Stop Time

Ok…..I have come up with a solution to what is coming closer and closer to Dave and I having an empty nest.  I will just stop time…..freeze it where it is.  I love what my family looks like right now.  Reuben in school, entering his fourth year.  Kaylee at home preparing to leave for College.  Libby happy living back in Bend.  Making new friends, dancing and overall happy.  Connor starting his junior year of high school.  If it were possible, I would freeze time and keep my children right where they are.  I like it.  Unfortunately I am not God and I cannot stop time.  All I can do is encourage my children to reach for their goals and work hard to attain them.  All I can do is be there for them when they are scared of the future and worried about living over three hours away from mom and dad.  All I can do is be their mom…love them unconditionally.  Support them even when they make decisions that I may not agree with.  All I can do is be there for them.

Libby – When Libby moved back to Bend just over a year ago, she lived at home with us.  Just a couple of months ago, she moved into her own place and is loving having her own space again, however she also comes home to visit quite often.  Last night she hosted a “deep fry” night for her siblings, roommates and friends.  All of the kids had a blast.

Reuben – Reuben left home for the first time last year when he started his third year of college over at Oregon State University.  It was hard driving away and leaving him there with all his worldly possessions. However, he did very well.  He will be living in the same house again this year, but is planning on moving into an apartment for the 2013 school year.  Reuben will be moving the weekend of September 14.

Kaylee will leave home for the first time this year.  She will be attending Linn Benton Community College and majoring in Ag Education.  She will also be on their livestock judging team.  Kaylee is heading over the mountain today to register for classes and hopefully nail down a place for her and the roommates to be living.  She will officially move the weekend of Dave and my 26th anniversary and Dave’s birthday.

Connor will be starting his junior year of high school next week.  He is so excited to be an upperclassman, but also excited about the fact that he will not have an older sister at the same school.  Connor has struggled with some classes (mainly science) and we have to find a way to help him with those classes.  I am going to try harder to be a better support system for him.  Connor will also be very involved in band again this year and has said that he’s going to revive the bucket drummer performances at the basketball games this year.  I can’t wait to hear them.

I remember when my kids were little, I could not imagine them growing up and leaving home.  I think that when you have a lot of kids, you live in the moment and don’t think beyond what is…….and because of that it kind of sneaks up and kicks you in the butt.  I cannot believe in just two short years Dave and I will be looking at being empty nesters.  Really?  Where did all of the time go?

I do have plans for one of our empty rooms this year.  I am going to make it into my Savvy Marketing Solutions office and GinnyCakes office.  I have the paint picked out, a desk I’d like to buy.  I’d also like to have a little flat screen in the office.  I hope to have it all complete by the end of October-Middle of November.

I need to write a post about our newest family member, Tucker.  A wonderful dog who fits into our family perfectly.  My cats would beg to differ, but they are warming up to him.

Have a great day and I’ll be writing another post soon.

Yep They’ve Grown Up

Change and Adjusting

If I were to give this summer a theme it would be CHANGE AND ADJUSTING. This has definitely been a summer of adjustments. We have been adjusting to having Reuben living back at home after being away at school for nine months. We have been adjusting to having Kaylee being a high school graduate and all of the growing pains that come along with that. We have also been adjusting to having another driver in the house. That’s right Connor, my baby, got his driver license.

It is interesting how the home dynamics change when a child either leaves or returns home. Back in September of 2011 when Reuben left for college, it was difficult. I was used to seeing him every day. Talking with him and helping him through the difficult times. When he was away at school, he had to learn to handle things without Dave or I walking him through it. Over the course of his first year away at school we saw him transform from a young man into a mature adult who handles life challenges on his own and in a mature manner. Since he has been home for the summer, we have had to adjust to having an adult in our home. It has been interesting.

With Kaylee’s graduation have come growing pains as well. She is testing her wings and at times I’m finding that I have to clip them a bit. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have told her this summer “you may be 18 and a high school graduate, but as long as you are still living in my house……..” Yea, it’s been an interesting summer!

Kaylee Showing at the Deschutes County Fair

Connor has been anxiously awaiting the time when he can drive a car by himself for a very long time now. He has watched as each one of his siblings, one by one, have received their license and thus independence. As the youngest, it has been hard for him to still have to depend on others for transportation. Well, as of August 1, 2012 he doesn’t. He has had so much fun “hanging out with friends” and visiting all his buddies. It has been hard for me as I worry about my “baby” out on the Bend roads. Truth be told, he’s doing a good job, but I still don’t go to sleep until he is home safely tucked in his bed.

Another adjustment we are going through this summer is having a dog in the house again. Last year we had our old buddy Sebastian put down. We waited a year before we even started looking for a dog and just over a week ago we found the perfect fit for us. Tucker is a 4-year-old Beagle who is an absolute sweetheart. We are getting used to him and he is getting used to us. So far we’re doing pretty well.

Tucker

We have just a few more weeks of summer. Before we know it, my birthday will roll around and Connor will start school. Then Reuben will head back to Oregon State University and then Kaylee will be off to Linn Benton Community College and we will once again be adjusting to more changes.

I guess that is what life is all about…….change.

 

Edited to Add:

After Dave read my blog he commented that I didn’t mention the adjustments to having Libby home with us for close to a year.  I mentioned that was because it really wasn’t a a huge adjustment for me to have her back at home.  At that point he commented “but I had to adjust to her leaving all over again when she moved out”.  This daddy sure loves his kids!

Who is a Daddy

When my husband became a dad 24 years ago,I finally  knew what unconditional love meant. That little girl  had him wrapped around her tiny fingers from the moment he laid eyes on her. The other three Streeter children soon grabbed their own piece of his heart, and in many ways there is nothing more important in Dave’s world than his kids. He is an amazing dad. I can’t tell you the number of days he has spent outside throwing baseballs with his boys. How many time he would take one of the kids out in “Betsy” to give them driving lessons. How many times he would drag his tired body out of bed at mid-night to go pick up one of the kids who had returned to school from a sporting activity. Dave is a hands on dad. His children are more important to him than anything else in this world. He works hard so that we can provide for them and give them the extras that they have been able to enjoy. Trips to Japan, Washington DC, Disnyland and more. Dave and I seldom have cash as we are always giving it to our kid. They each have their own car and cell phone and somehow mom and dad are still paying their auto insurance and cell phone bills.   Yep they own us.

Libby Six Weeks

Dave realizes that being a strict father means that he won’t always be appreciated by his kids. He knows that kids can, and do say very hurtful things when they don’t get their way or when they are being punished. Dave understands, but he does not waiver from his beliefs in how children should be raised.

I am so thankful that I have Dave as my partner in raising our kids. There are times when I want to slap him upside the head when he’s egging the kids on etc,., but he’s a great father and a wonderful man and I am so thankful we are in this together.

Happy Farhters Day Dave.

Last Day

Today is her last day of high school. Congratulations Kaylee Jean Streeter. Dad and I are so proud of you.

Her First Day of Preschool

Trip Down Memory Lane

I’ve been going through old pictures for a special project.  I found this.  It is the “call list” we took to the hospital for the birth of Kaylee

Call List for Kaylee Birth

Reuben 3, Libby 6, Kaylee 1 Day

All Four……so long ago.

Me and My Girls 1996

I Go-ded Poo Poo!!!!!!!

It is so much fun to go back and look at old family pictures.  The memories they bring back are priceless.  I’ve been working on this project since about 9 this morning. I also found some great pictures of my parents.

Daddy, Uncle Walt and Libby

My mom…..

My Beautiful Mom

Libby and Cousin Brittany

Libby – First Day of 1st Grade

Reuben

Libby and Kaylee

Connor First Baseball Picture

The Kids Way Back When Libby Was The Tallest

Where Has The Time Gone

As I sit here working (and blogging) today, my third child Kaylee is heading over “the mountain”(Oregon Cascades) to look at the place where she most likely will be living next year when she attends her first year of college at Linn Benton Community College. She is so excited. This is her first step towards independence. Me? I’m excited for her and really proud of the young woman she has become, but as a mother it tugs at my heart strings whenever one of my children moves away. This is my third tmie going through this difficult transition stage, and let me tell you that IT DOESN’T GET ANY EASIER. Actually I am finding that the opposite is true. With each kid, saying goodbye and watching them head out on their own has gotten just a little bit harder.

Last night we attended her last high school choir concert. I was proud of myself. I made it all the way through without crying. I was even more proud of Kaylee. She made it all the way through without crying too. I was actually very surprised by both of us. What was even more surprising? That dad made it through without any tears as well. He’s usually the first one to cry when it comes to one of the kis leaving the nest :).

Kaylee in 7th Grade Kissing Her Llama Masterlink

Our next big emotional test will be next Thursday. Graduation day! On Thursday, June 7, 2012 Kaylee Jean Streeter will officially become a high school graduate. That means that as of June 7, 2012, we will only have one child still left in high school. Where has all of the time gone? I remember so vividly the day I found out I was pregnant with each of my four children. I remember so vividly the day each of them was born. Wasn’t it just yesterday when they were saying “it’s a girl” when Kaylee entered the world screaming and kicking? Wasn’t it just yesterday when we dropped her off for her first day of kindergarten? Wasn’t it just yesterday when she was walking through the doors of Pilot Butte Middle School for the first time? Wasn’t it just yesterday that she entered Mountain View High School, so proud to finally be in high school? Wasn’t it just yesterday that she decided to follow in her mothers’ footsteps and make FFA the highlight of her high school career. Wasn’t it just yesterday?????

Her First High School Prom

There are so many yesterdays…..so many wonderful memories of “the Super Readhead Girl”….so many things to look back on. But t here is also today. Today and the next few days to come are days to celebrate. Today we celebrate the end of an era and look forward to the beginning of another. Today we celebrate what is, not what was and not what is yet to come….just what is and the many accomplishments of Kaylee Jean Streeter

Homecoming Freshman Year
Daddy, Kaylee, Lauren Johnson, Mike Johnson

Soon enough she will be following in the footstaps of her older brother and sister. She will be driving away with all of her worldly possessions packed in her little car. She will be heading off to Linn Benton Community College to start working toward her dream of becoming an ag teacher. Soon enough, her room will be cleaned out “praise the Lord for small miracles” and the house will be all too quiet. Soon eough, Connor will be the only child living at home with mom and dad. Soon enough the house will be way too quiet and way too clean. Soon enough…….

The Ultimate Prom Picture

Kaylee and Reagan Dressed up
For the Choir Concert

Oh……What to say…..

I keep trying to put into words my feelings about Kaylee graduating. I am struggling, but I will get there soon. Until then, enjoy some more pictures.

My Kaylee

This is one of my favorite FFA pictures of Kaylee.  It captures her spirit.

Kaylee and Mom…Best Friends

I have so many pictures of Kaylee throughout her high school career.  She was involved in so many activities and fully embraced high school.  She has so many wonderful memories of her high school years.

Kaylee with her first Lamb…..Lamburgesa

With Evan Sophomore Year of High School

More Pictures

I have been busy moving personal files from my old computer to my new one and came across some that I just had to share.

Cute Baseball Players

More fun kid pictures.  I honestly cannot believe how fast they have all grown up.

Libby and her best friend Stephanie June 2006.

Libby and Stephanie have been best friends since they were 18 months old.  Now at the age of 24 they remain best friends and are there for each other, in good times and bad.  That’s what friends are for…..

Reuben and Ryan, June 2009 at Reuben’s high school graduation.

Ryan is Stephanie’s little brother and he and Reuben have been best friends since they were little as well.  True friendships transcend miles.  Although we have not lived in the same town for over 12 years, these kids are still maintained great friendships.

Little Baseball Player

He has grown up so much since this picture was taken.  I believe he was in 7th grade here.  Now he is almost through with his sophomore year of high school.

Classy Lady

My sister Delphine at her daughter Brittany’s wedding in June 2009.  She is holding her new son-in-laws dress Marine hat.  That young man is currently serving our country in Afganistan.

Sisters

My two nieces.  Brittany and Kelsey at Brittany’s wedding.  Nice face Brittany!

More Sisters

Me and my sister Delphine.  This picture was taken at the farm one of the last times all of us girls got together before mom died.

Gettin her Groove On

Libby dancing her way through life.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will share more memories from my family picture archives.  Thanks for checking in.

Ginny

Sharing Some Pictures

I don’t have a lot to say today, but thought I’d share some family photos…..

Kaylee and Her Daddy – Homecoming Freshman Year

The Lambs

Kaylee and Connor got their lambs for the Deschutes County Fair this weekend. Connor named his Butt Hole. Kaylee named her’s 3……but I think she should have named her’s Butt Head. Why you ask? Because it tried to go through the fence the first night it was in it’s new home an darn near scalped itself. We didn’t get Connor’s lamb until the next day and little “3” kind of freaked out all by himself. He is now sporting a pretty swollen eye and a wonderful bandage that is changed each morning. He’s getting better, but poor Kaylee was so upset.

Poor 3 All Bandaged Up

This is the first year that Kaylee’s lamb has had another lamb friend. The first year we had him out our friend Ron Wilkinson’s house. Ron raises llamas and I kid you not, that lamb thought he was a llama. Last year, her lamb was raised with pigs, and yep he thought he was a pig. This year he has a buddy…..and they are already inseparable. It’s been fun watching Connor with his lamb. He loves her already. I love sharing this experience with my kids. It brings back so many memories of my own childhood. I showed sheep for ten years in 4-H and FFA. I loved it and was very competitive. It also brings back so many memories of my dad. He taught me everything I know about sheep. I love passing those lessons on down to my own children. Last night I taught Connor how to catch his lamb by grabbing the hind leg. I also showed him a few more tricks. I am really looking forward to spending lots of time over the next couple of months in the lamb pen with my two youngest kids.

Butt hole and 3 Enjoying the Evening Sun

 

The Williams legacy…….

My Dad in the Mid 80's