Disney World 2008
September 28th, 2008 by Mariah
Well, we are home from our 10 day adventure to the ” hottest happiest place on earth.” We had so much fun! We made so many wonderful memories and had some really great family time together. Of course, since my husband rocks, we only had to spend one night in a regular room ( 2 full sized beds.) He got us upgraded to a suite for the rest of the stay. We had our own room, 2 bathrooms, a kitchenette and the boys both had their own beds. We even had an extra bed. The front desk quoted us over one thousand EXTRA dollars (if we paid for it.) But, as the wife of Shaun Buck - I did not! hehe. 
We went to all 4 parks. We went to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. We had 10 days to ensure that we rode everything and saw everything. I think I can count on one hand the rides we did not have the chance to go on. Most things we rode, we rode many times. I will say that Space Mountain is still my favorite; although the Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Roller Coaster was pretty awesome!! There is always the good old Pirates of the Caribbean. I loved it all!
It was fun to be with Brandon at the parks because he could point out hidden Mickey’s and tell us fun facts about the rides and the park. His mom is a bit of a Disney fan. Brandon shares the same enthusiasm for Disney that she does. It was also really fun to be there with Brandon because we could share in the fun “grown up” rides with him. Poor Tyler had to endure many baby swaps.
However, Tyler was in awe and amazement from the moment we arrived at the airport to ride our “three big jets.” He met all of his favorites.. Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy… The list goes on. my baby boy loved every minute of it!!
Now we are home and have to get back to the real world. We sure had a nice break from reality! We are in the process of changing up our blog. We have added a “photo section.” It is not completly updated with our disney pics yet, but check back. I will have it done soon.
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Scooter Ride with Grandma Kitty
September 16th, 2008 by MariahSorry that part of this is sideways. I couldn’t figure out how to turn it.
Click to see!! Riding scooters with Grandma Kitty!
Posted in Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler || No Comments
More pics from our cabin
September 16th, 2008 by Mariah
This one I just had to post. It is almost as if Tyler is trying to say.. “You wanna take my picture again Mom? Go right ahead!”
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Cousins
September 14th, 2008 by Mariah
This picture is so precious! The kids saw a skydiver who had jumped from his plane and just pulled his parachute. They all ran over to the fence to get a closer look. The ever considerate Jules even helped Tyler up and sacrificed her own view so that he could join in. I love those kids!!
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I am woman, hear me roar!
September 14th, 2008 by MariahWell, the school year is officially in! Each year as I prepare curriculum, that old familiar feeling of inadequacy and fear starts to return. Am I doing the right thing? Am I capable? How do I homeschool a 7th grader and tend to a wild 2 year old? Each year there is much discussion between Shaun and I, and each year there are tears. This year was no exception. You see, I have this horrible habit of thinking I can do it all. I don’t need any help. I am (homeschool) woman - hear me roar. Boy do I have it wrong! Each time that I feel the sense of dread and inadequacy, I come to realize/remember (usually after many tears) that I am not
capable. In fact, I am quite incapable. I have everything to fear. When I do not cast my cares on Christ, when I depend on myself; I fail every time! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 I also understand this to mean that-I can do nothing without Christ for He is my strength. So after much confession, prayer and forgiveness from our Holy Father, here we go again. Homeschool year # 5. SEVENTH GRADE!!!!
This year I have started a curriculum called Konos. It is a Christian curriculum that is set up in unit study form. Every lesson is based on a Godly character trait. I have heard many great things about this curriculum including it’s ability to involve younger children. There are so many hands on things, not all just book study. I thought this might be right up Brandon’s alley! So far, week 2 and I think I was right.
The first unit is a 10 week study on the human body and the character trait is cooperation. So far I have traced Brandon’s body on a giant piece of butcher paper, he drew all of his internal organs, colored them and taped them to his picture. It was a lot of fun. He liked it, it was hands on, and Tyler joined in. I don’t think Tyler can tell you where his spleen is, but now Brandon can. :) *He said that it looks like broccoli, so he colored it green* That’s the goofy boy we all know.
We also leared all of the parts of a cell. Brandon and Tyler also made a clay model of an animal cell. Brandon really, really liked that! Notice the nacho cheese on his face. That’s right, we are homeschoolers baby!
The project that both of the boys found to be the yummiest, most fun, was the edible cell. We made a cell from jello, chocolat chip cookie dough, mike & ike’s and sprinkles. Then the boys feasted on on their cells…YUM!
Click to see - the edible cell
Each year as we continue on this homeschool journey, I feel as though God is continually refining both Brandon and I. He has been so merciful, so forgiving and He has shown His grace time and time again. It is through homeschool that I feel as though God has REALLY grown Brandon and I close. We get to laugh and joke and have fun learning together. I learn patience, Brandon learns forgiveness (for all the times my patience is short.) Although it is not all fun and games and edible cells; I thank God for the pleasure of teaching my kids at home.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
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Mmmmm!
September 7th, 2008 by MariahSimple Pleasures. Need I say more?
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Family Time!!
September 6th, 2008 by Mariah
A couple of weeks ago I got a last minute phone call from a customer/friend, who was offering our family her luxury cabing for a week FREE OF CHARGE!!! Shaun has discussed with her using the cabin for our anniversary. Basically the dates got jumbled and it ended up being for the last week of August. We were not able to leave the business for a whole week, but we DID manage to sneak away on Wednesday and we stayed through Friday. The timing ended up working out in a cool way. Brandon had just come home on Monday AND Grandma Kitty was here from Arizona for a visit. So, the five of us packed up the car and headed to beautiful McCall Idaho for some relaxing fun.
This cabin was totally awesome! Luxury all the way - 3 bedrooms + office/loft 2 additional couches that pulled out into beds, 3 bathrooms, tons of space and SO MUCH FUN!!
There was a pool, spa, steam room, gym, and all of this was on a giant golf course. The beach was about a 5 minute drive. The weather was nice and cool. We ate great food, went exploring, swimming, and Tyler got to see his first woodpecker. You will have to see the movie, it is hilarious!
mov043TYLER CALLING WOODPECKERS - CLICK TO SEE17
Brandon took some time to ponder some very important things. In fact, he came up with a very profound question he would like to pose to all of you reading this blog…
BRANDON\’S THOUGTH PROVOKING QUESTION - CLICK TO SEE
The boys really loved going in the pool. we all got on our suits and headed down for a swim. I lasted about three and a half seconds. It was too cold. Grandma Kitty chickened out and didn’t go in at all. Shaun was forced to brave the cold water to play with the boys. Way to go honey! Thanks for taking one of the team!
We also went into downtown McCall and walked around. We also went to the beach. The weather was perfect!
It was so nice to have this family time together with Brandon since he has been gone all summer! we hung out a lot! We all made some great memories together! There are some especially precious moments with Grandma Kitty!
We all had so much fun. There are a ton more picture I will post another time. It is so wonderful to have our family together again!
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I’m Not Who I Was
September 3rd, 2008 by Mariah
There are many times when I will hear a song on the radio and get lost in the words.. Some take me to special memories from childhood or make me think of my wedding day. I have always loved music. I think that this comes from my mom. I can’t remember a time when we rode in the car in silence. The radio was always on. When she was cleaning the house, the radio was on. It was the soundtrack to our lives. I have “inherited” the music gene. I can’t sing well or play a musical instrument, but I LOVE music!
It is no secret that my childhood was troubled. There are many memories from my childhood. Some good. Many bad. I understand (now) that all of those memories and the things that happened were clouded by my mom’s alcoholism. My mom had many problems of her own. Her dad abandoned their family when she was young only to seek her our later for reasons I won’t mention. My mom began smoking and drinking very young. She ran away from home, met my father and became a teen mom.
My dad was killed in a motorcycle accident when I was three. By then my mom was already married to another man, my brother’s dad, who was physically abusive. My mom had a hard life. However, I understand that, for the most part, her choices were the reasons for her hardships. Even in the face of death, my mom couldn’t turn away from alcohol. And ultimately it was her demise.
As I have grown up (without parents) I have come to discover that I was not parentless. All these years, I have been cared for. I have been loved with a pure love, unclouded by alcohol or anything else, before I was formed in my mothers womb. My Heavenly Father has been there all along, loving me, watching out for me, and waiting for me to understand his grace. I know now. And I praise Him. I am eternally grateful for his love!
That being said, and now as I am a mother of three; (Brandon, Tyler and baby Riley in heaven), It makes me mourn the relationship with my mom. It makes me long to “know” my mom. Who was she? Who could she have been? What if?…
The reason for this post is a song I heard on the radio. It has made me think of my mom since the first time I heard it. It talks about anger, hurt, resentment, and finally grace and forgiveness. The word of this song touch my heart as I think of how I have gone through all of these emotions with my mom’s life and death. It is titled “I’m Not Who I Was.” It starts out saying..
“I wish you could see me now, I wish I could show you how, I’m not who I was. I used to be mad at you, a little on the hurt side too. But I’m not who I was. I found my way around to forgiving you some time ago, but I never got to tell you.”
That is just how I feel about my mom. I love her, I wish she was around, and I have forgiven her. Without the love of Christ, I am not sure that is possible.
Thank you Lord for Your love and grace. Thank you for Your forgiveness. Your grace allows me to forgive and to be free.
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