Our Korean Family

Here's just a peek at what we did today at

Camp Kajok.

Doesn't Paul look so dashing in navy?
I think he's very handsome.

We are exhausted

so I'll post more pics and

narrative another time.

It's Her Day

Happy Birthday to My Mom!

My Mother is on the right,

pictured with my sister's Mother-in-law.

~

My Mom was born today, a few moons ago.

Have you met her?  She's very interesting.

The only way she'll ever look big/tall/large at all is...

...standing near a mini Lego cityscape.

In the real world she's just under five feet.

She's such a good sport with her grandkids.
She is flying the blue helicopter with Peter.
Really, that's not his teenage sister.

You would enjoy a visit with her and her sister.

They laugh and are so silly.

She is an active outdoorswoman.
She's at the bottom of the ladder here.
(Look at little Reuben riding on Paul's back.)

She's a mega quilter who has gifted our family several of her marvelous creations.
Four of them are in the picture.

We do love Granny.

We know you'll have a wonderful extended birthday celebration in Washington.

And happy blending!

The Knot in My Neck

We had a better day yesterday.

It just seems that every once in a while we have to hit bottom and readjust.

Let's say we're on the upswing.

I think the stress has moved to my neck and hasn't been released because I haven't exercised in two days.  Although, really, don't you think mowing should count?  I push mowed for 45 minutes last night.  That should have taken care of it.

Maybe a morning trip to Turkey Run is what we all need today.

The Knot in My Stomach

I'm feeling the sickening stress of a horrible day yesterday.  I'm praying and praying for peace and patience so that today can be a better day.  Perhaps if I write it out, I'll feel better.

Yesterday was one of the worst parenting days ever.  Mainly between Peter and I, but Rube earned himself some punishments too.  It began at 8am and was not relieved until Paul picked me up at five to go to a funeral.  We dropped the boys off at a friend's house and Paul and I went to mourn the loss of a life.  Nice.

Then we went back to our friend's house to get the boys and stayed for dinner and cards.  Their 19 year old son walked in and in full gaity and excitement announced to Paul and I, "Hey!  I'm moving in with Kristy in two weeks!"  He was completely surprised by our disappointment.

I know that many Americans find this to be a normal step in relationships, but it saddens me every time.  He's coming over this afternoon to talk about it.

Back at home a friend called to say they've been matched with a child to adopt.  Expressed much gladness to her, while I hid my envy.  We've been waiting much longer than them.

So, stressful day that extended into the wee morning hours when Reuben yet again wet the bed, except instead of the bed, he wet the carpet, which is worse to clean up.  For the fourth time in the last week.

When I went to get cleaning stuff in the laundry room, a huge black bug chased after me.  I jumped over it to reach a shoe to smash it with, but it disappeared.

Then I was too awake to go back to sleep.  So I think about how my brother and sister's families and my parents are all getting together this weekend and next week in Washington and how I am SO SAD our family can't be there.


Peter's poor behavior, with a little testy Reuben mixed in, a funeral, a moving in together announcement, another family's adoption celebration, pee on the floor, big black bug, awake with stress, missing my far away family.  Oh, and it was storming last night while Paul was away at the bar.

It's not so bad when I simplify it like that.  Many people have it much worse.

So what do I do about today and the two boys who need me to love them?

I pray and pray and seek God's abundant love.


I am so sad God.

Help me to love Peter how he needs to receive it.  Perhaps public school is the way to go.

Josh knows You.  I pray that he would seek You before he moves in with Kristy.

How fabulous for our friends and the special child soon to join them.

It's just pee.  It's just a bug.  It's just thunder and rain.

And I'll see my family again, right?  How great that they get to have this special time together.

God, forgive my bitterness.  May I honor You today.

Why My Kitchen Looks Like This...

Because we've been loving summer and doing things like this...

Boating, picnicking, swimming, and fishing with friends.

The boys were fearless.

Exploring The Farm,

some family land.

Working in our garden and enjoying the harvest.

We have exponentially expanded our garden this year,

like, to the thirteenth power,

thanks to some good friends who had an extra garden plot out at their place.

That there corn that Reuben is chomping

GREW IN OUR GARDEN.

It just amazes me how plants grow from a tiny dry seed.

We haven't used any chemicals at all,

the animals have been kind and stayed away,

and we go pick about every other day and eat, eat, eat.

And I 'put up' as much as will fit in my freezer.

Mostly corn, green beans, zucchini, and blueberries.

I'm still a bit of a misfit because I don't own a canner

and therefore do not provide our family with two years

worth of produce from one summer harvest.

But maybe some day.

Anyway, the gist of this post is a reminder to me that I did not resign from my job that I loved as a public school teacher to clean my house.  I left the 'real world' to spend time with my kids.  To love them, and train them, and invest in them, and experience life with them.  To create memories with them.  Like these.

Another spin on this is the Mary/Martha issue.  In Luke 10, Jesus visits Mary and Martha and Mary stops what she's doing to spend time with Jesus.  Meanwhile, Martha worked and prepared to serve Him.  I see nothing wrong with that, which is my flaw.  Martha and I agree that someone has to clean and cook and be hostess to guests.  But Jesus said Mary had chosen what is better.  I tend to be more task focused, like Martha.  So I'm trying to let go of that tendency and focus more on people and relationships.  Such as leaving my kitchen to be a potential embarrassment if someone drops by (which they do) so that I can spend time with important people (my family).

(When Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things..."  My brain always adds another 'Martha' in there and it takes me back to the Brady Bunch.)

Happy Summer

Last Night Ago

"Last Night Ago" is how Reuben refers to anything that has happened in the past.  It all happened Last Night Ago.

Well, last night ago, I got to be a part of some small town drama.  In the middle of the night.

Paul goes to the bar every Wednesday night.  Kind of like a doctor making house calls.  He goes and is warmly welcomed with an iced tea and lots of folks who pull him aside to talk to him.  He goes in about 8 o'clock and comes home between 2 and 6 o'clock in the morning, depending on how in-demand his counseling services are that night.

This week, he came home about 11 o'clock and asked me,  "Want to do some work?"

I was already in my pjs, contacts removed, hair down, teeth brushed, and on my way to sleepdom.  Do I want to work?

It seems that the bar owner's girlfriend, Tammy, texted him and said she needed to talk.  Tammy likes a lot of drama and likes to make bad choices, and mixed together with alcohol, this makes a mess.  I don't know all the details, but Paul thought I should go talk to her.  Based on what I know of her, I imagined my responses to her would be a lot of things that would offend her, but Paul thought I was the one to go.  "She can't be offended," he said.  Okay, then I hope she's ready for me.

So I roughly put myself together and drove north out of town, in search of her house that I've never been to.  It's dark in the country and there are wild animals and folks with guns.  But I stop at the house that I think is hers and knock.  Twice.  And call her name.  And I then remember it's close to midnight and what if this isn't her house and I wake up one of the aforementioned gun owners.  I retreated.

Back at home, Paul calls the bar owner (Tom) to verify that I was at the correct house.  Yes I was.  So I head back to see if her truck is there.  It's not.  I go back home.  Paul calls her and gets her voice mail.  I'm about done with this game.  Paul drives to her house and finds the truck parked in the back, so she must be there.  I go back out and knock more confidently.

She comes out of the house, doesn't acknowledge me except to say that she's going to Tom's house to get something.  I ask her if she wants to talk.  She rushes on into the darkness.  So I just stand there in the summer night and listen to her bang around like a cat looking for food in metal garbage cans.  Is she looking for her shotgun?  Am I going to die right here on this piece of grass with her cat rubbing against me?  What is she doing?  I don't know, but she eventually gets in the truck and leaves.  And I think, "Oh great, a woman under the influence just got in her car and is driving toward town."

So, I did the same.  In a more sober-like manner.  And I went to my house, not Tom's.

Upon returning home for the third time, I told Paul I was done.  Thanks for the opportunity, but I'm not going to chase a drunk, emotional woman whom I barely know and press her to confide in me.

Some time later she called our house and cried and lied and dispaired and Paul soothed her enough that she hung up.  I still have no idea what was wrong, but I can imagine.

Paul went back to the bar where Tom received a text from Tammy stating that both he and Paul are cowards to send me out to do their dirty work.

What does that make me?  Her friend?  A hero?  A stupid person?  I don't know.  But she called me this afternoon asking if I could call some people to get her a stack of newspapers.  I helped her out.

The 4-H Fair

We did it.  We completed three 4-H projects with the boys, got them submitted on the proper day at the proper time, and successfully located them at the Fair.

Peter did a project for the category called

Reading For Fun.

He chose a Star Wars book to make a poster about.

He and Reuben dressed up as Anakin and Darth Vader,

who I've heard are actually the same person,

and light-sabered away in the back yard

while I photographed the fun.

He earned himself a lovely Participation Ribbon,

as all Mini 4-Hers do.

 His other passion these days,

and probably for many more,

is Legos.

So he entered a project in the

Models category.

He made an original model of a helicopter and a car.

Here's a better view.

Now to Reuben's project.

The painted rock.

It's on the shelf there in the background.

Yes, he painted a rock last year too.

But this year we stepped it up a notch and mixed paint to create green.

And then we did this special technique called

Leave It Outside To Dry And Forget About It
When the Rain Comes And Washes A Good Amount Of

The Water-Based Paint Away.

It earned him a Participation Ribbon.

We're very proud.

Some friends of ours are showing their goats and pigs at the fair this year.

Pete and Rube got in and played and 'helped' a bit.

Then one of the moms said,

"Hey, Peter will be old enough to show animals next year.

You'd be welcome to keep a pig out at our place!"

I wasn't expecting that at all.

Don't tell the boys.

I don't think I'm ready to go that country yet.

Another fun summer activity for us has been earning

McDonald's ice cream coupons at our library.

Thanks for the free ice cream all summer,

but I hope not to see you for a long time.

I'm really done with McDonald's.

There it is.  A big part of our summer done.  4-H and the Library Summer Reading Program.  School supplies are now on sale and the leaves should be turning red any day.  And my fall depression can start.  Not to worry.  It's just a few days of sad, sad realization that the summer heat and whimsicality are gone and winter's chill is soon upon us.  But we've still got a while.  I hope.

Our Local Family

I went to my very first Spenard Family Reunion this weekend.

("Spenard" is secret code for our family's name - trying to throw off any psycho stalkers.  Pretty tricky, I know.)

Rube's posing with his Great Aunt,

who recently climbed Half Dome.

We did a whole group photo in front of this sign.

Can you read it?

Spenard Park

Named after Paul's Great Grandfather:

John S. Spenard.

If I understood properly,
he was mayor of this town we were in.

I think that's so neat.

Did you notice the name tags?

We don't get together very often.

And it was quite extended into the far reaches of the family.

Okay, let me just tell you that this one guy,

I don't know who he was,

but he was hanging out in our shelter house

so I'm assuming we're related,

felt comfortable enough with our family connection to give me Hard Time.

Let's pause to ask Paul a question here.

Do I like people giving me a hard time?

"No."

So this unknown relative of mine walks by and says to me,

"Where did you get those white legs?"

What?

Picture me dumbfoundingly moving my head at a tilt
from side to side

trying to figure out what he expects me to respond with.

He coolly walked on, not giving me a chance to explain how rare a set of legs such as mine are.

I bet he couldn't get his legs as white as mine.

Anyone can tan, but can you whiten?

Let's just pretend he was only walking through the shelter on his way to the Catholic Festival rocking across the street.

Paul's dad, John M. Spenard,

gave us a geneological background talk.

I enjoy my conversations with Paul's dad.

He has a lot of information to share.

And he draws pictures when he talks.

Perfect for my visual learning style.

Here we have eight cousins climbing together.

Several more younger ones were hanging out
toward the bottom.

Benen, Aidan, Dane, and Peter
with Samuel working his way up.

It was a fun day.  The kids had a great time playing together.  And I enjoyed meeting and chatting with more of Paul's family.

In a few weeks we're headed to the St. Louis area for a reunion of Paul's mom's family.  You could test me on all their names and I'd do pretty well.  Except don't.  It's summer and my brain doesn't need to work that hard.

Winnie

Many are surprised to learn that we have a cat.  She is an extreme introvert, preferring Paul's pillow to any other place.

And she's old.  So old that when the cat food is getting low I wonder if I'll need to buy another bag or if she'll sojourn to Kitty Paradise before then.  She's pretty content here, it seems.

Since it's super hot summertime now, she is shedding galore.  And I'd rather not have all that hair on my bed.  So I made a nice little spot for her on the top of the couch, her second favorite place to snooze.  See?

She's supposed to get comfy on the white towel.

That's the side she always lays on.

This is a perfect illustration of parenting.

Whatever I want the kids to do, they want the opposite.

Even if it's their favorite.

But it's pretty much impossible to discipline a cat.

So I'll vacuum when she moves.

And buy another bag of Meow Mix.

One More

Guess what?  We have one more video from our trip to Chicago.

"Really?"  I asked Paul.

Apparently so...

So, I couldn't hear most of that dialogue.  The first scene is our car coming up from the depths of valet parking.  We parked it at the condo for the three days we were there and just traveled by foot and train around the city.

Next, it shows us sadly leaving the big city, but fortunately headed the right way, according to the traffic.

Finally, a repeat stop at the dairy for the mega ice cream sundae.

Did I mention it was a superbly wonderful trip with my man?  It was.

I'm tempted to take the boys on a day trip to the Dunes next Wednesday so we can witness the sand sculpture contest and play a bit ourselves.  We may even camp overnight if it's not raining.  The temperature is supposed to be in the 90s with lows in the 70s - perfect for camping.  I don't like to be cold.

Don't be fooled by those smiles.

We were really miserable.

Chicago, We Think You're Great

Okay, back to that one time when Paul and I went to Chicago...

Mat Kearney was the catalyst for this trip.  He was scheduled to play at the Taste of Chicago - a two week food festival with concerts and such.  So we went.  We saw him there four years ago when he was an opening act.  This time he was the main guy.  Pretty neat for him.  And for us, that he's still playing shows and ventures to cities near us.  When he's not in town, Paul plays a very authentic cover of a lot of his songs.

Sadly, the battery on the camera drained and I didn't get any concert footage, which works out since there were giant signs telling us not to record.  So, nice that that temptation was eliminated.

I don't remember what's on this part of the video.  Let's see...

Oh yes.  The lovely Turkish restaurant.  Our waiter was actually Turkish and we had a great time talking with him.

And walking through Wrigleyville just before gametime was fun.  Except we kept having to say, "No, we don't want to buy your tickets."  "Nor do I care to purchase your bagged peanuts or umbrella hat."

And then that last part with the fountain and chocolate banana egg roll were at the Taste festival.

I think I left the door open on the toaster oven in the condo we stayed at.  And Paul thinks we really should go back and close it... for a few days.

Sweet Pete

Sometimes kids can be so frustrating.  And sometimes, they can surprise you by being so loving and thoughtful.  (I'm already of the verge of tears in anticipation of what I'm about to tell you.)

Peter told Paul yesterday that he wanted a summer job to earn some money.  He liked the income his winter snow removal business brought him.  Paul mentioned this to a friend of ours who has a large garden, thinking maybe he'd like to hire Peter to do some weeding or veggie picking.  Our friend, one of the many Steve's, said Peter could come pick all the blueberries he wants and sell them.

So this morning I was awakened by two peppy boys ready to go pick some blueberries.  It was 6:30am.  So we all got up.  Paul took the boys picking.  I took advantage of the cool, quiet morning and did some baking.

I made apple walnut muffins, zucchini bread, and blueberry scones - using up the excess apples, zucchinis, and blueberries I needed to do something with.  They'll go in the freezer and be healthy quick snacks.  I looked at the clock when I was done and it was only 8:30am.  I couldn't believe it.

The boys came home and got to work sorting and packaging the berries.

This is just a sampling of all they picked.

Reuben got to work shucking corn.

He loves corn.

Muscles

Putting the husks into the fire pit.

Then, this evening some ladies from church said they wanted to buy Peter's berries.  So he went over there with all his berries and came home with a pocketful of money.

THEN HE GAVE ME ALL THE MONEY.  He said it was for our adoption.  He didn't keep any of it.  He told me it costs a lot of money to do an adoption and he wants to earn more and more money to help us pay for it.  What a surprising, sweet kid.  Where did this generous gesture come from?

See?  Makes you a little teary.

It's Coming

I'm waiting for my video editor (Paul) to deliver the next Chicago video to my desktop.  In the meantime, we've been living the summer life and haven't been able to post.  Like now, we're headed to The City to the Art Museum's new 100 acre park/art installment.

This last week the boys and I have gone swimming in friends' pools, hiking at state parks, a couple cook-outs, a picnic, a movie at the theater, reading, biking, veggie picking in our garden...

And I can't edit or continue because we are out the door.  Pardon my mismatching verbage up there.

Lame

Lame is how I'm feeling.

1.  Some ladies and I drove an hour west this afternoon to a camp that kids from our church go to.  We went to volunteer in the kitchen during dinner.  Got there and the lady who scheduled us apologized and said they didn't need us tonight.  No campers.  Oh.  Drove an hour back home.  Lame.

2.  Paul and I then drove an hour east into The City for an alumni reception our California college was hosting at the North American Christian Convention.  Got a babysitter, drove to the city, found the Hyatt, found the Discovery Room... empty.  It was last night.  Lame.

3.  Yesterday.  The secretary of our church asked Paul if he loved me.  Because, "People around town are talking about how you two don't show affection."  Lame.  Really lame.  I want to move far far away and hide in a big city lame.

4.  Oh, there was one more, but I can't remember it now.  Number three is still ricocheting through my body, boinging off every bone and making me sad and mad.

Lame.

The Beach!

The Dunes State Park (on southern Lake Michigan) has been calling to me for many moons.  Paul brilliantly suggested we stop in on our way to Chicago.  It was a fun mix of typical beachiness, but also had hiking trails on wooded dunes.  It was great.  I'll show you...

I await a return visit with boys in tow.  I think they'll love it too.  It's the closest thing to a California beach out here in the midwest, that I know of.  Is a six-hour round trip worth it to roll in the sand and be chased by waves?  It may be.

Tomorrow I'll post actual happenings in Chicago.

Chicago, We Love You

Last week on Tuesday, Paul and I took a little trippy trip to Chicago.  Just the two of us.  The memories are so soothing.

We really enjoy being in and exploring cities.  We've had some neat opportunities to wander through some Asian, Central American, and European cities in times past...

 Seoul

Winter of  '07

 Belize City

Summer of '08

 Istanbul

Spring of '09

On our latest little domestic trip to Chicagotown, we toted along a cute video camera and have some clipage to show you.

Here's the drive up with a stop at Fair Oaks Farm, a gigantor dairy farm where we observed cheese-making and then ate some for lunch.  We drove a bit more to The Dunes, but that footage will be available tomorrow.  This clip continues on into Chicago with the Paying of the Tolls (Illinois toll roads), driving through the city (felt good to be in traffic), and the view from the condo we stayed at.  Let's see if it works...

Kitchen Science

What do you do when a gallon of organic milk is on sale for half price and expires in a few days?

Buy it and make yogurt and pudding!

I've been wanting to attempt yogurt-making in the crock pot and this was my opportune moment.

It was super easy and gave me a sincere thrill when I lifted the crock pot lid in the morning and it was thick yogurt!  It worked.  I just grew bacteria, and it was exciting.  And tasty.  And an extra bonus:  it didn't make me sick.

It's delicious with honey, blueberries, and toasted walnuts.

Or stir in some all-fruit jelly.

Or blend it with frozen fruit.

Or drain it with a coffee filter in a colander to make it Greek-style.

This morning I squeezed in half a lime, hoping to copy Yoplait's Key Lime Pie flavor.

I'm guessing I only put a fraction of sweetener in compared to Yoplait.

So it wasn't fantastic.

But if you're a Superfoods fan,

this is a quadruple dose of goodness.

Berries, yogurt, citrus, nuts.

No wonder I feel so good.

(Honey is one too, but I don't know what to call a group of five things.  I went to do a search to find the correct term, but I can't think of how to word it.  Maybe you know?) 

So there you go,

your boost to go ahead and try it now.

Someone you know (me) has checked it out and proved it legit.

Town Parade

Thousands of American small towns are parading about this Independence Day.  It's another reason to get the community together and have a good time.

We got together.  We had a good time.

Waiting since 8 am for the 11 o'clock parade.

Well, not so much for the parade,

but the candy that will be tossed to him from the paraders.

But then the parade started and it freaked him out.

The firetrucks led the way,

blaring their horns

and Reuben clung to my legs in fright.

Here's Peter parading with the local 4-H club.

He's right above the 4-H poster.

(Ok, let's take a tangent and chat about 4-H... 

It's been a long time since I have felt so clueless about something.  4-H is big out here in the country and everybody just knows how it works because they've always just done it.  

Enter Me, who knows naught about the four H's or what they stand for.

The 4-H Fair?  The fair is all about 4-H projects, not carnival games, elephant ears, and rickety rides?

Mini 4-H, ten-year 4-H, Cloverbuds?  What?

I'm trying my hardest to fit in here.  Become one with the small town culture.

So I press on, and try to word my questions to the 4-H leader so as not to cause her confusion.  

If all goes at all well, Peter will have two exhibits at the 4-H fair in the Mini 4-H level, I do believe.  One of a model made from Legos, and another project having something to do with reading.  I still am unclear.  But I'll probably post some pics of them on display.  Which reminds me that I think Reuben is a Cloverbud 4-Her and is supposed to have some kind of project to display at the fair.  In a week and a half.)

Once the fire engines turned the corner it became much quieter and Reuben was able to regain his focus...

Gathering candy off the street and sidewalk before the ants attacked it.

Thank you soldiers of yesteryear, for fighting for our independence from England.

I just wish tea and crumpets had saturated into our culture.

And that fun British accent.