Challenging Times

Two kids with homework, and one 3 year old who just wants to play!

How do I balance it? And right now I'm not in school. What happens when I'm back in school and exhausted from the day? And then Mike leaves for work in the midst of it all! Oh, and can't forget soccer practice twice a week. Throw that in there too!

It's definitely going to take me some time adjusting to this new schedule/dynamics. And I'm thinking a more regular visit to the massage place!

Philippians 2:2-4

Look it up real quick.....(or click on the title to read the verse)

Websters dictionary definition for considerate is: thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others. The definition of compassion is: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. The photo under either of these words should display a picture of Mia.

She is truly the most considerate and most compassionate person I know. I say this as her mom, but I know it's a gift God has given her. For example, tonight Juliet came to tell me that her tummy hurt a little. I told her to lay down and just rest for a bit. Without saying a word, or anyone saying anything to her, Mia got up and sneaked into her room to get a blanket and proceeded to place it over Juliet. Then she just sits down and goes back to her homework. She does these kinds of things without wanting any kind of acknowledgment either. It's simply how her heart works. She truly cares about people. She truly wants to help people and make them happy, with nothing in return. I see God in her in so many ways. It's so awesome!

Mia is a true example of Phil 2:2-4

STAR scores

We just got Juliet's STAR scores from last year.....

ELA - 396 Proficient (6 points from Advanced!)
Math - 516 Advanced (3/5 areas 100%)

We are so incredibly proud. Having given that test for 7 years, I know how hard that test is. It is HARD. Makes these scores even more incredible. Way to go Jules!

Back to School

We had french toast and bacon for breakfast! Breakfast of champions!

It's just crazy to believe. Juliet started 4th grade today and Mia started 1st. Man, it was tough to walk them to school and then try to fathom their age and leave them there! Fortunately we weren't the only parents following our kids to their classes. There were dozens of us!

Mia blew many kisses! Mia has the same teacher that Juliet had in 1st grade. We just loved her. She greeted Mia with a huge smile and a warm handshake.


Juliet was a little apprehensive as this year she has 31 classmates! She is probably the shortest one in class to, and the youngest, but she'll get over that soon enough. She has some friends from years past in her class and we were fortunate enough to get the teacher we requested for her.




We're excited for a new year, but most of all Calvin is excited for, "BOYS TIME!"

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

We went to Six Flags two weeks ago with my parents and it was a blast. The last time we had been was when Juliet was nearly Cal's age. She loved it then, and we all loved it now! We are definitely getting season passes next season! So here are many of the rides we did. There were some that Mia was too short for, and some that Cal was just too short for, but all in all they got to ride great rides!

*click on it to enlarge*

They had a Thomas & Friends portion!
The kids got to hug many characters! I thought Cal would be apprehensive, but boy was I wrong!

After the stinkin' innertube ride. We were completely soaked! But it was FUN!

My ears get tired

The ONLY time Calvin is quiet (and I mean ONLY) is if there is a movie on or he's sleeping! Seriously, the kid talks non-stop. And he says things that are way beyond his years. I just don't get it sometimes. And he understands things that sometimes I think he really shouldn't. He's three for goodness sake!
I have to write some of these things down because I'm forgetting more than I want to. He comes up with new mind boggling things daily and if I don't put them down on paper, I won't remember it before he says the next humerus thing!

"It is certainly cold in here Mommy!" as we enter the cooler at Costco.
"I have no idea, Juliet." in answer to Juliet asking where something is.
"Mia, you are hilarious!" after she blew up a balloon for him
"I need wom mok Mommy. It's getting close to bed time."
"Because I do." in response to any "why" question.
"I'm not a monkey, I Calvin. I'm Calvin and I eat bananas!"
"I'm free Dad" meaning he's three years old.
"Juliet, there's a spider on you head. Just jokin" his version of a joke!
"I'll try my best, Mom." in answer to doing any job.
"Mom, am I the boss?" No Cal. "Awww"

He will also repeat any movie he has seen. He is a one liner King! See if you can name that movie:
We'll get there when we get there!
To infinity and Beyond!
Prepare to meet Mr. Angry Eyes.
Oh yea, McQueen is R-E-A-D-Y!
Finders keepers, Losers suck. (yea, we're not watching the Little Rascals anymore!)

His most favorite movies, which we have seen millions of times now are, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Cars, The Incredibles

Sprinkler Park Fun

This boy loves water!

JOY

Tell me this is not a face of a kid who loves to swim!
And a kid who loves to swim with his Daddy!

Mommy & Mia Day

This is what we did while Juliet was away at camp!

PEDICURES!!

First week away at camp!

Juliet had her first camp experience this last week. She was very excited to go until she realized that she was going without the rest of us. We talked her friend, Emily, into going with her and encouraged them that they would have a fantastic time! It was a camp through our church but it was at the YWAM base in Chico. I didn't think I knew where it was until I pulled up to this beautiful place. I went there as a counselor just after I graduated high school. Walking through the doors brought back A LOT of memories, but it was completely different going there now as a mom. I had a hard time leaving her, but knew she was in good hands. Our childrens ministry at our church is phenomenal. The pastors, teachers, and leaders are just amazing people who have incredible hearts for our children and seeing them develope and grow in God. What more can a mom ask for?

I must admit, I cried for hours on Monday night (her first night away). There is no cell service up there, and no way to get in contact with the kids (except for emergencies). So it was a week of no contact too! We've never done that before. I was praying and asking God to cover Jules while she away, when God spoke to me. He said, "Do you trust me, Jeni? Do you not think I can take better care of her than you ever could? Remember I entrusted her to you. You are doing a great job, but I've got her here." While I know all this, I needed to hear it directly from Him. I was able to rest in that for the entire week. Knowing that He was covering her and he was meeting her every need, even homesickness!

Anywho, she had a great time! She is exhausted, has many stories to tell, looks forward to next year already! I'm still hearing more and more stories of the events and what God spoke to her during the week. You'll have to ask her about it if you want to know more....

This was their room:
And can you see the exhaustion in their faces?