25 Random Things about me

25 Random Things about me

2/13/09

1. I've been married for 4 years and have 4 kids. (5 years this May)
2. 2 years ago, all 4 of them were under the age of 4.
3. If you're doing the math, it means our son was our ring bearer. (at 7 mo)
4. I've been to Haiti 3 times
5. I've gained a total of 100 lbs in the last 5 years
6. I've lost a total of 130 lbs in the last 5 years though
7. I miss my 94 Toyota Pickup (it was Jewel Green, SO CUTE)
8. I met my Husband at 3:00 am
9. I NEVER thought I'd like kissing a man with facial Hair
10. BUT I DO!!!!
11. I'm addicted to Sims 2 (previoulsy Sims 1 as well)
12. I love the game Taboo
13. Walking in the rain is AWESOME!
14. I love Flylady.com
15. I used to ride my bike with all four kids. (one on my back, 3 in the cart behind)
16. Now Corbin Rides solo.
17. I have filled out the Survivor application, but never sent it in
18. I will be applying again soon though!
19. I almost died 2 years ago this March.
20. The above statment still shocks me, and seems unreal!
21. I asked Jesus into my heart at age 4
22. But only recently started reaching out to him!
23. 4 kids will teach you that!
24. The thought of my daughter as a teen scares me to death!
25. This was harder than I thought it would be :)

Interview with my Children from '09

Interview with Sienna on March 5 '09 
by Josie Kyriss 

So I asked Sienna the questions. She's almost 4. 

1. What is something mommy always says to you? 
to put my clothes away. 

2. What makes mommy happy? 
Given her her teddy back 

3. What makes mommy sad? 
Yellin 

4. How does mommy make you laugh? 
By doin funny things 

5. What was your mommy like as a child? 
Doing good stuff. 

6. How old is your mommy? 
(holds up 2 hands with all 10 fingers) 

7. How tall is your mommy? 
Holds hands outstretched to each side, "THIS Big." 

8. What is her favorite thing to do? 
Cook 

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? 
Mommy just stays by herself 

10. If your mommy is on TV for something, what will it be for? 
For reason 

11. What is your mommy really good at? 
Getting Married 

12. What is your mommy not very good at? 
At not cookin 

13. What does your mommy do for her job? 
Takin Pictures, getting doggy (she pointed at the stuffed one) & Throwing things away (Josie says, Ie, thanks flylady) 

14. What is your mommy's favorite food? 
eatin Toast 

15. What makes you proud of your mommy? 
Gettin pictures done (pointed to frame above) 

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? 
a cartoon for with my blanket and my bed outside, and you'd sleep with the moon inside. 

17. What do you and your mommy do together? 
gettin your kid to sit on a chair (like we are right now) 

18. How are you and your mommy the same? 
I have curley hair and you have curley hair, Right? 

19. How are you and your mom different? 
Just for a reason. 

20. How do you know your mommy loves you? 
You get happier. 

21. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? 
the zoo. 

Interview with Corbin on March 9 '09 
by Josie Kyriss 

So I asked Corbin the questions. He's 5 1/2 

1. What is something mommy always says to you? 
Pray 

2. What makes mommy happy? 
Doing something that I can do 

3. What makes mommy sad? 
Doing something, like a no no. 

4. How does mommy make you laugh? 
Say a funny word 

5. What was your mommy like as a child? 
Puzzles, diapers. 

6. How old is your mommy? 
Uhh, I don't know, a thousand 

7. How tall is your mommy? 
Big, bigger, like smaller than a giant. 

8. What is her favorite thing to do? 
Play the computer all day. 

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? 
Look for me. 

10. If your mommy is on TV for something, what will it be for? 
Rolling in a circle to find her. 

11. What is your mommy really good at? 
help me get on the bike when I fall off. 

12. What is your mommy not very good at? 
Fighting 

13. What does your mommy do for her job? 
Helps get us in the circle, circle is the sunshine. If anybodies cold, the sunshine makes it hotter 

14. What is your mommy's favorite food? 
Mommy's favorite food is Salad. whoo ooo 

15. What makes you proud of your mommy? 
Give me something, like a guitar (IE: which he wanted last night but didn't get) 

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? 
Just Mom 

17. What do you and your mommy do together? 
Give the clothes, clothes are too small, give them to Henry or Jack. 

18. How are you and your mommy the same? 
Because we both people, from Adam and Eve. I'm a Adam and your a Eve (IE: we've been reading the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe,{ son of adam, daugher of eve.}) 

19. How are you and your mom different? 
we don't pee in our bed, we pee in the potty 

20. How do you know your mommy loves you? 
Because you spank me, thats why you love me. 

21. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? 
To Grandma and Grandpa's 

bonus: Can you please stop askin questions. Now what should be do? 

Never Gone

Never Gone

There is a pain that dwells within me;
Deep and often hid away.
There it waits till the moment when
I can no longer keep it there.

My heart’s still broken, my tears are real.
I miss you Papa, How I miss you still.
It’s been a year, but it feels like days
Since the day you so quickly fled

You know I loved you, no regrets
But the pain just doesn’t fade.
Some days when it stays deep and dim
Yet others as bad as right away

But always there, beneath my soul
Just waiting to take breath.
I’m sure there it’ll stay till morning comes
When I again get to see your face.


Josie Rae
March 16, 2005

Mother of the Flower Girl

Yesterday I was the mother. Not mother of the bride, or mother of the groom. No, my position was a scarier one. Although less emotional. My Vivacious daughter and independent son were chosen in a place of honor at our cousin's wedding. 

My story starts months prior to the wedding, when these darling children cut the curls out of the flower girl's hair and left her with hair shorter than any of her brothers. As the wedding drew near, I grew afraid. My children, daughter specifically, are known to shift from the amazing, obedient children, into little ogres without a moments notice.

The day arrives..The bribery, You must be good presents are packed, the dress and tux is in the car and off we go. Sienna's curls are only being slighly smashed by her car seat and mission one is accomplished as we pull up to the wedding place Right on time! 

After shyly posing for a few pictures, Sienna get's the idea and starts following around the bridal girls. They're so beautiful and she knows that she's special to be one of them. Corbin at some point looked at me (having been off with the groomsmen for some time), Mom, I'm not shy, I'm brave in my james bond suit!

I Then, as the wedding get's closer and we've been on our best behavior for some time, I can see the whites of their eyes starting to show. 

Okay, the wedding starts, they walk up the aisle without a hitch. Sienna dutifully drops EVERY last pettal and double checks before taking her place in line next to her cousin Kristen. Then it starts. She takes the basket, with a knowing look at Kirsten (she can't tell me No) and starts wackign herself on the head with the basket. Then starts hitting Kristen's dress with it. Seeing me finally she stops but then drops the basket (thump) and falls to the ground in a pout. Moments later she starts lifting up Kristens dress so I call her over to my seat (which was part of the plan if necessary) She sits on my lap restlessly for a moment before anouncing...I have to pee. 

To get to the bathroom you have to walk past ALL the people, down the stairs (which echo) and into the reception hall below. I ask her if she can wait. "No, I have to pee right now.) "Can you wait 15 mnutes?" "no, I have to pee." "Can you.." "NO, I AM GOING TO PEE MY PANTS!!!" Sienna loudly announces. I take her hand and we briskly move towards the stairs as quietly as we can. Down we go, trying not to echo. Fast as a whistle, we pee and up we go again with plenty of time to spare. 

Soon after it's her turn to walk down the aisle with Corbin, she jumps off my lap, right as she should and stands with Kristen for the last bit. With a gleem iin her eye, she walks to the middle of the floor, and stands still looking at all the people and NOT walking down the asile with Corbin. He grabs her arm and drags her down. She smiles the whole time and lets herself be drug by the arm as laughter lifts up. And I know She did it on purpose! Totally knowing it would get her some attention.

For the rest of the evening, my children enjoyed their place of honor and spent their time dancing (Sienna) and Mingling with the guests and groomsmen (Corbin) During the Groom and his mother dance, I, far from the dance floor get an odd feeling. I have not seen Sienna for a bit. Walking towards the dance floor, my fear is confirmed, there she is crawling and scooting on the floor in circles the dancing couple. They don't seem to mind and she sees me and get's up, although by now the song is over. At this point.. What can a Mother do??

Driving home I told them how amazing they were and adorble, brave and obedient. I told them I knew for SURE that God made them PERFECTLY for me! They were perfect to be my children and I loved them very much. Corbin says back to me. "Mom, you make me want to cry, that makes me so happy." Me too Corbin, Me too!

91 Years

     It's catch up on blogging time, since my school quarter has ended. Also it's mostly quiet since 2 of kids are still in school, which would be stupid, IF the sun was out. But it's not, so, I guess I'm okay with them going in a week after every other school is done. I love snow days, when they come, but make-up snow days are ridiculous. Seriously, isn't snowman building - PE, sledding and momentum - science, and cleaning up melting snow and wet clothing - Home Economics?

     Anyhow, I had time to day to edit the pictures from my Papa's 91st Birthday. He's a pretty amazing guy, and was out chopping wood 5 years ago. You couldn't keep him in the house. He had a slight stroke 2 years ago, and then fell and broke his hip a few weeks later. His favorite thing to do, once house-bound, was read, and he read like crazy, until he lost his eyesight in February. My Great-Grandma, who lived till 96 used to say that the most difficult thing you ever do, is get old.

     Papa has 4 children, 12+ grandchildren (I can't remember how many step Grandchildren), and around 19 great grandchildren. He grew up in an orphanage with his sister, and later was a Marine in World War II, and served in the Guadalcanal Campaign (Info: GuadalCanal Campaign, August 1942).    
     After his service, he lived in several states before settling here in Washington with my Grandma. He worked in the Old Arlington Hospital as a lab technician. As a grandpa, he is top notch, and knew the perfect balance between love and discipline. We all ate things we would never have ate for our parents (nut bread, liver, peas), and did not complain. He took care of his second wife after her stroke, learned all her recipes, and baked the best goodies. After his second wife passed away, he also began to date and later remarried my Grandma, his first wife. They now live together, and still make each other crazy.

It takes a lot of stuff to get old.

So many fun thing to find at Papa's and Grandma's House

Papa gave this GIANT Magnolia tree to Grandma Some 50 years ago on Mother's day. Like their family, it has flourished.

The Small Things

     Last summer my husband claimed faith in Jesus, as his savior. I, of course, became elated, and actually jumped for joy. I expected all our marriage troubles had ended. At first everything was great. Water tasted better, the sunshine was brighter and with my husband standing beside me at church, I thought I would never feel alone again.
     Apparently I had forgotten this warning  "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 and "In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil." Ephesians 6:16. 

     I was too happy to be alert, I was too confident to rely on faith, so when those flaming darts started hitting us, I ran. I didn't stand firm, I didn't hold up a shield, I cowered, I lost heart, and I became afraid. And here's the thing about fear, is that Satan loves fear. Fear is the opposite of faith, and if faith is the Shield we use to extinguish Satan's flaming arrows, then fear is the gasoline that spreads the fire.

     Fortunately, I am not alone in my spiritual walk, and beside me came many friends who held up their shields of faith, and built me up in truth.

“Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces;
    now he will heal us.
He has injured us;
    now he will bandage our wounds.
² In just a short time he will restore us,
    so that we may live in his presence.
³ Oh, that we might know the Lord!
    Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
    or the coming of rains in early spring.”" Hosea 6:1-3

     Hmm, have you ever noticed how history repeats itself?? When the twelve disciples realized that Jesus truly was God, and that he was all powerful, they thought all their troubles had ended. They were standing next to the man who was calling the most powerful men vipers and claiming a Lordship that at the time only belonged to Ceasar. They were more worried about who would sit on each side of Jesus' throne.  Mark 10:35-41

     Even as Jesus tries to prepare them for the a future of suffering rather than honor, they are comfortable and complacent because Jesus is going to solve all their problems. He will take down the Roman government and put Israel back on the map. Then Jesus is killed, and that was not part of the plan. But it was, it was part of God's plan, the larger plan, the plan that was set out from the very beginning and they didn't have to understand it to be part of it.

     Jesus didn't ever say he would solve all of our problems, he said he was the answer to our problems, and it's amazing how when I truly look to him, to his work, and to giving him the glory how my problems seem to fade. Then the little works of God, like small sparks, begin to shine. The small things that I hadn't noticed because the flame of fear was blinding me. The small things that are only seeds, but are growing and will be strong enough to weather each storm as it comes.

 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled;
    the hopes of the godly will be granted.

 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
    but the Godly have a lasting foundation.

         Proverbs 10:24-25

My Super Heroes

    I am almost done with my 1st year of Photography classes at Everett Community College. Here is my final project. We were given an open ended assignment that could be anything, so long as it fit into one of 4 parameters. It had to use one technique we learned this quarter I went with a diptych.

This project was really a nice challenge as I had to consider what I really wanted to photograph when given absolutely no boundaries, and rather the opposite. The options of using a scanner, composite or a diptych made the possibility endless. I first decided to do a diptych because I loved the idea of it, and knew there were so many possibilities beyond a self portrait and I wanted to explore that.  Second I thought about my artist statement, and that if it were true, and I really did love photographing kids, that it would seem odd to take my endless possibilities and do something non-kid related. The thing about photographing kids, is that you don’t want to make an image “only the mother will love.” I want to photograph kids in a way that creates an image that goes beyond documenting what they looked like at a certain age.  My son Barrett truly believes, currently, that he is Superman, and so I thought I would use that as my inspiration.

         I thought about the location for a few days, and drove around Arlington looking for the perfect place where the city could be seen, and yet with a street that wasn’t too busy or dangerous. I had two shots in mind, and figured I’d just see how it went. When working with two five year olds, you can never plan ahead too much. I knew I wanted to get an image of them looking over the city, sort of watching for crime, and then the second image of them running to stop the crime. Both boys were pretty good sports, although quite silly, and not very heroic all the time. The shot was one of my favorites, and this was the first time the shots I had hoped to get, were the ones I actually captured and liked overall.