Jamison Square...

...how I love thee!


Look who loves to grab his toes!

Little brother, big brother.

And look who loves the water!
(he tried for 15 minutes to "grab" the waterfall)

Look who loves apples in the sunshine!

Ready for Summer!

Morgen and Micah rushed to get on their "summer" gear as soon as they got home from school. I'm not sure what the goggles are for, but they were really important. Thank you, God, for days that make us feel like this!





**On a side note, don't you think Morgen would look simply adorable in glasses??

Bad Mom

I always feel a little guilty when I let my kids stay up way past their bedtime. But on Friday nights I'm a little more lax because tomorrow's Saturday, they can sleep in...right?

And I always feel a little guilty when I feed my kids Top Ramen, even though I've seen it in fancy restaurants and I never use that little MSG packet that comes with it.

But when I let them stay up late, eat a bowl of Top Ramen and then pass out at the dining room table while I'm in the other room nursing the baby and the rest of the house is asleep, well...now my mothering skills are looking really lame.

Pieces of EIGHT!

To celebrate Taylor's 8th birthday, we had a bunch of scallywags over for a treasure hunt. It was a lot of fun. Then we all got scurvy and rotted our bones off. Then we made everyone who was still alive walk the plank. You can be eye-in' these here portraits for proof...

This is where everyone helped Taylor "blow-me-down" the cake. Yes. There was spit involved.
The scurvy has apparently already taken the eyes of my eldest, poor girl.

Taylor

Little T-bone turned EIGHT today. He's knocking on the door of Bigkidville, he's on the cusp of goofy, know-it-all prepubescence, and has really come into his own more than ever this year, especially being at PVS. He has been able to tap into his creative and artistic side with meticulous projects he loves while at the same time running hard every day, chasing his friends, making up new games on the playground. He is accomplishing so much and developing a stronger personality.

And just look at the love he's getting in that picture! Everyone was excited to celebrate their first brother. His place in our family is pretty special: Morgen and Micah (but especially Morgen) look up to Taylor so much and love having him as a brother (most of the time). Korah would be lost without him, as he is her primary playmate, and they talk about life together every day. Even though they have no problem being apart, their lives are very intertwined, and it's really cool to see how they are "home" to each other.

Taylor loves getting and giving hugs and is very affectionate. Unlike his siblings, he doesn't make a big deal about hanging out with Noble, he just does it. Undeterred by the baby's cries, he goes to Noble and makes him laugh, changes his diaper, and giggles at all the silly, funny things that babies do. It just comes so naturally to him, and this warms my heart!

Taylor is always surprising us with his athletic abilities; he's not very competitive, so we just didn't predestine him for sports. But as Taylor is proving, there's a lot more to athletics than competition. Here are some pictures of him at basketball class with his friend J (they are blurry because I didn't want to use the flash in the gym...or because Taylor is just that quick!). Seriously, he's a really fast runner...

Then You Can Brush Your Teeth and Go To Bed

(weeping) "I don't like this!"
"But you haven't even tried it!"
(pause)
"I don't like this food! It's YUCKY!"

I don't know what my kids' problem is. Doesn't this look delicious to you?

I'm being sarcastic. I know it looks gross; that's why I had to take a picture. It's not as nasty as it looks, I promise. But then again, I love chard.

When David got home, he asked if there was any dinner left; he thought this was compost. If you want to make nasty dinners too, here's what you do:
Go to Trader Joe's and get a bag of tortellini , a bag of frozen, cooked shrimp, and a bag of Chard of Many Colors, and follow directions. This involves sauteed garlic, chard, broth, a big can of crushed tomatoes, and a glug or two of Vermouth (you know, glug-glug....that's the sound it makes when you pour it into your throat--err...your pan...) and let it simmer. Throw the shrimp in the hot pasta water just before you drain it, toss everything togeter and voila! A big huge bowl of deliciousness that you will be enjoying, by yourself, for the rest of the week.

Bon appétit!

 

Ghost Town Vonderstadt

What fun is blogging without colorful illustrations?

Our digital camera is broken. My mom's digital camera is in the shop, because I'm so horrified that I broke (or someone broke) it after she so generously lent it to us for Noble's birth (it's fixed, mom, I just have to go get it). And I can't afford film and developing for my non-digital (is there a better term for that?) SLR. So that leaves me...

...prepare yourself...you may want to sit down...

...enjoying life through my own eyes, and interacting with the freedom that comes from not having delicate equipment to protect. In fact, I haven't dropped the baby once, or smacked anyone in the head with a swinging camera! Hooray!

But that's one reason I don't blog very often, if anyone cares. That, and I can only sacrifice time for when I have something really, really important to say, like this of course....

Just wanted to let you know.

New Love in the Kitchen

I have been having some tremendous luck at the Thrift Stores lately. Getting what I went in to find, that kind of thing. This wonderful little gem was just something I'd been wanting (after melting the enamel off my favorite graniteware percolator--how does that even happen?! Electric stoves will be the end of me, I swear). I can take it camping, it makes great espresso.... and there it was, lonely on the shelf, just waiting for me. I wasn't even looking for it. But it was looking for me. And now we are in love.

What's that? You thought I gave up coffee? I told you it was bad for me and makes me depressed and magnifies the hormonal roller coaster? Well, yes, that is true. But just look at that cute little thing! And just try saying "percolator" without feeling giddy, or "espresso" (not eXpresso) without feeling smug--I mean, cool. And just try taking a teaspoon each of sugar and cocoa powder, melting them into a cacophony of flavor with the freshly percolated goodness, topping it off with a smidge of cream and not feel satisfied, inspired to tidy the hurricane your children left you with as they clambered off to school. It's near impossible! Just do not--I repeat, do not mistake the jar of sea salt for white sugar. A tasty confection this does not make!

Ahhhh..... I am off to enjoy the calm after the storm with my toothsome cup of chocolaty indemnification.

Art Class

Yesterday, one of my childhood dreams came true and I was an art teacher for a day! Well, for a couple of hours at least. OK, basically, I had a playdate with a friend, and I did an art project with her kids (who are homeschooled, so we called it Art Class...so it's official) and my own rowdy brood. It was loud and a little bit crazy (mostly thanks to Micah) but it was controlled enough to learn some new art techniques!

First we watercolored some wet, heavy-gauge watercolor paper, and talked about what colors God paints the sunset and sunrise, and what primary colors do you mix together to get those colors? We let that dry while the kids had sword-fights and the moms made pizza. Then the fun part: blowing India Ink around to look like wintery, branchy, creepy trees!




Success! Micah never actually made it to the India Ink part. He is way too crazy for India Ink.
Homeschooling is fun!

Mmmmm...bacon

If you think my blog is lacking meat, please click here before reading on.

My Faceborg Experiment

Two days ago, I quit my job at Facebook. What's that? You didn't know I worked for Facebook? Well, I did. And you probably do, too.

I didn't really quit, I'm just taking an undetermined amount of time off. My account still exists, but I set all my preferences to NOT send me emails and I deleted the Facebook button from my homepage. And I minimized the iGoogle application and put it where I can't see it.

So......(crickets chirping)

It's been quiet around here. My email in-box is pretty sparse. My internet life is pretty boring now. I mean look at me...I'm blogging! I was just thinking, as I brushed my teeth for bed (wellll before 1am) that it feels like Facebook is a job; and I keep checking to see if the boss has some more work for me, and he doesn't. So I raise my eyebrows, shrug my shoulders, say "hmph?" and then I turn around and see what else there is to do. Whatever shall I do with this time? And by golly, there are children to feed and bathe. Diapers to wash. Laundry to fold. I cleaned and rearranged my pantry using some cool metal baskets I scored from next to somebody's trash today. (I love having organized storage. Come over to our house and the kids will show you their art... I will show you my closets!) I have two or three unfinished murals on various walls around my house. I feel like I could... like I could.... finish something! Maybe train for a marathon! Earn a degree! I feel so liberated!!

So friends, no more lying. My problem is not that I "just had a baby" or that it's gloomy and gray and cold, or that keeping up with 5 kids is soooooo haaaaard! No... I've been spending embarassing amounts of time doing a whole lotta nothing on the computer, hardly being present in my real life and when I am, I think about what I'm doing as a third person status report. What has happened to my brain?! I feel like I've been living in a George Orwell book.

(Please understand that I'm a notorious exaggerator. My brain is on auto-caracature; it's one of my secret quirks. Take it with a grain of salt, people.)

So this is my experiment: to see what happens when I let it go. Inevitably, freedom. You can't see it from the inside...but here I am, squinting, blinking in the daylight...

I have a blog, too!

Morgen: "Teacher Tina has a dog!"
Taylor: "Teacher Tina has a BLOG??"

AH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!! Thanks guys, you're always good for a laugh!

Micah Haiku

I look up at the sky
I like rainbows
Because it's sunny out
by Micah Zane (4.2)

Inauguration Day

You know I'm not politically inclined! This is not about Barack Obama, our 44th President as of this morning. This is not about how my eyes got a little misty as I listened to him swear his Oath of Office on the very same Bible that President Lincoln swore in on. This is not about the appropriateness of the first black President being sworn into office the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No, this is not about that inauguration.

Today was David's inauguration to the world of Portland Bicycle Commuting! It has been accomplished, there is no turning back. Pretty soon we will all be bike-ready and joining the throngs of bicycling families in Portland. Just one more thing to make me love living here!

He emailed me this morning to tell me he made it alive, and this is what he had to say:

It was a long ride but I made it. I went from “no big deal” to “This is frustrating trying to see in the dark with headlights in my eyes” to “my ears are cold, and my body is hot!” Then I pulled over, and made clothing adjustments. I thought, “there needs to be a bike path off marine drive on this part.” Then I made it to the lower right bike path near Salty’s and Sextant, and it was nice. My body temp was good (sniffling ad spitting a lot, but felt good). At this point I was working hard and not going fast. It looks like a short bike trail from the road, but when you’re on it, it seems to take forever! Then I broke through to the other side (the river side) of Marine Drive. It was beautiful, bright and sunny! My attitude changed, I had a new hope, and I started hootin’ and hollerin’! I saw one other rider on this ride and when we crossed paths I shouted with excitement, “This is great! Good morning! Whooooh!” The rider chuckled, and shouted with me, “Yeaaaaah!”, while he gave me the “thumbs up”. It was invigorating to shout out, and it pumped me up to hear his response. I’m sure he was inspired as well. Then came the praise and worship. I wanted to cry as I peddled toward the sunrise on the Mt. Hood horizon, with the beautiful Columbia River on my left, reflecting this glorious sight. This was the BEST part of the ride! No cars in sight (‘cause the bike path dips down to water level), no people, no more darkness, and the generated warmth from my workout shielded me from the morning chill. I was thanking God and praising Him for the blessings he has given me. Then the wind picked up. This part of the ride is a long stretch (about 5 miles), and I still had another 2 miles to go, and I found myself saying, “Dude, how much longer? This is taking forever!” This was the true test. Could I keep a heart of thankfulness and praise during this really uncomfortable part of the ride? It was a challenge, but being thankful and continuing to pray helped the time to pass, and I eventually saw my exit. The wind grew stronger here, and I was climbing up hill, but I pressed on… and on. I was exhausted, but was able to break on through to the other side of Marine Dr. and cut through the airport and then cross the Cascade Station Bridge. All that was left was to back-track a little to get me to the office, and this was easy. The wind was at my back (figuratively, and literally), and I was breathing easy with a smile. When I got to the office, the guys thought I was crazy. They all still had their warm coats on, and hot coffees in hand, while I cleaned up, changed into some lighter clothes, and downed some clean cold water. Refreshing! I felt transformed and alive, and they didn’t get it. Well, all-in-all, I did great, but I need to keep doing this to build my endurance, and shorten my ride time. It took me an hour and a half, and I had anticipated an hour ride. I know I can do it in an hour. It’s only 13 miles! I just need to maintain an average of 13MPH through out the trip, and I’m there!

I'm so proud...and inspired! Aren't you? Have a great Inauguration Day, everyone!

*Photo courtesy http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuseeger/

Merry Christmas from the Vonderhaus!

It's a world-wide birthday party!!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
--------------------------------

Just a quick video of Christmas Day at the Vonderhaus...

Yes, it's true...Micah got a cap gun. He's been making everything into guns lately, and I thought he might like something that makes loud noises. And truth be told, I loved cap guns as a kid, and couldn't wait to share caps with my kids. As soon as the snow melts, we're going outside with a roll of caps and a hammer, and I'll show them what fun that is!

However, "all-boy" Micah with a gun is one of those funny/scary things. When he opened it, he explained, "Shoot people! Kill people!" Oh geez... Don't worry, we set him straight. Shoot animals, buddy. Kill dinner.

-------------------

My heart fights against the consumerism and forced good-will towards men during this season. It wasn't until I was wrapping presents and assembling stockings last night that I started to get that giddy Christmas Spirit feeling. And then baby Jesus showed up in the nativity scene and we sang "Happy Birthday". And I realized that because of one little baby, who just happens to be the world's Savior, God is doing miracles all over the place, sometimes where God wouldn't have otherwise been invited in. So seasonal good-will or a genuine act of worship, I'll take it.


Thank you, God, for sending your Son.

As a baby.

To be with us, to show yourself to us.

To save the world!

Tranquilizer

Want a taste of my life? Go hang out with a roomful of preschoolers hopped up on Christmas cookies for an hour, then come and watch these videos. If that doesn't make you feel sleepy, I don't know what will.



Minutes later...



That is why I don't get much done these days... I'm tranquilized!

(Which, by the way, reminds me of this. The only part of that movie that makes me laugh 'till I cry! "YES!! That's AWESOME!!")

Marginalized

I just made some changes to the blog. I did this because it's been a long time since I blogged and I wanted to make a little mark. Carve "wendy wuz here" on the wall. I didn't expect to write a whole stinkin' article. These things keep me up too late. I only came here to make some little changes... Like the awesome title picture of my kids, taken by our friend Aaron Courter. He did a whole fall photo shoot for us, and I think he has a great eye for the personality of the world around him. His pictures aren't just well taken, they are interesting, like they tell a story.

And I changed the description of me and what I do. What do I do? It doesn't feel like much these days. I feel a little bit like a bee trapped in an overturned glass. There's so much work to be done, but I'm stuck with a very limited flying radius, and I can see where I want to go. Half the time I can't think straight. Is it the winter weather? Is it the late-night addiction to catching up on LOST? Is it nursing a baby? Is it all the driving back and forth between home and school and school and home and back to school, then home again, then school, then home...and yes, that's the routine every day, sometimes with an errand or a visit with friends thrown in. Thank goodness gas prices came down recently! Is it the early-morning burping and diaper-changing? Maybe the toddlers that still come in about an hour after that early-morning baby feeding to get into our crowded bed to announce they've wet the bed? Maybe... where was I going with this? I've forgotten; I'm so tired.

I've been thinking recently about marginalization. No, that doesn't mean the making of margarine. (Ha! I'm hilarious!) I'm talking about the things that make us feel marginalized as people. My friend Jessi did a class project on the marginalization of moms. It's really cool and I hope you click on the link and check it out. After watching the video, I went about my day as usual: make-up-less, hair half-straightened, donning my uniform of maternity pants and a baggy sweatshirt...but with pride! For a couple of days I didn't care what I looked like, or how I compared with the mainstream world, my peers, or even my own lofty expectations! I listened to my mom friends as they hinted at their shortcomings, their tiny disappointments that were just part of their daily lives. Big to-do lists, figuring out their children, dealing with relatives. The more I listened, the more I wanted to shout, "WE ARE O.K. JUST THE WAY WE ARE! STOP FRETTING!" Our lives as moms seem too often to be a constant striving uphill. There is so much to do, and although we will never keep the laundry or dishes done, be totally self-sustaining, eco-friendly and p.c., lose all the weight and stop the wrinkles, parent our children and respect our husbands perfectly, find the perfect balance of family and volunteerism so that we can impact the world just so, and then blog about all of it in the hopes of getting at least a single comment to affirm that we're not unseen... we continue to strive. There is a lingering sense of dissatisfaction, because when it's all said and done, we are still just moms. There are no Emmys or Oscars for being a mom. No one gets rich and famous being a mom. And I'm not telling you anything that hasn't been said before. But we carry on because that fuzzy feeling of love for our children or our husbands, or even for God outweighs the struggle. Sometimes we get tired, and that "mom" name tag seems really heavy But like giving birth-- which started this whole thing in the first place-- you can't just give up and walk away. The hard work needs to be done and you are the only one who can do it.

So I decided to start reading Jesus in the Margins again. It's written by my pastor, Rick. He points out that Jesus can relate to the margins. He even arrived in the margins. Recently in a sermon he pointed out that Jesus even showed up here subversively...not like you'd think God would arrive. He says that Jesus "comes to the scandalous margins of society in order to identify with those of us who live in those places." Not only does Jesus identify with me in the margins, but he's there to rename me. "Yes, society names you, but there's another who names you, someone whose perception of you is ultimately more powerful than anything society can label you with," Rick says. "Which means, if you want to observe the glory of the Lord, if you want to witness the display of his splendor and his work, you have go to the margins to see it. Because it's in the margins where [moms do their amazing work]. Jesus says that they are the display of his splendor."

Now, I could tell you stories about how God has been renaming us here at the Vonderhaus. That is something I really understand. And so I start to see mothering-- and my identity in mothering-- in a whole new light. What I do in the margins for the glory of the Lord will look different to the world. It won't be competitive, not even in the form of "good ideas". It might look downright subversive at times. But what I will be doing for the glory of the Lord will be listening. A LOT of listening. I will be listening to God, calling me by the name He's picked out, giving me an agenda that has nothing to do with my dust-bunnies, my bathroom scale, the school fundraiser, or the huge piles of laundry around the house. "Jesus will be calling me out of the margins and into the fullness of divine love." And dang, it won't be lonely...you'll be there with me. Imagine, a Mom's Community in the margins, touting our new names, displaying the Lord's splendor and his work! Our own little club, "all about Jesus' love being poured out into and through your life to others." (still quoting Jesus in the Margins)

So as I walk around like a zombie with my newborn, forgetting to call you or show up at parent meetings at school, as I skip out on parties and volunteerism, and if you come to my house and it smells weird and I look as messy as my living room but I have a smile on my face, just know that you may be looking at the Lord at work! If you talk with me for a few minutes, may you see a glimpse of the Lord's splendor... and not an endless struggle to push a boulder up a hill....

Robeez Season of Giving

Now, who doesn't like Robeez? Even if you don't have kids, you want to buy these for somebody because they're just so danged cute, and they're great for kids' feet. They feel natural. They stay on. They last. Awesome.

For Robeez' Season of Giving, they will make a $5 contribution towards Kids in Distressed Situations for every ecard sent. Go here to send your ecard and make a difference for free during this season of giving. Easy-peazy-lemon-squeezy!

Veterans Day

I am not very political. In fact, I tend to shy away from all things controversial in the world unless I happen to be an expert in the subject. And, uhhmm...there's very little that I'm an expert on. And I certainly didn't pay a whole lot of attention in World History class-- I can't even remember who my teacher was (but I do remember the boy in the front row whom I asked to prom!). So now that you know how completely shallow I am where history and political science are concerned, it won't surprise you that I haven't ever considered Veterans Day as much more than a day off of school. Even today, I was mostly concerned with keeping tabs on the kids as they celebrated the four-day weekend by scattering off to friend's houses. And once, I thought "oh yeah--Veterans Day" as I fished around in the mailbox to find it empty.

One summer I had this boring job where I sat around in an office break room with a bunch of old farts, waiting to shuttle cars from here to there. So one day I decided to suck up my pride, put my naivety and poor schooling on my sleeve and start asking some questions about what it was like to have been a part of WWII. I thought it would be fantastic to hear it from the horse's mouth...real historical figures in my midst! I'm sure my eyes began to glaze over as they started to relay information that was so far out of my frame of reference that I was soon overwhelmed completely. However, that day sparked a desire in me to know the wars in America's History. There are a whole generation of Americans that had their lives changed by WWII. As if gentrification wasn't enough, to think that the major thing that changed you isn't even known, much less understood or remembered would be a little lonely and frustrating I think. There are a whole new generation of Americans that are being effected by the wars in the Gulf and Middle East. Will our grandchildren know what 9/11 is? Will they be able to explain the "War on Terror" as more than a Jon Stewart punchline?
As much as I wasted the bulk of this holiday not considering our country's veterans, I do think about my brother every day. He's in Iraq for the second time. He will have missed two birthdays and Christmas with family by the time he gets back. So if today I don't further my education of the veteran's experience, I will consider the sacrifices my brother, and therefore all the people currently serving our country, are making. I am proud of him for serving something bigger than himself, and because of him I am a little more proud to be American...and a little more political, too. So thank you, Chris, for showing America's sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations... you are in my prayers, I love you and miss you!

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
President Wilson, November 1919

Happy Birthday

This is a busy time for us in the birthday department (which means the new year must be a pretty inspirational time for us!)...Morgen, Micah and Noble all have birthdays within 8-17 days of each other. Not only are their birthdays all bunched together, they are flanked by sweets-filled holidays (so must we really have cake too?). And then there's the awful truth that they are simply not the first boy and first girl who get all the first fruits of my imagination and parenting inspiration (perhaps they don't know to start demanding it months in advance). So sometimes I feel like they get a bit shafted with the birthday celebrating. I have to say though, that I am enjoying the challenge of carefully watching and listening to each child for what makes them unique and what I love about each one. They are all so different! I love them all equally but in different ways and for different reasons. I like that I am being challenged by the troupe to plan ahead and manage our time and resources because-- and I am appreciating this too-- the weight is on my shoulders to show them that they are special and loved unconditionally, and there is such a short window to do that before the foundation is laid and they are off building upon it.

MORGEN is FIVE! ....independent, creative, morning light!

Morgen has a great preschool teacher, Teacher Marge, who gifted Morgen a book on her birthday. Morgen wore one of her new princess dresses from Grammy to school, and she was celebrated with a birthday crown and a song!

Morgen wanted a Princess Party at Chuck E. Cheese's, so that's what she got! She changed princess dresses, wore her crown ALL day, and enjoyed running around CEC with a few of her friends. She even put up with Chucky for a minute, even though she refused to give him a high-five.

Tiny little things are thoughtful gifts from friends.

Mommy made a princess cake; Morgen added the sprinkles.

MICAH is FOUR! ....snuggling, energy, pure joy!

Micah got Blue sitting at the beach playing guitar (I just cannot get the layer-cake thing right! Why is my frosting always oozing off the cake?!). He made sure I knew what he wanted (after changing his mind about five times): "I want Blue's Clues! I want candles!" He was pretty excited to find a candle in the shape of a four on his cake! Four is his new number, you know.

The boy loves books! He was so excited (as were the rest of the kids) to get a bunch of new books from Grammy...including a gross one all about worms.

Since Taylor recently got a cool new wallet (like Daddy's) he decided to give his old one to Micah. "Hey, just like Tay-duh's!!" Micah exclaims. "Bob duh Bil-duh!"

"I'm getting ice cream!" he plans out loud to himself, singing the Bob the Builder theme song while he stuffs the $5 bill from Gramma & Papa in his wallet.

He was stoked to try out his very own Big Wheels (sin pantalones, of course!)