Catch up

Ken's surgery went well. He is wrapping up a week in the hospital before he transfers to the care facility. We leave on the 10th and will be in UT some time after Monday the 12th. It is getting pretty busy here getting geared up to go. Will pull the whole drive to Bruneau in one day this time. I think I have gotten enough stuff for the kids to do. We'll see what the power of seperate DVD players hold. Have a happy Mother's day to all you out there. Especially the ones that do it all.

Spring

The tulips are out and then the frost and snow came. Could it be spring?
Hard to believe that we are still shaking off the winter weather and I am quickly trying to over plan RJ's summer. I know, I know, this is all odd for me too. I really have no idea what I am doing w/ the whole parenting thing and I have fallen into some rather odd rhythms. Two years ago RJ wasn't signed up for anything and it was a bust of a summer, well, maybe because I was on bed rest and delivering a baby that was why, who knows really. Last year I overcompensated and scheduled the child to the week. It was also a bust. And by bust I mean, fits, tears, fighting and well, overall grumps. So I am trying a new strategy this year. I am signing him up for the few things he liked last year and planning some trips away from home w/ nothing to do but hang w/ the cousins and see where that gets us. I am hoping a better year to be had by all.
Now mind you we had no kitchen and mama e was in a serious state of doldrums (to put it mildly) so we are already ahead of the game. A fridge, a stove and food that is not from a Frito's bag, and a more happy mama.
What an odd world we live in though. I really am walking a thin line on this schedule issue. It is a "flash point" for some. There are the moms that don't schedule anything and then there are the moms that will pay an arm, a leg and their first born grandchild, in order to get the kids in one camp after the next. So different now, honestly I think the issue isn't how hard kids are to entertain or how dangerous it is to be unsupervised, I know that most of my hangups are mine, not my kids. So here is to jumping off into the deep end and hoping there is water. I am going to teach my child independence by giving him freedom. I'll follow Phillips lead and say, "you can't teach a child responsibility without risk." I will let him make his own time, I will let him walk around neighborhood and play with his friends. I will show him how to get to the store and let him walk if he wants, I will show him the way to the park and let him go on his own. Okay, when he is ready...he will tell me when he is ready right? I just need to be ready to listen.

Octopus, Panda, Quail

Here is R.J. teaching his brother the ABC's.

Table Tennis

the boys playin around...

Lacrosse

RJ loved Lacrosse this year! A new spring sport. The last practice had sunshine the rest it was rain or snow. He is quite the athlete. Much more coordinated then I could ever hope to be. Must be an Erwin thing.

Hercules

Here they are, in all their glory! Notice the sun shinning on Herc's face? He was trying to look extra pathetic while I was at the computer one day. Then the two snuggle buddies were at it again! Opa is home and healing. We got his dog back in relative shape the day he got home. I only claim letting him on the couch, all other habits were of his own doing!

Easter

Dying Easter Eggs w/ the cousins...Jack wanted to make his all green and decided the dye was very tasty!

Cousins

Being silly w/ Lexi always leads to something...in this case the curtians fell down...

Halloween w/ Pop

Too cute for words...here are the pics to go along w/ the blog about visiting Pop in the rehab facility, I'm sure you will remember all the chocolate:)

Pictures of the Breast Cancer Walk

Finally got my hands on my sisters camera where all the photos I did and some I didn't take were hiding...so hold on tight, many posts to follow!

Snuggle Buddies

We are watching my uncle's dog while he is having surgery. Jack has a new dog, they are over the moon for each other...

Catching up...

I find it very therapudic to blog when I am feeling overwhelmed. It helps me to focus sometimes. Other times it is a distraction from those things I like to ignore, like ironing.

It is gearing up to be a busy spring, well really summer. Phillip's mom just had sinus surgery and it went well. We are relieved by that, never pleasent from what I hear. His brother Ken is scheduled to have surgery in Salt Lake, UT April 25th. We will be taking an extended vacation to Bruneau and then into UT for about 10 days. We will be driving w/ the boys...yeah! Ken will be in UT for a month after surgery so we are going to go hang w/ him for a while and visit our friends. Phillip has only been to UT for the layover when going to DC so we are planning on seeing the sites and getting to know the valley when it is not under a mountian of snow.

RJ is in the process of being evaluated for school. We all know that he is supper bright (like his father) but he is having a hard time. For awhile we thought it was his sensory disorder but it would appear he has a learning hic-up. Quite the trouper, really. As far as he is concerned we are the ones w/ a problem beacause we don't know how to teach well. Go w/ your victories I say. Better to be a little cocky vs. defeated.

Hmm, other then that there are lots of loads of laundry, dog baths and apointments. Still trying to get my health in check after my surgery last year and as ever, balance is w/in reach and I do something stupid, like the Shamrock run and we start over. Gotta love being human w/ limits. I have never been very accepting of that though so I will be better and I will do the things I want, there must be a way. A quick catch up I guess is in order, I had to have a total hystorectomy last January for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is PCOS, which wreaks havoc on your hormone balance including insulin. It is now a constant battle to lead the life I want and stay out of menopause. Because the insulin problem caused the PCOS I will forever be on the high risk side of diabetes and yet, the exercise that will keep it at bay, causes my other hormones to fluctuate in a rather radical way. Hot flashes and night sweats aside, the mood swings are a b**ch. You can guess how much fun Phillip's life is. God love him, I know I do.

Cheers!

Spring Break

So I finally am taking pictures. Must be spring!

We went to the beach for the weekend the last couple days of spring break. Honestly I ran out of things to do in Portland that I had coupons for...shhhh.

It was a wild weather weekend. We left Friday morning and hit a ton of snow on the pass. When Phillip drove over that afternoon it was clear as a bell. Hmmm, I had the kids, dog and snow and he had a quiet clear drive. Bitter but not sure who at, him for working and being blessed or me for not being patient and leaving w/out him.

Here are photos of how it really is to live in the pacific northwest. If it is cold, wet and raining, just wear boots. Hammie dog loves swimming in the ocean, especially when chasing other dogs. We also hit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Yes that is Phillip at the top of an anchor. He was showing RJ that you could climb the chain. I tried not to freak out and just take a picture but I admit, I have a weak constitution...when it comes to my boys.

Enjoy the walk through the pics. I know there are a few.

Easter

Okay, so I have been a little busy w/ the holidays. We'll all get over it some day.

Spent Easter as a family, I know we skipped church, we didn't want to go with everyone we only see twice a year...heathens that we are;)

After eating our fill of healthy foods we headed to Ama's (Connor and Lexi's grandmother) for Easter dinner. After the year we have had I just didn't have it in me to host another family meal. Again, we'll all get over it someday.

Here they are hunting eggs at Ama's house. It was great fun for the four of them. RJ and Connor then took turns hiding the empty eggs for another hour or so until dinner was ready. What a surprise they found one that I had hid. I always forget one.

Aren't they amazing!

First Communion

RJ and Pastor Knapp
Post Communion smiles!
Trying to behave in the pew (w/ buddy James), waiting for communion...

RJ was ready this year to take his first communion. Being Lutheran it is important but not overwhelming for the kiddos to participate. There were a couple of classes and they made the bread that was eaten at the communion held on Maunday Thursday. As his entourage, we converged on the church and had a Sader dinner and then proceeded to have a wonderful service. There were all of us, his friend James, Aunt Kate, cousin Connor, Nana, Papa, Oma and the four other boys that went with him. Quite the trend for RJ to be in a group of all boys. Quite the handful, and funny group;) He got his own cross to wear and now can go to the communion rail w/ Phillip and I. It has been a great year watching RJ grow into an amazing person. I love being blessed by being his mama.