Sunday, May 25, 2014
Meteor Shower
The kids stayed up (lol) the night before last, going outside around 2 a.m. to see if they could catch the meteor shower--and they did! It seemed to not be as intense as expected, but it was so neat that they purposed to watch and were able to see a few meteors. Next time, I think they need to wake up Mom and Dad. :)
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Parking update!
I won my appeal. It was a happy night at my house. Praise God that I won--yes, I was parked illegally, but I should not have been singled out of more than a dozen other cars, all of which were illegally parked, including others in handicapped spots. (I wasn't *IN* a handicapped spot, nor do I believe I was blocking one, both of which were just parts of my appeal.)
What a relief to have this DONE and over!
Friday, May 23, 2014
The rest of the week
Robert and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. We decided not to do anything earth shatteringly special, although he bought me ice cream, a couple of new cutting boards, and a package of nylon whisks--all of which I desperately needed!
Trevor is considering other soccer leagues. He signed up online for tryouts and showed up for one last weekend--only to find that it had been cancelled. While they said that it had been taken down from the website, it was still there--oops! I called another team within that league, and the director told us to show up at practice that night. When we arrived, the director said Oops, they practiced earlier tonight--would you mind practicing with the girls? I am SO glad that Trevor didn't feel pressured or intimidated to say yes, instead asking if the boys' team would be practicing next week. We'll be going back again. :)
We get compliments all of the time about how mature and confident he is. He goes into situations like this, thinks on his feet successfully, which bolsters his self-confidence, a nice cycle.
Holly settled in at home, ran a few errands with me, and started her geology class through the local community college.
So summer begins . . .
Trevor is considering other soccer leagues. He signed up online for tryouts and showed up for one last weekend--only to find that it had been cancelled. While they said that it had been taken down from the website, it was still there--oops! I called another team within that league, and the director told us to show up at practice that night. When we arrived, the director said Oops, they practiced earlier tonight--would you mind practicing with the girls? I am SO glad that Trevor didn't feel pressured or intimidated to say yes, instead asking if the boys' team would be practicing next week. We'll be going back again. :)
We get compliments all of the time about how mature and confident he is. He goes into situations like this, thinks on his feet successfully, which bolsters his self-confidence, a nice cycle.
Holly settled in at home, ran a few errands with me, and started her geology class through the local community college.
So summer begins . . .
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
End of soccer season
We had a super group of boys on our soccer team this spring--that's right, boys! No girls at all, at least on our team. It wasn't one of our usual winning seasons, but that's okay. We couldn't have asked for nicer kids to play together with such great spirits.
We had our banquet tonight at Shenandoah Baptist. It's not our first choice, but the younger teams appreciate it because of the playground outside, and because they have more freedom than they do in the restaurant some of us prefer. It worked out well tonight in the cafeteria. Tables were available, and the room was cool. Holly joined us tonight, which was nice.
Coaches gave their usual speeches for the players, and Robert did a spectacular job. He sometimes plans out what he's going to say, at least a little bit. Tonight, he did it on the fly and was even complimented by a couple of parents. These kids absolutely ADORE playing for him, and the parents are always so sweet too. He has a gift for bringing the kids together as a team and have FUN while doing it, whether they win or lose. A fun night.
We had our banquet tonight at Shenandoah Baptist. It's not our first choice, but the younger teams appreciate it because of the playground outside, and because they have more freedom than they do in the restaurant some of us prefer. It worked out well tonight in the cafeteria. Tables were available, and the room was cool. Holly joined us tonight, which was nice.
Coaches gave their usual speeches for the players, and Robert did a spectacular job. He sometimes plans out what he's going to say, at least a little bit. Tonight, he did it on the fly and was even complimented by a couple of parents. These kids absolutely ADORE playing for him, and the parents are always so sweet too. He has a gift for bringing the kids together as a team and have FUN while doing it, whether they win or lose. A fun night.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Alpacas
Trevor went to Kurt's today. He arrived just in time for alpaca care, which included giving vaccinations. Judy put him to work, preparing the syringes, measuring out the vax doses, and getting the air out of the needles before injection. Interesting stuff.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Columbines
My favorite flowers. I'll never forget the time I saw them growing wild in a field in the mountains in Colorado.
Robert knows how much I like them and has planted them at each of our houses for me. :::happy:::
Robert knows how much I like them and has planted them at each of our houses for me. :::happy:::
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Holly's home!!!!!
Drove up yesterday to pick up that girl and bring her home for the summer. She had everything ready when I got there, and we made several trips (with the help of her roommate) and loaded up my car.
The parking lot was an absolute zoo during move out. There are three 30 minute spots, and people had made their own spaces, parked curbside, parked in handicapped spots and eventually just began parking in the center of the lot. At some point, I received a parking ticket and was absolutely STUNNED to see a $375 fine. In talking with the other parents nearby, it appeared that I was the only one in the lot ticketed. I was sick to my stomach, in absolute disbelief. I may have been the only one without someone waiting at the car. The building inside was busy, you couldn't get on the elevator to bring stuff down--at least from Holly's second floor room, so at least it was easy to take the stairs with almost everything.
One parent spread the word that the parking "officer" had told her that people could park *in front of* the handicapped parking spots but "could not block them." Effectively, you could block them but wouldn't be guilty of blocking them. Sooooo stupid!
We finished cleaning the room and packing up the car, and then I made a trip to the campus police department (a real, certified police department). I got appropriate sympathy from the sweet receptionist who advised me that, although the PD was not connected with the parking service, she'd ask the desk sergeant to come talk to me. He offered suggestions on how to appeal my ticket. They were so nice and helpful. I was in the police station long enough that Holly, who was waiting in the car, wondered if I'd completely flipped out inside and been arrested. (I can just see that too, right?!) So, so wrong to pick and choose a car (or even two or three) to ticket, when everyone was parked illegally. Everyone.
Holly was great, keeping me focused, and taking two dozen photos of the parking lot over the next couple of hours.
What an incredible year. So much has changed in the last nine months. I am so, so proud of her, making such a seamless adjustment to a very different way of life and doing so well academically. So amazing; God is so good, all the time.
The parking lot was an absolute zoo during move out. There are three 30 minute spots, and people had made their own spaces, parked curbside, parked in handicapped spots and eventually just began parking in the center of the lot. At some point, I received a parking ticket and was absolutely STUNNED to see a $375 fine. In talking with the other parents nearby, it appeared that I was the only one in the lot ticketed. I was sick to my stomach, in absolute disbelief. I may have been the only one without someone waiting at the car. The building inside was busy, you couldn't get on the elevator to bring stuff down--at least from Holly's second floor room, so at least it was easy to take the stairs with almost everything.
One parent spread the word that the parking "officer" had told her that people could park *in front of* the handicapped parking spots but "could not block them." Effectively, you could block them but wouldn't be guilty of blocking them. Sooooo stupid!
We finished cleaning the room and packing up the car, and then I made a trip to the campus police department (a real, certified police department). I got appropriate sympathy from the sweet receptionist who advised me that, although the PD was not connected with the parking service, she'd ask the desk sergeant to come talk to me. He offered suggestions on how to appeal my ticket. They were so nice and helpful. I was in the police station long enough that Holly, who was waiting in the car, wondered if I'd completely flipped out inside and been arrested. (I can just see that too, right?!) So, so wrong to pick and choose a car (or even two or three) to ticket, when everyone was parked illegally. Everyone.
Holly was great, keeping me focused, and taking two dozen photos of the parking lot over the next couple of hours.
We had quite a bit of time before check out/walk through time, so we went over to the Johnson Center to grab some lunch. At that point, I was giddy to find that the parking garage on that side of campus was free to park (I think it's usually $3 an hour). The meal plan was ending in 15 minutes, and food was running short. The Indian place was out of my favorite, but I tried something new and liked it even more. Holly bought sushi to take home for Trevor. It was amusing to see kids check out with armfuls of tiny potato chip bags (since you can buy 2 dozen for $6 down the street). One girl had 7 small bottles of milk. LOL.
We walked around campus a bit, taking our usual tour past what will be her new building in the fall and then headed back to her room for the last time.
We walked around campus a bit, taking our usual tour past what will be her new building in the fall and then headed back to her room for the last time.
Waiting for the RA to come by for final inspection
What an incredible year. So much has changed in the last nine months. I am so, so proud of her, making such a seamless adjustment to a very different way of life and doing so well academically. So amazing; God is so good, all the time.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Mother's Day
Giving a small, quick thought to this. Mother's Day has evolved quite a bit for me. I can remember one when my kids were little, and I asked Robert to please take them to his mom's house so I could have a few hours by myself.
Now I feel like any day I spend with/talk to/text/etc. with my kids is Mother's Day! I don't need a special day. They are ALWAYS wonderful to me, darlings of my heart, really wonderful, thoughtful kids.
I woke up this morning and headed up to GMU with the specific intention of taking some of Holly's things home, thinking they wouldn't all fit in one car trip. On the way up, Trevor sent me a sweet text for Mother's Day. Holly and I ran to Walmart and lunched at Chipotle. We spent some time hanging out in her room and wandered around campus; it was nice to have some free time to spend. She bought me a fancy coffee at Starbucks.
She'd already packed up everything that I was to take home, so we loaded that all into the car. We also packed up her fish and fish tank. She's done a great job getting everything ready for move out, and it should be a breeze when I go back Wednesday to bring her home for the summer.
I got home a little after 7, and Trevor and Rob unloaded the car. Robert made Vietnamese Noodle Bowls for dinner; Trevor and I watched tv and played a little Mario Cart (before Nintendo takes it off the server completely in another week or so).
It was a lovely day, Mother's Day or otherwise.
Now I feel like any day I spend with/talk to/text/etc. with my kids is Mother's Day! I don't need a special day. They are ALWAYS wonderful to me, darlings of my heart, really wonderful, thoughtful kids.
I woke up this morning and headed up to GMU with the specific intention of taking some of Holly's things home, thinking they wouldn't all fit in one car trip. On the way up, Trevor sent me a sweet text for Mother's Day. Holly and I ran to Walmart and lunched at Chipotle. We spent some time hanging out in her room and wandered around campus; it was nice to have some free time to spend. She bought me a fancy coffee at Starbucks.
She'd already packed up everything that I was to take home, so we loaded that all into the car. We also packed up her fish and fish tank. She's done a great job getting everything ready for move out, and it should be a breeze when I go back Wednesday to bring her home for the summer.
I got home a little after 7, and Trevor and Rob unloaded the car. Robert made Vietnamese Noodle Bowls for dinner; Trevor and I watched tv and played a little Mario Cart (before Nintendo takes it off the server completely in another week or so).
It was a lovely day, Mother's Day or otherwise.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Grad party
Trevor and I were a part of Kurt's brother Nik's college graduation party today. Seems like I remember him just last year as a sweet, slightly awkward 15 year old, discussing math curriculum with adults at chess.
Such a blessing to see these homeschooled kids navigate college very successfully. Nik got his engineering degree in four years and has an engineering job already lined up to begin next month. His girlfriend was also homeschooled through high school. She majored in chemistry and got several full ride offers to grad school, which she'll begin in the fall.
Trev's friend Kurt--best buds since they met seven years ago
Such a blessing to see these homeschooled kids navigate college very successfully. Nik got his engineering degree in four years and has an engineering job already lined up to begin next month. His girlfriend was also homeschooled through high school. She majored in chemistry and got several full ride offers to grad school, which she'll begin in the fall.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Long lunch in Richmond
Our old friends Will and Mancy are visiting in Virginia this week, as their daughter graduates from college at William & Mary. I worked for Mancy for three years at the D.A.'s office. At the same time, I met Robert, whose parents lived across the street from Mancy and Will.
Mancy and I have been planning since the fall to meet up again when we had the chance. I so appreciate that she made time in their crazy schedule to spend half a day with us--and she said several times how much she appreciated us working with their to accommodate their timing (which changed at the last couple of hours) and to make a pretty long drive. (I kept telling her that we are used to driving everywhere!)
On the way to Richmond, I mentioned to Robert that I have *always* wanted to stop at this overlook on Afton Mountain and get a picture. He stopped for me!
We met up with them at Mimi's Cafe at 3:00. Mancy and I met here back in September, so it was familiar, a safe bet. So, so good to see them again. Will was in a terrible car accident several years ago, in a coma for several weeks, and almost didn't make it. He has some lingering effects but seemed like the same old Will to us. :)
This one was low res; if I remember, I'll have to ask her to resend a better photo.
Our 3:00 "lunch" lasted until after 7 p.m. Mancy was so worried, as she knows I don't like to drive on the interstate in the dark. But Robert drove, and I kept telling her it would have been worth it anyway to get to see them.
Gorgeous drive home.
I so appreciate them truly wanting to see us that they set aside this time in between helping their daughter study for her last final, getting her moved out entirely, preparing to host a graduation party at a local restaurant when the rest of their family arrived, and attending two graduation ceremonies. We received a sweet text afterward, "Will loved seeing Robert. We had forgotten why we liked him so much before!!! He's hysterical!!!" Yep--all four of us had a great time.
Mancy and I have been planning since the fall to meet up again when we had the chance. I so appreciate that she made time in their crazy schedule to spend half a day with us--and she said several times how much she appreciated us working with their to accommodate their timing (which changed at the last couple of hours) and to make a pretty long drive. (I kept telling her that we are used to driving everywhere!)
On the way to Richmond, I mentioned to Robert that I have *always* wanted to stop at this overlook on Afton Mountain and get a picture. He stopped for me!
We met up with them at Mimi's Cafe at 3:00. Mancy and I met here back in September, so it was familiar, a safe bet. So, so good to see them again. Will was in a terrible car accident several years ago, in a coma for several weeks, and almost didn't make it. He has some lingering effects but seemed like the same old Will to us. :)
This one was low res; if I remember, I'll have to ask her to resend a better photo.
Our 3:00 "lunch" lasted until after 7 p.m. Mancy was so worried, as she knows I don't like to drive on the interstate in the dark. But Robert drove, and I kept telling her it would have been worth it anyway to get to see them.
Gorgeous drive home.
I so appreciate them truly wanting to see us that they set aside this time in between helping their daughter study for her last final, getting her moved out entirely, preparing to host a graduation party at a local restaurant when the rest of their family arrived, and attending two graduation ceremonies. We received a sweet text afterward, "Will loved seeing Robert. We had forgotten why we liked him so much before!!! He's hysterical!!!" Yep--all four of us had a great time.
Sunday, May 04, 2014
Trev's big tournament
Trevor reffed in a huge local soccer tournament this weekend that brought 1,500 soccer players from five states. Trevor had nine games over the two day tournament. He didn't know what to expect going in, but enjoyed working the younger games (ten year olds instead of his usual middle schoolers), chatted with old ref friends and met new ones, and appreciated the pretty decent weather. He's been suffering from shin splints off and on and was in a lot of pain after the first day. It was nice that it was so close, and I even took him lunch both days. I knew that some of my friends would think I was crazy for driving back and forth (20 minutes, big deal), but I figured, I'm his MOM, what else am I supposed to do today, and how much longer will I be able to do fun stuff like this for him?!!
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