Mullins Reunion, Memorial Day 2009

I will warn you up front...there are a LOT of pictures here.

These pics are the reason I love KY so... My heart just leaps when I see forest-covered mountains. Noah told me he was fishin'. Basically...its a stick in the water. But he was happy to pretend!

Ethan had much more fun with feats of strength...let's see how big of a rock I can throw and how far I can throw it...

Back: Cousin Larry, Uncle Les, Aunt Vicky, Dad.

Front: Short (Cousin Bernice), Great Aunt Bernice, Granny, Poppie, Mom

Dad, Poppie, Mom, Granny, Great Aunt Bernice, Aunt Vicky and Uncle Les
Oh, and Champ - Granny and Poppies new favorite grandchild... :)

Course, I loved the critters. I swear, I think I channel the spirit of Ellie Mae Clampet...

Is that you, my prince??????

We chased this lizard around for about an hour before finally getting a pic.

Some very nice horseback riders came by and let the kids pet the horses. We invited them for desert... The one in the black T-shirt was packing a pistol which greatly entertained the boys!

Um, yeah. Did I mention my family is from KY? When in Rome... :)

A bunch of cousins having a lot of fun with a Daddy Long Legs. I was very pleased to see my boys getting into the fauna of the area and not being scared to touch! Yeah! My biology powers are having an effect finally!

It was a lot of fun to watch the kids entertain themselves and make up games to play with just the nature around them. Oh, and the dog.

A brief shower inspired Ethan to catch rain drops on his tongue. Of course, I never drink May raindrops. They aren't ripe yet... (to honor Lucy in a Charlie Brown Christmas...)

On our way back to the shelter from the cave. Our spelunking adventure was a success!

Still some of the props left from the Segal movie "Fire Down Below". Here my boys are showing off their guns by lifting boulders. And, no...I have NO idea why Ethan insists on wearing his socks like knee socks. Kids and their fashion now-a-days.

Inside "Fat Man's Squeeze". Doesn't every cave have one of these?

The Saltpetre cave isn't one of those pretty, sparkly caves, but it has some cool formations that are unique to it.

Most of the formations are worn smooth from the water that dug the cave out.

Another view of the Squeeze...

All through the squeeze, people have carved, painted, or otherwise inked their names and dates on the walls. I'm sure it's not the oldest, but the oldest I found so far was 1810. Supposedly, Daniel Boone carved his name in there somewhere...

Ethan just wanted to get out of the squeeze and was getting a bit annoyed with me wanting to take pictures. He did think it was cool that he actually had to duck here, though.

Another mommy treat...the only bat sighting we had.

Some of the left over tools and things from when people used this cave.

Noah was using his "stick of discovery" to, well, make discoveries. Every few steps he'd stop, point to something and say "oh, wow. That's cool" or tell me what he thought it was. This? According to Noah, someone painted a black spot there. Impressive, isn't he?

Not the squeeze, but the ceiling gets pretty low in some places. Even I had to duck...and that's saying something.

This is a fake skeleton put in a dug grave just to illustrate the area of the cave used for burial. The kids were fascinated. I tried to get them to lie down in there next to it but they wouldn't have any of that even knowing it was fake.

Another mommy treat: Cave Cricket. Even though I zoomed up on him, he's still probably about quarter to half dollar size for his body. Counting legs, I'd estimate him to be 5-6 inches from front to back, 3-4 inches side to side.

This is the "Great Room". They used to hold square dances, church, and a lot of other social gatherings back here. There is even a makeshift stage area and dressing room on one end - all made out of the rock (some natural and some carved).

Here's several cousins waiting by the entrance for the gate to be unlocked. Note Ethan...doing what he does best - bunny ears. :) He's so stinkin' funny!

Granny and Poppie

Granny with Great Aunt Bonnie.

Noah stuck some flowers in my hair and it just exploded from there. At least it helped hide the fact that it went limp somewhere around noon... :) Noah always makes me feel like a princess! He's a charmer, that one!

Poppie and one of his brothers, Uncle Dennis.

Orneriness is genetic in them Halcomb Brothers. :)

And of course no Mullins reunion would be complete without some home grown Bluegrass music. Uncle John is on the upright bass.

This reunion was much bigger this year than I ever remember it to be...with lots of people I've never met before. Apparently, Sissy and Lila have been doing a bang-up job in tracking down other branches of our tree...such as Great Grandma Cora and Great Grandpa Elmer's brothers and sister's kids. It's a lot of fun and I look forward to making this a part of my children's tradition as it was mine as a child.

Just had the most beautiful hike down to cedar falls in hocking hills. Wore the wrong shoes or I would have done one of the caves or the gorge overlook. I think I was able to identify at least 8 DIFFERENT mosses growing on the rocks around the falls...I LOVE NATURE!!!

The weather turned out nice after all. Sun came out. Got a little humid and me in jeans, but not too bad...especially when hiking in the woods.

Man, I grew up in this state and never knew we had such scenery. Breathtaking! The drive to and from was scenic as well...farm after farm with oasis of trees and forest in the background and spotting the fields. Green fields of corn, gold fields of wheat, old red barns and silos against that backdrop...nostalgic Americana. Know what? I think the Midwest is underrated in this country. I know I've taken it for granted. Glad I have the opportunity to rediscover it.

My "vacation"...

As you can see, my boys are HEARTBROKEN at the idea of being away from mommy. They are soooo ready for their SC adventure with grandma and grandpa!

Here are the hapless victims, er, I mean, grandma and grandpa... :) You can see Ethan in the background trying DESPERATELY to make bunny ears on grandma for the pic! That's what he does...

And now, a few "out and about Columbus" pics that I took on my cell phone. I really wasn't being a tourist yet...these are just a couple impromptu ones. All my touristy ones are on my SD card and I will get them uploaded when I get home.

First: someone actually took the SNL skit and built a business around it. I know it's just not right, but I couldn't believe it and had to get a picture. For those of you who know this skit, you will be laughing. For the rest of you, best case: you will be scratching your head wondering what the joke is. Worst case: you will think I've completely lost my mind to post something such as this. I apologize for the latter in advance...but I just could not pass it up for those of us who know the skit.

Later that evening, while eating dinner with a friend, one of the largest gaggle of geese I've ever seen together strolled ever so casually through the parking lot. Now I've seen geese before - you can't swing a bat without hitting one in MN, but there was just so MANY in this one family group... I don't care who you are. Having THAT many kids is impressive! Just look at the Duggers, John and Kate, etc. Granted there are many more parents in this group to share the stress...

Today, in spite of the rain, I am off to Chillicothe and Hocking Hills. Didn't plan that too well, I guess.

Frog Dissection

At first I wasn't sure ending the year with dissection was a good idea. However, the wisdom soon proved itself...my students, who had mentally checked out last month was suddenly engaged and mentally present! I had a first this year... WARNING: GROSS PICS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOLLOW (us bio teachers find it cool, but I realize we are a strange breed...)








So I open up this frog and it's stomach is HUGE. I knew something was in there. Now I've been doing this for 18+ years, so it's not unusual to find contents of bugs and things in there. But I was not prepared for an ENTIRE BEETLE!!! Still intact. I am witnessing Mr. Froggies last meal.



Then, apparently, Mr. Froggie struck gold with a Beetle nest or something. There were a total of 5 beetles, completely intact. The biggest one was about the size of a nickel.





All in all, a great year for my first one back after being a stay at home mommy. If I had to do it, I at least did it right. Thanks to all my 08-09 students from Lakota East Freshman School!

COSI was very cool. Unfortunately, my laptop doesn't have an SD slot, so you will just have to wait for pics...

I know, I know...

Boy, it's been a while since I updated. I have a lot of pics from the past month to get up here. But now that school is over, I wanted to take a minute to update you very briefly.

First, my vocal surgery was last Friday the 12th. I want to honor God for His hand on the procedure...one of the "pre nodes" had developed into a full blown node because of continued use during school of course. When the doctor went to cut if off, if just sort of slid right off my chords. He didn't have to cut at all. The other side was still in "pre" mode and needed a thin slice right along the edge. I've been pretty good about being voiceless...helps that Ethan and Noah are at Grandma and Grandpa Funderburks for another week. I've only messed up a couple of times, so hopefully that won't be a big deal.

So the prognosis is good. I hope to be singing again before the end of this year. Oh, how I have missed it!

I am currently taking advantage of my "sans children" time and am off on an adventure of sorts around the state. I am exploring the city of Columbus today. Will have dinner with a friend tonight, probably finish up some museums, etc. in Columbus tomorrow, then head out to Hocking Hills or Amish country. Work my way back and see Ft. Ancient and explore a bit of Cincy. I'm kinda excited. No agenda. Just me and some friends on occasion, I've never done this before and I'm enjoying my singleness and my "non mommy status" for a bit. I do miss hearing those boys laugh and getting snuggles, though!

I've enabled text updating, so I'll give it a try while I'm out and about!

Keep me in your prayers as I recover - that it may be quick and complete.

Love you all!

New experiences

I have had a myriad of opportunities come my way lately that I've been very excited about, AND have broadened my horizons. I've had sushi and sake' (very interesting - also learned a lot about Japanese culture and dining through the experience - fascinating), I've learned to play Disc Golf, I've gotten back involved in theater (at school)and will be (this week to be exact) going to a community theater production (haven't been to one in years and very excited to be going and scoping out how I can get involved as my boys get bigger) and have been able to explore a few museums of late (will be going to the Creation Museum this weekend). I've been introduced to Strength Finders and the Organic Church Movement (can't really say much yet...just introduced), been able to see lots of movies - old and new, may be taking Salsa dancing lessons this summer, have rediscovered my childhood at Kings Island, and I've been making new friends (both male and female) through Divorce Care, my activities, Facebook...all in all, I'm having fun kind of discovering me as a single woman.

Still working on the balance factor, though. I really need to get more involved at my church and find some group-type things for my kids to be involved in. Cub Scouts didn't really catch on with Ethan this year, but he liked his Divorce Care for Kids classes. Noah seems to be having fun in preschool and learning a ton. Ethan has experienced many successes of late and seems to be liking school more. I'd like to join the Y if I can swing it. They have some fun classes for the kids, too.

None of this would have been possible without the help of my mom and dad. They have been invaluable to me.

The summer holds the potential of yet more adventure and discovery. Ethan and Noah will be spending some time in SC with Grandma and Grandpa Funderburk. I will be having surgery and I hope I will be able to travel a bit while the boys are gone - not too far, just around my state to rediscover all the history and nature of Ohio. And visit friends in different areas of the state. I hope to take the boys for a short jaunt to South Bass Island, my childhood vacation place. I may get to take them through Cleveland, TN to check out Lee University...mommas Alma Mater. Haven't been back since 1994 and to my understanding, Lee has basically taken over the city! Would also like to take a couple of weeks back in MN to see old friends, visit Real Life Church, and let the boys visit their dad.

You know, everyone says that God can cause some good to come out of things like a divorce if we let Him. I didn't believe them. I didn't want to believe there could be anything good about the breakdown of a family. But now I'm seeing what they mean...the circumstance itself isn't good. However, we can stay there, or we can move on and find a way to redefine our new existence in good ways. I would have stayed in my "married rut"...being single has given me back my curiosity and a freedom to try new things with new people. To redefine myself as Me, alone...not part of a couple. Don't get me wrong, I like being part of a couple...but it's also nice to not have to answer to anyone for my preferences or for my schedule, or for my likes or dislikes. To just be me. And in that I'm also learning that sometimes the enjoyment level is all about the company. Dinner becomes an adventure when you are out on a date. Taking a walk has new meaning when you are with a friend. Riding bikes (or roller coasters) is more fun with your kids. Reading a book is better when shared and discussed. Experiencing your children's milestones is much more rewarding with family. Shopping is more fun with mom. Sitting at a coffee shop can be romantic if you are with a gentleman, or can be a barrel of laughs if you are out with a group of gals. Even the challenges met with single parenting and homemaking can be looked at positively - I don't really have to worry about consulting someone else when I need or want to make a decision for the boys. Things can be done quicker and more efficiently, because the buck stops here. Don't have to worry about keeping house to someone else's approval, squeezing the toothpaste tube on the end, or which way I put the toilet paper roll on the dispenser. And all that can be a nice break.

I really hope that I don't loose myself so easily in my next relationship. Instead of defining myself by the relationship or the other person, I want the relationship and other person to enhance me, and I them. Someone with whom I can continue to grow and have new experiences with. Someone of whom I will never stop wanting to learning. Someone who is never content to stay where he is, but is always looking for the next step, dance, jump, climb, adventure, learning experience. And someone who will challenge me, but accept me. Iron sharpening iron. That, unfortunately for me, takes time. I am not known for my patience, but I must learn to be patient and slow. God knows who is right for my heart, and vice versa. And I am confident that he is molding me for him and him for me as we speak.

Life is nothing if not an adventure to be lived. I am trying hard to stop and see the wonder in it all...even the minutia. But most of all in my relationships - family, friends, children, colleagues, business associates, romantic friendships, spiritual, even those day to day connections with folks who serve me in line at the store or the bank or the restaurant. I really want God's heart for people, where before I was content to focus on my household. And while our households are important, God needs us to be out there, too.

So here is to new experiences, and the life they can open up to us. Try something new this week!

Mother's Day 2009

The whole, stinkin' lot of us went to Kings Island! It was a blast.

Diamondback was and awesome ride! Ethan rode The Beast with me. The BEAST!!!! He's a beast! :)

Dinosaurs Unearthed

I took the boys to the museum center this last Saturday to see the dino exhibit and Omni movie before they were gone. It's a very nice set up - in the old Union Terminal. Several museums and a reasonable family pass price. May look in to that. Here are the boys outside the entrance.

The exhibit was fossils, skeletons, and a lot of animatronics. Which do you think my boys were most interested in? Hmmmmm???
Veliciraptors

I don't remember what this one is. They've really gone all the way with this "dinos became birds" scenario now.

Protoceretops

don't remember this one's names...one of the "first birds", but not Archeopteryx...I know that one.

A juvenile TRex. There was another one covered in downy fur. Again with the bird scenario. Listen, when I was a kid, dinos were reptiles. Cold blooded reptiles. And Pluto was a planet. That's the beauty of science...nothing ever stays the same. Except gravity. (bummer - I'd kinda like to fly)

The TRex models were fabulous! The first one Ethan ever saw was at Wall Drug in SD. He would not go anywhere near it. Now, I believe he would have mounted these and taken a ride!

Dilophasaurus

Juvenile TRex from another angle. Sans kids... no, they did not get eaten.

Here's momma...

Momma after Weight Watchers! :)

Pterodons/Pteradactyles

Unless I'm mistaken, this would be a Plesiosaur.

Apatasaur

Parasaurolophus

Triceratops

Stegasauri. and humans.

Another view of the stegasaurus.

The boys in front of the Brachiosaurus (I think) outside the museum.

One thing I found intriguing about the movie...they kept coming back to "we think all these mass burial sites are due to sudden flooding". But, of course, it couldn't be what you and I are both thinking, could it? ;)

It was a very fun day.

The Lord's Prayer

Voice surgery

I have it scheduled for June 12. Please be praying. I feel pretty confident in this doctor. He seems to be sensitive to the fact that 1) I use my voice in my career and 2) I get great pleasure in singing and want to continue. While there is no guarantees, of course, he did say he takes extra care and does a few little extra things to aid the healing and protect the cords for people like me - who don't want to simply restore their voice, but want to try to get it back to its original quality.

The rest will be in God's hands. I was having a discussion with a friend last night about how there are times that I don't know what to do without my voice. I feel lost and invisible. And maybe that's the problem. Perhaps God is stripping me of everything I've ever put my identity and worth in to show me that all I really need is Him. I know when my voice first started going I wasn't sure how to worship. I used my voice to glorify God. But it didn't take me long to realize that I have many other "instruments" by which I can praise Him, so I threw myself into using those. I want my voice back, but if it is never restored, I will still praise Him. Through the dance, through my writing, through motherhood, as a teacher, through my relationships with friends and family, through service, and the hardest of all: through my attitudes - at least I will keep trying to do the last one (I don't always succeed, surprise, surprise! )

Please pray that the hands of God will guide the surgeon and will touch my body with healing that only He can provide. The human body amazes me. A wondrous creation that God has given wondrous abilities to. But there is only so much Biology can do - the rest if up to God. Biology can heal my chords. But only God can restore my voice.

And I simply cannot imagine that He has pursued me and sustained me thus far only to drop me and walk away.

the winds of change they are a blowin'

I've had some very interesting changes in my life here very recently. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. All I know for sure is.. God is up to something. I'm not sure what. But I've stopped trying to figure it out. I'm just along for the ride.

I'll let you know more when I can, or when He lets me know more. Otherwise, I just ask that those of you who pray for me regularly...please continue. Those of you who may have forgotten to pray for a while because you've not heard of any major request, please just mention my name from time to time for wisdom, guidance, direction, continued healing of both heart and voice. And more unity between my head and heart and spirit...sometimes the three of them have very different ideas! LOL!

Just some candids...

Chuck E. Cheese "date" with Uncle Brandon

After Wed. night church one night. Our church has an awesome kids program, but this meant unexpected showers before bed on an already late night. Ethan was bummed I wouldn't let him keep it (I think his teacher would not have appreciated it on Thursday.) :)

Kings Island

I remember growing up, a special treat was a day at Kings Island amusment park. Then, as a teen, I remember getting a season's pass for my birthday several years in a row. Well, the entrance fee has become such that 2 trips will pay for a season's pass, so season's passes it is! It's close enough to make going just for a couple of hours worth it - meaning we can go on Friday after work (when hardly anyone is there) or Sunday afternoon (when hardly anyone is there) or on holidays (when hardly anyone is there...) Add to that the fact that my brother's family and my cousin's family has them, and we have an instant outing and playdate for kids and parents alike! Here's some pics and videos from the boys first few trips so far this year...

After spinning in circles for the first half of the ride, Noah finally got in the game by cousin Abby ramming him. He loved it!

No fear. My boys are coaster fans. Good for them. Took me until the age of 14 or 15. But once I did, I was hooked.

Noah is still young enough to appreciate the simple rides like the choo choo. The sheer joyous expression says it all.


Ethan is ever ready to mug for the camera. He REALLY surprised me. As a toddler, he was always so careful. Now, he throws himself into some things without even thinking. The kid got on the Son of Beast with me! 80 MPH wooden coaster that goes unfathomably high. He was a little nervous at some parts, but when it ended and I asked him how it was, his reply was "just right!" There was one moment I was sure he was gonna barf on me, and I kept hearing him reassure himself "I'm OK. It's almost over." But he's ready to go again...

Below are a couple of videos that Uncle Tom took of the boys. Hope they work.

7 Wonderful Years

With my first born, Ethan. Had pizza, cake and a play date with ALL the cousins.

opening gifts

He really is an amazing little boy. God give me the wisdom and where-with-all to guide him into manhood.

why blogging in two places is confusing...

Because you make a comment on one that is related to a comment on the other, and your readers end up confused.

It was brought to my attention that some of you had no idea WHAT I was talking about when I referred to the "sexiness" I had achieved with my lights as being negated by the tediousness of the sound system. I thought to myself "what's wrong with these people? Can they not read my very clever and witty statement about feeling all sexy with my baseball hat backwards, work gloves on and my pockets full of wrenches while I adjust the theater lights?" And then it hit me - that very "clever and witty" statement was a status update on Facebook. Duh. No wonder some of you were wondering what was wrong with my head (not that you don't wonder that anyway... LOL).

So anyway, to clarify - using tools and knowing what you are doing = sexy. Having an unruly sound system kick your butt and show you you have NO IDEA what you are doing = unsexy. There you have it. Yin and Yang.

As far as the play goes - the lights were beautiful. The sound, however, made it's debut as diva in training. Until someone who knew what they were doing helped me out. I got the lights. But I still have a lot to learn about that sound board. GRRRRRRR....I'll get it, though. NEVER GIVE UP!!!