Now, don't be a hatin'... ;)

Yes, I'm one of "THOSE".  You know the one... I get excited when I see Hobby Lobby stocking the shelves with Christmas ornaments and when I see the Christmas trees going up in the middle of the aisle.  I shop for twinkly lights in August, and begin all my Christmas To Do lists.  I actually start listening to Christmas music when the first frost is more than 6 weeks away.  I refuse to even consider buying another pair of flip flops no matter how cheap they are and spend time drooling over the new Uggs beginning to show up on store shelves.  I'm even beginning to draft our annual Christmas letter and have started making our Christmas card.  Yes, I'm definitely "THAT" woman:)

The past few years have brought me back to my roots and helped me to realize just what is actually important and what isn't.  I've come to fully appreciate the little things that tie us to those we love and what we value.... heritage, legacy, crafted from the heart by the hands of someone you hold dear.  This year, more than anything else, I really want to make our entire holiday season a season of love and blessing.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas and all the way thru to Valentine's Day, I want to let my family and friends know they are loved and cherished.  A tall order, for sure and for certain; one that requires me to begin planning and working on things while the kids are still splashing away in the pool on hot summer days and catching fireflies on muggy August evenings.  The upside to starting on Christmas in August?  Well, it certainly helps you think cool thoughts as you envision snow covered landscapes, fireplaces roaring, and yummy smells floating from the oven.

Yes, I'm one of "THOSE"and no matter how hard I try to keep it undercover, I just can't help but do my little happy dance as I browse the aisles full of evergreens boughs and glittered christmas ornaments :)

Back to School...

We are heading into our 10th year of homeschooling our children.  WOW!  Like many families, we started that first year leaving the door open to return to a traditional school setting if it just didn't work out for us.  What we didn't realize then, was that homeschooling isn't just an educational choice, it's a lifestyle.  I can no longer fathom any other way of spending my days than teaching my daughters around our own school table.  Enjoying all the highs and enduring all the lows of each day, together as a family.  Watching the older ones teach the younger ones.  Wiping away the tears when something is just so hard to learn and seems so far out of grasp, then celebrating when, like a light switch, a child "gets it".  I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

We are still enjoying the last days of our summer break, but as the girls are riding bikes and scooters, and playing with their friends, I'm getting ready for our upcoming year.  My desk is covered with index cards, post-it notes, books, markers, my Bible, my planner, teacher manuels, paper clips, folders, library lists, field trip schedules, etc.  These are the days that I work diligently to make our school year enjoyable for both the girls and myself.  For those that know me well, they are probably scratching their heads about now, because I'm normally a "shoot from the hip" sort of gal.  We don't live by a strict schedule or routine.  However, I've schooled my children long enough to know that if my planning isn't done ahead of time, school days will just slip by with the bare basics at best.

This year we are doing something a little new... For my two littlest ones, I've decided to break away from our normal curriculum and enjoy a unit study.  In addition to our normal math, reading, spelling, and handwritting, we are going to use the Prairie Primer and spend the year going through the Little House on the Prairie books.  Unit studies are an amazing way to learn, as all your core subjects are studied in corrolation with the book you're reading.  Science, Health, History, Language Arts, Bible, even Reading, Math, Handwriting, Vocabulary, and Spelling (although I utilize our normal curriculum for those subjects to stay on task) are all learned in a seamless stream as you study each work of literature.  We will immerse ourselves in the pioneer period, learning to do things the way the Ingalls family would have and delving deep into the history of that period in time.

We are looking forward to starting our new school year on August 19th (early for us).  The girls already have their school supplies ready...folders organized and pencils sharpened.  We all love back to school time; not sure why, but there's just something exciting about a new school year and all the opportunities to learn new things.

Nebraska's Big Rodeo

What fun! We had dear friends come visit this week from Virginia and they've never been to a rodeo. Of course that was the perfect road trip. We packed up the truck and headed out west. We enjoyed visiting with Grammie and Papa and showing David and Michele a real Nebraska farm, along with all that the small towns here have to offer. After staying the night in McCook, off we went to explore the edge of the Sandhills. We shared the rich history of our state all along the way (Nebraska really is a great state when you get off the interstate and onto some of the back roads). We finally made it to the rodeo in Burwell and had a blast enjoying the midway before the rodeo events began. Once the sun began to set, all eyes were on the arena. There is nothing more American than a rodeo; if you've never gone, I'd highly suggest you do. It will restore your patriotism and make you remember everything we love about our country. From the opening with our flag flown from horseback and raced around the arena, to the national anthem and prayer, and finally onto cowboys (and cowgirls in a few events) competing, the night is nonstop fun. We all had a great time and are anxious to enjoy another rodeo soon.

Off to the rodeo

We are heading up to Burwell Nebraska today for the rodeo. Hannah is all excited about it, but I think she's a bit on the tired side. Here's what I found this morning .....

50th Birthday

Craig is celebrating his 50th birthday this month. What fun we've had making him feel special during this milestone. Gifts, time with family and friends, favorite foods, and even a road trip to the Burwell rodeo via a side trip to the family farm have all made for lots fun and memories. 50 years of blessings so far and hopefully another fifty more to come.

Vacation Bible School

Wow! This is a new one for this Mama...for the first time since becoming a mom, I have 3 hours completely free and to myself all this week. Tess is working and all the others are off at VBS. Sarah volunteered to teach and is the table leader for Gracie's group :). We've been bringing along friends as well and have been having a fun week full of sleepovers, swimming, and learning about God.

2 years ago....

It's been two years since Mamo's Heavenly Homecoming.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her, but I'm so thankful to know that she is healthy and whole in her new body up in Heaven.  There's no more pain, no more illness, no more longing for her beloved family members, especially her own Mama, that had gone on before her.  I'm also so thankful that my girls have so many wonderful memories of Mamo, just like I do.  She was a huge part of their lives and they loved her dearly, just as I did.  We visit her grave often, and enjoy "filling her in" on all that is going on in our life.  We laugh at the great memories we have of times spent with her, and can at times almost hear her voice when her words come to mind.  I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful grandmother who was actively involved in my life, every single day since the day I was born.  To say I loved her is an understatement, to say the least.  I adored her, cherished her and the time I got to have with her.  I treasure each and every lesson she taught me... whether it be personal character, resposibility, work ethic, driving, sewing, caring for children, enjoying the moments with those I love, etc.  I honestly wouldn't be who I am, had it not been for her.  Yes, the pangs of grief and loneliness still strike my heart and sole, but it's at those times that the good memories flood my mind and I wrap myself up with them and find such comfort... I Love You, Mamo.  God blessed me so much more than I could have ever asked by giving you to me as my grandma.

Summer days

I'm so thankful for a husband willing to work hard to provide a good life for his family. While he's working away, on the road, teaching kids at summer entrepreneur camps, working with small communities around the nation...I get to enjoy the benefits of being a stay at home mom, raising our girls for God's Kingdom.

There's been a lot of debate over recent days about the benefits of moms staying in the work force; it's set the "mom wars" back on fire. Personally, I don't think it's a black and white matter. God created each one of us and wired us in very unique ways. Not every woman is meant to be a stay at home wife and mom. Not every woman is meant to juggle both a career and family life. God gave us examples of both throughout the Bible and we would be wise to understand that there is no right or wrong answer to this. What is important, however, the right way if you will, is to actively seek to be where God would have you in your life. Seek God's will first and find contentment in all He has for you.

As for me, I love being a stay at home mom. I love being able to watch my girls grow in God's grace every day and leading them to His Truth every step if the way. I enjoy the natural rythmn of the changing seasons and the simplified lifestyle our family leads compared to most in today's world. And, personally, I don't think there's any better way to spend the warm summer days than relaxing by the pool, while the girls enjoy splashing and swimming.

So, do I have a problem embracing the traditional husband/wife roles of the 1950's, like one woman recently expressed disdain about? No way! God created us with specific roles to fill and the gifts needed to carry them out. I find I am the most content when I'm squarely in my role as wife and mom. Nurturing my family, making our home cozy, teaching our children, being a helpmate. I don't want my husband's role...frankly it looks too hard. Besides, let me point out again that he's out working and I am relaxing poolside ;).

Thankful....

In this day and age of everything being temporary and disposable, there arise moments when your heart is so thankful for "fixes". My favorite sandals came unstitched at the end of the hot weather last year. I tucked them away, figuring I'd deal with it this summer. Well, here it is nearly July and they've still been sitting there waiting for my attention. Today was the day:). I'm so thankful that we still have repair shops like this, available to make our disposable ways a little less prevalent:). I'm also extremely thankful for a whole lot if rain this late June morning :)

Sarah's Homecoming

After an entire week away at church camp, Sarah came home safe and sound. We were all excited to have her back with us. Even tho the week went by quickly, she was greatly missed and the void in our home, without her, was deeply felt. Is this mama ready for an empty nest? NO WAY! I may go a little crazy sometimes because of all the noise, chatter, and chaos that surrounds me, but in no way am I ready for it to cease quite yet.

We celebrated Sarah's homecoming with ice cream and enjoyed hearing all her stories of everything that happened over the past week. She is such a little homebody, we wondered if she would get homesick...yes, she felt the pangs of missing her home and family, but she turned to God for comfort and He provided her with just that along with tons of fun. She says she's going back next summer :). But for now, I am thrilled to have all my children back home where they belong :)

Oh yes, for those wondering...yes, there were more tears on my part. This time they were happy tears :). (It's official, I've turned into my mother;)

It's the little memories...

Ever notice how its the little, minuscule even, things that can bring you great joy or cause you to crash into a pit off despair? I had one of those moments today; the kind that brought a smile to my lips and joy to my heart. As I was about to get comfy on the lounge chair by the pool, I noticed it....the towel laying along that lounge was the towel Mamo made for me (along with a matching pool bag that , yes I still have:) when I was in high school. It was the 80's after all, and classic preppy was all the rage. That included plaid Scotty dogs on most everything :). I'm so glad that I still have these every day type of reminders of my Mamo and so thankful to, that my girls also have tons of good memories of her as well :)

Half Empty Nest...

It's the strangest thing; I basically only have 2 kiddos home this week... and I'm not really sure what to think of it.  Our days have taken on a relaxed tempo; mornings out and afternoons in.  No real need to be anywhere (other than an endo appointment for Miss Gracie) or do anything at all; just at our own whim for each day.  I gotta admit, it's a nice break, but it's not something I'm ready for on a regular basis.  Yes, I'm preparing for Tessie to fly to coop towards this Fall and honestly I think she pretty much only lands here at home to sleep these days anyway between her 4 jobs... But, this week Sarah is off at camp out in the sandhills too.  I know she's having a great time, but boy do I miss her.  At least I see Tess and get a hug and kiss each day.  AND we text back and forth throughout the day as well ~ contact is important to this mama's heart.  Sarah was sent off on her adventure with nothing other than some envelopes and paper.... no phone, no iPod, no laptop, no nothing.  No way for me to know what she's doing, how she's feeling, what she needs me to pray for, no way for me to tell her I love her each day.  SIGH... It's been 3 days and I have 3 more days till she's back home with a duffle full of laundry and lots of stories to tell us about her week.  Until then, I'm off to the pool with my two youngest.  Enjoying them to the fullest this week while they are still little and watching them grow closer with each passing day.... and remembering wonderful times of when my two oldest where this age and not out on their own life's adventures :)

Tess and Sarah enjoying sailing with their dad back in 2004 (Maybe '05, my memory isn't what it use to be ;)

Father's Day

It's arrived and left me feeling the sharp pangs of grief and loss all over again. For the first time ever, I wasn't sorting thru all the cards on the rack looking for just the right one and getting a padded envelope so I could stick a bag of pistachios in with the chosen card. Loss...hurt...pain...all raw emotions still fresh and overwhelming at times. There's joy too; when out of nowhere a picture from the past flashes thru my mind. Lots of pictures, lots of memories, lots of giggles - and still lots of tears. The first Fathers Day without my dad here for me to celebrate. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice come over the phone just one more time; yes, even in the grumpy tone he'd get when he was tired of me asking what his doctor had said. Just one more "I love you Herman"....

Blessings :)

My family knows that if they want me to remember something, the best thing to do is write it down on a post-it note. I can't help but smile when I see the notes the girls leave for me on my computer so I won't miss them :)

Passing on the legacy

Mamo taught me how to sew when I was super young. By the time I was in kindergarten, I was sewing my own doll clothes on the sewing machine and embroidering pictures to make into pillows. It brings me so much joy to pass on everything Mamo taught me to my girls. I've been on an embroidery binge lately and it's intrigued Gracie and Hannah, so they've asked to learn how to do it for themselves. I found a sweet kitty pattern for them to sew and they began sewing their blocks tonight. I hope they continue down this path; they're certainly off to a good start.

Coffee Break

Every once in awhile I'll get a picture in my mind of something I want to create and that thought takes over my life. I just can't stop until what I pictured is real and tangible. I never know what's going to send me down a creative path, but when it pushes me, I just have to go on the journey.

This happened to me this past week. I pulled out some quilt squares I'd prepared with embroidery designs to work on while watching a little TV last weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I finished the first one and thrilled with the vintage look I'd achieved through my color choice. I quickly started the next block, and as I stitched memories began to envelope me. Memories of Mamo embroidering sets of tea towels with kitties and the Campbell Soup kids. I don't have a single memory of Mamo's kitchen or the kitchen in my childhood home that doesn't have her embroidered tea towels on the counter. I remember her making me a set for a gift at one of my bridal showers many years ago:).

I always loved these towels. The sweet colorful designs made me smile. When I was a really little girl, Mamo would tie one around my waist, stand me up on the stool and let me help her cook or dry dishes. If I fell, ice was wrapped in one and I'd hold it on my bruised head or knee, the softness as soothing as the cold itself. As I stitched my own quilt quilt blocks, I remembered Mamo teaching me to embroider. I could feel her hands guiding mine along as she did long ago. What a wonderful gift she gave me with each stitch she helped me sew.

Well, I spent the week enjoying stitching my coffee themed quilt blocks and with each stitch the picture of what my quilt would look like became more clear. I was so excited to finish them yesterday. Then this afternoon I pieced the other blocks to go with them; happy polka dot star blocks:). What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon:). I finished my quilt top today and it turned out just as I'd pictured it - vintage and kichty, looking like something Mamo might have made:).

Blessings....

It's finally spring :)  Not that it was an exceptionally hard winter, but there is just something extra special about watching things come back to life after laying dormant for so many months.  We've done some spring cleaning around our home, shedding some of the excess "stuff" that has accumulated over the past few years (yes, more needs to go, but I'm pretty happy with what we have accomplished so far:).  It's nice to know that our unwanted/unneeded stuff can bless others in their time of need, so we've donated most of what we cleaned out.  We haven't tackled the garage and attic yet, but that is slated to happen in the next few weeks.  It will be a huge burden lifted to rid ourselves of most of what is stored out there ~ outgrown bikes, scooters, clothes, toys, unneeded household items, excess of seasonal decor, etc.  Surely someone else can use what we no longer need or want.

We've celebrated another birthday... a big milestone one ~ Sarah Camden turned 13 years old on April 3rd.  What a blessing Sarah has always been.  She has the absolute sweetest spirit I've ever known in a child.  She looks for ways to serve others, and loves to bless her family on a regular basis by helping in anyway she can.  Now, don't get me wrong, she has a stubborn streak in her and a slight temper, but she's learning to control those traits and lives out Christ's calling to love others as He loves us.  She is creative, artistic, smart, thoughtful, and determined.  I love to hear her sing and laugh at her own silly jokes.  I'm so very proud of the beautiful young lady she is growing in to.

For her special 13th birthday, we enjoyed a family celebration as well as a Paris themed party with her friends a few days later.  Sarah and I worked for several weeks making most of the decorations for her party, planning them so that they could decorate her room afterwards.  Sarah planned the cake of her dreams all by herself and worked with the baker to get it to come to life.  She and her friends enjoyed getting intouch with their inner artists and painted canvases.  They were all pretty talented artists and enjoyed spending nearly an hour and a half creating their masterpieces.

We have truly enjoyed our school year and have seen the girls grow so much over this year; it's hard to believe that we are nearly done with our official school year, but are certainly ready for a break from our normal school routine.  We continue Math and Reading throughout the summer, but otherwise enjoy a traditional summer break full of swimming, chasing fireflies,  and playing with friends, etc.  It's just so nice to have the flexability that homeschooling our kids offers our family and what a blessing it is to watch our girls grow in God while growing academically each and every day.

As you can tell, this is kind of my "catch up" post - there's been so much going on around here that I just haven't really had the time to blog.  As I've enjoyed some quiet time recently, I've been hit yet again with the realization of just how blessed my family is.  God is so good to us, providing for all our needs and so very many of our desires.  I love that I'm able to be home with my family each day, surrounded by their laughter, chatter, and watching them grow.  There are times I go a little crazy and need a break from all the noise and activity around our home, but after a short break, I'm always so grateful to be surrounded by all the daily chaos once again.

 Geography Lesson

 Miss Hannah's Math Assignment... with a little help from her counting bears

 There are just some days that you need to tune each other out in order to get your work done... Thank God for iPods and Earphones!

 Instead of giving Sarah's party guest a treat bag to take home, we made crosses with their initials for them to hang in their rooms.

 PARIS... the theme of Sarah's 13th birthday party as well as her bedroom

 Sarah's party invitations

 Just like her big sister... getting ready for the day, make up and all

 Sarah chose Texas Roadhouse for her birthday dinner.  Of course you must sit in the saddle to receive your birthday wishes

Just for fun, we made a peeps topiary for our Easter dinner centerpiece.  Hannah could hardly wait to dig into all the jelly beans :)

Classic Dad

I was thinking about my dad this morning and remembered this picture I took of him when we drove up to Tahoe in 2010.  It's a goofy picture, I know, but I snapped it because this is the expression I grew up seeing everytime he had his camera out.  My dad was a great photographer and took some beautiful pictures, but he always looked befuddled everytime he would be looking for some button or another on his camera.  It's also classic of my dad, since I don't remember him wearing anything other than blue jeans, a white tee shirt, and a plaid flannel shirt very often.  I can probably count the times I remember him wearing anything else on my fingers :)

Saying Goodbye...

Wednesday, February 6th started out normal enough.  Morning chores, getting girls going, school time... then right in the middle of our english lessons my phone rings.  I normally don't answer my phone during school time, but this call I knew was important.  My aunt was calling and as soon as I answered I knew what she was calling to tell me.  I didn't want to hear it, but there was no stopping the next few words..."Are you alone right now? (no, I was sitting with the girls doing school work) Good, because you shouldn't be alone for this news.  Honey, I don't want to tell you this, but your dad passed away early this morning."  Amazing how quickly the world can just stop for a split second.  Images of my dad flashed through my mind; of the last time I saw him 2 years ago, of times when I was a little girl, and of times when I was a teenager.  Guilt too; gullt for getting so frustrated with him because he just refused to take care of himself, getting frustrated  because he wouldn't even talk about getting the help at home he needed, getting frustrated because every time I'd try to talk with him about salvation he'd change the subject to astro physics, guilt for not getting out to see him just one more time like I wanted to do, guilt for letting life get in the way of a few more precious hours spent with my dad.

The next day, my birthday, Mom and I flew out to Northern California, after a quick birthday party with cake and ice cream for breakfast with the girls.  A very long day full of flights, brightened by a little bit of time spent with my family during a lay over at LAX.  By 2:00 am we were finally settled into our hotel and into bed for a couple hours sleep.  We arrive at Dad's apartment, ready to clean up and out a lifetime cut too short.  Everywhere I look, I find scattered family memories.  Pictures, notes, cards, scrapbooks, the Bible Tess sent him when she was about 10, the life-size owl decoy I gave him when I was in jr. high, his trucking logs, all his fishing and hunting licenses, his driver's licenses, the only key fob I ever remember him carrying (a plain leather one)... just the mundane daily things that make up ones life.   I find one of the last shopping lists he'd made and tuck it away to keep.  I find his childhood train that he wanted the girls to have; packed up and addressed but never shipped.  There's a therapy and comfort in cleaning out his apartment; crying tears of sadness and loss, finding things that bring to mind wonderful memories and would make me laugh in the middle of it all.

During this past week I was able to reconnect with a few of my dad's family that I haven't seen since I was 18.  I was able to enjoy time with my grandma and relive fun memories of my childhood.  His family generously handled the memorial arrangements and on Monday, February 11th we remembered Dad and the life he lived as well as all the ways he touched so many lives.  The last song played brought us all to tears as it was just so my dad....Frank Sinatra's My Way.  Dad would've turned 68 the very next day, February 12th.  To think, just a week before I was trying to figure out what to send him for his birthday and reminding myself to get it taken care of so I wouldn't be late, like I so often am.

My dad and I are about as opposite as they come.  He never did quite know what to do with me.  I am steadfast in my faith in God, my dad was agnostic.  I am ultra conservative in my political stance and my dad was very liberal.  I'm more the artsy/hippy type and my dad was very science minded.  I spent my life rolling my eyes every time he'd go off on some tangent about physics and astronomy.  He'd call my mom after getting into a political debate with me and ask her "Where did we go wrong with this girl?"  I need the ocean to feel grounded and my dad needed to be in the mountains.  But as opposite as we were, we loved each other completely and respected each other, especially as I grew into adulthood.    As a child he did everything in his power to reign me in, to scare off any boyfriends, to try to get me to comply with his idea for what I should do with my life (he thought I should've been a nurse, I wanted to be an archeologist).  I remember him teaching me to read and showing never-ending patience when I couldn't remember the word "are" for the life of me.  I remember the one and only driving lesson he gave me and how I came home in tears, swearing I'd find someone else to teach me while he couldn't understand why I didn't appreciate the defensive driving techniques he was trying to teach me.  I remember him trying to set me up with boys he thought would be good for me and hating just about every guy I ever dated.

Good memories, some not so good memories, but all in all I can honestly say that I find some traits of my dad in me to this day, and at times even see a few in my daughters.  Yes, he left a legacy living on in his daughter and grand daughters.  His spirit lives on in the lives of those he touched, both family and friends.

James Joseph Leach Jr. 2/12/45-2/6/13