Lily's 7th Birthday

Oh boy... Lily is looking more and more grown up by the day. I will tell her she is beautiful- I make she gets other compliments too. 💁🏼‍♀️ But, she does not like it when I tell her that. She'll say "You have told me that a million times." But, she just is the loveliest thing. She is extremely smart, and a very good student. She has great handwriting, and very creative drawings, and she retains so much of what she is learning. She is still a bit of a snuggler, but I kind of feel like that could be coming to end soon.. she doesn't like to hold my hand as much anymore. It's hard to let go. We have a really bad ski season this year, and we have only been able to go 3 times. But, Lily is such a great skier. It is so fun being able to watch her do the things that I was always a little more on the nervous side to do. 

For her birthday she just wanted to go with a couple of her little friends to the trampoline park, the other one in town, and then we went and ordered Chik fil a, and had dinner back at the house, and had cake and presents. By the end of the night, it seemed like she was really odd with low energy, and when her friends got picked up, she told me she wasn't feeling well. I took her temperate, and sure enough she had a fever. She was so sad, and she kept saying, "Why I am sick on my birthday?!" The injustice. But, I talked to her about how germs don't know it was her birthday. She skipped school the next day, but was luckily feeling a lot better.

I love this little girl so so much. She really is so sweet and kind, and is definitely aware of others. She plays hard with her brothers, and does not like to take it down a notch even though I tell the boys to please do so, because she is still a lot littler than them. She loves unicorns, reading, and laughing together. Her favorite color right now is black, followed by purple. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up, and I am sure she can do just that. She still absolutely loves animals. She is a force. 

Lily recently really wants to earn getting her ears pierces and in a very interesting twist is asking me a lot of questions about...ahem.. periods. I know, I know! I never thought I would be explaining periods yet to my 7 year old. But, because we already have an honest rapport, and I always have encouraged asking questions with an honest back and forth, I am answering the best I can. I had explained that she already has eggs, and then that boy brings something that mixes with what the girl has. (I mean she's 7) And she stopped and thought for a minute trying to figure some things out. I complimented her great questions and I said, "You're like a little scientist." Lily said.."Yeah...like a scientist that doesn't know very much" 😂

Oh Gosh! I love this girl so so much. She is the dream of a daughter that I could never imagined. 

 

Rowan's 12th Birthday

Rowan turned 12 this year. He keeps telling me next year he will be pretty much a grown up. But, I am reminding him that 13 does not mean a grown up, but yes, he will be a teenager. He likes to see me squirm with that information. I mean, I don't know what parent likes it when their kid turns into an official teenager? Nonetheless, he is not 13, he is 12. 

Rowan is a very good kid. We recently had report cards come through and almost every one of his teachers commented that he was a pleasure to have in class. This does not surprise me. He is inquisitive and friendly, and friendly to his peers. 

He is not without hard days at school, but perhaps I will write more on that another time. 

For Rowan's birthday this year he wanted to go to the Trampoline park so we went to Mountain Air as a family. It was lovely because we almost had the whole place to ourselves. He wanted English Sausage Rolls for dinner, and the usual bundt cake. 

Rowan lovers basketball right now, and he is still making goals for his running and improving his next season for cross country, and I think he will be really excited when Track and Field start up. He is still very talented on the piano, and he is always very creative and fun. He has really liked being in Young Mens and he is lucky to have Josh and all of Josh's friends at school with him this year. They all look out for him, and really care about him. 

We love Rowan so much, I think my favorite thing right now is watching a Seinfeld with him before bed. He really loves it, and will do these big laughs, and look over at me while he is laughing. He can remember and repeat all the jokes even if her has only heard it one time. His favorite class right now is Tech, which he admitted that at first it was really boring, but now it is fun. 

He is a strong kid, and he has had so many things that make him stronger. We love Rowan in our family. 

 

What happened on Rudy's Birthday

Well, the title was just supposed to draw you in.. did it work? 🤨 Because, let's be honest, what happened for Rudy's birthday was he still spent it like a dog. Taking multiple naps, hanging out with his peeps, and then taking more naps, but he also got a birthday hat, a special dog cake, and a new toy, but other than that he was living his best life, like he does every day. 

 But, really the day was about Jonah. Jonah had taken his day off yesterday. Quick aside, I made contracts with all my kids this year that they could take a "brain break" day, and just have the day for no other reason than they just need a day. So, Jonah took the day off, and we played some card games and went to cuppayo and watched a movie together. Today, however, was not that day, but when he woke up he didn't want to go to school today either. 

First, frustrated, I told him he needed to go. I am realizing it is quite difficult to actually make your kids really do anything they don't want to do. So, after telling him he needs to get himself ready to go by the time I circled back home for the other boys quite firmly, but feeling badly  I called him before picking up Kaj from seminary to say that I was sorry, and that I loved him, and was ready to listen if there was anything else going on. He then told me there was "this jerk" at school. He had been unkind to Jonah and his friends, and had whistled really loud in Jonah's ear- all of which maybe doesn't seem like much, but to him, it was, and it bothered him enough that he didn't want to go to school. 

I immediately let his teacher know, and she was quick to respond and also quick to let the vice principal know. I received a phone call from her, and she planned to talk to the family, and have the people out at recess aware of Jonah. I must say I am impressed and continue to be impressed with Lava Ridge. We are very lucky to be at such a great school. I was able to pass this a long to Jonah, but he was still really upset going. I gave him a bit more time. Around noon we got to the school,  he still continued to be upset, and really didn't want to go. 

I was pretty much at a loss. There this battle that happens- it's not that big of a deal-he can stay home the rest of the day. After all, he had missed most of the day, but the other side says will he do this same thing tomorrow? I needed him to do the brave thing. His teacher and people there care about him, and I knew it would be ok. We said a prayer. We talked about not letting someone else have power over you, and I reminded Jonah that he was powerful. We walked in together. He was the sweetest boy in the world. He was sad but brave, and then I cried as I left. 

At night, we went for a drive -this happens a lot- as Kaj is trying to put in his hours in to driving, and Jonah and Josh came with us. The older boys ran into Target, and I stayed in the car with Jonah. He quietly said, "I don't have a best friend. Or a best friend I can trust." 🥲 We had a chance to talk about friendships and that right now it was important to make a lot of friends, and that a best friend he can trust will for sure come. I was telling Jonah that he has a lot of friends but I understood that he wanted a best friend. We moved on to talking about a couple of other things and then he said, "Wait, I do have a best friend....You. And I can always trust you." Talk about absolutely melting my heart. He is amazing. He honestly has the sweetest, biggest, most tender heart. Protect this boy at all costs. 

He also said recently, that it would be a "leprechaun miracle" if Josh had been born on St. Patricks Day. 😂

Happy Birthday Rudy. You're getting so big! 

 

Christmas 2025

 Our Christmas this year was a good one. The kids all got new skis...but, we didn't get any snow. We were anticipating lots of ski days but we did not have a one. 

We picked our beautiful tree ourselves, but it did take us two tries. We went out after work one night and it was getting dark so fast, and we had  been looking in areas where there was a lack of trees. But, the following week we were able to score the winner.

We still loved the time altogether, and I literally can't believe how huge my kids are.

Another Year Has Gone By yyiiii ( Celine Dion Version)

Kaj is so good at making goals, and resolutions for the new year. So is Rowan actually. He has goals down to the second on what he wants to run for cross country for next season. I used to be very good at it. I used to be very good at a lot of things. I don't think it's as if I am not good at those things anymore, but coming into focus are some different things. Like realizing that I am important. Knowing that I am loved. I am loved by my kids, my friends, and family, and, my Jesus. I know I only want to be around others who see my value and worth. 

In Young Women's today I felt very emotional. I have so many reasons sometimes. The question was asked, "if someone were to summarize your life what would you want to be remembered for?" I wasn't very articulate in class as I explained, because it made me cry. It made me cry at first because I first thought of my pain. (Unfortunately) I thoughts of the injustices and betrayals. I thought of love that I lost or maybe never had. I thought of hurt caused by people who said that loved me, that they cared about me. But, then on the flip side I thought of laughing with my kids, and popping out of the subway in the middle of New York City with my friends, I thought of holding my babies for the first time, I thought of singing on choir tours, and being with friends who never showed anything but love for me. I thought of sisters when they surprised me for me birthday. I thought of how I truly see the best in other people aways, I thought about music, and how it makes me so happy. So, I would want to be remembered for loving others, for building- not in the construction sense because I can't do that-but for building up others. I know I am considered a friend. One who loves and listens. I also want to be remembered for showing compassion to others.

I also thought about Jesus. I thought about how I haven't always known that He loves me, and sometimes

I still don't, but I know the moments where I am felt SO much love, an undeniable sense of it, and I would want be someone who reflects that kind of love. 

So, as we are heading into a New Year I think there will be a few things that I would choose and it would be to a better example of Christ like love, but also extend that kind of love for myself. I also intend to write. I do not want this side of me to go the wayside. It is a deeply important side. I intend to write for cathartic purposed but, also, to create. There are reasons I am feeling a new strength inside myself and it needs action, 

 

I am not a strong swimmer

...Or in this case mathematician. Forget everything I ever thought or said about 13 year olds. Josh, there are still times that he does drive me nuts, but I feel like all of that got wiped away when I saw the interactions I saw tonight. Rowan's workload in middle school has been nothing to trifle with. He has something he needs to work on almost every night, and it is definitely weighing on him. (To be continued because I do feel like I need to meet with some teachers to see what accommodations can work for Rowan while still pushing him.) Rowan worked very hard on a recent math test, and he had told me afterward that he felt really good about it, only for his hopes to be dashed when he found out what he got. He came to me in tears yesterday, and it broke my heart. I talked to Josh about this later, because there have been many moments in the last few weeks where Josh has helped Rowan with his math homework. So, I asked him if he could help him again.

The U-Pick farm Mount Hood

 With the most patience, love, and encouragement Josh went through all of Rowan's homework with him. He got out our magnets to work with Rowan on the visual side of things, and continued to be innovative but, also allowing Rowan to work things out on his own. He was never short, he never made him feel bad if he got the answer wrong, but, simply invited to try again. I was blown away with him. With both of them. Rowan, working so hard, and being gracious to Josh for his time, and Josh. See, I am not a strong mathematician. Listen, I know some, but I am self aware enough to know I can't instruct.  Josh did this beautifully. It makes me feel so proud to have these kind of boys surrounding me. This is where I have gotten so lucky. I am allowed any credit?? I don't even know. I may not know a lot about math, but I know a lot about kindness, and I am so happy my kids have it.

 

New School Year

Kaj is a sophomore this year. We have been out driving a lot. He is kind to everyone at school and is example there constantly. I have been stopped by multiple people commenting about how he goes out of his way to talk to and invite others to be a part of the group. I am very proud of the young man Kaj is. Lily is the sweetest little thing. She is in 1st grade, and growing up so fast. She is in soccer right now and she loves it. She is so fast, and so fun to see out on the field. She is so smart. She is reading like a champ and she is a great friend.

Jonah is in 3rd grade this year. Speaking of soccer, holy moly, Jonah is so good. He is very natural on the field. He weaves in and out of people and such a force out there. At home he is constantly reading, and he still loves math, and has a lot of friends. 

Rowan is in 6th grade this year, and after a lot of wrestling with what to do he is going to Realms. There is a lot that he is learning and needing to manage but he is doing a great job. He is running cross country for Sky view and I think he has really found his groove. He is very happy and very motivated and has done extremely well. I am so thankful for everything he is doing. 

Josh looks like a full grown man here for some reason. Ah! Josh is in 8th grade this year- last year in middle school- no thank you! But, he likes his schedule and is doing well in all his classes. He has a lot of friends and knows stay away from any drama. He is doing football and soccer. The funniest thing about Josh's new schedule he has started to riding his bike to Pine Nursery in the morning and meeting his friend at the field before school begins and then has sometimes come to my house to make eggs or have gone to chik fil a. They started charging buddies a delivery fee to make money friends orders, and there was also a time where they were making milk shakes to put there bottles to sip throughout the day. 

There is also the great subject of one of Rowan's favorite topics- puberty. He loves talking about puberty right now. How tall he thinks he is going to be, when his voice is going to become deeper..He also will talk about tips he has when he is taking girls on dates ( I think this is also deriving from Kaj talking about it a bit more) but his advice is, "don't have bad breath,"  to do that " brush your teeth before your date, then chew gum, and have a tik tac" Sure advice. The other thing he will mention is that he really hopes he does not get pimples, when he was telling me this he said, " you know.. because of this." And then gestured to his whole face. 😂 I mean- he has a point. To which, I completely agreed, he has a very nice face. I love this confidence - we were talking the other day about crushes. Jonah has a girl that creepily stares and him every day on the way home from school. Like- tries to penetrate the car with he stares. Jonah ducks down in his seat. Rowan was saying that that was nice for a girl to like him, and Rowan said, " I mean I know I am everyone's type, but no girl's like me like that." I just said not all girls make it that known who they like. 

Anyways, I do love my kids so much, I wonder sometimes what I would be feeling without them home. I think pretty lonely. I spend a lot of nights staying up later chatting and laughing with the older boys.