A year ago I signed up to take my Unit 1 girls to the WHO shelter... an overflow for homeless people... Unfortunately there was a scheduling conflict and someone booked themselves over top of our shift... and it was the last week of the WHO year. We didn't get to go.
So I talked with our fearless WHO leader and said "next year I want that shift for my girls... PLEASE" so she put me on the schedule for this past January 29 for 6-10pm.
5 of my 10 girls showed up and one of the girls dads came as well.
What a blessing. We were able to volunteer in many areas. We provided a light meal, drinks, etc. for them to eat upon arrival. We prepared food for lunches, handed out shower supplies, layed out bedding and chairs... Sam & Joella helped the case workers sign in the people after they had taken a breathalizer test... giving them bed numbers for the night.
Personally... it feels so good to help others. It is such a wonderful thing to be able to be reminded of all the blessings we have and to be able to share those blessings with others. I met some neat people that night... people you would not think would not have a place to stay... families with kids, married couples, people who have lost their jobs.... could be any one of us.
Anyway, don't have any photos to share here... but I do have a link for you... it is a link that will connect you to many volunteer opportunities that you can do, even with your family, all you need to do is type in your zip code and opportunities in your area will be listed. Click here Did I mention that Disneyland is giving away one free day pass to a park for your 4 hours of volunteering... I didn't find that out till later... but it is extra incentive if you are needing a good kick... :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
sick day
at 3 am my sweet Emma came crying to my room
"my tummy hurts, real bad mom"
"do you think you are going to throw up?"
"maybe"
"well go lay down and I will leave my door cracked open so that I can hear you if you do get sick, I am sorry honey that you are feeling bad" (I am SO tired... not functioning clearly)
I soon hear noises that are not very comforting... I jump out of my warm and cozy bed and race to her bathroom... where I find her tossing dinner into the toilet...
"Oh babe I am so sorry that you are having to go through this" as I get a washcloth and rinse it in hot water to wipe her face... she is shaking.
Over the next 3 hours we repeat this process many times... then the diarrhea starts... my girl is super sick, not feeling well at all and my heart breaks for her.
"Maybe you should get in the shower and you might feel a little better"
"okay"
"mom, can I go to school today?"
"um, no sorry hon you can't"
It is at this point that I realize what this means for me and my day...
Today was the day that Josh was to meet with the Cardiologist for the first time.. I was going with him. Obviously that will not happen now. My heart starts to break. I really want to go with him. This whole situation has shaken me more than I care to admit and I want to hear with my own ears what the Dr. has to say... I want to SEE the Dr. and make sure he is good enough for my man... now I will not only not see him... I will get the info second hand from Josh, who sometimes omits things...not on purpose, just because he forgets.
But do I ever LOVE him... and I sure hope that he is okay today.
As far as Emma... Jack is watching "my emma" carefully and helping me to take care of her. I hope she feels better soon... and I hope that whatever she has doesn't run through the rest of the family...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Mt. Hood "take two"
So last week we enjoyed a white out at Mt. Hood... but rumor had it that this week it was going to be nice weather...
But since I learned such a valuable lesson last week...
I brought some goggles...
AND a hot pink neck warmer... (you KNOW you are jealous!)
and geared myself up for another day at the mountain.
Did I mention it would be for my 3rd day of skiing in 20 years?
The weatherman did not disappoint... the weather was fab.
How do you like that neck warmer & those bright goggles? :)
You KNOW you want some!
It was such a beautiful day I wanted to ski something that I had never skied before...
We decided to brave the Cascade Express... all the way up.
Did I mention that I get just a little nervous trying things for the first time... especially if it means being high up?
When we got to the top my knees were feeling a little weak & Sam & Brooke were not too happy. Sam didn't even want to get in the photo because she was scared... big time.
Finally she gets to where the girls are and they graciously posed for a photo.
The view from up top was incredible... you could see many mountain peaks in the distance and there was a low cloud line in the valleys which gave you this really cool feeling of being above the world.
It was a fabulous day and I feel so thankful to have this opportunity to spend the day with my daughter and all of her girlfriends.... makes you feel young hanging with jr. high kids all day!
On a side note... one of our 8th grade boys broke his arm... :(
and the girls instructor broke his collar bone... both on their first run...
I hope that never happens to me...
I did almost biff it big time and I am feeling sore today, but thankfully nothing major!
But since I learned such a valuable lesson last week...
I brought some goggles...
AND a hot pink neck warmer... (you KNOW you are jealous!)
and geared myself up for another day at the mountain.
Did I mention it would be for my 3rd day of skiing in 20 years?
The weatherman did not disappoint... the weather was fab.
How do you like that neck warmer & those bright goggles? :)
You KNOW you want some!
It was such a beautiful day I wanted to ski something that I had never skied before...
We decided to brave the Cascade Express... all the way up.
Did I mention that I get just a little nervous trying things for the first time... especially if it means being high up?
When we got to the top my knees were feeling a little weak & Sam & Brooke were not too happy. Sam didn't even want to get in the photo because she was scared... big time.
Finally she gets to where the girls are and they graciously posed for a photo.
The view from up top was incredible... you could see many mountain peaks in the distance and there was a low cloud line in the valleys which gave you this really cool feeling of being above the world.
It was a fabulous day and I feel so thankful to have this opportunity to spend the day with my daughter and all of her girlfriends.... makes you feel young hanging with jr. high kids all day!
On a side note... one of our 8th grade boys broke his arm... :(
and the girls instructor broke his collar bone... both on their first run...
I hope that never happens to me...
I did almost biff it big time and I am feeling sore today, but thankfully nothing major!
Monday, January 25, 2010
WHite Out
Last Wednesday I headed up to Mt. Hood Meadows with our school...
Didn't think to check the weather forecast...
It is only the 2nd time in 20 years that I have skied
(you get the picture, ancient mother of 12 year old & her friends trying to keep up...)
Did I mention that it starting this rainy snowy mixture and that it was really windy....
Or maybe that I broke my sunglasses on the way up...
and that I did NOT have goggles? In a White Out?
Now that we have cleared that up... I could barely see to find my way down the mountain... At one point the girls all stopped to wait for me and said "Mrs. Mac, your mascara has run down your face (picture my beet red face with black lines down to my cheek bones... it's not pretty!) so then they are trying to help me as I can barely peel my eyelashes apart.
We finally get back to the lodge...
I walk in the door and the questions begin...
"what happened to you?" "uh, I don't have goggles... or a face mask... or a helmet..."
(it is apparent that EVERYONE is more prepared than me...)
the girls giggle
(I do not find this as funny as they do... as my face is feeling really weird by this point...)
Thankfully a friend took some pity on me and loaned me some goggles for the rest of the afternoon... and I could totally see... lesson learned.
Didn't think to check the weather forecast...
It is only the 2nd time in 20 years that I have skied
(you get the picture, ancient mother of 12 year old & her friends trying to keep up...)
Did I mention that it starting this rainy snowy mixture and that it was really windy....
Or maybe that I broke my sunglasses on the way up...
and that I did NOT have goggles? In a White Out?
Now that we have cleared that up... I could barely see to find my way down the mountain... At one point the girls all stopped to wait for me and said "Mrs. Mac, your mascara has run down your face (picture my beet red face with black lines down to my cheek bones... it's not pretty!) so then they are trying to help me as I can barely peel my eyelashes apart.
We finally get back to the lodge...
I walk in the door and the questions begin...
"what happened to you?" "uh, I don't have goggles... or a face mask... or a helmet..."
(it is apparent that EVERYONE is more prepared than me...)
the girls giggle
(I do not find this as funny as they do... as my face is feeling really weird by this point...)
Thankfully a friend took some pity on me and loaned me some goggles for the rest of the afternoon... and I could totally see... lesson learned.
my {favorite} night of the month...
I don't know about you... but I {love} books, food, coffee, & good friends.
One evening a month I get to go to a friends home... hang out, eat delicious mouthwatering food, drink coffee, talk about books & life, and walk home with a new book to read.
Here are some pictures from last Tuesday evening when we relaxed in the home of Judy Thompson.... it felt like a went out to a great restaurant with good friends...
Judy, the hostess for the evening...
Tanna who revealed... you guessed it "Three Cups of Tea"
Relaxing while we discuss the book...
We passed on Potato Peel Pie... and had scalloped potatoes instead!
Oh yeah... totally yummy dessert & fresh coffee!
Sharing our favorite quotes from the book... too fun!
The table was set with name cards that had the characters on them so we were able to pick our favorite!
One evening a month I get to go to a friends home... hang out, eat delicious mouthwatering food, drink coffee, talk about books & life, and walk home with a new book to read.
Here are some pictures from last Tuesday evening when we relaxed in the home of Judy Thompson.... it felt like a went out to a great restaurant with good friends...
Judy, the hostess for the evening...
Tanna who revealed... you guessed it "Three Cups of Tea"
Relaxing while we discuss the book...
We passed on Potato Peel Pie... and had scalloped potatoes instead!
Oh yeah... totally yummy dessert & fresh coffee!
Sharing our favorite quotes from the book... too fun!
The table was set with name cards that had the characters on them so we were able to pick our favorite!
My "not so baby" girl
This is Samantha... She just turned 12... I am in shock.
Here... she seems too big and it scares me..
This is Sam at Christmas in California... she is growing up...
She reminds me of myself sometimes. On this trip she totally did... reading books, playing with the cousins, doing puzzles, relaxing by the pool, and playing cards.
Part of me wants her to stay little... part of me loves that she is growing into such a beautiful young woman...
Here she seems like how I remember her when she was first a big sister... at 2 years old. Life was so simple and innocent. Things are different now, wonderful, but different. She makes my life easier & fun, She is helpful and loving... but it scares me, really scares me to think that in 6 years she will be heading off to college. I am not ready. I want "the year of 12" to last for a long time... and I want to enjoy every "tweenage" moment.
I love you Samantha! Happy Birthday to my firstborn!
Here... she seems too big and it scares me..
This is Sam at Christmas in California... she is growing up...
She reminds me of myself sometimes. On this trip she totally did... reading books, playing with the cousins, doing puzzles, relaxing by the pool, and playing cards.
Part of me wants her to stay little... part of me loves that she is growing into such a beautiful young woman...
Here she seems like how I remember her when she was first a big sister... at 2 years old. Life was so simple and innocent. Things are different now, wonderful, but different. She makes my life easier & fun, She is helpful and loving... but it scares me, really scares me to think that in 6 years she will be heading off to college. I am not ready. I want "the year of 12" to last for a long time... and I want to enjoy every "tweenage" moment.
I love you Samantha! Happy Birthday to my firstborn!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Every moment matters...
So one month ago I was lounging around the pool with my very handsome hubby... and my 5 precious and beautiful kids. Life was good.
12 days ago I woke up to a husband who didn't look right & couldn't speak. After spending a couple days in the hospital we came home with this diagnosis: "TIA (mild stroke) & an opening between the right and left ventricle in the heart" For now we wait until Friday when he meets with a top Cardiologist in Portland...
Life is still good, in fact better.
For we realize even more now that life is short and you can't take it for granted. We don't know when something could happen to one that we love that could change our life in an instant.
For the last 12 days I have been holding on tight to the ones I love and telling them how much they mean to me. I have been overwhelmed with the support and love from friends and family. Josh's school has provided meals, we have received cards, emails, phone calls and more. The kids at the school have made cards sending get well wishes and people have stepped up to help in so many ways. I feel so thankful & blessed. God has placed us in an area where we are supported and loved.
Mostly over the last 12 days I have been saying "thank you" to God for protecting Josh... "thank you" for placing Christian people in my life... No matter what the future holds I believe that God will "never leave me nor forsake me" and that He will not give me anything that He can not help me through.
12 days ago I woke up to a husband who didn't look right & couldn't speak. After spending a couple days in the hospital we came home with this diagnosis: "TIA (mild stroke) & an opening between the right and left ventricle in the heart" For now we wait until Friday when he meets with a top Cardiologist in Portland...
Life is still good, in fact better.
For we realize even more now that life is short and you can't take it for granted. We don't know when something could happen to one that we love that could change our life in an instant.
For the last 12 days I have been holding on tight to the ones I love and telling them how much they mean to me. I have been overwhelmed with the support and love from friends and family. Josh's school has provided meals, we have received cards, emails, phone calls and more. The kids at the school have made cards sending get well wishes and people have stepped up to help in so many ways. I feel so thankful & blessed. God has placed us in an area where we are supported and loved.
Mostly over the last 12 days I have been saying "thank you" to God for protecting Josh... "thank you" for placing Christian people in my life... No matter what the future holds I believe that God will "never leave me nor forsake me" and that He will not give me anything that He can not help me through.
My Baby Turned 3... 12/27/09
On December 27, 2009 my baby boy turned 3 years old...
Not sure how that happened... but it did.
I thank God every day for the blessing Jack is to me.
I think he is super cute and handsome wearing his "Joey" jersey #3!
This year he celebrated in Duck Style... since "I LOVE MY DUCKS" seems to be the theme for the year!
and of course we had to have the "Duck" cupcake cake...
He celebrated the BIG 3 with 11 girl sisters/cousins... most men would be jealous of this... poor Jack has celebrated every bday with only girls around... but they are a pretty good looking crew if I do say so myself...
I would define this as a "gaggle of girls"
My sweet little man didn't care, he was telling them how he wanted all his toys set up...
as he ripped through all the presents from the family. Of course the girls started playing with his toys and that didn't go over so well, but you know 3 is the hardest year of your life... :)
I love this video... my little man is just, well, he's adorable.
Happy Birthday Jack!
the cutest little boy ever... just a few days old...
He is growing up way too fast... but I am loving every minute. (ok I don't love the diaper thing...)
Not sure how that happened... but it did.
I thank God every day for the blessing Jack is to me.
I think he is super cute and handsome wearing his "Joey" jersey #3!
This year he celebrated in Duck Style... since "I LOVE MY DUCKS" seems to be the theme for the year!
and of course we had to have the "Duck" cupcake cake...
He celebrated the BIG 3 with 11 girl sisters/cousins... most men would be jealous of this... poor Jack has celebrated every bday with only girls around... but they are a pretty good looking crew if I do say so myself...
I would define this as a "gaggle of girls"
My sweet little man didn't care, he was telling them how he wanted all his toys set up...
as he ripped through all the presents from the family. Of course the girls started playing with his toys and that didn't go over so well, but you know 3 is the hardest year of your life... :)
I love this video... my little man is just, well, he's adorable.
Happy Birthday Jack!
the cutest little boy ever... just a few days old...
He is growing up way too fast... but I am loving every minute. (ok I don't love the diaper thing...)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
15 Years then & now.
15 years ago my hubby and I got married... 12/18/1994 at 5pm if you want to be exact...
The Oregon Ducks were headed to the Rose Bowl... we were headed to Florida to honeymoon...
My grandfather passed away 12 days later... and 2 days before he was supposed to be headed to his first Rose Bowl... he didn't make it. Neither did we...
Fast foward to 2009... 9/3 my brother's birthday and the day of a HUGE game... Boise State vs. Oregon in Boise. My brother & parents went to the game, we watched on tv... and tried to cover our eyes it was so bad... our team failed to arrive... it was dismal...
At this point in the season I thought I hope that our boys can make it to 500. I was wondering will we win even a game? The Ducks had a hard schedule and I was not so optimistic... but one by one the Ducks won game after game... and who would have thought it... won the Pac-10 title outright and the chance to play in the Rose Bowl... 15 years later...
This time we made it... along with my parents, my brother & his family, Josh's brother, and our 5 kids... and many friends & fellow Duck fans. I thought of my grandfather throughout the day.
It was fun, super fun... and my team didn't even win! The weather was perfect, our seats were outstanding, and my Ducks fought hard... oh yeah I got to witness the OSU band LIVE... and they were awesome, their team wasn't too bad either.
You hear often... "All I want for Christmas" well, all I wanted for Christmas was the chance to go to the Rose Bowl... and you know what it was a nice anniversary gift as well!
I just hope that we don't have to wait for our 30 year anniversary to go again... and secretly I hope that maybe just maybe the next time we get the chance to go that the Ducks will win... maybe?
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