever we do swim lessons, I feel like we are "on a real schedule."

Josiah could swim the length of a pool when he was four. Jedediah really caught it the summer after he turned six, while we were in Minnesota. Jaden has got it and he's six. I don't know when Rod learned to swim. I learned during a summer at Clear Lake Beach when I was much older 9 or 10.

Rod & I got to do something "normal" tonight - after he was done with his work - we sat & watched 24 & Lie to Me. That felt good. Just sitting on the couch together. Haven't done that in awhile. He's got quite a bit more to do in the next week. One more week of school & then he has a couple weeks off. We are all looking forward to his Spring Break.

Tomorrow, I have my first doctors apt. I should find out my due date. Hopefully, they won't argue with me about when I got pregnant (they have before!). The time change is messing with me - I'm off to bed & I definitely need to set my alarm!