Halloween

Once again, deciding on costumes for Halloween was a challenge...

Actually, the first thing Allie said she wanted to be was a pink, sparkly princess, and the first thing Ryan said he wanted to be was Spider Man, but the costumes they wanted were crazy expensive - especially considering they had changed their minds within days of deciding on those costumes!  We went through a plethora of ideas - a ladybug and a ghost, a fairy and a dragon, Mario and Princess Peach, Wild Kratts.  So many costume ideas.  I finally suggested that if they picked a costume out of our existing costume box, we could put the money I set aside toward Christmas...and more Christmas presents.  It was a pretty immediate decision to be Iron Man and Cinderella (which we already owned).

But then we went shopping for canned goods (for the aforementioned competition).  We walked into the grocery store, and immediately saw their Halloween costumes!  On sale for 40% off!  And there just happened to be a sparkly, pink princess dress and a Spider Man in their size!  $10 per costume seemed like a bargain to get the costume of their dreams!

The lesson I learned was: Always stick with their FIRST costume suggestion!

It seems to always be the one we come back to in the end.  I could save myself so much time and energy!

For a fun special treat, Nana was able to join us for Halloween this year!  We went to her house a couple years back, but this is the first time it worked for her to travel to be with grandkids (gotta love a weekend Halloween).  I don't know if the kids were more excited about getting candy, or showing off their costumes to Nana.  Halloween should totally be added to the list of holidays that should be shared with family.

Halloween day ended up being the worst weather we've had yet - freezing rain and snow showers, biting cold wind, frigid temperatures.  I told them they were going to be "Nordic" Spider Man and princess.  Instead of going house to house, or waiting in line for the trunk or treat, we decided to go to the local college campus where they were having trick or treating in the dorms!  We knew that trick or treating at the rooms of college students wouldn't be the traditional experience, but we also knew that we could minimize our time outside and spend some significant chunks of time actually trick or treating indoors - so we tried it.  It.  Was.  Awesome.  The college students dressed up (which the kids LOVED) - many of them as princesses or super heroes (which they loved even more!).  The time indoors was exactly the solace from the storm we hoped.  And it turns out that college students buy good candy - like the really good stuff - and they are very generous.  Also, Lucas and I got to take them to our old dorms - ah, the memories!

Trick or treating at  my old room!!!

All in all, we had a Halloween that fulfilled all their hopes and dreams.

Save me, Spider Man!

Now on to Thanksgiving!

October

I'm not sure how it happened.  Perhaps not having a computer on which I can immediately download, view, edit, and enjoy pictures leads to me taking fewer pictures?  All I know is that October is...empty...In fact, I didn't take a single picture (not even on my phone!) until the last weekend.  What?!

I planned to take some family pictures for a friend, and Lucas and the kids tagged along.  They helped me pick some spots and get my lighting adjusted ahead of time.

I love catching them when they aren't look - Allie lounging in the leaves.

 I needed a posed picture, and Daddy jumped in to help  I kind of love the (relatively candid) result.

Then, of course, Ryan want a posed picture with Daddy and the football.  I love how perfectly posed Ryan is...and Lucas has no clue what is going on!

 Finally, a snapshot - from the top of the hill - of my favorite people playing football below.

The day before was a casual dress day at school.  The kids can wear absolutely anything (well...nothing revealing or inappropriate, but my kids don't have anything like that in their wardrobe, so there isn't any worry).  Their choice (without hesitation) - Husker gear!  The 7th grade teacher is also from Nebraska (which means he is also a Husker fan).  When he sees the kids he says, "Go Big Red!" and, as Ryan said, "We like that!"  Another one of the great influences that make me so happy with our school of choice!

So, since U of M was playing MI State on Saturday, we all dressed in our Michigan gear.  We also replaced our US flag for the first time with a very special Michigan flag.  Recently, we lost one of our newly graduated youth group members in a tragic accident.  His mom, a State fan, gifted his beloved Michigan flag to us earlier in the week.  We raised the flag in honor and memory of him.

 Of course, all of this fun was immediately followed by the twins getting sick.  It was short-lived, but the kiddos and I spent what was supposed to be an exceptionally busy Sunday at home resting and getting better.  Even though the twins almost never take naps anymore, I insisted they lay down.  They asked if they could snuggle together, and I agreed (anything to force a few minutes of rest!).  A little while later, I realized that it had been completely silent in their room for a long time.  I went in to check and found them like this...

LOVE.

The last week was full of competitions at their school.  One being a canned food drive for a local food bank - the 2 classes with the most canned goods winning a casual day (no uniform) or an ice cream party.  The other being a fundraiser competition where classes were competing to sell the most (also to win a casual day).  This competition had a daily update of class standings, and an opportunity for the kindergarten class (1/3 the size of the other classes) to win!  We sold our hearts out, and made it to 1st place just before the final weekend!

In the end, kindergarten not only won the fundraiser competition (woohoo!), but they came in second for the canned food drive competition (which happened, I think, because the kids had no clue they were 2 competitions and kept going home saying, "We are in second place, we need more canned food!"  The kindergarten class kept coming in with BAGS of canned goods!).  Considering that no one in the school can remember the kindergarten ever winning (the poor teacher!), this was a HUGE upset.  Gotta love a good underdog story :)

Since I can, I've decided to divide October into 2 posts!  We'll let Halloween have its moment to shine.

September

Apparently, I'm going to pretty much stick with that whole "one post a month" thing.  Maybe I'll get a little better.  Not having a computer makes a huge difference in my time online though.  As in, almost never.  In fact, most weeks I get on once or twice to check my e-mail...and that is it.  It is nice, but also difficult to stay in touch in an online world!

Once again, our church had their annual carnival.  Once again, drenching Daddy was the twins' favorite thing.  They both got him.  In fact, watch the video the local newspaper took of Ryan soaking him here!

 There were other activities, of course

 Just like at camping, Allie took part in the greatest bonding activity in the world of girls - doing each other's hair (in this case, spraying in streaks of the same color temporary hair spray).

 In the meantime, Ryan and the guys did some simulated fire truck driving.

 Lucas and I attended the annual Charity Ball hosted by the collegiate music honorary of which I was a member and of which now I am an advisor.  And somehow, our babysitter managed to take a picture of the two of us that I don't hate (I try to post pictures of myself on occasion...but I never love them.  But this one is ok...)!

The kids look forward all year to the County Fair.
A picture for Nebraska Grandpa!

This year we spent the least amount of time at the fair, but the longest amount of time ever riding the rides...I guess we know what is important!

Did I mention Papa & Gigi were here?  They came in for the week in order to be here for Grandparents' Day at school.  

Nana & Poppy also joined us for Grandparents' Day at the school.

(Photo credit goes to Nana.  I didn't take any pictures since I was actually working the event!)

While they were here, we took the opportunity to get a picture of our divided family.

Sometimes we might fight

(although not well...look at their faces!  We couldn't even pretend to be angry at each other!)

But we always love each other.

And that was our September!  

Changes for Mommy

I hate change.

I always have.  I revel in routine.  I feel safe in sameness.  I excel when I know what to expect.  

While I love a good adventure (especially one I have carefully planned!), it is the things that take life as I know it and turn it into something completely different that make me really uncomfortable.

Knowing this, having my children in a new school every day (even though it is only for a half day) is plenty of change for me.  However, I not only anticipated but sought out another change to accompany their going to school.  A job.

When I said in the previous post that we thought this school was out of our reach, it was because this wonderful school comes at a cost - a cost higher than the average rural pastor's budget.  When I said God closed one door and widely opened another, I was referring to our International adoption journey.  For 3 years we saved every single extra penny in a separate account to go toward our adoption.  When the door closed (solidly, and more than once) on our adoption process, we knew that we would love to put the money we saved toward an incredible education for the twins.  At the time, applications for their school had been due months earlier - parent interviews had already happened, kindergarten readiness had already been assessed, spots were already filled.  Lucas called to see if we could get on a waiting list, and the Headmaster told him, "I've just been praying for God to send me 2 students for the kindergarten class.  You are an answer to prayer."  There were 2 unexpected openings!  Between the financial aid we received from the school and the money we saved, we were able to confidently fill those spaces. Suddenly, the impossible was possible!

We knew, however, that we would only get one (fabulous) year if we didn't have extra income to put toward their tuition in future years.  Thus we decided I would work while they are in school.

Growing up, I met many moms who took jobs at schools (both private high school and college) to provide their children with the best education possible.  Whether it was to receive a discount in tuition, or (especially in the case of colleges) to get tuition free, or even just to help cover the cost, I saw many sacrificing for the sake of education.  My mom was one of these women.  I've said many times, "I would happily clean toilets to give my children an exceptional education."  So, I eagerly jumped into the job search - never anticipating how literally I would be able to live that dream.

You see, the perfect job that I found, and for which I was hired, is that of school custodian.

Now, I will actually almost never be asked to clean the toilets (there are two other custodians who are charged with that task), but I am the custodian responsible for cleanups during flu season (thank God I was blessed with a strong stomach).  Mostly, I'm responsible for spot cleaning (keeping the floors from being dusty or muddy and keeping the windows sparkling).

Here is the amazing thing - at the beginning of the job search I told Lucas that I wanted a job that would allow me to always be home when the twins are home.  It seemed a waste to seek out half-day kindergarten if I wasn't home with them during the other half of the day.  It also seemed a waste to have to pay for childcare on the days they have off that I might not.  And my summers, and summer road trips, are practically sacred - I was not ready to give them up.  I couldn't imagine finding something that would meet all that criteria.  Then a friend sent me the posting for this job - the hours are almost exactly the same hours they are in school (I drop them off, head in to start my day, and finish with 30 minutes to spare before their day is done) only on the days that school is in session (any day they have off, I have off).  It couldn't be more perfect.

Someone asked me recently, "Do you ever think to yourself, 'This is what I ended up doing with my college education?!'"  My answer was, "Not really."  It might not have been the job I dreamed of having all my life, but I love my hours so much.  After the first week of school, the twins had a 4 day weekend.  And I had it with them!  I love being at their school.  I love seeing them randomly through my day.  I love getting to know their teachers and getting frequent updates on their progress.  I love being a part of the education that is happening there - even if it is through keeping their classrooms dust-free.  Before I started, I thought I would probably just do this for a year, and then try to find something with more hours (and, when being vain, about getting something more fitting with my degree and desires).  Two weeks in, and I'm confident I am not letting this job go unless something with similarly amazing hours presents itself!  The time I get with my children is worth its weight in gold.

This has been a good change.  There is no sacrifice in time with my children, and I have something productive to keep me busy while they are in school.  Not only that, but I'm actively contributing toward the fantastic education I know they are receiving (because I get to see it in action every day)!  I am truly content in this change in a way I rarely experience. 

First Day of School

It happened so quickly.  We celebrated their first day of preschool.  It seemed the whole year stretched before us in a long, but wonderful, procession of activities and events.  And then we blinked, and suddenly found ourselves at the first day of kindergarten.  All of those activities and events couldn't have passed so quickly, could they?  We couldn't possibly be here already, could we?  Is every year going to go this quickly?
Hamming it up for Daddy.

We took a long time trying to decide which school the twins would attend this fall.  With a myriad of options - all of them both spectacular yet maybe not what I wanted - I was in agony for months.  The school they are attending was not even an option for most of that time because we thought it was way out of our reach.  Then suddenly, God closed one door and opened wide the door to this school.  From that point on, every step leading up to this day has been a huge blessing.  

One of my favorite things about this school is that they have half day kindergarten (a rarity these days).  With the years flying by so quickly, I want to savor every minute.  I treasure these half days.

Another favorite thing is that everything is God infused.  They pray in the mornings.  They have chapel once a week.  They pray before they eat snack in the classroom!  There is comfort in sending my children to a place where they are surrounded by prayer.

Character is also very important at this school. I love that they are not only learning letters and numbers, but that they are hearing about what it means to be a person of character.  That teachers are talking to them about using their talents to the glory of God.  That they are surrounded by other students who understand that learning lots of things is nice, but establishing habits of virtue is utmost.  Words like responsibility, honesty, trustworthy, and so on are spoken regularly.  I appreciate most that I see it modeled not only in the teachers, but in the older kids at the school.
In their dress uniform that they wear on chapel days.  I cannot get enough of them in these uniforms.  So adorable!

There was no hesitation the first day.  Just excitement.  Even I couldn't cry seeing how eager they were to start the adventure of kindergarten.  We stood around the flagpole for Opening Ceremony the first day (yes, they do an Opening Ceremony every day -they raise the flag, recite the pledge of allegiance, sing a patriotic song, and pray.  Another thing I love.).  The parents stood on one side, the kids arranged in their classes on the other, and listened to the Headmaster talk about the upcoming year.  It was overwhelming, in a wonderful way.  Their enthusiasm at the end of the day was, if possible, even stronger than at the beginning.  Every day they have jumped out of bed (earlier than I would like) excited for another day.  Both weekends Ryan has cried because he wanted to go to school, and didn't want a weekend.

Music class is amazing.  Recess is awesome.  Art is incredible.  Gym is fantastic.  Their teacher is the most wonderful teacher in the world.  The adjectives are flying around our house, and every single one is extremely positive.

It is going to be a good year.  It is going to go too quickly.  We will be back here before we know it (certainly faster than I would like) celebrating the first day of First Grade.  Until then, we will savor every moment as best we can.  

* It wasn't until I looked at these pictures, that I realized the reason I have been have problems with blurry pictures is because the auto focus broke in my favorite (and newest) lens.  I can manually focus, but had been trusting the auto focus when taking these pictures (and they often look sharp when showing up small on my camera).  My heart is a little broken that so many pictures of this momentous day are blurry, but at least we got a few that are usable...

The End of Summer

This summer flew by so fast.  It felt like it was the last day of school and we were packing up for our first road trip of the summer, and the next thing we knew it was August and we were frantically trying to squeeze in our final summer plans/get ready for school!  Where did the summer go?

The beginning of August was a bit of a blur.  It was mostly spent trying to get ready for VBS.  The preparations were filled with setbacks and pitfalls.  One of the biggest being a church tragedy that took many of us out of the VBS mood.  The other being my parents having all sorts of crazy health problems that kept them from coming to help with VBS, and me having VBS which kept me from being able to go and help them.  Then there were the usual crazy stressful moments of pulling VBS together - last minute volunteer losses, technological failures, falling/failing decorations, etc.  Truthfully, this VBS will forever be marked in my mind as the one where nothing went right.  It will also be marked in my mind as the one full of some of the biggest blessings I have experienced in my Childrens' Ministry career.  Perhaps the biggest being Nana & Poppy packing up and heading down to help.  It doesn't matter how old you get, the presence of parents makes it feel like everything is going to be okay!
Nana at the Registration table.

 Ryan carrying the torch during game time.

 Allie and her group leader hamming it up during closing.

Me (and Lucas behind me) getting pies in the face.

 Twinners hamming it up during a group picture.

After VBS, it was a mad rush to get the twins ready for school.  We did our best to sneak in a few last-minute adventures.
Papa & Gigi gave the Twinners a Highlights magazine subscription for Christmas last year.  They LOVE it, and are excited when it comes every month.  The August magazine had instructions for building a car out of the exact same blocks we happen to have!  They built a car, turned it into a truck, and even fashioned seatbelts for safety!

While decorating for VBS, I noticed Allie had a missing tooth!  It ended up falling out before the week was over (literally just falling out).  In the midst of the chaos I was sewing a Tooth Fairy pillow, discussing Tooth Fairy rates with Lucas, and mourning the literal loss of my baby's last bit of babyhood.  She, however, is thrilled.  The other bottom tooth fell out a couple days later.  Actually, she was scared to let me pull it, and decided to defer until after breakfast...but after breakfast the tooth was gone!  She had accidentally swallowed it with her cereal...

Our library had a summer reading program.  The kids kept track of their reading, and earned prizes for various hour milestones earned.  Every hour after 12, they got an entry slip into a raffle for this giant, inflatable dinosaur.  From the moment he saw it, Ryan was a boy consumed.  He was convinced he would win that dinosaur, and he read zealously to accomplish that goal (which was wonderful!).  I was only half surprised when we got the call from the library that Ryan had won.  The twinners were 2 of only 7 children who made it past the 12 hour goal!

Allie wanted her picture with Rex as well...and in an effort to "keep it real," I'm actually posting the picture.  I could not stop her from pretending to pick the dinosaur's nose...

A friend threw a super hero birthday party for her son.  We missed the party (because we were busy movie Uncle Nic & Aunt Ariel back to Michigan!), but she brought over the homemade capes and super hero masks she had for party favors.  Amazing.  The kids have been playing super hero ever since.

We managed to squeeze in an evening on a nearby lake with friends from church.  Lucas rode the tube (slowly...for tubing) with the kids. 

  I enjoyed riding in the boat with whichever twin wasn't tubing.

 They kept wanting to go faster than I was comfortable.  I have littler daredevils.  Allie was asking why I was nervous, and I said, "Wouldn't you be nervous if your greatest earthly treasure was being dragged behind a boat?"  It took about a second for her to say, "Oh, I understand now.  I would be scared too."

Then it was the first day of school.  The first day of school will be its own post (because it feels big enough to warrant that).