Christmas 2012

We had another busy Christmas this year.  A couple weeks before Christmas we hosted a ornament extange for my dad's side of the family.  My grandma, uncle Doug, cousin Mandy, and her family came over.  We had a good time chatting and playing games.

On Christmas eve, eve we went to Dan's folks, the kids were SO EXCITED!  They got lots of good presents like an Ariel Vanity for Allie and a Swan and Barbie Bath toy that she was obsessed with.  Kaylee got a jelly roll to sew, and an MP3 player.  They both got GIANT  teddy bears from their aunt Sarah.  The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.  Dan and I got a food dehydrator and I can't wait to make beef jerky.

On Christmas eve I had my side of the family over.  We had ham and potatoes.  My mom and Nehemiah came over early so that we could visit a bit.  Kaylee had a great time playing with her uncle Nehemiah.  The two of them created a scavenger hunt for one of my other brother's (Nate).  The kids got spoiled once again with disney pins, Friends legos, Hunger games blanket and Tim Burton items for Kaylee.  My mom made everyone bracelets.  The girls got another giant stuffed animal as well.  We also did stockings.  So much stuff..yikes.   Nate's friend Emily also came over and brought blankets she made for the girls.  I LOVE handmade gifts because it shows that thought and time were put into the gift.  My dog cinnamon started to appear very ill and I was worried about her all evening.  Next year I really want to go to Christmas eve service at church and make that a new tradition.  Too many presents is not a great tradition for raising kids.

On Christmas morning Kaylee woke me up at 6am.  I was sick but finally gave in and got up.  The girls got spoiled by both Santa and us with mats for gymnastics, pogo sticks, kindle fire hds, a little bit of clothes, a bed tent for Allie and so on.  I really must cut down on my kiddo shopping.  It's hard when there are so many great deals out there.  Dan got me a shower head and fuzzy slippers plus CHOCOLATE.  YUMMY.

The last couple of days we have been putting items away, enjoying them and designing an obstacle course down in the basement.  One of the reasons I bought the girls so much stuff was so that they had large motor toys to tumble and jump on on cold or rainy days to get some wiggles out.  Allie especially.  She has so much Energy!!!

I hope everyone else had a great Christmas.  I also want to start a tradition of reading the Christmas story at some point on Christmas eve or Christmas morning.  We do the nativities, watch movies about it and discuss it but it seems that Christmas has became too much about getting the latest toys and gadgets...when it is Jesus' birthday we are celebrating...and giving,, not getting, which reminds me...

I thought since we were blessed this year we should help out others in need.  I heard about a family in need at work and decided we should help them.  So a couple of days before Christmas we delivered a bunch of books and other presents for the family.  I think that was my favorite part of the season this year.

Allie and Kaylee wrote a story

Yesterday Kaylee asked Allie if she had ever written a story and she said no.  Kaylee then said if she told her the story, she would write it down.  So, they wrote for a good 30 minutes without fighting...which was so nice.  Below is the story.  She has quite the imagination.  She would have gone on for longer if Kaylee wanted to write more but she was tired of writing after over 2 pages.

Once upon a time there was a princess and she had a friend at her house.  When the princess and her friend went to swing they saw a big, terrifying dragon.  They ran inside the castle, they ran up the stairs to her room and the big dragon was peeking it's head through the window.  Once the dragon saw them the dragon blew fire through the window.  Then the dragon stomped on the castle.  Then the dragon flew away.  Then they saw the biggest spider in the world.  It was bigger than the 14 story castle!  There was a cute big turtle and they hopped on the turtles back and ran to the zoo.  When they got to the zoo the princesses saw someone familiar   They said, "hi" and the man asked prince charming if he wanted to take a break and go to the castle.  The prince said, "no I will get fired so I have to keep working!"  The princesses went back to the castle and they forgot all about the dragon and the spider.  When they opened the door there was snow.  They made snow angles and snow princesses then they went up to their room and they painted the snow angles and snow princesses beautiful colors.  They made hearts and made a castle out of them and painted them.  Then the dragon went into the snow and it said, "do you want to go over the moon on my back?  Do you want to play in the snow."  They asked the dragon if he could fly to Oaks Park then they could play.  The dragon said , "yes" and they went on the roller coaster and screamed.  The dragon said it was a Baby ride.  The went one more rides.  The princess married the prince and they had; a pet turtle, a dragon and a spider.  They lived happily ever after.  The end.

ADHD, Allie, and me

Allie and I have both been diagnosed with ADHD for about 2 years now.   Living with ADHD is like living with fireworks and landminds.  WE constantly have ideas and energya nd often start projects and leave messes as we go.  I am learning to manage ADHD and am doing my best to help Allie who is

WE have both been diagnosed by multiple doctors, psychiatrists ect.  I have gone to counseling, parenting classes and am have tried different medications.  Now that we finally have insurance, I was able to get on a controlled release medicine which works a lot better.  Allie is on one also.  Getting her to take medicine has been a challenge.  She does not like the gel capsules.  We have learned its ok to take them apart and put them in food, like pudding.

Like any parent, I did my research and tried other options before resulting to medicine.  I did not want to put my preschooler on it if it was unnecessary.  The end of last year, we decided we would try a low does of a stimulant to see if it helped.  It was like night and day.  She was happy, still creative and still active on the medicine

Dan thought that we should see how Allie did at school without medication.  She did well at school, but had a ton of meltdowns after school.  She was extremely aggressive, argumentative and just plain deffiant which is really challenging to deal with.  So after talking to another dr, I decided we should try having her go back on the medication and see if it improved behaviors.  When Alli arrived home from school she was happy, and not bouncing off the walls.  I was able to play with her without her yelling and arguing with everything I said!  So far, there has been no time outs or little girls sent to their rooms today...so I call that a success.

The afternoons and evenings are the hardest.  My medicine and energy wear off, and I often get tired and sometimes have headaches.  Alli often gets really rough with her sister and then they both end up fighting and unhappy.  I hope that putting her back on the medicine will help make afternoons calmer.  When they start fighting, I have a hard time getting things done and thinking clearly.  Afternoons here seem like walking around in an area filled with land minds or booby traps, you never know what and when it will set off, but it will happen and someone will blow up.

Which reminds me, I better end this blog before we have any blow ups or melt downs.

Allie, the next women's world cup soccer champ

Ok, I may be bias because I am her mother, but I am not stupid.  Allie played her best game today.  She was on fire, and attacked that ball like nobodies business.  She scored a goal, and it would have been more if the other team did not have a keeper (they are not supposed to have a keeper in kindergarten but the coaches son was camped in front of the goal most of the game).

Allie and her friend Bre warming up before the game

One of Allie's almost goals

Kinder usually plays 5 minute quarters but the other coach wanted to play 8 minute quarters.  I wasn't thrilled with this because Kaylee had a game at the same time in Stayton I was going to run to.  However once Allie got warmed up on the field I was glad the game was longer, I was just sad the rest of the family didn't get to see her play her best game yet, and score her first goal.  At least there are more games :)

Allie is in Kindergarten!

Allie started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago.  She loves it and is doing well.  I was worried that she might have trouble controlling her body enough to sit still, or would have problems with her anxiety and selective mutism...but she surprised me and has had no issues.  She gets to ride the bus home which she also enjoys.

She has Mrs. Larimer this year.  The class is huge.  I am normally in volunteering by now but I wanted to give the teacher time to adjust, and Allie as well.

Today she brought home her first homework assignment, which is math.

When Kaylee was in Kindergarten she had homework every night (She was in all day kindergarten though).  This year in 4th grade Kaylee doesn't have much except spelling city.  When Kaylee is doing her homework Allie wants to do some work too so she often gets out a paper and draws or writes her letters.

She has learned all of her letters and sounds and most of the signs.  She is the kind of kid that you teach her once and she remembers it for a long time.

She is also loving Sparks.  She finished her starter book last week and is so excited to start her Sparks workbook.  She has a great memory and loves learning the verses (so far :)

Over the summer she fell and knocked out a tooth.  WEll yesterday she lost her first tooth the more natural way.  She was so excited.  The tooth fairy brought her some money with glitter on it.  She looks so cute with the two missing teeth.

I was spelling her name Alli, but her uncle told her she should have an E so now she is writing AlliE on all her papers, so I guess that is how we spell Alli now (I spelt it that way when she was a baby anyways before Dan told me I should change it because her real name is spelled Allison).  She does not like to be called Allison.  So, she is Alli.

Church, church ministries and Spiritual growth

With the new school year just starting, church programs are restarting as well.  My kids are involved in a couple of activities and I am volunteering this year since I am not working full time.  I have realized lately that we need to have more discussions, devotions, family prayer and spiritual growth in our family.

Tuesday mornings I have started to go to "Mom's in Prayer".  In this group we meet for an hour and pray for our kids, teachers and local schools.  There are currently about 6 moms that meet, but we are praying for more.  I really believe there is nothing more powerful than prayer so we should be praying for our kids and our schools and teachers when we can.  Even if you are not able to attend such a group, you can pray from home.  If you are in the Aumsville area, we meet at Bethel Baptist at 9am on Tuesday mornings.  There may be a group in your area, the website for the organization is 

This Sunday is "Bless our Schools" week at our church.  I hear we are also going to have a dance performance...so if you are around this area you wont want to miss it.

Tomorrow is "See you at the Pole" where students can gather at their schools once a year and pray.  I have never been a morning person and have never gone, but am thinking it would be a good thing for my kids to start doing.  Tomorrow is late start, so I am thinking its either at 9am or 9:30am at Aumsville.  Kaylee wont want to sacrifice her lazy morning, but I think she can sacrifice one a year :)

Starting next Tuesday, I will be volunteering in the "Good News Club" at Aumsville elementary after school.  Kids in grades K-5 can attend every week after school.  Kaylee has gone since Kindergarten and has always enjoyed it.  They work on verses, Bible stories and have lots of fun.  I am excited to be involved in this and will know more about what goes on when I start next week.  I am going to take two kindergartners with me,  Allie, and her friend Bre...so I hope that I can still be helpful.

Wednesdays we go to Awana at our church, Bethel Baptist.  It goes from 6:45-8:30pm.  Kaylee and Alli have both been involved for years.  Kaylee started at age 4 and Alli started in a baby toddler group there when she was a baby!  Now she is in Sparks and Kaylee is in T & T.  I can hardly believe it!  I am helping out in Kaylee's T&T group (which stands for Truth in Training)  I was impressed with the organization and positive leaders last week (Good job Ted and Trish, and everyone else).  The kids look forward to going every week, they get to see their friends, play games, and work on memorizing verses.  Ted explained to the kids last week the importance of learning verses so that you have the spiritual knowledge to handle situations.  Without knowing these verses and what the bible says, how can we know what is truth and what is not? (Although I am thankful the Holy Spirit Helps with this too).  I was impressed with the way the leaders explained things to the kids.  I didn't realize I would be growing in this ministry as well.

Sunday mornings we usually relax and then go to the 10:45 service.  I think we need to start going to Sunday school again though.  I also want Dan to come to church with us more often so that he can grow as well.  Our pastor is willing to give Dan a print out of his sermon and make accommodation so that he can understand what is going on.  His wife also is thinking of starting a sign language singing group for kids.  They can learn the signs to songs and then do it for the church.  I think this would be the perfect way to get Daddy more involve din church, and it would be good for everyone.  I wouldn't mind helping in this as well, we all need to brush up on our sign language.

For the last 3 Sundays I have been in either children's church or nursery.  This is not the norm, so I am not complaining.  I just volunteered to be the Children's church coordinator, which means I organize Children's church and find teachers to teach it.  I may sub in there or be in the rotation if I wish but I am not expected to be in there all of the time.  I don't think this will be a time consuming job, and someone needed to step up.  I enjoy teaching young children, and Alli is still in this group (ages 3-kindergarten), so I am happy to help.

I am also on the nursery worker rotation.  I still enjoy doing this, and it is only once every month or two.  I don't get to see or hold babies often so this is a treat for me, and I know their parents appreciate being able to sit in the service in peace.

I joined the Deaconess committe a couple of months ago.  I have enjoyed getting to know the ladies more.  Our job's switch every 3 months.  I need to step up more in this role, as I nearly forgot what job I was doing.  Some of the jobs such as the one I"m doing now (calling people to bring food for funerals or injured and sick people) do not come up much.  I was apart of a baptism a couple of months ago which was a really neat experience.  Other than the monthly meetings this committee doesn't require that much time.

Our church also has a clothing closet once a month which I was helping with for awhile.  I would like to continue helping in that ministry, but I can't during soccer season because the time's conflict.  Thankfully they seem to have plenty of help.  Monica has done a great job organizing the clothes and setting up this ministry for the community.

Allie in Cubbies last year

Kaylee singing at Fir Point Church camp

In the summer, The girls participate in a couple VBS programs.  I haven't helped with these yet, but maybe next summer.  Our church's VBS is the same time every year as the Fir Point Free Methodist Church camp that the girls go to.  I have been volunttering at the camp for the last 2 years (it is 5 days long).  I think it is an important experience for kids to go away to camp and away from technology to experience God and make their faith their own.  I know that it was a vital point in my Christian walk as a youth.

I have been attending a parenting growth group class which was meeting every other Monday.  I really enjoyed the group and learned a lot.  IT was difficult to get there with the girls sports schedules though, and everyone was busy in the summer it seemed so we are stopping for now.  I hope that we are able to find a time to meet for another parenting group or a moms group soon.  Our church is conducting a survey to see what people need/and want as far as classes and what schedules work for them.  I am excited that they are hoping to start up more opportunities for spiritual growth.

Awesome Gymnastics Show

I took Kaylee and Allie along with my mom to the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics champions.  I can honestly say it was a magical experience and the best show I have ever seen.  It was at the Rose Garden in Portland. We headed towards Portland around noon when the girls soccer games were finished.

Our first stop was Fred Meyer were we got to meet the Olmpyic Gymnast Jordyn.  The girls got a picture with her autograph for free.  The line wasn't bad, maybe 15 minutes!  The girls seemed to enjoy meeting her.

After that we picked up some lunch and headed to the Lloyd Center.  We had a couple of hours and realized that the girls had time to ice skate.  I didn't feel like I wanted to get my tail bone broken and Alli said she could skate on her own so I let her She skated around the edge mostly but on her own without complaining for about an hour.  Kaylee on the other hand, was a little whiney about skating on her own.  In the end, the girls skated together.

Alli, my cotton candy girl

We left our car at the Lloyd center and took the blue street car to the rose garden.  It was the first day of the new loop so the ride was free.  We got to the Rose Garden about half an hour early.  Just enough time to get some snacks.

When the show started the girls were practically jumping in their seats with excitement.  There were all kinds of gymnasts, rhythmic gymnasts and acrobats throughout the show.  The highlight of the show the end when the Fierce five girls from the US gymnastics team came out and performed on the beam and on hoops that looked like the Olympic symbol.  The lights made it so you couldn't take any decent pictures or video when the Olympic gymnasts were performing.  The lights and music and performances were really entertaining, even the youngest of kids enjoyed it!

We finally made it home about 1pm.  It was exhausting but a great day!

Kaylee was thrilled to see our seats were so close

Appliance frustrations and heating issues

Since we have moved here I have had bad luck with appliances.  The oven has been broken and I removed the sticker to call in a repair man, and I think Alli got to it because it disappeared from where I put it.  After enless searching I gave up.  I've been trying to figure out what model number it could possibly be.  I took the control panel apart and found more numbers.  I talked to repair guys online and on the phone.  I seemed to have broke the ribbon while looking for the number so now it needs another part...grr..I've been managing with the stove top, microwave and a microwave oven but I really want a real oven for fall/winter!  Downdraft stoves, and especially newer stainless steel ones are really expensive, like $2,000...hence the delay.

My washing machine is one of those front loaders and I hate it.  The bellow which is the rubber part keeps breaking.  At the old house we jused used it this way, as it was in the garage on a hill.  When we moved here and had an actual laundry room we ordered a new part.  It worked for a month or two and then tore and leaked again.  Dan put the washing machine on the back porch so I"ve been doing laundry out there with cold water but it is not working well.  It has errors and generlly I have to run half a wash cycle then do a rince...I don't think this is the best way to clean clothes.  Which reminds me..I want to order one more bellow and if it rips again, a new washing machine.

I hate the dishwasher that came with the house.  It has three rolling drawers that get stuck all the time.  The buttom one is very short and The only thing it would be good for would be lids maybe?  This drawer takes up space so the middle drawer which is the one you use for plates doesn't have much room.  It is a challenge to load this thing.  I"ve had trouble with dish residue staying in the dish washer from the liquid soap I used.  I started using little packets that have powder and a rinse aide...it works so much better.

Propane fireplace

When we moved here the heater wouldn't turn on.  We replaced the ignitor after a couple weeks here and now it works.  We have propane heat which we want to replace soon with a heat pump.  We also have a propane fireplace, but it needs to be fixed.

And on to the smaller appliances...

My kindle broke but amazon replaced it...seems to work ok but I have no wifi here so getting new books on it is a hastle.

Fall, Soccer, Gymnastics, Awana Oh my!

The girls are both officially in elementary school.  Alli is in kindergarten and Kaylee is in 4th grade.  So far the year has gone smoothly and there has been no problems other than the struggle of getting the girls up and ready on time.  I am trying to start a habit of having the girls get everything ready the night before.  That helps a lot.

Our fall schedule is busy.  Both girls are playing soccer and doing gymnastics.  I am coaching Alli's kinder team, but I have a lot of help, so mostly I show up and cheer-lead and do the team mom role.  The girls had their first game last Saturday.  Alli did great other than wanting to hold her friend's hand half the time.  Kaylee was a little intimidating after having a year off.  We are working on being more aggressive.  She is a good kicker and runner so if she gets over the fears, she will be a great player again.

This is what our weekly schedule looks like

Mondays
Alli school 7:55-11:20 (the bus brings her home at 12ish)
Kaylee school 7:55-2:22 (the bus brings her home at 3ish)
Natalie-Gym 8-9am.  I joined Tornado fitness and am loving it.
Gymnastics for Kaylee from 4:45-6:45 and Alli 4:45 to 5:45.  For the 2nd hour Dan either picks up Alli or take advantage of the one on one time.  Last week we took a walk one day.  She loves to pretend to be pirates and explore new places.  I love her imagination.

Tuesdays
School is the same
8-9am I have moms in prayer at Bethel baptist.  We pray for our kids and teachers at Aumsville elementary every week.  It is really neat
9-10 work out at gym?
12-1:45 watch Alli and her friend Bre
1:45-3:30 Good news club.  Starting in October.  I will be helping out and taking Alli and her friend who are kindergartners.
6-7pm both girls have soccer practice at the same location.  It's very confident and only a mile from home (I love that!)


Wednesdays
Every other Wednesday is late start day.  Kaylee goes to school at 9:55 on this Day and Alli either goes to school from 9:55-2:10 once a month or has the day off (once a month also)
Wednesday afternoon is a break for us for now.  Later we may add on another 2 hours of gymnastics (after soccer)
I will go to the gym when I can on this day.  If Alli doesn't have school (like next week)  This will be my day to do something with her like take a hike? :)
6:30-8:30 Awana at  Bethel baptist.  Alli is in Sparks this year and is loving it.  There were 9 kindergartners last week!
Kaylee is in T&T (Truth and Training) and also loves it.  I was worried that she wouldn't want to go because two of her friends are not going this year but she seems happier than ever.  I was going to take the year off from Awana but since they both want to do it, I am glad to take them.  I help with Kaylee's group and help the 3rd and 4th grade girls learn bible verses.  I stay the whole time rather than driving back and forth.
Wednesday nights are late nights... usually the kids go to bed around 8pm and on Wednesdays its after 9pm.  Thursday mornings are rough!

Thursdays
the girls have school as usual and i plan to hit the gym if I am not subbing.  I subbed this week for Head Start.  Grandma Debbie will watch the kids at my house if I am subbing.

6-7pm Soccer practice

Fridays
School, gym family night at home, and no scheduled activities.  this is our day to chill and hang out.

Saturdays
Soccer games!!!  Alli's games are almost all at 9:30am.  Kaylee's games are scheduled all over the place and a couple of her games interupt with Alli's.  The good thing is Alli's games are short so I can watch the 2nd half of Kay's games....except when she plays at Stayton...yikes, well she has a dad for that :)


This is the first year that both girls have been in school and I have time to myself.  It is nice to come home to a quiet house and have time to work on chores and other things uninterrupted.  I am loving the life God has blessed me with.