Catching up, month by month: January

January seems a long ways in the past as I have been so neglectful of my poor blog. Several catch-up posts are certainly in order. I will do my best to recall the highlights.

Our Miss Grace has always had more than a "healthy fear" of the water and Peter and I have decided that it is time for her to work on this. Particularly since our summers are spent lakeside and she is missing out on so much. As the remedy she has begun swim lessons at our local pool. It wasn't great in the beginning, in fact, she is still hesitant but she's in the water, very cautiously doing what she is told to do. I have faith that in time she will be swimming like a fish.

This shot was taken at our Second Annual New Years Breakfast with a local group of parents with children from China. This group is unique as most of the girls are older, one is even from Hefei very near Bengbu. I look forward to this gathering and hearing the stories of those ahead of us in the walk. Did I mention most of these girls are Horse Crazy like our Grace? She certainly is in good company on all accounts.

Ross is doing well and continuing to play lacrosse. This time on a travel team which has brought us to some familiar places and some new ones as well. All in all it's fun and rewarding to watch.

Now if you ask Miss Grace you might get another answer, but I won't go into that one....Next post, on to February!

Keepin' it short and sweet,

Kate-Lyn

Blue skies and no horse flies...

OK, so I'm gonna try and keep current this month, unlike October. Saturday was a clear, beautiful, sunny, crisp November day here in upstate NY. Miss Grace was invited to a birthday party at the stable where she takes lessons and they all had SO much fun. Horses to feed, goats to pet, horsey-themed crafts, pizza with your buds and a chocolate chip birthday cake. Honestly, who could ask for much more at 5 years old?

I managed to take one good picture with my cell phone so I'm posting it in a effort to keep my word.

Peter had our camera at the lacrosse tournament so this is all I could manage. More on that later...

Doing what she loves best. Her joy is mine, doubled.

Trying to stay warm in these shifting seasons,

~Kate-Lyn~

Goodbye October, Hello November...

Yup, it went that fast around here. Mainly because we've all had very busy agendas.

Ross is back playing lacrosse two days a week and has tournaments on the weekends. One of which involved mud up past the tops of my shoes, nearly to my ankles (no I'm NOT exaggerating). Thank you Irene. Great fun though anyway. Now if you asked Ki-ki she might not agree with me. But that's a whole 'nother story. His last tournament he strained both his hamstrings. Painful, so please pray for his full recovery. It has slowed him down quite a bit. If you know my Ross, that's sayin' something.

The other fun distraction we've all had has been going to some high school football games. Er, it's confession time. You see my high school did not have a football team not enough kids really so my whole life I've basically denied it's existence. I know, some would say, "WHAT?!" It's true. Well, late in life, I confess I was SO wrong to have done that. Our school team just won the sectionals and are now on to states. O.M.G. it has been fun. I think I'll actually watch the Super Bowl this year not just eat/wait for the funny commercials. I know, pathetic, I just had to confess this and I feel better now.

Miss Grace has begun a new adventure too; dance and gymnastics. It seems soccer is just not her deal. I'm sad I admit. It's the one sport I played and loved. But, I'm not gonna force it. Once a week she takes, tap, jazz and gymnastics. Of course, her first love is still riding lessons. Plus, she is now outfitted with skiis, boots, poles, helmet and ski-leash. As soon as the snow flies she and her Daddy are going to hit the slopes.

Another time "vaccum" has been my new job(s). I now work 40-ish hours a week after many wonderful years of being part-time worker, part-time homemaker. It's time. Really. The little$t is in Kindergarten, the "middlest" will be in college in two 1/2 year$ and the oldest has pretty much flown the ne$t. You know what I'm $aying? Plus I'm done studying for my federal licen$e. So what else would I do with my time? Alphabetize the spices? Polish the lightbulbs? Three days a week I still wear my Bookkeeper/Tax Preparer hat. The other 2 1/2 I am the Bookkeeper and Ministry Administrator for our church. It's been one week and I am truly enjoying the variety in my work life now. Still getting used to the scheduling though. But that'll come with time. Having a husband who is so "in tune" with the domestic chores has helped immensely.We are a good team he and I.

So, not a lot of photos from last month as I honestly just didn't have/make time to take many. I promise I'll try and do better in November.

Smiling but breathless,

~Kate-Lyn~

September Stuff...

It seems that September came and went in a whirlwind, for so many reasons. On a personal note, it went quickly for me because I was busily studying for Part III of the SEE Exam. The good news is... I PASSED!! After spending two years of my/our lives achieving this goal it was an immense relief. No more memorizing, agonizing and analyzing. Just two more steps and I am officially a IRS Enrolled Agent.

Beyond that it was the annual Balloon Festival. I'd like to say that it was a fabulous weekend, but that'd be a lie. Truth is, it was over the shoes, soggy socks wet, slippery, stinky and muddy. Peter worked SO very hard as usual that he was not with us much. RV's got stuck left and right due to the field conditions causing much stress and anguish to owners and overtaxed volunteers. The balloons only truly launched once. Need I say more? I'm venting a bit here, but I must say this may be the last time I personally spend that much time at this event. We'll see. In an attempt to focus on the positive which is a struggle I've posted a few shots from happier moments.

A clean, dry happy moment during the only balloon launch

At least Baxter had a good time. What lab isn't happy when he's sopping wet?

Pretty girls

This is what happens when you try and do a good deed, sheesh!

The very hard working RV Club Committee. They  are the ones who make it all happen

In keeping with September's review, I must mention that our little Baxter passed Puppy Kindergarten class along with his brothers and sisters. They are so dang cute it's hard to find words. In fact, I'll say no more. Here are a few of his siblings:

See what I'm sayin'?

In Puppy Love,

~Kate-Lyn~

Who, What, When, Where and Why:

Recently our longtime *friend*  Frank was featured in a local newspaper. He and his wife Nancy are tireless volunteers who give generously of their time and resources to help others. They are amongst those rare types of people who make you a better person just by knowing them. Their wisdom, warm hearts, easy-going mannerisms and depth of character makes them soar above the rest. We value their friendship immensely.

I love when good news makes the headlines don't you?

Who, What, When, Where and Why: Frank Berlin

*The word "friend" is used here only as a formality. Technically we are not family; but I cannot think of another family more like family to us then his family.

So after hearing of his celebrity status about town we had to have a little fun...

While we were up north I faked a "celebrity spotting" and Peter acted as "paparazzi". Naturally, Frank took it all in good stride and played right along with me. It was great to be the one dishing it out for once as usually I am on the receiving end from him, lol!

Oh, there he is!!

Getting his autograph

So many fans

Thankful to share in the joy,

~Kate-Lyn~

Labor Day 2011

Due to the events of last week, first day of Kindergarten AND High School oh my gosh how did that happen??!!!, I am delayed in my posting the events and fun of our Labor Day weekend at Cedar Ridge.

What ended as a wonderful weekend started as NOT a wonderful time for our Ryon. You see he had tonsillitis last month and we thought he'd tackled it. Nope, it came back. With a vengeance. After a full day in the ER, three prescriptions, one visit from the ENT Dr. who used scary sharp medical implements to cut and poke him to no avail, he was sent home for some rest. Thank.You.God. Now we wait for his infection to subside. Then those little nasty tonsils are comin' out! Say a prayer for him please.

After returning home to the rest of the family who waited and worried, we headed north. By that time all of our family and friends had arrived at camp. They had the fire started. They were all cozied in. It had never looked so good.

This was Baxter's first trip north. In fact, it was a weekend FULL of firsts for our little guy. He met his furry friends at camp. He met his human camping family. He played with his Cuzin' Merlin who gave him the cutest toy, a doggie Binky! He swam in the river. He went camping in the RV. He took his first road trip. Well, you get the idea.

Another highlight of the weekend was our Low Country Boil done Adirondack style. Thanks to our Virginia friends, we couldn't wait to try this out. I'm happy to report it was a huge success and very well received by all at camp. I'm thinkin' that we'll be making this a Labor Day tradition. At least I hope so. We are now on the hunt for the official cooker that our Virgina friends have 'cuz theirs is way more fun and infinitely easier to manage.

On Sunday we participated in the annual Duck Race in town. It's a cute little fundraiser for the Lake Association which helps fund the processes that keep the lake water clean and safe. A very worth cause. We bought a pink duck.Of course, Miss Grace picked it out. She (the duck) did not win the race; but I'm happy to report I did see her bobbing downstream and she did not get stuck in the pools along the way.

Here they come!

Silly Spectators

Finish Line

Our friends and neighbors from here in town joined us up north at camp for a day at the lake and for our special dinner. The kids had a great time on the lake. I even got a chance to ride in their really cool three-seated tube they tow behind their boat. Me and Miss Grace rode with Matt and Julianna, it was awesome! Miss Grace was SO serious the whole time, but I knew inside she was smiling BIG. Later on she told everyone how she rode in the tube. Too cute.

The boy children had a good time at camp, the furry one too that is...

Digging a hole, napping in the cool dirt.

Big boys, big toys

All in all it was a great weekend. The bitter sweet part is that it's the last summer camping weekend. It always comes so fast. But, I am grateful for all the good memories beforehand.

Sweetly remembering summer days,

~Kate-Lyn~

First Day of Kindergarten

I am so proud of her. Really proud.

For more than three days she insisted that she needed to ride to Kindergarten on the Mommy Bus. She would have more time with me. It was faster. It's the way it's always been. She never shed a tear or wavered from her matter of fact delivery. So I never thought it was anything more than a preference.

Then came the day before school. Bedtime.

The truth was revealed in a flood of tears that she could not longer hold back. After a busy day her coping skills were gone. It was then that I realized it wasn't about convenience, or Mom Time or routine. The tears fell in buckets. She was afraid. Really afraid. Of being safe with a stranger. Of not knowing the drivers name. Of the fact that she was in the care of someone she'd never met. That I'd never met. I never knew until then how deep her fears were set in. Oh boy.

I learned something about her that night. She didn't want to burden ME with HER problem. I was floored that she would hold this all in. Creating a mask that I might buy into, trying to tackle this on her own.

Thank God, she opened up to me. Thank you God that You gave me the words to quell her fears and the opportunity to learn more about my amazing daughter.

After a long heart-to-heart chat, day one came and she was ready to tackle her fears. Praise the Lord!

A Soggy, Rainy Stroll to the Bus Stop

Telling me all about bus safety tips from Mr. Mike

It's coming!!!!

Sending her on her way

I must say, sending a daughter off to school for the first day is entirely different than sending a son off. I'm not finding the right words to express it, but it just is. Maybe the fact that she is the last one to fly the nest has something to do with it?

Post Script: She sat with her little friend Luca. The bus driver is a wonderful, kind woman named Cathy. She is doing just fine.

I am so proud of her courage to tackle life, even when it's hard. She amazes me.

In Awe,

~Kate-Lyn~