Strawberry Jam

Jack, Jovie, and I welcomed summer by preparing a batch of strawberry freezer jam. The strawberries are local, and were so delicious. They made some darn good jam (and syrup for pancakes and ice cream). I didn't get any jam made last year because my transition between jobs kept me busier than I would have liked during jam season, so kicking this summer off with jam making felt really nice! Here are my cuties...they're so proud of their strawberry jam!

Summer Is Here, 10 Years

It's already been a week that we've been on summer break, and it's flying by. We had a visit from our dear friends Sydney and Tate...such a special treat to host friends in the middle of the week.

Just this past weekend was the annual North Whatcom Relay for Life. It's such an important cause for our family for multiple reasons, and we put forth so much hard work and effort toward it. This year our efforts landed our team 3rd overall for fundraising, raising over $10,000! Our 1 family in 1 year raised $10,000 for the fight against cancer. Go Team Van Diest! I think that's pretty awesome, and love that even though it's hard work to raise money, the reward is so great! What's even better is that we all come together no matter what...wind, rain, cold...and still ENJOY and TREASURE every moment of each other's company. Thank you to my wonderful aunts and uncles who shower us girls with love and support...you know who you are. Your support means so much. It helps us remain positive.

I came across this picture of Jack...so typical of him just lounging in the yard with one of the dogs, and this one of Jovie being such a girl playing dress-up. 

Finally, Rob and I will celebrate our 10-year anniversary this week! This picture was taken back at the beginning of May at our first annual Relay for Life Barn Dance, and it's probably the one and only I will post of me during pregnancy. I hate pregnancy pictures of myself, and if you think my belly is big here...! Anyway, 10 years...we've done so much, accomplished so much, been through SO MUCH. I just can't believe it when I look back at what our lives were like at 20 years old! My, how many changes occur...my, how much shaping and molding takes place. Sometimes life is easy and we just seem to float on. More often though, life is hard and it goes on testing and trying us. Either way, we have been blessed.

Semiahmoo Field Trip

The first graders at BVE got to go on a tide pool field trip out to Semiahmoo earlier this week! I was able to join him out there and we had a great time. It was a little miserable at first...windy and rainy, but we persevered and it was worth it! It turned out to be a beautiful day and I think because of the mild weather, the sea creatures were out in full force! I can't believe all the things we saw. I took lots of pictures, but just wanted to share these of Jack. He had lots of fun and enjoyed his mom's company. I don't get to do many things at school with him because of my work schedule, but I just had to make this work and am so glad I did!

Anthony (Jack's buddy) and Jack. I was in charge of these two throughout the day.  Two very sweet boys. They treated the creatures so gently and with so much respect. They were quite the rule followers too...several times they reminded some of their classmates that they needed to put the creatures back in the water.

This one was pretty slimy and suctiony!

Can you believe this sucker? This one was hard as a rock and quite pokey! I'd hate to step on it!

After tomorrow we just have a week and a day left of school! Jack and I each have our last day on Monday the 18th. We're so excited! I can't wait for summer break. I look forward to it every year, but this year it has a new meaning. As I'm already into the last 12 weeks of my pregnancy, I'm so ready for a break from my busy and physically demanding work day. What's even better is that I've been approved for a year's leave, and won't be back in my classroom until the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year! I still can't quite believe that...I don't think I've ever not worked a year in my teenage or adult life! Well...to be honest I won't not be working. I'm hoping to do some cleaning and things come wintertime to make some extra money...anyone need a housecleaner?

2 Years

It's hard to believe that 2 years have passed that I've lived life without my mom...my dad without his beloved wife, my kids without one of their devoted grammies. Not to mention the many family and friends who were so blessed to know her and call her a daughter, sister, aunt, best friend, daughter in law. So many lives affected by the loss of one person. I don't have many words to express how I'm feeling right now. Desperate maybe? Really wishing I could tell her the wonderful news that we're having another baby boy. Wanting her to be able to help me and share the in joys of our life. I was talking to one of my sisters tonight about how we'll arrange the kids' rooms to accommodate to the arrival of a baby boy, and all the while I just knew that my mom would know exactly what to do, and I wish I was privy to that information. I know it will be revealed to me, just like most things I would have sought out her opinion on. After all, she raised us with such insight and care into those types of situations, but just to talk to her about it would be amazing. I miss her so much...that's all there is to it.

Some happy memories of simpler times...

Happy Easter!

Today we celebrate the Lord's sacrifice for us! Today my feelings of sorrow and sadness are replaced by hope and longing for the day I will get to meet this Savior and be reunited with my Mom! Happy Easter everyone!

Happy 30th Rob!

We had a modest birthday celebration last night for Rob's 30th birthday! I ordered sushi, made a AZ Cardinals helmet cake, and my Dad joined us for a little birthday party. It was quite low-key. It had to be considering the long hours Rob has been putting in at work, however he still managed to be home by 7:00 for us to have a nice little celebration. I was feeling bad because I didn't plan a big 30th party, but when my dad left and we got the kids to bed he told me there's nothing he would have rather done than have this modest party with his family. We love you babe!

Attitude Check

I realize this is simply a picture of oatmeal, oj, and coffee...but to me it's a symbol of so much more. My head has been gray and cloudy lately. I've felt gloomy, unfocused, and a little bit unhappy. I know most of it has revolved around these last couple of months of trying to juggle work and family while battling constant nausea and exhaustion. In the battle of Joelle vs. the World, it's Joelle 0 and the World about 10...at least. Today feels different though. At almost 15 weeks along in this pregnancy, I feel like I have a little bit of energy, hence the fruit & oatmeal :-).

The daffodils also help a little too! Nothing says Spring is right around the corner like a bouquet of these beauties. What a thoughtful gift from my former coworkers at MV. I love the changing of the seasons, and hope I can accompany it with a change in attitude!

Chopped

A few weeks ago my sister Lisa and I participated in a "Chopped" competition at my school. Chopped is a competitive cooking show on Food Network. I watch it often, and show it occasionally in my catering class. One of my seniors who is planning on going to culinary school wanted to host a live competition in our classroom for her senior project. She organized it beautifully. She chose 3 teams, each a teacher at NVHS and a partner of their choice to compete in a 30 minute entree round using 4 secret ingredients. One team was chopped after that round, and the remaining 2 teams competed in a 30 minute dessert round with another 4 secret ingredients. The winners of the dessert round were crowned the "Chopped Champions".

Preparation: A few days prior to the competition, Charity (my student), sent us each a letter disclosing the secret ingredients and listing all available items that would be at our disposal in the stocked pantry. In the meantime, she purchased all the ingredients (and was able to use a few staples from my pantry) and literally transformed my classroom into a Chopped studio. We even had a little audience to add to the pressure and intensity! She put together baskets for each of the teams, we spent hours in the kitchens getting them organized for the big event,  and her ENTIRE family (mom, dad, sisters) showered her with support and helped us set up tables, took pictures, made refreshments, and cleaned up. Finally, once the judges showed up it was time to get cooking!

The Competition: I chose Lisa to compete with me because I knew she would bring so much to the table...and she certainly did! Our entree ingredients were sole (a small white fish), french bread, sweet potatoes, and pomegranate juice. We served a baked, parmesan breaded sole, roasted sweet potatoes with a balsamic pomegranate glaze, and mixed greens with a similar balsamic pomegranate dressing topped with french bread croutons. It was superb, and we made it to the dessert round! For dessert, the secret ingredients were fresh mango, coconut milk, blue corn tortilla chips, and cayenne pepper. We put together a mango bread pudding and cooked it in individual ramekins for the judges. The sauce over the bread pudding was so incredibly delicious, and to top it off we incorporated the tortilla chips by grounding them up and adding butter, cinnamon, and sugar for a streusel topping. A dollop of real whipped cream, and it really was SO delicious. We ended up winning the competition! The bread pudding was truly sublime, and I feel like all of our food was full of flavor, technique, and of course love! It was nerve racking, stressful, and tough, yet so much fun! Both Lisa and I are chomping at the bit to do something like it again :-)

Family News

Our 1st prenatal ultrasound today confirmed a baby and a beating heart! That's right, the Day family is going to become a family of 5 soon! We found out in Maui, and now I'm 9 weeks along and due September 7. We are very excited, and a little nervous too. God's timing is amazing though, and we are just so hopeful and prayerful for a healthy baby come the end of summer. I've been miserably sick since about 5 weeks along, so the last month has been quite difficult. It's all I can do to get through the work day and then tackle the routine at home. Thanks to Rob, my routine has consisted of scrounging whatever I can stomach for dinner, then laying down on the couch! We'll both be better off when I'm through the first trimester! We just told the kids today too. We wanted to see that heartbeat before we told them the news. They both seem really excited, and I'm just glad Jack finally understands why Mom "keeps getting sick." He's definitely noticed, and the other day we saw a Lysol commercial and he said, "Mom, we need to spray down our house with Lysol so you stop getting sick." Ha!

Snow Days

How nice to have such an unexpected break at home with these kids. We sure didn't do much, but it's been amazing! I love this picture of the two of them. It shows what great friends they've been lately.

Maui

Maui. It's now nothing more than just a distant memory. Sad. How quickly routine and cold winter weather can snap us back into reality.

We arrived to our condo the first evening just in time for sunset.

Jack became a boogie boarding pro very quickly. I was too afraid to take his water wings off though...it is the ocean after all.

These sand toys were already in our condo when we got there, and they provided hours of entertainment.

Sand mer-man Jack. He wanted to be buried as a mer-man so bad...don't ask me why...

One of our pool days at the house my Dad, Beth, and Adam stayed at. Jack loves the pool. Jovie just likes to watch.

Jovie's best friend, Hula girl Sally.

Jovie's turn to be a mermaid.

Jovie turned 3 on the 3rd!

The princess in her throne. Rob created some cool things for the kids in the sand.

After the huge, steep, trek down to the blow hole, we thought we'd take a sign by the warning post saying we made it!

The next picture shows just exactly what happens. It's quite dangerous really...a gaping hole in the rock with violent waves pushing the water through like a "blowhole"...hence the name.

Woosh! The picture does NO justice. It's so powerful and breathtaking. The ground rumbles. And a rainbow is formed almost every time. I was happy to catch it on camera though because it lasts only a second.

Ken...thinking he could handle those waves out there. Yeah right Dad! They'd eat you up. These waves were massive.

Man-made or natural? We weren't sure, but it wasn't there 6 years ago, so I'm guessing man-made.

By this time my camera lens was covered with sea-spray, which is why this picture is so blurry, but from left to right, Ken, Adam, Almira, Beth, Jack, Rob, Jovie, Joelle

Our last night :( Everyone was pretty sad, despite the smiles.

What an amazing trip. One I will remember for a lifetime. We had such a nice time as a family on this trip. We did very little, which was exactly what I had in mind for us. Beach, pool, beach, pool, a scenic drive or two, and lots of yummy meals in and out. Pineapple pancakes at the most wonderful outdoor breakfast cafe overlooking whales and turtles swimming in the ocean...that's one of my favorite memories. The kids seemed to have so much fun. They were so good, and played so well together! They were troopers on the plane...even through horrible turbulence on the way home which kept us in our seats with our seat belts on the whole time. I know it will be some time before we can get back there again, but mark my words...it won't be too long.

Christmas Day

Rob's family came to our house this Christmas, which I loved because it meant the kids got to just play and enjoy their new toys at home. We had our traditional morning of presents from Rob and I to the kids and stockings from Santa. It was perfect. The kids loved their surprises and were so grateful for new things to play with and put together. We had a nice dinner. I fixed up some cornish game hens, apple-cranberry-sausage stuffing, and sauteed green beans with bacon...wish I could have some more of it right now ;)

Puzzling with Grammy Day and Aunt Sara!

Archeologist Jack...looking for dinosaur bones. If you want a toy that will provide hours of entertainment (and your child will sit that long) you've got to try this!

Christmas Eve

This year our Christmas break took on a totally new meaning. With Rob's last day at Semiahmoo, and my last day of school before break both being the 16th of December, we had lots of time to spend together during the holidays. It was so nice to have his help for the preparation of Christmas...wrapping, last minute shopping, preparing food, packing up for parties.

Christmas Eve is always spent with my side of the family. This year marked the 2nd Christmas we spent without my mom. She is greatly missed during our Christmas celebrations, but at the same time she is greatly missed every day. I constantly need to remind myself of where she is and what she got to celebrate this Christmas. What a glorious sight Christmas in Heaven must be!

I LOVE this picture! How sweet these two are together (most of the time) and this picture really shows it.

Later that night we set out cookies and milk for Santa...always a big to-do at our house.

Jovie couldn't take her eyes off the cookies for 5 seconds to take a picture!

All Dressed Up

And somewhere to go! That hardly ever happens these days. Last week we got to go to the Larson Gross Christmas party. It was so nicely done. We have never experienced anything like that before. A company that actually cares about their employees and wants to celebrate the year...and Rob hasn't even started yet! My Dad so graciously watched the kids, and Rob and I had a great time mingling with people and just being out together.

I need to stop taking pictures with my iphone! They're so blurry, but it's just so easy...

Marathon Club, Rob's New Job

Last night Jack ran the last 1.2 miles of his "marathon". It's a program the elementary school PE teachers in Lynden put together to encourage kids to choose exercise for life. It started in the end of September, and works like this...students can choose to run during their lunch recess two days a week. They have a track set up around the playground at school, and 5 laps=1 mile, 5 miles=1 card, 5 cards=25 miles. Students who complete the 25 miles are invited to the Lynden High School track to run under the lights and receive a medal for completing a whole marathon. When Jack first started, I was concerned he wasn't going to make it to the "final mile" at the high school. He started pretty weak...running only 4 laps at first. We gently reminded him that if he wanted to make it to the high school, he'd have to run at least 5 laps each time. Boy did he show us what he was made of! His average was 6 laps a time, but twice he did 7, and once he even did 9 laps (almost 2 miles). We thought that was pretty impressive for our laid back 6 year old. Fitness-type activities have never really been Jack's strong point, but in the last few months, we've really made this more of a family goal, and he's turned into quite the active boy. He's leaned out a bit, and it seems like on the days he runs, he's happier, which I can certainly relate to. We're very proud parents.

As for the latter part of this title, yes, starting in January after our Maui trip, Rob will have a new job! He was offered a job at LarsonGross, a local accounting firm. He was hired on as a staff accountant, and has said goodbye to Semiahmoo! They part ways on December 16! We are so excited, and feel so blessed for this opportunity. The hard work Rob has put forth to finish his accounting degree has paid off with this job offer. Rob is very excited...in fact he's been giddy with excitement since he got the news.