The legend of the killer ball (8/2018)

It's common for Grandpa and Omi to find the newest trends and hotspots to treat the grandkids. 2018's Bear Lake trip was the year of the oversized, gigantic ball. I missed it with a late arrival but have heard all about it. Legend has it that the fun and games soured quickly as one by one, each cousin was picked off with an injury. The games resulted in tears and grew into fears. By the time I arrived, the ball was nowhere in sight. We now seen it on AFV videos and the kids yell out with resounding sympathy.

How did Mom miss this? She was tending to her yearly girls lake trip whose dates unfortunately conflicted. With Dad's stamp of approval, he packed up the kids (and her road bike) and drove solo... and then picked her up from the airport a few days late. (HE is a legend!)

swim meet dates (6/2019)

David's high-powered board member position with ORSL meant that we had an inside seat to our kids swim meets - by way of organizing and handing out ribbons. Wednesdays at the pool was close to an ideal date night: we worked together, paused to cheer on our children's races, and enjoyed nights in the sun. And the kids have their own motivations for loving swim team, including: a huge group of guys, prized ribbons, and fashionable suits.

all 3 on the swim team (6/2018)

Getting dolly committed to swim team was a little terrifying because my work schedule prevented me from coaching her through daily practices but she was the last link I've anticipated for a few years. To guarantee success, I hired a nanny whose only job expectation was that she fill her time with keeping the littlest encouraged and engaged at practice. Devoted to the cause, dad also chose to be a board member and got an inside ticket to the weekly meets. Knowing that I'm on borrowed time for mutual interests, I thoroughly enjoyed my kids walking into the pool gate together, cheering each other on, and their discussions about the rigors of swimming.

an unprecedented school year 20/21

at the end of last schoolyear, kids went home with their belongings packaged in garbage bags via a non-touch drive through.  'Your child has accomplished something that has been asked of few adults. your child has taken 5+ remote learning classes.  Your child has learned to manage assignments, keep track of a schedule, and attend classes from their homes.' The same will likely be said of this school year too. (?) There was a later start, the kids are masked, and crammed high schoolers have a 50/50 attendance schedule. While the novelty of zoom technology has more than worn off, we still giggle about the time that Kindin learned to be attending upside down, the fact that Jack smashed his goal of avoiding use of the school bathroom, and about virtual introductions like this:

I am very excited to be in your 4th grade class. We will be spending the year together so I thought you might want to know some cool things about me. I was born on April 19th 2011. I was born with a big birthmark on my leg  that has grown with me my whole life. I was also born with a crooked toe. I had to get surgery when l was 4 years old to fix it and my mom was scared to give surgery to a little girl . I still have a crooked toe but it got better when I took the cast of. I have almost never been shy singing or dancing for an audience and l love to do art. I make lots of funny faces and l was born in Phoenix. My favorite book is Smile and I love making my own books. I have older siblings, one sister and brother which means I am the youngest and I am the youngest. I love going to school and meeting new people. My talents are singing , tapping , water skiing , drawing, and I am good at biking fast. If I had the choice to have a big, big house or have kids I would have kids. If I could have any job I would be a school  teacher or a dance teacher. I love to be creative and I love to make up dances. I have always dreamed of being a model too. I love hugs and my parents. I love celebrating birthdays and organizing. I share a room and love to be outside. I am excited to meet you and learn about you too.

and after 5 months of having my littles close, mom unprecedentedly felt like this after school dropoff:

lake z and me (8/2020)

Over the past year or so, Lake Zorinsky has become a beloved friend. Over the course of the time we've lived in Omaha, I've certainly enjoyed the lake. It is the gateway to a great bike ride, a sweet spot for animal sightings, and a place I wander with friends as a means of catching up. But when I truly committed to exercise daily (no excuses), it began to serve as an alternative to the gym. Initially, a decent distance for a walk/ jog, that 5K actually developed into a coping mechanism for depression and anxiety. Every step was an intentional form of relaxation as I listened to self-help podcasts and pondered on hurdles and triumphs. When the weight of one problem began melting away, Lake Z and me simply moved on to tackling the next hurdle - until eventually becoming a beloved, daily mindfulness practice that I just can't miss! (I now routinely decline invitations to walk with friends and family because it will taint my much needed time.) I wholeheartedly subscribe to the saying, "Perhaps the truth lies in a walk around the lake". 

skiing with a champion 5/2020

ever heard of April Coble? we hadn't either but she's famous as a pretty fantastic slolem skier. (a current multiple reigning world champion.) our ski-addicted friends have attended her ski school in North Carolina for a few summers but when their camp was canceled due to COVID, they hired her to come to Omaha. David was jazzed to get some pointers from the expert and Kindin snuck in a run too. 

corona mi crazy (4/2020)

The parry evolution of the coronavirus pandemic has gone the gamut from complete dismissal to full immersion. Complete dismissal with thoughts like, 'It's just a cold.' or 'There wasn't this much fuss about Ebola spread which causes bleeding from every orifice.' or acknowledgement that it's a problem elsewhere but possibly rife with political agendas and inaccurate information. Then feeling it hit closer to home with precautionary measures such as church cancellation and a $1000 stockup on food. Next, fret about being the unlucky smear victim diagnosed first, feeling uncertain about going into work as an essential worker and being told to continue as is, and nuances of immersion such as graying, shaggy hair. Finally, a realization that life is very different because you've become an instant home schooler and summer is slowly being cancelled!

It is certainly a crazy time but there are three things I love:

1. a nation united with wacky humor

2. a heart swollen with joy for family time and new family hobbies:

and

3. church at home. Having church at home for the first time was an unforgettable experience. As David prepared the bread and put a napkin over top, the kids snickered and I seriously questioned how it wouldn't feel like roleplaying. But it was wonderful and sacred and I felt the spirit more strongly than I have in a very long time. It was easy to feel the spirit. We opened up a testimony meeting after a quick thought and it was wonderful to hear from every child and grandparents too who were visiting. They each shared their feelings and Jack ended the meeting with a very heartfelt, tearful prayer which proved that all of us were feeling the same throughout the entire meeting. In fact, it might prove hard to go back to formalized church.  

other memorable pics:

Mom masked and monitored at work

a drive up last day of school

visiting from a safe 6 ft distance

customizable communions (4/2020)

When we had this family night lesson catered to our needs as I returned to the workforce, I had no idea that we would have an exponentially increasing opportunity to customize our worship. With third hour Come Follow Me programming and church from home during a pandemic, my testimony of a very personal Savior who ministers to the one has been strengthened. It has been wonderful enough that I'm not sure we'll want to return to the chapel when this is all over... ? Until then, I'm thoroughly enjoying lessons such as these that are needed exactly for us.

guilty of gussied up parties (4/2020)

Mom is guilty of gussied up parties and spring is THE party season. It can start as early as Valentine's day - if I'm crazy enough to throw a galentines celebration and always includes cute Valentine's. Then, birthday season commences and even though I tell myself that this is the year that I won't throw another birthday party,  I do. (It's a love language I'm sure Gary Chapman missed.) I'm often the Easter hostess. We HAVE to participate in May Day for the sake of tradition - even though ring doorbells are making anonymity tricky. I also host favorite things every year with my friends. And then there's always the last minute last day of school gatherings.

With orders against gathering in spring 2020, what's a mom to do to show her love? 

Kindin had zero expectations of gathering or celebrating and I surprised her with a family 'Nailed It' theme cooking challenge. She was extra surprised that I'd also disseminated supplies for the same projects to her best friends so that they could join in on the fun. 

Dalia had expressed interest in having a science party but knew that was off the table months ahead of her birthday. She was jazzed to have an afternoon of experiments with us as a family. And the icing on the cake wasn't literally on the cake but rather the juice bar as a fun treat. Dalia mentioned numerous times that she was might have enjoyed her quarantine birthday better than any others.

Can't wait to dream up something for Jack too!

jack be nimble, jack be quick (7/2018)

...Jack ride under the limbo stick.  Donned in rollerblades, Jack won the limbo on two separate occasions at the roller rink (both times under fairly impressive circumstances). On one occasion, he beat out a lanky, adult skate rat. But his second victory was even more impressive - winning against a professional Netherlands ice skating duo dressed in full costume and accompanied by their German coach. The limbo champion earned himself a coveted free soda

...and bragging rights among accompanying friends and cousins. 

a most thoughtful gift (12/2019)

This Christmas, Kindin schemed with her father and surprised me with the best gift! Having truly paid attention, she noticed that I was eyeing a pair of Birkenstocks but didn't dare splurge. She set a good example and her brother followed suit  - purchasing an HGTV magazine - knowing my affinity for mindless reading in the bath.

my teacher told me (10/2019)

Dalia: 
"Her writing voice is so animated. Sometimes I have to tell her she's overdoing it. I'm not surprised though because of her voice in real life. She has tons of energy. She mixes in well with a lot of other kids. She does rush a bit."  Dalia was tasked with writing to her 4th grade teacher:

Date: may 11 2020

  

To my future 4th grade teacher,

I am very excited to be in your 4th grade class. We will be spending the year together so I thought you might want to know some cool things about me. I was born on April 19th 2011. I was born with a big birthmark on my leg  that has grown with me my whole life. I was also born with a crooked toe. I had to get surgery when l was 4 years old to fix it and my mom was scared to give surgery to a little girl . I still have a crooked toe but it got better when I took the cast of. I have almost never been shy singing or dancing for an audience and l love to do art. I make lots of funny faces and l was born in Phoenix. My favorite book is Smile and I love making my own books. I have older siblings, one sister and brother which means I am the youngest and I am the youngest. I love going to school and meeting new people. My talents are singing , tapping , water skiing , drawing, and I am good at biking fast. If I had the choice to have a big, big house or have kids I would have kids. If I could have any job I would be a school  teacher or a dance teacher. I love to be creative and I love to make up dances. I have always dreamed of being a model too. I love hugs and my parents. I love celebrating birthdays and organizing. I share a room and love to be outside. I am excited to meet you and learn about you too.

Jack:
"Conscientious.Good-natured. Likable. Polite. Is on task in a chatty class. Does good work. Volunteers in class. Science is his strength."

Kindin:
"Should take Honors Spanish because she has natural talent. Does need reassurance and seems to question even when she knows answer - so could be more confident." And always, incessant jokes about a laundry list of complaints.

(I forgot to record Kindin's spotlight for entrance into YW 2 years ago, and it seems to fits well here: "Long before Kindin was born, I had a name for her. I kinda made up the name when playing a game with my church friends. Kindin Kay. Kay is her grandma's middle name and because I share my grandma's middle name I love alliteration, I ended up liking it a lot. I made Dave concur before we were married. He said, I want a motorcycle. I said, I want Kindin Kay. In fact, when we were figuring out how to spell this made up name, Dave would use the name with our waitresses and see what they'd write down. Dave almost always won with KindEn but I felt it should be KindIn. When her cousin was born a few months before her, they'd use the family middle name. I wondered if we should call her that or not anymore but her dad was insistent!  He loved it and reminded me that I did too. Now, we believe it's perfect. It's fitting that KIND is in her name. She is very sensitive to the feelings of others and she reacts by checking in and then getting to work. She will always reach out and find a way to serve. She often sneaks into my room and tidies up my bathroom or she sneaks upstairs and folds laundry. Always doing so quietly . She really understands the connection between service and discipleship.  in other words, Kindin is KIND and all IN.") 

keeping up with the older girls (5/2019)

Dalia loves to dance but discovered a special affinity for Tap. I'm certainly grateful for her interest in a more modest, classy genre but finding a tap only class proves difficult. As a result, she ended up in a much older class - an 8 year old among a sea of 13 year olds. I am impressed with her confidence and fortitude.  She did considerably well and emphatically denied any nerves.