Some Days It's Hard

I just joined a writers group through my church and I am so excited to get started working more on songs again. I know I posted that I wanted to do that about four months ago (lame) and I did write ONE song (a love song for Jeremy's and my 10th anniversary) but no one gets to hear that but him so maybe it shouldn't count? lol. Anyway, I hope to begin getting into the habit of writing more regularly. I randomly hopped on COURSERA.ORG yesterday (you remember I took a modern poetry class on there) and what do you know but they had a songwriting class. Six weeks beginning in July well of course I have to do that! It's FREE. Yesterday I also picked up two more penguin classics at the library. I began one last night and found it difficult to get into. The style of writing is so unique I don't even know what to call it except maybe "stream of consciousness"? This old guy is in a hospital and is going over the book he wants to be his life's work (something on player pianos believe it or not) but mushes in how machinery changed the world's landscape and computers and cloning and how everything is going to hell in a hand-basket with lots of philosophers' and composers' quotes thrown in, usually in french or german. I don't know those languages and will not be googling the phrases for translation btw. It is very overwhelming to follow. The first penguin book I read when I began was tedious but not like this one. It's the first time I've really thought "perhaps this is a complete waste of time". I mean, I have studies I want to accomplish, verses to memorize, other books I CHOOSE to read, and now a writing group AND a songwriting class. Maybe this isn't the best time management. But Jeremy encouraged me to keep at it so I guess I will plug away? (I end with a question mark because I'm not quite done figuring out how I really feel about continuing my insane goal) I have been watching some AMAZING tv lately. shocking, I know. VICE is a great series on HBO documenting cultural and social oddities or behaviors around the world. I've learned about China's empty cities, Ibogane-a drug used in other countries to break peopl'se heroin addictions, and remember all that crazy Globe-trotters go to North Korea thing? VICE HAD CAMERAS THERE. It was crazy. I also watched some amazing documentaries, one being GIRL RISING on CNN. One of the girls they profiled is a World Vision sponsored child. It looks at the social status of girls around the world and gives you facts and figures on current education levels and how to change it for the better. I want to bring all those girls home but then I remember my lack of patience with the children I already have and I am just saddened by my own failings.The other one was about photo journalist Tim Heatherington (sp?)  If you want to see a completely different take on war you might watch his documentary following American soldiers for like a year in Afghanistan. I still need to find it and watch it. This man had a unique take on why men/boys partake in warfare. It really struck me. He was killed on the ground soon after his documentary was up for an academy award. You should watch it. All of this leaves me overwhelmed. It's too much. this world. I curse myself for my inadequacy even as I want to cry in thankfulness for my reality. It's so important to have a finger on the reality of others that is NOT LIKE YOURS. It's Overwhelming. Some days it's hard.

Happy 6th Birthday Blake

Blake celebrated his sixth birthday in style yesterday at Grandma's Chelan house. Two days ago we had his party with some old friends, some new friends, and some family. It was just the right amount of people. We tie-dyed shirts and the kids really seemed to like it. Also his Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sue came over for dinner Saturday night and gave him some early bday presents that he really enjoyed. He is not a child for huge amounts of fanfare but I think he enjoyed his moment in the spotlight. He is my super-smart, charming, contrary, affectionate, wonderful little turtle man and I can't believe he is six years old. A first grader. Happy Birthday Blake. Oh yeah, and Isaac got some late pics from his grandparents too.

Children's Museum

Today was our first truly rainy day of summer break so I took the kids to the children's museum in factoria. Isaac hasn't been since he was a baby and he screamed when I dragged him from the water tables until he discovered the scarves. He impressed me by figuring out how to stuff it in himself and he did it for forty minutes straight. Trinity decided she was a little too big to really enjoy it anymore. Here are some random pics from our week and picture overload from the museum. Hope you enjoy!

 wildflowers on our walk. we found 10 different ones

 at a local park. too bad this tube didn't have caps to seal them in. lol

 Trinity divided the puffballs into families

 then she made a "protective" circle with big on the outside to little on the inside to protect the babies from the "bogey-man" 

 train table

 still a little unsure

 settling in for some fun

 that fish was not shy at all

 water tables! he was soaked even with the apron because he kept leaning over the sides. You can see his armpit sitting right on the edge.

 making music

 all smiles

yup. putting the whole arm into water 

 love

 this

 series

 of shots.

 happy brothers playing the musical bench

 little drummer boy

 watching the scarves fly through the tubes

 I had to stop and make her put her hair out of her face to even get a pic of her

putting the scarf in himself