Back to School!

August 25, 2009 was a very big day in our house. Not only was it the long-awaited first day of school, but it was also my birthday. Yeah! The morning was a frenzy of activity: kids running around getting dressed, looking for backpacks; parents shuffling around, looking for caffeine. We all made it out the door by 8:30, which was 20 minutes before the bus came. Brett even got up for the occasion, which was good because his camera works and mine doesn't. I'm hoping to post the pictures he took (if he ever emails them to me!). The bus came and my 3 big kids hopped on and off they went. Rose is in 4th grade this year and is in the ELO (gifted) program for math. David is in 2nd grade and Rachel is in 1st grade. My baby girl is in school all day now! Did I cry when they were gone? NO! For the first time in 2 years I don't have to be home every day at noon to get a kindergartener off the school bus. Yippee!

So what to do with only 1 child at home? Leave of course! My best friend came to take me out to breakfast for my birthday. We did some grocery shopping afterwards - just us. No kids around! She has 4 kids also, so for the 2 of us to escape alone was nothing short of a miracle. Back at home, Phil sent me to take a nap while he played with Matthew and cooked dinner. Yep, he cooked. He made chicken parmigiana, one of his specialties. It is SO YUMMY!!! We had cheesecake instead of birthday cake and the kids watched as I opened my present and cards. What a lovely day :D

The kids had a great first day of school. Rose loved 4th grade and said she couldn't wait for tomorrow. She is confident she's gonna have a great year. For the first time, she actually gets letter grades on her report cards. She said she's trying for all A's. She's so smart - I know she can do it! David also had a good day. He said his favorite part of the day was listening to his teacher read the class a book. And Rachel had a fabulous day - her first day of being in school all day. She wanted to buy lunch for her first day and came home a little frustrated. Lunchtime is very short for each grade so by the time you get through the lunchline you typically have only 10 minutes to eat (at the most). She wasn't used to this and ended up having to waste some of her lunch. She came home starving. She said her favorite part of the day was storytime. She loved hearing her teacher read their class a book, but couldn't remember what the book was about.

So now we're slowly getting back into the routine of school - making breakfast quickly, signing planners, making sure homework gets done. But it's a nice change of pace. I'm excited to see what this year brings for the kids!

Road Trip to Charlottesville

Well this was a very last-minute road trip. Phil got a call on Tuesday from the Albermarle County (Virginia) School District wanting to interview him that Friday. I was already busy and stressed trying to simultaneously get ready for a MOPS leadership meeting I had to run at church that night plus filling out the hundreds of forms (ok not quite many but still quite a few for 3 kids) for registration day at school the next day. So I left Phil to take care of the details of his trip. Which by the way, was tough for me. I am used to planning all the details of events and trips and knowing what's going on and where we're going. But Phil made the hotel reservations and MapQuested the directions and everything. Yay!

Flash forward to Wednesday afternoon and after many phone calls, conversations and stress, Phil and I are both heading to VA the next day. Phil's parents offered to keep the girls, which thrilled Rose and Rachel to pieces!! And my parents offered to come down, pack up some of our things (in case we had to move) and help Brett take care of the boys. So being the detail-oriented person that I am, I'm frantically packing stuff for us, packing stuff for the girls, doing 5 loads of laundry (can't pack dirty clothes after all!) and trying to figure out what my parents can pack up for us. Stress? What stress?

Well somehow it all got done and we left around 11 a.m. Thursday morning. The trip out was delightfully uneventful. We were listening to music, doing crosswords together and enjoying being able to drive without a small voice from the backseat wondering “Are we there YET?” when we realized we were low on gas. Phil said that the car runs out of gas very suddenly right near empty (our van can drive probably 15 miles on empty before it quits). We decided to get off at next exit. Halfway up the ramp the car stopped. Yep, out of gas. So we walked to the top of the ramp. Fortunately there was an Exxon right there so we got gas in a borrowed gas can and and started walking back. Then of course 2 people stopped to ask if we needed help. Where were they when we were walking up the hill??? We got a surprisingly yummy dinner at a little restaurant adjoining the gas station and got back on the road and continued driving through the rain. Then we saw it - a double rainbow – that was symmetrical no less. The colorws were (from left to right) blue, green, yellow, orange, red; then red, orange, yellow, green, blue in the rainbow next to it. How cool was that?? Then ¼ mile later we saw another rainbow – an amazingly brilliant rainbow – you could actually see all 7 colors vividly. A full arch too. I have never seen a rainbow this long and colorful before. It was easily the best rainbow I've ever seen!!!! If only I'd had a camera. . .

We got to the Super 8 that Phil made reservations at. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there were indoor corridors (as opposed to those motels where you walk from the parking lot directly into your room), free Wi-Fi, cable and even a continental breakfast in the morning. We ordered Chinese food and settled down to relax. I found a website with sample job interview questions and was quizzing Phil, while munching on egg rolls and fried rice. What a nice evening!

So the next day Phil put on his suit and we headed to the interview (after what Phil called “the lamest continental breakfast ever”). I dropped him off and went to look for some real estate books and scope out the area. About 45 minutes later Phil called to ask me to come pick him up. I could hear it in his voice before he even said anything. The disappointment and defeat. The interview hadn't gone well. As it turned out, the interview was more like an interrogation. They handed Phil a list of 15 questions which they claimed they asked everyone and told him to read them out loud and answer them. Then they just started at him without cracking a smile or anything. Phil said it was like talking to Mt. Rushmore. Questions #14 was “Knowing that this is only a 2-year position, are you still interested in this job?” WHAT?!? Yep, apparently this job is part of the stimulus package from Pres. Obama. It lasts 2 years then dries up. And of course Phil didn't want to uproot his family, move to a state where we knew very few people only to be unemployed again in 2 years. So we are back where we started We are both sad, but determined to press on with the job search. And hey; at least we got a road trip out of it!

My Son, the Sleep-Walker

So it's now Monday morning around 1 a.m. and I've just been inspired to post another blog entry. Here's what happened: About 20 minutes ago, I was in bed playing on Facebook and hoping to get tired soon (I've been battling insomnia lately). I heard a knock on the door but no one came in. I get up and open the door to see Matthew standing there with his thumb in his mouth, clutching his woolie scrap and stuffed giraffe in the other hand. "I wanna watch a video," he says. "Ummmm, it's 1 a.m. . ." I say. "Let's go back to bed." We head down the hall to the living room (he still sleeps on the couch in the living room rather than in his bedroom with his older brother). I tuck him in and he insists "I wanna watch Patrick and SpongeBob and Sandy and. . . " and trails off into incomprehensible mumbling. I kiss him goodnight and leave, laughing to myself.

But he's not the first sleep-walker in the family. Rose has been known to sleep-walk in the past. I have had some entertaining conversations with her while she's asleep, when I go in and check on her before I goto bed. Phil, however, has seen her come downstairs late at night and ask him something or tell him something that doesn't make sense. She's obviously still asleep so he walks her back upstairs to bed. This in itself is rather entertaining but when you consider that she sleeps on the top bunk and has to climb down a metal ladder, her sleep-walking becomes a pretty impressive achievement!


And just for more entertainment, here are a couple random conversations that have happened in our house recently:

Rachel: What would happen if cats could fly?
Maggie: People wouldn't let their pets outside anymore.
(Maggie is Rachel's best friend and was at our house playing with Rachel)


Matt: Mommy tickle me!
So I tickle Matt until his face turns red, he is laughing out loud and begging me to stop. Then. . .
Me: Matt your face is turning bright red
Matt: oh no!!! we have to go see the doctor so she can fix my face!


To update everyone on our job search. . . Phil is still applying all across the country to whatever jobs he can find that he's qualified for. I am working on updating my resume and plan to start hunting too (I don't wanna give up being a stay-at-home mom, but might have to). Phil interviewed for a job with the Marysville (Ohio) Schools but didn't get the job. He had a phone interview about 3 weeks ago for a job with the Upper Sandusky (Ohio) Schools. All we have heard about that one is that they are still deciding! C'mon people - make a decision!!

Rachel's lip and Rose's eyes

I love each of my kids for thousands of different reasons. I really like seeing their personalities come out though and laughing at how silly they can be. Take Rachel, for example. She is spunky and determined to get what she wants. Her main method of persuasion these days is the pouty lip. She will look up at you with her big round pleading eyes and stick out her lower lip and say "pleeeeeaaaassssse?" She's just so cute when she does that you can't help but laugh.

And then there's Rose. She's fun to tease these days since she's getting older and can recognize we're teasing without getting mad. She just crosses her arms, narrows her eyes and glares at you with this expression in her eyes that says "I can't believe you jsut said that.". Hee hee hee.

David is turning into the jokester of the family. He is getting good at making up jokes and one-liners. And when you laugh at one of his jokes, his face just lights up. You can tell he's just so proud of himself for making you happy.

And Matthew. . . where do I start? Today my parents came down - they are keeping both girls for a week and were here to visit and take the girls home with them. My parents took all 4 kids to the playground near our house. When they came back, my dad was telling me about a penny Matthew found. He asked Matthew if he had a piggy bank to keep it him. Matt said no. So dad asked where he kept his valuables. Matt replied "at the zoo." We all burst out laughing because Matt was so serious. He looked around at all of us and kept asking "what's so funny?"

I just love my kids. They are each different and special in their own way. Raising 4 kids is HARD (quite easily the hardest job I've ever had!(, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Our God is an Awesome God!

I don't know why I'm so surprised. I shouldn't be but somehow I still am. Does this mean I don't have faith in God? No it just means I worry too much and try to solve our family problems on my own instead of relying more on God like I should. So what am I talking about? In the past week we have received some very practical help from several very unexpected sources. We've gotten checks we weren't expecting and have been given food (leftovers from a couple different cookouts we were invited to). Praise God for His provision! We are now able to pay our mortgage for next month and either the gas/electric or the water bill. Yeah!!!

This whole process has really made us depend on God. It's been a great lesson for the kids about God and how He really does take care of us. Rose commented just today that life hasn't been much different since dad lost his job. And that's been our goal. The kids don't need to know how much we've struggled and stressed about the future. They know their dad doesn't have a job right now, but they don't need to know all the details of our finances. They have been great through all this - not complaining and begging for things (well except Matthew some, but he's still little and doesn't understand).

We have been so blessed through all this with an amazing circle of family and friends who have been praying for us, calling to check in and emailing. We appreciate each of you so much for supporting us through all this.

There is no job on the horizon for either of us yet. Phil has been diligently applying places most every day. I am working on updating my resume and will be looking for something as well. I love being a stay-at-home mom and don't want to give it up. But if I can find work, I will. And for those of you wondering why we don't just apply at McDonalds or retail or something for now just to get a little money, well we could but it wouldn't really help. Places like that aren't hiring people like us who want benefits and full-time work (or even part-time work) because we're overqualified. There are so many people looking for work right now that retail and fast food places aren't looking to hire someone like me with a Master's degree when they can get someone for cheaper who won't be quitting when they get something better.

But through all this, the kids and I are still having some fun. We went to a cookout that a couple in our small group had at their house. They have a fenced-in backyard with a pool and trampoline. The kids were thrilled and spent 90% of our time their in the pool. And this was in weather that was maybe 74 degrees. It has been a surprisingly cool summer here but that didn't deter the kids from swimming.

We've been spending lots of time at the playground a mile from our house. They have 3 separate play areas with stuff for littler kids and stuff for bigger kids to do. We get there and my 4 kids scatter in different directions, climbing the rocks, sliding, doing the monkey bars, playing tag and just generally having lots of fun. I so enjoy watching them enjoy themselves and run off some energy!

Thre best news recently though is that Matt is finally potty trained. Yes he is indeed 4 already. I've been putting off training him but finally decided it was time last month after his birthday. Success!! Yippee!!! He has had 1 accident in the last week so I think it's safe to say that we've passed another milestone and have entered the phase of life that doesn't involve taking extra diapers everywhere we go. We still have several in pullups at night, but at least I don't have to change diapers anymore. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What day is it?

Seriously, does anyone know what day it is?? I am noticing that with both Phil and I home full-time there is nothing to mark the passing of time. The days tend to blend together. It's been a progression actually. Back before Rose was born when I was still working for money, I really looked forward to weekends as a time to kick back, relax and not have much of anything to do. Work wasn't really fun but I got things done. Projects that I checked off my to-do list stayed done.

Then Rose was born and I started staying home full-time. What a big adjustment. Weekends were suddenly less exciting because they weren't that different from weekdays. Things I got done got undone really easily. The work was a LOT harder but I loved it so much more than any job I'd ever had in the past.

Now that Phil is home full-time I have no way to mark that it's a weekend. He is always home. It's definitely been an adjustment.

There is nothing new to report on the job front. Unemployment is still processing our claim so we don't have any income on a regular basis. But God has been so good about providing for us. We've had friends invite us out for lunch or over to their house for dinner. We've had unexpected checks arrive in the mail along with a bill we wouldn't have otherwise been able to pay. The kids have been terrific about not begging for new toys, trips to McDonalds, etc. I'm so proud of them for the way they're handling this!!

Don't get me wrong - Phil and I are still worried about how we're gonna pay the bills next month. The future is so uncertain and stressful for us, not knowing how we're gonna put food on the table or pay the mortgage, not knowing if we'll be living here or somewhere else. But we're relying on God (or at least trying to). He has a plan and will provide for us. Worrying about next month won't change anything and certainly won't help.

The First Day of a new chapter in our lives

Well this is Phil's first day unemployed. He spent the morning sleeping in then did some housework and job-hunting after he got up. He told me that he didn't get depressed if he kept busy. This will be a hard transition for him (and all of us) I think. We got his last paycheck in the mail today. Yikes!!

Meanwhile the kids and I went over to mom & dad Hahn's house for a play date. The kids were thrilled because they have been asking when they could see their grandparents again. They had a terrific time playing and I got to relax and have some grownup conversation. Mom even fixed lunch for us - I discovered that I like grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches. These tomatos were so sweet!! Yummy! Anyway, after lunch we 3 adults took the kids to see Disney's Up at the theater near their house. Rachel sat still, behaved wonderfully and loved the movie. Matthew watched parts of it and said he liked the movie, but squirmed through probably 2/3 of it. He has just an unquenchable source of energy somewhere. He is on the go nonstop until he just crashes at night. He does still take the occasional afternoon nap, but if that happens he is up until 10:00 p.m. usually. Ugh.

Anyway, back to the movie. It was cute, but not exactly for people Matthew's age. It had a slow start, establishing the history of one of the main characters. There were some really funny parts though; I won't mention what specifically in case you haven't seen it yet. But it had some really inspiring messages though, like loving people, not things; spending time with your kids; and keeping your promises. One thing that really struck me was when Russell was talking to Mr. Fredrickson (the two main characters). He was telling his new older friend about how his dad used to have more time to spend with him and described what they used to do together. "It might sound boring," he says. "But I kinda think it's the boring stuff I remember the most." That is so true! I may want to spend lots of money doing fabulous things for my kids (like trip to amusement parks or the bowling alley) but in the end it may be the little things we do together (like snuggling on the couch for Family Movie Night or trips to the playground and McDonalds) that they remember the most. I've gotta remember this!!