We could use some Sunshine!

Growing up I was taught to love the rain. After reading my Grammy's life story, I understood where it all started. Her love for the rain rubbed off on my Mom and then on us children. There was never anything more thrilling to me than a good lightning and thunder storm. Being raised where I was, this was always a rare delight. The smells of the promise of moisture in the air and the promise of wet on a thirsty earth, was truly something exciting and enjoyable. I have memories of sitting on our covered porch swing, watching the storm and loving every minute. Though I have wonderful memories of the rain, I haven't always loved it so much living in Eugene. In a place that rains more often than sun is shone has brought about a brand new perspective on my view of the rain. It can get so heavy and foggy and go on for so many days in a row, that people actually have to take supplemental vitamin D to make up for the loss of what being in the sunshine offers. If you aren't careful and have your days planned out, it can get rather dreary and difficult to keep your spirits up.

This is one of those days. The rain has been coming down since I became aware that it was morning and the house was still dark. My dismal day all started at 1:30 in the morning when I woke to 3 children sandwiching me in bed and my husband having been called in to work late and working till then. By 3:30 and two hours of no success in finding any rest, I got up, did the dishes, caught up on laundry, including ironing, and mending as well...something that isn't common to get to around here. When time for the older children to go to school rolled around, I found myself ready for a nap. That wasn't very successful either. How do you pass the time when you know you have all your younger children out of school for the day, and know that they will demand things and want you to help them with every blessed thing they need throughout the day, while you are left without any energy? I have none. It makes me feel like the worst person in the world.

(Photo found here) 

 So although I do love a good summer desert rain, I could use a LOT more 

SUNSHINE! 

Halloween

Just wanted to share a few pix of our Halloween before out Thanksgiving and Christmas! 

Justin's outfit was my favorite to put together this year. 

I got his leather (vinyl) coat at our local thrift shop, trimmed the sleaves to fit, and sewed them up.

He's the Lone Ranger. Yes I know his hat should be white, but we did what we could, m-kay?!

He enjoyed the night with our neighbor with hamburgers for dinner, school Halloween party, and trick-or-treating. He made off with a killing of candy! (get it? haha!)

                                                              Here are the 4 Musketeers. Yep, 4. These kids Pal around together non-stop when able to, and it was no different Halloween night. They enjoyed trick-or-treating with each other led by their friend's mom. 

(sorry for the blurry photos...issues with the camera AGAIN. Need me a new one. *sigh*)

                                           Alyssa was a beautiful Princess Fairy

              Amy was a darling witch. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she was a good witch.

Michael was a brain surgeon. I know, YUCK! What isn't shown is the heart he's carrying in pocket. Eeek!

                           Jeremy was a Karate Master. He shared some pretty amazing moves!

After going out for a couple hours, the boys came back and changed into Ninja costumes and shared their skills with one another.

                                 Alyssa and Amy enjoyed going through their candy and trading. This brings back so many memories from my childhood days. I have fond ones of trick or treating with my dad and sharing with my brothers and sisters. My mom always made our costumes so great. 

Alyssa taking a rest after changing into her pajamas.

                                                             Michael gave Justin a candy burial...

                             I think he thought he'd died and gone to heaven. (hehe! I made that one up myself.)

Tyler spent the night studying and watching a movie, and Steve was out of town at a class. 

That leaves me. Scarecrow Mom. 

With a nice night off, I enjoyed passing out candy to trick-or-treaters and watching Man of Steel. 

It was a GREAT Halloween! 

Austen Fans

For those of you who don't know, I'm a hopeless Jane Austen fan. I love the time period, the stories, the romance, the hopelessly smitten love and the main plots to all of Jane Austen's novels. I have read most of them and seen as many of the movies as possible, in a variety of each version. I just finished the last book she wrote, but never completed, called Sanditon. It was finished by another, and, I might add, very well done!

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Being the Jane Austen fan that I am, and a part of a wonderful book group, we recently read the novel "Austenland". 

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It was hilarious and fun in a degree only an Austen fan can fully appreciate. So you can imagine our delight when my friends and I found out that the movie had come out! 

I went with a long time friend, fellow Austen lover, and book group member. 

We laughed until we were almost literally in stitches!

  

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If you haven't seen it, you must! You'll be glad you did. 

Snow Days

5 Days ago we got snow.

To people that live in colder climates, that doesn't mean anything unusual. But here where we live in Eugene, Oregon, it's a rare deal. So they say.

 When we first moved here 9 years ago, the real estate agent told us that we wouldn't see much snow because it was so rare. It's snowed every year since we've been here. Granted it isn't a large amount, and when it snows, all the schools close and buses don't run. They just don't have the equipment for it. For the first couple years this would upset our older boys, being from Spokane WA and Utah. They were disappointed at how once the sun came out, all would be melted by mid afternoon if not, mid-morning, and they missed school that they knew they'd have to make up later.

 This time, however, we have gotten so much snow, that the buses can't run and many churches have canceled their services.

Everything is capped in white and the the temperatures are making no promises of rising above freezing real soon, leaving a layer of ice on the roads.

School has been delayed giving the children time to play and enjoy sledding, tubing, and hitching. Our neighbor across the street even took them snowmobiling (They frequently visit their family in Montana). 

                                                   We received 8 inches of snow in total.

                                                  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Being Mom

Some days, many in fact, are challenging. I won't lie to you. There are times, lately, I envision myself on a warm beach somewhere...anywhere, 

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I don't seem to care, drinking a virgin pina colada. And as one ends, the beach waiter (like in Mexico) brings me another. I just sit there, doing nothing. Not even reading. Just enjoying the sun on my skin and the drink in my hand. I'm just me for awhile. 

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No one yelling my name to get me this, or asking where is that, or blaming me for something they couldn't do on their own and, for some unknown reason beyond my understanding, I should'v known and been there to help, prevent mistakes or make things work out. But then reality hits.

 I'm back in my own busy, chaotic, hectic, crazy, on call 24/7 life. And I realize, that if I did leave, I might never return, 

                            and how that would be a shame. Because truly. 

          I'm where I want to be. I'm happy being Mom. No matter what that entails.

She Wears Curlers

 Is that a song? She wears Curlers? If it isn't, it ought to be. Sounds like a good one to play when a girl's getting ready, huh? The other day we I found some velcro type curlers at the thrift store. If you know me well, you know I love a good thrift shop trip. I found them so cheap, all of them were there, and they looked like they may have been used once. So for about 2 whole bucks, I got 'em.

                                                  Alyssa had said she wanted to try them.

 I thought Steve was going to roar with laughter when he walked by the bathroom and saw what I was doing.

The next thing I knew, he was showing me an old "for strength of youth" pamphlet that said that girls shouldn't leave the house wearing hair rollers. He was laughing because of how times have changed. 

 I have to admit it brought back memories of Sunday nights as a child. We would sit and watch love boat as my mother would roll my hair in sponge rollers. If they came out in the night, I would walk to her room in the dark to re-roll them. She was amazing! 

The girls got impatient with the process and asked for me to take them out before they ever dried, so I don't have any "after pix" for you. Let's just say, I don't think they will be doing it again. Sponge rollers are much nicer. (These ripped the hair upon removal-accompanied with a lot of screaming and crying. Poor girls!). 

I gotta say, though, it was worth the pictures! 

What They Say Wednesday

"I spy my little eye, Apple Jacks!"

                                                                                                                                      ~Amy