(She wrote Santa a letter that said "Dear Santa, Chip-Chip has been silly" and he responded!)
The Advent Begins!
We've been a bit busy!!
Today was our first ever Co-Op day with the local Homeschool Co-Op!! Skyler spent the morning with the Kindergartners/1st Graders! They had music class (which I got to help with!) then they went to P.E. (I stayed in Music for the morning) and then to Arts and Crafts!! She really loved it, and had four friends that she already knew in her group! (Not to mention lots of new friends!!)
On top of that, she's been playing hockey! Which is once a week - and mostly just Ice Skating Lessons at this point - but none the less? It's fun!
But let's get to the REAL point of this post! Skyler has been BEGGING to make a video - so I'm sharing her new video with you :)
On top of that, she's been playing hockey! Which is once a week - and mostly just Ice Skating Lessons at this point - but none the less? It's fun!
But let's get to the REAL point of this post! Skyler has been BEGGING to make a video - so I'm sharing her new video with you :)
Exciting New Opportunities
My good friend Andrea started a website, All Things Pueblo, back in March and she recently asked me to come on board and help with finding and posting events as well as graphics!
Couch to Fourteener
*They say if you tell someone your goals, you're more likely to complete them. (I'm sure there's a statistic out there, and you know I love nothing more to be a statistic!) So here you go - I'm telling a whole bunch of someone's my goal! I copied this from my other blog, where I try to avoid sharing our families names - because it's public, unlike this where only a few people have the link!*
In July I had the chance of a lifetime, my father in law took us (The Trucker, Scribber and Myself) to Alaska for a weeklong adventure! For one leg of our trip, we stayed at a lodge deep in the heart of Denali National Park. It was this absolutely amazing, breathtaking place. No matter where you looked, you felt just in awe of the beauty.
We load up the Lodge Van, an old 15-passenger beast, which is taking us to the trailhead. Once we load up our guide announces that he'll give us the option of taking the simple hike we were going to take, or the more advanced one, Wickersham Dome, which has an INCREDIBLE view of the mountain. The Fit Family Robinson squeals at the idea of this more advanced hike. While the Trucker is sitting shotgun, rambling away, I am sitting in the middle row realizing that this out of shape, pudgy housewife from the middle of nowhere isn't about to embarrass herself by holding up this families dream vacation. No way. So what am I going to do? Make a fool of myself, and hike this near vertical climb!
Ok beloved readers, please stick with me through this one! It will get cheesy in places, I promise you that! But hear me out!
In July I had the chance of a lifetime, my father in law took us (The Trucker, Scribber and Myself) to Alaska for a weeklong adventure! For one leg of our trip, we stayed at a lodge deep in the heart of Denali National Park. It was this absolutely amazing, breathtaking place. No matter where you looked, you felt just in awe of the beauty.
One of the activities that the lodge offered was guided hikes, and since we'd heard there was a good view of Denali that day (which apparently is incredibly rare) The Trucker had his parents watch Scribber and he and I headed out to join the afternoon hike.
Now - let me set the scene for you. The Trucker and I wait at the main lodge for our guide, where we are joined by our group. There is a family, 4 kids and the parents. They all look to be in incredible shape, all athletic. There's also a couple from India - while they aren't as physically fit as the other family? They still appear in FAR better shape than the Trucker and I are.
Then our guide shows up - he asks if everyone has water (check) and no one is wearing flip-flops (again, check) then he takes one look at my shoes - worn out New Balance Running Shoes, that probably should have been thrown out AGES ago. He grabs a hiking pole and tosses it at me, tells me I'll need it.
Yep. Of course. It's the only logical option right?
Now, I've got to hand it to our guide, Michael, who if for some odd reason you stumble upon my blog? Well, you are an angel, and deserve some fantastic prize, perhaps a lottery win! He could tell when I'd nearly reached my limit and would pop in with some nature spiel, telling us about this fantastic flower we were passing. He would ramble on long enough for me to sort of catch my breath, and off we'd go.
Long story short? We made it (almost) to the top. The Fit Family Robinson was fantastic too, seriously, it's like I brought my own personal cheerleaders all the way to Alaska with me! But more than that, this hike was possibly the pinnacle of my trip. It made me realize that I actually like hiking! Who'd thunk it? (I mean, seriously - I live in Colorado. I can see Pikes Peak from my house. Yet, I had no idea how much I liked hiking!)
Fast forward nearly a month, I'm sitting in church. (Hey, I told you it'd get cheesy!) And it hits me - at least I think it was the idea, I'm pretty sure it wasn't the lightning yet, although thunder did strike soon after. Anyway, I realized, sitting there in my chair, trying to blend in with the background and praying that the people around me couldn't hear my horrendous singing, that I love hiking. I've been trying to think of a way to get in shape, running isn't my thing. I don't really want to pay a gym membership fee. And I don't own a bike (again, I'm cheap!) But, I could hike! I mean, again, I live in Colorado!
So of course, I'm not going to be happy just hiking around the nature center here in town. Nope. No way. I am going to summit a fourteener. And on my way, just because I've proven that I am insane? Why don't I tackle the Manitou Incline too?
So welcome to my journey! I'll be updating here, as I attempt to get in shape, roll down trails and eventually summit a fourteener!
Book Review: Raising Respectful Children by Jill Rigby
Jill Rigby has some wonderful points. For example, her comparison between Parent-Centered, Child-Centered and Character-Centered parenting. This is something that I find difficult to keep seperate, and find myself jumping into many different facets of each style. In Parent-Centered, the parent is concerned with molding the child into what they want them to be, in giving them the attributes (publicly) that they want. In Child-Centered, they are giving the child what THEY want. (I have a good friend who is strongly Child-Centered in her parenting, and it's very interesting to see the negative effects of this, especially after having read this book.) Then there is Character-Centered, which seems the obvious answer. Teaching your child to have good character, both privately and publicly. Doing what is right, versus what seems fun, or ideal at the time.
One that really resonated with me was her advice to "Cut out the Maybe" in your answers, and thus saving yourself a day (or even week) long battle. If your answer is yes, say yes. If it is no, say no. You often know in the moment your child asks which way you are going to sway, so save yourself the battle. This is something I am horribly guilty of!
That said? There was plenty I did not believe with her on, as is typically the case with these types of books. (I like to think I have a unique parenting style, and I try to base my decisions on what is best for my child specifically.) But she brings up the Harry Potter series as well, and one of my biggest pet peeves is bringing up that book in Parenting. Why? Because it's a fictional book. FICTION. Make Believe. Not Real. And I am a huge advocate for teaching my child the different between real and pretend - and thus? I strongly feel that the mention of such pretend, made up, fictional literature has no place in a parenting book. (I see that word and I shut down - much the same for many other Hollywood references.) Besides, I'm a book-nerd who has a very special place in my heart for Harry Potter and other like books! (Witches, Wizards, Vampires and Warewolfs are such a fun escape from day-to-day life where my neighbor is just your average annoying old man, and I'm busy running six different directions as I lead up a local moms group, and several activities at church. It's just fun to escape into those things, and I hate the idea of even pretending to deny my daughter that magical escape as well!)
She also talks about the difference between Self-Respect and Self-Esteem. Which to me, was a bit narcissistic. It felt like she was pushing for one or the other, while I see huge benefits to having BOTH in your daily life. Self-Esteem is important, especially in this day of bullying. However, Self-Respect is also important, and I think there needs to be a balance between the two, where the author was encouraging Self-Esteem over Self-Respect.
In the end? I enjoyed Raising Respectful Children, but I'm not sure I would recommend it for everyone. You'd have to be one of two people: Those who blindly follow, or those who read everything with a very subjective eye, and are not easily offended or swayed but open to reflecting on your parenting styles anyway. I found some helpful tips, and was able to re-revaluate a few of my weaker spots in parenting. But overall? Much of her advice just wasn't for my family.
Even Mosquitoes??
Well, today she found it and begged and pleaded to do it. So, I gave in.
I was right, the small pieces were tough for her clumsy fingers!
But? It was an hour well spent - we had a blast. We talked about favorite animals (she really likes Bears - I think our recent trip to Alaska where we got to watch a Mama and her two cubs play may have had a hand in that answer! Where I'm more partial to cats, and Okapi's!) We talked about rain, which we both agreed would be fun to dance in! And we also came to the consensus that we don't get near enough of it here in Southern Colorado!
But we also talked a bit about the story of Noah's Ark. Sure, she's heard it before - in Sunday School and Awana's at church. And probably in a Veggie Tales episode. But we'd never really had a conversation - just she and I about it.
"Mom, I wish Noah hadn't taken two mosquitoes. Then I wouldn't have gotten so many bites in Alaska. Or maybe he could've made a mistake. Maybe he should have taken two boys."
Man, I love this kid!!
(And I agree - he should have left the Mosquitoes off the Ark!!)
The Summer Vacation That Wouldn't End!!!
WAY BACK on June 6, Skyler and I packed up our car and left for Nebraska. We drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house, then loaded up their car and drove with them to Chicago the next day!
There we had a mini family reunion of sorts! In Skyler's words: "We had a party for Cousin Nick, I played with my Chicago Cousin Jacob. Then we went to a baseball game and waved at Cousin Nick. Lots of people cried."
(Cousin Nick graduated from high school and joined the Navy - so it was a party for both of those accomplishments and then he was sworn in at a White Sox game!) We also hung around the Chicago area for a few days, celebrating Skylers birthday with our family from Illinois, as well as my Aunt and Uncle who live in California!
That was a great mini-vacation, full of yummy food (Chicago Pizza, anyone??) and lots of great time with family that we don't see often enough.
On June 12, we headed back to Lincoln. The plan was to spend a few days with Ryan's parents, and celebrate Skyler's birthday with all of our family in Nebraska. Which went as planned, lots of good food (geez - is that what vacation is all about?) and lots of fun again!
He calmed me down and told me not to do anything. HA HA! What was I going to do? Hitch Hike? He hung up, with promises to call me back. Within 5 minutes I got a phone call from a 308 area code (Western Nebraska) - it was Ryan's Aunt! By no small miracle, she LIVED at the very exit where my car died! And? Her husband is a mechanic. They were coming to get me!!!
We spent the night in North Platte, with much thanks to my husbands family. (They are life savers!!) But they dealt us some bad news - it was the timing belt, and the engine had no compression. My beloved Jetta had met her end.
My parents arranged to come pick me up, Ryans Aunt was kind enough to let us stay the night until my parents could get there. She also made arrangements for my little white car to be towed to a salvage yard. I just cannot thank her enough for all that she did for us!
So June 19 found us back in Lincoln. Only this time, I felt like I was 16 again. I was completely reliant on borrowing my parents car, and I was freaking out about how I would afford a car payment for the first time in NINE YEARS!!!
My dad suggested I invite her Nebraska Friends (Madi and Taylor) as well as my husbands family to an impromptu party at Chuck E Cheese - which turned out to be FABULOUS!!
Skyler got to celebrate turning 5 with both sets of Grandparents, Her Aunt Katie, Uncle Kevin and Her Nebraska Cousin Jacob (yes, she does ALWAYS call them Nebraska Jacob and Chicago Jacob!)
But, we were still car-less. I had 2 weeks to find a car (and a car loan) and get myself to Colorado to prepare for our Alaskan Adventure! After her birthday was out of the way? I was paranoid. I didn't know how it would all come together. I hate car shopping.
So while Skyler was having fun with friends and grandparents? I was borrowing cars and driving from car lot to car lot, test driving. I had no idea what kind of car I wanted. (Ok - I did. I wanted a Ford Escape. With a Manual Transmission. Not white.)
June 27 I celebrated my 9th wedding anniversary by going out to dinner with my parents. (My husband was on the road - since he was headed home in a few days for vacation. No big deal - I had an extra margarita!)
FINALLY on July 1? I bought a car!!! A 2006 Hyundai Tucson! It's red, and I love it. LOVE IT. It's perfect. It's wonderful. Even though it's not a manual transmission, I love it. (And it even has the Ryan Seal of Approval!)
Of course, it's not that easy.
We made it to Kearney. (About 180 miles.) And we stopped to get some lunch, loaded up the car after lunch and I turned on the engine. There was this loud, grinding, vibrating, horrible noise. (And when I say loud? You could hear it across the street!!)
I shut the car off, called my Dad and cried. He thought I was joking at first - before he realized I was crying.
About a dozen calls later (between my dad, my husband and the dealership where I had just purchased the car.) I headed back to Lincoln - we'd discovered it was the Air Conditioner Compressor and they were going to fix it for me for free. Ryan, my mechanically inclined husband, assured me it was a quick fix and I'd be back home the next day.
WRONG AGAIN!!! They didn't have the part.
It turns out, my car wouldn't actually be ready until July 9!! (When I was in Alaska...) So, we spent the 4th of July in Lincoln - where Skyler actually got to play with fireworks! And then rode with my in-laws to Denver to catch our flight.
(The Alaska trip will be another entry - once I edit my photos!!)
Long story short? Left home for a week long vacation on June 6. Finally FINALLY made it home on July 18th!
Turning 30... {Reflections}
Well, on March 6? The day came and went without so much as a flinch from the universe.
Sure, my family and friends were fabulous! I got flowers, and cookies and wonderful gifts. And Skyler (who LOVES birthdays) was fantastic! (Ryan was on the road - but managed to make sure my day went well anyway! Besides, I'd had him home for Valentines day - which in this life? It's always one or the other for us!)
Skyler and I made a Snickerdoodle Trifle the day before and all the flavors had settled just perfectly by the time we got home from our Wednesday evening church activities! So she helped me light and blow out the candles. And all in all? My 30 birthday was fantastic.
I've spent the last two weeks thinking about my 20's, and all that I accomplished.
I got engaged. Married. Got my CDL and spend four years driving a truck - in which I was able to travel and see many parts of the United States! We went to a Red Sox game, and fishing in Canada (on a lake only accessible by Float Plane!)
My 20's also brought a lot of self discovery.
I completed 2 "365 Projects" - meaning? My camera was attached to my hip and I took a photo each day. One was entirely self portraits. (Yep, 365 photos of me! EEEK!) And one was a day in my life. (I will finish my third project in August 2013!)
I also completed a "Day Zero" project. A list of 101 items I hope to accomplish in 1001 days. (I'm now less than a year from completing my second project!)
I created a successful book blog. I became more involved in my local community. (Leading my MOPS group, participating in the Pueblo Newborn Hope luncheon.) I've found a church home that I love. And a group of fabulous friends who I wouldn't trade for anything. I learned to ride a motorcycle (although not very well...)
At 22, a month before my 1st wedding anniversary in 2005, I got a call that my Dad was in the hospital. He'd been relatively healthy, but battling pneumonia that wouldn't go away. Turns out it wasn't pneumonia, but rather a massive heart attack and it was a miracle he was still with us. Ryan and I drove all night to get home to Nebraska, where I stayed for the next month while we awaited an LVAD surgery.
Five months later my world flipped upside down again. My new husband? He left his job of 10 years with Boston Market and was getting his CDL. He was going to drive a truck. A TRUCK?!?! OYE!!
In November he was nearly finished with Truck Driving school in Lincoln and I was visiting for Thanksgiving. The morning before the big day, I was at my parents house. My dad and I were going shopping to prepare for the meal... But the phone rang. They had a heart. Thus commencing an insane dash to gather my family (my mom was in a meeting and un-reachable. My sister was in high school, where they didn't want to let me - her sibling - pick her up without a parent.) Then, just before midnight on the eve of Thanksgiving? We got word that my Dad was out of surgery and had a new heart. Another miracle that I will forever be thankful for.
Just two months after Skyler was born, my Grandmother passed away after a battle with Cancer.
And again, with just a few years left in my 20's? Tragedy struck again. My other grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She wasn't yet 70. (She's 73 now, and still with us. But Alzheimer's is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.)
So with all the ups and downs of my 20's? I can honestly say I'm a stronger person than I ever could have imagined. I'm sure not where I thought I'd be at 30. But I'm happy with where I am and where I am going. I'm optimistic that my 30's are going to be even better than my 20's! And I can't wait to revisit this post in 10 years to brag about all my fabulous accomplishments of this coming decade!
Review: A Woman's Guide to reading the Bible in a year
One of the great relationships with publishers I've formed is with Bethany House, a Christian Publishing House. They have a lot of "Amish" titles, which I fell in love with when I was driving the truck - so I jumped at the chance to partner with them and review their books! Most recently, they sent me A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year: A Life-Changing Journey Into the Heart of God by Diane Stortz .
Now, reading the Bible has been a goal of mine for awhile (it's even on my 101 in 1001 list!) But it's overwhelming. I mean, where do you start? How much do you read? And more important, how do you forge through the boring stuff?? This book seemed like the perfect opportunity to accomplish that goal, so I jumped in and started!
Let me say, I absolutely love the layout of this book. It's broken down by week, with 7 segments (about 3 chapters a piece) and theoretically should only take about 15 minutes a day! (Hey, I can totally give that - even out of my crazy schedule!)
This book also has guided journaling. (I don't know if you know this, but my name is Jac and I'm addicted to journals! Seriously. Addicted. I love them. And guided? Even better! If you need a gift idea? A guided journal is always a sure bet answer for me!) Sure, the questions are simple "What did you learn?" type questions - but great none the less!
If you are looking for a "plan" for reading the bible? This is one that I would highly recommend! (And I've researched a lot of them, in my desire to reach this goal!)
*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for a fair and honest review. The views mentioned in this review are mine, and mine alone.
Let's Get Funsical!!
Skyler has been part of a "class" called Funsical - which is hard to describe. It makes me think a lot of P.E. in elementary school. Each class is a different activity or theme. Today was Circus activities (they walked like Elephants, galloped like horses, pretended to walk on the high wire, etc.) And then they did bowling - which I got this cute little video of!
Bowling today in Funsical vine.co/v/b1l2nt7ur7F
— Jac (@ForLoveAndBooks) February 4, 2013
December/January Recap!
It's been ages since I updated - I don't really have an excuse. I suppose for the most part, our lives are pretty routine and there's not a ton to share! But, the more I think about it? December was a bit crazy! So, here's a photo recap of our last two months!!
DECEMBER 2012
My sister was the Queen of her Madrigal Dinners at Wayne State! I got to ride up with my parents to watch the dinner, and it was a lot of fun! (I even got in a few of the photos!!)
Three days later? I drove up with my parents again to see her Senior Honors Colloquium. (See, I know big words!! More importantly? People in Wayne Nebraska know big words!)
Then we drove back to Wayne (2 days later) for her Graduation! (CONGRATS KID SISTER!!)
And then, Ryan got home and we turned around to head BACK to Nebraska for Christmas!
Total Drive time now? (December 21?) 55 hours! BUT WAIT!! We have a trip to Iowa, a trip back to Lincoln and a trip back to Colorado still to come!! (Are you tired of my car yet? I am!!)
So, I mentioned Iowa? We spent 2 days with Ryan's sister and her kids! (Which was an absolute blast, and now I understand how horrible it was for my parents to drag Kate and I away from our family on trips to Chicago!)
Then back to Lincoln where we did the whole Christmas thing - which included this awesome cake ball tree!! (Drive time now? 62 hours.)
Then, we had Katie's birthday! (Geez, she's 23... that's like... old!)
Then back to Colorado - Drive time total? 73 hours. Yep - more than 3 full days in the car. THREE FULL DAYS!! (Ok, that's not a huge deal - I did drive a truck. So, it was actually enjoyable. But wow... just now totalling that up? EEEK!)
JANUARY 2013
After a quiet NYE at home (where I was asleep before Midnight - thank you very much!) Ryan hit the road and life returned to normal in Colorado!!
There were trips to the Children's Museum
And the Nature Center
And the Children's Museum Again
And some bike riding and picnics at the park
And of course we stayed busy at home...
We baked
And made silly Finger Puppets
We crocheted - Ok, I crocheted... while Skyler slept.
We played Dress Up
A lot of dress up...
We went for walks (when it snowed again!)
And we colored. A lot. (Because it's our favorite thing to do!)
I think you're caught up on our life now!! (Hopefully my next few entries aren't as photo heavy!!)
DECEMBER 2012
My sister was the Queen of her Madrigal Dinners at Wayne State! I got to ride up with my parents to watch the dinner, and it was a lot of fun! (I even got in a few of the photos!!)
Three days later? I drove up with my parents again to see her Senior Honors Colloquium. (See, I know big words!! More importantly? People in Wayne Nebraska know big words!)
Then? A few more days later? My dad, Skyler and I drove up to help her move out of her dorm. (Yep - are you keeping track of our time on the road? There will be a tally! I promise.)
Total driving time (from Lincoln to Wayne in December) approx 30 hours!
Total driving time total in December (up until now?) 35 hours!
But, we're not done! See, Skyler and I drove back to Colorado! Where we got home just in time for a big snow storm, where a tree fell on our house!
Total Drive time now? (December 21?) 55 hours! BUT WAIT!! We have a trip to Iowa, a trip back to Lincoln and a trip back to Colorado still to come!! (Are you tired of my car yet? I am!!)
So, I mentioned Iowa? We spent 2 days with Ryan's sister and her kids! (Which was an absolute blast, and now I understand how horrible it was for my parents to drag Kate and I away from our family on trips to Chicago!)
Then back to Lincoln where we did the whole Christmas thing - which included this awesome cake ball tree!! (Drive time now? 62 hours.)
Then, we had Katie's birthday! (Geez, she's 23... that's like... old!)
Then back to Colorado - Drive time total? 73 hours. Yep - more than 3 full days in the car. THREE FULL DAYS!! (Ok, that's not a huge deal - I did drive a truck. So, it was actually enjoyable. But wow... just now totalling that up? EEEK!)
JANUARY 2013
After a quiet NYE at home (where I was asleep before Midnight - thank you very much!) Ryan hit the road and life returned to normal in Colorado!!
There were trips to the Children's Museum
And the Nature Center
And the Children's Museum Again
And some bike riding and picnics at the park
And of course we stayed busy at home...
We baked
And made silly Finger Puppets
We crocheted - Ok, I crocheted... while Skyler slept.
We played Dress Up
A lot of dress up...
We went for walks (when it snowed again!)
And we colored. A lot. (Because it's our favorite thing to do!)
I think you're caught up on our life now!! (Hopefully my next few entries aren't as photo heavy!!)
