Ten Days. Compliant 9/10.

This is not my best look.

This is me, all strapped up for a sleep study. There were wires stuck to my scalp with a gummy paste, wires stuck to my face and my neck with sticky pads, breathing tubes leading to my nose, then the lovely netting you see to hold it all in place. There were plastic discs with metal nubs stuck to my arms and legs, and more wires snapped onto them. There were belts around my chest and my waist with more wires, and an intercom system for the technicians to hear if I needed something, and to hear any other sounds that might ensue while I slept. Because with all this monitoring, then I was expected to sleep. 

Apparently, I slept. And apparently, I snored so loudly that the technician had to turn the volume down on his monitor so he could think. Yes, all you family members, and roommates at women's retreats, and anyone who's ever been an overnight guest in our house, or has hosted me as an overnight guest, you are vindicated. I snore loudly.

I already knew this. Thanks to the many people who have told me that I snore very loudly. And to the ladies walking on the sidewalk outside my house, who were startled by the loud noises emanating from my window one morning when I was in that half-awake state and could hear them as I slept. I've even wakened myself with my snoring. The tipping point came when DH Ralph recorded the sound of my snoring on his phone, then played it back for me. And what it confirmed was not only that I snore loudly, but that I stop breathing as I sleep.

There were a lot of numbers thrown around, but the most significant to me are the 86.1 per hour apnea/hypopnea index, and the 70% SpO2 level. In other words, I stop breathing frequently, and I'm not getting enough oxygen. So, for the sake of my long-term health, I am learning to sleep with a CPAP. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, delivered via a fancy machine and a mask. 

Fancy machine on my nightstand.
Includes humidifier and air warmer.
Adjustable ramp-up time to fall asleep before it really starts blowing.
Sounds like a fan is on in the room.
Satellite antennae to report usage to  equipment provider.
Computer chip to record data for doctor.

This is how I sleep, now.

Note the color of the headgear: pink. Is that supposed to make me feel more feminine? All of you who had to get used to sleeping with braces and headgear, I feel for you! The first few nights, I came close to tears, because I just wanted to sleep. But I wouldn't let myself take it off. In fact, I have to really cinch it tightly to my face, or when it starts blowing at full force, the air leaks past the membrane with loud hissing and raspberry sounds. I'm relaxing more, now, than in the first days, when I woke up stiff and sore.

I've never felt as if I didn't sleep well, and while I'm sorry my snoring bothered other people, I slept through it just fine, I thought! I'm focusing on not contributing to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. 

Ralph says I don't snore at all when I'm using the machine. He's had to work at getting used to it, too, but at least it's not the big black mask he was expecting, something like this: 

John told me I look just like this:

I feel as if I look like this:

I really don't like to talk about health and medical stuff, but I think this is interesting stuff, and maybe useful to someone else. Do people tell you they worry about the way you snore and breathe irregularly when you sleep? Do you just laugh it off like I did? Would you be afraid to sleep in the same room with me? Please, tell me how cute I look in my mask! (Ha!)

That's the way we roll.

These girls were on the road,  they made a road trip through the southern US with lots of adventures, and spent a few days in Pittsburgh before heading north, then west to Portland. Great stories; I hope you get a chance to hear them someday.

They hung around to spend a day with us, 

then there were some goodbye hugs

and some goodbye squirt gun action

and then they were on the road again.

Then it was time for Grampa to get to work.

We had a great time with Max's family in Ohio.

Here's Ralph in a fabulous sculpture at the Botanical Gardens

Max with his brothers and dad.

Poppy and cousins as water babies

Here's Ralph with Max's dad, Dave, as we're admiring Dave's truck.

Dave takes the truck to farmers' markets and gives away books from the back of the truck, art books and others that he gathers from libraries and others sources as they clear out older books.

Covered with toys, stickers, corks from wine bottles, sea shells,
musical toys that are wired to the battery. A rolling museum!

We played mini golf and had ice cream at Young's Farm "Putters and Udders." That cracks me up!

Hula hoops! 

Enjoy this little video with Poppy and her cousins, her Uncle Eli, and Bethany showing a little of their hooping prowess. 

Chair Lift

When we hiked on the San Francisco Peaks, we walked over to the Snowbowl, where we skied as kids. In fact, I won a trophy in the Levi Ski Rodeo when I was a 12-year-old, the only trophy I ever won, and probably the only sporting event I ever competed in!
(I took 3rd place... there were four skiers in my heat.)

Here's a picture of the current chair lift at the Snowbowl. It has a large, covered seat, a safety bar, and foot rests.

I have no idea who these people are. Nice smiles, though!

Here's a picture of one of the chairlift seats we rode on when I was a kid. It hangs as decoration above the sign for the Ski Lift Lodge at the base of the mountain, but it's the real thing. Not much to it, is there?

We asked ourselves, what kind of mother would let her children, ages 11, 10, 8, and 6, ride on a thing like that? We answered ourselves, a mother who trusts that her children are smart enough to know how to behave safely and respectfully on a chair lift!

Thanks, Mom!

Linda, Pamela, Laura, Grace, left to right.

Milestones

Kathryn
Kathryn graduated from Lewis and Clark College! Yes, the time has flown by, though when Kathryn begins to lists her many experiences and projects, and I note the maturity and grace she's growing in, surely it's been longer than four years.

Thank you, Amy, for snapping this pic, I wish you were in it!
I'm glad you joined us for the grad ceremony!

I'm so glad Ralph and John and I were able to spend the long graduation weekend in Portland with Kathryn. We tried to do as many official, grad-oriented activities as we could, but the first day, after a reception in the SoAn department and an Honors convocation, we were done!

Honored for her writing!

Kathryn pointed out that for every student being recognized for achievement, there are many others who have likewise made great accomplishments, and other kinds of recognition of their efforts.

Seniors Banquet

We enjoyed some of Portland's hot spots, like Stumptown coffee and Powell's bookstore, and Nicholas Restaurant and Tin Shed and Dick's Cafe. Everywhere we went, we ran into groups of L&C graduates and their families, everyone congratulating one another and cheering each other on. At one point, there was a cluster of graduating students talking and reminiscing, and a surrounding ring of parents and family joyfully observing their interactions, and beaming with pride and happiness for our kids. What a great atmosphere.

That's a giant pita at Nicholas Restaurant

Not enough time in Powell's!

Hipsters

Several times, Kathryn hugged us and thanked us for coming, and for being willing to be a part of the flow of events and gatherings. Thank you, Kathryn, for welcoming us into your circles, and letting us enjoy the people and places you love!

Beautiful flowers everywhere!

Enjoying the sunshine, napping on Mt. Tabor

John
Prom! John went to prom with Cody, complete with tuxedo, corsage and boutonniere, and group ride in a limo to dinner and to the dance.

Photo credit to John Hurd

Photo credit to Frank and Charlene Sousa

Master of Arts, Theological Studies

At the Senior Class Dinner

“You should get an award for the longest commute!” That’s what many of Ralph’s professors and fellow students said as they congratulated him at the Senior Class dinner and the commencement and reception. When Ralph explained that this year he’d frequently taken the train to and from San Diego, which afforded him several hours of dedicated reading/study time, their eyes often glazed over with wishfulness that they’d had the time to do the reading and coursework demanded of seminary.

Entering the church for commencement service.

Ralph started his Bethel Seminary education at North Coast Calvary Chapel in  Encinitas, where as a staff pastor he facilitated a seminary off-site class, and took advantage of the opportunity as a student, himself. Once he was enrolled, Ralph’s natural academic bent was invigorated. When I met him, Ralph was a pre-ministerial philosophy student at NAU, considering seminary at Gordon-Conwell, Fuller, and Denver. The Christian zeitgeist, however, encouraged Ralph to fast-track his ministry path via Calvary Chapel Bible School and Vineyard Christian Fellowship internship and in-house training. That enthusiasm to jump into ministry prompted Ralph to jump out of his bachelor’s degree program before he finished his senior year and earned his bachelor’s degree. Bethel recognized the extent of Ralph’s college coursework and his years of ministry experience; they waived the degree requirement and accepted him on probation for the first two quarters, during which he excelled.

Ralph smiling for his brother's camera

Changes and challenges notwithstanding, Ralph continued to take classes as steadily as he could, sometimes with me demanding he not quit! When we moved to Santa Maria, Ralph took intensive classes that met for several hours in a week, and required independent reading, research, and written responses. He took online classes, and independent study classes. And, for several quarters, he commuted to San Diego, stayed with friends in their homes, and worked in the library as much as possible before driving home. When he started taking the train, he learned the bus and trolley system in San Diego as well, and further increased his education in practical ways!

Looking scholarly!

Throughout his academic career, Ralph has impressed me with his dedication to thoughtful and quality work. He respected and learned from his scholarly and missional teachers. He read the books. He participated in group on-line discussions and projects. He wrote countless papers, reflections, essays. He earned top grades in all his core classes. And he let it soak in and challenge and inform his intellect and his soul. And he still came home and took out the trash, washed dishes, mowed lawns, etc. I am very, very proud of him.

Ralph with Mark Foreman and fellow mentee and graduate, Bernard Jones.

At the graduation ceremony, there was a dignity and solemnity when Ralph walked across the stage, knelt when his hood was placed on his shoulders, received his degree, and was greeted by his mentor, Mark Foreman. Mark is the pastor at North Coast Calvary Chapel, where Ralph first started taking Bethel classes, and was, long before that, Ralph’s teacher at Calvary Chapel Bible School, and one who hired Ralph to himself teach at CCBS, and who also pastored a Vineyard Christian Fellowship for many years. Eight years later, 20 years later, 35 years later, Mark’s participation in Ralph’s ceremony was significant to us.

Proud family members!

We stood when Ralph’s name was called; I was joined by John,  Maristella and Cory, Vicki, John and his friend, Cristina, and our friend, Darron. Evelyn joined us afterwards, when we enjoyed lunch together at PF Chang’s. Ralph put on his mortarboard to protect his head from the sun, and other diners congratulated him on his big accomplishment. Then, we drove home. And we’re open to whatever might be next!

I get a week off!

I made two of these for my two intervention groups at school.

photo by Nicole Gerulat

The tutorial is found here, at One Charming Party.
After reading a Thanksgiving story to the kids, I brought in the turkey on a platter, and I cut it open, to reveal this:

photo by Nicole Gerulat

The kids were so cute, so enthusiastic about the popcorn-filled turkey! I chose two students in each of my two groups to get the drumsticks. They looked so cute eating popcorn out of the drumsticks! Of course, I was too involved to remember to take pictures until it was all over. Besides, I can't put pictures of the kids online, and I didn't want to just take pictures of their hands and the backs of their heads. Here is my picture of what it looked like when we were all done!

One of the kids brought me flowers today!
And another brought me a present!

Yesterday one of the kinder teachers and I had an impromptu talk with the school principal about the intervention class. We told her the kids are doing really well, and she was very supportive of the whole concept. This morning she took me aside and said she'd looked over the assessments, and the kids in my class have not only made great progress, they've progressed at a greater rate than the kids in the regular class, and they are all approaching, at, or above their target scores.
The affirmation of my work felt so great to hear! I know the teachers have been really supportive and enthusiastic about the class, but the objective data sealed it. And today the kids were all hugging me, and telling me they'll miss me (even though I'll still see them every day at lunch!), because after the Thanksgiving break I'll be starting with a new group of kids! This next group of kids will be more of a challenge. The first group was mostly bright, ready to learn kids who were intimidated or uninitiated. This next group just doesn't get it. Bring it on! But I'm really going to enjoy a week off work, first!

she's an official grown-up, now

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what have they done with my hair?

My baby-lamb turns 21. Lamby, Lamby-girl, Lambelina. When she was born, we lived across the street from dear friends who also had school-age kids and a new baby girl. Their Sophie was an unhappy, crying baby, and mom, S, would sigh, and laughingly exclaim, "Oh, there's my sweet, gentle lamb, calling to me." Somehow, the irony of her comments made me see my own easy baby as truly a sweet, gentle lamb. The description became a name, and evolved into many variations of the same. Before Kathryn introduced us to her boyfriend, she told him we'd call her Lamb, and they gave each other a sweet and noticeable glance when we did.

Hello, can we set up a play date?

Cali girl does Canada

We also call her Catalina, Katerina, Katwin. 

Junior High style!

High School hipster

Love you, Lovey. Happy Birthday, Kathryn.