Biking weather...

You just can't beat a weekend and 80 degree weather.  Every year I remind the kids that this is not hot!  Enjoy this because it is short lived.  The early spring weather is great for outdoor activities and great for working in the yard...which means lots of work/cleaning/pruning which means LOTS OF COMPLAINING.  How hard is it to get the kids to understand that work is necessary.  I am finding it is harder and harder to parent as the kids get older, They don't see needs, or acknowledge feeling of others, no forethought only instant gratification...sometime even willing to deal with negative consequences! If you don't have a kid that pushes boundaries and is constantly expecting more and always chasing the fast life of leisure and fun than be thankful!  Thankfully I only have one but that is enough to send me over the end. By the end of the day I was left thinking I was going crazy and my kids were going down the drain.  Funny thing was that after a horrible weekend parenting (if you don't have these then good for you!) We were at church and in Sunday School our leader handed out a short Myers Briggs Personality test???  What??? I thought I was here to study the word-Get some great proverb to keep me going. Funny thing was that this out of the box lesson helped put things into perspective, why certain actions and thoughts or non actions bothered me so much.  The description for me was spot on and and reality check for me that not everyone thinks/feels or functions like me...leading to much of my frustration.  Anyway  if you are an ISFJ  maybe we can lament together.  But the upside was gentle reminder that God is with me, never leaving my side...his insight for the moment and as usual not at all what I was looking for or expecting.  

Just a couple pictures of the kids getting out on a bike ride.  Hard to believe Baseball was starting and both boys were able to have practice without being freezing, or wet.  I am just hoping the true spring rains don't come once the sports seasons are in full swing!

The slushie machines were pathetic all last summer...what do you know, all were up and working now that it is technically winter??

The kids love working on riding without hands...must get it from Ron.  He was missing from this ride.  The hand continues to heal but tendons heal slow...connecting muscle to bone and patience is needed after a reminder from the Dr to slow things down a bit.

So Fun to see James keeping up and not crying tagging along behind.

I have taking personality test before but ...right timing gives new insights-never too old to examine our thinking and what makes us tick!

ISFE...(Introvert, Sensers, Feeler, Judger)the dominant quality in their lives is an abiding respect and sense of personal responsibility for doing what need to be done in the hear and now.  Actions that are of practical help to others are of particular importance to ISFJ's.  Their realism organizing abilities, and command of the facts lead to their thorough attention in completing tasks.  ISFJ's bring an aura of quiet warmth, caring and dependability to all that they do.  They take their work seriously and believe other should do so as well.

Hot Springs Arkansas-Presidents/Valentines Weekend.

The school calendar has been pretty nice this year, most of the teacher work days have been scheduled around holidays making for a couple nice long weekends.  The kids had off on Friday and Monday and with the weather being so nice we decided it was a great time for a little get away.  It was also nice to take a break from all the things of school and home to just enjoy spending time together enjoying the outdoors.  No schedule no preparing for anything... just enjoying the days taking them as they come-so refreshing.
  The kids had a lot of fun celebrating Valentines day at school-I hardly do much at home as parents do such a great job with their class parties.  Thankfully there are parents who love this sort of thing and enjoy organizing the games/food/crafts.  I just love getting to hang with the kids and see their smiles-so thankful for those parents!

 I found this pic first.  The kids weren't so excited about the super bowl watch party but there were ready to cheer on the puppy bowl!

Andrea class had a valentines party but spent an afternoon making some people at a nearby nursing home feel loved and special.  They sang, recited bible verses and then read them books.  I loved that Andrea didn't need me by her side this year and was not shy around all these special people.

The kids has so much loot after these parties...lots of candy and fun little cards

 I missed James outing but he also went out to another Nursing Home to sing and pass out valentines.

 Braydens class did a service project for "Sole Hope"  Basically they use old Jeans and cut out peices that are sewn into shoes and sent out to Uganda.  I don't know how many templates Brayden cut...this was how I found him when I went to check out how things were going.

Becca had a fun party...just no pictures, food/craft and lots of valentines.  She is my one child who makes valentines with out any reminders. I was reminding the kids about who they all needed to make valentines for and then subtly hinted that Ron and I might like one. Becca looked at me like I was crazy for saying anything and told me she did ours a LONG time ago.

The next day we were off-headed to Hot Springs Arkansas.  Ron did all the planning, how nice it is to not be in charge of the day, best gift!

A stop at a nature center on the way out...lots of snakes.  The kids love this learning and exploring-as do I!

 We were out to become prospectors.  After driving on some very windy roads and gravel roads we found the path up the Mountain.

It was a trek up the Mountain-lots of smoke in the air.  Lots of Quartz along the trail.

Becca carried this huge piece up the mountain and then all the way back down.  I told her to just leave it and we would get it when we walked back down but she was worried someone would take it;

Finally made it to the top and the spot where the digging could start-we had no clue what we were doing and spent much of the time scratching in the dirt.  Lots of quarts veins but you would need a crow bar to get them out.  We did find some nice crystals here after a little bit of time.

The next day after some fun at the hotel and a nice big breakfast we headed out to a Diamond Mine State Park.  Two diamonds are found a day-I have been wanted to go here with the kids for a long time....Ron finally humored me.  Okay, a huge bust but the kids had fun playing/digging in the dirt.

Kind of funny because everyone is out digging or wet panning not really knowing what they are doing and not really finding anything.  The funniest was having a group of boy scouts sit by me and listening to them talk trying to figure out what they were all supposed to do out here.

 James and this pick ax were are pair...give a boy dirt and pick ax and he is happy!

 A little chilly but sunny day-thankfully not a lot of wind so we could have a little fire for out lunch of hot dogs.

 Valentines day we celebrated in the Hotel Room-more candy, but fun!

 We stopped and explored the Hot Springs of Arkansas...lots of old Bath Houses full of history.  Fun to read about the pampering life, or what was thought to be the best health treatments of its time.  Made us think what people are going to think when they walk through out gyms/hospital and homes 100's of years from now.

 Healing waters of the Hot springs...Ron soaked his hand a bunch!

A Hike...With My Camera!!

So I get quite sick of myself forgetting my camera and having to use my camera on my phone.  I love taking pictures-although it does distract from interacting with the kids, so it has been good to take a break from always having it with me.  Today we worked hard and ended the day with a little hike or rather some play out at Turkey Mountain.  We are loving these warm Feb days-so much so that a rainy day might be nice so I can read a book and not feel guilty for not working in the yard!

 Sometimes buddies...most of the time Brayden is a pest and James ends up getting in trouble for what Brayden usually started-although he won't ever admit to it!!

Not up for keeping up with the big kids today-ended up running a fever, but enjoyed watching them jump around.

 Always friends, but Andrea loves her quiet time and Becca can easily keep up and deal with Brayden as of late.

 Silly girl-growing so quickly

 Just having some fun climbing around in our favorite mess of rocks.

 Cutie face watching from above.

 Another watchful eye.

 Wondering what I am doing with the camera??

 I still have one little Blondie-so sweet.

 My spunky little girl.

 He might not be growing in stature but he is pushing every boundary lately.  In talking with parents of older children it doesn't sound like its going to get any easier.

 What a goof...

 Two girls, neither could care about style or hair-which is nice and not so nice.  At this moment Becca informed me she hadn't combed her hair today and that is was full of tangles.  It was so nice to talk to another mother the other day who also has kids she has to remind them to shower!

 My favorite time of the day at Turkey Mountain, I love the sun setting and the splashes of light throughout the trees.

 And they never quick running, jumping, pushing, tagging, yelling....

Just a little update

Not a whole lot to post but just some pictures from my phone.  School keeps up pretty busy lately but we are loving having some time at home after school.  Andrea is the only one with practice during the week and it is so nice being able to come home together and get our work done...the kids might have other thoughts-usually involving having friends over.  Thankfully they have some wonderful friends but it makes for a loud house if I can't get them to play outside-I would say because it is cold but then again it really isn't!
   Ron's hand is slowly healing, the cast is off and the mobility is very much decreased.  He has a splint to keep on it but he chooses to not wear it, making me nervous.  The oil industry is still tanking-funny how no one really talks about it but the severity of it is quite real.  We find that when we mention Ron's job loss, most everyone has a friend, relative or family member going through the same thing.  Start talking to people in the oil industry and you realize how bad things really are.  Right now we are thankful for good friends who are helping us weather this season.
     There are always things to do,  God keeps our days full-even with little things.  We are studying "The Story" at church-funny because it's just the Bible repackaged??   Gods words stands for itself but then again we are a product driven world.  Right now as always we are blessed with the promises of God which thankfully are not of this world, not tainted with sin and never fail.  Don't ask us what our plan is...we don't have one and really have quite trying to come up with one.  God is driving this boat one way or the other and prayer is the only way we navigate our days.

 James had the stomach bug a last week and missed his field trip to Panera Bread.  He was feeling pretty good mid day so we had a carb loaded lunch.  So fun to spend the day with him again.  The kids love the down time together-especially if food is involved.

 Brayden was off on a sleep over and the other kids were home hanging out-footie PJ night and selfie pics.  I am missing the problems of babies-sleep overs and friends with older sibling have opened a whole other set of issues to deal with...just exhausting.  I pray for my children's minds, I can't protect them or shelter them all the time and I know that with some of my kids boundaries/rules will be broken.

 We love OK Winters...although it makes for some messy closets as I have just started leaving summer clothes out year round.

 Sandy is obsessed with the piano.  She is always bugging us while we practice.

 I think Brayden would love to be Dude Perfect-what an awesome job.  These kids could watch it all afternoon.

 I love that this sweet girl still plays up in her room with her dolls and animals.  She loves building houses and dressing them up.

This week was heavy on the spelling side-which is hard for all of us!  We are looking forward to the weekend!