Simple Inspirations

Its been relitvely quiet aroud here.  By that I mean that beyond homework, housework, yardwork, my volunteering, Wendel’s volunteering, Chey’s volunteering, two birthday parties, Chey’s volleyball practice and games, piano lessions, grocery shopping, all night study sessions, Wendell’s bible school, Church, paying taxes, errands, diapers, potty training…well you get the idea.  Did I also mention that Abby stole my keys yesterday and I couldn’t find them when I was supposed to be taking all the kids (carpool kids included) to school and had to call a friend to get the high school kids, found the keys in the nick of time and made it to the elementary campus 5 minutes to 9???  Yup.  Did that too. And 195 pages of personally typed Art History notes. Its been great. Also had a time for a little "light reading".  The librarian looked at me funny when I told her that "No, they aren’t for a class.  Just some light reading to take my mind off the school work every now and then."  See pictures below to understand.  Evidently, no one else is into the classics (or manages to read 15 novels during term). Am I the only one who ENJOYS Wordsworth and Shelley or Yeats?

Did I mention it snowed?  This beings mixed feeling with it.   I love the way snow looks, the white expanse that stretches on an don, horefrost on the strees, the sublime feeling of insiginificance it brings.  Yet, it is cold and means that I have to wrestle the kids into snowsuits, keep track of all those mittens, scarves, and hats.  So…a picture of the last pre winter sunset.

I GOT MY NEW MOON TICKETS!  The first showing on Friday the 20th sold out in less than half an hour, but I was the first to get 8 tickets for the 10:10 showing.  I’m going to see New Moon, I’m going to see New Moon.  Only a week after the Darlene Zschech concert.  I am feeling a little over indulgent and spoiled.  My husband is almost too selfless.  I feel …overblessed.  Seriously.  I seem to have won the "significant other  lottery".  Sorry ladies.

I have been studying my keister off..Art History (Michelango, Raphael, Poussin, Rembrandt..the classics) until like 3 or 4 am for over a week now.  I am feeling a little keyed up..WAY over tired.  But, it all pays of, I made Dean’s Honor List for Summer session again.  I also got invited to take a 4 year advanced/honors course.  It sure strokes me ego, and the call of distinction and money is strong…but I love my family and want to work for something that draws us together not draws me away for weeks/months at a time.  Still….with a PH.D I could be DR. ERICA HILDEBRAND.  It does sound..well…PERFECT! 

I am waiting rather impatiently for several books to come my way - the second book in the Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins, the second book in the Dreamhunter series, Deadlock, the new Lincoln Child/Douglas Preston book too.  So many good books, not enough time.  I would also like to see Zombieland, Hillsongs United in theatres, Fame and the new Metropolitcan Opera theatre series.  I will likely not see any of them..but it would be nice if money and time were of no issue. 

But as it were, it is.  So I must study.

That is what I sounded like this morning trying to get the kids ready for school.  After nearly a week of after 3 am study sessions and early mornings, combined with sick kids and Asher late nigh snuggles..I am happy to be even nearly coherent and still verticle. 

Although I did fall asleep on the table after supper yesterday for 10 minutes.  My hand fell in Ashers spaghetti.  Yum. 

I found it hard to focus about 3 last night, er morning, on names in Italian that painted pictures that had every letter of the alphabet in their names.  Then I was struggling to remember what that had to do with teaching 13 year olds geography and english??? Then I was struffling to find the "e" on the keyboard..it had appeared to move.  Then I typed a sentence that was not even in my textbook when I was feeling WIDE AWAKE and realized that although I was "awake" for all intensive purposes my brain had taken a LOA and would not be back until it received better working conditions and health benefits. 

I let it know not to get its hopes up any time soon. 

It refused to remind my legs how to get out of the chair.

I promised a compromise..I had to use the little girls room something fierce.

but now the kids are sick.  One vomitting, one coughing and wheezing, one on the toilet continually…and Asher.  Its a busy day, but hey I’m not lonely.  LOL!  Chey escaped to school this morning though.

It was a busy but great weekend.  Chey had Gabby, Sophie, and Bethany over Friday night after youth. I am sure they were up ALL night.  I studied until 3 ish and they were still awake and playing DS. Saturday Zoe and Freedom were up bright and early and went with Wendell and the rest of the family to watch Kyra’s semi final soccer game.  They lost, but this is the farthest their team has ever made it.  So that was exciting.  Then in the afternoon Freedom went skating with Kyra and the university girls hockey team.  Sunday morning I volunteered in the kitchen at Church, Pastor Leon gave an AWESOME message and then I bought (Well technically Wendell bought) tickets to see Darlene Zschech in November.  That is exciting.  She is bringing her whole band.  I can’t wait.  We hae had some of THE BEST speakers etc. from Hillsongs church this year..Donna Crouch who is AMAZING, Brian Houston at the conference in Oct, Darlene Zschech in November.  Seriously, wow. 

I also managed to turn 29.  With mixed feelings.  I DO not feel 29, in fact I never have felt like I made it past 22.  I just expanded horizontally.  The 16th of September came and went and I was not sure I wanted to celebrate.  But I did.  My amazing friend Nettie surprised me with a yummy dinner and a cake.  Her family is so amazing, we are lucky to know them.  It is funny that I manage to make good friends with the only Mom at school YOUNGER than me.  I was left contemplating 30 next year.  30.  Old.  I realize it is just a number, but I have always had an unnatural fear of getting old.  I am not scared of dying I know where I am going (Thank God), not afraid of being sick or crippled (I know I am healed and protected Thank God)…its just the idea of being old.  Old is uncool, out of touch, no fun, isolated, out of their prime, just…yuck.  Now, I know a lot of really cool people over 30 (my husband, my in laws, my mom).  They all rock.  Yet, here I sit contemplatig ways to avoid turning 30.  I have issues. 

For 30 I have managed to accomplish more than most..married 10 years, 5 kids, a univerisity degree, I never drink, smoke, do drugs, I am part of a great church, a great relationship with my Mom, my in laws, my kids, my kids friends, , I have a realtionship with my God and my Savior, I am involved at the kids school, at church, we own a house and a great yard, two vehicles, I am healthy and so is all of my family..I mean I have it made.  Its not that I made it to neary 30 without acheiving anything and leaving a legacy of regret.  SO what is my problem???

Wireless connection.  All is GOOD in the world.

of Chey.  Friday night she made the church band.  YEEHAW.  She rocks.

Literaly.

You all know I love the circus, …amazing Asian elephants, fascinating tigers, popcorn, ringmasters…..truly magic. The words "ladies and gentlemen" make blood boil …If you are interested in this AMAZING experience read on…

Check out the site ringling.com for specific dates and shows near you or to check out thier amazing animal line up…Barnum and Bailey does it like no one can.

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last year Cheyenne and her friends soent the evening watching Hannah Montana DVD’s and painting their nails…..

This year at her camp out the evening was spent (with me yay I am a cool Mom, and Dad who is a cool Dad) looking for pictures of Taylor Lautner without a shirt and listening to One Time by Justin something or other.  When did they grow up??? Was it unreasonable to hope they would like cookies and milk and carebears until marriage???  I was very parental sounding….pointing out the nafarious scheme painted by the 15 year old who promises you his money, his life, his undivided attention all while riding a skateboard, living at his Mom’s, and checking out his "girlfriends" best friend.  Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Lots to spread around buddy.

My DH and his Dad went fishing, had a great time, and here are the highlights..(Wendell caught more fish, two at one time..what a show off LOL)

I have exams this week…and I needed every spare moment to study.  The rest of the family (Wendell and all 5 kids) left today to go camping.  They are going to meet my mother in law in Winkler and go to Rock Lake for 2 days, getting home in time for me to use the van for my exam Wednesday morning.

I helped pack, got the kids in the van, and watched all of them drive away without me and instead of the exhalted feeling of "no dishes, no laundry, silence and relaxation here I come" ….I cried.  Yup big loser than I am a cried.  This is the first time in 12 years that I have been away from all my kids overnight, the first time they have all gone away for the night without me, the second time I have been away overnight from Wendell in 10 years ( I went to my mom’s that other time).  The TV has been off all day, I can actually value how loud the huming of the refrigerator is, the floor is shiny, and I did 5 dishes all day….and to be honest I want to smear something on the floor, plug the toilet, trip on a car left in the hallway, and pretend someone else did it. 

What does a mother eat when her family leaves….the freedom to eat anything I want without thinking..no-onion-no-mushrooms-no-sauce-no-beans-no-potatoes-no…well you get the picture.  I consoled myself by eating the very food that I tell the kids is gonna plug their arteries..boxed burritoes, corn dogs and, and …a peanut butter sandwich.  Yup that was my extravegant fare today. 

What is even sadder….I thought it is TOO quiet in here so while I eat supper I will throw in a movie.  Great plan..pass my half hour of non study time quickly…but I can’t work the darn thing.  I am technologically out matched.  I have read all the god books in the house, nothing is on TV, and desperatly in need a half hour of non-geogrpahical enticement after a hardcore 10 hours of studying.  I think I will go read Green Eggs and Ham.