Happenings at our house

Here are a few tid bits of happenings at our house:

Tyler has two teeth now. He can do "Hola" by lifting his arm and opening and shutting his hand. He can also clap. He is finally enjoying big people food. But only that which he can manipulate himself. He ate a half a banana yesterday and especially likes crackers and cereal.

Timothy has started soccer school this week. He is loving it! He is in the 4 - 7 year old bracket. He is the fastest of his class he tells me. This is a huge outdoor school beside the stadium. There are hundreds of kids that go to this school. So far his team has won all four games that they have played amongst themselves. He is usually placed as goalie. Whenever we get into the taxi to take him to school (Tuesday - Friday, 3:30 - 5:00) the driver always grins with a look of pride and nostalgia. I don't even have to tell them where to go, they know the school from their childhood.

Raimy is doing great with art class. One of her friends signed up and is going with her. This is fun for her. Today Raimy went with a member of the church that is making a children's music CD. They needed a little girl to sing a song. So this will be cool that Raimy's voice will be on an album.

Gabrielle continued to show great desire with learning. She is a very hard worker. I can hardly believe that she is almost 6 years old. Now with the other two installed in their activities she is wanting to start hers. She says she wants to swim. We are looking at the options - but it looks like that will be what she does.

DaRonn has started a bowling group with some people from church. He really likes it. I am glad that there is a bowling ally in town. (There is only one in this town of 800,000.)

I have been very happy this week that Tyler is sleeping through the night. Well, he wakes up around 3 and fusses a little - but I let him go back to sleep and he is out until the morning. We are talking 8 - 11 hours here folks! It is nice. :-)

So that is what is happening. Oh - if you want to read a fun memory that I posted you can click here. I love you all!

Cold Morning Breakfast

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere we woke up to a crisp and cool 50 degrees (F). Thusly motivated there arose in me a craving for oatmeal. Not having any brown sugar on hand I scurried around the kitchen looking for something to jazz up the blandness in my bowl. I was very pleased with the results!

Ingredients:
(One serving)
1 cup oats
¾ cups low fat milk
1 medium banana sliced
¼ cup mixed nuts (almond slices, peanut bits and walnut chunks)
2 dried figs, broke up in pieces
2 tablespoons honey (roughly)

Preparation:
Rub the oats between your hands to crush them. This will make them creamier after cooking. Layer the ingredients as listed above in the bowl that you will be eating from. Honey should be drizzled on top. Zap it in the microwave until the bananas are soft and the oatmeal is hot, about 2 minutes. Enjoy!

(This was my shivering daughter this morning. She was saying, "Brrrrrr!")

Funny Tyler

By: Raimy Washington

One morning when me and Tyler were playing we decided to play with my necklaces, my plastic necklaces. When we were playing we were pretending that Tyler was a rich man. It was so fun. We made a plastic necklace for a crown too. Tyler almost laughed at the camera.

Terry on Chopper

Terry's been having fun borrowing our neighbor's chopper. Personally I think Terry looks much better on it than the actual owner of the bike. Terry gets on it like he and the bike are old friends, like they were meant to be. Our neighbor actually considered selling the bike for $18,000 just to get out of payments. Terry just buffed some scratches out of it for him so it looks new again.

Walking

yesterday was a big day in Sasha's development. she started walking. it began with 3 then 4 steps, going between Nick and I. she was having so much fun that she just kept going and we kept scooting farther away from each other. in the end she took 10 steps totally independently. i had a feeling that she would be walking by her first birthday. she seems to have very good balance and control. she gets that from her dad. it was such an exciting moment. Nick and I were thrilled to be able to watch her first steps together. our only regret is that the video camera was not charged. :(
in honor of her first steps daddy is going to take her shopping for a new pair of walking shoes tomorrow. (she is just moving into size 4's now.)
every day she becomes more of a kid and less of a baby. its exciting and sad all at the same time.
love to everybody.
Shawn

The Birthday Girl!

Angie,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope your wishes come true today! Here is a sampling of the life of this beautiful person's we call sister, daughter, mother, wife, tia, Angie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANG!

Hope this day is filled with blessings and peace for you. Love you SOOOO much. Amazed and proud of all that you do with your life. You effect and inspire all who have the opportunity to cross paths with you. I am very proud of you, my daughter. Have a Wonder-filled day!

Happy Father's Day

As a tribute to the fathers in this family I went looking for some pictures to post. It is amazing how hard I had to look! I came to a couple conclusions. First - it is usually the dad's that are the ones behind the camera. After that I was thinking about the fact that these men usually prefer to take a behind the scenes role in our families. They are not pushing themselves into the spot light. But they are steadily doing what has to be done to make sure that their wives and children are provided for and happy. We have good father's in our family.

Thank you dads!!! Have a happy Father's Day each one of you!!! We love you very, very, very much and couldn't imagine what our lives would be like without you.

My Story about Chad

By: Gabrielle Washington

One day I was with Chad. Then I was dressed like a princess. And they really liked it how I was a princess. They're happy in Kristy and Jeff's house. We were just so happy. And Chad liked how I was dressed. Chad just really liked it. And they took a picture of me by myself as a princess and me with Chad like a princess. And it was just so fun. We just played together, had fun and we had fun with Chad, and Raimy and Timothy and me and Chad - alot of people.

Me and Amanda

By: Raimy Washington

One day when we were in the United States we were at Amanda's house. I was playing alot with her. She was having fun with me. We were playing with little umbrellas. We were pretending we were little ladies. And we were talking to Amanda's dad and he made jokes. One of the jokes he made of a basket ball hoop and a basket ball. We asked, "What is this?" And he said, "This is a big orange jelly bean and you have to throw it in the hoop and catch the jelly beans that fall out." We laughed alot! Then we went inside to have a little snack. When we got out Amanda's dad made jokes again. He pretended he knocked on a door and said, "Donde esta el bano, por favor." It means, "Where is the bathroom please." Then it was time for me to go home. But we played a little longer with basket ball.

Tyler and Timothy Puppet Show

By: Timothy Washington

One day when I was making a puppet show for Tyler, Tyler was looking at the puppets and at me. And we were playing. And mama took some pictures of us. And we played until school. And then after lunch we played together again. And we played together alot.

The End

Kent's Races

Kent did cycling at the Special Olympics. He had a great coach, Diane. Terry and Dad took off work to attend and Mom got a studio-sitter. We had a lot of fun. The clouds rolled in and sprinkled a couple times before finally ending the whole event. Our Olympian came away with a silver and a bronze medal. Here are some pictures of the fun day. As you can see, Allison is the official cheerleader. Though we were all cheering for Kent, Terry got involved in all races even if Kent wasn't in them to cheer on the underdogs.

Studio News

The studio expansion has moved through the first phase of construction. Just after Mother's day and the graduation and the visit to St. Joe, we dug in.
We reduced the gallery to the entry way area by packing away alot of art. Tore up the carpet and gave it away. Laid a new floor that matches the first studio. And moved the hand building area into what was the gallery. Got a few new wheels for the pottery studio and voile'. We are ready for the increased class sizes we are experiencing. It's all good!
The next phase will be to add a couple of new sinks in the clean up area. That takes plumbing, which dad can do. But we have to wait for the time to become available. Once that is complete, more than one person at a time will be able to clean up at the end of classes. Every one will be happier.
We had a pottery sale this weekend in conjunction with the neighborhood garage sales going on. We brought wheels outside to throw during the sale. It was 2 nice days outside doing pottery. ( except that Thursday was super windy). Everyone enjoyed it and we sold some pottery.

Summer...

Thought I'd fill ya'll in to what little I'm doing this Summer.

Terry took me to Topeka Saturday for the drag racing and it was awesome. We had fun. I loved the fresh sqeezed lemonade. The track was too hot for the cars to make a good pass, but it was cool because they would start to lose control and swirve and then slow way down, but for a moment you held your breath for what might've happened. I got a cool visor and t-shirt and a hot sunburn. It seemed okay until Monday when it blistered around my neck. YUCK! OUCH! At least Terry got me out of there early Saturday or it would've been worse. I was not smart by not wearing sunscreen. I never want to do that again. I haven't in a long time. You all remember my sunburns, well this is my last.

Monday I helped my photography teacher hang his show for Botanica. It was all black and white "old-fashioned" photos. I helped him frame them before school was out. It took all day to hang them because we had to suspend them by fishing line to the ceiling with hooks (the walls are brick). He paid me $100 to help him.

I got a letter yesterday informing me that I made the dean's list for last semester. That makes 5 out of 6 semesters. My first politics class screwed me up when I made a C. But as some of you heard I made a B in the following politics class.

Lucas, I've been wanting a bike trailer so Ali can go on my bike rides with me like we had for Kent. I just thought this morning to look on Craig's List and found on in Derby for $50 barely used. I am going this afternoon to get it. I am so excited! I love biking to get/keep in shape and now I don't have to worry about what Ali's doing, she can come with me.

Kent is back at Starky where he will work five days a week the same schedule he had for school. Mom or I drive him in the morning and pick him up at 3:30pm. He didn't want to go back but now that he's back he is enjoying it. He still has time afterwards to play Wii. His high score on bowling is now 277. He only had one spare and the rest strikes. I so wanted to see him get 300. Maybe sometime.

Last week Allison was inseperable from her puppet frog who she named Allison Laura Houtz and it was four years old almost five. She brought it everywhere and in stores and restraunts. She couldn't be without it and talked to it and used it as a medium for us to communicate with her. I was telling myself it is a phase and luckily it seems to have been a short phase. I haven't seen the frog for two days now. Which is good because she would actually order food for the frog and not herself.

I hope my family is good. I love you all.

Big Boy

I am a big boy! This month I started doing so many fun things. I can crawl now. I can pull myself up to stand next to whatever I want to. I can make fun sounds like BA, MA, NA, DA and of course my signature chuckle. I found out that I like to eat macaroni and cheese and other pasta dishes. Oh yeah, and Dippin' Dots are the best! And now for the really big news... I have a new tooth! Yep, just came in this evening. Maybe that explains the fevers, runny nose and why I have been wanting Mama to hold me every waking moment. Don't worry about her though, she likes to cuddle with me. She even helped me take these pictures today so you can see for yourself my new tooth.

Mother

The hustle and bustle of getting all the little cousins ready to go to brunch on mother’s day was hushed by the matron who entered holding a faded piece of paper. The endearing way she gazed on the page held close with both hands made everyone in the room be still. Seizing the opportunity to escape the older of the wee ones scurried off to continue their fantasy play of pirates and fairies leaving the adults to their grown up musing. And musing we were. What could be so precious about this paper? We didn’t have to question long for the lady took her seat and began to explain.

“This poem was written by Mom,” she looked over at her sister and smiled. Her lips were pressed together showing fond remembrance mixed with bitter regret at the loss of their dear mother not so many years ago. How she wished that she could have her still by her side to read the words that she had personally penned so lovingly. Oh, to be able to hear her voice speak out the simple ode.

In her stead, my own mother began to read the poem that my grandmother wrote. There came a moment when she tried to have someone else finish reading, not able to go on because her eyes were blurred by tears. Recovering, she read the rest broken and shaky.

Upon finishing we dried our tears. Did anyone know when she had written this? How is it that you found it? Why had we never heard it before today? None of these questions found answers. Perhaps a bit sacrilegiously my aunt asked her sister to make a photocopy as I told them I was going to post it on my blog so that the whole family could see. My mother was now the mother of three mothers and I was saddened that only I had been present for the reading, alongside just one of my aunts. Wouldn’t all the other sons, daughters, aunts, uncles and cousins like to see it?

Being an egocentric pre-pubescent when my grandma passed away the memories that
I have of this special woman are few yet fond. While my youth did not afford me the wisdom to value our encounters my station now in life draws me to close my eyes and remember the details of the time I spent with the mother of my mother. After hearing this poem I can understand how selflessness was formed in my mom so that in my rearing I also received a giving and unselfish heart.

That plain piece of paper with a bunch of words on it has changed into a treasure. Then again, maybe it was not the paper that changed at all; rather it was I who changed. These words hung framed on the wall of the hall in our house during our formative years. I had never taken much notice of them. Now they will occupy a space on my own wall.

“Reflections on Motherhood”
a poem by
Laura Kavan

As a day honoring Mothers fast approaches,
I, as a mother, am thinking and thinking.
This whole celebration is quite out of order.
So little of the credit belongs to me
Who just happens to be a mother.

As I sit and write, great humility fills my soul.
To think that so much honor and praise
Can go with the most wonderful thing in the world
The honor of being a mother.

A feat I could never win alone
Yet on this day, the honor is mine.
But the trophy is so great, I guess I’ll just accept
Then try in this small way
To make you all, who I love so dear
Understand just how much you mean to me.
For without you, a mother I would never be.

Mother and Gram and Gramp or whatever you’re so fondly called
Your part in my fame is supreme
For without your love and teaching and help along the way
A wife and mother I could never be.

Les, ‘Daddy’, ‘Dear’, ‘Honey’ or whatever else I may call you
My love for you must tell you all the things in my heart
Because feelings so deep, words cannot express
But your contribution to my great day
Is ever increasing as each year passes
Til now, you must share this honor with me
For apart from you, this wonderful person, a mother I could never be.

And to you dear children –
Joyce, Jerry, Jill and Kristy
I’m so proud to be your mother
Tis honor enough to share the happiness you produce
Without a special date to honor someone so humble as your mother.

Now as my thoughts begin to ebb.
I must praise and honor you, dear God
For this wonderful way of life
And ask you to help me be, a Mother
As understanding as Thee.

family weekend

What a wonderful weekend! I don't know about you all (y'all) but I was so blessed to be around my family, even if it was just for a few days. We had fun. We had adventures. And we had Wii. What more can you ask for. Well... what would have made the weekend even better would have been to have the rest of the family with us. (aka DaRonn Lucas) But it was really nice any way. And I am so glad that the Wichita group decided to come too. It made it even better. I am so glad that Sasha had a chance to hang out with all of her cousins. She clearly bonded with all of them. She just loved all the playing and attention that she got. I came away from the weekend wishing that we could get Sasha a dog and a big sister. But alas, neither is possible.
I just wanted to remind all y'all that we love you guys so much. Angie, we will be praying for your trip on Sunday.
-Shawn
P.S. It would be cool if there was a way to share pictures from the weekend.

Kent's Graduation

We had a great time at Kent's graduation on Friday night. He was the star of his class! As the graduates came walking out to take their seats for the ceremony the music started playing. It was very emotional to see all the young people in their caps and gowns respectfully walking slowly out. Then came Kent. As he came out he paused and looked around. With a big smile on his face he lifted his hand in the air and pointed to the sky; then both hands were up in the air as he marched triumphantly along. While the rest of the crowd made some admiring remarks and filled the room with approving laughs his family lost it. Our eyes filled with tears of pride and joy at Kent's accomplishment made ever so much more meaningful with his unique flare. The ceremony that followed sealed the fact that these students had completed their educational career. Speeches were made, a slide show presentation set to music showed growing up pictures of all the students, names were read, diplomas were handed out, proud graduates shook hands possibly for the last time with the principal and finally came the presentation of the students to the audience. My brother was one of the first to gleefully toss his cap in the air amidst shouts and applause. The little cousin girls had brought pom-poms and were jumping up and down shaking them with all their might to celebrate their uncle's special day.

Saturday afternoon the open house was well attended by family and friends. Kent received lots of cash, cards and well wishes. It was a good party. Kent even gave a nice speech of gratitude to all present.

No Good Deed, Packrats, Finals, and Mufflers

Hey there my family! I am so excited to see all of you soon... if not this weekend then the next!!! Right now I am blogging to take a break from cleaning the fridge (which really needed it) which I was doing in between studying for finals.

But before I talk about finals, I'll tell you about the fridge. As I said, it really needed cleaning, I didn't want all my family to come this weekend and peak into our fridge and see the mess it was in, so I cleaned it, no big deal right? Well, I was almost done, on my last shelf, I washed half the shelf and as I was turning it to do the other half it twisted or something and shattered into a million little pieces, none bigger than my thumb nail. Dad heard it and rushed to get the vac and as I shop-vacuumed the pieces from the sink, disposer, counter, floor in the kitchen and the dining room, he found a piece of plexi-glass (that was in the basement) and cut it to size, so now we have a new shatterproof shelf! So don't worry, when you come, the fridge will be like new.

Speaking of like new, my car is reborn. You know it's an old car, I love it, Grandma gave it to me as my college graduation gift (early of course, I am still in school). It's a comfortable car for your seat but may get a little hot in the summer. Well, I thought that since it was so old that it was normal for it to have some quirks, say like shaking violently especially at higher speeds or say like giving me headaches and nausea occasionally. But the other day when Terry drove me somewhere in it, he got a little concerned and had it checked out. Within twenty-four hours it had new front tires, balanced and aligned, oil change, new antifreeze, and a new muffler (the old one crumbled at any light touch). So, THANK YOU TERRY FOR SAVING MY LIFE! He said the tires were ready to blow out at any time, he could see the inner wires in the tires. And the new muffler took care of the exhaust leak. It rides soooooo smooth now. Even Allison said it doesn't "wiggle or be rough" anymore.

So it's been a rough semester at times, but it's almost over. Tomorrow I have a photography final critique at 8:30am and an individual critique at 11:00am for my art history final paper/project and at 5:30pm my art history final exam. Then I'm done until Tuesday morning when I have my politics final. I hope to leave my painting project hanging at school so maybe people can go see it this weekend. I also have here at home all my paintings of us kids that I'm getting ready for my show. Also, make sure to check out my black and white photographs I took of Kent for his open house. They're cool.

Now I'm pooped out and might skip dishes tonight and head straight for bed. I love all you guys and am very excited for this weekend and next. Allison and I picked out some goodies for her cousins today and she is very excited. She especially seemed interested in getting things for Gabrielle, I had to keep telling her we had enough for Gabrielle and were looking for Timothy now. But when we got home it was Timothy's stuff she wanted to play with. It will be fun to have them all together!

Posting photos tips

Motivated by the most recent photo post of our adorable Sasha girl I wanted to give some photo posting advice. Hopefully this will help you all to pop on some shots of your life. (And by the way, Shawn, even though it was difficult I personally think that it was worth every minute of it to see that cutie pie.) :-)

1. A smaller photo will upload quicker.

2. A photo saved at a lower quality will upload quicker.

3. So - in whatever photo program you are using edit the photo that you wish to post before you post it.

4. The first edit you are going to do is to go to the option "save as" (or some kind of equivalent that will save a new copy of the picture). Label it whatever you want followed by the word 'blog' or 'small'. Then look for an option on the saving screen that allows you to choose the size of the picture - choose small. After you have done this you will have two pictures that seem to be identical - yet one is smaller.

5. On the picture labeled 'blog' or 'small' you can now go in and edit it by cropping it down to only the very most important part of the image. Don't forget to save your work.

If you follow those five steps you should have a photo that is easier to upload from your computer. Go ahead - try it now - we would love to see what is going on in your life. (The picture you see here took less than a minute to upload.)