Hard Worker

 To alleviate stress from busy lives and to find appropriate balance with all things in life, we don't have a formal list of chores that have to be completed on specific days. The most important focus the kids are to have at this point is on their school work and extracurricular areas. Plus, we don't pay the kids to maintain their personal space and self care cause who in the real world gets paid for cleaning their bedroom?! :-) The kids often come home to to-do lists, though, which allows me to prioritize what needs to happen from day to day and moment to moment.

But there are things we consider jobs to be paid for. And currently Zane is the most aggressive deal maker of all the kids. Just like on this day, I was out working in the yard to prepare it for mowing, Zane runs out asking if he can do some jobs to earn money for VBucks (for Fortnite!). He approached his dad and asked what he could do. His dad made a plan for how he could help me out and Zane accepted the verbal contract. He's such a hard worker and very thorough, never complaining to go back and hit a spot he may have missed.

Zane has done so much work lately that we had to cap him for a couple of weeks, just to maintain the family budget and not overspend. :-) Even so, he runs out to offer to do things like being trained in mowing, pro bono and in the rain. I thought for sure he would tire out because he has to exert so much energy to apply pressure on the brakes and pivoting the push mower, but he didn't. He was so proud that he now weighs enough to keep the seat down on the riding mower. The 20 pounds he gained in the last year is serving him well! (I catch glimpses of him running to the restroom and stopping for a sec to flex his muscles in the mirror -- I LOVE it!)

Ironically, Zane brought home a persuasive speech outline last week, about why he thinks kids should not have to do chores. His thoughts:
1. "I do not like chores." (Really?! Sure fooled me!)
2. "Chores are boring."
3. "Chores take away from playing video games."
4. "Chores keep you from having fun."

And to find a snake while doing yard work is such a bonus.

Little Reflections

Zane's room has been one of the neglected areas of the house the last couple years for what is truly a deep spring cleaning, mainly cause I've typically been in contract and buried by work and an infant/toddler too.

But because we're ramping up for some home construction, I had to confront the long overdue cleaning out of drawers, toy chests, and random boxes. In doing so, I discovered all kinds of things. I had some interesting and huge piles but eventually got most of it down to what you see in the picture below, random small things to go through like LEGO pieces, collector cards . . .

Above you see notes -- a letter for making amends, and just one of several daily reflection notes from Vanessa interviewing Zane just before bed. 

These are so cherished and bring so many smiles to my face!

Life's a Twisting Path

Remember, Hendrix, ride along your path knowing we love and support you. You never know what's around the corner -- it might not be anything or it could be everything. Focus on what's in front of you, not on what's behind you. Find the path to freedom from whatever is holding you back and follow it daily. And every so often glance from side to side to see that we're always right beside you, cheering you on.

With a Little Lift

Be with those who lift you higher!

Light My Fire

I love that Zane is wearing his "May the Lord Be With You" t-shirt while igniting a fire. :-)

Master Gardener

 Hendrix has been hard at work these last few weeks. He helped me clean out the front beds a couple of weeks ago. And spent much of this week helping to clean up the back yard.

New Start

Last week we jumped into a new season of soccer practices! We're off to a good start.

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand." ~ Mother Theresa

Spring Break '19

Spring break this year consisted of what Vanessa and Zane wanted to do. They had been missing COSI, so we were sure to kick off the week by doing that. . . on a day in which everyone in the nation also decided to visit. We've never had to wait in line to check in more than 5 minutes. (We are spoiled.) But this day we waited 20-30 minutes in the members line -- the kids were incredibly patient. . . like unbelievably patient. I'm very thankful.
Vanessa took selfies of us and we enjoyed several hours of hanging together. The rest of our spring break was filled with V & Z accomplishing focused tasks and hanging with friends and sleepovers.

 Vanessa is pretty sure COSI would appreciate displaying her amazing collarbone x-ray.

This was a nice practice before Vanessa returned to school and discovered that she gets to be head anchor till the end of the school year for her school's morning news. Wish I could watch her every morning instead of the national media!

Ignite

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ~William Butler Yeats