2012 Central WA State Fair

Gone are the days when our kids knew nothing about any kind of fair. We used to be able to drive a scenic route, only to avoid passing by the giant Ferris Wheel, flashing bright lights, and catchy music, in hopes that the kids wouldn't ask to go. We would tell other parents to be quiet in front of our kids when they talked about taking their own children to the ridiculously over-priced, over-glamorized, and overly dirty and disgusting joint! And now, our kids are in a school that takes an ENTIRE DAY OFF of school, so that kids can go to the fair. They pass out entrance coupons as incentive for those that read a certain amount that month. We have no choice. We HAVE to take our kids to the fair. And we try and act like we enjoy it. :) The girls don't have to try so hard...they just LOVE IT!

Out of the mouths of babes...

Out of no where my 5 year old informed me that she was NOT going to be a policeman when she grows up. When I asked her why, she told me that they are bad people. I explained to her that the cops themselves are not bad people, but that they take care of the bad people, and that really, policeman are good. She said, "Well, a policeman pulled you over?" I clarified that she was right, he pulled me over because I was driving over the speed limit which was illegal and dangerous to us and other drivers. She said matter of factly, "So mom, are going to follow the directions of the road?"

***FYI, she is referring to an incident from years ago that she obviously remembers very clearly!

St. John the Baptist

Today, on August 29th, the church remembers the death of St. John the Baptist. Sam and I were explaining this biblical event to the girls at dinner tonight. Although we were trying to give them a serious understanding of what happened when St. John stood up to Herod, the girls showed their interest in the subject from a 5-6 year old point of view:

Us: St. John was beheaded...

Jocelyn: Macrina's Uncle John? (John my brother, Macrina my niece.)

Us: No, St. John the Baptist. 

Jocelyn: Today?

Us: No, a long time ago. Herod had him beheaded and then his head was served on a platter. 

Jenna: Did it bleed?

Us: Yes.

Jocelyn: IT DID?!

Us: St. John was standing up for what he believes...

Jenna: If  we do what God wants, will we get OUR heads cut off?

Us: No, you won't get your heads cut off.

Jenna: Did St. John go to heaven without his head?

Us: Yes, he did.

Jocelyn: But did his head go to heaven too?

We stopped the lesson at that point. :)

1st Day of School

We are starting the girls at a new school this year. Although they are beyond excited, mommy and daddy are a bit more nervous. OK, fine! Mommy is a bit more nervous.

I know they will do great. They are both very kind, respectful, and obedient girls. We talked with them about looking out for the person at school that looks sad, lonely, and left out and we encouraged them to be brave and be-friend/include that person. We encouraged them to treat all of the children like gifts from God, no matter how different they are. But now I am left wondering, what if the other children don't do the same for my precious girls?!

I have to trust that God will protect my babies! But who could be mean to these cute faces:

Wunder Woman Triathlon 2012

 

My first Triathlon experience was very exciting! I had a blast doing it and definitely plan on doing it again!

The time goal I set for this particular race was 1 hour, 30 minutes. My finish time was 1 hour 24 minutes so I was stoked! 

My stats: 

Overall: 141/500

My Age group:  26/90

The swim leg (1/4 mile) was 8 min, 33 secs. I placed 36th overall and 9th in my age group! This was my best leg.

The bike leg (10 miles) was 41 minutes, 27 secs.

The run leg (3 miles) was 29 minutes, 39 seconds.

A portion of the swimmers getting ready for their wave to start

Sam had to make an emergency visit to the bathroom with Jocelyn, so he was unable to get pictures of me during the swim. But we can pretend one of those people from a different wave is me right?

Just finished the bike leg, headed to my transition spot to prepare for the run

Here I am thinking, "Why did I try sprinting back there? I should have waited until I could actually see the finish line!"

And the finish!

I wouldn't have done this race if my friend Ruth hadn't convinced me to!

Trying to re-hydrate. The last 30 minutes of the race was HOT!

The girls were patient enough (although Daddy thinks this is debatable) to wait until the race was over to play in the lake

Jocelyn's Splinter

Sam and I enjoyed a night out last night without the kiddos. After returning home we asked the babysitter how it went. She explained how good they had been but then she started laughing and told us that Jocelyn had a tough time going to bed. Apparently, they had been in bed for awhile but Jocelyn came out complaining of some splinters in the bottom of her feet. Rebecca was able to get all of them out except for one stubborn one that was difficult to remove. Jocelyn grabbed her foot, stared at the splinter in the bottom of her foot and spoke to it. With a serious face she said, "Splinter, you need to let Rebecca get you out so that I can go to bed because it is way past my bed time!"

Summer 2012 Part 3!

Jocelyn turned 5 years old, and to celebrate, she spent the day in the car...driving south towards California. But we made up for it by going out to ice cream and bowling that evening.

We took 2 days to drive to Windsor (Santa Rosa area) to visit Sam's extended family. I was shocked to find out what good little travelers we have! I was secretly hoping they would be difficult so that I didn't appear to be the worst traveler. For those of you who know me well, know that car-sickness, irritability, and restlessness come quite easily when I am in the car for an extended period of time. And to be honest, I think I did pretty well! I only asked the infamous car questions "are we there yet?, how much longer?, and why does this take so long?" a handful of times. And I didn't get car sick at all except for a short time on what Sam describes as "the curviest rode he has ever been on" so you can't blame me! ;) 

While in California, we spent 2 separate days having family reunions with each of his parents sides of the family.

Family reunions can be both very exciting...

(Jocelyn bear hugging Grandpa Doerr)

and exhausting!

(Jenna, trying to fight off a headache)

Visiting Great-Grandpa McCoy's grave site with Great Grandma McCoy. What an amazingly strong woman she is!

 

 Jocelyn and Great Grandma McCoy in a serious game of tic-tac-toe

 

Taking in a scenic view in front of Mt. Shasta

Jocelyn with Grandpa McCoy

And with Grandma McCoy

 The girls relaxin' in the pool with Daddy

The view from our balcony. Not a bad way to relax each day!

Pony Rides!