mother of the year nominations

Sometimes it takes a rainy evening to feel better about things. You know, get in your pj's before dinner and watch a movie with the kids. Not worry about cleaning or laundry or dishes or cars or emails or or that kind of stuff. Eat bagels for dinner and not make a huge mess.

 Going back to work has been a real adjustment for all of us. I really like my job and I'm so thankful that I do. It's just an adjustment. But we're getting there. Soccer and gymnastics add the busyness of things. Since WVU started, Ben has been gone a lot - well, most of the time. We have a banquet coming up and clubs started this week. There's WyldLife in the makes in Fairmont. He's doing his first club in 2 years and the very first club ever at Lincoln High School tonight. This year he's doing YL College with the freshmen. We haven't been seeing much of each other lately. This weekend we're actually staying home. Maybe we'll even hit up some tailgates for the WVU game. That always does a body good!

Last weekend, the kids stayed with Uncle Andy & Aunt Courtney while we went to Brian and Adrienne's wedding. We hung out some Saturday morning and helped pick some ripe (and not so ripe) veggies from the garden. 

Ben thinks this picture is hilarious b/c I had no idea Millie was in the background . . . 

using their five senses to see what they picked

 showing their loot

 Ted has been very interested in football recently. he likes watching the games and asking questions (LOTS). he especially likes teams that he know other people like: steelers, browns, eagles

 

 future mountaineer? i think he's so darn handsome!

 

 

Ben's average arrival home in the evenings after YL College, leadership, meeting out of town, etc. is after 10pm. Sometimes I get Sophie out of bed and just let her snuggle with Ben. There's something about her that is the best in the evenings when you just need to wind down. She doesn't need anything from him, or get mad at him, or expect anything. She just likes to snuggle. I'm trying to take notes. And thank you Baby Wise for my kids still being able to get up around 11pm and go right back to sleep!

Sophie at a friend's birthday party after blue cupcakes. the big blue icing splotch on her dress is semi-camouflaged by the blue flower underneath.

Mother-of-the-Year-Nomination #1: 

Ted pulled his 5th tooth at dinner Sunday evening. It wasn't until we were at the dentist today that I realized I didn't do a THING in regards to the "tooth fairy." He doesn't really like the idea tooth fairy being in his room, but usually I leave a dollar or something on the dining room table. Ted didn't blink an eye when the dental hygienist mentioned the tooth fairy. Honestly, I don't even know where the tooth is. 

Mother-of-the-Year-Nomination #2:

 Sophie went to the dentist last week and has her second (yes, second) cavity. Yet another example of how you raise two different kids the same way (or, in this case, brush their teeth the same way) and it's not even close to the same.

There's more in here somewhere. Please tell me some of yours!

2012 annual wvu family picture

It's football season and time for the annual WVU picture! Millie even joined us this year. However, sometime this summer, Sophie's posed picture smile has gotten a bit awkward. We're hoping that works itself out. Welcome to the Big 12, Mountaineers!

2012

October 30, 2005 - the first time we held him
Ted (10 days old)

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

adrienne & brian - 2012 wedding #4

We were in Charleston yesterday to see these two get hitched! It was a beautiful wedding, a fabulously fun reception and so fun celebrating with people we love.

Due to circumstances beyond my control (or just the complete circus that we are these days) I left my camera in the van that ended up in Teays Valley with the kids. So I took approximately 3 pictures with my phone. Two of which were completely dark and not really related to anything wedding. However, that did prompt me to dig up some old pics this evening.

 

Sean McCartney, Scott Berg, Brian VonBloch & Ben - Saranac 2003

Brian was on Summer Staff on Ben's first program assignment. Evidentally he was super helpful with the animals. So he was then one of Ben and Scott's program techs in 2003.  Scott and Ben had Brian grease up with crisco and kids would chase him around and try to tackle him as part of the Saranac Challenge. The "Greased VonBloch" is what they called him. Good times. Maybe not so wise though.

Courtney Nelsen-Tuel, Adrienne Sommerville-VonBloch, Kristin McCullough-Williams & John Allevato
Lake Champion 2005 - Summer Staff

Adrienne started coming around Young Life in the Summer of 2005. She did Summer Staff that year at Lake Champion with us and several other Charlestonians. She was the town runner that year. Scott and Ben told Adrienne they needed live chickens and gave her absolutely no indication of where or how to get them. 

Really, it's slightly shocking that either of them stuck around.

The best part of Adrienne and Brian's story? During the Summer of 2011, Adrienne went back to Lake Champion for assignment as Head Leader. Brian is on property staff. They met, fell in love, and now Adrienne is moving there! I was actually thinking today on my drive home from Charleston how odd it will be to not visit Adrienne when we go to Charleston.

Adrienne is truly one of my dearest friends. She was on YL staff with Ben in Charleston for awhile. She coordinated Big Kick Soccer Camp for me the first summer I was Family Ministry Director because Sophie was a wee tiny baby. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing! She walked with me through a hard season of life in Charleston. I was sure after that she would throw out any sort of idea about getting married and having kids. Adrienne is a wonderful friend. She loves people. She love life. She is funny and fun. I'm beyond blessed to call her friend. She has been so instrumental in so many things in my life. 

Adrienne & Brian, congratulations! We're so excited for you and we love you so much. Look out, Lake Champion! You're getting one of the best!

catch up

Ben's cousin Joanna and her family moved to Morgantown at the end of July. We have been less that helpful to them (actually Joanna has been super helpful to me with my childcare issues). We're hoping to see them much more once we get into more of a routine. But really, our life has no routine. Nor is it ever "normal." Anyways, a couple of weeks ago after school, the kids and I went out on their boat on Cheat Lake. Very, very fun!

Ted even took a shot at knee boarding and did very well. Even went without hands. He loved it and was quite proud of himself. I was pretty surprised myself!

We've had a lot of car sharing recently. This is one day waiting to pick Ben up at his office.

These were all things found in Ben's car when he cleaned it out so we could all ride in it.

Blue cupcakes.

That reappeared a day later as a horrible greenish/blue color. Freaky.

Ted kept forgetting (or at least he said that was the problem) about the "no jumping on the couch rule." So, since he doesn't have enough money is his "save jar" to replace it if he breaks it, I helped him remember the rule by having him write, "I WILL NOT JUMP ON THE COUCH" 10 times. Seems to have done the trick.

Friday night we initiated Wyatt & Lilly on the PRT. We rode from Walnut Street to the Med center.

The boys ran some races, climbed a tree,

 and practiced their pull-ups.

The girls did whatever they did to the tree. Then we rode back. Fun times.

 Sophie and her friend Addie at Ted & Elliot's soccer game this morning. We really should not have been there on principle alone. We sat in a lot of rain for 6 year old soccer. So very wrong.

I took this picture after a very rough (ok, horrible, terrible, no good, very bad) drop off for Sophie on Thursday. I needed a reminder that she's sweet and kind. I'm thankful for sleeping kids. No matter what kind of day you had, it's encouraging to know that tomorrow's a new day.

Sophie didn't have enough hands to carry all her stuff she was responsible for after soccer practice. So she put her coloring paper in her mouth. At least she's creative.

Ben and I did a little rodeo tonight at our church picnic for the community. That's hard without a sound system. But fun was had by all who participated. Thanks, Charleston, for sharing your goods. People at church are still getting to know us and aren't really too familiar with Young Life. It's interesting watching them be fascinated with us or the things we do. Believe me people, we didn't think of any of this. But they're learning to not be too surprised anymore. I think it was the "Oh My Gosh" video Ben played one week before one of his sermons that started that ball rolling. 

must reads

I read these two books in May (haven't picked up a book since) . . . 

Go ahead and do yourself a favor. Read both of them. Tim Keller's is the more biblical, structured book. Jen Hatmaker's is the rubber-meets-the-road, real life, HILARIOUS book. They both address the topic of what we see as idols and what we have compared to so many others.

I had a big blog about this planned in my mind for months, but I'll just share two quotes with you:

"Contemporary observers have often noted that modern Christians are just as materialistic as everyone else in our culture." - Tim Keller

"For years I didn't realize [how rich we really were] because so many had more. We were surrounded by extreme affluence, which tricks you into thinking you're middle of the pack. I mean, sure, we have twenty-four hundred square feet for only five humans to live in, but our kids have never been on an airplane, so how rich could we be? We haven't traveled to Italy, my kids are in public schools, and we don't even own a time-share. (Roll eyes here.)

But it gets fuzzy once you spend time with people below your rung. I started seeing my stuff with fresh eyes, realizing we have everything. I mean everything. We've never missed a meal or even skimped on one. We have a beautiful home in a great neighborhood. Our kids are in a Texas exemplary school. We drive two cars under warranty. We've never gone a day without health insurance. Our closets are overflowing. We throw away food we didn't eat, clothes we barely wore, trash that will never disintegrate, stuff that fell out of fashion.

I was so blinded I didn't even know we were rich"

- Jen Hatmaker

These books have haunted me (in a good way) since I read them, and have helped me turn the corner (for the most part) in some of my thought processes. Jen Hatmaker is my newest favorite author and for sure my favorite blog to read. Funny, honest, raw, real. You can read her blog here. Put her in your google reader for a good laugh and a bump up in feeling-better-about-yourself-as-a-mother category.

steph & ed - 2012 wedding #3

Last weekend, Ben and I went here

(that would be The Greenbrier)

So Ben could pastor this wedding . . .

(that would be Steph Jordon & Ed Haden)

Steph and Ed are really cool. Ben had a great time doing their wedding and marriage counseling. They soaked up everything. It was such an honor to be part of their marriage preparations. It was an impressive 3 days of celebration, parties, food, friends and LOTS of fun. I'm still not sure how I feel about the whole luxury experience. It was a bit overwhelming and the decor was definitely overstimulating. I'm so glad we did it though. It was fun to explore and take it all in.

Some of the highlights included:

- the best bed I've ever slept in and the most incredible robe ever. Definitely doesn't compare to my Target bedding and 8 year old Victoria's Secret robe!

- a hot rocks massage and pedicure at the spa. Definitely not crazy about the hot rocks. Interesting to say the least. I think I'll stick with hands on.

- An amazing breakfast buffet with an amazing bill.

- a 6 course meal for the rehearsal dinner. Amazing!

- the Saturday night party at a beautiful home.

- having the valet park our 2001 Honda Accord (with a HUGE dent in the rear bumper that we are not going to fix and the leather ripping off the drivers seat - real nice!)

- packing in garment bags: sure sign that we are out of comfort zone. I tend to pack in laundry baskets, So much easier than suitcases!

- lunch with some of the GYL girls!

But the absolute highlight . . . Seeing these beautiful faces, having lunch with a few of them and lots of wonderful conversations of catching up on life.

michelle, me, rebecca & mary margaret

julia, cat, kaity o, me & claire

sarah, me & jane

me, megan, michelle, kaity and varsha

em & I

grant & ben

Steph was the bride. She went on our very first camp trip ever from Charleston in 2002 to Rockbridge.  We had what you would call GYL (Girl's Young Life) - a discipleship group of these girls. Their class was instrumental in starting YL.Absolutely unreal.

Steph's sister is Emily. Emily was younger than Steph. Several of the girls in her class had sisters in the GYL group.  We had YaLa - a bible study that Stacy Santen and I led for 3 years. For more than a year we met on Friday mornings at 6:30 am. Then we moved to Sunday nights. They used to make my brain hurt with all their questions. I love them. They were a cabin of about 15 freshmen girls that Stacy led at Lake Champion.

Some of these girls I haven't seen in a million years - or maybe 5 or 6. But a long time. It was so fun to catch up with them, hear about the really neat things they are doing and to see where they are in life. I was so incredibly blessed by them. Those were literally the hay day of YL in Charleston. Ben and I were going full speed. Ted was born with the YaLa girls were seniors. They threw me a surprise post-baby shower with their mom's. I retired from being a volunteer leader when they graduated. It just seemed like the right time.

I wish I could adequately express the blessing it was to be with so many of them. I can't really wrap my heart around it. So I'll move on.

It was an impressive wedding to say the least. I felt honored that we were asked to be part of it. Definitely an experience like none other.  Congratulations, Steph & Ed! We are so excited for the journey that lies ahead of you.

And I'll leave you with this image . . . 

Ted helped me unload the car and this is where he put the garment bags. 

Ben was in recovery.

PS - Thank you Lisa Godwin, once again, for allowing me to dress shop in your closet.