Have you heard?

So we can now officially make this announcement.  Brian has been awarded a sabbatical for the 2010-2011 school year.  The original "deal" we made 10 years ago was that we would spend this sabbatical on the West Coast near family that we don't get to see often.  As life happened, 10 years of life to be exact, our plans changed.  We bought a house in up-state New York and for a time considered spending our sabbatical year there.  It made sense, right?  Why buy a house and then NOT live in it?  One answer: WINTER.  We changed our minds.  Up-State New York winters are NOT for us, but the SUMMERS and FALL are amazing.  (We'll get back to this in a moment though).  Our next plan involved us staying right here in NH and moving just up the road (or down, depending on your orientation).  The girls are enrolled in a charter school that we L-O-V-E and is very difficult to get into.  If we leave, we loose those spots and will only get back in if we win the "lottery".  Literally.  They have a lottery for the open spots in each grade.  There is only one class per grade. The odds aren't in our favor.   Another big bonus:  I love my job.  Not just like it a lot.  LOVE it.  A lot.  It seemed logical to stay here.  It seemed like it was in everyone's best interest. It was comfortable and known.  But....once again...plans changed.  One day we were talking.  "Remember our original deal?  10 years here:1 year in WA?  What happened to that idea?"  and suddenly, without even a single moment of doubt, we knew.  And so, we have come full circle.  We're moving west for the 2010-2011 school year.  Check it out:

We are ALL excited.  We are amazed to find that rent is almost 1/2 of what we were going to pay here...but we are getting SO much more.  Pools.  Tanning beds (really!?!).  Racket ball courts.  Fitness Centers.  Nationally ranked Elementary School.  FAMILY....3 miles away but in a different STAKE!  (Crazy!)  Tax free shopping across the river in Oregon (woot!).  GREEN.  Lots and lots of GREEN.  Rain.  Lots and lots of rain.  A rare snowfall or 2.  The ocean.  The mountains.  Volcanos.  Amazing Forests.  Even MORE family (not quite as close, but close enough for monthly visits).  

Honestly, since the very second we decided to do this, there hasn't been a moment of hesitation or reconsideration.  It FEELS right.  It IS right.  We will miss our East Coast stomping grounds.  Our friends and our family here too.  But, we know we are coming back.  We love St. Paul's School and don't see ourselves permanently leaving this place.  Ever.  But, if this experience has taught us anything...life happens.  Maybe we will sing a different song 10 years from now.  Which will be just in time for a 2nd sabbatical and we might as well tell you now:  We've already decided where we're going NEXT time.  And it's a whole different country.  But, we'll save that reveal for later.  Besides, we might change our minds. :)

Proud Parenting Moment

I don't have a picture of this moment.  I *wish* I did.  But the tale is worthy of a blog report and this picture actually captures the "spirit" of the moment.  Cassidy has always done things her way.  She doesn't care much about what other people think, she is comfortable in who she is.  This makes us VERY happy.  Today she came home and told me about an experience at school that made my heart melt and (I confess) I might have gotten a bit teary.  She has a best friend, "T", that she has been close to since the first day of Kindergarten.  Apparently at school today "T" decided it was cool to swear.  Cass informed "T" that is wasn't okay to say those words.  "T" kept saying them and even indicated that it was okay for her to say them and her family was okay with it too.  Cass told her that those words were NOT appropriate in her family.  Apparently Cass took quite a bit of razzing from several other kids about her determination NOT to say swear words.  When I asked her how this made her feel she very softly and carefully said, "Mommy, I know I made Jesus happy today.  That was important.  I don't need to say those words."  I know....RIGHT?  Seriously choked up mommy.  She mentioned that it isn't always easy to do the right thing and make those choices but she was glad she did it.  SIGH.  I'm so....dare I say it...."proud"....of my little girl.  She's only 7 and has a lot of life to live and certainly more moments of peer pressure to deal with, but OH HOW I HOPE AND PRAY that this little moment in her life is just a hint of the strength she will have as she grows.  

PS:  This is our 200th post.  !!!

Funny Girl

I've been meaning to post this little story on the blog...I mentioned it before on FaceBook but wanted to make sure it made it here as well.  

Kayla has got some things really figured out.  Relationships is one of those things.  Here are her "STEPS TO GETTING A BOY TO LIKE YOU" .  In her own words:

"You see, it's like this:  First you are nice to them.  Then you smile at them and they think you are cute.  Then you have to make them laugh.  Not the crazy kind of laugh but a REAL laugh."  Here she pauses to consider for a moment before concluding, "And it doesn't hurt if you give them a cookie.  That's it.  Viola.  Easy Peasy.  They like you."  Awe, the wisdom of a child.  Wanting to make sure I was staying on top of this parenting thing I inquired, "KK, have you given any boys cookies?"  With sincere exasperation she sighed and said, "No mom.  I'm saving that for when I REALLY need it."  Well, I guess she told me.  Her teen years have already flashed before my eyes and I confess to being somewhat concerned.  What's a mom to do?  No really...WHAT am I going to do?

February Vacation day 4

The 4th day of February Vacation brought rain.  Lots and lots of Rain.  So we went swimming at one of the local hotel pools.  So much fun.  The kids have asked to go back almost every day since.  I think they are just eager for summer.  Can't blame 'em any.

A new short movie

Brogan has recently found a new love.  CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS.  Thank you Blockbuster and our local library for providing such gems.  As a result he has added a few new activities to his daily "to do" list.