It's SOOOO Hot

I am a true Oregonian. I may have lived all over the country but I am still an Oregon girl. I like my seasons but I like them mild. Oregon, especially Oregon in June is not supposed to contain temps in the 100's especially not those this high. I'm honestly not sure I've ever experienced these sorts of temps. It's hot. Our air conditioning units in Oregon are not rated for this sort of weather and that was obvious when my unit struggled to keep up. To go outside meant to feel like your hair was being singed off your arms. I may be a wimp but I'm okay with that.

But because we were experiencing hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime temperature spike we decided to see if we really could fry an egg. We tried Sunday and Monday since they were both supposed to be in the hundred teens. We put our frying pan directly onto the asphalt, let it warm up for a while then cracked the egg. Even after an hour both days, no love. Not even the dream of cooking.

I was told later that if we had done the experiment differently we may have been successful. Either way it was a fun way to make the most of abysmal weather.

We Go to Hawaii (Part 3 - More Beach)

We spent so much time at the beach. Thankfully my in-laws live close to a great beach to swim, boat, and body surf. Luca is a water baby like her Grandpa. I'm pretty sure he loved having an excuse to go swim and be the champion Grandpa. The kids were happy to provide.

In preparation for our trip, Grandpa Marler bought an inflatable boat. We took her out on her maiden voyage with the most adventure just getting her to the beach. Unfortunately the kids and I are still awful at being on boats so the men rowed us out and then fairly promptly rowed us back in. C'est la vie. It was still a memorable adventure. And everyone was still all worn out by the time we went home.

We are so grateful for the chance we had to spend a week visiting Matthew's parents. Matthew got to live allergy free for a week (Salem is the WORST for his allergies during the month of June). We got one-on-one quality time with Grandpa and Grandma Marler. We got copious amounts of beach and adventures. We got to start actually enjoying vacationing with our kids instead of spending a week just trying to keep them entertained the whole time. Matthew and I got a night away to celebrate his 40th birthday. Matthew got a much needed reprieve from work and the kids got the best way to decompress after the most stressful school year of their little lives. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Marler for such an amazing week.

We Go to Hawaii (Part 2 - Adventures)

 Matthew turned 40 while we were in Hawaii so while part of the time was devoted to doing things the kids would love, I made sure that Matthew's birthday was spent doing activities he loved. His choice was hiking Mokapu'u Point on the South Shore of Oahu. I told the kids that being nice on the hike was a birthday present they could give their father. For the most part they did awesome. We were so grateful Father Marler was able to join us.

We also went snorkeling. Well the kids went snorkeling. We bought some masks and flippers and the went to a relatively local beach well known for snorkeling. There was zero parking so Matthew  waited patiently in the car at the grocery store parking lot while I walked across the street with the kids to the beach. This was their first time with flippers or masks but they did so great and had the best time. Dude was super adventurous and swam all the way out to a series of flat rocks that mark the limit of his allowed area. He touched sea turtles and saw so many amazing fish. While Luca wasn't quite so daring she had a grand time as well exploring her own area. I was so proud of their desire and excitement to try something new and grateful Matthew and I were able to provide such an amazing opportunity for them.

Not pictured is our adventure to the famous Swap Meet that meets in the Aloha Stadium parking lot where the kids had an absolute blast looking into virtually every stall trying to find just the right items. Dude ended up mostly sticking with Tikis and a Panda Treasure Box. Luca bought a lot of miscellaneous little items. It was so hot though and in my quest to find something new, I overtaxed my sweetums. Thankfully Matthew generally tells me when enough is enough and we made our way back to the car before too much trauma.

we Go to Hawaii (Part 1 - Miracles)

Miracle 1. A day after finishing the strangest school year on record we visited Matthew's parents in Hawaii. The morning we left, we gave ourselves three hours before the plane took off to make it to the airport. We woke up and were making pretty good time until we got on the freeway and came to a COMPLETE stop. To go from our house to Matthew's work takes about 20 minutes. This morning it took about an hour - at 4:30 in the morning.

Everyone started to stress out because of our snails progress, Matthew was angry at himself for not checking traffic beforehand, but at 4:30 am who assumes there will be ANY traffic? I told him everyone to say a prayer for us and said that Heavenly Father knows we need to make this flight. We gave Him plenty of time to help us make it. If we needed to have checked traffic He would have prompted us to do so. So He was either going to help us to get there on time or we weren't meant to make that flight.

After an hour on the road, we were forced off at Matthew's work exit, which was frightening, but we made good time for the rest of the way and arrived at the airport with just over an hour before our flight.

But then we got bogged down in a RIDICULOUS line just to drop off our checked bags. At least 15 minutes. I have never waited in line for more than a minute or so to simply drop off bags but it, again, was another opportunity to show faith. By the time we made it through security we had just enough time to go the bathroom, get some yogurt for breakfast and get on the plan with minutes to spare. Thankfully Luca and I had the foresight to pick up some yummy granola to bring with us a few days earlier. The timing was so perfect we were all knew we were being protected by Heavenly Father.

Miracle 2. Mother Marler is in the middle of Chemotherapy for breast cancer. We were afraid she would be sick and feeling crummy the whole time we were there and wouldn't be able to enjoy the time. But because of an unscheduled, undesired set back (her doctor went out of town delaying her treatment) our trip ended up being timed perfectly with the week between rounds. No doctors appointments, more energy, no throwing up. She still couldn't leave the house for any length of time, but at least she was feeling up to hanging out while we were at home. Also, Matthew and I were both so hesitant to stay with them, but we came to be glad we did since it meant so much more time with sweet Mother/Grandma Marler.

2020-2021 School Year is DONE

I never did take beginning of the year photos of my kids. The start of school was so strange and I'm not that organized, so we never got them taken. And then when they did go back it seemed too far gone. So these are the pictures, including the one of them getting off the bus. Luca finished 2nd grade and Dude finished 3rd. At the end of last school year I was so disappointed with the failure of the end of school that I had super low expectations for this year. But I was so impressed at the dedication and love of the teachers, assistants, and administrators. 

I choked up several times when, during distance learning we went over to the school to check out library books and the librarian helped my children pick out books just perfect for them. Or when assistants put in so much work to create special learning opportunities that my children truly cherished. Or the over-the-top dedication of their teachers who made the year meaningful and found a way to love my children, even via technology. Or the bus driver who made a special stop after hours so Dude could have his backpack that he'd left behind. I never want to relive this year again but I am grateful for the resilience and technical confidence my children have gained. I am indebted to the amazing Kalapuya for making a hard year a great year.

 

End of 2020-2021 Seminary

 Here's our class photo from our Christmas party (plus the photoshopped versions of two students who couldn't make it). Oh seminary. You were definitely different this year. This was my class for the first few months before three of them graduated in November and another 7 graduated in January. These are my seniors who I never fail to mourn at the end of each year. 

In February we went back in person because I felt my remaining students desperately needed to not be online anymore. When I approached our Stake Presidency they were sympathetic to our plight but thought we should bless the lives of more than just my remaining seniors. So instead of a handful of seniors I had them plus a handful of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen (not pictured).

It's amazing how my, and really all teachers', hearts grow to love each of our students as if they were our own children. I worry and stress when they seem to be struggling and rejoice in their accomplishments. At seminary graduation I was a wreck, especially when the Stake President told me that because of Covid I couldn't give them hugs as I helped to award them their graduation gifts.

This class, along with the underclassmen added to our ranks, stretched me in ways I didn't think possible. I learned that good information leads to good inspiration and that for me to be "sustained" by the parents of my students they need to share with me when their child is struggling in my class. I learned that seminary (not me) can truly work miracles in these teenagers lives and I am privileged to witness it at work. I learned that all students have different teaching needs and for some, online really worked. I learned that humility is something the Lord really wanted me to learn this year and He found unique ways to teach me that via seminary. And I learned that I can never serve my Heavenly Father too much because He always blesses me more than I can offer Him.

Seminary truly is a gift and this class once again proved that to me.