Recent Indoor Rock Climbing with the Boys

Ryder enjoys rock climbing on the indoor wall. He doesn't seem to have an issue with heights.

Dax however, prefers to be lifted by an elevator or arms.

The Snakes Are Out and more - Tualatin River Hiking

Today we enjoyed a wonderful hike in the Tualatin Nature Park and the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge.

I was surprised the baby eagle of last year is now a big boy and has been "kicked out" of his parents nest. I wish him well.

We saw the gorgeous Red Tailed Hawk waiting for a catch. A lovely garter snake sunning himself. A bull frog watching the hikers.

I think I will plan another large field trip to the refuge before summer arrives.

Spring Nurtures My Sad Heart

Gentle Thunder, Wings of The Heart plays in the back ground, my lovely tea cup and tea pot sits on my desk full of a favorite aromatic and savory tea while I begin to write. I am taking this time to reflect on the time since All Hallows Eve, October 31st when my world shattered making things look very negative and dark for long. In so many areas. Curious it is, as I look back. My strong and nurturing connection with my home schooling community experienced great turmoil and dark times and will officially end as what we knew as our Farm will close. Oh how my heart is deeply sad over this in itself. Many relationships changed within that community and without. So many ideas of who I was and what I thought I should be and do and have in order to be and do and have what I thought I was "suppose to" or "Should" crumbled. It didn't happen over night. It actually took months of heart ache, confusion, fighting to keep the old, of oh so much "STUFF". The mental stuffs, the emotional stuffs, the physical stuffs.

We have just had Spring Equinox and the shifting is occurring. Rebirth, growth, the joy of spring is upon us. The suns warmth is on my back and I am feeling a sense of healing although I am still so very raw. "Landing" the lead role of a character rich and intense did not surprise me but allowed me to see I have come full circle. From the time I can first remember, at nearly 2, I knew I wanted to be an actress. It's in my biology of my being. Living truthfully in imaginary circumstances is my breath. For so long I had compartmentalized and separated out so many parts of myself. In these past months I have begun to integrate me as a whole person. Knowing I am a healer as my calling and that I can function in this capacity without losing myself has allowed me to open more to all of my gifts. How many of us close off to our own gifts because of the conflicting ideas and imprinting of our culture?

All of this has allowed me to see my two beautiful boys in a fresh light. To not take them so seriously and to open... to the moment, to the discovery, to the capacity within them that is so much more than even I can know. Who am I, who is anyone to stop the gifts we are from reaching the world.

Some intense and very big changes leading to so much self realization, regrouping, redefining myself.

What do I model for my boys through this? I will get back on the horse. Even if I'm limping a little.

This moment right here allows me to reach out in to the creation of the universe and open to the possibilities of great joy, kindness, compassion, creativity, trustworthiness, competency, vibrant health and connection. All of what I choose to value most in my life.

A Woman Called Moses: Harriet Tubman

Today we completed the final chapter of Harriet Tubman. I couldn't get through the story without crying - deep wrenching grief. This brave, amazing, strong, persistent woman - my hero. Ryder has more reverence for my crying I think but when he retells the story to me, it's with genuine compassion and admiration for this brave soul. The depth of teaching children in the way I have learned from our Enki Education curriculum is so profound. Every day, every time I start a new chapter or a new story - it lives, it breathes and the people live in us. I have much in me on this but not to write about now.

We will look at the roots and herbs that Daddy Ben taught Harriet and then she used to heal and save so many on the underground railroad - where not a single soul was lost under her engineering.

She lives on in our family. now.

Rythm Update for the Spring

Some major adjustments in life occurring. Ultimately I know it will all come out in the end and be good for everyone. But it's time to buckle in and get really busy.

3:15AM Mom Works
5:15AM Mom Workout
6:15AM Breakfast and Clean up
7:00AM Movement (ideally in park if raining indoor and rebound7) followed by Circle and in to Story/Main Lesson
9:00AM Snack
M-W Music with Mom and Free Play
T/TH Chinese Immersion for the Boys  - Mom work time
F-Shopping, Errands, Library,  Field Trip
Lunch
Quiet Time - Mom Work Time
Practice Time for Ryder
Afternoon Adventure Outside in Nature please
Settling in/ Clean up/Dinner Prep/Connected Peaceful Dinner
Calming down, Connection,  Clean Up, Bed Prep
Boys in bed by 7 mom by 8:30PM (Except Tues/Thurs Mom works until 9pm - Boys with Kelly)
Friday - Sunday 3 Boys with Kelly mom works Speaking, SWW, POF, Filming show, VIP Delivery
Sunday - Family dinner, Free Play groove back in for the week.

Kelly works with boys on Art, Magic for dexterity, Guitar/Music

"WOW - this is better than ice cream"

Normally I wouldn't post about my cooking but today I must. 1. because I am trying to get Ryder to eat more and put on a bit of weight and 2. I want to remember what's in it.

Last night we had tacos  - the meat was grass fed ground sirloin with cumin, cinnamon, coriander a little braggs amino acids and sucanut. I had made a lot so I had some left over. This morning the moment I walk in from the gym I have to get food on the table so I go to my list. Egg souffle - but today I realize I am out of honey.

Think...think fast....hmmm the pan is already oiled and ready what to do. Ok, I spot the mozzarrella the meat and a bit of cilantro left. Ok, that'll work.

5 eggs, left over taco meat from above, a small quarter of orange bell pepper, about 8 springs of cilantro, a bunch of mozzarella - all in the vitamix - blend on low - keep some chunky, dump in glass dish - it's probably a 9 by something rectangle. Sprinkly a bit more of the taco meat on top and bake. In under 15 minutes there was a nourishing, yummy, fabulous breakfast on the table.

I scooped the yummy fresh sour cream and guacamole on the side and Ryder said - "WOW, this is better than ice cream!" Ok this is a huge winner. So now, tacos and this will be added to our regularly scheduled meals.

It was sooo good. I hope it wasn't a fluke.

No photos, my battery is dead and can't find my charger for camera - ugh. It didn't look beautiful anyway - it just tasted fabulous!

A winner in the food department - and ok, I'll use left overs now - usually it's a pet peave of mine - no left overs - only fresh. Alas, I'll take it.

I love this post from my guitar teacher - have to put it here for my log

1 How To Make March Better Than February Boy did February fly by! But that's okay - March is for new goals and new challenges. :) This month, try and focus on that one thing that you're struggling on. Be completely honest with yourself. ✔ List all the things you're currently awesome at first. That includes: challenges you overcame, practice routines that stuck, and all that good stuff! ✔ Next, take a closer look at some of those things you've been avoiding. Maybe it's working on arpeggios or locking in your finger picking technique. Whatever it is, write it down and make a plan to face your challenge this March. And always remember, you aren't alone. The Guitar Tricks community has tons of guitarists that are working toward being better! Get useful feedback, helpful tips, and support by visiting the forum. Here's to a new month of motivation! Get Inspired, Visit the Forum Jon Broderick Founder and CEO www.GuitarTricks.com

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2 Trouble Tapping? If your challenge this month is getting a better grip on the tapping technique for rock guitar, this is the lesson for you! The trick is hammering down hard on the string, right between the frets. You want to be able to sustain the tapped note, and get it to ring as loud as if you had picked it. Watch Ben's full guide on the basic tapping technique.

LEGO - Endless create

Personally I really don't care for legos. I have actually felt HATE toward the little buggers especially when they are left on the floor and I step bare foot in the middle of the night on the sharp non pliable parts.

But I will admit that endless creativity is sparked and this I LOVE.

Dax posing in his usual goofy jokester manners with jam on his face - Q T PI

His explanations are fascinating. Love the imagination and creation.

SNOW days

Last week starting on Thursday we had quite the snow "storm". We made igloos, snow angels, had fun sledding and had lots of hot chocolate.  (I started writing this about a month ago)

We talked about weather and did a couple of fun science projects - but mostly we PLAYED! Pics will have to come later - wrong sd card...

Kid Olympics Event at Cascade Park Fisher's Landing Big Win for US

What started out to be a bit of a fight to get Ryder to go with me and Dax (who was beyond excited for the day) turned out to be "best day ever". Trusting my intuition when it comes to parenting an 8 year old will come in handy. Also, not rising to his bait or his father's father's hook. This is a new battle I will have to learn to navigate. Sides. Argh. I will not compromise with what I know is best for my boys. After they spent much time watching movies and playing video games I knew what was missing - connection, friends and movement - LOTS of movement.  So many adjustments taking place, it was very nice to have this excursion.