Click on Play to see Video.
Monday, November 26, 2007
A Big High Five from my friends in Bellingham
Tucker received this wonderful handmade card by his teacher back in Bellingham and his classmates, which he misses very much. The kids painted their hands and stamped the card, and also there is a picture of the kids giving a High Five! What a wonderful, thoughtful card. Here are some pictures of him looking at it, as well as a video for Teacher C to share with the class. Thank you so much Teacher C for this wonderful gift. It was great to receive it!
She's a Diva, No she's a Mermaid - Can she be both?
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Pictures from our Visit with relatives
We had a wonderful visit with Auntie P & L and cousins B, B, C, and E, and Grandpa and Grandma Weg. Here are some pictures from the visit. We took them on a tour of the Snake River Canyon, which is beautiful, and explored around it. It was a beautiful sunny day. We did lots of shopping and hanging out and playing. But....my favorite memory was the tour of Jerome. This brought on lots of laughing! We all loaded into the van to go and see Jerome. It was myself, Auntie P and L, and cousins B, B, C, E, and Hunter. Now Jerome is not very big, and there really is not a lot to see, but I wanted to make it worth the while, so I drove up and down most of the streets. Towards the end of the tour we encountered a small object on the road. (I did not see it - Auntie L did) So I drove right over it and then we heard a POP, and a felt of thud, thud, thud on the rear passenger side of the Van. Yes, you guessed it. It was a flat tire. We all started laughing out of disbelief, stopped the van, got out, and took a look. Sure enough it was a flat tire. Auntie L and Hunter went to try and find whatever it was that caused it, and found a small pipe, about 5 inches long. I still couldn't believe this would have caused it, but sure enough, there was an imprint on the side of the tire. We all unloaded the van, and stood in the freezing cold wind, tried to read the manual and figure out how to change the tire. I haven't laughed so hard in so long. It felt great! Fortunately Grandpa W had just arrived into town, and rescued us. Grandpa and Grandma just left today and the kids are back to school, so it is very quiet here. We had a wonderful time with all of our family here.
More Birthday pictures.
It was all about Disney Princesses and Cars. Sam and Tucker each had their own cakes. (We still have lots left) Many thanks to Auntie P and cousins B & E for doing all the decorating of the cakes. You guys did a wonderful job!! The kids had a great B-Day. Here are some pictures. Also, Thank you Grandma S for our Lamps and Pillows for our new rooms. We love them!! And thank you to Grandpa and Grandma W and Aunties and cousins for all our wonderful gifts. Our rooms will look wonderful!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
Today we are spending Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma W who are here visiting for the rest of the week from WA. We are missing Grandma S today. This is her favorite holiday and I always enjoyed making her a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and spending the time with her.
We are SO thankful for ALL of our family and friends. We are thinking of you all today and hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving day! Praise God today, count your blessings, and eat lots! Love to you all.
Today we are spending Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma W who are here visiting for the rest of the week from WA. We are missing Grandma S today. This is her favorite holiday and I always enjoyed making her a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and spending the time with her.
We are SO thankful for ALL of our family and friends. We are thinking of you all today and hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving day! Praise God today, count your blessings, and eat lots! Love to you all.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Happy Birthday to Samantha and Tucker
Today is Samantha and Tucker's 5th Birthday. Wow, I can hardly believe it! They are so big. I will post more later this weekend of pictures from their Birthday. We had a wonderful visit with our Auntie P and L and with our cousins B, B, E, C. We were sad to see them leave this AM. I will also post pictures from their visit this weekend.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Recess after the feast.
Sam and Tucker playing outside at school for recess after the feast. They were having so much fun.
Little Indians
Today Sam and Tucker's class had their Thanksgiving Feast. (They are off all next week from school) They were so cute!Here are a few pictures.
Big Sister
I am so amazed by Samantha's intiuitiveness to protect her twin brother Tucker. It hurts as well, and allows a huge array of emotions to enter my mind.
An example - At chapel at school on Tuesday, I had the priviledge to attend with the kids. (The teacher does not like me around much - because then Tucker does not follow directions and has a tendency to act up - so I try to stay out of sight at school)
Well, this was a roller coaster event for me. Here is how it went - I arrived early so that I could hide in the back of the room so that Tucker did not see me. I was able to watch the class walk in, in single file, quietly, Sam leading proudly, as she is the designated line leader for the week. She saw me and smiled from ear to ear - but continued with her leading of the class to their appropriate place on the floor. So, I anxiously watched for Tucker so I could enjoy his obedience as well, walking with the rest of the class. But - what - no Tucker - all the kids had come in and Tucker was not with them - I knew where he was - dilly dallying along the way, getting there when he wanted to. So, Teacher K. had to leave to go and get him. He came holding her hand - looking a bit annoyed with her. Of course that parental self kicked in and I was saying in my mind - oh Tucker, why can't you just follow directions. Then, he spotted me - and loudly exclaimed "Mommy", ran away from the rest of the class, in front of the whole school to hug me and kiss me. Tears are there again, loving him for not caring about anything else at the time, but hugging and kissing his Mommy. Then I sent him back to join his class, and just like all the other kids, he proceeded to follow directions. It came time to say the Pledge of Allegance, Pledge to the Christian Flag, and Pledge to the Bible. I watched with such admiration as my two kids, my twins, my little 5-year olds said all three. Oh, and to see Tucker place his hand on his heart and say the pledges, and to see him hold his hands together to form "book" to represent the bible, sent me in to a overwhelming feeling of wanting to bawl right then and there. Things went quite smoothly for the rest of the chapel time, until it came time to sing. And SING did they do. Imagine 115 kids in a room about the size of two average living rooms, add music, and a lot of joyful kids ready to Praise the Lord!! It became very loud very quickly and Tucker does not do well with LOUD noises of anykind. Here is where I became anxious, proud, irritated, confused. See, when the loudest parts of the song came around - Samantha immediately ran to Tucker to put her hands on his ears to shield him from the noise. I watched her with lots of love knowing that for the rest of his life she will always protect him. Tucker looked at me with hugh tears running down his face - he just wanted out of there - but he stayed with Sam and continued to glance at me. At the end of the song - the kids right away got ready to go back to class. Sam grabbed Tucker's hand, brought him to me, and in her demanding, bossy voice said: "Mom, why don't you just take him home?" I immediately wanted to scold her for her tone with me, but I could tell she was very concerned that he was upset, so I had to do some quick thinking, as I had an audience of teachers and administrators, and visitors watching this all unfold. I praised her for protecting her brother, and also let her know that if we did not make a big deal about this, Tucker would be fine once they got back to class. She responded with, "I know Mom, I am just trying to be a Great Big Sister! I just looked at her and did not really know how to respond, so I hugged her, and walked Tucker back to the class, where after a short time of love and hugs and kisses, he settled down. I left the school, feeling like I had just been hit by a truck that smashed me with every emotion you could feel, only all them at once.
I see the developmental gap widening between the two of them, but I also see their Twin bond growing deeper and deeper. I also worry that Samantha spends too much time worrying about Tucker and protecting him that she is missing out on enjoying school and her own time. She cries when he cries after being hurt, she worries when he worries, and she mother's him when I am not around. I am so thankful for this at such a young age, but I also want her to have a worry free life herself. It is enough that I worry for him and think about his future every day, that I don't want her doing it too. I'm the Mom, that is my job! But, then I turn it all over to the Lord to show me how to deal with these changes coming on n their growing years, thanking him and praising him that He gave Tucker a twin to always watch over him. I have read a hundred times, and been told by so many experienced Mother's that this is all a part of our journey with a special needs child. I am praying and learning.
Thanks for letting me share this with you all and for letting me get this off my chest.
An example - At chapel at school on Tuesday, I had the priviledge to attend with the kids. (The teacher does not like me around much - because then Tucker does not follow directions and has a tendency to act up - so I try to stay out of sight at school)
Well, this was a roller coaster event for me. Here is how it went - I arrived early so that I could hide in the back of the room so that Tucker did not see me. I was able to watch the class walk in, in single file, quietly, Sam leading proudly, as she is the designated line leader for the week. She saw me and smiled from ear to ear - but continued with her leading of the class to their appropriate place on the floor. So, I anxiously watched for Tucker so I could enjoy his obedience as well, walking with the rest of the class. But - what - no Tucker - all the kids had come in and Tucker was not with them - I knew where he was - dilly dallying along the way, getting there when he wanted to. So, Teacher K. had to leave to go and get him. He came holding her hand - looking a bit annoyed with her. Of course that parental self kicked in and I was saying in my mind - oh Tucker, why can't you just follow directions. Then, he spotted me - and loudly exclaimed "Mommy", ran away from the rest of the class, in front of the whole school to hug me and kiss me. Tears are there again, loving him for not caring about anything else at the time, but hugging and kissing his Mommy. Then I sent him back to join his class, and just like all the other kids, he proceeded to follow directions. It came time to say the Pledge of Allegance, Pledge to the Christian Flag, and Pledge to the Bible. I watched with such admiration as my two kids, my twins, my little 5-year olds said all three. Oh, and to see Tucker place his hand on his heart and say the pledges, and to see him hold his hands together to form "book" to represent the bible, sent me in to a overwhelming feeling of wanting to bawl right then and there. Things went quite smoothly for the rest of the chapel time, until it came time to sing. And SING did they do. Imagine 115 kids in a room about the size of two average living rooms, add music, and a lot of joyful kids ready to Praise the Lord!! It became very loud very quickly and Tucker does not do well with LOUD noises of anykind. Here is where I became anxious, proud, irritated, confused. See, when the loudest parts of the song came around - Samantha immediately ran to Tucker to put her hands on his ears to shield him from the noise. I watched her with lots of love knowing that for the rest of his life she will always protect him. Tucker looked at me with hugh tears running down his face - he just wanted out of there - but he stayed with Sam and continued to glance at me. At the end of the song - the kids right away got ready to go back to class. Sam grabbed Tucker's hand, brought him to me, and in her demanding, bossy voice said: "Mom, why don't you just take him home?" I immediately wanted to scold her for her tone with me, but I could tell she was very concerned that he was upset, so I had to do some quick thinking, as I had an audience of teachers and administrators, and visitors watching this all unfold. I praised her for protecting her brother, and also let her know that if we did not make a big deal about this, Tucker would be fine once they got back to class. She responded with, "I know Mom, I am just trying to be a Great Big Sister! I just looked at her and did not really know how to respond, so I hugged her, and walked Tucker back to the class, where after a short time of love and hugs and kisses, he settled down. I left the school, feeling like I had just been hit by a truck that smashed me with every emotion you could feel, only all them at once.
I see the developmental gap widening between the two of them, but I also see their Twin bond growing deeper and deeper. I also worry that Samantha spends too much time worrying about Tucker and protecting him that she is missing out on enjoying school and her own time. She cries when he cries after being hurt, she worries when he worries, and she mother's him when I am not around. I am so thankful for this at such a young age, but I also want her to have a worry free life herself. It is enough that I worry for him and think about his future every day, that I don't want her doing it too. I'm the Mom, that is my job! But, then I turn it all over to the Lord to show me how to deal with these changes coming on n their growing years, thanking him and praising him that He gave Tucker a twin to always watch over him. I have read a hundred times, and been told by so many experienced Mother's that this is all a part of our journey with a special needs child. I am praying and learning.
Thanks for letting me share this with you all and for letting me get this off my chest.
Who knew?
Okay, so this post is to vent a bit, share the funny realizations of our new place of residence, or to just Freak Out with all the changes and new knowledge of where we have moved. (Brad is gone again (Wed - Friday) so I am all alone, and if I talk to the kids about all these things, they might start freaking out too! :-)
So, anyway, I knew things would be different living out in the country, but wow, what an education. You see, three times this week I have been told that Jerome, ID is the armpit of ID. What does that exactly mean? Oh, and how nice to know that we now live in the armpit of the state. So, instead of getting defensive with the person telling me this, I just chalk it up to knowledge about where we now live.
And, here is what I have learned about Water. Did you know that water can be extremely hard and filled with lots of rock minerals? Did you know that Hard water leaves a lovely white powdery film on all of your dishes? Did you know if you leave a glass that has been rinsed sitting on your beautiful black sink, that you will have a decorative ring on the sink where it sat, and it does not go away for a long time. (I did learn that vingar and water will remove it, eventually). Did you know that when you shower in Hard Water that you are leaving a disgusting layer of soap scum on your sink and hair, which dries your skin out to an attractive layer of shedding, itchy skin. And, did you know that when you drink Hard Water, you are also drinking all the rock minerals that the water contains? Do you want me to go on - or are you grossed out yet?
I have tried to be patient with the Water situation - but I've had enough. And, my itchy, flaky skin and yucky hair is screaming for relief. So, we called a water softener company, called Kinetico, which came to us with high recommendations. We set a meeting with the salesman for Tuesday night - thinking that it would be a quick meeting, a high price to fix the water situation. Well, the high price is correct, but the quick meeting wasn't. We learned so much about hard water and with lots of graphic demonstrations - more than I really wanted to know about!
So, tomorrow we are going to have a $2,700.00 water softening system put in to fix the problem. Just a mere $2,700.00!!! And, we have to now be on a Salt delivery route. What is that? I've heard of Milk routes and paper routes - but Salt routes. But wait - you would think that after this huge expense, we can carry on with relief from the hard water - just as if we had it all along. No, soft water contains sodium - from the salt - so now we have to consider drinking water. A filtered system does not filter out the salt, it only filters out the minerals, so for another $1,600.00 we can have a drinking sytems installed. Come on - when does it stop. (We are not doing this at this time - we will just stay stocked on Bottled Water. And, Softened water kills plants - so inorder to water my plants (which I just bought a bunch of new ones) I have to go to the garage, switch the lines on the softener to get hard water. Sounds so complicated - I am hoping not. And, soft water leaves your hair extremely frizzy - great! Isn't this all hilarious? I only say that because if I don't I might lose it. Oh, and one more thing I learned about during this presentation was that if we lose power, we also lose water. Yikes!! This is because we are on a well, which is of course powered by a pump. At this point - I looked at Brad and said - "Where did you move me to?" So obviously I was very naive about this country living, wells, propane heat, and the lack of convenience to places and things. Next thing I know we might be hitching up the horses in the dead of winter to get groceries. HA-HA!
For all of you who know me - know that I like everything in its place, working as I think it should, and the convenience of technology and basic needs, and all things clean and germ free. You can only imagine my horrified look when I saw the "scum" in the water during the lovely presentation we were given.
Thanks for reading this venting post, and for laughing with me.
So, anyway, I knew things would be different living out in the country, but wow, what an education. You see, three times this week I have been told that Jerome, ID is the armpit of ID. What does that exactly mean? Oh, and how nice to know that we now live in the armpit of the state. So, instead of getting defensive with the person telling me this, I just chalk it up to knowledge about where we now live.
And, here is what I have learned about Water. Did you know that water can be extremely hard and filled with lots of rock minerals? Did you know that Hard water leaves a lovely white powdery film on all of your dishes? Did you know if you leave a glass that has been rinsed sitting on your beautiful black sink, that you will have a decorative ring on the sink where it sat, and it does not go away for a long time. (I did learn that vingar and water will remove it, eventually). Did you know that when you shower in Hard Water that you are leaving a disgusting layer of soap scum on your sink and hair, which dries your skin out to an attractive layer of shedding, itchy skin. And, did you know that when you drink Hard Water, you are also drinking all the rock minerals that the water contains? Do you want me to go on - or are you grossed out yet?
I have tried to be patient with the Water situation - but I've had enough. And, my itchy, flaky skin and yucky hair is screaming for relief. So, we called a water softener company, called Kinetico, which came to us with high recommendations. We set a meeting with the salesman for Tuesday night - thinking that it would be a quick meeting, a high price to fix the water situation. Well, the high price is correct, but the quick meeting wasn't. We learned so much about hard water and with lots of graphic demonstrations - more than I really wanted to know about!
So, tomorrow we are going to have a $2,700.00 water softening system put in to fix the problem. Just a mere $2,700.00!!! And, we have to now be on a Salt delivery route. What is that? I've heard of Milk routes and paper routes - but Salt routes. But wait - you would think that after this huge expense, we can carry on with relief from the hard water - just as if we had it all along. No, soft water contains sodium - from the salt - so now we have to consider drinking water. A filtered system does not filter out the salt, it only filters out the minerals, so for another $1,600.00 we can have a drinking sytems installed. Come on - when does it stop. (We are not doing this at this time - we will just stay stocked on Bottled Water. And, Softened water kills plants - so inorder to water my plants (which I just bought a bunch of new ones) I have to go to the garage, switch the lines on the softener to get hard water. Sounds so complicated - I am hoping not. And, soft water leaves your hair extremely frizzy - great! Isn't this all hilarious? I only say that because if I don't I might lose it. Oh, and one more thing I learned about during this presentation was that if we lose power, we also lose water. Yikes!! This is because we are on a well, which is of course powered by a pump. At this point - I looked at Brad and said - "Where did you move me to?" So obviously I was very naive about this country living, wells, propane heat, and the lack of convenience to places and things. Next thing I know we might be hitching up the horses in the dead of winter to get groceries. HA-HA!
For all of you who know me - know that I like everything in its place, working as I think it should, and the convenience of technology and basic needs, and all things clean and germ free. You can only imagine my horrified look when I saw the "scum" in the water during the lovely presentation we were given.
Thanks for reading this venting post, and for laughing with me.
Quick Update
Hello to all, and sorry for the long days without an update. Our week with Brad being gone went well. It was very confusing for the kids to have Daddy gone again - but we made it. Samantha was quite emotional the whole week, missing everyone she could think of to name, as well as suggesting we sell our house here in ID and move back to Bellingham. I think this was her way of trying to make sense of why Daddy had to be gone. He was gone 6 days and nights, and worked so hard while he was in Sunnyside. 6 long straight 12 hour days. I rarely see Brad get tired, so when he did almost nothing on Saturday, I knew he was exhausted. We are so thankful for such a great husband and father, providing for all of us, and he is such a loyal employee.
We are getting ready for a week off school next week - and lots of visitors. We received great news that we will have a house full for Thanksgiving. Auntie P and Auntie L, along with Cousins B,B, C, E are coming on Saturday and staying through Tuesday, and Grandpa and Grandma W are coming Monday and staying until Saturday. So, this means we will have guests for the Twins Birthday, and Grandpa and Grandma will be with us for Thanksgiving. We haven't told the kids that the Aunties and cousins are coming! They are going to be so excited when they arrive. We can't wait to see them all and to have them in our new home.
We are having an early (one day) B-day party for the Twins, who will be turning 5 on Nov. 21st so they can have a party with their cousins. I'll post pictures of the party Wed (the 21st). Wow - can you believe they are 5 years old.
The weather has turned cold, but still lots of beautiful sunshine! I'll post more in the next coming days.
We are getting ready for a week off school next week - and lots of visitors. We received great news that we will have a house full for Thanksgiving. Auntie P and Auntie L, along with Cousins B,B, C, E are coming on Saturday and staying through Tuesday, and Grandpa and Grandma W are coming Monday and staying until Saturday. So, this means we will have guests for the Twins Birthday, and Grandpa and Grandma will be with us for Thanksgiving. We haven't told the kids that the Aunties and cousins are coming! They are going to be so excited when they arrive. We can't wait to see them all and to have them in our new home.
We are having an early (one day) B-day party for the Twins, who will be turning 5 on Nov. 21st so they can have a party with their cousins. I'll post pictures of the party Wed (the 21st). Wow - can you believe they are 5 years old.
The weather has turned cold, but still lots of beautiful sunshine! I'll post more in the next coming days.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
So............tired!
Going to school all day is hard work for little 4 year olds. Here is proof. So Cute.
Monday, November 05, 2007
not a lot of new news
Here are some cute pictures of the kids today. It was another beautiful day. Brad is in Sunnyside all week. I know, I know......what is he doing there.....but he had to go to help with an issue with the digester. Just as I tell the kids, we don't have to like it, but we need to understand that this is his job. So, it has been awhile since I have been on my own with the kids. He is hoping to be home by Thursday night, but as of tonight, he said he wasn't making any promises.
I was able to find a doctor for the kids today that I will go and meet with on Wed. I feel a little more at ease, now knowing that if we needed a Dr. we'd have one to go to. So, not a lot is new, but wanted to put new pictures up, especially for Auntie P., who starts her day with us by reading the blog.
Take care all - we miss you!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Trick or Treat
The kids had a good time Trick or Treating. It wasn't to cold, which I was glad for. Tucker did great this year. Usually after 2 or 3 houses he is done - but this year he kept asking for more houses. And, he was very excited about all the chocolate he was getting. Sam wanted to keep going until her bag was full. Hunter was along for the fun and I think he enjoyed watching Tucker. He did miss his friends a lot. This has been a hard week for him. I can tell he is Homesick. We are trying to get some playdates arranged with kids from school, but the boys he wants to play with all commute to the school, and live 1/2 hour away, so afterschool playdates are hard. But we are working on it. Anyway, now we have lots of candy, which won't get eaten by them, (Mom and Dad will take care of it I'm sure) and another Halloween memory made.
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