Winter update - SPRING is here!!!!

It's finally getting warmer which means more pictures and outdoor adventures are coming soon.  The winter has been particularly interesting since we experienced an amazing snow storm that managed to shut down the Chicagoland for two days.  The season also brought a time of change in our family as we decided to stop the adoption process.  The decision was made around Christmas when Tom and I both felt that God was steering our family in a different direction.  The message was so clear, but it still took me most of four months to fully accept. Our social worker always talked about how peaceful our family was; where she never verbalized her reluctance for the adoption, I could feel it from her. She tried to politely tell me that she didn't want possible disruption to come to a family as close are ours.  We took the rest of the winter to pray and really look at the priorities of our family, even when we already knew God's answer.  Tom finally mailed in the paperwork to surrender our DCFS liscence and life is moving forward.  It was a hard journey to take, but many relationships were healed in the process.  God works in wonderful and mysterious ways!

This first video is of our first snow early in the season followed by the big storm aftermath in February.


















This winter also brought a life change for me.  Once I finished my Master's Degree almost 10 years ago, I vowed to never work again!  I wanted to have children and perform; something that definitely puzzled the professors on my Master's defense when they asked what my goals were following graduation.  I thought I had learned to never say "never", and God, once again, had other plans for me.  I wouldn't actually call it work since I REALLY enjoy what I'm doing and it allows Stephen and I (hopefully Rhea in the future) to participate in an activity where we grow together.  God knows I still need growing in so many areas, and Stephen has also blossomed. Soooo...

After Stephen started martial arts about two years ago, I wanted to get involved so I could be effective in teaching him at home.  We stopped lessons with his current school when we found out that our church had a dojo.  We thought it would be a great opportunity to involve the whole family since it was financially possible.  After about eight months, another opportunity came my way.  Stephen was taking an archery class when I heard of a Christian homeschool mom that owned an amazing Taekwondo school.  Divine intervention had me in her school in less than a week; on a road that I never pictured taking with my family.  My first interactions with her opened doors for our family that I didn't see possible anywhere else; so the journey began.  Let's just say I've learned a lot and still have pleanty of room to grow, while LOVING my work with kids and adults alike!  Stephen is making new friends, learning self control, and definitly growing in perseverance. Rhea is also coming back around to the idea of being involved again and will be a true warrior when and if she decides to join us.  I'm still performing musically, but my heart has been more into growing stronger as a martial artist and teacher these days.  In the end, I've taken what I've learned, and feel like I'm a better mom, wife and friend as a result of this new endevor. I look forward to what God has planned for all of us!

Taekwondo Tournament and Testing

Taekwondo has been such a blessing to our family. Stephen's interested has only increased since we have been with our current school and continues to grow. The first video is of him competing with his form during a tournament in Nebraska and the second is at testing back home. He is SOOOO awesome!!! Congratulations big guy!!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!! We had an incredibly BIG day today; complete with sugar highs AND lows. Tom and I began our morning performing an 8am Easter service in downtown Naperville with the kids in tow. It's awesome to be able to work and have the whole family together!! It was then time to come home for an early lunch and quiet time so the Easter bunny could come and hide all of those eggs. We weren't to keen on keeping the kids at home after gorging themselves with sugar, so it was off to the rock wall. Stephen was a champ and Rhea, well, I don't have to tell you that she throughly enjoyed herself for the first time on the wall. I was the designated Belayer since I didn't quite have enough energy to make it up the wall after a long weekend/two months of Taekwondo tournaments. I honestly crashed for two hours when we got home and look forward to much rest in the coming weeks!!

Pinewood Derby

We had so much fun at Pinewood Derby this year. I made sure we had a two week window to complete our cars this year and we made it to the finish line!! Tom made the initial cuts and then it was time to carve, sand and paint. I might have gone a little over board on Rhea's since it clearly was done by mom and not a 5 year old. She at least picked out the design, paint color and decals while participating a little in the sanding process. Tom also helped me with the weights in the end and was perfectly at 5 ounces for both cars. Way to go dad and awesome job to the whole family since each car made it down the track!! Stephen also won a speed award and I didn't manage to get a picture of his busy body that day. I at least have video if I can ever manage to get my computer to behave long enough to post them....lol

A Journey Through Time

Our homeschool is still going strong with a trip through time.  We started with astronomy this year along side creation.  Next was a study of the ocean, birds, dragons (hey, it's somewhat like a reptile),  and we have finally made it to dinosaurs.  The human body will be next along side the stories of Adam and Eve, and then onto Egypt!  The sad news for me in all of this is that Stephen is venturing onto second grade by next week.  How did that happen??  Rhea is plugging along and will start Kindergarten soon and constantly keeps us on our toes!!  Praise God for our little ones....that aren't so little these days!

The videos were taken at our homeschool group at Calvary called Impressions. The mission of this group is not as much about academics, but rather on relational development through organized activities. I think I can speak for everyone that one of our favorite class is art, taught by Pastor Michael Grove. He can take a simple art concept and turn it into a life lesson like I've never seen! Amazing!! Tom has been teaching the upper level bible class and helping me with our Physical Education activites too!! I've really enjoyed working with these women this year and look forward to what God has planned for us in the future. The kids present book reports twice a month and these videos were taken on our first attempt. Stephen and Rhea both did an incredible job and set everyone at ease by volunteering to go first. Rhea had to be bribed a little with letting her wear a costume; but hey, whatever works...right? I'm so very proud of their vigor and inspired by their fearless confidence!

Frisca

I can't say enough about my feline best friend. This little girl has been with me through the best and worst times of my adult life. I found her along side the road during my sophomore year in college. The poor thing was in horrible shape, but by evidence of today, sprang back and has filled all of our lives with her fuzzy joy. Our little 17 year old bundle of joy still demands her meals three times a day and we are happy to oblige. Thank you, Frisca for continuing to brighten our days!

In Motion

My latest photography project... After all that time learning about how to get that perfect picture in focus, I decided to take another route and play with light and motion. The first picture was taken at the end of winter while the Christmas lights were still in the trees in downtown Naperville. I managed to get close enough to the street without getting hit by any Metra buses! Tom and Rhea were then very patient with me as I asked them to walk around in circles for a half hour. As it turns out, I went with my first shot of them...lol

Rhea's Birthday

Halloween

We had a beautiful Halloween this year...as the Halloween holiday goes. Let's just say we had incredible weather and Rhea didn't freeze to death in her pink fairy costume. I was a pirate, and we even got ol' dad in the groove, going out in style as a priest. We left the bible at home, thinking that would be a little much since our neighbors already think we're weird. Sorry, no pictures of us since we got preoccupied with the little ones...

Christmas

It was a Merry Christmas indeed!!!  The house was decorated and the excitment of our two darling children made this once again, the best Christmas ever.  We enjoyed all of our usual traditions of finishing all the decorations by Thanksgiving day so we could enjoy the lights, trees and Christmas houses for the entire holiday season.  Stephen and Rhea made their usual Christmas gift bags for the family and eagerly awaited their big Christmas morning.  I think it's obvious that they had a GREAT Christmas and concluded with their usual "crash" by 5pm....

Stephen's Birthday

My baby is 7 years old today! How did that happen!?! Stephen had a GREAT day today at his Lego birthday party. Lego hasn't gotten around to making party decorations, so I improvised this one. He was happy, so that's all that matters!!

Stephen's Karate Promotion

Stephen's orange belt has been a long time coming, so we are very proud of him and celebrated with a large scoop of ice cream!!

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Fall Fun

The apples are finally ripe and the kids are ready to go. We went back to our favorite orchard near NIU. The first stop is to always partake of a few apple doughnuts followed by an iced apple cider to wash everything down. For a family that eats as healthy as we do, we consider this living on the edge. Really....

It was then off to the orchard and to play. The kids did a great job this year of actually taking time to pose for pictures. Here are the videos with pictures soon to follow.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Our next stop was to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Yep, you read that sign right. There wasn't really a sign that said not to climb the trees, but there should have been for children like Rhea that have been climbing anything since she was six months old. We enjoyed beautiful weather at the zoo and witnessed how cranky a tiger can be at feeding time. It could have been a little warmer since our next destination was just across Lake Shore Drive to the beach, but we all survived.

Sport's Zone

Our next stop on the big family visit was to Sport's Zone.  We had a great lunch at Cantigny and were ready again for some fun.  The first stop was go-cart racing.  I was driving Rhea, so you'll be happy that I didn't take any pictures while driving.  Uncle Dennis lapped me twice, but he didn't have a four year old with him either.  At least that was my excuse.  It was then onto the batting cages for the boys.  Everyone managed to get their fingers smacked by a ball, but all survived and had a great time!  Next up was a round of miniature golf.  Ryan, Stephen, and Rhea pretty much had their own rules.  At times, they were all putting the same hole at the same time while running circles around each other.  Rhea would frequently give up and just throw her ball in and call it a success!  I think this is the first time she actually "played" all 18 holes and even did a few over again while she was waiting for everyone to keep up.  I don't think we actually kept score, but my guess would be that either Alex or Aunt Carla won.  We were very hungry by the time the game was over, so it was off for pizza at Maciano's!!

Cantingy with the Family

This is the first of several post of pictures from our visit with extended family.  My sister, brother-in-law, nephews and parents came to visit us last week.  Everyone had a great time and our first stop was to get the kids some exercise at Cantingy Park while my sister and I passed it off as 'school' for the day.  I've performed here many times, but always in sub-freezing temperatures for Veteran's Day or marathon Memorial Day concerts.  Both events were well worth it, and I managed to not complain in EITHER circumstance.  OK, that's maybe a little stretch on the no complaining part, but I was mostly happy if no one stole my heater on Veteran's Day.  Anyway, it was nice to spend the afternoon walking around and finally taking a trip through the museum.  If you live in the area and have never been, it is a wonderful tribute to our service men and women.

An Arboretum Summer

Rhea and I love to take a trip, just the two of us, to the Arboretum each summer.  We always go on a bike ride through the woods to visit our favorite field and climb our favorite tree.  Remarkably, she still fits in her front carrier seat, but I think this is the last year.  I'll be hooking up the trailer for her next year, but still enjoyed one last time being close to her while we rode.  We then took off for the Children's Garden where her first stop was to the stream.  Rhea loves water, and more importantly, loves getting messy.  I love these times with her and will remember them always!

Halo Hoops Basketball Camp

Stephen went to his first basketball camp this summer at Calvary. We are so grateful for our church with how many sports opportunities they offer the kids. Halo Hoops was no exception to the wonderful environments provided by these incredible people. They not only learn the sport, but continue their journey with Christ. Did I mention that I thank God every day for our church?

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