Why Daddy Would Not Make a Good Nurse

Mo wiped out on her bike the other day and scraped her knee pretty badly. She was crying so hard that our nice neighbor heard her and carried her home (By the way, she is my one who hates the sight of blood, especially her own). The kiddos had early release that day and, since I was still at school, Daddy had to play nurse and clean, then dress her wound.

After using most of a lot of peroxide and antibiotic ointment, he managed to get several bandages to stick to her little knee. I'll refrain from mentioning how many did not stick!

Poor Mo! Her tears started all over again when I got home and saw her...I felt bad for her, but I couldn't help giggling at Daddy's nursing job. Of course, as big as she is, she's still my baby and kisses from Mama made it all better. At least the bandages stayed on all night, but I'm still not sure how she could walk;-)

WW

WW

Stretching Like Never Before

I've always been pretty flexible throughout my life, both physically and mentally. So, when I take a look around at my family right now and realize how so much has changed- and I don't really see an area that hasn't changed in the last 6 months-I wonder if my flexibility is enough.
An old shoulder injury has been flaring up once again and it has been particularly bad for the last 24 hours or so. Simple things like getting dressed, brushing my hair, or driving are proving to be painful to say the least. This is not the time for such an injury to be rearing its ugly head! The girls are going into tech week for Oz and I have tests this week and next, again, as well as a couple of papers and more than one project due. Also, it's Homecoming Week for the DQ complete with the big football game on Halloween night after a rehearsal (we'll try to squeeze in a few trick-or-treats on our way to the game), and a few last minute minor alterations to a dress for the dance that we purchased this summer (on clearance of course, and boy is it cute=). This is definitely not the time that I would pick, especially since I have been without much of a community physically surrounding me during these tumultuous times, but then again, God's plan is so much greater than mine.
Today I realized something while in the midst of all the rushing to finish one school project today after class, scoop of Mo from school while dropping off the form for Mijo to enter the gifted program, shoot an email to the casting director for the next play to squeeze in the girls' audition between scene rehearsals and costume fittings this evening, go through school papers and dole out snacks, finish making dinner and packing it up for the 3 kiddos and I to go to rehearsals and auditions, making sure everyone had homework and books packed to work on inbetween (I'm stressing out just typing this), as well as making it into the car with everything and everyone ready in order to drive the girls' to rehearsal on time. I realized that in all this everday busyness I haven't been doing my physical therapy exercises for my shoulder! These exercises are designed to SLOWLY stretch the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding my shoulder to strengthen and loosen them so as not to be so tense that they are tightened against my inflamed joint. They are also to train some areas and retrain other areas surrounding the joint to work in unison and to help my shoulder not carry so much of the load.
Over the years due to our life circumstances, I have been left to "shoulder through" most things that come our way. I have even crawled under my husband's car while very pregnant to check for leaking brake fluid! These times left me strong and competent to "shoulder through" a lot of what comes my way, both physically and figuratively. They have also created in me an independence from others and a complete dependence on God for which I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven. But lately, with all these changes, I've been wondering if I'm still strong enough for it all and how I'm going to get through it. When I realized today that I hadn't been doing my shoulder stretches, I also suddenly realized the parallel between my shoulder pain and my attitude lately to all the changes in my life right now: I need to be stretched like I've never stretched before!
Much like my physical therapy exercises for my shoulder, this is a slow process of stretching by God to teach me and my family not to be so tense during these changes. We are each being trained and strengthened to support and aid one another and to function in unison-an answer to my prayers of so long. So, while it is painful at times I also know the end result is for the benefit of the whole. What a beautiful picture for God to paint for me in the midst of the chaos and the pain! He has reminded me, once again, that He truly does give us Just Enough Grace for the circumstances of our life when we trust Him (OK, that is a shameless plug for my friend Heather's book but I really wanted to thank her for allowing God's grace, truth, and love for all of us to reflect in and through her life. When I look at her life, it is Jesus that I see) and He has reminded me that His plans are not mine, but are so much greater than my own!

It's Finally Cooling Off

Welcome to OZ?

Piercing screams echoed through our home yesterday at 4:26pm-screams that could only be produced by two very excited sisters over a call hoped for but not completely expected for our new little actress (although she’s been preparing for this role since birth, just like her big sis). This same scream was reproduced exactly 3 minutes later as a second call rang through on our phone line, this time for our original Drama Queen. What was the excitement? Both Mo and DQ had auditioned for The Wizard of Oz on Sunday afternoon and received their callbacks! Mo was called back for the part of a Munchkin and DQ for the Cowardly Lion or the Wicked Witch of the East.
Tonight, I am sitting in the lobby of the local theater, finishing the 4th hour of waiting for the girls at that callback. I have completed 3 Sudoku puzzles, one crossword, studied my A&P, did my reading for micro and played a doodle game with Mo for quite a while. The noise level is intense making conversations nearly impossible and the internet connection is intermittent, so I’m out of things to do. Hmm, I think I might start screaming myself, only not from excitement.
In all my years of dreaming what life with my own kiddos would be like, I never quite pictured it this way. I expected to sit on hard bleachers at ball games or meets or even sweltering in the heat while watching a practice. I knew I would spend a large amount of time in my van chauffeuring the kids from one activity to another. But, I didn’t think it would come in the form of both girls acting. Granted, I know their personalities and know how dramatic they both can be (you only have to tell them to clean their rooms or unload the dishwasher once to see that for yourself), but I don’t think I actually expected them to both make it successfully in a large-scale youth theater, especially with singing parts. I am their mother and singing is not really a natural talent in our family despite our love of music. But my plans are not God’s plans and certainly my ways are not His. Thank you God for exceeding my plans and my ways for them.
Oh, and Girls, go break a leg=)

It's Official, She's a High Schooler

Can she really be old enough to start High School? Where did the time go and how did one haircut and a new outfit age her enough to actually look like a Freshman?!?!?! I think an even more important question is how am I old enough to have a child in high school? Didn't I just graduate?
Questions aside, I am so proud of her and the woman she is becoming. It is with great anticipation and with more than a little trepidation that today I released her to not only go to public school, but to high school. I know she will do well and that she has a strong mind and strong character to handle it. We are both continuing to learn to "Trust in the Lord" in all things, and I am certainly trusting Him with this. I am so excited to to see her grow in this new adventure and especially in His grace as a Child of God! I love you, DQ!

Back to School in a New Way

With my going back to school and a few other changes in our family right now, I'm sure it won't come as much of a surprise that we have enrolled the kids in public school again this year. They are unbelievably excited, although the younger two do have some hesitations about not being at home this year for school. For me it's been a bumpy journey to come to the place where I'm ready to send them. I was hoping to feel more confident about this decision, but I'm not. I know they will be fine and that I can trust God with the results and that He cares for them infinitely more that I could ever. However, I have a passion for their education that makes me more than a little concerned over what they will receive while attending public school. So, prayers are much coveted during this time of transition for us. My prayers for them are that they will take with them the conscience that we have taught them with God's spirit guiding their choices.
Nevertheless, today was a very exciting and happy day for the Hunter clan as Mo began 2nd grade and Mijo started 5th! They love their teachers and have reunited with some old friends as well as started laying down the bridgework for some new ones. I'm looking forward to knowing their teachers and friends better as well as helping in their classrooms, but I'm not sure how to handle all the time at home while they are at school. Do I finish my curtains first, catch up on some reading, finish my quilt, or take a nap?!?!?! LOL=)

A Long Awaited Break

After a long year of hard work with school for the kids and I, we finally got a bit of a break when my parents treated us to a trip to the Oregon Coast in Brookings, OR. We spent 5 days there and enjoyed every minute of it, especially when the sun broke out on 2 afternoons and the temperature warmed to about 80 degrees. I never thought this Phoenician would be so glad for a warm summer day, but when most days' high was only in the low 50's with fog and or a piercing, icy wind (notice all the sweatshirts and long pants in these pictures?), 80 degrees was heavenly! Beyond that, Grammy, Poppy, the kids and I had a blast exploring tide pools, splashing and fishing in the surf, and taking long walks in the sand. Nothing beats the smell of the ocean and the beautiful sunsets. I always leave the coast wanting more and anxiously awaiting our next trip.

Mijo's big catch-a surf perch

It took a lot of teamwork to get this kite off the ground

Mo caught this starfish while fishing for smelt. We think it was unable to hang onto the rocks because of its injured appendage when she accidentally hooked it.


A harbor seal fishing for the same smelt we were.


I was cold...very cold.

How Thankful Are You?

You Are 77% Thankful

You are a very thankful person - for both the big and little things in life. Your optimism is powerful. Getting through hard times is fairly easy for you.

How Thankful Are You?

What Your Latte Says About You

What Your Latte Says About You

When it comes to what you like, you have your own unique tastes. And people don't really understand them. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You're totally addicted to caffeine... but you like to pretend like you aren't! You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree. You are sophisticated and daring, but you are never snobby.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

Will You Live to 100?

Chance You'll Live to 100: 65%

100 is looking pretty likely for you right now. You've made your health a priority. So kick back, keep doing what you're doing, and enjoy the great life you've made for yourself. And you might get to see what the world is like 70, 80, or even 90 years from now.

Will You Live to 100?

In Honor of the 4th of July: How American Are You?

You Are 82% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

How American Are You?

Just in Time for the 4th: What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

A Little Something for Me

After many years of homeschooling, raising my family and turning the majority of my attention to taking care of my family and our home, I've finally decided to treat myself to something that I really love and have wanted for a long time: completing my education. Yes, I officially re-enrolled in classes this summer and am 3 more school days and one N.E.T. away from completing all of my pre-requisite courses to apply to the nursing program at any MCCC . I will continue on with coursework this fall, working towards applying to the accellerated nursing program at ASU West.

It has been rather surreal to step back into a classroom from the student side, especially into an accelerated course of Anatomy & Physiology in 4 1/2 weeks , which would usually last for 18 or more weeks. The amount of information thrown at us in one day makes my brain hurt, literally, but I am loving every minute of it. I enjoy the process of learning, and am glad for the opportunity to show my kids what it means to set a goal, study hard, work hard and achieve a dream, especially in terms of education. I'm proud to say that I am carrying an A average, and that is largely due to the pampered position my ENTIRE family has created for me.

I am so thankful to all of my kiddos for the sacrifices they are making for me to completely focus on this class at this time, i.e. lots of heating up frozen chicken patties, eating lots of leftovers, & PBJ's, an absent mom, more chores, and keeping a quiet house, but it is being rewarded by lots of time on the Wii and fishing at Grammy & Poppy's house. Yes, they went with them to Northern CA last week, so that I could concentrate on finishing this class. And I thank my parents, too, for being so willing to sacrifice their own lives for me in this way, although I know what a delight it is for them to have that time with them.

I'm excited to see where this will all lead to in the end, but I am definitely enjoying the journey. It's taken more than a "little getting used to" the idea of concentrating on me, but the sense of accomplishment, confidence and joy has well been worth it.

Hmm, I really should be studying, but...

I needed another chocolate fix. Try this one out and let me know what your taste in chocolate says about you;-)

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are sophisticated, modern, and high class. Your taste is refined, but you are not picky. You are often the first to try something new. You are laid back and fairly easy to please. All you need in life is your friends. Sometimes you go along to get along... but you don't mind. You love being around people. Friendships are important to you. You feel lost when you're by yourself... so you tend to avoid being alone.

The Chocolate Oracle

A Funny Thing Happened the Other Day... a Very Funny Thing

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Time for a study break-more on that later-so here's a cute little quiz for you to take. How do you think I did? Make sure to let me know what kind of chocolate you are, too. Now, off to find some dark chocolate. I know I have some hidden somewhere!

You are White Chocolate

You are White Chocolate You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent. Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you. You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

SURPRISE!!!!!

And what a surprise it was! Over a month until her official 13th Birthday, our Drama Queen had the surprise of her life when she opened the front door to surprise her Mama with her new outfit and jewelry (gifts from Grammy, for this very purpose, although she did not know it at the time) and 13 girlfriends greeted her! It's 3 days later and I'm still amazed at how we pulled it off and how surprised she truly was-check out her face in case there's any doubt. She was shaking and screaming for nearly half an hour afterwards. But the fun didn't end with the surprise, as we had turned our home into an American Idol set!
The girls competed through four rounds to the finals for $100 Grand and a new '08 Ford Focus and, while it was a SINGING competition, it wasn't all about talent. "America" (little sis, Mo) voted by drawing contestants' numbers for eliminations and for taking turns as the judges. The talent overflowed from the contestants, judges, and even Ryan Seacrest (little bro, Mijo).

We took a short break from the competition for her 5 layer chocolate cake from Costco (side note here-if you haven't tried it, you are missing out on one of the greatest indulgent pleasures of your life, and I don't care for cake!) and presents, but quickly resumed the competition for the finals. The DQ wowed us with an on your feet performance of I Love Rock N Roll and took home the big prize for the night. No, we did not plan for her to win, but can you imagine a better ending to her night?

Letter Reversal...Maybe a Little Too Funny?

My girls taped this over our doorbell, recently, while we were finishing up our last lessons for school, so the neighborhood children would stop incessantly ringing our doorbell. I must add here that this was on one of Dad's days off, while he was sick in bed. Notice the top right portion, where M attempted to write dad. Does anyone else read /bA - B/ (baby)? I hope you see the humor here, too=)

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?