Junior Prom

April 21, 2018

Rachael's Junior Prom

Rachael's Junior year came flying into the home stretch with a full schedule of AP exams and Junior Prom. She and I went out with Megan to try on dresses and found one she liked. But she wasn't thrilled with it and we had time, so she and I went out one more time. She found a two piece. A large number of the available dresses had cutouts, deep v's, or were two pieces. I have always disliked formal two pieces that show belly and I had reservations. But it fit her really well. The color was beautiful on her. Rachael has a short torso, so the pieces generally touch, and I agreed that she could get it. We had to order it in her size, and do rush shipping so she would have time to hem it. Jim took her to get it hemmed and with quick turnover the dress was ready.

Rachael invited Jane, one of her friends, to prom. They met up with a few friends, who weren't going to prom, for dinner at the local Indian restaurant and then they headed to the high school cafeteria: tickets in hand. The school decorates the cafeteria, orders food and gets a DJ. It is more low key than a lot of other schools do it, but I love it, and the Juniors have a great time. Rachael said she did a lot of dancing and they voted to have no slow songs so it was all upbeat.

Little Flowers Tea Party

April 14, 2018

Little Flowers Mother Daughter Tea Party

This school year Bridget again attended the Little Flowers group. She continued her study of Catholic Saints throughout the year. The group ranged from kindergarten to 5th grade and each meeting they learned about a saint, did a craft and a prayer. I think Bridget really enjoyed the activities and being with the girls. 

The year ends with a Mother Daughter Tea Party.  We made some sandwiches and a forla arrangement. This year we signed up for Saint Clare, who they assigned the color orange and the Tulip. We had fun putting it together.

The party was hosted at OLV and Father John presided at Mass for us. Then we shared a beautiful array of sandwiches, finger foods, sweets and teas served in china tea cups.

It was a beautiful afternoon with my beautiful Bridget.

Job Hunting

Winter 2018

Jim being laid off has been a journey of questions, faith and patience. His severance pay ended at the end of 2017 and he waded into the bureaucracy of unemployment benefits. It was not by desire that we entered this and it was with a bit of discomfort. And yet throughout this I have been peaceful. I feel so covered with grace and I trust that God has this, that God has us.

Jim has been pretty ambivalent about his more recent professional career. It wasn't all bad, he was good at what he did, but it would never have been said that telecom was where his gifts or passion were on display. I have always been a proponent of taking care of  your responsibilities, even if it means doing work you don't find enjoyable. Jim has done that. I also believe that success is not a monetary measure. The layoff , the reduction in force, the business impact happened and it became an opportunity to look at reshaping the next stage.  We talked about it, we prayed about it, and the dream of Jim's favorite brewery opening 10 minutes from our house felt like more than a coincidence.

The focus shifted from just getting a job and continuing the status quo to becoming employable in the Brewing industry. Jim signed up for Cicerone courses, and with the Portland State University : Business of Craft Brewing Certificate Program. His interest in brewing and craft business became academic. His podcast listening took on a professional and educational slant. He is doing the work to reach the goal.

This goal also required networking with those in the industry, following the new breweries, visiting breweries and getting up to date on the industry's legal complexities. We know that this shift will mean a change in our family routine and our families finances, but we also think that it will mean positives for our quality of life.

God has this and God has us, and this knowledge gives me peace.

Keeping the Best of Scouting

April 2018

The older girls have effectively stopped participating in the girl scout troop they had been a part of for years. The leadership changed and the GS programming changed and they weren't getting much out of it. but Girl Scouts does offer them opportunities that they wouldn't get otherwise. So Rae and Megan had stayed registered scouts.

Bridget is still active in her troop, that seems to be making the best out of the program. She has great leaders and a great group of girls. She likes the meetings and stretches a little beyond her comfort zone and feels proud when she does. They have done small business and civics and cooking this year, all of which Bridget enjoyed.

The stuff they love most though are the hiking and stream clean ups and trips, but most of all summer camp. They can't wait to attend again this year.

Stream Clean Up 2018

Merry Easter 2018

April 1, 2018

Jesus Christ is Risen Today! Alleluia!

This year Easter was on April 1st, April Fools Days. Our funny children snuck into the living room overnight after the baskets had been prepared and Jim and I went to bed.  They decorated for Christmas. As is our tradition the girls all joined us on our bed as they woke up, we played the holiday alphabet game and sang "Jesus Christ is Risen today" then together we went into the living room. I stood in the door way and just laughed and laughed as I took in the garland and stockings around the baskets, eggs and bunnies.

We had a nice breakfast, and we went to Mass together. This for me was the highlight. I miss going to Mass and worshiping our Creator and Lord with our girls by our sides. About a year ago as Rachael struggled with depression she stopped going to Mass. I worry about her loss of faith and I wonder what she will try to rely on for her strength, comfort and hope. I pray for her constantly. Emma is off at college and seems to go to Mass occasionally but I worry too about a loss of faith. I pray for her constantly as well. I just want them to know that the source of all love is available to them. A love that is full and whole, understanding, welcoming, and truthful. And I want them to embrace that love and know God's peace. Easter is a beautiful feast to celebrate that love, and I am so glad we were all their together.

Later that day we headed to my Dad's house. He continues to host in a no nonsense kind of way. For Easter he got a spiral ham and made scalloped potatoes. We are happy to fill in the rest and help with the clean up before we head home. Before we ate we held the Easter egg hunt. Those that hid the eggs, spelled out "April Fools' in eggs, but they did still hide most of the filled eggs.

Megan, Katherine, and Sophia

Sarah and Bridget

Our day was full of the sweetness of family, Our Lord's sacrifice and Resurrection, and of course chocolate.

Merry Easter!