The Real Me

Test

2009-05-07T13:19:00.001-07:00

One name forgotten. One remembered.

2009-03-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

I just sat for an hour trying to remember her name. To me she was Grams but I know she had a real name. Only I could not remember it.

Which is worse? Not remembering her name, not knowing anything about her or realizing that time and broken relationship have eroded the bedrock of relationship, so much that even her name can’t be dredged from the memory.

I remember. Minnie. Her name was Minnie. She died last week and was buried two days ago. I found out after it was all done.

Minnie a.k.a. Grams was not well known to me, nor I to her. She lived in Missouri and we lived in Idaho. During my growing up years I think I only saw her 3 times. My most vivid memory of her was in a housedress outside her old trailer home with a shot gun in her hand. She had just shot a 5 foot black snack in her front yard and thrown it to the dogs chained in the back yard, who immediately created a dust storm playing with it. She had one, freakishly strong, arm that had 2 fingers just below the elbow. That disability never seemed to slow her down and certainly didn’t affect her aim.

In my mind I think I loved her, perhaps by proxy. My mother loved her so I did too? The truth of the matter is I just didn’t really know her. However, when my mother decided not to love me she took her family, including Grams, with her. The last time I saw and talked with Grams was in 1989 and the last time I had meaningful conversation with my mother was in 1990.

What bothers me about all this is that I found out AFTER it was all done. What bothers me more is that I suspect this is how I will find out my mother is dead.

The larger question in all of this is "what will I struggle to remember about my mother after she is gone?" So many memories have been lost over time. There was a day when I would crumble at the smell of her perfume, or jolt at the sound of a voice around a corner that sounded like her. I would grieve remembering holidays that were and the ones that never would be. The memories were sharp, vivid and devastating. Not anymore. She appears infrequently in my mind as a reference to how I raise my children, clean my house or manage life. But, overall she is a blurry memory in my rear view mirror. However, I do still remember her name. Marilyn.

Alex's Recital

2008-12-31T10:59:00.001-08:00

Alex has been taking drums for 4 months. He is doing well, but GOODNESS THEY ARE LOUD!

Christmas Video for my "non-facebook" friends

2008-12-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

This is a little video I created for family and friends who weren't around to enjoy the great chaotic Riley christmas. I posted it on facebook but I am also posting it here for the rest of you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Scrapbook 2008

2008-12-29T06:40:00.001-08:00

I can't believe another year has flown by. I am nearing completion of the scrapbook of the our year and when I look back I realize it is a really busy one, like most. We are so blessed. The kids are healthy and happy, as are we. We have all we need and much much more. 2009 and is going to be exciting. I can't wait to see what is going to happen. God is good. All the time.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T19:11:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! Here is a little bit about our Christmas day. More to come.

(Click the word bubble for captions)

Tis the season

2008-11-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

After . . .

6 practices
3 rehearsals with the ballet company
2 performances

this is Brittany's first nutcracker performance. She is the little one at the very end of the dragon. She had a great time and I love that she loves dancing.

Who needs santa when you have Brittany for a sister?

2008-11-25T21:12:00.001-08:00

This little letter made me simultaneously laugh and tear up:

Dear Mama. I know you don't want to talk about presents now, but I want get Taryn a $90 Amarican Girl. With deitals I want to get her Kit. Taryn's my sister and I want to get her something very spesail. Taryn has always had my back and I've always had hers. Please Mama I want to do something really specsial for her.

Love Brittany

When it became music

2008-11-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

I know it's not great. But it used to be REALLY bad. This week we went to Emily's Jr. High Orchestra concert. I was VERY pleasantly surprised at the quality of the music. It wasn't without error, but it seems like only yesterday when it didn't even really sound like music. But now there is melody, harmony, rhythm and order. In a funny sort of way it gave me hope that some day all the other disciplines, instructions, prayers, hopes, and experiences we invest in these children will produce something beautiful.

The years are good . . . aka "longest blog post ever"

2008-10-28T08:15:00.001-07:00

1972 I am born in Seoul, Korea
1973 I am living in Korea. Since I have no authentic history I can only assume I was royalty, living in a fine palace with servants.
1974 I am adopted to a family in Detroit. I had 9 brothers. The family decided they couldn't handle a baby and the boys so I got the boot. Seriously? I was more work than the boys? I think these people NEED servants.
1975 I am living in Reno. I remember going to Circus, Circus and seeing the elephants, laying on scratchy orange carpet listening to records and having the chicken pox. My parents (newly adopted) divorced this year. I remember leaving our house, on our way to Canada, and seeing my dad's stuff roped off in the corner of the living room with a yellow plastic rope. I have a brother and a sister. They don't want to be my servants.
1976 I am living in Coeur d'Alene, ID. We got stalled out here on our way to Canada. We like it here and stay.
1977 I start 1st grade when I am five at Grace Academy. I'd like to say it's because I'm brilliant. I think it is actually because my mom needs to work and needs me to be at school and there are no servants to babysit.
1978 I start the year with a school transfer to public school in Mrs. Wolf's class. I love the "Wolf Den" where we can read books.
1979 We transferred to private school again at Coeur d' Alene Christian Center on Prairie ave in Hayden Lake. It looks a little bit like an ark in the middle of the empty fields. Our uniforms are grey and maroon. Nice.
1980 May 8th (Mother's Day) I asked Jesus into my heart.
1981 Michael is my best friend. We are going to get married. We will buy a grey car and a maroon car. He promises me servants when we get married. Whata guy.
1982 4th grade was a year! (That's my way of saying I can't remember anything about it)
1983 Kari Rasmussen and I meet during my first year back in Public School. She is really tall (currently 6' 3") and I am not (currently shrinking). We are the best of friends. Janna and I meet at church. This begins a long lasting relationship with both my bestest friend and the Assemblies of God.
1984 6th grade is a blast! We love Mr. Couser. He names his daughter "Hailey" which is NOT one of the names we nominated. How come Anne (Mrs. Couser) gets to over rule us? One of my worst memories of this year is that I failed the test for the smart kids' class and all my friends pass. I think I am not smart and am probably going to make a career out of being a house servant. My mother decides to marry Sandy. I love him. He made tire swings, fixed motorcycles, let me play barbies in the old hot tub. Who even wants to have servants when you have a daddy?!! We celebrate their wedding with a trip to the world's fair in Vancouver. Did you know there are LOTS of people who look like me?
1985 I don't like 7th grade! I am ugly and have headgear. I hate it. My mother doesn't like Sandy anymore. I still do. I am on the dance team, which I enjoy. Jenni Frosty enters my world. She's going to be a famous actress. Maybe I'll be her servant. She probably passed the smart kids test.
1986 I don't remember 8th grade. I do remember living in a house with no heat in the middle of winter in North Idaho and practicing the piano in snow pants, gloves, hat, down coat and scarf. True story. Sandy's house had heat. We don't live there anymore.
1987 9th grade has promise. I like high school . . . other than the fact that my sister is in the same school and has decided that since the upper class men don't have lockers that she and her 6 friends can move into mine. I AM NOT HER SERVANT!
1988 God allows me to see a glimpse of the rest of my life. I am going to be a pastor. God's servant.
1989 I like school. I stay here from 7 a.m. until 6 at night. Literally. I take all the classes I can from our split shifted options and have like 5 music classes. I also stay for drivers ed after school. This keeps me out of the house. It is good.
1990 I graduate with honors from Coeur d'Alene High School, I turn my mother in for child abuse, I have foster parents, guardian parents and all sorts of people to care for me. In the fall I begin a new life at Northwest College. I love college but I work too much and take too many classes. I get my first pastoring job at a Korean church. They think white people are servants. I discover I am not white.
1991 Sophomore year at college! I am working as a legal secretary in Downtown Bellevue. I love school and continue to know that God has spared my life for a purpose. I survive a potentially fatal accident.
1992 I decide that to fully fulfill God's call on my life I am going to have to be single. I can't image having room for God, a husband and children in a life of ministry. I become part of an amazing church plant and begin a five year journey with some of my best friends/mentors/co-ministers anyone could ever hope for.
1993 Kyle and I get married. He doesn't promise servants. But, he is a true servant in his heart.
1994 I graduate from Northwest College.
1995 I am bored so I go to Graduate school. I love Seattle University. It's a blast.
1996 Emily Marie Riley is born. I adore her. Because I have been laid off of work I get a bunch of months at home with our chubby baby to rest and work at the church.
1997 Finished (mostly) with grad work and arrive in Billings Montana. I begin work as a Children's pastor and work with a great servant of God.
1998 Alexander Johnson Riley screams his way into our world. What a boy he is! Kyle lives in Portland for 6 months while training for the job here. It is a long year. Did I mention Alex screamed?
1999 Brittany Janae Riley arrives on August 8th
2000 No millenial systems crash and life is busy busy busy. Anybody who is crazy enough to have 3 kids in 4 years should either be committed or have lots of servants. Where are they????
2001 Taryn Alyson Riley jumps into the mix. She has red hair. She is definitely firey. I am done having kids. We fix that.
2002 Brittany is diagnosed with cancer. Life is fragile and difficult.
2003 We are doing well. I leave our church home of five years and go to co-pastor in nearby Laurel. Taryn is scooting herself about and Brittany is bald.
2004 Brittany's health had some bad turns so I quit work. It was good and necessary for our family. I have never not worked outside of the home. It's crazy.
2005 We are good. God is good. Treatment is done. Emily and Alex are in school. Brittany has the heart of a servant. God's people have served us well throughout this ordeal. Truly His hands extended to us. I begin traveling and consulting for churches. I LOVE this work. I get to meet so many people and serve them at their point of ministry need.
2006 Does anybody remember what happened in 2006?
2007In addition to continued ministry opportunities God opens the door to work with non-profit businesses locally. Totally cool!!
2008 I am 36. God is good. What will the rest of the years hold?

Miscellaneous Meanderings

2008-10-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Allow me to wander a bit . . . Today ends a week off with virtually no work to be had. I suspect I was getting grumpy, stressed, mean, forgetful, irritable, tired, overwhelmed, scattered, frantic or all of the above because last week Kyle insisted I take this week O-F-F. Hmmm . . . is that self-preservation on his part? Whatever it is I approve. I completely enjoyed not doing anything other than the bare minimum household things. I scrapbooked, played with my camera, made an attempt at starting Taryn's quilt. (All 3 other children have quilts hand made by me. Taryn seems to have fallen through the proverbial "last baby" crack. I am trying to remedy the situation) I started listening to "The Shack" and then gave up because in the amount of time it took the reader to read through 5 chapters I could have had the entire book done. So, I bought the book and finished it. The only productive thing I did was clean out the laundry room which got buried again in the season clothing change-over from the kid's rooms and balanced my checkbook. Isn't that LOVELY. I am thinking I am going to do it all again next week! YEAH!

Here are a few highlights from my last few very very busy weeks:

I facilitated a meeting with our AG District leaders early this month. This was a great meeting, lovely location and very productive. However, the stakes felt really high for me in this meeting. I wanted so badly for it to go well because I respect these men very much, I need to work with them in the future so I wanted it to go PERFECT, and this was the first meeting I had done with the group. So, God was good, the work was good and it went as it should have.

Funny thing. On the way to the meeting, 5 men in my car and a van load of men following us, I hit a pheasant in my windshield. WHAM! They made more fun of me for that! THEN, I ran over a (previously smooshed skunk) which made the car smell. So, they teased about all that and then were worried about the family dog on the way into the drive way!

A friend and I threw a baby shower for a mutual friend from church. It was a lot of fun. Sheesh, I think I'M tired. I think I forget what I felt like when I had infants in the house.

Senior pictures . . .I took a couple of sets of senior pictures. I was quite pleased with them. Practice makes perfect, which is a good thing since I think it takes me about 500 pictures to get 10 good ones!

More pictures . . . I took pictures this week of some good friends of ours, and their tribe. In just over an hour we got some good pictures, which is nothing short of a miracle since there were SIX kids (and mike) to juggle.

Kids and Cowboys is an annual event put on by one family for the local families affected by childhood cancer. There are horse rides, clowns, prizes, dinner and free rodeo tickets. The kids look forward to it every year. When I look at the pictures of our lovely healthy children and contrast it with the bald, weary, sick looking children in the same room I am reminded of God's faithfulness to us through the health of Brittany and all of us. God is good. All the time. How can I possibly tell a family that who's child died recently? How can I tell that to a grandparent who is terrified they will have to comfort their child through the death of their grandbaby? How can I tell a caregiver who suffers through the horrific journey of childhood cancer? I can only hope I live and represent it well. A banquet room filled with families affected by childhood cancer. It hardly seems fair.

Something I will never understand. Yes. That is a child strapped to a charging farm animal (sheep) to see how far they can go. It's called "mutton busting". This is a competition that happens every year at the rodeo. I don't understand the parent who thinks it's a good idea. I also don't understand the child who thinks it looks like fun! Oh. Wait. Taryn said she wants to do it next year. Shocker.

On the list of things I never thought I would see . . .or care to. TRAINED BUFFALO. This one-armed cowboy/entertainer brought out two HUGE buffalo and called to them until they VOLUNTARILY jumped up on the bed of this truck and climbed onto the top of the horse trailer. SERIOUSLY! And then he followed them. What an odd thing.

But once again, as I do every year, I sat back in awe as I watched and listened to unabashed speaking and singing about Patriotism and about God. In a society that is laced with people who think others should never have conservative views and values I am always shocked to see this at the rodeo. It's my favorite part.

There's more details about what I've been up to, but for tonight I'll stop there and go to bed. With visions of mutton dancing in my head.

LOL moment

2008-10-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ok - I know I am a pitiful blogger but I have been dreadfully busy. I am looking forward to time off next week! YEAH! In the meantime, I just had to share this video from our friend Mike. Good for a laugh or two or three.

Government Class

2008-09-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

There was this really cute guy in government class in high school named Rob. Other than that I remember very little. This would explain why I found this video both fascinating AND helpful. In the spirit of our upcoming election you might enjoy this also.

Picture night

2008-08-29T23:45:00.001-07:00

Michael, Darryl and I went out shooting tonight and here are my favorites!

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . start your engines!

2008-08-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

And they're off!

7th Grade, 5th Grade, 3rd Grade and 1st Grade

Did I say SEVENTH grade?

City Walk

2008-08-23T12:29:00.001-07:00

Today Bobi and I joined 8 other individuals from Billings for a photographic City Walk. This walk was coordinated with others like it in cities around the U.S. We did a short 1.5 mile loop through downtown, the farmers market and ended with the skate park. This is a competition both locally and nationally. While I don't aspire to win prizes I did have a good time and took a few interesting photos. It was nice way to spend a summer saturday morning.

Last drops of summer . . .

2008-08-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

Today I got to have a little play time with the kiddies. Mike and Nicole invited us to Cooney to play in the water. We only had a few hours but the kids had a great time. It was nice to be on the water and to relax and play. It feels like summer has slipped away from us. I am ready for school to start and to get back into the routine, but days like today make me want to hang on to the last few drops of summer vacation.

Yeah . . . THAT'S gonna happen.

2008-08-13T21:48:00.001-07:00

I was just doing one of my most detested of household chores, cleaning the oven. (Especially wicked tonight since I spilled a mass amount of quiche in it last week) Emily was watching me so I decided to capitalize on the recent "I'm bored, end of summer" attitude around here and said "This would be a GREAT job for a kid who can't find anything to do!" She said "Would the kid who can't find anything to do get paid?"

Yup. Just as soon as I get paid for doing her laundry.

Brittany's Birthday!

2008-08-11T14:00:00.001-07:00

Brittany Janae Riley turned 9 on Saturday. She had a quiet birthday but got her much desired American Girl doll, Kaya, whom she adores. . . almost as much as we love her.

Congratulations Queen Muchacha!

2008-08-01T23:37:00.001-07:00

Kyle's sister, Casidee, Got married tonight, August 1st. I'm tired, but here are a few favorite pictures from the day! More to come later when I can see straight.
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Ready, set, rehearsed

2008-08-01T05:59:00.001-07:00

I think everybody is rehearsed, dressed and ready to marry! Here are some of my favorite pictures of the day.

Bride and Groom!

Taryn, cutest flower girl ever!

Courtney, cousin and bridesmaid

Addison, flower girl

Rob and Riley cooling their heels, waiting for the party to start.

I WISH I knew what was going on in Jack's little brain here. This picture made me laugh out loud.

Tracy, bridesmaid, crying already!!!!

Wedding Week!

2008-07-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's wedding week! We are winding our way towards casidee's wedding Friday night. Last night bridal shower and bachelorette party, tonight rehearsal and dinner and then on straight to the aisle tomorrow!!!!

Here is my favorite picture of the bride and the bride mamma from last night.

Note: I just noticed that this is my 100th blog post! I wasn't sure I would enjoy this way of communicating with family and friends, but here we are . . . 100 posts later. Thanks for reading.

A tribute. . .

2008-07-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

Anniversary on the ocean . . .

2008-07-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years ago today I married this man.

I love him.

He loves me. And I'd marry him again. We are blessed.

Tonight we saw the sun set on the ocean together. What a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years of marriage and to anticipate many many more years.

Today we went to the aquarium and to the beach. Yesterday's adventure was the lighthouse. Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

(Hint: Click the speech bubble to get captions to the photos)

Greetings from Newport, Oregon

2008-07-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on the way to the beach, we went to the Tillamook factory, took a tour and then had some excellent ice cream. Today My brother, Park and I, got up early, went to Starbucks and then had a few moments to see the early morning view of the ocean. It is glorious!

We had a long, fun and windy day at Newport beach. The wind creates beautiful dunes but makes kite assembly challenging. (5 adults to 1 kite just to get it put together!)

It's wonderful to see family, hang out with my niece and nephew and just enjoy the beach. More to come later! I was trying to upload pictures and blogspot is having some issues, so when I can I will show you the sites.

Road Trip Fun

2008-07-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ok - So we made it to Portland, en route to Newport to hang out on the ocean. This is near the end of a long day of driving.

By the end of the day we're just plain SILLY!

LOL moment

2008-07-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

In reading a news article discussion about having a smoking section on an airplane one reader writes this.

"Smoking sections in the confined space is pointless. That is like having a fart corner for an elevator. It just doesn't work."

I LOVE humerous logic.

My picture of the day . . .

2008-07-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sweet daddy and baby.

Happy Independence day!

2008-07-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

We spent our holiday hanging out, going to Mustangs baseball game (in 100 degree temps.) at the new ballpark. Later we see fireworks in Laurel. I practiced some photography, had a good day with family and sweated . . . a LOT.

What I did with my summer vacation. . .

2008-06-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Swim lessons, baseball, tae kwon do, tennis lessons, cello lessons (not pictured), fun at the pool, garden planting, library reading program . . . . .

I'M TIRED and they STILL have energy. How is that possible?

Scrapping ballet . . .

2008-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Sad endings and happy continuings

2008-06-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had the official "Four years post chemo" visit for Brittany. She is healthy, happy, thriving and a joy to our lives. We thank God for her and for her health. Tomorrow is her ballet review. I will smile when I watch her dance, celebrating the moment, remembering the fear of never having these moments with her.

The sky cried and so did Emily on this last day of school. She has been so excited at the prospect of being out of elementary school but when it came right down to it, it was just . . . sad. Some friends are moving away and some are going to other schools. And, let's face it, change is hard, even when it sounds like it's going to be fun.

We have a 7th grader. How did that happen?

Voyeuristic Kitty

2008-06-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

I am going to, just for a moment, be one of those sad people who blog about their pet. Calwyn, Emily's kitty, has developed a new (and unwelcome) trick. She likes to leap from the bathroom counter to the top of the shower rods while people are in the shower. She likes the sound of the water and comes running when the shower is on. It's not our favorite thing and I am worried that she'll fall in on some uncovered, unprotected, and unsuspecting shower-ee. Ah, the wonder of pets. As if the kid issues weren't enough!

A quiet weekend

2008-05-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

I don't remember the last time we had a family weekend that was quiet like this! Friday afternoon we went to Price Caspian with the Bible Quiz kids and then they had dinner and a sleepover at the church. So, Kyle and I had a wonderful evening out, using a gift certificate to nice restaurant (I actually put on makeup, INCLUDING mascara, so you KNOW it's a nice eatery) and ate with some friends, returning home later to play Catan with them! We had a peaceful saturday. I finished some work in the morning and Kyle did laundry (LOVE that man!). We had a wedding in the afternoon and played games in the evening. Sunday we had church in the a.m. We went together this week since I didn't travel to Bozeman this weekend. (I have a long contract in Bozeman and have been commuting every Sunday.) We had a nice lunch out, napped, hung out with friends, got to see baby Riley show off his newly-discovered crawling skills and then I did some scrap booking catch-up. This morning we had a late, lazy breakfast, watched a movie, kiddies played with friends, I did some more scrapping, Kyle is out at a movie and then we are going have a BBQ with more friends.

As I read this post and look at these pictures I am thinking, as I have many times before, that we are so blessed; Friends, family, food, shelter, joy, provision and a Savior that loves us beyond measure. Thank you God!

Hugging my girls today!

2008-05-24T13:39:00.001-07:00

Dancing with Cinderella

Steven Curtis Chapman

What a day!

2008-05-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

This was a momentus day, or at least it had the potential to be. Brittany was to have her 4th year post-chemo dr's visit. (Dr's office was slow, so we had to re-schedule.) It hardly seems possible that it was 6 1/2 years ago that we embarked on the journey through cancer. Unfortunately, my memory of some of the first moments were refreshed because a college roommate reconnected with me today because her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia just 24 hours ago. It just made the celebration of Brittany's excellent health, our own memories of a horribly tough time in our life and our understanding of what this family was going through, all run on the same emotional track. For those of you who weren't around us at this time or if you want to refresh your memory here is look back. Brittany's Website

Tonight I took Emily to her Jr. High school open house. Do you remember Jr. High school? BLECH! However, Emily has now fallen out of favor with me as the favorite 1st born. Why? We were talking about our friends (Kyle and I) and Emily was asking how old they were. I was telling her that we were the youngest of most of our friends and she BUSTED OUT LAUGHING. "That's FUNNY since you are 35 and the YOUNGEST. I mean, you're only 5 years from being 40!" I don't like her. I never have. Maybe all those lovely children at the Jr. High will help her learn to respect her mother more. Yes?

I went to a 90th birthday party of a dear lady, Sister Marianne Brandt. She is so fun and sweet. It was joy to see her. I love being around her. HOWEVER, right before I left she asked me if I was expecting any more babies. WHAT? She said "Well you always cute babies around, have some more." I almost called her senile, in my "out loud" voice. I don't care if it was her party. I don't like her. I never have. (Actually, I adore her.)

So I end the day with ice cream and an ice pack (for my back). What a day.

Photography lessons . . .

2008-05-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

What I learned this weekend:
Children don't need heads to be cute. We went to a wedding of a former youth group member and I caught the two little flower girls holding hands. I love the shot.Children WITH heads are cuter.
Some things just make you smile. This is a Groom. He abandoned the hat just minutes before the ceremony. I wasn't sure that we he was going to let it go though since it was literally MINUTES. I think he tossed it on his way down the aisle. The groom's cake was, appropriately, guinness adorned.
MOTION . . . a fickle but thrilling thing. I liked that I caught Simon in motion and you could see his movement. However, I completely missed the fact that he is flanked, in the background, by his dad and little brother. I wish I had them in focus also.
LIGHTS in motion are F-U-N . . . .FUN! YIPPEE!! FUN lesson. Darryl took me out "shooting". I learned that a.) I like the lights in motion concept. b.) There is NOTHING thrilling about architectural photography to me. Perhaps it'll grow on me, like a bad habit that I can't get rid of.
Nature photography is only a slight step above architectural photog for me. The moral of the story is people, that I think I like taking pictures of things with eyes and smiles.

Oooo . . . pretty

2008-05-15T14:04:00.001-07:00

So I don't ever remember having my toes painted with flowers and pretties and such, but today Courtney (cousin) did my toes. I was so impressed that I feel obligated to share them with the rest of you. My conclusion? Toes/feet are REALLY difficult to get a good picture of. No amount of glitter or nail polish helps.

But I FEEL pretty. That's got to count for somethin'!

How do you spell . . . disappointment?

2008-05-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a momentous day for me. I received a hard copy of my first published article, in the mail. Having not seen a preview copy, only my text, I was anxious to see it in full color. I opened it. First page, good. Second page, gooo . . . . WAIT . .. THEY SPELLED MY NAME WRONG. AND they didn't even use the bio that I included. My website isn't mentioned, no mention of consulting, background etc. I was so hoping this article, in a pretty well circulated ministry magazine, would at least bring awareness to my business, if not me personally. But, how can it. People can't even search the archives to find me. Why? BECAUSE MY NAME ISN'T REILLEY. Say it with me people "reprint"!

(and no, I can't send you article . . . it's not in digital form yet)

Family pictures

2008-05-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

We have been taking Riley family pictures, on the sly, for Kyle's mom for Mother's day. After the pictures are done then we are doing polaroid transfers of them. Here are a few pictures of the ones I took.
Taylor
Hunter

Bobi and Riley boy
My family

How many can you name?

2008-05-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Things that perplex me . . .

2008-05-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

How is it possible to have run out of lunch meat and tuna at the SAME TIME? (Thank GOD for peanut butter.) Why are there dirty, sweaty, stinky socks sitting on the piano keys? Is it really necessary to kiss the cat before bedtime? Why didn't Kristi Yamaguchi dance well last night? How come Jason Castro is still in this competition? How does my desk get so messy? Exactly how many dandelion bouquets do I have to pretend to be grateful for? When will the maid show up at my house? Is it necessary to coat the inside of the sink with toothpaste? Exactly how long until I get to quit asking "have you changed your underwear"? When will it be assumed that "brush your hair" includes BOTH the parts you can see AND the parts you can't? Sigh. This has been "Deep thoughts from Mommy Riley".

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last few days! I was told the way to get better at photography is just to take lots of pictures. Do you think 400 in a week is excessive?
Baseball game snacks!
Emily's 12 year picture
Courtney and Addison. LOVE this picture.
Jeffrey - one of the 6 unfairly cute Iverson kids.
Iverson boys.
Addy Jayne!
Brittany and Taryn. We were at Phipps park and I was just playing with the lighting and ended up getting a fun picture.

Say wha?

2008-05-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mommy: Alex, go to bed. You have an early game tomorrow. Lights off.

Silence. Pause. Alex is hula dancing.

Mommy: Alex, why are you standing there? I told you to GO TO BED.

Alex: I know. I'm dancing with my shadow.

How does one POSSIBLY respond to this kind of logic?

I told he AND his shadow to go to bed. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Room renovation

2008-04-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

This spring break Emily moved upstairs and Alexander moved to the basement. Emily wasn't particularly fond of the clouds and airplanes on the walls (neither was Alex . . he was "so over them") so we did a little room makeover.

2 inch teal stripes on the wall. My friend, Jennifer, and I did this on two walls.
I LOVE these curtains, even though it took a long time to find the right fabric. I was just pleased that they hung straight once they were sewn!
The stenciling says "By day the Lord directs His love, by night His song is with me.

I just hope she loves it for the next 6 years. Because I'm not doing it again until she moves out.
Design my Mommy
Stenciling by Daddy
Painting by many

And so it begins . . .

2008-04-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Alex had his first "Majors" baseball game tonight. He truly enjoys it. I wish I could say the same. I'm a wimp. It was cold. I think there should be a law against playing baseball in anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit! However, it was fun to watch him play for a bit. Perhaps he is gaining his Daddy's love of the all American sport.
I'm thinkin' "eyes open" increases the chances of hitting the ball!

Kids . . .

2008-04-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

I don't think I ever imagined that my life would be so wrapped up in kids. I didn't really set out to be a children's pastor. I knew I would be a pastor, just didn't know that kids would be my focus for as long as it has been. However, here I am, having watched two of my favorite girls today and having kissed on our baby nephew and beautiful 3 year old cousin, returned from Junior Bible Quiz practice, and waiting for our own four to go to bed. I will spend this saturday surrounded by 100 kids, and spent last Saturday with 11 kids in my house for the day. Last week was wrapped up in advocating for children desperately in need of an advocate. Did I set out to be surrounded by kids? I don't think so. Is it God's plan for my life? Yes.

In all that I do, and all that I say I pray that God will constantly remind me of the priority of teaching and loving the kids that wander into my life. Some kids have drifted in and out of my life and I barely remember their names and faces. Others are indelibly written on my heart and prayer list. God give me strength (and patience) for my own kids and for all those I am privileged to help grow . . .

Anna looking quiet and peaceful.

Beth posing for me by the window.

Big boy!

2008-04-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

Today I had a surprise visit from baby Riley! He is getting so big! He came fully decked out in Camo and wearing a jauntily side sitting hat. If it is possible to be both "stylin'" and wear camo at the same time he managed it.

Mmmmm . . . FOOD

Teasing Auntie and hiding his eyes.

District Council recap

2008-04-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I left on Sunday for District Council (Annual AG pastor's business meeting for the State), which was held in Kalispell this year. We left late on Sunday because I had a conference in town until 8:00. We were on the road by 9:00 p.m. We arrived to spend the night in Great Falls at 1:30 a.m. We were really late because of the blizzard we ended up in! We stayed the night at the house of friends of friends and it was LOVELY to have hospitable people welcome us. We slept good, had a wonderful breakfast of swedish pancakes and fresh strawberries and were sent on the way with a lunch box so we didn't have to stop until we reached the church in Kalispell. What a blessing!

We had a nice time seeing friends, playing games and re-connecting. The speakers were OUTSTANDING and it was so inspiring; the worship and the Word.

I made it through the first election process I have ever been a part of. The circumstances, which I will not bore you with, did make it emotional and tense for everybody involved. My lingering question is, "Does God really work through the democratic process or do we just mess up God's will with our silly voting and opinions?" I did not win the election but was pleased to be a part of it. I am also pleased to be able to say that I was the first woman to be on a ballot for an executive office in the history of the Assemblies of God in Montana.

This is pretty much the view on the drive home. I was bored, even with the beautiful countryside. Obviously. I was taking pictures of my feet. How sad is that?! 7.5 hours of car time will do that to you.

This is what happens when the car shake and the shutter speed do not agree.

This is our potty stop. The sign made me laugh.

This is the driver. He's cute. I like him.

Ok - I'm going to go catch up on my American Idol. Remarkably I lived a week without it and I don't even know who was voted off the island!

You win some . . . you lose some

2008-03-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today was Alex's Tae Kwon Do tournament. Let's see how you are at interpreting photography.

Actually, Alex did well. He was just up against a very very good sparring opponent. He got the wind knocked out of him and it was pretty much done from there. Tae Kwon Do is such a good discipline in many ways. However, the sparring always sets me on edge a little. Doesn't seem to make sense to put my kid in a sport, where I pay, so he can get beat up, does it? I mean, some kids get beat up for free.

So, to console ourselves we're off to ice cream!

Because I have nothing else to do . . .

2008-03-28T09:11:00.001-07:00

I was messing around in photoshop and found a couple of coolish things. I discovered how to "open" squinty eyes, since my non-asian brother in law looked rather sleepy and squinty in their family picture. And I took a sweet Easter picture of Brit and messed with the colors. Truly, I am supposed to be preparing for a conference on Sunday and road trip for the rest of the week.

This is called procrastination. Is that a spiritual gift? I hope so. I'm good at it.

He is risen! Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter, starting off with a tradition of having breakfast at the church. The kids sang for church. It is interesting . . . I found it kind of bittersweet that it is the last kid's church presentation that Emily will be involved in. I am normally not a sappy person but I'll admit I teared up at that thought. On second thought, maybe it was the twice-yearly mascara wearing that triggered the tearing up.

After church we traversed out to Bobi and Rob's and had a lovely dinner. It was a fun day and we just returned home for snack night, pj's and the kids are heading off to bed.

Cheesy kids.

"HEY! Where'd the candy go?" This is out of focus but I liked the composition of it. Unfortunately, the focus is on the purple egg.

Uncle Kyle playing with Riley's foot. I love that his finger is the same length as his nephew's foot!

I took pictures of all the kids, but I liked this one of Taryn by the window. I think this is an example of what the photo teachers called "bad lighting but a good picture". There shouldn't be all those shadows, ideally, but here it looks kinda cool.

Happy Easter! I'm off to my pj's and popcorn.

Random park pictures

2008-03-22T15:05:00.001-07:00

Darryl, Brittany and I went to Phipps Park today with big sandstone rocks, just so we could take pictures. Here are a few of my favorites. Brittany loves to model!

The harsh light on her face isn't ideal, but it is a fun picture.

Neat picture but I don't think I like the staring into nothingness.

This is sweet. I like the sky and background.

Nice blue sky but kind of bland.

Today's lesson . . . cutesy baby

2008-03-21T19:16:00.001-07:00

Today Rachel and Jordan and Maddy stopped by. So, I practiced on the baby! I would have taken pictures of Madison but I am still working on speed photography and she SPED off to play with the kiddies!

I love the light in this picture and it is softer overall than the next one.

I did not photoshop her eyes to make them this blue! I did use flash and made them pop a little. Even though it is really bright I love this picture.

I love the toothless smile and all things baby in this shot. Very fun. This is probably my favorite.

There's my self critique for the day.

Death, Taxes and Derby Race . . . Some things are certain

2008-03-20T07:43:00.001-07:00

Few things are sure in life . . .

Have you heard this phrase? Well, tax season has arrived and this year I turned a profit, dang it. So, I made money and paid more taxes. Dang it. I say that "tongue in cheek" because God has been good to us this year and we are blessed. I'm just whining about the taxes.

The derby race was last night. The kids love it. I come home completely over-stimulated. This year the Riley family represented well. A couple of races had 2 Rileys head-to-head. The ice cream sundae (Brit) was a little BIG, so it kind of lumbered down the track. However it took best in show. The milk carton (Emily), Hot dog (Brittany) and race car (Alex) all made it down the track without their wheels falling off, which is more than I can say for some cars.

As for the 3rd thing . . . we're all doing great!

P.S. Photography note. I did manage to keep my camera on "Manual" setting for the entire derby night. Got the lighting right but took a lot of really bad pictures because the cars wouldn't slow down and the kids wouldn't freeze their motion to allow me to adjust my focus and shutter speed. Dang it.

Altered Dictionary

2008-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding,subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are the winners:

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an a**hole.
Intaxication : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting ³lucky.²
Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's, like, a serious bummer.
Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you
Glibido : All talk and no action.
Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
Beelzebug (n.) : Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at 3 AM and cannot be cast out.
Caterpallor ( n.): The colour you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

Coffee , n. The person upon whom one coughs.
Flabbergasted , adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
Abdicate , v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
Esplanade , v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
Willy-nilly , adj. Impotent.
Negligent , adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
Lymph , v. To walk with a lisp.
Gargoyle , n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
Flatulence , n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
Balderdash , n. A rapidly receding hairline.
Testicle , n. A humorous question on an exam.
Rectitude , n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
Pokemon , n. A Rastafarian proctologist.
Oyster , n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
Frisbeetarianism , n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
Circumvent , n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

"But I LIKE the automatic setting!"

2008-03-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

During my class last weekend a gal raised her hand in the middle of the first technical class to ask "Why can't we leave it on the automatic setting? I LIKE the automatic setting!" Secretly 85% of the rest of us agreed with her (but didn't say it out loud) but it did beg the question as to why she was in that class in the first place! So, the challenge presented is to take the camera OFF the automatic setting and do everything manually. Lighting, depth, composure, blah, blah, blah. Here's tonight's attempts.

Learning to "freeze" objects in motion. Also, these pictures were taken at sundown so I adjusted the lighting to capture the glow of sunset.

Ok, if ANYTHING, I would love to be good at portraiture. However, people are difficult! So, I'm gonna practice. Luckily, I live with people so practice is readily available!

This is great light for Kyle and since I wasn't asking him to pose I didn't get any good "Chandler" faces. (reference from Friends engagement photo shoot with Monica)

I LOVE the angle of this shot. It looks a little blown out but the light is pretty good. The hair in the face distracts me but I'm her mother and am generally opposed to her looking like an orphan!

There's my adventure for the day!

Rim Light

2008-03-12T09:55:00.001-07:00

I was practicing backlighting/rim light. I'm pretty sure this photography stuff is not fascinating to all of you, however I'm enthralled. Bear with me. The newness might wear off!

The real question is, does this baby, Morgan, truly have a halo or is just an optical illusion?

Photography

2008-03-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

I love my camera. I love seeing the world through it. I love capturing a moment. Somebody told me about a quote that I think describes me a little. "I've taken thousands of pictures in my lifetime; some of them with a camera." I think this is me. I often think I want to "Freeze" a moment so I can remember it forever. Fortunately for me I have a camera and I don't HAVE to remember!

This weekend I took a FANTASTIC photography class in Missoula. I learned so much and I can't wait to go to another class. So, I guess periodically I will post a "picture of the day" and maybe over time you can tell me whether or not I am improving?

Here's today's efforts:

Taryn was helping the neighbor in the garden. One of the tricks I learned this weekend . . .there is actually a chain link fence in between T and I. I just changed my depth of field and focus, so VOILA . . . no fence!.

Our buddy Greyson stopped by, bringing his mommy with him. This is his 8th month picture. Kind of fun.

There you have it! Critique away!

Don't be quick to judge!

2008-03-08T19:17:00.002-08:00

Ok, I know you get tired of my Youtube sharing, but I couldn't resist! Happy Saturday!

For the King of Moo Cha Cha

2008-03-06T23:11:00.000-08:00

Apparently we aren't the only ones looking forward to the wedding! This is a story that Brittany wrote for the King of Moo Cha Cha and the future Queen!

During Christmas vacation at the farm (soon to be) Uncle Don played with all the kids. He created this wonderful fantastic world for them where he was king and they were all his subjects. It was so completely imaginative, complete with character names and specific jobs, that it went on for hours and they ALL had a wonderful time.

We are so excited to have this wonderful, creative, Godly man join our family. However, I don't think it will be healthy for his ego (or ours!) if we have to call him "your highness"!

Holy SPLASH!

2008-03-05T14:41:00.001-08:00

I LOVE this!

Rock Solid!

2008-03-03T14:07:00.001-08:00

The kids and I spent the weekend in Bozeman. We spent the night with friends, David and Judy Delgatty, enjoying their company. Then on Saturday morning I had a meeting so the kiddies just hung out. Saturday afternoon found us at the pool in the hotel and then I spoke at a Cancer Family Network fundraiser. That was a treat!

Sunday morning we got to go visit a church that friends recently planted in Bozeman. This was their 3rd sunday and it looked like they had about 150 people present. YEAH! It was such a fun, almost electric environment. I can't wait to see what God is going to do in and through this church.

After church we went to the Museum of the Rockies. These pictures are from a rock display that was fascinating.

We are home now, on spring break, and ready to move some kids' rooms around. Paint, mess, and reorganize. I'm underwhelmed by the potential of this weeks work. HA!

Happy Birthday to our Emily!

2008-02-27T12:56:00.000-08:00

Emily turns 12 today! It seems like such a short time ago that she was a baby and now she is finishing grade school and moments away from turning into a teenager. We love her so much.

Lord, give us wisdom to guide and protect, love and respect, nurture and encourage this gift from you.

Amazing . . .

2008-02-27T12:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm (kind of) an American Idol fan. Kyle thinks I'm obsessed. Anyway, I think this kid is amazing. Had to share.

For (four?) Casidee

2008-02-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

In response to your email . . . (and because I have no energy to post something more exciting):

Four Places I go over and over:

City Brew/Starbucks (Ok, any good coffee shop)
Costco
Target (which has a starbucks)
the refrigerator . . . . wait, I meant to type "the gym"

Four people who e-mail me:

People wanting my money
People wanting to tell me my passwords or account information have changed on ebay . . .LIARS!
People thinking I need male enhancement
People who think I like funny jokes. (Psst . . . I DO!)

Four of my favorite foods:

Coffee (YES, that counts)
popcorn
Mexican food
Thai Green curry

Four places I would rather be right now:

Somewhere by the water
Somewhere warm by the water
Somewhere warm and tropical by the water
Somewhere warm and tropical by the water without the children!

Four movies I would watch over and over:
Only four? I'm a big believer in background movie noise for distraction, for cleaning and for ironing, so some movies are on a regular rotation!

Hitch
Tombstone
Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls

Mom vs. Pedophiles!

2008-02-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

Ok. 2 posts ago I entitled my blog "Mom vs. 10 year old boy" indicating the discussion between Alex and myself as to what his picture attire should. I AM COMPLETELY GROSSED OUT because on my blog meter I can see that over the past 2 weeks there have been LOTS of hits coming from google, from all over the world, directly to THAT blog entry. I can only assume that "10 year old boy" is the search that is being made, sending them to my entry.

Is anybody else as grossed out by that as I am???? YUCK!

P.S. Post has been deleted. I even changed the title and STILL was getting "hit" by google search.

There ARE limits

2008-02-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

I'd like to think that we are a close family but this is getting ridiculous.

This post is brought to you by the letter "B" and the number . . .

2008-02-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

12 - the number of children that we fed for dinner tonight
Anna, Taryn, Brittany, Alex, Emily, Hunter, Mikalah, Judson, Jarrett, Meridith, Jeffrey, Morgan and Tanner
4 - the number of NAKED children I found in the bedroom preparing for a bath but seemingly stalled out, lounging in the bedroom. Did I mention they were all stark, jaybird NAKED! Their parents must display this behavior at home. Normal children don't do this.

Oh. Wait. One of them was mine. KYYYLLLLEEEE!!!! I TOLD you to stop doing that.
2 - the number of couches I bought today
149 - the number of dollars we paid for the "barely used, look like new" couches I bought today
3 - the number of hinges that had to be taken off the doors to get the couches into the house
52 - the number of times I CASUALLY suggested the pretty new couches would look better in my pretty living room instead of the family room. Who needs pretty couches to watch TV anyway?
52 - the number of times I was ignored.
1 - the number of times Mike and Kyle said they would move these couches (I believe the quote was "You are selling the house with the couches IN it!") wimps.
1 - the number of people in my bed since Kyle slept on the new couches. I'm not going to take it personal because I think he was just testing them out to see if they are comfy . . . apparently they are.
!@(*)*#(*$&# The number of feet that walked over my newly mopped floor this afternoon and evening. Incidentally this is the same number for the amount of dishes I did today. (See first bullet point.)
B for "Blessed" Thank you God for beautiful, healthy children; for good friends and family; and for caring about the little things in life (like couches) that give us little reminders of your awareness of our silly little wants and needs . .. but most of all reminders of your love for us.

Copier Trouble

2008-02-05T22:16:00.001-08:00

Saw this on a friend's myspace and couldn't resist sharing it with you!

Happy Birthday to our Son!

2008-02-03T10:57:00.001-08:00

Alexander Johnson Riley is 10 years old today!

Things I like about Alex:

Generous heart
Dorky sense of humor that makes himself laugh and other people roll their eyes
The way he stands in front of the mirror after fixing his hair and says (while striking a Fonzie pose) "Snazzy"!
Sense of rhythm
White boy ebonics
Intelligent brain
The use of big words like "Look my pancake looks like a parallelogram" or "I thought the toilet was stopped up but then the vortex of water took it down"
Soft heart for God and for others

We love this boy.

I do not like green eggs and ham . . .

2008-01-30T19:34:00.001-08:00

I think green eggs and ham is the longest early reader book ever. However, Taryn read it to her daddy last night. All the way through. All by herself. Now. . . I LIKE green eggs and ham. I like Dr. Seuss. I like Mrs. Cook who has taught Taryn to read! I'm so excited. Kindergarten year is payin' off and she's a READER NOW! YEAH Taryn! YEAH Dr. Seuss! YEAH for a patient daddy!

It's a RECORD!

2008-01-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

I just completed a scrapbook marathon. I did 9 pages in 24 hours. It was really getting to me that I didn't have them done, for both gifts and for us, so I got a creative streak and off I went. Conveniently, it is so frigidly cold outside that staying home was a good option anyway. And what am I going to do while homebound? Laundry???? I think not.

You can view my burst of creativity in the slide show off to the side. Here are a couple of my favorites though, for those of you who don't want to sit and watch the slide show.

In years to come I hope my family can look back at these pages and enjoy the memories that are reflected there. I want them to have more than a box of pictures to riffle through, which is why I make the effort to do this. However, I seriously wonder sometimes if it is worth the effort!!! Only time will tell!

Enough memory making. It's time to get back to work now! (or at least a shower)

My ipod is AWOL

2008-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

My little black sliver o' fun is gone. I can't find it anywhere.

It's sad.

Post-worthy? definitely not.
Bummer? YES!

Update: It's back. I'm relieved. I was just beginning to create my "i can't workout because I don't have an ipod to assist me" blog entry. Which is a completely lame excuse, but, would be entertaining none the less.

Ballet blessing

2008-01-17T07:51:00.001-08:00

I played with my camera at Ballet class today! I don't think there is anything cuter than little girls in tutus, leotards and tights with pink ballet slippers.

Brittany loves ballet and I think she is thriving in it. There was a time when I didn't know if we would have these precious moments with this child. Every time I see her dance I am reminded of God's blessing of healing in her life.

Is this an effective use of my evening?

2008-01-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

I just spent 45 minutes looking for a stuffed horse named Blaine, whom, I can only assume, has recently learned to walk because he doesn't appear to be anywhere IN this house. He must be smarter than me. He managed to effectively hide from the children for the better part of the afternoon and evening. I, however, did not.

(Emily is walking around the house muttering . . . "we're looking for a HORSE? IN the house? this is so weird.") Yes, dear, it is.

Next day update: Blaine has been found. All is right in Taryn's world once more.

Post-holiday wrap up!

2008-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas Things I didn't get done:

Binding on my new, beautifully quilted (thanks, Baby!) Christmas quilt. I AM determined to not put it away before it's finished though, since I actually finished piecing it THREE YEARS AGO!
Christmas cards. I am now considering St. Patrick's Day cards.
Scrapbook pages for grandparent's Christmas gifts. Good thing parent's love is unconditional and PATIENT. IOU's for Christmas is not exactly kosher but they'll LOVE the scrapbook pages that come with their St. Paddy's day card.
Made a tree skirt for our family.

Christmas Things I DID get done:

Bought a fake tree for next year. I know, seems like a silly little goal. But every year I have fully intended to purchase a taller tree for our family and since, when on clearance, one fake tree is less than 1 real tree . . . you do the math. Anyway, every year I miss them. This year Bobi rescued me by calling FROM the store, purchasing the tree FOR me and I just gave her money when she delivered the tree. Nice. Need something delivered? Call Bobi - she's a great help.
Bought wrapping paper at 75% off for next christmas. I think some of gifts were in Walmart bags this year because of my refusal to buy wrapping paper at full price.
Gingerbread houses. This is a Riley tradition. Kyle and I have done this almost every year, even before we had children. The kids are getting better at decorating and Kyle has gotten more relaxed and doesn't insist anymore that the children put the sprinkles on in ROYGBIV order. Ok . . . he wasn't THAT bad. It is one of those traditions, however, that never seems to fit nicely into our plans. With my aversion to mess and over sugared children I find it hard to schedule. But it is fun and they love it so we make it work.
Had a lovely, but busy Christmas!

We had our family Christmas early at home because we left for the family farm country on the 22nd. We stayed until the 26th. There were almost 50 of Kyle's immediate relatives there and it is an all-out good time. Lot's of food (Thanks Auntie Betty and Co.), tons of kids (15 great-grands . . .. Emily is the oldest!) and cousins galore. The men shot things, tracked animals, played ping pong, shouted at football and beat up on the little kids on the Wii. As with all crowds I was more than ready to come home and get some quiet, but not because the company was bad! We celebrated with Kyle's sibs and parents on the 28th. It fun to have Don and Casidee home from Cali for the holiday. (They got engaged this week! YEAH! The last of the Riley clan finds their "twue wuv!")

The kids are getting so fun to travel with. Gone are the years of working around naps, diapers, bottles, sippy cups, playpens, highchairs and never being able to sit. This year we were able to hang out, play games, and have full conversations. In a way it is sad to see the baby days go, but we truly enjoyed being able to let them self manage a bit.

Here are a few of my favorite photos:

These are pictures taken at Uncle Marty and Aunt Betty's place. I am playing with the wide angle lens and since none of the people I know would let me use the wide angle lens on them I resorted to taking pictures in the yard!

This is all of Grandma J's Great Grandkids that were present. There are 25 total, so there are many missing. This is one great group of kids!

The baby of all the babies!!!

And FINALLY . . . the family tradition is to sing the Doxology before a meal gathering. Casidee taped it for your viewing and listening pleasure.

We rang in the New Year quietly with the kids. Is that an oxymoron? "Quietly, WITH the kids?" We played games, ate junk and had a lovely time. I can't wait to see what God brings our way this year. God has been so good to us this year. We are overwhelmed with His favor in our lives.

How'd I do, Chris?

Which is worse . . .

2008-01-04T12:43:00.001-08:00

Which is worse? That so many people wasted so much time making this video or that I spent time watching it? HA!

Baby got book!

2007-12-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Ok - it's dumb and corney, but it made me laugh this a.m.

Velly, Velly funnneeeee!

2007-12-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

Tipi's, Tree skirts and Thin space

2007-12-11T07:33:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I had the most fascinating day! With the Empowering Youth Project, the project that I have been working with since August, I went to a retreat by Morningstar Expeditions. For you locals, it was just in Lockwood in a Canyon. It was a WONDERFUL, beautiful location for the group to work on team building, collaboration and to meditate on what each organization can offer to the greater good of the community. We met in a type of long building with big stoves and log tables - very warm and cozy. Each tipi had a nice crackling fire and the ground had a dusting of fresh, undisturbed snow. We had hot soup prepared on the stove and fresh coffee. What fun!

For me personally it was significant and deeply meaningful that the host/owner of the retreat is a Christian and spent much of his time speaking about the Lord and infusing scriptural principle into his presentation. There is a ministry motivation to what he does but, similar to how I work, he got to offer it to this group of secular Non-profit groups as a means to helping them work together. WOW. What a gift.

He described his retreat location as "thin space". It is a space where the distance between God and man seems a little thinner. I would have to agree.

As a side note, I did finish my tree skirt and am thrilled with the results. I still have some hand stitching to do but it is under the tree and looks lovely! Phsew, crafty projects DONE!

Tis the season

2007-12-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

So, this is the busy season of the year. Christmas cards, parties, shopping, decorating, etc. etc. It is also the season where I start impossible projects, presumably to enjoy for THAT holiday season. This years attempt is a tree skirt with over 650 pieces in it, some as small at 1 3/8 width. What is WRONG with me?? I've lost sleep, sanity and control of my clean house. Don't even ASK me what the children have been up to. BUT there will be a pretty skirt under my tree this year, which I have been wanting to do for years. I know I could buy one at Walmart for a few dollars and have maintained a sense of peace during this wonderful season. But, where would the challenge in THAT be?

It is entirely possible, though, that this year I will tuck the raw edges of this piece under and not complete it for the next 3 years. That's the tradition.

But in the mean time . . . isn't it PURTY!!!!

Next year, I'm starting my Christmas sewing in August. No more of this last minute procrastination, late night craziness.

I'm turning over a new leaf. Starting . . . ummmm . . .. soon?

Home at last . . .

2007-11-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

What a long wonderful trip we had! We got to hang out with my niece and nephew, Evan and Elise, and their parents (My brother, Park, and his wife, Andrea). It is so fun to be with them since we see them so seldom. The kids had a great time.

On the way out of Oregon we stopped by the Columbia River and Multnomah Falls. It was beautiful and more than a little chilly.

However, we spent way too many hours together in cramped quarters in the car and I think Kyle and I are ready for a vacation away from kiddies! Actually, they travel well but a trip that long can wear on even the most patient of parents and kids.

We had an uber-quick stop over at Grandma and Grandpa's in Idaho and now back to real life. School, work, laundry etc. What a fun, blessed holiday.

The wonder of discovery

2007-11-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Portland/Vancouver. Today we went to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). I love to watch kids play and learn without realizing they are learning! We had a long, treacherously wintery drive here but we are thrilled to be hanging out with my brother and his family. Here are a few pictures.

The kids are watching a pop bottle rocket take off.

Making flubber in the lab was a high point of the day.

Taryn was fascinated with the air jets that made things fly in the air.

Thanks to all of you for prayers for safe travel! Happy Thanksgiving.

Babies . . .

2007-11-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

I miss babies. They smell good. They coo. They have fuzzy sweet hair. They smile. They are cuddly.

BUT . . . I don't miss crying jags, spit up, diapers, packing 5,000 things just to be able to leave the house, midnight feedings, lost pacificers, car seats, blow outs, being so sleep deprived that you could fall asleep at a stop light, looking for that little lost sock that you were SURE you just saw (But is now stuck to your butt), living in sweats and pajamas (wait, I liked that . . . I still DO that), never leaving the house feeling clean, changing shirts several times a day . . . etc. etc.

But, all that being said, I still miss babies. Can you tell I've been hanging out with our baby Riley (nephew)?

!eedtsaC tnuA evoL eW

2007-11-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

Taryn is excited for Christmas. Today she wrote a Christmas card for her Auntie Casidee. It reads "To Aunt Castdee. From Taryn. Love Taryn. Kisses." All spelled backwards (mirror image) Do I care that almost 3 months of kindergarten hasn't turned her writing around yet? Nope. No matter which way she writes it the message comes through clearly. She loves her Auntie. We LOVE YOU CASTDEE! Can't wait to see you!

Brown Belts and Cartoons

2007-11-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

I know I have been AWOL from blogging for a few weeks but it was an incredibly busy October and I have spent the first week of November recovering, in my PJ's! It has been a crazy but rewarding fall work season. Perhaps I'll blog about that later but suffice it to say that God has been so good and generous to me this year that I find myself stunned at His grace and goodness. I also find myself humbled that I get to work with the Church in the manner that I do.

Here are a few pictures of the last couple of days - I'll do more later. Maybe after a shower!

Alex tested for and earned his brown belt in Tae Kwon Do this week. He is quite proud of himself and we are too. There is an amazing amount of work that goes into this!
He has two levels of brown to work through before he is eligible to test for his black belt. He is not even eligible to test until November of 2008.
Taryn was watching cartoons on my bed while the others were studying Bible Quiz, (I know . . . not fair) and this is how I found her. I thought it was too cute so I snapped a picture!

His mother said to "make something of himself" and this is what happened!

2007-10-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Ok - I really am working but I found this in the newpaper. Highly entertaining and only slightly disturbing!

By the way. This video has the most hits of ANY YouTube video to date. I wonder if Hillary is jealous?

Jami's wasting my time . . .

2007-10-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

This is called "blame somebody else for not doing what you're supposed to do".

My sis-in-law, Jami, my inspiration and instructor for digital scrapbooking, felt the need to introduce me to a blog, Digifree, that gives away freebies, DOZENS of them, every day for digital scrapbook junkies.

The good news, for those of you who are wanting to start, is this is a repository for every kind of element you want for FREE to download, so you won't have to traipse around the internet world to find cool stuff. The bad news, for those of us who are supposed to be working, is you could waste HOURS, literally, browsing through all these sites and goodies.

Dang it, Jami . . . 'wink' and THANKS. I've had my digifix for the day and NOW I'm going back to work.

P.S. Is there such a thing as a 3,000 gig portable hard drive . . .I think I'm gonna need it.

G'nite and sweet dreams . . .

2007-10-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this video about children and bedtime. We are slightly past this stage and we are so THRILLED. Gone are the days of waking up with a crick in my neck and 3 kids in the queen size bed with Kyle and I! So, here's to you Gail, Chris, Jennifer, Jenni, Jami, Courtney, Bobi and all the other moms of toddlers and babies.

(Jennifer . . . I think this is an appropriate follow up to your Scooter post, eh?)

Kyle and I found this very funny comedian that expounds, in greater detail, on Paccabel's Cannon. Enjoy! Youtube, what a time sink!!!

Identity Theft - Who AM I?

2007-10-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who I am. I was born a poor black child. . . . wait, that's somebody else's story.

My Story -
I was born in Korea.; Raised in North Idaho amongst the white supremicist; Was transplanted to Seattle and discovered my Asian heritage; Was imported (deported?) to Montana and just discovered that (according to my 6 year old) I am half Native American and was raised in a tent/teepee!

I truly have a fascinating heritage, don't I?

NO. What I HAVE are confused children. Cute. But terribly, dreadfully confused.

Too many words . . .

2007-09-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Some days I tell Kyle I feel like I talk ALL DAY LONG to the kids who apparently can't hear me. Anita Renfroe, comedian (apparently NOT a singer), sums it all up here. So, to all the amazing moms I know . . .

Wonderful Memories

2007-09-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I did not grow up with cousins. It was myself, my sister and one rather odd brother. Between us we had a lot of fun, played well together and fought (never my fault) like crazy. Well, to be completely honest, Park and I ganged up on and fought with Dana' . . . I don't ever remember fighting with him. But, when I married into this family I began to hear of all these wonderful (and sometime combative) memories of times with cousins. Snow forts, campfires, summer camp, etc. etc. Now my kids get to enjoy these same things. I love it.

Funny thing . . as I sit here typing I hear (the neighbors) yelling "Brad, keep your vulgar language down around here. There are children around here . .. F****in, A..."

I think this is a prime example of "Do as I say, not as I do".

Attention K-mart shoppers . . .

2007-09-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

(Click to see larger)

Are you bored? Looking for a little entertainment? Here's what one man did to occupy his free time.

Exchangeable memories

2007-09-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Last night I became an Auntie (again . . .YEAH!). As we drove up to the hospital Brittany said "I have a lot of bad memories here". Her comment suprised me! All I have ever heard from her are wonderful memories about tea parties, funny nurses, all-night hospital slumber parties etc. This is the first hint I have ever heard of her having negative memories of cancer. So, I asked her WHAT memories are bad. She couldn't remember specifically, which leads me to believe that her feelings remember the circumstances even though her memory doesn't. (Deep, huh!) Anyway, here we are at the hospital celebrating the arrival of Riley Hawk Charette ( Sept. 14 4:39 p.m. 6 lbs. 11 oz. 19.5 inches long) and it strikes me that we were exchanging negative memories for positive ones.

In the future I will hear, "This is the place where we first met Riley. Do you remember how little he looked? He was so cute. Do you remember Alex crying when he first saw the baby?". A new memory. A new baby.

God is good. All the time.

Picture: Riley holds Nana

Therapy at its finest - a tribute to Dr. Pinson

2007-09-12T21:28:00.001-07:00

This is the best (hysterically funny) counseling session I have ever seen.

Things I'm not ready to deal with:
Emily: Mom, what are these bumps on my forehead?
Mom: I think you are SOOOOO smart your little brains are just a-poppin' out everywhere!!!

Right answer??

I'm supposed to be working but . . .

2007-09-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

While searching for seminar illustrations I ran across this old email in my "illustrations" file. I laughed out loud and hope it provides a giggle for you today. DISCLAIMER: I'm REALLY not this much of a feminist, I just thought this was good for a laugh.

WOMEN'S REVENGE "Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.
"No," she replied, " but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

UNDERSTANDING WOMEN (A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE) I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.

MARRIAGE SEMINAR While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes." He addressed the man, "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?" Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?

CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up and down the aisles. The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife. She directs him down the correct aisle. A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter.
She says, confused, "Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?
He answers, " You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper. So, I figure if I have to roll my own . so does she.

WIFE VS. HUSBAND A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

W O R D S A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"

CREATION A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time." The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee." The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee. " Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the! Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.........."HEBREWS"

THE SILENT TREATMENT A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."

Stuck half way

2007-09-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight Emily was crowned as an "Honor Star". This means she has achieved the highest honor that is possible in her girls club program. She read, wrote, memorized, and studied for 3 years to achieve this. We are so proud of her. This entitled her to a pretty dress, photo op in the park with mommy and a ceremony in her honor. It seems like only a little flash forward to her graduation and then, eeeek, that OTHER ceremony. But for now, I'm content to watch her cavort in the park in her dress.

One minute she is posing pretty and looking all too grown up. The next moment she is twirling like a little girl in a new Easter dress. I love this - stuck half way between childhood and the rest of her life. I hope this lasts.

The baby is six (almost) and hardly a baby anymore

2007-09-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Taryn's 6th birthday, which is actually on Wednesday. Taryn is such contrasting blend of characteristics. She is spunky and snuggly. She is sassy and sweet. She is a creative free spirit and a deep thinker. She is funny and sarcastic. (Ok - those two don't contrast) But, all together I find her a wonderful and interesting child. I think she has all the best characteristics of her namesake (Yes, Cass, I'm admitting it) and we enjoy her so much.

Remind that I said all these things when she turns 13 ok?

Here's to learning new things

2007-09-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am curious. Some call it nosey. Others call it inquisitive. Still others will say I'm irritating. I just call it curious. I want to learn new things, try new things, and see new things.

So now my curiosity reaches into yet another art form. I tried painting and drawing. I stink at that. I have tried quilting, knitting, scrapbooking and sewing. I'm good at that. I tried pottery. Can you say "flop"? (Literally.) So now I am trying photography. I love pictures. What makes one "pop" and another uninteresting? Why does the lighting work here and not there? etc. etc. etc. It's a new thing. I'll never master all the things I'm curious about, but it sure is fun to try.

Here's my favorite picture of the day. This is my friend Gail's baby, Beth, with her Auntie Jean. This is what I love about pictures. They trap and keep moments that can never be recreated. This moment between the baby and Auntie will never happen again. I love pictures. Freeze framing a moment for all time.

Until the next new thing . . .

In my WHAT?

2007-08-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

"Mom, were things a lot cheaper in your younger days?"

WHAT? I AM in my younger days. Little twerp.

"No, I mean, like could you buy bread for .50 and stuff like that? "

"Yes Son, and it was legal to sell your children then too! Ah, those were the days."