This week or so...

Wow, it's been more than a week since I've written anything... feels strange. I actually wrote this post a few days ago - but blogger wouldn't let me upload my pix. Have fun pix = must post! So I waited. And then i've been so tired & behind, that posting was one of the last things on my mind!!!

Last friday, I just felt terrible & didn't go to Friday School. Jessie came over & loved on me. I guess the Lord knew that I needed some encouragement. Funny thing is, I know that I struggle profusely during this time of a pregnancy, but somehow - it doesn't make it easier. Rod & I have conversed about this quite a few times.

(photo: B & his converse cake)

Saturday we went down to the Powell's for Branden's Birthday party. That was tons of fun. Rod said he'd make the cake - which somehow :D we end up doing quite a bit of. All I can say, is that if you get a cake from us, you are on our "loved" list! We decided to make a cake in the likeness of a pair of converse. We tried our best to figure out what B's custom converse look like & gave up b'c of how complicated it would be to replicate the pattern. We ended up doing a traditional black & white shoe - and I thought it turned out quite well.

(photo: converse cake by Rod)

Each cake is a new experience. You hardly ever make the same cake twice. Which makes it hard to get it "right." Although, I can tell that Rod & I have improved over the last couple of years. Our favorite cake has to be the one we made for Isaiah - it was a guitar hero guitar.

(The Powell Rockband Band - or most of it.)

So, I helped Rod come up with the idea - and then I slept & he made and decorated the entire thing by himself! He's such a trooper!

Jessie came over on Tues and did my dishes & some laundry while I slept. I have a lot to learn from that girl! Serving others... Although, I don't open up my dirty dishes & laundry to just anyone! Wed, Sandi brought us dinner. Seriously, right now i'm having a hard time cooking!

These friends that keep blessing me with food are quickly becoming my favorites :D No really, they are really showing me how a giving heart blesses others. Taking care of our food, my kids ~ Today was the second practice since baseball started that I've taken either of the boys to - because Janet has been taking care of the boy's rides to practice! I am so grateful for so many of you in my life right now! Even thinking of all you've done for us brings tears to my eyes...

I seriously need to get the newsletter done for this month. I let a couple of the leaders know at First Class Skagit County that I think this is the last one i'm going to do for the year. There's usually a May edition, but I just haven't had the energy. And then I also let them know that there will need to be someone to replace me for the majority of next year as well. With a new baby & me dealing with postpardum - it's just something that I need to let go of! I guess someone else will get the opportunity to step up!

This is a bummer for me in some ways - I love writing & editing & creating the newsletter. But I really do know my limits in this dept. and it's just not a good idea to continue. I will miss it SO much! Hopefully, it won't be hard to see someone working on something that has been mine for the last two years - but when it's time, it's time. Maybe when I'm feeling better about this time next year, I'd be willing to do it again. Only time will tell.

There's going to be a guy's 360 nite down at B's next weekend. Rod's excited. I asked if I could go too. (It IS a guy's night afterall!) Rod & Josiah to play with the boys - and hopefully I'll get the chance to spend some good quality time with Shawna. It'll be nice to spend some time with friends & a nice chance to be out of the house without my younger ones.

Update on Rod's work - he's still working at Microsoft. Enjoying it really. We're not exactly sure how long he'll be there, but it looks like a few more months. I'm still in the dark on the project he's working on - but he's pretty excited by it. Making it really interesting when it comes to discussing how his day went. I thought it would be much harder than it's been living in the dark about what's going on at his work than it really is. I've been on his campus & seen the building he's in - that's about it.

Yes, i'm writing this quite late. I know. I'm awake, so I decided to do it. Today I was supposed to go to Jessies about 3. I finally got there after taking Jed to practice & then dropping Jos & Jed off with my dad for Garden Club at 6:30pm. Spent a couple of hours at her house. She makes this espresso - with white chocolate powder that is to die for! Had to have a cup. She's excited - her husband is very close to coming home from deployment. It's been a long 6 months. Sure makes me appreciate Rod being around daily!

Copyright © 2009 by Zindra Nelson, zindra@yahoo.com

Motherboard Books - Logo Adventures Review

Motherboard Books has come out with a homeschooling program, using MicroWorlds EX as the software, to teach kids, 8-12 years old basic Computer Programming skills.

This is probably my favorite product out of all of the products that I reviewed through the TOS Homeschoool Crew. Computers & Technology, no one doubts, is one thing that our kids should learn for their futures - and Motherboard Books will give your kids a headstart!

There are two materials in the set. The book Logo Adventures, by Phyllis Wheeler, and the accompaniment software called MicroWorlds EX, by LCSI. Logo Adventures gives kids a basic, easy to learn, even fun, way to learn basic computer programming.

Students will create shapes, patterns, animations and a game board using basic computer programming skills and commands.

The outline of the course, is to have your child use the materials one hour per week, for 26 weeks. In that time, they will learn:
*basic programming
*what input computers need to program
*draw shapes
*make games
*how to follow specific instructions
*how to personalize their work

Josiah used Logo Adventures with MicroWorlds EX software and has learned so much about what computers need as input to be programmable.

Josiah said, "My favorite part was that you could make it repeat it (the pattern you create) like 100 times!!"

This set is a great combination of teaching material and fantastic software.

I personally am so impressed by this set, that I will be purchasing the next level, when he is done with this one! The cost of Logo Adventures with MicroWorlds EX Software is $128.99. This is one set that I do feel is worth the money. Especially since you can buy it once & use it with multiple children.

The next level of books Computer Science, Pure and Simple, uses MicroWorlds EX software. If you have already purchased the program as a set with Logo Adventures, you do not need to rebuy the software, the books are available to you individually.

Motherboard Books has other materials in Internet Training for ages 8-15 using Let's Make a Webpage; Internet Training for ages 15 and up using Website ABC's; Spreadsheet & Internet & Programming ages 12 & up using Computer Science, Pure and Simple.

Motherboard Books also comes with a 30 day moneyback guarantee!
Visit the Motherboard Books website at www.motherboardbooks.com.

Rock & Worship Roadshow Weekend

(This post was written tuesday - but I didn't have time to upload the pix.) (Photo: Rod & Zindra & teens from First Class Skagit County & teens from First Class Clark County West.)
Rod & I had a great time with the Teens this weekend. It was pretty funny, the kids we needed to pick up, we had their address - but we didn't recognize where it was. So we put it into google maps on my phone for directions - and google couldn't find it. Finally, we called Sierra (in Vancouver) to find out where the Uptains live (in Mt. Vernon). We got them picked up on time & down to the St. Johns on time.

Kayla lent me a Ted Dekker book - Thr3E - which i'm interested in reading!

We were going to hang out at the house & instead ended up going to Multnomah Falls. I had not ever been there, so that was pretty neat. I love waterfalls. We had the nine seater surburban of the St. Johns filled with 2 adults, 6 Teens and 1 preteen. We got some good shots of the kids - and Sierra has hijacked them :D and put them on HER facebook. LOL. Will have to post a few. When we left the house, it wasn't raining. When we got to the falls - it was sprinkling pretty good. Right when we left it quit. Everyone got out and hiked the .2 miles up to the bridge.

(photo: at the bridge in front of the Multnomah Falls.) We knew dinner wasn't until 7, so Rod & I were determined to not return until about then. So after the falls, we went and got coffees at starbucks - and then everyone but me headed over to the Ikea (just a block away) to spend time together & kill some time too.

Heidi made a fantastic turkey dinner *yum*. The teens watched Phantom of the Opera while us adults hung out upstairs and talked.

(photo: Hawk Nelson in concert.) Sunday, I was just not feeling well. Tired & having problems with nausea. Rod went everyone off to church/lunch and I slept. Later he came back & got me & we headed over to the Portland Colesium (sp?) to meet up with the Teens and Jay for the concert. We heard 5 bands - Addison Road, 10th Ave N, Hawk Nelson (the best *show*), Jeremy Camp (who i'm most familiar with) and Mercy Me. It was a great concert. I guess they are planning on doing another tour again next year. They sold out the stadium (11,000 people).

Leaving Portland we ate at McDonalds. We all had #2's. That was pretty funny. *next time* we'll have to order #2's too :D

We got the Teens home in Mt. Vernon about 2am. Then we stood and talked at their house for about a 1/2 hour talking to Julie about what a great time we had with the teens and how glad we were to have taken them. Then we really did go to my parents and pick up Jaden & Julia. Mom said that dad wanted the boys for potting tomatoes for the Garden Club again in the morning, so they stayed. I just didn't feel after having issues this weekend with being tired, that I could hold myself accountable to getting up & going & getting our kids in the morning... At 3:30am, it felt good, to climb into my own bed! Yes, I realize we are crazy sometimes!

(photo: Rod & Zindra in front of the falls.) Rod went to work an hour or so later than normal (which worked out fine, he had a late meeting). Julie called and said that she was going to bring us over a meal as a thank you. I was *so* thankful. Having nausea & being tired, I haven't been the best dinner maker lately. Trevor brought over a yummy soup and warm rolls. Julie - I want the recipe!!! Such a treat. My little Julia said, "That soup makes my tummy happy!" I love that! Feeling so incredibly blessed by good friends today! Thank you Uptains!

Josiah's *NEW* coach called today and said that they were going to have their first practice tonight. I was so relieved to have him on another team! On Mondays, both of the boys will be having practice, at 5pm at Bakerview. Woot! Got ahold of Janet - & Christian is also on that team - so we will be able to rideshare with the boys. That was really helpful last year & I'm thinking with me pregnant, it's going to be even more important. Josiah was excited - he finally got to get out & wear his new cleats. That boy has big feet! He's 10.5 and wearing 10.5 sized cleats!

Janet came & picked up my boys & took them to practice. It was raining, so Jedediah's got canceled & Josiah's went for about 45 minutes. Janet came & spent some time at my house while she was waiting for practice to get over (the field is less than 5 min away.)

Vegetables & Mentos

(photo: Jed catching)

Vegetables and Mentos. I'd rather be eating Almond Joy :D. Seriously though, I now feel officially pregnant. Not that I wasn't a few days ago... In the last couple of days the whole Nausea thing has hit me pretty hard. I find myself reverting to what we did when I was pregnant before... eating lots of vegetables and not letting my stomach get empty. I haven't quite figured this one out - but I'm thinking because I don't keep much water down, that I'm getting some fluid in the veggies.

Mentos - well, peppermint is common to helping out with morning sickness. And right now, it's my preferred peppermint of choice. This usually lasts a few weeks and then I'm feeling much better, more like a normal person actually with lots of hope at new life.

We made plans this weekend to go down to the St. Johns and take a few of our teens to Rock & Worship concert in Portland. We used to do stuff like this all of the time before unemployment... and yet now, since Rod had had so much time with the kids in the last few months - and now he's back to work, they are having a hard time with the fact we are going to be gone this weekend. We thought about taking Josiah & Jedediah with us, but my dad wants help with the garden this weekend. They really need to get going on the Garden Club's plant sale & Josiah & Jedediah are their youngest members and most avid helpers.

(photo: park time at practice.) I keep telling my kids though, when Mommy gets her time with Daddy, that when Daddy's home, it's their turn. (Mommy doesn't try to steal the kid time when her Rod tank is full - it's true!) And then I realized, that we'll have to do something super fun next weekend - in honor of Rod's spring break for the kids. Maybe we could take them and stay the night somewhere with a pool, they really love that!

I still haven't gone & gotten Rod's books. I'm thinking that since I have the ISBN's that maybe I'll just get them off of fetchbook.info. I guess I better figure that one out in the next few days....

Thursday Jedediah had his first "real" baseball practice. For a child who has told me that he doesn't ever want to play - now tell me that he's going to be a "real good baseball player." - Let's just say Mom was pleased to see him bridge that gap. I've thought, that he knows that Josiah is a very good baseball player - and that maybe he couldn't measure up to Josiah. Not that 7 year olds really have that much of it figured out. There's something about a little boy in baseball pants, cleats with a mit - that Mommy just loves!

(photo: Jaden while at Jedediah's practice.) On a *praise* note, I got an email from the Joe Baseball (the LL President) letting me know that Josiah will be put onto a new team by the end of the weekend. PTL! Woohoo! Although, I have a feeling that since it's a new team that I may need to coordinate snacks or something... yet, at this point, I'd be happy to, as long as he's not on a team with a jerk for a coach!

Friday School was today. I really didn't feel well enough to go, and went anyway. Josiah spent the afternoon at Cade's and Jedediah spent the afternoon at Mikey's. Elaina came to my house to kid sit Jaden & Julia while I took a 4.5 hour nap. You may be thinking that I'm up late typing - but I've had TWO good naps since I woke up for Friday School at 7 am this morning!

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.