The Lens of a Five-Year-Old

Too often I don't take the time to see the world through my children's eyes, to listen to them explain their stories and put myself in their shoes.  I've been making a sincere effort lately to do that.  It might have something to do with realizing (sucker punch) that my children are growing up whether I like the notion or not, and wanting to savor some of the ridiculously mundane moments that are all-too-quickly passing.

In a moment of generosity, I gave my camera to Nickles to take some pictures of the moon.  He quickly began taking pictures of whatever he wanted.  The result was that we got to see the items he found interesting.  One of these days I'm going to give the camera to one of the littles while we're hiking.   That should make for some interesting, and probably hilarious, viewing down the road!

I should probably teach him how to hold the camera still so the pics are a little less blurry~

Why I Can't Seem to Accomplish Anything

A friend called the other day as I was walking into the laundry room and discovering another disaster. I can't recall exactly what it was, but I do remember our conversation.
As I walked in the room, "I sometimes feel like, like.........."   but I couldn't really articulate what I felt like.
She finished the sentence for me, ".....like you're losing?"

And that's exactly it.  I often feel like I'm losing.  Like no matter what I do and how quickly it is done simply does not matter.  There will always be one more mess.  One more homework project.  One more bill to pay.  One more errand to run.

Shannon's latest favorite quote is ~
"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible and soon you will be doing the impossible."  St Francis of Assisi

I'm banking on that, because right now most days I'm barely skating by with the necessary!

Cheerios for dinner anyone??

At least he is trying to clean up his mess ~

He likes to clean the sink, but typically floods the area ~

The benefit is that the floor gets clean.

Bliss ~~~

A Little Bit of September

While I was anxious for a fall routine and to begin school, I really wasn't prepared.  I procrastinated on ordering curriculum and didn't make up my typical lists.  We began with math since we always have those books.  Then, when the rest of our books arrived we gradually added the remaining subjects.  It actually worked well, but next year I'd like to get a couple week jump start....but still begin slowly.

We did enjoy a few field trips. Shannon headed to hunting camp and we headed for.....well, wherever we felt like.  A neighbor has been teaching the kiddos a bit about geology, so our trips were geologically oriented.  First, we went to Ringing Rocks.  The kiddos loved climbing all over this huge pile of boulders, banging on them with hammers to induce many different church-bell-type sounds.
Hammers, climbing, rocks.
Does life get any better?

Eric workin' that tongue as he strikes the rocks.

Why is there always one?

Next, we went to Lewis & Clark Caverns. Most of the kiddos had never been there.  It was a dreary, rainy day; what better way to spend it than underground.  Unfortunately, I had overlooked the long walk to get to the entrance of the cave and it was pouring rain.  By the time we arrived at the top of the hill, we were drenched.  And when we finished the tour the coffee shop was closed, so no hot cocoa to warm up.  Nickles thought the entire tour was totally awesome, especially since he never had to duck.  He fit right through all the tight spots.  

The last trip of the week was to a crystal mine.  We weren't entirely sure where we were going and by the time we finally found the mines we only had about 15 minutes to search before we had to head out.  This has only whetted the boys' desire to return and really get digging, which we are planning on doing in the next day or so.

There's some discussion going on here which I was not privy to ~

Max even loved digging in the dirt ~

Yesterday our geologist friend taught the boys how to pan for gold.  I'm not sure there is anything more distracting from school work than a bucket of dirt and a gold pan....and a preoccupied mother.  Unless Eric found a few hundred dollars' worth this morning, he's in trouble!  There's nothing I love more than catching up schoolwork in the evening.  I guess I could look at it as science.
Yes.  That's what I'll do.  He can write a report on his experiments.

Pickle making  ~

Annika's annual tradition.

Does Max look like he's planning something?

Texting his peeps ~

Decorating a cake for Mary's birthday

Annika had help, but wasn't all that interested in sharing the credit ~

The best practical joke ever!

A friend loves one of Carroll College's biggest rival schools.

So what better way to surprise him than decorating his vehicle with Saints colors?

A new fishing hole ~~

It is absolutely beautiful, tucked behind willows and next to a railroad bridge.  If the kiddos are prepared,. they can get the engineer to honk on his way by.  

   

Happy Birthday Joshie ~ Now you are 12!

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday, dear Joshie!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Twelve years old!  I remember the day you arrived on the scene like it was yesterday. The whole labor was text book.  Daddy and Dr. Batey were talking football and sons while I laid in bed listening to them.  They chatted about whether you'd have huge hands like your brother or long arms.  Would you be able to run fast or would you be solid as a rock.  It was the most peaceful delivery ever. 

You still are fascinated with how things work.  Whenever you have an opportunity, you are taking something apart or researching how something works.  You are growing into a thoughtful young man; you constantly try and help your younger brothers even when they don't really think they need any help!  You would prefer to build something rather than finish your English most days, but you still persevere.  

I love you, Joshie!

Love,

Mom  

Building a seat with Kolby from lumber scraps in the junk pile.

You love to swim and would snorkel all day given the opportunity.  

Happy Birthday ~~ Now you are 12!

Archery Camp and Ousel Falls

Long-ago, in the month of August, Katherine and Eric attended an archery camp near Big Sky. They won the camp earlier in the spring, and Shannon thought it would be a fun opportunity for them, as well as educational.  I was a bit reticent.  I didn't know anything about the organization or the people that were facilitating the camp, but since the kids were going together, I reluctantly agreed.  

They borrowed a small tent from Grandpa, packed their backpacks and we drove them down to the hills below the ski hill.  The scenery was amazing and as they pitched their tent among the other campers I knew they were going to have a fantastic time.  I was a bit concerned that Eric would have to cuddle up with Katherine at night due to the fact that he had decided that he didn't need warm clothing.

Their four days at camp sped by, and although they froze one day they enjoyed getting to know other future archers from around the country.  Some had even traveled from Connecticut to spend a weekend in the wild.  They had packed their recently acquired Catholic sweatshirts and were able to evangelize a bit, which was their intention upon including them on their clothing list.  They are much braver than I often am!  

Eric won 1st place in his archery division, which I attribute to his new glasses.  Katherine was selected as a future camp counselor due to her organization and leadership skills.  We picked them up Sunday afternoon exhausted but happy and ready to return next year.  Of course, they would like a few friends to accompany them next year!  

    

Big Sky country at its finest ~

Ready for camp to begin ~

We walked into Ousel Falls on our way home.  

Typically when we are searching for waterfalls they are a bit more remote and there isn't a marked trail head.  We ended up driving past the parking lot a couple times before we realized this was a simple waterfall to locate.  While the falls were beautiful, there were so many people that it wasn't quite as much fun as usual....people frown on several kiddos swimming and wading around when they are there for the scenery!

  

I'm not sure that Eric and Kathering have been so glad to see sunshine as they were on Sunday.

The day prior it had rained, keeping them huddled around fires when they weren't our shooting their bows on the archery range.

  

First place among the intermediate archers ~ and a $50 gift certificate.

Completely tuckered out ~

You can thank me for this picture in 20 years, Eric.

Off to University of Mary

Last weekend was an exciting, yet pretty emotional time.  We spent the week preparing to take Michaela back to Bismarck for college.  Shannon, Michaela, Max, Katherine and I left Friday afternoon with a pickup loaded with M's worldly possessions.    

She worked her tail off this summer taking classes as well as working so that she wouldn't lose a year as a transfer student.  Following her final exam she said she'd NEVER take a summer course again. Within 48 hours, the misery must have subsided because she was plotting how she could become an EMT next summer.
And have a job.
And go rafting more.
And babysit a family or two.
Dear me.

As we drove east, the tears and an enormous lump in our my throat grew by the mile.  Saturday was blustery and rainy as we moved Michaela into her dorm, which kinda matched my not-so-happy attitude.

Michaela's sweet friend, Marie, stopped by to say goodbye and help load the truck.

These girlies will miss each other, but I pray will remain friends.  

Ready to roll....now we just have to wait for Dad to take care of some last minute business.  

Nothing like prolonging the anxiety!

Finally!  

A dorm room to call my own!

Sisters~

Soon Kath may be joining Michaela.

Whiule trying to decide whether to accompany us or not, 

Kath asked, "Do you think it will be harder to say goodbye at home or if I go along?"

Tear....

Windy city, Bismarck is.

We told Michaela to go fly a kite.

Even though it was difficult to begin the next phase of this "raising children journey," it was awesome....kind of a hurts so good kinda thing.  (yes, I just totally dated myself)
Monsignor Shea, the president of the college, left our hearts completely at peace as he delivered his homily at Sunday Mass.  But it's been even better since then as Michaela finds her niche, her groove, and settles in.  Her voice is happy again.  She's loving her professors.  She's growing in ways that I'm not sure she would have had she remained at Carroll.  We'll see what the future holds, there are going to be tough times and difficult classes, but this day, this moment, is good!       

Last Days of Summer

It always seems like our summers end in a flurry.  Suddenly, I can feel fall in the air and want to cram as much as possible into any given day.  We hardly did anything exciting this summer, but with Michaela leaving this year, we had to fit in a couple extra things before she left.  

There's always days at Grandma' pond

and this kid is catching up to Joshie as a professional animal catcher.  

Max loves the water.

Actually, he loves throwing stuff in the water.

Hanging out and drying off ~

"Hmmmm, I'd really like to get in on the action......"

Steven dropped by to take the girls for a ride in his car,

but it broke down before they could leave the driveway.

This was after I lectured him about driving too fast with my girls.

I guess I shouldn't have been so worried.

Brothers ~

A born teacher, Katherine is.

Michaela loved A & P, especially the dissections, so she 

had a little class on dissecting a brain, heart and eyeball.

Gag a little bit.

Kolby and Joshie visited our burn pile only to find treasures that Shannon had discarded, 

but they transformed into a chair.

Two little turkeys ~

I still can't figure out what this was about ~

They were super-excited about making ice cream, 

until they realized it took longer than 3.5 minutes.

Their enthusiasm petered out quickly.

While heading out for a hike, Kath kept warning us that we should have brought bear spray.

I reassured her we wouldn't even see a bear.

I was wrong.

I will never live that one down.

Hiking to Lodgepole Creek Falls

We should have brought rappelling equipment.

The girls!