05-31-09

"Tell the world that Jesus lives Tell the world that, tell the world that Tell the world that he died for them Tell the world that he lives again..."

Today was a special music Sunday in honor of our associate pastor retiring. The kids danced to a high energy song called Tell the World. Xander is up front in green. He and the 4th and 5th graders were proficient at the motions, but I was so proud of my younger Sunday School kids in the back row- they were putting a lot of heart into it. The song has so much jumping in it that I got a little bit of cardio helping the kids practice.

I'll miss Pastor Mary tremendously; I so enjoy her gentle spirit and words of wisdom.

And if she weren't leaving I wouldn't need to find her a replacement and I'd have a lot more time on my hands! :)

05-30-09

Country Time Lemonade with raspberries mixed in.
Coffee with brownie mixed in.
Sweet cream with M&M's mixed in.
Chocolate with gummy bears mixed in.

What's your custom creation?

The kids, with friends in tow, were pretty excited when we pulled into the Coldstone parking lot.

“My love for ice cream emerged at an early age--and has never left!”- Ginger Rogers

05-29-09

I am so stuffed I can hardly move. Good thing this is a rest day for my 30 day challenge.

I was in Aberdeen today to send off one of our team members; we had greasy Chinese for lunch, then big slices of cake. I got back in town just in time to head to Applebee’s for week 2 of half price appetizers followed up with a gooey Maple Blondie.

Portions of vegetables eaten today: 2
Calories eaten today: way too many

Water consumed today: not enough

TGIF!

05-28-09

Meet our new toy. Another frivolous gotta-have-it purchase off WOOT. I’ve got to admit, though, this $30 super fast RC boat is pretty fun.

Bruce: “That rooster tail is cool.”
Xander: “I thought you didn’t like roosters.”
Bruce: “Only in the kitchen.”

05-27-09

It feels like it is officially summer now, doesn't it? Our Wednesday night church program is winding down with end of year barbeques. Here Xander's enjoying a burger on the church lawn with his buddies Landon and Collin. I love summer and the break from Sunday School preparations, but I also miss the routine.

“A life without love is like a year without summer.”
Swedish Proverb

*Edited to add correct photo*

05-26-09

What do you do when you are short on time? Multi task! I got 40 minutes of activity, time with Bruce and a blog photo out of my neighborhood walk tonight.

I had to put my camera on sports mode to capture these daisies in focus due to the wind.

I could moan about having Associate Pastor search committee meetings two nights in a row, or I can embrace the one hour I still have left tonight to accomplish something.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."
- Frederick Keonig

05-25-09

Happy Memorial Day!

I had planned to join Facebook today (realizing that life will never slow down so I may as well just jump in), but I didn't find time. Maybe on my next 3 day weekend.

If I was on Facebook, and filled out the 25 Random Things about Us survey, here are my answers:
♥ What are your middle names?
Ann and Werner. Wow, those names sound old!

♥ How long have you been together?
Married for almost 17 years and together for 19

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Weeks.
We met in October and our first date was November first.

♥ Who asked who out and where was your first date?
Uh, I was so not looking for a boyfriend as I was starting college, so he asked me out. We went to the Keg and he gave me a plastic spider ring.

♥ How old are each of you?
I'm 37, and he Bruce is almost 40.

♥ What do you do for fun together? We like to explore and geocache. Or go to Starbucks for a quick date.

♥ Any hobbies?
I read novels, garden, and scrapbook. Bruce plays video games and hangs out with other peoples kids.

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Figuring out how to spend time with relatives.

♥ Do you like each other's friends? Most of our friend are "our" friends.

♥ Who's the smartest?
Bruce, by a long shot. I just fake it.

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
I'm best at cluing in to other people's emotions, but Bruce is best at following through with thoughtful actions. I cry during Little House reruns, he waits in the wings to hug me.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Maine, for our honeymoon.

♥ Who has the worst temper?
Bruce. He yells for fun, though, too, just to keep us guessing.

♥ Who does the cooking?
Bruce. That was the agreement from the very beginning. When my family made me cook I put pineapple in everything out of spite.

♥ Who is more social?
Bruce, hands down. I can't figure out small talk.

♥Who is the neat Freak?
Bruce might argue that it is my scrapbook room that is a mess, but it's only because that is where he piles everything that he doesn't know what to do with.

♥ Who is the more stubborn?
Wow, that is rough. Maybe me, but not by far.

♥ Who hogs the bed?
Both of us.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
Me. Bruce is a night owl, I get tired of making sure he is conscious before I leave for work.

♥ What was your wedding like?
I almost lit my veil on fire. It was the hottest day of the year, we thought the pastor might pass out. I tore my vintage family heirloom dress when I went to hug someone in the receiving line. The limo never showed up. Really, it was a great event! :)

♥ Do you get steaks often?
Bruce makes a mean salt fried steak... I love protein, working on loving it a little less..

♥ How do you spend the holidays?
See comment above about figuring out how to spend time with relatives.

♥ Who is more jealous?
Bruce. Although I can get tired of others monopolizing his time.

♥ How long did it take to get serious?
First date was Nov 1st, first proposal was Dec 31. I didn't take the first one seriously. We were in line at Mr Toads Wild ride.

♥ Who eats more?
Bruce can go forever without eating then he gorges himself. I have to eat every four hours but try to follow the "fist" portion sizes. Not sure how it averages out.

♥ Who does/ did the laundry?
I used to, but Bruce took it over in hopes that I would have more time and less stress.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
Bruce. Unless I need help in Excel.

♥ What brings you closer to each other?
Spending time together not distracted by computers or TVs or meetings or kids.

05-24-09

Faith, noun
1. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
2. Strong belief in something, esp. without proof
3. Complete confidence or trust

I've been gardening long enough that I should have faith that at least half of the seeds will sprout and produce. But as I was sowing today, I found myself planning to buy starter plants in two weeks when my seeds fail to poke up. My radishes are doing awesome; my spinach and lettuce would feed a Lilliputian family; the carrots I planted on Mothers Day are starting to show their leafy tops. And yet I lack faith that the balloon flowers, black eyed susans, cosmos, marigolds, peppers, and cherry tomatoes that I started from seed today will take off. Time will tell.

When I saw these rainbow spiral tomato supports in a garden supply catalog, I couldn't resist bringing a bit of whimsy to our back alley. A big thank you shout out to Bruce for his help in the yard today. I'd still be hand weeding the parking strip, left to my own devices!

"I'm going to change.
Into someone helpful.
Oh, my clothes too!"
- Bruce, getting ready to garden with me

05-23-09

Today is family day. Tomorrow is garden planting day. Hopefully Monday will be a relinquish/destress day.

So, this morning Bruce and I had breakfast at Starbucks, we went to the farmers market (to buy plants for tomorrow), then we all headed to Portland. We went to a thrift store in search of an 80's dress for Anastasia to wear to a youth group event. Success for $6, but we need a little bit of shopperdewey's seamstress help. Next stop was the Clackamas Aquatic Center. Water slides, wave pool, laps for the adults, and the diving board for Anastasia.

“In things pertaining to enthusiasm, no man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions.”- Henry Ward Beecher

05-22-09

The Thinker: I'll tell you what's a matter of life and death, that beautiful lady over there.

Girl Statue: giggles

The Thinker: Hey baby, check out the gun show goin on over here. BOOM BOOM FYAPOWA!

Tonight we went out with our friends the Inman’s. We porked out on half price appetizers at Applebee’s (the guys are begging to go back and do it again soon) and hit opening night of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

Here are the kids, doing their “FYAPOWA!” impressions. I guess Tony just has to be different…

TGIF!

05-21-09

Bruce and I are spending a lot of time with our new fitness game. So much time that I can barely walk!

Tonight I requested an upper body workout so that I can let my calves recuperate.

I like the game because we can both play at the same time. Xander was nice enough to take a ton of photos of us. I like the blurred action shots from before he turned on the flash. We're punching the heavy punching bag.

A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. ~A.A. Milne

05-20-09

After a short break with budget cuts, I am back on the road an average of 2 days a week. This week I had morning trips to Vail/Rainier and PeEll. In the better weather I love the country road scenery, as long as someone isn't right on my tail. I saw a ton of loaded log trucks today, it is nice to see logs moving.

This is really cool metal artwork hanging in the conference room at PeEll.

“You see weird things driving... I've never understood log trucks, sometimes you'll be out on the highway, you see two big giant trucks loaded up with logs, and they pass each other on the highway... I don't understand it. I mean, if they need logs over there... and they need 'em over there, you'd think a phone call would save 'em a whole lot of trouble.” Brian Regan

05-19-09

EA Sports Active was released today. It is a new personal trainer fitness program that works with the wii. Bruce thought wii fit was too easy for me. Or had too much yoga. This evening I did my first workout of the 30 day challenge. In line skating, cardio kickboxing, weight training and jogging. I know my legs got a workout. The lifestyle survey felt good to fill out - 10 glasses of water, 8 servings of veggies, and no sugary drinks yesterday. Let the calories begin burning!

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased." - Heber J. Grant

05-18-09

Bruce was showing me the Taco Time discussion on his Facebook page, and I pointed out that I liked Jeremiah's profile photo. So here is my attempt. I'm not nearly as cool, but it's fun to try.

Anytime is Taco Time.

05-17-09

We had a chili cook-off at church today.

Bruce was a contestant (even though he was out of town), Anastasia was a helper (recipient of fundraising to help fund camp), I was a judge, and Xander was off at a friends house.

When I think of chili, I don't think variety, but there were a variety of chilis represented today! Red bean, white bean, no bean, spicy, mild, veggies, meat... I was stuffed after sampling all the chili. Fun fundraiser.

"There are as many opinions on chili as there are about barbecue.”- Lynne Simmons

05-16-09

Since I have a UW theme going, today I’ll cover U-dubopoly.

Grama Bunnie and Grampa Rod made the long trek south to watch Xander get creamed in a soccer game this morning. The weather was so gorgeous that we had to be outside after lunch.

The kids soaked themselves on the trampoline for awhile, then we settled in to a long game of monopoly. G&G don’t have a strong grasp of the game or a familiarity with the sites on campus, but they understand negotiating for properties. Grampa quickly became poor and Grama accumulated way more real estate than the rest of us, even with Xander trying to buy everything away from us at $10 over market value.

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” – Queen Elizabeth

05-15-09

Today was a 13 ½ hour day; I’m ready for the weekend! I attended the UW Financial Reporting conference in Tacoma.

There was a representative from the FASB and from the SEC to talk about hot topics: mark to market, fair value, the financial crisis, congressional hearings about accounting topics, the accounting implications of the government bailing out the economy.

Predictions from the experts:
- We are currently 1/3 to halfway through this recession.
- Unemployment rates to stay high until 2014-2015.
- There is a culture shift underway to stop living a lifestyle beyond what people can afford.
- A new, more socialistic form of capitalism is emerging: more taxes, more retraining, forded competition, compensation and board changes, labor friendly environment.

“People have been using their houses as an ATM. Household savings disappeared. As consumers step down spending, the question is who will step up to fill the gap.”
– Cathy Shakespeare

05-14-09

Yep, the girl again.

Anastasia came home with her midterm report card today. Seven A's, on track to maintain her 4.0 GPA.

That part isn't a surprise. What was a surprise was the comment hiding among the "pleasure to have in class" and "outstanding citizenship" comments. "Husky attire inhibits quality of thinking."

It seems there's a bit of a friendly rivalry with one of her favorite teachers.

Bow down to Washington,

Bow down to Washington,

Mighty are the men

Who wear the purple and the gold,

Joyfully we welcome them

Within the victors fold.

We will carve their names (names!)

In the Hall of Fame (fame!)

To preserve the memory of our devotion.

So heaven help the foes of Washington;

They're trembling at the feetOf mighty Washington,

Our boys are there with bells (bells!),

Their fighting blood excels (excels!),

It's harder to push them over the line

Than pass the Dardanelles.

So victory's the cry of Washington

Our leather lungs together

With a Rah! Rah! Rah!And o'er the land

The loyal band

Will sing the glory

Of Washington forever.

05-13-09

Xander begs to be in my blog, Anastasia merely tolerates me when I come at her with the camera.

Her and I have been ships passing in the night lately. She's had an award ceremony, a track meet, is eating fruit before I can remind her it's there, and has been getting up early for a change. All without me.

I wish I could get up early for no particular reason and not be crabby about it.

Or find a pair of jeans that fit me just baggy enough to be cute instead of frumpy.

Or sit in the living room for hours, watching TV or playing Wii without my to do list pressing in on me.
I also wish that I also had the hassle of growing out my bangs behind me.

“Slow down, everyone. You're moving too fast.” - Jack Johnson

05-12-09

To do list for this evening:
Meet with Lynette to discuss Art of Racing in the the Rain (book club)
Exercise
Plan Sunday School
Connect with G&G over weekend plans
E-mail mom
Update blog
Chop up veggies for salads
Send out search committee meeting notes
Contact associate pastor candidates
Review as many new applicants as I can

It just goes on and on and on. And so much of it is computer work, after being on the computer all day long at work already.

“One may go a long way after one is tired”
French Proverb

05-11-09

"What are your plans now?" - Bruce, after I walked in the door from a 2 1/2 hour meeting
"Well, I still need a blog photo, then e-mail." - Me
"Me! Me! Me! Take a picture of me!" - Xander as he headed off to bed.

He even put on some clothes for the occasion, what a guy!
I wish I could be comfortable hanging out in my BVD's.
Or that I could suntan as easily as him.
Or that I could go to bed with a book before 9pm.
I also wish that I had friends like Xander has and a carefree outlook on life like he does.

Thanks for the blog shot, little man.

05-10-09

Did you know that Mother's Day started in 1908 by an activist named Anna Jarvis?

I am thankful to be a mom:
- To two kids that at their worst are better than a strong willed toddler.
- Who gets input into meals on her special day.
- With sweet kids with big hearts.
- With a light Sunday School attendance today after imagining the worst.
- With new expensive brushes from Mary Kay
- Whose kids are old enough to mange their own hygiene, food intake (mostly), and sleeping habits.

"God bless our faithful good mothers." - Anna Jarvis

05-09-09

A houseful of company means different people to photograph. Here’s my neice Kayla occupying herself during Xander’s soccer game.

A soccer game in good weather, hanging with relatives, time in the garden, and the new Star Trek movie. What more can you ask for?

Live long and prosper.

05-08-09

I have eleven family portraits where I look exactly the same, but the guys are in various states of goofing off. A few were more serious, but this one just screams “us”.

It’s all fun and games until it’s time to wait in line at Big Lots; then Mr. Grouchy Grouch comes out and we all wonder why we didn’t leave him at home.

Happy Friday!

This is just a great time in our lives that we just get to play and goof off. It's fun." -Darlene Upson

05-07-09

Ok, I’ll admit… I’m walking around the house at bedtime looking for a blog photo. It’s always harder on these evenings where we all scatter. Soccer. Haircut. Ballet. PTO Meeting. 1, 2, 3, Go!

But Xander and I were looking at coins Monday night. We were looking at the different states and what they chose to put on their quarters. Washington and Oregon both have timber on their coins, but in different proportions.

Our quarter board, the one we brought with us from Aberdeen, is almost full – we are only missing Hawaii and Oklahoma.

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” - Carl Sandburg

05-06-09

Here's Anastasia at her locker at school.

The middle schoolers had a day off today, but we were there for her "student led conference".

She told us lots of things, but among htem were:

I AM INTELLIGENT
I have always passed the WASL.
I get over 100% sometimes in my classes.
I AM ADVENTUROUS
I participate in youth group even though we do loads of crazy things.
I ride some pretty crazy roller coasters with my dad.
I AM ARTISTIC
I really enjoy English and poems.
I AM ORGANIZED
My room is organized even though it is not clean.
I love to make lists.
I AM WISE
I am older than most kids in my grade; therefore maturer and wiser.
I AM SNEAKY
I sneak to the bathroom at night and nobody catches me.
I AM BOASTFUL
I am boastful of my 4.0 GPA.
I am boastful of how cute my 1, 2, and 4 year old cousins are.

You go girl!

05-05-09

I have an interesting shot of hubby's hands helping me out, but no real story to go with it.

Speaking of no real story, tonight during our neighborhood walk, we saw a Portland news van going door to door to expose the teens who sold fake raffle tickets last weekend. Is that really news?!?

“When you chop the herb you're bruising it -- releasing those precious oils onto the cutting board. I want you to slice it so the oil will release in your mouth when you bite into it.” James Foley

05-04-09

How can it be that one minute they are having fun goofing off with each other, and the next minute they are screaming and slamming doors on each other?

It runs pretty hot and cold at our house these days. I don't care who started what, they both get punished.

“A lot of families just do the basic backseat fight where the two siblings draw the imaginary line between the two seats and then they fight over the rest of the trip.” John Cassidy

05-03-09

We transitioned almost immediately from boys sleepover to girls shopping spree.

Anastasia had a $25 off coupon for Justice burning a hole in her pocket, so we invited her friend Julia and Julia's mom Jodi to come with us to Clackamas for an afternoon of seeking sales and hanging out in the dressing rooms. We had success. As we were walking into Justice, a shopper gave us two more coupons, so Julia was in on the deal, and we doubled our spending to double our savings.

Today's victories included finally getting Anastasia a swimsuit (she gave up on finding a one piece), discovering the 70% off racks at Aeropostale (Anastasia can wear size 1/2 junior jeans priced at under $10!), and Mom buying NOTHING for herself.

“The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her.” - Marcelene Cox

05-01-09

Bruce thinks Xander should get center stage on the blog today for his awesome playing today, but I'm sticking with my original plans of a glimpse at the sidelines.

If I don't look cold and miserable, I'm a good actress. If it's warm it's pelting rain on us. If it's not raining it's blowing frigid wind at us. The boys don't care what the weather is, it's the parents who are uncomfortable. We need a big golf umbrella like everyone else has.

Anyway, Xander has been resisting wearing a coat or sweatshirt to keep warm when he is not on the field. Bruce said that he could stop wearing it if he scored a goal. He got assigned to offense, and he went out and scored TWO goals! Well, three, really, but that one was from out of bounds. Way to go!

“Thy fate is the common fate of all; Into each life some rain must fall.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

05-01-09

It’s May, and we’re STILL celebrating Xander’s birthday!

Tonight is his long awaited friend sleepover. Here to celebrate with him are buddies Landon and James.

Xander’s asked for an ice cream cake, since he doesn’t care for normal cake. Dairy Queen made him a custom soccer one with very realistic sugar-coma inducing grass blades.

“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” - George Harrison