ha ha ha ha

all morning i've been watching stand up, while the videos from last night upload...

Speaking of marriage....

Jami and Pete tied that knot!!!! They had a wonderful ceremony in the garden. Jami, despite being pretty pregnant danced like a champ. Her dress was gorgeous and her groom, handsome. The funniest thing is that they chose the same colors for their wedding, that Trent and I were going to use before we went with denim. Trent's fave, orange and the closest thing to my fave, purple. It was a beautiful and fun wedding, and not just because I didn't have to chase babies. (Jewel actually, finally, spent an entire night away from home!) We had a great time and got to spend some fun time with Craig. Trent also got to see an old coach, and I got to see an old math teacher; it's always fun to see how time has changed people. The boys did the usual "humping dances" that they always seem to end up doing (I just don't get it) and I got blisters on my feet. We managed to miss all the slow songs (someone had to decorate the escape vehicle) but still had a blast. The videos really say it all. Well, except that ass-whipping that someone handed Gabe (he, he),in his own living room no less. No one took video of it (thankfully)but, Craig got a shot of the rug burns. Hmmm, I wonder if he'll stop trying me after this one. I seriously doubt it. The sad part is, it has been so long since I grappled (Trent stopped wrestling with me when I was pregnant, and never got back to it, I suppose he reckons that I'm fragile permanently from the babies) that he could almost take me this time, it has never been so close. If he had been sober, I would have lost (maybe); so, I am going to have to start training before he gets around to challenging me again. What fun! I hope Jami and Pete had as great a time after the wedding as we all did. I hope we all get to hang out again before Craig goes home, and I know Trent does, too. He had to jump out of bed for work bright and early this morning, poor guy. Two really late nights of drinking and both followed by work! He is totally feeling it. I (who didn't drink to a stupor), however, am getting a great Valentine's morning treat. There is not a single child in my house right now! Nothing but stand up on comedy central, funny drunk dancing videos on our youtube, and sushi in the fridge! It would be perfect if only Trent were home :(! Still, a nice break and it feels a little strange. When I woke, I actually forgot that they weren't here for a minute and wondered why Jellybean wasn't in our bed. So, Happy Love Day to all, especially my wonderful husband! Here are some of the videos from the wedding, there are more on our youtube channel (circusmind6); if you were at the wedding, you are probably on the vids, so check it out.

i really have tried....

to stop jumping on a soap box, because there are so many things that I wish were different. But, this video is so great, and I suppose all the "this is such crap" juices are threatening to bust out. Let me just release the pressure a touch.
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

aspirations, life, real....

Trevor woke up in the middle of the night, pooped in the potty, and poured cereal on a plate (no milk thank goodness) and got a spoon. I found the cereal, spoon, and poop this morning. Later, he got bit by a few ants, and between the scratching and crying, said, "I think I don't love ants!" Funny and wonderful, but the fact that I have the chance to ponder it and record it for later is the best part. Trent and I were talking last night about our previous "aspirations". Five years ago we wanted another child and thought we had the job thing headed in the right direction. Two years ago we wanted better job situations and more time together. Seven years ago, all we wanted was plenty of time together and a porch with a great view. Now, we think of our aspirations in different terms than we did even two years ago. Trent's job situation is stable and, really, perfect for us right now. My job situation is finally headed in the direction that will help us in the long run (and makes me happy). I got my student number in the mail, yippee! And, our wishes for our children are in our own hands now, which is a big relief. And, we have worked the budget to the point that we aren't making payments on much, but still have a few little luxuries that help us accomplish all that we are trying to do. One of our most trying concerns over the years (beside money) has been the desire to spend time together and do things as a family and still have the money to have the luxury of homeschooling. Having the extra computers and finally having a laptop has really made a difference in the convenience of homeschooling, and allowing everyone to do what they enjoy, but still be together. As far as aspirations, there really aren't any that dominate our lives anymore. We don't sit around wishing for a farm, we know it is coming. We do keep reevaluating the plans that will get us there, but no wishing. And, I "aspire", sort of, to teach college physics one day. But, I have a lot of teaching (of our own kids) to do between now and then, so I am not really in a hurry to have two jobs. And, I know that going to school will be so fun for me, so despite the "one day" hopes, I am really just enjoying the process. I could blame our change in outlook on certain belief changes (we both feel strongly about that change in us) but, I don't want to start a firestorm of hate. At any rate, we are happy (finally) to be where we are, and will enjoy each tiny step on the way to where we are going. Even if the way we got here is totally not the way we thought it would go. So, anyway, the point is... our "realistic" is pretty great right now and it feels good to be aware and actively enjoying it. I love grabbing a quick video of everyone doing their favorite things. Also, I got the camera that has been on my wishlist for a year and have been using the heck out of it. Our videos now will be much better quality. I finally figured out how to upload with the highest quality, so I reloaded some of the earlier videos. I had the idea (once I decided to go the "memory book" route with this blog) that this blog would be completely "realistic". And, for the most part, it has. As in, I don't clean the house and build sets (so to speak) when I shoot video. Now that the videos are in HD, I may have to start cleaning more (just kidding). I'm not sure why that is such a big deal for me, but it has always been. I have even written hundreds of poems, diary entries, and little notes about "what is happening right now", or "what I see right now", and "what life is really like",etc. I just like pictures and videos best that are spontaneous and real. I have to admit that in the past, I didn't think there was anything presentable about our home, so I didn't shoot videos (I've mentioned before other reasons); and, there were also times (in particular homes) where I thought, "Wow, this is a wonderful place in our life, I wish I had a camera." It has been an exciting and varied seven (and a half) years. I love that I can get great videos now of all the things that we enjoy daily. Because, these are the little things that we wanted so much to have the time to enjoy. Trevor followed me into the closet and found his dad's gear. We started goofing and here you are. I really just slapped it together and used music from the flip software (I used the new laptop and there isn't any music on it yet) but still, it is cute. I may do some that are more "planned" or "pretty" one day, but don't hold your breathe. I love that we have a wonderful house to make messy, so I tend to relish in the mess.

trying this again...

I wanted to post periodically about our schooling habits, especially to aid me in creating the "portfolio" for the evaluation at the beginning of each school year (that's when ours is due). But, it seems that I am not very good at keeping track of what gets done. I am great at making lists for planning purposes, but after the activity is finished it falls from my mind and is lost. So, let me try to recall and record what we have been doing lately. Taylor has reached lecture 5 of the Basic Math lecture, lecture 3 of the Geometry, and lecture 2 of the American History. These are all High school level lectures, so they come with workbooks (of sorts) and review questions. He is also on lecture 3 of both the Joy of Science and the Game Theory lecture. We always watch lectures like these and the more advanced topics together, pausing frequently to discuss things he doesn't understand and to look up words. He takes notes on some of them and others I let him just watch. This year, Taylor has really started to enjoy them, and has gotten the hang of listening to them. They are fantastic for guiding the "what do we learn next" times. We use them as springboards for further research and experimentation. The Joy of Science lecture has a text book listed in the "essential reading" that is co-written by James Trefil and we have also started reading from it. We are in the introductory phase of this course, but I plan to jump around a bit through the lecture and the textbook based on what science topics the game leads us to. Last year there was only one lecture that we watched all the way through. That was on astronomy (sort of). I didn't know if he would enjoy them or even be able to learn from them, but, I wanted it to help me teach him astronomy. (That was what he wanted to study that year.) That lecture is actually given by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who was already one of Taylor's favorite scientists. It was such a big hit, that we tried a few others. So far, they are proving to be excellent teaching tools, for our family. Taylor has also been working on Time4learning.com, but it isn't something that he asks to do in his "free time". He doesn't hate it, but he frequently requests lectures and has never said "Can I do a lesson on time4learning?" While I am satisfied with our progress for this year, I feel that we need to focus a little more on writing skills, so that will begin this week. I haven't gotten the game put back together just yet, but I am sure I will get time before next week which is also when our music lesson schedule will pick up again. Oh, and Taylor made the Diamondbacks team in little league. Oh yes, and we made paper lanterns and a dragon puppet (well, it's in progress). So, that is the official school curriculum for now. Trevor and Jewel are learning left and right, too, but I am not obligated to document that yet. Although, I do, of course, wish we had a full time camera crew to capture everything new they do and say. Especially in these early years. Trevor (much like Taylor at this age) says things all the time that cause the adults to wonder how he understands that. And, Jewel is just at that funny stage. She is learning new things so quickly that her confusion is hilarious. The funny ways she communicates and all the silly things she does.... Ok, that is for another post..kids are great!

too tired....

I had so much on my mind, so many things I wanted to mention and remember about this week and the kids. Right now, my brain is just fried. I am tired and can't sleep. Trent is off in a frozen field, and the bed is too empty. It was 3 days from our first kiss to our first night sleeping and waking in the same bed. It was three years before we spent another night apart, and even then it wasn't willingly spent apart. After a two years of being a "lineman's wife", I got better at sleeping without him. But, it has been a while since we have been in this situation and it isn't clicking tonight. I could just be wired from the great baseball practice Taylor had, but, I doubt it. With Trent's livelihood being our only, part of me is sitting in that field, too. Maybe that was the sleepy part, so the anxious, fidgety part got left at home. Good thing I have shit to do. Jewel and Trevor hung out with Dad during practice (dad wanted game time) and so the messes abound. And, I am trying to get the game back together and flowing by Monday. We have been whizzing through lectures lately, so I am looking for ways to include them in the game in exciting ways, but so far, I've only found boring and predictable ways. Jewel has been talking up a storm this week, copying Taylor mostly. She says anything he asks her to, but won't even say "Bye, Bye" when I ask. She said, "Big Daddy, I'm pretty, and your weird" among other funny things. Taylor's favorite car game is "what will Jewel say?" Trevor is like a new kid this month. He is not arguing with the rules quite as fiercely, and has even eaten when he didn't want to without a fight. Although he has gagged pretty frequently, something that Taylor struggled with ferociously for a long time. Taylor runs like I did as a child, he hunches his shoulders forward. I was relieved that his coaches were patient and understanding with him, and that I didn't have to ask them to be. He had a blast and they gave him great advice and guidance. One in particular impressed me with the way he stepped up and gave kindly advice to Taylor right from the start of practice. Then, he complimented him at the end for listening so well. I have seen some real jerks, so it is good to get nice coaches. Taylor was worried that the others will have played more than him, but if they have it barely shows. We plan on going for a run tomorrow to practice holding his chest up and shoulders back. The last few times we walked in our neighborhood Jewel and Trevor have gotten out of the stroller and walked with us, so it will be interesting to see what they think of a run. Time to finally dust off the double jogging stroller.

Jellybean's party

We had a lot of fun, Jewel got into her cake on her own, so we decided to sing to her suddenly. But, I did catch a video of it. She let finger strokes in 4 cupcakes before it was over. Trent had to work but made it home before his family left. I have about ten more "you won't believe what she said" and "you won't believe what he did" things, but no more time. For now, here are the videos.

whew!!!

This has been an insane week and a half! The conversation I hear right now, Taylor says, "Trevor, are you breathing?", Trevor says, "No". Taylor says, "OK, get to the cave entrance, save us, turn on the fan." Jewel was playing, but by now she has decided to escape on her own and as Taylor, says "Jewel where did you go, are you ok?", she says, "No, there I are." They are playing in the adventure bubble again, because it is raining outside. Thank goodness, because our grass is brown, brown, brown. Yesterday Jewel learned to cut with scissors (so far, only paper and allowed material), Trevor learned to organize things by size (on the computer game), and Taylor started the Geometry and American History lectures (because he wanted to)! If that isn't enough, I have spent the entire week upgrading computers and learning all about home wireless networks. Well, networks in general, but I never did get the file sharing or printer sharing figured out. I will have to try again in a few weeks because I have a few secretarial jobs that need attending. I have to hang up the IT hat and get out the ?secretarial gloves?, I don't know. I also have to throw a birthday party for Jewel, and that means the house needs to be cleaned (better than 'normal'). When we had the parties for Trevor and me and Taylor the house was so easy to just tidy up. But, as always happens, we bought things (stupid holidays) and we made things and did stuff, and now the garage and 2 closets have looked better, and everything could use a good scrub. So, I need to get off the blog and on the job. I guess I better get out the maid gloves first and be a secretary on Monday. The revolving to do list that is Mother/Wife, well, in this situation. I suppose I could have chosen a different type of role. I'll just stop whining now, relative to other options, this one rocks! So..I did get a little media from the week. I got Jewel to wear a pony tail, so look for that. She hated it at first, but this morning she let me put it up without a fight.

Despite the colds....

The babies have been feeling fine during the day. Last night Jewel gave her self away as a smarty pants. I caught her with a toy in her mouth, and because she knew I would take it away, she tossed it over her shoulder and gave me a sly smile. Later I said, "Where is your cup?" except in spanish and she said, "I find it." It is like overnight she decided to act like she understands what I am saying. This morning I said, "Do you want some cereal?" She said, "Yeah, I eat." Trent asked her, "Are you daddy's girl?" She said, "Trent's girl!" Trevor, before even a good morning, said, "The sun is up, can I play hindergaten weader wabbit." I made him eat an apple while he played. I can tell that he has been over the toddler programs for a few months now. He wouldn't play them for 10 minutes at a time, but he played the Kindergarten program for almost 2 hours, only getting down twice (to get milk and pee). AAAAH, I'm in a house full of game junkies!! At least it isn't the TV. He really is surprising me with the activities he is able to figure out on the game. Somethings he can't and he'll ask for help, but at least 5 of the games he's already played on his own. I am definitely going to be outsmarted by my kids one day, I hope I can laugh when it happens! Last night, thankfully, I got to sleep. Friends stopped by and the hubbub helped to wear out the little ones. So, at 8, I was able to sit down and watch Trent play his game and read. Finally, a normal night!

Dang time and it's marching on....

I spent the night comforting one child and fixing their stuffy nose, only to have the other wake up needing me right after. Poor Trent, he ended up sleeping on the couch. I "slept" from 3am to 6am. Despite the fact that I slept for 3 hours, tryouts happened today. (funny thing about time and how it never stops) We did however decide that the birthday party will wait for next weekend. This morning we scrambled to cancel and reschedule. Taylor had a great practice with Trent yesterday, and got his new bat. Trevor asked to play a new game today, so I pulled out Taylor's old Reader Rabbit Kindergarten. I wasn't sure how it would go, but he is actually progressing through it. It is like an adventure game, where you collect items to progress. Taylor says he remembers it, and I know it helped him learn numbers and letters, so this is exciting. The tryouts were kind of long and Taylor's part in them was very sparse, so after seeing him bat, I had to leave with the babies. But, thanks to my mom, I got a full report and pictures. Taylor batted as well as any of the other boys, and was in good spirits despite some catching mishaps. He's a fast learner, so I am sure he'll feel more confident after a few practices. Now we wait to see what team he gets. I am sure he is hoping for the pirates, as there are no Werewolves.