FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL-Aug 31, 2009

Well, the day finally came...the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! YAY!!!!!! I know I'm not winning any "Mother of the Year" awards for saying I was counting down the hours, but it is rather nice to have a break after a very busy summer.

Both girls got the teachers they wanted. Due to the size of our town and budget cuts, 4th and 6th grades were the only classes that had 2 teachers. But, thankfully, both girls are happy with who they got. Since 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are in a separate building across the street from the main grade school, it certainly made an impact on me when both girls came out of the same building.

It's SO hard to believe that my oldest will be entering Junior High next year. Thanks to our new-found friends G & K for some really cute clothes that the girls insisted on wearing today. You couldn't have picked any better!!!

My oldest, Kamille, just got home Sunday night from Boring I convention with my parents and my sister and niece.

My youngest, Keanna, will be going for the weekend of Boring II with my sister. This is the first time either of them has been away from each other more than one night. So, it was a big experience. They both did fine, although each night when Kamille called home before lights went out in the dorm, her excitement seemed to fade, little by little, and by Saturday night all she could talk about was coming home.

It was a real wake-up call to me just how much my babies are growing up. I can't believe how tall Kamille is getting. She is built like her mother--all leg--and she's going to catch me very soon, I'm afraid. She's already wearing a women's size 7 shoe at 11 years old.Kamille met a very special friend while at convention. "A" is the daughter of a man who was great friends with my late brother. I have MANY fond memories of laughing and watching Tim & Larry's antics. I'm so glad that "A" & Kamille hit it off so well. She came home with "A"s address and I'm sure there will be some letters back and forth. Also, Kamille got to get reacquainted with my Dad's mom, GrammaGreat Mac. Kamille has seen her before, but it's been a LONG time and her health is failing, so I'm glad she and Kamille were able to spend some time together. I'm hoping Keanna might get to see her, even for a short time, when she goes up next weekend.

So, that's pretty much what's been going on in our world. I did receive a VERY special package in the mail from here and a little note that made my day. The package was the headband I won from her little giveaway. Unfortunately, I believe my youngest has confiscated it. She absolutely loves it, Cassie.

Oh yeah, and we also acquired a new member in the household. We named "her" Ethel, but then found out "her" was a "him", so now his name is Ichabod or "Icky" for short. I call him Mr. P.I.B. which stands for Pain in the Backside because he's full of life, seems to think he rules the roost, and absolutely LOVES clean laundry to stretch out in for his afternoon nap. Our male border Collie has had cats in the household before, so he's pretty mellow about the whole thing. However, our little female Collie/Lab mix is just not sure what to make of the new occupant. There has been some nose scratching and lots of growling going on. They'll eventually get over each other....or not!It's great to always catch up with those of you I follow. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I'm still trying to conquer that National EMT test and it's consuming my time as well as the canning and harvesting from our 3 gardens we planted at different locations this summer. There is NOTHING better than fresh vegetables, salad, etc. from treasures we've grown in our garden. My husband thinks he's going to luck out and get just enough okra for me to do a jar of pickled okra. It's technically not warm enough to grow it here, and for the longest time, it didn't appear we were going to be successful, but we've learned a lesson in patience.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?!

Have you ever had a really good idea then afterwards think wow, that was the dumbest thing I could have done!!!! However, in this case, it really was a good thing, but there were a few moments that tested my patience. We went on a short 3-day camping trip last week, so we decided to let the girls invite their friends (who happen to be sisters) along for the trip.

I LOVE to chop wood!!

If we went looking for the girls, the creek was usually where we'd find them.

My husband soon learned that when you are camping with 5 females, the best thing to do is hide in the tent with a good book. He occasionally wandered out for food and helped with the dishes, but other than that, he decided there were better places to be. Poor guy......NOT!

Besides being scared to death of the cow/calf pairs that would occasionally wander into our camp area, a double bed-wetting incident, and some arguing before the youngest and oldest of each family finally paired up, it was rather calm. We did pack in a hurry Tuesday though, as it started thundering and raining and it has rained non-stop since we got home. Guess we picked the perfect days.

Here are just a few pictures, some that I went here to make fancy and just a few shots of what we've been up to lately.

These pictures are a mixture of two camping trips. On one camping trip, we had a couple show up in the camp spot next to ours. I took this picture (and got their permission to post it)

because they were just the perfect portrait of peace and serenity. We visited with them and two total strangers have become very kind friends who we now keep in contact with. My girls kept asking if G & K were going to come back the second trip we took. Unfortunately, no matter how much we twitched our noses and waved our magic wands, they wouldn't appear in their camp spot, but we sure thought about them a lot.

Keanna & Kamille

SISTERS & FRIENDS....It don't get much better

Hanna and Neki

Our tent with the "Kiddie-Condo" and the "secret tunnel"

Sitting around the morning fire reading books

Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. We have been camping a lot, and I'm still studying to take my National test and preparing the girls to start school. So, we've been busy but I still read all my favorite blogs regularly and keep up to date on all of you. Take care all. Enjoy whatever or wherever your summer involves. Hope you are all having fun.

THE END

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

For the past 36 years, I've spent Father's Day with my Dad at Parma Convention. I've only missed one year to attend my step-daughter's High School Graduation.

I thought it would be fun to pull some pictures out of the archives and post them along with my hopes that ALL FATHERS had a wonderful day, filled with family, memories, and happiness.

I came to the realization recently that the older I get, the less it bugs me to be compared to my Dad. He turned 70 last December and his age is beginning to show a bit. He doesn't go quite as hard as he used to and there are certainly more naps than I ever remember taking place. He was the driving force behind my joining the volunteer fire department and driving myself to pass the EMT classes as he was involved in both and I remember many stories from both experiences. My Father is a very strong man. He has been through many experiences that should have taken his life, but he pulled through. He stared cancer in the face and won. He lost his only son and not only made it through but carried Mom along the way. He takes such good care of Mom with her Parkinson's Disease. He works harder now that he is retired than he did before retirement. He's a pretty amazing man.

In tribute to Dad, I thought I would share some of the sayings I heard over and over again and find myself sharing with my children. Some of them are gems of wisdom. Some are cute and have been shared amongst family with smiles and laughter over the years. Some are things that I still haven't mastered completely but feel they are very smart advice.

#1 Pick your friends, don't let them pick you

#2 It's OK to be different, if different is right.

#3 If it don't move, move it anyway.

#4 Kill 'em with kindness.

#5 Check, double check, re-check and check it again.

#6 When you borrow something, return it in better condition than when you borrowed it.

#7 If you don't have the cash to buy it, you don't really need it.

#8 You're actions are a direct reflection of your family--proceed with caution.

#9 If you have to work for something, it will mean more to you than if it was handed to you.

#10 Life isn't always going to be fair, fun, or kind.

#11 There is ALWAYS somebody watching you. (I'm pretty sure he was referring to God, but I'm convinced they always had somebody spying on me, as well.)

#12 If some thing is worth doing, it's worth doing right.

#13 Make the most of every day.

I'm sure there were more that I can't bring to mind at this moment, but these are the one's that stick out in my mind. Some of them are probably "universal" meaning the rest of you heard them growing up as well, but they are worth repeating.

I've become a firm believer in this thought: The more you disliked your parents growing up, it meant they were doing a good job of raising you with solid values. I hope my kids feel the same way someday.

Dad, since you're NOT into technology, I doubt you'll ever see this, but just in case you do, I want to leave you with this thought. I appreciate the hard work ethic you instilled in me. I'm grateful for how strict you and Mom were. I'm proud to be your daughter and feel it is a compliment when someone says I look and act like you.

Thanks for all the sacrifices you've made over the years. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me when I was afraid. Thank you for helping me see the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for persevering in the face of adversity. Thank you for letting me see you cry as it helped me realize you were human and it was OK to show weakness sometimes. Thank you for teaching me to have fun (did it ALWAYS have to be at my expense???) and for teaching me to love. You are truly an amazing man.

!!! I LOVE YOU !!!

MOTHER'S DAY: THEN & NOW

You'll have to excuse the timing of this post. Life has just been too hectic as the end of my class is nearing, which means LOTS of studying. But, I just wanted to share a little trip down memory lane with all of you.

(Enjoying a family huckleberry picking excursion)
I'll start with my lovely little Momma. There are very few souls cut from the same fabric as her. She is everything I could want in a mother and more. I fully believe that "what she don't know about raising kids ain't worth knowin"!

Then, along came me. I was the "surprise" because my sister was 11 and my brother was 9 when I was born. That's how old my girls are now, and I can't imagine having another baby right now. It's hard enough to keep up with sports, school functions, class, and the household duties. But, Momma always said "I was the "glue" that held it all together". I'm not sure about that, but I'll take it as a compliment, nonetheless. And, I'll never find out about that "glue" thing, because I'm permanently done having children.
A few years after marrying, I became pregnant. It was a very rough pregnancy and I spent a huge amount of time in the hospital, BUT, it was all worth it when I finally got to hold my little princess for the first time. I was ecstatic. Kamille Genea Kestie entered this world on April 17th, 1998 and changed my life forever. That first Mother's Day after she was born held a whole new meaning. But somewhere along the line, they went from...
...this:
into this:
~~~Kamille 2 days old ~~~~~~~~Kamille 1 year old~~~
into this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Kamille 11 years old~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then, it was my turn to be surprised when I found out I was expecting again. We really didn't want kids that close, but it happened and I think it was the best thing in the world. I wanted a boy, but God saw fit for me to have another little girl(with the cutest freckles, I might add), except this one doesn't know she's a girls and will play in the mud, pick up worms, and play sports with the best of them!!! Keanna Donn entered this world on April 25, 2000

~~Keanna 2 days old~~~~~~~~~~ Keanna 1 year old~~

~~~~~Keanna 9 years old~~~~~
Then, I married my best friend a few years back. Since I wasn't able to spend Mother's Day and her birthday with my Momma like I wanted to, I chose the next best thing: We went to my mother-in-laws and did some yard work, then we all cleaned up and went to town for dinner. It was such a wonderful day and I really love my mother-in-law. Remember when I said there were very few people cut from the same cloth.....well, my mother-in-law is one of those people. She is so kind-hearted and a gentle soul but she ain't afraid of working. Between 12 horses, 2 donkeys, 6 dogs and 5 cats, we tease her about being the zoo keeper. But I don't care what or who she is, I LOVE HER, TOO!!!

~~~~My father-n-law Jerry~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~and~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~mother-n-law Gayle~~~~
I certainly hope all you blog-moms had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day. For those of you expecting, I wish you the best (because you're moms, too, just because the baby is still in the womb!) For those of you who have adopted or are going through the process, my hat is off too you. I believe adopted children are "hand-picked" by God and placed with the couples that will raise them well.
HAPPY BELATED MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL.!!!!

WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?

My life has been so busy, I didn't get this posted when I intended, but after undertaking this EMT class and cramming 20 weeks of learning into 10 weeks, I've become a FIRM believer in the statement "Better late than never"!
So, both of my daughters' birthdays are in April. Kamille turned 11 on April 17th and Keanna turned 9 on April 25th. As I was compiling a CD with pictures of both girls for their Grandma who lost her entire collection when her computer crashed, I thoroughly enjoyed reliving these past 9 and 11 years through pictures. So, I thought I'd post "then" and "now" pictures of them.


Kamille then and Kamille now

Keanna then and Keanna now

My question is simply this: WHEN DID I BLINK??? HOW DID THOSE PRECIOUS LITTLE HUMAN BEINGS I GAVE BIRTH TO (it was just yesterday, wasn't it?!) TURN INTO BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES???
Although it saddens me when I'm reminded that I no longer have babies (although we still call Keanna "Baby" and probably will forever), I am so proud of who they've become and enjoy watching their different personalities blossom. I love each new activity and experience that we enjoy now that the girls are getting older and maturing.
If I could choose one thing to teach my children and have them carry through life with them, it would be to remember no dream is unrealistic, nor unattainable.

Girls, I love you both with my whole heart. You are my reason for getting up every morning and meeting the demands of every day. I am so proud of both of you and can't wait to see what each tomorrow brings.

BIRTHDAY TRIP TO BOISE

So, I guess we've begun a tradition of sorts for the girls' birthdays. Since they are 8 days apart, we usually try to do something joint to celebrate both. But, as the girls have gotten older, we've noticed they have very different preferences and each of them having a friend come for a sleep over at the same time doesn't mix well. So, we've changed some things about celebrating their birthday. However, some things don't change. 2 years ago, we took the girls to Boise, stayed in a motel with an indoor pool, went to the Zoo, went to Chuck E. Cheese and just enjoyed being away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Union. Last year, we decided to do something local (me + 2 daughters + 2 friends each, a motel room and lots of sugar = INSANITY) and had a "makeover session/sleepover" at a local motel. As their birthday's approached this year, I decided that the motel idea was out. I don't have the patience. Also, we found out I didn't have class on Saturday before Easter, so we made quick plans on going to Boise for the weekend.

I'm so bummed because I took some pictures this year that were very close to the same pictures I took in 2007, but I can't find those pictures. I wanted to compare and see just how much my girls have grown. It's hard to comprehend when you see them everyday.

We had a BLAST. We visited Cabela's, ate at Chili's, Ihop, Cracker Barrel, had pizza delivered to the room, went swimming, visited the Zoo and all in BEAUTIFUL weather. The only problem we ran into was the ENTIRE Boise Town Square mall was closed for Easter Sunday. But, we lived to tell about it anyway! Now, each girl gets to take cupcakes to school for their classroom and each girls gets to have one friend come to the house for a sleepover on the weekend around their birthday. We enjoyed wonderful weather, in fact, I wore capris one day, and shorts on Monday when we returned to Union where it was snowing! Go figure!

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL....

So, all of you lovely bloggers who have been posting about enjoying your sunshine and plants sprouting up through the ground to indicate Spring has arrived, I just thought I'd share with you what our weather looks like today. Our poor little green plants don't have a chance. I just keep reminding myself that last year, we had 3 inches of snow on June 13th, so I don't expect much anymore. ENJOY the snowflakes in my pictures while you're enjoying your sunshine, warmth, and greenery!!! I'm sure Spring will eventually make it's way to Eastern Oregon!!! :-)