Emma School Pictures 2020-1021

 

2020 = Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Dad is great he makes chocolate pancakes. It's a song mom sings when Dad makes me this for breakfast EVERY DAY! Everyone around me wants 2021 to come fast, but 2020 for me has been a great year for Dad and me! During lockdown Dad would take us for drives to get out of the house every night, I get to do school from home, and I've got the entire kitchen table for my toy horse arena! Mom is very busy doing mom stuff, so's dad. But dad always takes breaks to help mom out and clean! It's nice having everyone home until it's not. Every night I get upset because of something my older siblings said or left me out of. But Dad always ends my night with Uno and a prayer. 2020 was not a good year for a lot of people, but for me, it was a year of Dad and chocolate chip pancakes. 

 

Samuel's play list

 King of Random

How to Build a Mini Flamethrower! TKOR Makes The Best DIY Flamethrower Using A Fire Extinguisher!

Daily Dose of Internet

This Animal Is On Your Face Right Now

Mark Rober

Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Shark Attack Test- Human Blood vs. Fish Blood

How it should have ended

How Avengers Infinity War Should Have Ended - Animated Parody

Mr. Beast

Eating A $10,000 Golden Steak (24k Gold)

Dude Perfect

Ping Pong Trick Shots 3 | Dude Perfect

Brave Wilderness

Stung by Giant Hornet

Hazardous air conditions - Oregon Wildfires.

 

You know that feeling when standing around the campfire, you move and the windy smoke follows. UUGGG that's what it feels like when you walk out the front door, you can't escape the stifling smoke! We have the most hazardous air conditions WORLD WIDE. Therefore we have all the animals in the house...1 Dog, 3 Cats, and a Rabbit. I don't know which is worse the smoke smell outside or the barn stink inside! 

Oregon Fires 2020

Along with these major fires, smaller fires are popping up here and there. The two very close to home are thankfully extinguished  tonight. The larger fires (112k acres)
however are at 0% containment and are spreading quite quickly. My in-laws fantasy trail extremely close to this dangerous fire! 

Media Detox

With all the crap going on in the world today; COVID, social justice, cancel culture, presidential race, how to have the perfect Pinterest work studio for distance learning 😱, etc. etc. . I put my hands up and prayed! I prayed for God's wisdom as my mind was in constant danger mode. I heard be still! I did so for about a week, no social media, no TV! A total reset! During that time I learned a lot about the brain! "This is your brain... this is your brain on drugs!" I did an about-face and learned about things that are healthy for the brain and my well being. 

I'm back from my mental vacation and have learned a few tricks to make social media more "my brain-friendly." 

-Snooze (for 30 days) those in your life that bring up triggers. I suggest snoozing again until mid-November for obvious reasons. 

- Unfollow those groups that feed into your worries! Unless you plan on taking action to help said groups, what is the point of just giving thoughts and prayers? 

- Put a time limit on the news. If you feel the need to get caught up on the news, do so with local news (they tend to be more neutral) and it's information that pertains to your local life.  That said, Portland has a lot going on, so I put a time limit to my viewing. Morning news only, watching the news before bed is not a good idea. Before my "reset" I was watching live protests at night, waking up to ask the question "Are we in a civil war yet?" It was a very toxic way of thinking. 

- ESCAPE! I had forgotten how much I enjoyed a good fiction book. And it's good for the kids to see Mom relaxed and enjoying herself! 

Family video 2012 - 2020

 

Desert Trip 2019

Portland Back the Blue

 

Awesome picture of an Oregon State Trooper in front of a "Back the Blue" billboard in downtown Portland. Unfortunately, this alliance with Portland Police did not last long, thanks to our DA announcing he will not prosecute rioters. 

Willamette River Fun

Nice relaxing day boating on the Willamette all the way past downtown Portland. We couldn't have asked for a better day!   

River beach spot in downtown Portland where "Riots for Revival" baptized many newcomers for Christ!  

Grammarly

Combing through and editing 21 years of blog posts takes time! It would have been nice to have an editor from the beginning. I have a love-hate relationship with technology. Google has corrected my spelling for so long I no longer even try. Blogging is a quick way to jot and capture memories with thoughts and pictures. Now I have this golden tool!

All the pretty little horses!

Hushabye, don't you cry,
Go to sleep, ye little baby
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses
Dapples and Greys, Pintos and Bays
All the pretty little Horses

Way down yonder
In the meadow
Poor little baby cryin' Mamma
Birds and the butterflies
Flutter 'round his eyes
Poor little baby cryin' Mamma

Hushabye, don't you cry,
Go to sleep, ye little baby
When you wake, you shall have,
All the pretty little horses
Dapples and Greys, Pintos and Bays
All the pretty little Horses

*This song was apart of bedtime CD that I played for Christian and Maddy when they were little tots. 

Emma asked me to take pictures of her Shleich horse set up! She uses her imagination every day to bring these toys to life. Every horse, rabbit, dog, and handler have beautiful names and personalities to match. 

Back the Blue in Portland

https://www.kptv.com/news/mayor-wheeler-on-rioters-setting-fire-at-portland-police-building-you-are-attempting-to-commit/article_8e01541e-d839-11ea-8736-4b746b521476.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=779258222878154

What's your John Wayne moment?

M* had her "John Wayne" moment this afternoon. What do I mean by John Wayne moment? Well 2020 has brought a number of tragedies into people lives... COVID-19 pandemic, shut down of schools, loss of jobs, protests, social justice, and the latest cancel culture. But some event will affect someone to the core. Dane one night came to me in a tantrum like state, "That's it they've gone too far!" Followed by an emotional "They took John Wayne down.... at the John Wayne Airport, they took down his statue and are renaming the airport!" Being a huge western movie fan this shook him to the core. Every time we traveled to Disney we would visit the statue and take pictures.

For my Grandma L*, I imagine her moment was the threat to cancel the play Hamilton. For her 90th birthday she was treated to a showing of the play with her closest friend. I listened to her play that soundtrack over and over again last time I visited her. Me, having never been to the play, I was sure to watch when it came out on Disney+ last week (better late then never)!

So what was M* John Wayne moment?  At Starbucks drive-thru this afternoon I ordered her usual Pink Drink w/o the berries. EEEk they were all out of the main ingredient (Strawberry Acia). Not only were they locally out of this ingredient, ALL Starbucks in our area were not getting any new shipments. Nope, she didn't order an alternative drink, we tried our luck to scavenge a Pink Drink from MANY locations only to hear they too did not receive everyones beloved strawberry mix. Her go to response.. "I hate 2020!" First world problems..... it's a real thing!

https://www.hungry-girl.com/go-to-guides/four-things-starbucks-pink-drink

*note find personal pictures from our trip

21st Anniversary!

I had so much fun making this art project for our room! String art birds, hot glued branch, hand painted lettering. 

Verse read at our wedding

 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

https://mypeartreehome.com/diy-sign/

https://candyribbonsweets.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/string-art/

My Chemical Romance MCR Birthday

I have an amazing friend whose love language is crafts! Last year she made and decorated this Mother War cake and this year drum major from Black Parade. She is one crafty lady!!!

Tapping into that right brain!

With the summer downtime, Christian tried his hand at painting!  This is the second of three paintings he did this summer. 

Portland Riots 2020

Pictures taken during daylight hours by my brave friend. Portland is not a place to be after dark as riots still continue to plague the city streets. Seems like just yesterday I was traveling to those Portland streets once a week for appointments. I make just one turn after the street I live on, travel past one city, then I'm right in the heart of Portland 15 minutes away. The saying "Keep Portland Weird" is no longer what comes to mind for the once beautiful Rose City. 

Moda Tower

Every shop boarded up 

Boarded for police protection

Pioneer Square

Microsoft Store

School Sucks!

Email received today - 

Last night the School Board met to think about a range of possible models for reopening schools this fall. Obviously the COVID-19 outbreak poses a rapidly-changing situation that will require a plan for schools that is flexible. At this point, our budget is unknown and we are still waiting to hear whether there will be federal or state assistance to lessen the impact of funding cuts.

To protect the health of our students and staff, the plan we create for each school must adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, the Governor’s direction, and Oregon Department of Education guidance. Currently we are looking at three types of operating models for fall.

Hybrid Learning Model

This model gives every student some classroom instruction and some learning at home. It allows schools to follow social distancing guidelines and limit cohort intermingling while providing access to teachers and classroom materials.

Students would be divided into cohort groups, with one of these schedule types:

• Cohorts alternate days, half weeks, or weeks: For example, Cohort A attends school on Monday, while Cohort B learns at home. On Tuesday, they switch. Or cohort A attends school the first week while Cohort B does distance learning. The following week they switch.

• Cohorts alternate on a morning/afternoon daily schedule: Cohort A attends school from 8 to 11 a.m. and learns at home from noon to 3 p.m. Cohort B does distance learning from 8 to 11 a.m., and attends school from 1 to 3 p.m.

• Cohort schedules vary by grade level: For example, some elementary students attend school daily, while secondary students alternate days/weeks or morning/afternoon.

Note: Under any of these schedule types, the school will be thoroughly cleaned between cohorts.

When an outbreak of COVID-19 requires a school building to temporarily close, this model would shift Distance Learning to allow continuity of on-going classes and lessons. Then students would shift back to a mix of classroom and distance learning as the situation allows.

Comprehensive Distance Learning

This model could be used for all students if the state does not allow return to classrooms due to the spread of COVID-19. Education might include a mix of live and pre-recorded video instruction, along with online sessions for students to get academic support and social engagement from teachers and peers. Direct instruction could be enhanced using an online curriculum. Elementary families preferring paper packets could have regular pickup and dropoff times.

Full Return to Classroom Instruction

This model would only be possible if state health and social distancing mandates can be met in the school buildings we have. Reducing the spread of COVID-19 will require minimizing the number of different people with whom students and staff intermingle.  We would need to create “stable cohorts,” which resemble the elementary class model, but are very different from the typical secondary school model.

Given current guidance from health and education authorities as well as recent trends in COVID 19 diagnoses, we do not expect a full return to schools in September.

While these three models are just broad outlines of the possibilities, we welcome your input as we continue the planning process. Please email your thoughts, questions, and concerns to XXXX

I miss my yesterdays!

I stumbled upon this poem that I haven't read for years. So I put this picture behind my written words. God is once again telling me to enjoy this time I'm in right NOW.

Sam turned 13!!! Blinked again!

Keeping an eye on this kid.. he LOVES fire! 👀

 

2020 Graduation

Chrisian's school announcement regarding this years graduation....

We have decided on an in person graduation that will take place in our current building at 1394 NW Civic Drive, Gresham. OR 97030 on Thursday, June 11th. Each graduate will sign up for a time (sign up sheet will go out shortly) that they can bring two guests and walk across a "stage" in the MEWA lobby area. We will practice social distancing and of course be sanitizing any surfaces in between graduates. We will have to require guests, graduates and MEWA staff to wear masks during the ceremony. There will be a photographer present and we will have a zoom link available that families can share with others who are unable to attend in person. **This event can only take place if we have enough students wanting to participate.

Like this year's prom, we have social media to help us celebrate....

M* turns 17!

 Cupcakes by Fat Cupcakes! 

https://fatcupcake.com/

R I P Raspberry

Raspberry (Emma's black and white rabbit) will be missed by us all! 

2020 Quarantine - Day 46?

Distance learning week 2 day 3. I'm losing my EVER LOVING MIND!

I did the math. I have 4 kids, that's 2 hours a day, times 4, equals 8. Let me double-check because I've been instructed we always double-check 4x2=8 HOURS!!! Holy crap how are moms across the country doing this every day? OK, let me be honest... I would never spend that amount of time on schoolwork with my kids, but the amount they are assigning would equate to about that much. So we've been skipping the "specials" like P.E., music, and library. I figure we go on a walk and they listen to music on nightly drives with Dad. Shouldn't reading through their assignments count as library time? I know, that's very crass of me.. but I'm getting crass with all the rules!

However, even one hour per kid is challenging! YEP 4 kids, no kidding! They have been told it's OK to take breaks, don't stress. While I agree with keeping things chill and not stressing, it's frustrating when one kid will do a little bit of work and desire a break, then wait till I'm busy with dinner to want to finish their school assignments. That said, the assignments between the two littles have been stacking up. I feel like I'm drowning!

Let me vent about math, my favorite subject. LOL (2nd grade... have yet to look at Sam's 5th-grade assignments this week. I'd like to be that mom... teach the ways of math. How to carry the one. Yikes, I know others before me have tried and failed. Today, 2nd graders reminded teachers to follow the instructions on new math, those that don't toe the line will have to try again. Considering they record answers, I also, had to learn how to add "friendly" numbers with "big hops" and "little hops". I'm finally getting it! :) 

Emma using sass and confidence teaches New Math....

 

Learning new long division with Samuel

2020 Quarantine - Day 38?

 Received news regarding the new ODE requirements for this semester's classes.

"To earn the credit for your classes this semester, you will need to complete 33.3% of the
coursework in each class with a passing grade (60% or above). The grade you receive will
be either a Pass/No Pass/Incomplete. Classes should be complete by June 15th"

This is both good and bad news for my teens. Good, it gives them the chance to complete another semester's worth of credits in the last month and a half of school. Bad, the great grades (A's and B's) they currently hold will not reflect on their GPA.
\

2020 Quarantine - PROM!

Last night my teens and I watched this livestream! So much fun!! Someday they can brag John Krasinski hosted their 2020 Prom with guests Billy Eilish and the Jonas Brothers!

2020 Quarantine - Day 36

Losing track of the days!

2020 Quarantine - Day 30

One month ago (March 13th) the littles had no idea that it would be the last day they saw their friends and teachers for the rest of the school year. An extended Spring break is all, we'll be back to normal soon!
Today the kids got to see a glimpse of their teachers from a "safe distance"..

 A TEACHER PARADE!!! 

After the parade, we logged into their learning app and did a few assignments. So far it seems easy enough. Basically just learning how to navigate the site and a bit of review. The biggest problem we're facing is our internet glitching. Dane's working from home (3 computers), the two teens both do online school (2 laptops),  Sam uses mine, and Emma has a school loner (2 more laptops)!

2020 Quarantine - Day 33?

As time goes by I'm sure this will all be updated.. but so far to date...

The COVID Rules:

1. Basically, you can't leave the house for any reason, but if you have to, then you can.
2. Masks are useless, but maybe you have to wear one, it can save you, it is useless, but maybe it is mandatory as well.
3. Stores are closed, except those that are open.
4. You should not go to hospitals unless you have to go there. The same applies to doctors, you should only go there in case of emergency, provided you are not too sick.
5. This virus is deadly but still not too scary, except that sometimes it actually leads to a global disaster.
6. Gloves won't help, but they can still help.
7. Everyone needs to stay HOME, but it's important to GO OUT.
8. There is no shortage of groceries in the supermarket, but many things are missing when you go there in the evening, but not in the morning. Sometimes.
9. The virus has no effect on children except those it affects.
10. Animals are not affected, but there is still a cat that tested positive in Belgium in February when no one had been tested, plus a few tigers here and there…
11. You will have many symptoms when you are sick, but you can also get sick without symptoms, have symptoms without being sick, or be contagious without having symptoms. Oh, my God.
12. In order not to get sick, you have to eat well and exercise, but eat whatever you have on hand and it's better not to go out, well, but no…
13. It's better to get some fresh air, but you get looked at very wrong when you get some fresh air, and most importantly, you don't go to parks or walk. But don’t sit down, except that you can do that now if you are old, but not for too long, or if you are pregnant (but not too old).
14. You can't go to retirement homes, but you have to take care of the elderly and bring food and medication.
15. If you are sick, you can't go out, but you can go to the pharmacy.
16. You can get restaurant food delivered to the house, which may have been prepared by people who didn't wear masks or gloves. But you have to have your groceries decontaminated outside for 3 hours. Pizza too?
17. Every disturbing article or disturbing interview starts with " I don't want to trigger panic, but…"
18. You can't see your older mother or grandmother, but you can take a taxi and meet an older taxi driver.
19. You can walk around with a friend but not with your family if they don't live under the same roof.
20. You are safe if you maintain the appropriate social distance, but you can’t go out with friends or strangers at a safe social distance.
21. The virus remains active on different surfaces for two hours, no, four, no, six, no, we didn't say hours, maybe days? But it takes a damp environment. Oh no, not necessarily.
22. The virus stays in the air - well no, or yes, maybe, especially in a closed room, in one hour a sick person can infect ten, so if it falls, all our children were already infected at school before it was closed. But remember, if you stay at the recommended social distance, however in certain circumstances you should maintain a greater distance, which, studies show, the virus can travel further, maybe.
23. We count the number of deaths but we don't know how many people are infected as we have only tested so far those who were "almost dead" to find out if that's what they will die of…
24. We have no treatment, except that there may be one that apparently is not dangerous unless you take too much (which is the case with all medications). Orange Man is bad.
25. We should stay locked up until the virus disappears, but it will only disappear if we achieve collective immunity, so when it circulates… we must no longer be locked up for that?
Any QUESTIONS??

Christian 18th Birthday Party!

I love his beautiful curly hair! I like it even more now that it's not past his chin ;) 💗 These brothers love each other so much!! 

Christian's 19th Birthday!

I can't believe my firstborn is 19 years old! While we usually have a big extended family celebration. This year our spring birthdays are being celebrated at home. Christian decided on a lemon raspberry cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. YUM!!!

2020 Quarantine - Day 15

 I haven't changed much of my routine, guess being an introvert isn't a bad thing during a pandemic. "Stay home, save the world." I can do that! Oh, and the research! I love reading, watching, and soaking up all the news. Fact-checking, projections, conspiracy stories, oh my! But I can only take so much before I empathically explode. My biggest trigger is all those Gen Z kids acting invisible, not treating this emergency as such. Every day M* asks to go to Starbucks, and every day the answer is "NOPE." Now she asks every few hours just to be funny. :) I'm enjoying blogging again, reading (although I miss the library), organizing, long walks, Netflix binge-watching, staying up late, and sleeping in. Not enjoying cooking, cleaning (Dane does), lagging internet, politics, kids bickering (similar to politics), kids playing (too loud), kids staying up late and waking early!

 

2020 Quarantine - Day - 14

 

Can you guess mine? I can't imagine the stress of adding school work to the mix!

2020 Quarantine Day 13

We thought a Pandemic would be the perfect time to raise a couple of ducklings. They are getting a lot of love and attention. Still haven't decided on names but we're getting lots of ideas.

 

 

2020 Quarantine - Day 11

 

Christian was born on April 9th, 2001, at 5 months old, I sat glued to the TV watching 9-11 unfold. Everyone mourned and came together during an uncertain and scary time.  Fast forward 18 years. This June is another monumental event that will be forever clouded by a world shutting down and mourning.