Our Fabulous Break

It is hard to know it is over. We had a great week! Tuesday we took a day trip with Doug's parents, sister, and her husband as well as our good friend Robin her kiddos and Mom to Baker, Oregon. Doug grew up in Baker and Allan (Doug's Dad) helped with some of the planning of the out buildings and exhibits of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Kimberly is in fourth grade the year they study the Oregon Trail in school so this was an especially interesting topic to her. Thanks to Allan's influence we all got in FREE (love it!). It was really interesting as I love history and currently the favorite television time at our house is watching "Little House" episodes we check out from the library. After the museum we went to lunch at our family's favorite Mexican restaurant. Unfortunately Doug is convinced that his horrible heartburn is the direct result of our lunch so we may not go again (unless he forgets). Then we had to stop at the best Dollar Tree around for tax free goodies. All in all everyone had a blast!

Then Thursday we decided to go to Brownlee Reservoir to have a wienie roast and fish. The hotdogs were great (isn't weird how wienies taste like amazingly better when cooked outside?). The fishing was windy and we ended up not getting and fish (Kim's worm when reeled in proved that we had at least a nibble.) It was a nice job and fun to be out in God's creation.

Friday was my second CM Crop and was a lot of fun. I have to say it was pretty cool to know my job is to hang out scrapbook and visit with good friends. We all were amazed how fast the time flew when you are laughing and eating (I mean working on our albums :))!

This weekend we spent a lot of time with Doug's sister Marie and her boys who are visiting from Moscow, Idaho.

But as the clock indicates I better stop writing and it's time to get some shut eye. Reality hits tomorrow morning.

The Shack

This break I had the chance to finish a book my grandfather had given me for Christmas that I had convinced him to read. Many of my friends were reading "The Shack" by, William P, Young. It is theological fiction and as such you expect some strong religious convictions to be questioned. They were for me. I can't agree with the quote on the front of the book that this is this generation's "Pilgrim Progress" but it does move you to think and causes you to review your relationship with God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. In fact the main subject of the book is this man Mack's weekend with the Trinity. It starts out a little slow in my opinion but after all I am of the Movie and TV generation but as you get deeper it really catches you. "The Great Sadness" is the abduction of Mack's youngest daughter and later horrible murder. I found the most intriguing part of the book was that the author chose to have the place of this families nightmare "The Shack" where Missy was murdered is where Mack begins an amazing relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I love the theme of forgiveness and healing that runs through the entire book. I do not agree with the authors opinion of submission. But it made me examine my relationship with God and that is always a good thing. If you want to be challenged read this book.

Whirlwind Weekend

Spring Break is in full swing. Friday night we had a backyard picnic, complete with a hotdog roast and smore making fire. The kids were a little disappointed that they couldn't sleep in a tent so we ended up having the air mattress in our living room with two crazy brothers who giggled until so late that Kimberly left the boys and went back to her own bed exhausted. Saturday was just as fun after the kids got to spend the afternoon with Grandma playing they got to go to my cousin's son's 3rd Birthday. It was a dino theme complete with a bouncing house. It literally took lightning and thunder to get them to get out of the bouncing house. Sunday was a little quieter we went to church and then went over to my Grandpa's for dinner with my parents and then some fun games. All in all I think the kids feel that Spring Break is off to a great start.

Whittenberger Planetarium

Our preschool has been studying SPACE. We had a wonderful opportunity to go to the Planetarium today. Kimberly and Ethan were out of school for Spring Break so the whole family were able to come. It was amazing! The presenter combined many children songs with the constellations. We sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with Orion (the great hunter) and recited the Mother Goose poem of the "cow" jumping over the moon with Taurus (the bull). She managed to get a few other constellations to go with other great nursery rhymes. It was very creative and entertaining for 3-5 year olds that had to sit in a dark room for an hour. The highlight for my students were the look at the planets. The slides were beautiful. The campus of The College of Idaho had many other things to look at in there science building. Doug and the kids really enjoyed looking at all the different rock collections. I thought seeing the rocks under black lights was pretty cool. All in all it was a great start to our break! Who else can say they got to go out of this world only four miles from home?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

At "Top of the Morning" the leprechaun sent Kimberly, Ethan, and Jayden on the annual hunt. They were all convinced that this year they would catch that sneaky little man. After many rhyming clues they ended up at the kitchen sink looking at fun goodies left by are guest as a consolation for not getting his gold. :( Jayden is convinced we still will catch him. His last words uttered as he closed his eyes tonight was "we will get his gold Mom."

I do so love this GREEN holiday! It is such a testimony that one man's actions to help his fellow man can in the hands of God be remembered and continue to bless people for centuries. If you ever want to learn about an amazing Saint study the life of St. Patrick. Despite popular opinion it is not all about beer.

I hope you all had some green fun and perhaps some corn beef and cabbage.

The Seuss Bowl Champions

Thursday was very exciting. I was able to get part of the afternoon off thanks to Miss Robin. So Jayden and I dashed to Wilson Elementary to watch Kimberly compete in the final round of the Seuss Bowl. The competition was tough. The best team of 5th graders and 3rd graders were competing against Kimberly's team of 4th graders. For awhile it was pretty intense. I think I was more stressed then Kimberly (surprise, surprise). Kimberly worked hard and got to answer the winning question for the team. It will be nice to have another trophy to add to last years. Thank goodness I have another year to wait to be "on edge" again.

Mom Bragging Rights!!

Both my big kids got to compete this week as representatives on their class Seuss team. Ethan was on Mrs. White's 3rd grade class team and unfortunately they competed against Mrs. Stiver's team (the known Seuss Queen) they can hold there head high only losing by two questions. Kimberly is in Fourth Grade and her team has won the first round and has a competition tomorrow. After they win they will compete Thursday in the Seuss Bowl. I am so excited to share that Kimberly's team has a picture on the district website. Scroll down they are under the cafeteria lady.
http://www.caldwellschools.org/News/FullStory.php?NewsID=245
She is the one in the black hat and glasses. SO CUTE!!! My kids totally rock!

A True Bunkbed

Last Friday Doug got a wild hair and decided it was time to finish the bed. He spent the afternoon with our little Bob the Builder (Jayden) building the bottom bunk. It is so nice. However we have yet to buy a mattress so lucky for Jayden we have a twin air mattress for camping. As you can see he loves it!!!