Soccer Update

We are pretty much in full soccer mode around here now, so you'll see a lot about it. This will more than likely be Jess's last year however. She is just not enjoying much. At this age either kids have moved on to other things, or they are playing select, so the pickings are slim for a good rec team. Jess just doesn't want the drama that school and select teams brings. She definitely has the talent, but not the desire.

She played real well today though, despite the team :o). Again, she had some great saves, and ended up getting to play on the field for the second half.

Final score: 0 - 3

See how much fun she's having

she actually saved this!! Amazing girl!

Another awesome save. Of course, I only got the end, not the actual dive.

Look at this awesome shot I got!

NO MORE MATH!!!!!

Jeff got his grades for the quarter today, and he did awesome!! He got straight A's except math, but he pulled a solid C in that class. YEA!!!!! He will never have to take another math class for the rest of his life. :o)

Way to go Jeff!

My Business Blog

Aaron and I have been thinking a lot about our future. Especially a future without kids. I CAN'T even believe I'm almost to that point in my life!! I know one thing though, Aaron really hates living here in Seattle. Too many people, WAY too expensive, and the weather really wears him down. We want to move somewhere much smaller, slower and sunnier.

Well, again a lot of thought has been going into this lately. We have decided that Graphic Design just isn't a field you can do super successfully in smaller areas. It's found more in big cities, which we are trying to get away from. With all of our research and thinking we have come to the conclusion that Aaron is just going to have to go back to school to get a degree in something that will make it in a smaller community. So............

The plan is for Aaron to go back to school next fall with Jessica. (How weird would that be to go to school with your dad!) Jess will be in running start next year at Green River CC and Aaron has decided more than likely to get a AA Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant. No matter where you live, people need medical assistance.

What does that mean for me? Well, in order to pull this off, he is going to have to quit his job. Go to school full time and either work part time or teach guitar lessons after school. So, I am having to rev my business up as fast as I can so that I am making a decent income before all of this happens. One of the things I have decided to do is start a business blog http://hairbykathy.blogspot.com/.

It's still rough, and obviously I don't really have any articles on it yet, but it will develop. Take a look and see what you think. Sign up as a follower, so it looks like I have at least a few :o). The more I get, the better the business looks! Get your friends to look at it too!! Amy, Julie, Krisitna - especially you guys. If we end up moving your way in a couple of years, then maybe I'll already have a small following and it will be easier for me to get started. (Weldon - no competition here!! I'm not a barber, and you're not a cosmetologist! Maybe we could even open that spot we have talked about ;o)

Thanks for all of your support, input and love!! We are really nervous about the change, but very excited too. Boy, life without kids..........I just can't even imagine!

Soccer

Jess's soccer game today was better than we expected. It was raining in the morning, so we had visions of sitting in the pouring rain, walking through a mud pit. But, by the time her game started the sun had started to come out.

It was a tough game. For some reason they got pitted against a select team. Jess had to stay in the goal the entire game, because she was just being pounded, and the coach didn't think another player could handle it. Jess did awesome though!!! Even though we lost, she had so many amazing saves, it was totally intense to watch. She should be very proud of how well she did, especially against a select team.

Final score: 1 - 4

Girls Day

My birthday is in September and Alison's is in October, so we went out today, in between them, to celebrate. It's too cold and wet for hiking now (DANG!), so we treated ourselves to a girls day.

We went to the Euro Institute for facials (a great deal, 90 minute facial for only $45!), and then went out to lunch to Panera Bread. It was great just sitting around at lunch, in front of the fire, eating our soup and sandwiches just shooting the breeze. We are about the same age, (Alison does have one year on me :o), our kids are about in the same stages (I have a couple years on her here) and we both own our own businesses, so there is always a lot to talk about. A great, very relaxing morning. I think I'll go watch a chick flick now!

First Game of the Season

Today was Jessi's first game of the season. They played against a team that beat them twice last year, the "Blue Piggies". (Who knows). The girls played well today, and didn't lose! Jess had some great saves, and the one goal the other team got on her was a wanker goal. Just as Jess was reaching for the ball, another girl accidentally ran into her and knocked the ball out of her hand into the net, otherwise she totally would have had that one too. Oh well.

Final Score: Tie 1:1

Jess played in the goal the entire game, because she twisted her ankle during practice earlier in the week. Goalie clothes are hot when worn in 80 degree weather. She was tired and hot at the end of the game.

My Birthday Celebrations

I was taking the day off, mostly, so I got to sleep in, something I love to do, but rarely get. Aaron made me blueberry pancakes for breakfast, and they were great! I had a great talk with Amy and Kris who both called me that morning. Mom and Mom both called while I was hiking, so I missed talking to them, but they did call. Mom S. brought me over a card on her way to Stake Conference Sunday morning, so I got to see her. Thanks mom!

Jessi Clement was getting married on my birthday, and so I worked for a tiny bit in the morning to do her hair for her. Lisa knew I was going to take the day off, but worked for them, so she brought me over some cinnamon rolls. Yum!!! Breakfast taken care of for Sunday!!

After our amazing hike, we got home and showered, and met Jeff after work down at Claim Jumpers for dinner. We had never really eaten there before, so decided to try it out. Not the greatest dining experience (way too expensive, and not that great of food) but the company was great, and I didn't have to do the dishes!

I did get to come home to a yummy cake that Aaron and Jeff made me earlier in the day though. So we had cake and watched half of one of my new movies "The Lost Boys". I hadn't seen that movie since it came out 20 years ago, so that was fun. We all got too tired though, with Aaron and I hiking, Jeff pushing carts all day, and Jess running around the Fair, so half way though we called it quits and headed to bed.

Tonga Ridge/Sawyer Peak

Aaron knows how much I love hiking, and being outside. So, for my birthday, he decided to take me hiking since our September weather is so great. I guess it's making up for the crappy August we had. Jeff had to work, and Jess was at the Puyallup Fair with a couple of friends, so it was just Aaron and I (as usual these days :o).

We decided to go totally off the board on this hike, since I was taking the day off from work and had all day. We have explored the Snowqualmie pass so much that we wanted something new. So, we took the long drive over to Stevens Pass. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there, but we took the scenic route, so it was a fun drive.

As we were hiking this trail, we were just king of meandering. We weren't in a hurry, and it was the kind of hike that really didn't have a destination. It's just along a ridge, so you pretty much hike till you turn around type thing. Usually not our cup of tea. We like to hike to a lake, or up to a great view, but as we were hiking the trail kept opening up into views like the one above, so it was pretty enough for us, and we were enjoying being outside and together.

At one point we crossed paths with an older couple headed back and stopped to talk with them for a minute. He asked us how far we were going, and I mentioned that we were just going for about an hour or so out. "Why, is there something cool ahead we can get to?" I asked him. "Well, if you head up to that peak right there, the blueberries are plentiful, and the views are amazing!".Blueberries? Views? Heck yes!

So, our meandering hike (which we really only had about 15 minutes left in our hour) turned into a run for the top. We were running up this steep peak to get to the top for about 10 minutes when - Blueberries!!!

We sat there for about 5 minutes just picking and eating blueberries. We didn't bring anything to gather them in, plus we really didn't have the time to sit and pick too much anyway. We had to be back home by 7:00 to meet the kids for dinner. But we enjoyed them while we were there! We decided to keep going because we really wanted to make the top before we left, so we started hiking again, eating as we went. When you see a nice big, juicy blueberry sitting there, you can't not pick it and eat it. We were kind of back to the meandering mode, enjoying all nature had to give - sunshine, blueberries, open air..........Who could ask for more? Well, nature had a surprise for us!!

As we were heading up, almost to the top, Aaron stopped for a minute and was looking up the hillside. I was wondering what he was looking at, and took a look myself. "Aaron, that's a bear!" - "No, I don't think so" (He thought it might have been someones dog) "No, that's a freakin' bear." Sure enough, we sat there watching him for a few seconds, and he must have felt us watching him, because he turned around and looked right as us.

So, at this point, you have a hundred thoughts go through your head in about a half a second - "Cool!" - "Holy Crap!" - "Should we run?" - "Play Dead" - "Don't move" - "Shoot, get the camera!" - "Oh my gosh, it's a bear!"

We did non of the above. It happened so fast, that by the time I got my senses about me, and got the camera out, he ran off. Fortunately in the opposite direction of us. Aaron said later that if that bear would have taken just one more step toward us he probably would have ran like a girl down the hill. With me behind? You know the saying - You don't have to run faster than the bear, just faster than the person you're with. He probably would have grabbed me by whatever he could have reached in a split second and dragged me down that hill with him. Fortunately it never came to that!

So, did we high tail it out of there after that? No, we're too stupid for that. We really wanted to get to the top. We're crazy that way. But, for about 5 minutes after the sighting, every little noise freaked me out. I was ready to run at any moment. But, I think that bear was more worried about us, and was good and hidden until we left.

We made it to the top, and yes it was spectacular, and yes, we made it in one piece. But, what a story to come home and tell everyone! At least we got to tell it in person, instead of on the 5:00 News!! It was an awesome hike, with all of the elements coming together at just the right moments to make it memorable.

This was just a train tressel that we had to drive under on our way out. Aaron thought it was cool looking so we stopped and took a picture of it.

Rattlesnake Ridge

It's been a great morning! We actually woke up this morning to sunshine, and it's a great day! I love sunny days!!! Alison and I decided we didn't want to let the last of the great days go by sitting in our houses working, so we went on a hike. It was perfect! We left early, had a great hike with some good conversation, had a healthy lunch of sub sandwiches afterward and still got home early enough to get some things done around the house. I think more days should be like this!! Thanks Alison for a great morning - let's do it again some time soon.

Fall Harvest

It's a little wimpy, because we haven't had enough hot days to make it grand, but it's our corn, out of our garden, and it's big enough for us! :o)

Our Day in Enumclaw

Well, we were looking for something to do today, but didn't want to kill ourselves on a hike or anything like usual. So, we just took a ride in the country, and just went with the flow. We actually had a good time just going wherever with our "gas station pop" and each other.

A picture for Engrish.com
(Super Hero, the City Guard. Simulating True style - Special Performance Display)

As most of you know, thanks to Jeff, we are huge fans of talking in Asian Accents. If you don't get this picture, you will just have to visit Engrish.com Totally hilarious stuff! Jeff found this toy in the gas station and was laughing pretty hard. Since it's what we do, we had to take a picture of it.

It's a metaphor................but it really happened

OK, you guys may have this kind of thing driving all around on the main streets where you live, but we don't. Only in Enumclaw.

The scenery was beautiful!

Bunko Night at Teresa's

Teresa gets together with a group of her girlfriends every month to play Bunco. This month was hosted at her house, and she decided to try something different with it. Before Bunco, she had a BBQ, and had all the ladies bring their families. We got invited to come as well, along with mom.

I think that Aaron and Jess were feeling a little out of place, so they went down and played Basketball for a little while. Poor Jess is at that stage where she is too old to fit in with the kids (I think the oldest one there, besides Quinn and Khoner kids was 6), and just a little too young to fit in with the adults. And poor Aaron - well you know Aaron. He just gets along with the girls better than the guys. I guess it's the artist in him. He just doesn't do much with cars and tools, so he doesn't have a lot in common with them.

I was taking a few pictures as we were there. You know, being a good little blogger. Well, mom wasn't liking having her picture taken. So, I was having fun for a little while taking her picture every time she turned around just to annoy her :o)

(Getting ready to play Bunco)

This was the last picture I took of mom. By this time she just quit looking at me. I wonder why?

We had a pretty good time. There were a few ladies that were very warm and welcoming, but a few that wouldn't even look at you. I tried to introduce myself to one gal when I first got there, and she looked at me like I was an alien and turned around and walked away without a work. OK?

I have to admit, I don't really get the appeal of Bunco. It's kind of a boring game. I guess people like it because it really keeps people mixed up. I think it would have been a lot more fun if I knew people there, and felt more a part of the group. But, like I said, a few were really sweet.

After a while Aaron came in and played Bunco with the ladies. He just wasn't fitting outside with the guys at all. That's ok, because I always like to be with him, and it was fun having him hang out with us. I actually think most of the ladies enjoyed him too.

Thanks for inviting us Teresa! We actually did have fun, and I could see if I was around the ladies a lot, they would be very fun to hang around.

Blackberry Picking

Always looking for the cheap date, and a way to enjoy the VERY limited nice days we have around here, Aaron and I decided to go blackberry picking today. We didn't get a ton, because we both get itchy skin fighting with the bushes, but we got enough. We love to make blackberry muffins and smoothies for breakfast. We got enough for about 8 batches. Good enough for us!!! And, it was just fun to be outside together.

Me too, me too!

Even though Aaron didn't care for the color Jessi chose for her bedroom, he did get excited about the change I guess. He has been wanting to paint his studio for a while now, but for the opposite reason Jess did. She was ready for something more of a statement, and he was ready to tone things down a bit. So, we got his room all painted and new. He's still working on putting it back together, but is really loving the change

Am I just getting old?

Well, I can feel myself starting to change. I think I am finally catching up to Alison in my views with life (she is a year older than me :o).

You know, I have spent almost 20 years - 19 to be exact - being a mother and homemaker. I still love being a mother immensely. I have two great kids that I love to be around and doing things with! It's the whole "homemaker" thing that is starting to wear on me.

Long ago, when being a mom was my main focus in life, it just came with the territory to cook, clean, wipe noses, do homework, pick up toys - you get the point. I didn't mind it one bit. As a matter of fact, I would go as far to say that I enjoyed it, because I was making a home for my family.

With older kids, life takes on a very different view. Instead of picking up toys I'm picking up MP3 players, backpacks, shoes (oh my gosh, always shoes!) and books; instead of changing diapers I'm changing schedules; and instead of worrying about whether my kids have eaten lunch or have clean clothes to wear I'm worrying about whether they are being safe drivers, responsible students and are headed in the right direction and making good life decisions. And, instead of playing Legos and reading books I'm working to pay for soccer, car insurance, and school fees.

Where's the time to clean the bathroom, cook a healthy meal or make 20 batches of zucchini bread with all of the zucchini coming out your ears from this years garden? Believe me, I still try to get it all done! But, sometimes my heart just isn't in it anymore. I'm too tired. I guess that comes with age too. And, don't even get me started on the battle I have been suffering from the past year every morning - exercise or extra sleep?

So, I guess with all these rantings, here's my question. With older kids, more work, and all the other "chores" that still need to be done, how does one find balance in your life? I know Alison has finally hired a housekeeper once a month. Do I break down and spend money on that? Can I afford that? If someone could just clean my bathrooms that are growing something (I don't even want to know).........How do you keep from being bitter? Feeling like you have to do everything all of the time. Why can't people put their own shoes away? I think maybe I didn't train my kids well enough, and spoiled the husband too much in those earlier years. Take note all of you with smaller ones!!

Don't get me wrong here, my life is good. I do have a great husband that will spoil me at any moment. As a matter of fact he rubbed my feet last night for an entire 30 minutes after a hard days work, and in fairness to him, he does tell me all the time that I do too much. Even though they don't pick up their own shoes, or give me a lot of sleepless night worrying, I wouldn't change being a mother for anything. Like I said, I think I have great kids. I don't think I did too bad raising them, because they are turning out to be amazing adults. I'm just tired and am not really sure how to get it all done. Don't even get me started on the whole "time for yourself" thing, and when the HECK did I get those wrinkles on my forehead and eyes that I just noticed in a resent picture!!!!!

Maybe I've just moved into a time where Time is worth more to me than Money. I enjoy working more than cleaning. Maybe I should hire that housekeeper and get to know Papa Murphy's better on Friday nights instead of making my own pizza. Heck, if I only made it once a month, think of how much more it would be appreciated, instead of just expected. Instead of making 40 quarts of applesauce this year, just go to Costco and buy it. No, it's not as good or healthy, but it definetly is faster! And, mabye, just maybe, once a week I can take that nap that I feel I so desperately need. We'll see how it goes.

First Day of School

Today was Jessi's first day of school. She brought a bunch of riff-raff home with her today, but that's OK. It's nice to see her hanging out with all of her friends again. She is taking: 1 - Math, 2 - Ceramics, 3 - Journalism, 4 - English, 5 - Chemistry and 6 - Social Studies. Hopefully this years English teacher is going to be better than last year!!!! Jess deserves a good year after putting up with everything she had to last year.

(Ian Buckles, Jessi, Caitlyn Moore, Cameron Halversen and Tori!)