Almost There

This morning Josh headed off with the 3 youngest to La Quinta.
He sent me a picture of the plane...

I guess Jack was loving it... so it had to be the Oregon one or the Disney one.

Disney.

This reminds me of how much I miss the dude when he is not around.

There are no random little corners of toys...  I almost died when I saw this cuteness.

Anyway.

Back at the ranch (aka school) I hung out with all his kiddos for a day filled with PE fun.

And then just in case the day wasn't fun enough I had our Pathfinder unit party at my house tonight...


Sometimes I worry about myself.  How much is too much and when do all the balls drop?

Thankfully tonight miss martha came over... her real name is Judy... but I like martha.

She is very creative that way and always talks to me in this calm voice that makes everything seem better.  I bet she could give me the worst news ever and it would sound calming.  Tonight she whipped up and double batch of PW dough and the kids made their own pizzas...  It was divine.  I especially liked the 2 I made for myself.


mine


martha's

the girls


food, games, presents, & friends.
I think it was a good night :)

but I still miss these guys...

(after losing a bet on the SC/OR game)

I am almost there.  Friday is just around the corner.

P.S.  If you are hurting... God loves you no matter what.
Saying some extra prayers for you tonight.

Tis the Season...

Today was crazy.

Like insanely busy.

Tis the season for Christmas programs.

Today Janet & I directed a Christmas Pageant of sorts for our church service.

There was piano, singing, acting,  hands in motion, scripture, and narrating.

And... a lot of little kids.

Last night when we had rehearsal I was convinced that it was going to be an absolute nightmare today.  The kids had the wiggles, there were music mishaps... Pretty much things were not looking good.

But as is the case with our amazing God I woke with peace that it would all work out and it did.

The program went well and a lot of kids had the opportunity to share their gifts with our church family.

Of course I had Josh video... and I wanted to have him take a few pictures, but I left the CF card at home on my desk.  Not the first time I have done that unfortunately :(  At least this time I have video!

When I walked through the doors of the church this morning one of the pastors wives stopped me and said "Rick and I got up this morning and prayed for you."  If that doesn't start your day out well I don't know what will.  Knowing that others are lifting you in prayer... priceless.

Today was also Josh's first day out and about.  

He was pooped out by the time we got home.

During the mini break we had between the two programs Sam and some of her friends went out with 2 of our Pathfinder leaders to a few homes that the girls, while on Walk & Knock last Sabbath, found might need some extra help this Christmas.  They wanted to bring food etc... but we didn't want to show up with food before asking their permission.  So they headed back to the homes, knocked on the door and offered a helping hand.

Sam said it was an incredible experience and that the leaders were crying and the people were crying.  They do need help, and they would appreciate some food.  So this Monday night our Pathfinders bring their donations and then these kids will go and deliver the food to the families sometime over the next week.  I say praise God that these 8th grade girls saw a need while collecting food last weekend and brought the idea to the leaders, and they said yes let's help.  How awesome to see our kids stepping up in our own community, and by this seeing how they can make a difference.  

I am so moved by this whole situation.

After that it was time for Sydney & McKenna's school Christmas Program, #2 on the day.

(just fyi... Sydney is wearing heels... she is not yet taller than McKenna!)

Which I must say was FANTASTIC!  Love my kids school!  

After that it was time for a couple drop offs... Sam to a bday party, and Emma's friend Mariah got dropped home.  Laundry.  Paying bills.  Sorting through the mail.... and can someone please tell me why this task takes SO long?  Ugh.

The most important news of the week is Oma/(my Grandma)

We nearly lost her on Wednesday night.

Without going into all the details by the grace of God she held on.  She is now safely in La Quinta with my parents and other loved ones.  Hospice is there keeping her comfortable.  

The prayer at this moment is that she can make it for at least another week so that we can all be together.  Josh & some of the kids fly down on Monday... and I fly with a couple other kids on Friday.  My brother & family get in on Thursday.  

Praying for the best, but dealing with the reality that I may soon be saying goodbye to someone I love dearly, and who through the years has had a major impact on my life and the lives of my children.

Please join me in praying that this amazingly beautiful woman, on the inside and out, hangs on until we all get down there.

So with all the emotions of regular life, add Christmas Programs, surgery, & illness...

and this is what I really want to do...

hmm... fall asleep laying beside my man.  

Good thing someone in my family got to do it!

cars, "babies", blankets and all :)

Tomorrow.

Early morning basketball practice.  Laundry.  Packing up 4 peeps.  Relaxing.  (I hope)

Thank you all for the prayers.  

And Judy... your home is a sanctuary.  I love it.

Life.

Josh's surgery went well and he is home recuperating.
Jack is enjoying the time spent with him.

I am subbing for Josh at the school,
and trying my best to coach the girls bball team in his absence.
(this is no easy feat people)

Funny thing is the team is already counting the days till his return.
Who knew.

Pathinders...
Hands in Motion...
CM Christmas Program...

My friends are spoiling me rotten with food, prayer, and kind words.
I am very thankful.

This means more than they know because yesterday
(just in case what we are journeying through isn't fun enough)

We got word that my amazing Grandmother aka "Oma" was in the hospital and things weren't looking good.  :(
Word from the Dr. is terminal, less than 6 months.

She is 94, has had a wonderfully long life...
but somehow it doesn't make it any easier when you are faced with the reality of losing a loved one,
especially one who had such an impact on my life and the lives of my kids.

circa July 2011

At this moment the hope is that she will be able to make it to Cali this week, get set up with hospice, and relax with loved ones until the Lord decides.  I guess we will all be cherishing this Christmas a little bit more.

I really am also praying for my mom and dad.  Grandma has lived with them for the last 16+ years.
This is their last living parent.  Tough times filled with emotion.

So hard to find the balance in life.  People are sick, hurting, dying, without work, etc. etc. and meanwhile we move on going through the daily routines and tasks of life.

Tonight (after bball & piano practice) it was this at our house.




followed by a mini-meltdown (by me) including tears.
a change of the laundry.
and planting my butt on the sofa to blog and watch Biggest Loser.

I am just gonna go ahead and say it,  "Some days are better than others."

And now I am going to go to bed, try to get some beauty sleep,
so I don't have to listen to anyone ask me why I look so tired in the morning.

p.s.  My dad flew in today, was at my house before heading home and I didn't even get to see him.
...dislike button.

I love my Ducks & My Boyfriend!

 I case you haven't heard my ducks are headed to the Championship game this Friday...

They are playing UCLA.

If they win they will be in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2012 (1/2/12)

The thought of this makes me and my family of duckcrazies very happy!

see photo below...

In other news my boyfriend... aka hubby of almost 17 years had surgery today.

He will not be jumping like this anytime soon.

This is our 6 MAJOR surgery together (4 more if you count mine for a total of 10)

We have also been through countless "procedures"

But the surgeries always get me a little nervous and I must admit I was feeling scared about this one.

Our kids were nervous.  Tears were shed.  It was hard to sleep last night.

When the Dr. sits you down and specifically goes through the particulars that could go wrong...

you get a tad bit nervous.

We had prayer circle around the cars before we drove off this morning with all the kids.

God is Good.  ALL the time.

We have been surrounding by a literal OUTPOURING of love from friends and family.

Text messages coming in last night and today.

Food lined up from so many for our family.

People helping with everything under the sun.

Phone calls. 

Visits.

Countless Prayers.

And I would be remiss if I didn't thank the amazing teachers at the girls school.  My kids came home saying that their teachers had privately pulled them aside for prayer, there were extra hugs, smiles, and comforts from friends.  People who shed tears with them and loved them.  I am blessed beyond measure that my kids (and I) can experience this sort of "community"

I have such a huge amount of love in my heart & gratitude for you all you have no idea.

Josh came through surgery in just over 3 hours.

They were able to use the robotic thingamajig.  

We were really praying for that.

They didn't have to open him wide like they did last time... 

instead he has 4 - 1 inch long incisions on his abdomen.

This is a blessing.

I didn't really get to talk to him.

I don't think he will remember that I was even there...

but before he left I stood over the bed and begged him to open his eyes so that our kids would

know that he was okay.

This is the 1/2 second eye opening and smirk I got.

and the only time I saw his eyes since 9:45a.m.

It took him 3 hours in recovery before they moved him to his room...

Josh+drugs=sleep stupor.

I hope tomorrow he is more awake when I get there.

Cause I want to kiss this face.

and just because he can...

the little monkey is sleeping in my bed tonight.

"don't tell daddy I'm sleeping in his spot okay?"

how can I say no?

P.S. Thank you Judy for turning me on to www.aholyexperience.com and the book a thousand gifts.

I just ordered it via Amazon and it will be here Friday.  I have been devouring her blog and find it so encouraging.  If you haven't heard of Ann, her blog, or book, go check it out.  You won't be disappointed.

Love to you all.  Good night.

a {glimpse}

Time is just really cruising along lately.  I can't seem to keep up, let alone document.

But here is a {glimpse} into what has been going on in the house of mac.

11/11/11
This was a great day to have a baby or get married around the world...

But not here.  Here we celebrated Veteran's Day.  Watched friends kids.  Went to the store.

Because we are FREE thanks to a Veteran!  I love Veteran's Day and all it stands for.

Also, My Sam gave a speech running for the office ASB Secretary.  It was pretty sweet I must admit... even though I don't know how she gets up in front of all those people like it is nothing!  This year she was running uncontested... so she got the office she was going for. :)


Then at exactly 11:11am on 11/11/11, this is what Jack and 2 of his friends were up too...


And then just for fun my little man dressed up like a Pirate... because he can!


We may have had an Oregon Duck party for the Stanford game... and our Ducks MAY have spanked the #4 BCS ranked Stanford Cardinal!!! (the "unbalivable" was added by a certain 5th grader... in honor of Janet Rich!)


And our friend Jason may have lost a bet and had to wear this loveliness ALL day long on Monday... (he is a Husky fan...) What a great sport and the photo updates throughout the day were awesome!


My sweet McKenna started barfing Monday morning around 1am... she missed Monday and Tuesday of school... this lovely virus was also accompanied by a decent fever.  :(


Jack enjoyed being able to watch videos with her... he busted out the Toy Story trilogy and WOW he remembered all the cool Toy Story toys he got last year for his birthday and Christmas...
We may have even measured Buzz and Woody on the door jam along with Jack... this is serious stuff people!


and then the unthinkable...

Jack begs me to let him go home with Papu for 2 WHOLE days.  And I agreed???  (with some encouragement from my husband)


He was not excited or anything...


Josh & I had a date to our favorite restaurant Keo Thai...

and then thankfully I had Flashlight Literary Society tonight to keep me going till Jack gets home tomorrow!  :)



Always a treat to be with girlfriends, good food, and books!  So blessed.

So there is a {glimpse} of the past week.  There were also Dr. appts, Ortho appts, basketball practices, giving the offering call at church, paying bills, visiting with my Dad, phone calls, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking... and lots more.  Thanks to you faithful few who hang in there for my ramblings!