All posts by KME

Events, Musings

Visit to the Duckabush

We had beautiful weather, last week, for our trip out to the Duckabush. The cousins are getting ready for their next move (this time to Norway–sob). They have packed up and moved out of their rental home and are currently staying in our Duckabush house.

The girls
Rebecca, Rachel and Aunt Koffee taking a break from a relaxing day.

Since the drive is double what we used to face, we obviously haven’t been having our weekly Family Game Nights. This is a great sadness for those of us who are addicted to Settlers of Catan (oh yes, and the nice time gathering with family). I think the children, in particular, (well, and maybe an adult or two) miss having Papa John’s pizza every Friday night. I know I miss having dinner all planned and prepared for me (especially a meal that is always a hit with the kids).

With great resolve and fore planning (ahem, okay with great lackadaisical casualness and no planning whatsoever) we decided to have a Game Day (not quite as catchy as Game Night) out at the Duckabush. (I don’t know what is with me and the parenthesis today). We remembered to actually bring Settlers of Catan with us this time — last time we left it at home since we were “sure the cousins had the game”. They, in a terrible rash of packing, had already sent the game on to Norway. Trying to retrieve the game would have been a bit of a trip. We ended up playing cards that evening and barely suffering through (I mean, having a great time).

We got to the Duckabush in the early afternoon and, silly me, I thought we would have plenty of time to finish a game of Settlers before dinner. I had forgotten about the Cousins of Lengthy Turns. Settlers of Catan is a creative, ever changing game that can be as long and involved as you want to be. Obviously there are some among us who like it to be as long and involved as it POSSIBLY can be!

Liz & Timothy
Elizabeth and Timothy in front of the Settlers of Catan game board.

Sigh, we did convince them to take a break so Elizabeth and I could prepare dinner (homemade pizzas this time–oh how the mighty have fallen, or is it risen?). Even though the game runs on turns, there are things that happen throughout the game (even when it’s not your turn) that need your attention. There are roads/cities to build, people who want to steal your cards, resource materials to gather depending on the roll of the dice, and so on.

The Refuge
What a gorgeous picture of The Refuge Retreat Center in the making!

Sometime amidst the visit, Tim did manage to go out and take some beautiful pictures of the retreat center. The building is taking shape and coming along nicely. The children had a nice time playing together although I think there were many mosquito bites by the end of the evening. Ouch.

Cousins at the Refuge
David, Daniel, Samuel, Rachel, Joshua and Timothy–outside the retreat center.

I did my part in the visit by valiantly winning the game of Settlers. I had to do something as Tim has had MUCH too long of a winning streak and really had to be stopped! Hopefully we will manage to fit in several of games during WNW day camp next week. Tim suggested we leave our set of games out at the Duckabush, that way we don’t have to haul them back and forth. It was a smart idea but ever since we drove away, I have had a terrible hankering to play Settlers of Catan. In fact, we have company coming this weekend and I had to tell them that they will actually have to bring their own copies of the game with them since ours were out at the Duckabush.

David and Sarah
David and Sarah play by the water.

Talk about poor hostessing. I hope I can live it down.
KME

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Family News, Musings

Weekend Alone

The sun is out! The sky is blue and crisp and the air warm. It’s a gorgeous day in western Washington.

Joshua
Joshua worked on the yard this morning before heading out to the doctor’s office. Doesn’t he look cheerful. Now if we can just get rid of the weeds I’ll be smiling too!

We have spent every afternoon, since Monday, at the pool. Somehow, however, I haven’t taken a single picture. How can that be?? I’ll remedy that as soon as possible. I’m sure it’s because, when we travel, we carry bags with towels and sunscreen and swim floats, not to mention crackers and snacks of some sort. I bring a bag of reading material for myself, keys, cell phone, water bottle, etc. Each child has a bag of their own and is responsible for their towel and goggles and any other swim paraphernalia they would like. We exit the van with full hands–I’m sure we are quite a sight. Ha!

4 kiddos
Need to photoshop out that trash can–adorable kids but not exactly a scenic background.

I’m just thrilled with this pool membership. I think it’s going to be a wonderful addition to our summer. It’s fairly expensive but I think we will get our fair share of fun out of the money. We calculated how many times we would need to go to bring the price down to lower than guest fees (cost $3 per person as a guest). So far we’ve been four times and Joshua and Tim take great delight in counting down the remaining necessary pool visits.

One of the greatest benefits of the pool is something I hadn’t even figured into my calculations–Mommy relaxation time! When we go to the pool I am forced to relax–I can’t do laundry or wash dishes or tidy up the house. All I can do is read, write, play with the children or visit with friends. What a gift! I hadn’t really expected the pool to result in a more relaxing summer for myself, I only thought of what fun it would be for the children. [Of course, since I'm not home I'm also not making dinner so we'll have to work on that aspect of things. Ha!]

Today, with the sun blazing and the temperature warm, is a perfect day for a long afternoon at the pool. Instead, I’m sitting alone in the family room, not another soul in sight. Ahh, the bliss of an empty house. Of course, there are many reminders of children all around–a huge white teddy bear of Daniel’s from his time at the children’s hospital, a little doll house and Playmobil of Sarah’s, Rachel’s dress shoes she left on the floor, and so on.

Sarah and the backpack
Sarah is ready to go–only 5 more hours!

The children themselves, however, are happily off with their grandparents, driving out to the Duckabush for a weekend away. Hooray!! For our anniversary, Tim’s parents gave us a certificate for a babysitting session. Aren’t they wonderful to take the children for the weekend. I have two hours here by myself in the house before Tim gets home. Tonight we’ll go to the theater to see a play. Tomorrow we have the whole day to ourselves (including sleeping in as long as we like!!!) and then we’ll pick up the children Sunday morning.

David
Here’s a boy who is ready for the Duckabush!

Tim and I have been tremendously blessed to have parents (on both sides) who are willing to watch all five of our children. They are extremely supportive of our decision to have a big family (mind you, compared to some friends, five isn’t that large of a family) and help out as often as they can. Not only do Tim and I benefit in having some time to ourselves, to reflect and enjoy each other alone, but the children gain a deeper relationship with their grandparents.

I’m very thankful!
Kathy

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Musings

Where has the sunshine gone?

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I’m afraid our sunny summer days seem to be few and far between here in Western WA. We’ve had a run of cloudy, grey days lately. I don’t mean to complain since it’s far better than rain but I do love the sunshine.

Washing the car
Don’t be fooled by those smiling faces–it is NOT warm enough to be washing cars.

We have a picnic planned for tomorrow but I don’t think we’re going to need sunglasses. Ha! Ahh well, getting together with friends is a cheerful diversion whatever the weather.

We’re continuing with our homeschooling through the summer. I’ve tried to cut back as much as I could (to give the illusion of a summer vacation for the kiddos) but still keep things structured and focused on some learning. I’ve found too much freedom results in whiny, bored children not to mention what it does to their mastery of math facts.

David will be in kindergarten next year which is exciting. Those early grades offer all the fun of schooling with few of the drawbacks. Everything is interesting and new and fun. The world of reading is right at his finger tips but we can stop at any time to spend the rest of the day playing. I’m already eager to start him on some early math books. We’ll have to do some tweaking of our schedule to keep Sarah entertained while David’s school increases. Thankfully Sarah is able to play contentedly on her own.

Pool prison
Summer 2005–Sarah makes sure Daniel is behaving!

If the weather ever heats up we plan to join the local pool. Last summer I resisted that idea as we had our own above ground pool and were gone for so much of the summer. This year David has been taking swimming classes at the Y and is much more comfortable in the water. We aren’t participating in any of the Y camps–we actually put our membership on hold this summer which frees up some money for a pool membership. Our Wal Mart pool died last year with several rips in the bottom (our fault–surely I can find some pictures of that little miscalculation).

Sliding pool
Although it seemed like a GREAT idea, it turns out a plastic pool (with a rather thin bottom) can NOT handle the wear and tear of a jungle gym placed on top of it. Oops! That was a costly mistake.

All in all a membership to the country club pool right here in our neighborhood sounds like a good idea. The pool doesn’t open until noon (swim classes in the morning) which dove tails nicely with our summer homeschooling schedule.

Now if we can just get some nice, hot summer days.
–KME

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IMG_1148
Events, Family News

Shilo Sleepovers

I wanted to be sure and post some of the pictures from our visit with Mamie and Grandad (my parents). Usually we travel to Michigan to see my family. The past two years we have been blessed with tickets (no small gift for a family of 7). Two years ago my dad’s church surprised my parents by flying us to Michigan for the big 25th anniversary. They brought us out on stage in the middle of the ceremony for my father. That was a special moment! We stayed in Michigan for several weeks.

playing cards
Notice there are actually two different games in action here.

Last year my father was awarded a three month sabbatical. Part of the sabbatical included a week at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference Center. We had a lovely time with the family (all three of my brothers came as well).

brothers
Dan, Thom and Phil with Chase and Aydia

This year my youngest brother, Phil, got engaged. There was some talk of an October wedding so we decided to save our Michigan trip for the fall. We love to spend some time in Fort Clark, Texas each August so we settled upon that as our family vacation this summer. When Phil’s wedding plans shifted to June 2007, Mom and Dad began to talk of coming to WA to visit us. Hooray!! It certainly is more economical for two to travel than seven. August seemed like such a long time to wait until we could be together again, so I was thrilled to hear of the possibility of a May visit.

The children will miss the fun of going to Mamie and Grandad’s house in Michigan–the tractor rides, playing in the creek out back, the big tree fort, cousin time, and so on–but the essence and joy of the visit comes from being WITH Mamie and Grandad, it’s the relationship and not the location that is important.

And so we thoroughly enjoyed our week long visit. We ate out several times (Tim usually tried to steal the check).

Mexican dinner
Here we are enjoying a delicious Mexican meal.

The kids took turns sleeping over at the hotel with Mom and Dad. One night they took the older four and the day next all five slept over. What luxury for Tim and me–sleeping in! These are some special grandparents.

reading girls
Girls night out–everyone has to bring a book!

We swam and swam at the hotel. We read books, played games and watched movies. Mom and Dad were able to see some of our co-op day as they joined us for the final friends and family presentation ceremony.

Swimming
Posing around the hot tub

We introduced them to several of our friends at church–Tim even led the Sunday School class on James chapter 4. Dad helped out with several home projects–he installed a screen door on the front and back doors and put new light fixtures in the hall way and Joshua’s room.

shaving
Traditional shaving time with Grandad–Girls allowed??

It was a very satisfactory visit. The sun even came out for the last two days. On Wednesday Tim worked from home and I was able to drive my parents to the airport. The older three children woke up early and went with me to the hotel (had to sneak in one more swim and continental breakfast).

Saying goodbye

One last gathering before off to the airport.

Joshua came with me to the airport. Goodbyes are always difficult. They are made more bearable when I know we have the next visit already planned. We will end our summer with almost two weeks of family time in Texas. We are hoping my mom’s two sisters will join us for some of the time (they grew up spending their summers in this little corner of Texas). There is also some possibility that my brothers and their families will come as well.

Outback
Dinner at the Outback

Sometimes I think of the people I have met over the years and all the ways I have been blessed by godly friendships. My best friend from junior high/high school and I met our (future) husbands while spending a week working with Habitat for Humanity. I had wonderful roommates in college. Everywhere Tim and I have lived we have been a part of couples Bible studies and Sunday School classes. Life and jobs and family move us around from place to place and, even with the internet, it’s difficult to stay in touch with people. I wonder in amazement at what heaven will be like. We will have eternity to spend with the Lord and other dear friends. All the believers we have met through the wandering of our lives will be there. It will surely be like coming home. So when I occasionally feel sad about the friends that have come and gone in my life and ones I know it’s unlikely I’ll ever see again or at least live near them again, I rejoice in the hope that our paths will cross again in the heavenly realm. I have our future visit already planned.

2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

–Kathy

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Musings

Family Visit Coming to a Close

We’ve had such a lovely visit with my parents. They arrived last week and are going home tomorrow. The weather has just now turned sunny and beautiful (typical). I am afraid they might be returning to some Michigan rain storms (also typical). Ahh, thankfully they came to see the grandchildren and not blue skies.

I have some fun pictures (mostly stolen off of Grandad’s camera) of our visit. I will have to post them later. We never seem to remember to take enough pictures or video. After the occasion (or visit) has passed, I am always sad that we didn’t capture more of the time on film. Even when I have taken more pictures than seems necessary, I am always glad for each one and hunger for rmore. I guess much of the time we are so busy living in the moment there isn’t time or thought to stop and take pictures. During those times I try to use “Fresh Film,” a concept a dear friend shared, and hold the memories vividly close in my heart and mind.

Tomorrow morning I will drive Mom and Dad to the airport. The children (those that were awake enough to respond) said they wanted to get up and go swimming in the morning. Hmmm. I’m not sure we have enough time for that but it does sound fun. It’s quite amazing how much pool time the kids manage to cram into a short visit. Their favorite thing to do is sleep over at the hotel with Mamie and Grandad, eat a sugar cereal/donut breakfast, and then spend a good hour or two in the pool. If they had their druthers they would also return in the afternoon or evening to swim again. What a blessing that the children all enjoy the water so much. I grew up with swimming lessons, pools, beach and lake trips. Both sets of grandparents had pools for our summer swimming pleasure. My maternal grandparents had a pool IN their house so we could swim whatever the season of our visit. Very fun!

It’s a delight to see the children enjoy the water as well. With a July birthday, most of my parties were situated at a pool or lake. David has made the most notable progress in his swimming. He has been in swim lessons at the Y during the homeschool PE. He had such confidence in the hotel pool this time. I was very proud of his abilities. One precious moment was when Rachel asked if he wanted to “race.” They both had on goggles and swam across the shallow end of the pool (almost literally on top of the stairs). Rachel paced herself and swam along side David for some exhilarating “races.” I loved watching their joy–David’s in swimming with the big kids and Rachel in being kind to her brother.

More later with pictures.
–Kathy

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