Wonderful Week!

So, I thought I had everything figured and mapped out for school this year as far as how I was going to juggle school for the little ones and get Rhaevyn and Aeva to and from College. Then a light bulb went on, and I had to rethink things and decide what would be the most logical and efficient.

Chris took the day off from work on Monday to help drop the girls off at school, their first day, and just be a presence for me as I navigated the new plan. On our way to the college the Radetzky March came on the radio, and I couldn't help but smile as all the kids clapped along and there were squeals of happiness exuding from Meg. We got to the college quite early, but better to be too early than late.

And the good news is...... we all survived relatively well this week despite new routines and new surroundings. The girls like their English class, love their Japanese class, and are surviving their College 101 class. Rhaevyn is really enjoying her swing dancing class.

The kids and I have been hanging out at the five story library downtown, which is two blocks away from the college. After about an hour and a half there we head over to Ft. Vancouver/Officer's Row. We are learning to just roll with the unexpected like:
--the library being closed one day
--learning that all the homeless are still asleep in the library doorway at 9am because the library doesn't open until 10am on Fridays (instead of the 9am Monday-Thursday). So, don't show up before 10am
--Show up half an hour before the library opens if you want a parking spot
--Show up to the college 10 minutes after the girls get out of class because there is no parking available and it is crazy!!

Seeing people who don't' have a home or bed to sleep in each night has been eye opening for the little ones. I must say, while school at the library was not my plan to begin with, so far I am really loving how things are going and have turned out.

We took a walk at the Fort Vancouver gardens Tuesday, walked the middle part of Officer's Row Wednesday, walked the west part of the Ft. Vancouver Park and Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Thursday, and walked the west end of Officer's Row Friday. The kids found several painted rocks and re-hid some of them. We haven't managed to get a tour of the Marshall house yet, but are hoping to. We did briefly go in and look around. We visited the visitors center on Friday and played at the playground.

Myles found three rocks. These are two of them.

He re-hid this one:

Here are some pictures of our adventures this week:

The gazebo on the parade grounds....

This is the Ulysses S. Grant house. He was stationed at the fort, but never lived in this particular building. This was a barracks building in the 1800's. It is now a restaurant.

This is the Marshall House. Ever heard of the Marshall Plan (WWII)? General George C. Marshall lived here in the 1930's. It is such a pretty house. I love the porch. Myles and I think that the little porch area on the second floor would be great for watching the stars.

Having fun at the playground:

 

 

  

 Since the library did not open until 10 am on Friday, and that is when we pick up the girls from school because they only have one class that day, we sat and did math and read our books on Officer's Row. This was our view. It was so peaceful.

The leaves are changing color and falling. We had some beautiful sunsets this past week.

Chris helped teach Elsa how to paint her nails last Sunday evening, and then she was so brave to pull out her own tooth. She was so excited that she did it herself.

This was how we found Meg after we cleaned up the kitchen table and did dishes after church last Sunday.





This is the latest thing that cracks us up. The other day Meg went into Aeva's room, said "Well, well, well " and proceeded to sit down on Aeva's bed and look at her. Such a ham.

My second quilt is all stitched together. I need to get going on all the binding so it will be ready when I pick the four quilts up.

Monday, after Myles's speech appointment, I came home to a nice surprise. Rhaevyn, Aeva, and Elsa had swept the back patio of all the leaves. Then they said I was supposed to just sit outside, read a book, and enjoy a cup of warm tea. That is just what I did :)

Last night the older girls and I enjoyed the General Women's broadcast and then went out for a treat. I had a lot of fun with them!

This morning Elsa was such a little helper; washing, cutting and bagging up fruits and vegetables for snacks this coming week. We both enjoyed working together in the kitchen. 

And now it's time to say goodbye and gear up for the coming week :)

I'll leave you with a link to one of our favorite songs at the moment. We play this a lot when we are all hanging out in the kitchen. In case you've never heard K-pop, you can now say that you have......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuyNe3AmlSk

A Sword, A Sewing Machine, and Blessings

The second week of school is complete. It went rather smoothly.
Friday we all went to Clark College and scouted out the classrooms where the girls will have classes. They will be in three different buildings, but those building all connect. That is a good thing; they won't have to run to the next class. Rhaevyn does have to walk a bit to get to the building where her swing dancing class will be. Everyone that we met on Friday, from staff to students, were all very nice and extremely helpful. Monday is the big day!!!
I'm thinking we are going to have to rethink our schedule so that I am not spending over three hours on the road taking them to school, coming home, going back to get them, and home again. The kids and I may bring some schoolwork with us and hang out at the hugs library near the college. It shall be a new adventure!

Myles helped make this sword for Rhaevyn from left over wood from the fence. He is thinking of cutting it in half lengthwise so that there will be two swords.

 I finished up the binding on the last quilt that needed it, so that will be delivered on Monday afternoon. My friend had finished the two she could, but the flannel was making her allergy act up. I took those two over to Legacy Hospital Monday morning just before Myles had his speech appointment there. The sweet Chaplain was so glad to see me. She said that she was thinking she should give me a call to let me know that they were out of quilts. I had delivered 15 quilts to them in March. She said she had given away the last two the previous week, and here I was with two for her. I was suddenly humbled. Here I was thinking how inconvenient it was to redo the binding on seven quilts. It is no coincidence that I did not have fabric available to fix the two quilts that went to my friend to fix.
I have a testimony that there are no coincidences, that Heavenly Father truly does inspire us. He uses what we may see as inconveniences and mistakes, for good. September 2nd was quilt donation day. Three quilts were not taken in with that donation. Last Sunday night I felt that I should take the two quilts that were fixed over to Legacy. I wasn't sure why because I was going to wait until my four quilts had been completed first. I'm glad I followed that inspiration.  I'm thankful for a Heavenly Father who can see the bigger picture when I cannot, and my heart is so very grateful to all of those who help with Project Mother of an Angel baby is so many different ways when you could be doing something else.

My friend, Jen, found some new quilt patterns. We are going to give them a try. I thought I'd give one of them a try with some scraps that I have. I still need to do the four big squares for each corner, but I need to find some white or light material for first. I kind of like its scrappy look.

 

I feel so blessed! I have the sweet lady who is putting my four quilts together for me, and then I was put in touch with a lady from another ward who designs scrap-booking paper and material. As part of her contract the company sends her bolts of the fabric she designs. So, I was able to go pick out some material for three quilts. Also another ward in our stake gave me a bunch of fabric they had in their closet. I was able to spread all of those donations around to the other ladies who help make quilts for my project.

Chris has been wanting to get me a new sewing machine. He did a lot of research last Christmas. Putting that research together with my frugalness, and blessings from Heaven he found me one on Friday. He jokes that my current sewing machine sounds like a locomotive. It is loud, I have to agree. While he would love to get me a new Janome, he found this one for me at a garage sale for $8. It is so quiet! I figured out on my own how to thread it and did a bit of sewing on some scraps last night. It runs great! I love that it has a case :)

With that, we welcome our new adventure as well as Fall this coming week :)

Fall Pictures of the Kids and More

We always love looking back a few years to compare pictures and reminisce about life events or the particular outfit worn each time we do beginning of the school year pictures. It is so fascinating to see the changes in each child.
Let's start with Meg 2014-2016

Elsa: Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade...

 Myles: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade....

And my two High-Schoolers:

Aeva: 9th, 10th, and 11th........

We were laughing because Aeva couldn't decide what to do with her arms.

 Rhaevyn: 10th, 11th, and Senior!!!!
 

 

I should have waited a day for her braces to be off. Oh well.

 

It amazes me just how fast time goes. I feel like Rhaevyn was just starting kindergarten, and yet here we are with college and the idea that she may be spreading her wings and leaving us this time next year looming in the background. I read a quote the other day that said something to the affect of "As parents we do our best to raise children to leave home and be independent, but when the time comes to let them go it is so hard to let them fly. " The quote said it better than I can, but it is so true. I am so glad that the girls want to go and fly, and have confidence that they can do so, but my goodness when it is staring you in the face it is so hard to smile and let it happen. At least I have another 10 plus months.  For now I will just enjoy my time with Rhaevyn and soak it all in; drink every last drop up!

I've been contemplating lately that:

Meg is, by far, my most independent child of all. And yet, she is my one that wants to "nuggle" all the time. She is a combination of Aeva and Elsa. She's my little spitfire, and I love her for it. 
Elsa has become my little chatterbox with one question leading to another, and another, and another. 

I have to stop her after a while, especially in the car, so that the other kids can get a word in edgewise. I'm not sure I've ever had one quite so talkative and so full of questions. 

Myles is our thinker and is forever asking the deepest questions. He keeps me on my toes. He is my little gentleman; opening my car door so I can get in and hopping out when I park so he can help me out of the car. Every time he hugs me I'm well aware that I won't be taller then him for much longer.

Aeva keeps me real. I love that she plays the piano for me and is always willing to find the songs I really like (Ken Burns Civil War). She has become my hugger as of late, which she has not always been. She's just on the verge of the fine line that Rhaevyn is on.

Rhaevyn is definitely on that fine line of still being my child and at the same time turning into a very dear friend; still my hugger and I love that!

It is so fascinating to me the ever evolving relationship between each child and myself.

Rhaevyn got her braces off on Tuesday morning. I guess I thought it would be the day she got her retainers, but they do things a bit different than Aeva's orthodontist. Beautiful smile for my beautiful girl. She wasn't going to let me take a picture, but I told her "no picture, no ice cream." As you can see I got my picture.

Also, the sweet lady that is stitching my quilts together finished the first one! Super exciting!!

On the machine and ready to go.....

 
  I love this stitch that she used.

    Complete.............now for binding.

 

The kids and I went through my hope chest the other day. It was really a lot of fun to walk down memory lane with them. I've been toying with donating my wedding dress to someone who makes dresses for stillborn babies. Aeva wanted to try it on. Meg and Elsa thought it was so neat to see it on her. Meg kept repeating "Princess, princess!" And squealing with delight. Chris, Aeva, Rhaevyn, and I were laughing at how 90's it is with the bows and puffy sleeves.

I also found this dress that Shelley Hughes (Fiori) made for me when I was little. I had forgotten I still had it. I sent her this picture on Facebook.

Our Ward put on a talent show last night with a cookie bake off. Myles made these Jam Thumbprints entirely by himself, using homemade apricot jam. He won for most creative. They were very yummy!

 Elsa taking care of getting Meg's helmet on. She's like Meg's third or fourth mommy.

 Aeva was out the other day helping Meg learn to pedal on the tricycle. And she's doing it!!!

 This tricycle has gone through five kids; a bit squeaky but still going :)

 

Our first week of school is done. It went rather well despite all the other things we had going. The girls started their math this past week. This week they start seminary, and then their school classes begin next week. It's nice that they are able to ease into things.

Fall is somewhere in the air, but we are still having warm temperatures. I think we are all ready for the cool crisp air to descend with the swirling of red, gold, and orange leaves and the smell of pumpkin spice.