My poor husband had surgery today, again. This is his 3rd G.I. surgery in just 5 months, his last surgery was only 12 days ago. I just hate to see him suffering. And that is the only word for it. Complete misery. He's been in pain since June and it has been increasing over the months. He was supposed to be in Denver for the past 3 days speaking at a conference, but he cancelled his speaking engagement, his flight, his hotel ~ that says a lot about how much pain he is in. Please pray for him, at this point all we know is that the biopsies they took last time confounded the pathologists in town. Enough so that they asked for more biopsies and are actually sending the samples away this time. I know the stress of trying to manage a high-intensity job with travel and a busy family of 4 young kids is enough, so adding this incredible physical pain on top of that is just pushing him over the edge. But we both know it could be way worse, and we are hoping and praying we have some answers soon and most importantly, some direction on how to help him. Just want my sweet guy to feel better, I hate that there isn't anything I can do... I am sick right now which is so annoying because it's me and myself holding this operation together and I don't have time to be sick! Let's just say the "no T.V." rule is out the window at the moment, especially since Ella has tomorrow and Friday off of school. I see a lot of pizza and movies in our near future...

One of the silver linings of this has been seeing who has rallied around us, we so appreciate those that have shown concern for Todd. Even Ella's teacher, whose sister just passed a away a couple of weeks ago and whose husband just had surgery himself, made us a meal the other night. I was so touched because I had just gone to Rosauer's and bought some good organic beef to make her a meal! One of my dear friends is on bed rest for weeks and weeks due to an injury, and even though I know it's incredibly tough on her and her family, I'm grateful for someone else to focus on! It's easy to get tunnel vision and forget the struggles of others when we are in the midst of our own troubles.

The most precious jewels you will ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” ~ Mark Twain

I'm reading a book about Charlotte Mason and I absolutely love it, speaks so much about education in the traditional sense, "school", versus a true education of body, mind and soul. She was a teacher herself but had such insight and fought against the mainstream ideals of her time {late 1800's}. I am so inspired! And a little relieved that my default mode of raising feral children can have a plus side.
So speaking of school, figured it was time for a little home school post. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I've liked home schooling. Don't get me wrong, there have been days where smoke is coming out of my ears and I can feel gray hairs forming under my scalp at an insatiable rate, or where I catch myself day dreaming about getting a root canal as a pleasant alternative to the mayhem and foolishness. But overall, by large majority, it's honestly been such a pleasure. I do feel spread thin, I thought I was busy before... My new home schooling self wishes I had a week as my old self. It definitely adds a lot to my plate, and I'm only teaching kindergarten! I can't even allow myself to think about next year if I home school both Ella and Dawson, I'll wind up on Lithium if I let my mind wander too much. I have so much awe and respect for people who have done this successfully with a whole crew of kiddos. I've had to let go of expectations for myself, there are a lot of things {especially projects} that I wish I could/would do, but I think it would be at the expense of the bigger goal ~ sanity. So for now we keep it pretty simple, yet still spend very solid time in "academics" and enjoy lots of messy, and edible, and outdoorsy, and dirty projects too. Not sure where this road will lead, or how long and how many Rufflings will have to endure my "teaching," but for now I'm content, happy and grateful. Oh, and really out of my friggin' mind busy. But other than that, it's all good.

 Dawson testing the laws of physics by racing down the driveway in a homemade go cart with his side-kick, Bean.

 Sun unit ~ look at all that glorious sunshine in late September, sigh...I got the boys dollar sunglasses and a bunch of star and moon rhinestones, and a charm with their initial for each of them to decorate their sunglasses.

Okay, so this isn't a home school project, but Ella made this diorama for one of her bazillion presentations/reports so far this year. It turned out so cute! The pond we made out of clear glue with dye was my favorite, her moose was hilarious.

 Continuing on with the space theme, we made a rocket, complete with a foil nose cone. 

 Field trip with NWC Home School Link. The boys' 1st bus ride!

 Turtle week! 

 This was one of those not good days I was telling you about. I think Mitch is actually pulling Charlie's hair while Charlie is trying to pull my stuff off the counter. Not sure what I was originally trying to capture a picture of, clearly not this.

 The kids set up a Book Fair in the dining room.

 Hmm, a librarian with a hard hat. Watch for falling books!

 Baking treats is always the best part of the day.

Apple printing!

I found Mitch decorating himself with the Bingo dobbers, and he was really ticked when I tried to take his picture.

Dinosaurs!!!

 Dinosaur feet! They painted tissue boxes with bubble wrap to make a scale-like texture, then we glued on the claws {cheap sponges cut into triangles}

Ocean week, octopus hot dogs for lunch!

 We are all fascinated by our ant hill! Those buggers are hard workers! We are always anxious to see what they've been up to over night. And I love that they only need to be fed and watered every 3 days. If only children were on the same schedule...

Lady bug rocks, Dawson's appears to have a mustache. Maybe dude bug is a better term for what he made.

Will work for M&M's...I'm not gonna lie, sometimes the only way we get through writing {Dawson HATES writing assignments} is with candy bribes.

Saved by the bell! School's out and now the rest of  Cinderella's chores begin. If only I had a fancy ball to look forward too...Bippity boppity boohoo. Oh well at least I have the Prince Charming;) 

Amazing Love

These are two of my most favorite songs right now. They both make me cry like a baby, especially when it gets to the crescendo of each of these songs.

You Love me Anyway

See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd

For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground

Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face

With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace

And then alone in the night, I still called out for You

So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

But You love me anyway

Oh, God, how You love me?

But You love me anyway

It's like nothing in life that I've ever known

You love me anyway

Oh Lord, how You love me? How You love me?

Wedding Day

This is the story of the Son of God

Hangin' on a cross for me

But it ends with a bride and groom

And a weddin' by a glassy sea

Oh, death, where is your sting?

'Cause I'll be there singin'

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

This is the story of a bride in white

Waitin' on her weddin' day

Anticipation wellin' up inside

While her groom is crowned a King

Oh, death, where is your sting?

'Cause we'll be there singin'

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord almighty

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord almighty

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy

(Who was, and is, and is to come)

Is the Lord almighty

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy

(Who was, and is, and is to come)

Is the Lord almighty

This is the story of the son of God

Hangin' on a cross for me

(Holy, holy, holy, holy)

And it ends with a bride and groom

And a weddin' by a glassy sea

(Holy, holy, holy, holy)

(Is the Lord almighty)

This is the story of a bride in white

Singin' on her weddin' day

(Holy, holy, holy, holy)

Altogether all that was, and is

Can stand before her God and sing

(Holy, holy, holy, holy)

(Is the Lord almighty)

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord almighty

Inappropriate quote of the week

East meets West

So I have this precious friend. I would've liked her no matter what, where, or how I met her. But the fact that   we met over a perfectly slimy, dimpled and chubby baby girl makes our friendship that much sweeter. Katy was Ella's nurse at Tacoma General when she was born. Ella was born in the evening, and we didn't make it to the hospital until almost midnight, so they saved her first bath and all the fun stuff for morning. And how lucky blessed we are that they made us wait, good things come to those who wait...Katy was that good thing. I loved her instantly, she loved Ella instantly, I tried to chat her ear off and keep her from doing her job. I even remember how cute her colorful, striped socks were and thinking "I like this girl, she likes crazy socks like I do!" Ella was actually in the NICU the 4 days we had to stay there, not because she was a premie or sick, but just out of respect for her birthmother who was staying on the mother/baby floor. Katie, being used to teenies, just loved how sturdy and not delicate she was. So when bath time came, she washed her up, really, really good {thanks Katy, I know what you were thinking, I was thinking the same thing;)} and I had the feeling by the time we left the hospital that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and it was. We kept in touch, they came to visit the next summer, and we have always been in contact, but it's been sooo long since we've seen each other! For different reasons it just hasn't worked out when we've been over that direction. But they made their way over here last week and I just can't say how amazing it was. We've since had 3 boys to add to the mix, and they were newlyweds when we met and since then, they've smooshed in having 3 girls, all 2 years apart. So all 11 of us cozied up here in the cottage for a late winter break, and it was divine. I know what a feat it is to pack up kids and drive all the way here, especially in the dead of winter. We felt so honored that they made the trip. Katy, I know I love you and that we'd have a blast, I knew we'd stay up and chat for hours, but I didn't know just how good it would feel to see you curled up under a blanket on my couch at night, with a mug of cocoa, and your cute smiley face. You belong here... It was just natural and comfy and perfect. So comfy that I didn't do my hair one time or get out of yoga pants, Ryan is probably wondering how I've kept a husband for 17 years;) Miss you, wish my computer would let me make those cute little hearts, I'd put like 7 of them here if I could. I don't have many pictures and stole some from Katy, I think that is sometimes the hallmark of a great thing, too busy being in the moment to worry about pictures.

 I put their names on this chalkboard garland and Ella asked me why I didn't decorate Ryan's heart. I told her I couldn't think of anything manly, she said "what about a lightening bolt?!"

 The kids were so excited  for them to get here, I thought I was going to have to pull out the benadryl;)

The picture is blurry in sport mode, that gives you and idea of how much hopping up and down they were doing.

 They're here!!! 3 beautiful new faces to love.

 Even though the snow has been flying all winter, we didn't get the gorgeous fresh snow I was hoping and praying for. But, it was white, and there was enough to sled on so we couldn't complain!

 Ila is in front, what a sweet, tender girl. And Eda is in the back. I call her "Eda-you-up" because she has the squishiest buns, I know firsthand from squeezing them myself {hope that's okay Katy}.

 We took the big girls and Dawson to Polka Dot Pottery to paint. Ella made a magical, VeRy colorful horse, and Ava Lou made a cat figurine in honor of Bernice Blossom, their kitty that just went to heaven:(

 Dawson made a "coffee" cup for himself;)

Katy, such a cutie.

Ghiradelli cocoa with fresh whipped cream, orange chocolate scones, sugar cookies...I promise I'm not taking advantage of legalized marijuana. I always have the munchies. In fact I'm still discovering special drinks and goodies that I intended to pull out while they were here. Too little time!

 Okay, this picture doesn't do justice to these crazy monkeys. It was almost midnight, they were in bed watching a movie on my lap top, and clearly not sleepy. Wish I could've captured the feel of this moment with them snuggled up in the dark, but tried to take a pic without flash and it didn't work.

 Mitchy and Eda

All of the kids had SO much fun together. I was amazed at how well all 7 of them played together ~ not one tattle session, no fighting, yelling, crying, arguing...four days together and they seemed to love every minute of it.

Love is in the air...

Dawson requested that I make Shirley Temple's while they were here, umbrellas and all. Umm, what's with the girls and one shoulder out of their shirts?!

 Hopefully we don't find a similar picture of Mitch on the internet someday.

 Dawson squeeeezing in to a picture of me and Katy:)

We took advantage of our pathetic, crunchy snow and went sledding. I also met my new love, Hunter, on the hill. Long story, but this 14ish year old boy followed me around most of the time, and talked, a LOT, eventually asking me if he could sit on my knees and ride down the hill with me. I came up with a clever excuse that wouldn't hurt his feelings, only to hear the same question a bit later, just worded a bit differently: "you know, that sled's made for two..." Oh my gosh, too funny. Katy kept teasing that he probably thought I was Ella's sister instead of her Mom. The only reason he could've possibly thought that is because I was wearing one of Ella's flowery snow hats, and sunglasses which hide the bags and wrinkles under my eyes;)

Cutest couple award goes too....Katy and Ryan!

 I have pictures in Ella's scrapbook of Katy giving her a bath, so Ella teased for days before they came that she was going to ask Katy to give her another bath and scrub her butt. 

We talked till one in the morning every night, and there still wasn't enough time. Then they left us, sniffle.

And then a few days later... a box arrived from Katy. I open it up, and once I peeled back the black and white polka dotted tissue, then the pink tissue, I see a a box FULL of treasures. I started crying when I read her sweet card and had so much fun uncovering all the thoughtful goodies inside. Plus, the whole box smelled amazing and I dug around to see what it was ~ adorable hen and egg soaps on a dish. It was better than Christmas! Here's some pictures of what I got...Jealous aren't you?!

 This sign made me laugh so hard!

 Beautiful little treasure box in my favorite shade of blue, there's a lovely hand towel hiding underneath.

 That heavenly soap.

Pencils and suckers and jelly beans for the Rufflings, and you can see the cute pennant banner with the ruffle. It says "loved," and oh my gosh did I feel loved!

Can't wait to see you this summer!!!                                                                                                       xoxoxo