. . .

some misc thoughts running through my head . . .

* i am enjoying not working. Although my days are sometimes really long and I don't know what to do with myself, I have enjoyed spending time with the kids and playing together. I feel like I'm able to support Ben better this way instead of thinking of what I have to do and when to do it. And not having to worry about childcare is amazing. I know I can't take a whole lot off of his plate, but I can help make our home a little more sane.

* 2 is a big year. I was just rereading some of Ted's 2nd year and all the changes that happened. It's right around the corner for Sophie. And I know it's hard to see change and progress when you're in the middle of things. Sophie has been interested in the potty (YAY!) and just straight up makes me laugh. I'm excited for her to get some alone time when Ted goes to preschool. She slept in her "big girl bed" last night for the first time. It's high and big. But she did fine! I feel bad that she's been sleeping in her pack-n-play all summer. That thing can't be comfortable. And I didn't really want to reassemble her crib. So here we go!

* i am really liking our house. It is really such a gift. I wasn't sure about no central air conditioning (I know - I'm a baby) and being on a main road. But it's been good. We got a backyard plaything from a friend. The back deck is great for all the wheeled toys, the basketball hoop and my rocking chair. The window air conditioners are doing the trick. And this house just suites us so well. The location is great as far as being near campus, near the interstate, out of major traffic jam areas and all around a great place. Ted loves the view from his bedroom window. Every night he stands on the bed and says something about "my lights." I love the porches. Spend some time out there by myself everyday! I'll post some pictures soon.

* we have gone to every park in Morgantown - Krepps, Marilla, Jack Robers (I think that's the name), McDonald's, Chik-Fil-A, and the train tables at Barnes and Noble. Just making sure we know all the hotspots. We've even seen several friends at the park when we've been at different ones. It really is a small world. We've also been able to watch the WVU marching band practice several times. The kids love it although Sophie covers here ears while they play and then until we're almost home!

* i miss my friends in Charleston. I really do. But we are reconnecting with so many people from our days in Morgantown and Bridgeport. Old YL kids that are now adults! It's amazing and such a blessing. We've had people over for dinner or been with people almost every night. And there's still many more people to go. We have a staff associate (intern) in Bridgeport and Ben's been spending some time there also introducing him to people and catching up with old friends there.

* this week I'm starting a community women's bible study. I actually babysat for this same one when I was in college. I miss my women's bible study the most I think. And I'm going to check out MOPS on Thursday. I've never done MOPS - mainly b/c of my schedule not needing something else. I just want to get to know people and feel part of the community outside of Young Life.

So, there you go. Pictures to come this week of Ted's first day of preschool, our house, and other misc fun we find ourselves in.

shout out

I would like to give these two little people a shout out. They are amazing. In the past three months, they have had three major transitions. And they have done so very well. I am so proud of them for their flexibility, ability to adjust and enjoy life. They are wonderful and they've made this whole summer enjoyable and fun for me.

Since we've been back from camp, they have wanted to play together so much. Sophie just isn't quite there yet. She's getting close to playing on her own, being able to use her words to communicate (as opposed to yelling and crying) and sharing. I've starting babysitting a little boy who's turning 3 next month. I forgot what a big year 2 is!

Ted starts preschool next week. 4 full days a week. At first I wasn't prepared for that but I think that we're all ready for that! We've been practicing not napping this week. Which makes for an earlier bedtime. I think I can dig this. And, I'm excited for my time with Sophie.

They LOVE the PRT's. They get the biggest kick out of seeing them around town. We're going to go for a ride very soon. Pictures to document coming soon . . .

here

Well, here we are in Morgantown. 10 days ago, we moved to Morgantown. That sucker Ben pulled his back out as we were leaving camp and wasn't able to move much as we loaded the UHaul and unloaded here. Seriously, how does he do that? Thankfully, we had lots of great help on both ends and were able to load and unload the UHaul in about 1 1/2 hours.

Ben and I spent Thursday-Sunday unpacking and situating our house while the kids were in New Martinsville. We have a great house in a great location in Morgantown. A family that we have known for almost all of our time in Charleston is renting us a house they bought for their kids to live in while in college. We had all 4 of their kids in YL at one point or another. The house is cute and has lots of character. It fits us very well, is a great location, and has a great view from the front porch. It's really growing on me!

Once the kids came back, reality set in. Ben has a lot on his plate. I don't. I'm learning about this stay-at-home mom stuff. We're learning our way around Morgantown. Visiting parks. Watched the WVU marching band practice one day. Relearning the inside of stores. Signing Ted up for soccer. And getting ready for school to start.

Today I started babysitting for a friend of mine who recently moved here too. I'm going to watch her 3 year old son 3 days a week. He's great. I think it will be good for Sophie, too. Ted starts school next Wednesday. He will go 4 full days of week to the WV PreK program. I think once we get in a routine, things will feel a lot better.

Ben is taking one thing at a time. There's a lot of things going on here. Everyday is something new. I'm really proud of him for doing what he can and realizing that it will still be there tomorrow instead of trying to plow through it all at one time. We had our first leadership with the college leaders last night. That was super fun and encouraging.

So, all in all, we're doing well. I can't really talk with people in Charleston right now. Makes me sad. I'm trying to be present and engaged here and now. So, if I haven't called you back - sorry! I will soon. Promise!

Assignment Team

We had the best assignment team ever! Let me introduce them to you!


Our team . . . I know, a little far but you get the picture.


JB (program director) & Bethany. They moved to Charleston right before assignment b/c JB is going to be the new Area Director in Charleston! We're so excited for them but sad that we won't live in the same town.


JB & Kirk (program director). I didn't have a picture of Kirk and his wife Sarah. She was only able to be there part of the time. Kirk is AD in Wheeling, WV.


Shawna & John (Work Crew Boss) - Pittsburgh, PA


Ben (Work Crew Boss) & Liz - Huntington, WV


Adrienne (Charleston, WV) & Megan (Wooster, OH) - WC Bosses


Ben as Gary the Label Guy & Susan (Head Leader) - she is moving to SC today or tomorrow!


Koila (Head Leader) & Elizabeth - Cincinnati, OH
Kate & Julia (6 year old twins)


Chris (WC Boss) & Rachel - Washington, DC
Gideon (2)


Ben (program director) & Laura - Charleston/Morgantown, WV
Ted (4) & Sophie (2)


Susie & Scott (Summer Staff Boss) - BFE, WV
David (1), Emma (8) & Mary (5)


The Buda's - Pittsburgh, PA
Andrew (Bikes Intern - 20), Trevor (14), Chris (Camp Manager), Jonathon (18), Mark (16), Cyndi


Tate & Brooke (camp speaker) - London, England
Asher (4) & Reuel (2)

So, we lived with these 35 people this month. The kids had their moments of laughing, playing, swimming, punching, hitting, dressing up and having a great time! The adults had their fair share of all of that too! =) Good times. Thanks for the memories!

adventures in water (3)

adventures in water (2)

adventures in the water (1)

Week 5, Day 3

Susie Berg and I have been talking about being on assignment as a sort of social experiment for children. How far can you push them until they crumble . . .

- move them to a new place
- feed them all sort of carbs and sweets, very little fruits and vegetables - including cookies after every lunch and dessert after every dinner
- live in community with 4 1 & 2 year olds, 5 4-6 year olds, and 1 8 year old
- parent with other families who don't parent the same way
- overstimulate them with loud music and eating meals with 450 other people
- play outside and at the pool ALL DAY!
- eat meals on the same rotation for 5 weeks that they may or may not like

Needless to say, all the kids have done really well. I'm proud of my kids for the way they've handled their 2nd of the 3 transitions they have had/will have to make this summer. We're winding down week 5. We leave here on Monday and will start the move to Morgantown.



Sophie has become quite the little swimmer. She jumps in and swims to the ladder on her own. She doesn't hang on me anymore at all. Today I sat on the edge of the pool and took turns throwing them in.


Miss Mary Lou is the camp doctor's wife this week. She does "kid's club" everyday for the kids. It's fine. That's all I'll say.


Ted has become a professional at the water log.


And Sophie loves playing in the lake.


Asher, Mary, Emma & Ted - We took a "nature hike" the other day when it was a little cooler . . .


We ended up in that gazebo across the creek. Sophie fell in NASTY thick, old mud and got a quick "bath" in the creek.


Sophie threw a fit the other day on the way up the hill. She laid there for quite some time.


One outdoorsman to another. Scott was showing Sophie a jumping bug. She's taken to stepping on bugs (she especially likes the big ones and spiders) then she picks them up and holds them really close to her face to examine them.


Ted as "Gary the Lable Guy"


Julie as "The Amish Girl"
Ted as "Gary the Lable Guy"
Kate as "Kyle Begile"


Julia & Ted in their Toy Story pj's


Steph & BA came to visit.


Since we've been at the pool a lot, we haven't seen Sophie's "messy" side this month. But she came back in full force.


There is one meal that none of the kids like. So we do mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Makes for great chaos.


Ted & Asher standing on the stage with Kirk & JB at ESPN lunch in the England soccer gear. SPN lunch as Ted calls it.

So, that's all from here! I may not be back until we're all settled in Morgantown. It's been a great month!

Week 5, Day 1

We're on our last week of camp. Days 4, 5 & 6 of Week 4 and yesterday, Day 0, have been so cloudy and a couple of days have actually been cold. It's dramatically different from the upper 90's that have dominated the weather most of the month. The pool and lake temps has dropped dramatically. The sun popped out for about an hour yesterday. Ted and I did the slides about 8 times. Otherwise, there hasn't been any pool time for 4 days going on 5. And today isn't looking promising. The natives are getting restless and the parents getting cranky. Our tans are fading quickly . . .

Today about 125 Capernum (special needs) campers will arrive. Yesterday was a Day 0 to prepare the camp with ramps, special bathroom and dining hall needs, pool and ropes training and MUCH more! It's a 5 day camp so this will be over Sunday. We'll be home on Monday!!!

My friend Bethany has blogged about each individual day at camp. You can check them out at the following links . . . She saved me much work!

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4 - Part 1
Day 4 - Part 2
Day 5
Day 6