Sometimes, even optimistic people get tired and worn down

My optimism and zest for life remain, despite feeling a bit worn down the last week+ with...

1) our car broken into and ransacked a few weeks back and most of my flyfishing gear and flies stolen (it was all hidden in the car but they found it),

2) an IRS audit of our finances for 2014 and 2015 (close to 200 hours combined now providing detailed information; turns out we UNDERclaimed our expenses so things are looking good),

3) a car rooftop rocket (storage) box explosion at 65mph (nothing lost and no car accidents behind us in the wake of all the camp chairs blowing out),

4) a car door fire (mostly just smoke) from a stuck power window motor,

5) TurboTax incorrectly applying a health care tax credit we were ineligible for in 2016 (if you can't trust tax care professionals, who CAN you trust with your taxes?! maybe it's time to pay an in-person tax care professional),

6) a neighbor friend losing his life light (no matter that alcoholism ruined his liver, watching the life of a friend fade is still a challenge)...

and other various things.

Yet, despite all this - or perhaps BECAUSE of all of this - I feel compelled to live life abundantly, cherishing the wonder and beauty and fragility of it all. I am healthy, I am loved and have (do) loved, I walk this path with a marvelous and supportive partner, and life continues to amaze me every day.

We may lead a charmed life in many respects, but life is still hard. Always will be. All things considered, we're doing pretty well. Because we've got each other. And we've got YOU!

If you're so inclined, we would sure appreciate you sending prayers heavenward for us, shaking of sticks, rattling of bones, chanting, sending of positive vibes, whatever it is you feel inclined or compelled to do to channel good energy our way.

Because who couldn't use a little more goodness in life?! AmIRight?!

Thank you, friends! We sure love you - it's true. <3

The 6yo mic drop

I'm often up before everyone, getting a little work in before the family awakens. LJ is usually the next one up and he often joins me as I grade papers or get a jump on emails (for a theoretically less interrupted day). This morning, he came down to the office and sees me responding to emails as I catch up from a week of travel and limited e-communications.

LJ - Papa, why do you type all the time.

me - Well, my work sometimes requires a lot of typing.

LJ *matter of factly* - Hm...maybe it's a health problem.

...to which he gets up and walks off. I think that was the 6yo equivalent of a mic drop. I really wonder if children have any idea how profound their thoughts often are.

"And with that, I just have two more words to say...Obama out."

Late Start Friday

These two can fight like cats and dogs...but also fully love each other.

Both Cat and I have been under pressure of work deadlines of late. We've been working late, getting up early to work before the kids get up, working weekends. Just a lot of work. But we know it's not the norm and we're cognizant of not letting it become a habit. This world is already full of enough hustle and bustle.

So this morning - after laying in bed past our normal waking time and listening to another Colorado wind storm (with gusts of up to 100mph) - when the kiddos awoke and realized we were still in bed, they wanted snuggle time. Since these moments will be gone soon enough (does the speed of time increase as our children age?!),  we said "get in here!"and the kiddos bounced and trounced their way under our covers.

We all talked quietly for a time, listening to the wind howl through our windows cracked slightly open. Then tickled and wrestled. Then talked about how our day looked for each of us. And after a little whispered inspiration from Cat, we all decided that despite our busy schedules, it was time for a late start to our day.

You see, last year the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) had late start Wednesday's every week. And our family came to rely on those extra 45-50 minutes each Wednesday morning to read books, share a cup of tea together, make pancakes, create something, just take the morning a little slower. But after BVSD did away with them this year, we've been longing for them to be brought back (not everyone was happy).

BVSD still hasn't brought back the weekly "late start" day. But we decided today was going to be an O-G late start Friday - we needed a no rush morning...a day to say "our family comes before schedules". So we got up and dressed and took our time walking to Southside Walnut Cafe (on Foursquare) for breakfast, read the comics, colored, told stories, leisurely ate breakfast, then had a pleasant stroll with the kiddos to school.

This morning's comics Finn and I discussed...

We think (hope) that taking these sorts of times together sends a clear message to our children (and partner) that family comes first - not work, not school, not routine schedules. Family. Sure work and schedules and school are all important, but these routine mental health days or late start school/work days make a lasting impression (we hope).

A perfect O-G morning.

Cleaning up their neighborhood (and the creek)

The kiddos proud of their work cleaning up Bear Creek, CO. Instagram pic by Cat.

These kiddos inspire us! While on a walk yesterday with their Nonny (maternal grandmother) and auntie, Finn noticed an unusual amount of garbage along the creek near a busy road intersection (likely the stemming from the previous night's wind storm). So she hatched an idea, decided to recruit her brother, found a garbage bag, and cleaned up a section of the creek!

Today, on our morning walk to Creekside Elementary, these two were busy further hatching their idea...to organize a school-wide cleanup of the creek that runs by their school - Bear Creek!

It's little moments like this that help me realize the messages we send our children - whether by action or in conversation - can really stick in their minds.

If you want to know more about your local creek and watershed, head over to the EPA's excellent "Surf Your Watershed" website, poke around and consider Adopting Your Watershed!

The O-G 2015 Christmas Newsletter

Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas everyone-

We hope this newsletter finds you all safe and blessed this holiday season.

We write this newsletter from snowy Colorado with hot tea in hand. We had a beautiful snowstorm over the Thanksgiving week and are hoping we get more on Christmas day…although it’s supposed to get to 65 this week! We are enjoying the exciting and variable weather Colorado has to offer.

Our family had a full summer this past year. We enjoyed a one month vacation in June in Oregon (exploring Utah, Nevada, and western Colorado on our way home) and had a chance to camp with amazing friends on the east side of the state (thank you Feldhaus, Shippentower, Tattam and Naylor families for making it special!), in the Willamette Valley (a big thank you to the House’s Funny Farm for hosting our crazy zoo) and the beach where both sides of our family came over and spent several days camping with us. Also, a big thank you to Cat’s parents for putting us up while we made a few trailer repairs and Cat recouped from the flu (yup, she got it while on vacation).

The second half of our summer brought two trips to New Mexico to spend quality time with our Hedges family God-children, then to explore Ghost Ranch during the Mountain States Mennonite Conference (MSMC) general assembly…what a beautiful time listing to our new favorite band The Steel Wheels while enjoying the beauty of the southwest.  Rounding off our adventures we made our final summer family trip to Oklahoma in September where Cat presented some of her Eastern Shawnee history work during the Eastern Shawnee History Summit (PDF program). We also attended the tribal Powwow…it was a wonderful time connecting with our Oklahoma family while watching our kiddos build deeper connections to Oklahoma and our family there.

The Steel Wheels

The kiddos are loving our Colorado adventures and their school here in Boulder. Finn is in the 4th grade this year (I know, brace yourselves…she’s up to my shoulders and we’re entering the scary world of HORMONES!!!) and has really excelled in reading and math. She’s loving her teachers, friends, and has joined leadership group and choir…allowing her to explore her two loves of social justice and music. Our girl is growing fast, easily the tallest in her class, but her beautiful smile and zest for life have only increased. She’s loving our exploration of the area and especially time at home in her tree fort…reading a book and feeling the breeze.

Jeremiah August is growing so fast and keeping us on our toes as always! He’s in the first grade this year and we are so loving his zest for learning. Reading has really taken off for him this year…all of a sudden he sees words everywhere and loves to read them to us.  Jeremiah has changed a lot this year, learning to control his little boy impulses more and more everyday (we’re still a work in progress on that one) but is still his full of life self.  He loves flying planes at the park, riding his bike all over, and exploring the woods! Both kiddos are loving the adventure of living in Colorado, they’ve become fans of deep snow, southwest summer nights, and exploring from the Rockies to New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Cat’s year has been busy with her work taking off more and more while chasing the kiddos and their busy schedules. When we moved the kids said they wanted to see Mummy and Papa often at their school…so that has meant a lot of running back and forth (we live only a block and half from the school) for both Mummy and Papa but it has really been worth it see the kids feel safe and at home in their school.  Cat’s work for her tribe has increased this year and kept her busy. This past winter she wrote and was awarded a large three year grant that will keep the Family Violence Prevention program serving women and children of her tribe for another three years…God is good! Adding to her work for her tribe she was asked this past year to write a book chapter for a book the tribe is writing on Eastern Shawnee history. Her chapter focuses on Eastern Shawnee tribal members moving to the Pacific Northwest and how that’s changed their cultural connection and identity. She is still teaching women and gender studies for Oregon State University and has now added teaching similar classes for Utah State University…both from home, both focusing on minority perspectives.  It’s been wonderful for our family to have Mum working from home especially as everyone has settled into our new life in Boulder. Life can get a wee bit nuts for Cat while she juggles work and home but she loves being available for the kiddos when they need and keeping and tending an inviting home environment.

Eastern Shawnee Tribal Seal

Jeremiah has been enjoying his interdisciplinary, Environmental Studies PhD program here at CU-Boulder.  He finished two years of course work in one year and is now in his second year in the program with a much smaller class load but starting his qualifying exams and dissertation research.  His advisor is a wonderful man who understands family and life commitments and values Jeremiah’s contributions (academic and otherwise) over the past 20+ years.  God is good. While this past year has been a busy one for Jeremiah (and family) he has settled into his niche at CU and is enjoying the journey – this new season in life for him.  It makes his life a bit crazy, trying to be a PhD student, teaching classes (which pays the bills), organizing science communication and policy conferences, writing for science magazines, organizing Mennonite men’s retreats and being the Papa and husband he loves to be. Thankfully he’s been slowly chopping commitments from his list to really focus down on family and his PhD. But as he says…sleep is overrated (wink wink).

Our beloved pups are doing well and loving the dry weather of Colorado. Quinn turned 13 this month (I know…crazy...is that even possible?!) and Sidda will be 11 in February! They are both in great health though starting to slow down and nap in the sun a bit more.  Quinn has fallen in love with stalking and killing any small rodents or squirrels that dare to think about coming into our backyard and Sidda is still her happy go lucky self…though she’s now assumed the role of dog pack leader when hiking….making sure Quinn stays on trail and doesn’t wander off too far. It’s been interesting to watch our pups age.

We feel like when we make our way back to the PNW (yes that’s still our plan) we will have thoroughly turned over every stone imaginable in this area – given Colorado a fair shake. We feel this move has taught us (and is still teaching us) to love the moment we are in. Life is certainly not perfect for the OG’s (did I mention Finn is experiencing hormones, hit us with the sex talk, little man rides his bike like Mario Andretti, and Jeremiah and Cat feel their blood pressure rising each year) but we are learning to find the joy in each moment.

We hope this letter and OG news sees you into a happy and healthy new year.

With much love and prayers for peace,
The Osborne-Gowey Family (Jeremiah, Cat, Finn, not-so-little Jeremiah)

Santa and the Russian Jetliner

Apparently it's a parenting faux pas to tell your children Santa may have died aboard the Russian airliner that was recently shot down.

Yes, it's true - I did say this. 

But in my defense, I was joking with them that Santa wasn't coming this year. They knew I was joking - or at least I THOUGHT they knew. But when they asked why he may not be coming to town, I took the opportunity to thread in current events they may have recently heard on the radio. Apparently that made it waaaayyyyy more believable because the atmosphere went from light-hearted and kidding to a full-on hush in the car for several seconds. Aaaand I let it linger maybe a bit too long, at which point Cat broke it up by pinching my arm and saying, "Papa!" in a low, teasing rebuke.

This joke was taken a bit too literally by our little guy as he apparently chewed on it for several days before deciding it must be true. Then, when attending a play where there was a Santa letter writing station and mailbox, he looked to us in confusion, thinking it a futile effort to write a letter to a dead magical man. So I took a moment to tell him I was just joking and it was OK to write a letter to Santa. After all, the magic resides in our hearts, not in some fat old guy that breaks into houses at one night a year and watches you the other 364 days. But I digress.

After some thought, LJ decided it couldn't hurt to write a letter to Santa, even if he wasn't convinced the old guy was still alive. So he did. And we moved on.

What really brought LJ back to confusion (er, believing) was when a package addressed to LJ arrived a few days later in the mail...a package from Santa (who apparently resides in Florida?! this time of year; who knew?!). In it, was a personal note from Santa assuring him that he was indeed alive and well, had been watching him and knew he'd been pretty good throughout the year (yes, Facebook stalking does exist), and would be delivering presents to him and his friends this Christmas.

Thanks for keeping him in the magic, mom! *she had the package sent*

So now we await Santa's arrival tonight. And we'll be checking the official NORAD Santa Tacker (http://www.noradsanta.org/). Currently he appears to be somewhere over Izmir, Turkey and has delivered close to 3 billion (yes, BILLION) presents! Consumerism appears to be alive and well!

Time to go caroling!

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Exaggeration

Today we had an opportunity to talk with our kiddos about exaggeration, stretching the truth, and deceit, thanks to LEGO! 

Little Jeremiah *proudly*: Papa, today I watched NinjaGo down on the futon in mummy's office!

Papa: That sounds like fun, son.

LJ *proudly*: Yeah, I watched FOURTEEN episodes!
*Papa raises his eyebrow*

Mummy: *chuckling* We'll, you didn't watch THAT many episodes...

LJ *exasperated*: Yeah...BUT I WATCHED MORE THAN TWO! (his usual limit) 

While his exaggeration wasn't an intentional lie, it was a great entry point into a discussion on truth. Such is parenting!

If you haven't yet checked out NinjaGo episodes (Netflix and Hulu) they are fun. LEGO also has some fun online NinjaGo Rush games. We just haven't yet figured out how to balance our peaceful Mennonite traditions with LEGO crime. ;)

The great Spring Break boat building of 2015

Boat building, Spring Break 2015

I was planning to get some thesis writing done this afternoon but when walking home after working in the Boulder Mennonite Church's community garden for a few hours (tilling, raised beds, planting seeds, watering, etc.), my son asked me if we could build some boats when we got home. In truth, I was plum tuckered out from gardening in the hot sun and wanted to take a wee bit of a nap in our backyard shade. But as we talked about our ideas for making boats, his imagination and excitement about it couldn't help but be infectious...and I caught it. 

When we got home, I made us some lunch and we sat at the table drawing out our ideas for boats. After lunch, we got out some of our scrap 2x4 and 2x6 lumber ends from our tree-forting building and set to work. We had a lot more we wanted to add our boats - things like sails and anchors and rudders and helms and such - but we simply HAD to go try them out at in our local stream, Bear Creek in the St. Vrain watershed (check it out via the EPA's great Surf Your Watershed site). We found a few things to tweak but had a blast testing them out. And while I didn't get any writing done, I was happy to have spent those few imaginative and creative and fun hours playing and building boats with my son. 

These moments don't come around again and I'm learning to embrace them as they appear, regardless of my schedule. I've got a long way to go, but for now, I have this time with my loved ones. And I am grateful.

The waitress

Finn the short order waitress. March 2015

The other morning Finn wanted to pretend she was a short order waitress. She has so much fun making up service-oriented games and she had me hoppin' in the kitchen - one of the few times we'll make an exception to preparing different meals for everyone. As each person placed an order, she recorded it their own ticket which she pasted above the stove. And she was so excited to wear, as an apron, a scarf she recently used for fish printing (gyotaku). We figure we'd better support our kids in play or they won't want to come to us with the serious stuff, now or later. Plus it's just fun to play as a child. A fun Spring Break morning, for sure.

An American Pie family moment, Don McLean style

What were we doing this evening? Papa is cleaning up dinner dishes, mummy is packing lunches for tomorrow, the kids are getting their backpacks ready for school and setting out tomorrow's clothes...and we're all singing THIS song at the tops of our lungs - Don McLean's American Pie. I am in LOVE. With this family! And what a fantastic song to bring up and discuss society and its highs and ills, love and friendship, war and peace, politics and so much more with our children!

Side note: in February of this year, McLean publicly announced that he will reveal the original meaning behind the song's lyrics when the original manuscript goes up for auction in New York City in April 2015.

From paleontologist to airplane engineer

This evening after getting his pajamas on, little man comes out to the living room, obviously pleased with himself, and offers an explanation for his ensemble. He says

I picked out this shirt because it has dinosaurs on it and when I grow up I'm going to be a paleontologist. And if I get fired, I'm going to build airplanes. Not paper ones but ones made out of metal so you and Papa can fly in them. Yep.

And with that, he marched out of the room.

A breakfast prayer for the homeless

Little Jeremiah helping at the local food bank.

This morning's breakfast prayer comes to you courtesy of Little Jeremiah and his big thoughts:

"Dear Lord, please be with the homeless and help them find more and more change on the ground so they can buy food and be well. Amen."

Amen, little man. Amen.

Papa's silent prayer to the heavens after hearing this: "Please let this boy keep his heart and help me continue to protect, support and strengthen it." Then a mental note to talk further with him (and his sister) about different ways of helping others.

I am in love this little guy's big heart.

This guy...

Exploring at Garden of the Gods

Exploring at Garden of the Gods

Ninja turtle man stalking animals

Yes, even guys can get self-conscious about pictures

Osborne-Gowey family 2014.
Photo by Cameron Johnson Photography.

A Huffington Post article recently made the rounds, again, and caught my eye - So you're feeling too fat to be photographed (by Teresa Porter). I don't normally feel fat, but I do sometimes feel like I carry a little more weight than I'd like. Which can sometimes lead me to feel a little self-conscious when it comes time to being in pictures. I occasionally find myself with thoughts in my head like "is my face a little puffy" or "is my belly sticking out", or "is my beard all mussed up", etc.

But something a photographer friend mentioned to us last year - and something we've carried with us for most of the years of our marriage - was, "Just be present in the moment and show your kids how much you love them because they don't see what you see about yourself in the pictures - they just see you for you and the love you have for each other and them." The basis for her comments came from another Huffington Post article - this one from blogger Allison Tate - of a few years back; The mom stays in the picture. An excellent read (here are some other excellent posts of similar ilk). We've tried to stick to this mantra over the years, to just be present with each other, regardless of how we're feeling about ourselves in the moment. 

So now you know, in part, why we often don't shy away from pictures, whether you take them or we do. And why we'll continue to post pictures of our love for each other and our family and friends. 

Here's to another 20 years of being present in pictures and sharing them with friends and family.

Boating with friends, 2013.

This place is home

When we tell people in Colorado that we're moving to Boulder for a few years for a PhD program, they say we'll love it so much that we'll never move away from it. Like John Denver, it's true we've longed for more Rocky Mountain highs. And now we'll get a chance to explore there, become familiar with it, grow to love it, and embrace our time there. But I suspect most people we talk to in Colorado have never lived in Oregon - or the Pacific NorthWest for that matter. And those friends that have, now live in Oregon and the PNW. So many diverse environments. Such richness. Such solitude  Such grandeur. I'm sure we'll love Colorado and the area and the people, and for many good reasons. Of this I am certain. But here are more than just a few reasons why we call, and will continue to call, Oregon and the PNW our home. 

This place is special. 


This Place from Instrument on Vimeo.

There were a marvelous set of videos produced for Travel Oregon to bolster tourism in the state. This is a brief compilation of the seven top videos. Explore the full length videos of each of the seven, others submissions, and tons of other great Oregon material at Travel Oregon's 7 Wonders.


Perhaps the best IS saved for last. These stunning time-lapse shots taken in Oregon over several months capture a fraction of Oregon's splendor. For other incredible outdoor and living space footage, check out the other awesome stuff from Uncage the Soul Productions (see their link below this video).

Finding Oregon from Uncage the Soul Productions on Vimeo.

In short, I have no doubt we'll love Colorado, probably more than we even realize. But we also love the PNW. And we call it home. Probably always will. So have no fear, Oregon...we can't quit you.

Who do I want to be when I grow up?

Art by Jaroslaw Blaminsky

While snuggling in bed this morning I asked our son who do you want to be when  you grow up? I like to ask these questions once in a while to get a peak into their minds.  His response "I want to be an Indian".  I said "you mean like Cloud Dancing on Dr. Quinn?"  He said "yeah...or maybe a Sheriff".  Okay...so both strong men with a tender side who stand up for injustice.  Nice to know who my son see's himself becoming. 

Letter from a desperate daughter

Long car rides have gotten easier as the kids have gotten older - they can handle longer stretches without stopping. On the other hand, they seem to pester each other more, too. The usual sibling rivalry, I guess. On one recent (and particularly long) trip, our daughter, after getting fed up with her brother, penned us a letter and discretely 'delivered' it to us in the front seats. I simply HAD to share. Even the artwork was adorable (Finn's angry eyes)...

Jeremiah has turned into a poop, a meany and a grump. He is covering his ears and going 'la la la la la' so he cannot hear me. Make him stop.
Your desperate daughter,
Finn

A daughter's poem to her father

Recent father-daughter date night.

Our kids love, love, LOVE to steal our sticky Post-It Notes from our work desk. It doesn't matter how well we hide them, they always seem to find and abscond with them. Tucked behind a pile of papers? Behind books on the bookshelf? On top of the desk out of sight and reach? Yep. Found it. Been there and stole them. Those rascals! It's become a game to them...not so much for us. So now we've just taken to just purchasing an extra stack of sticky notes when we need to restock the office supplies. Problem solved.

Except for notes stuck all over the house labeling what belongs to them, what not to move, smiley faces to bring cheer, scribbles to designate secret spots, what-have-you. Guess they've taken after their mummy - which is a good thing - who leaves little love notes tucked around the house for me to find and get a warm heart over. I love it.

Anyway, a few days ago our daughter - who is REALLY into spelling and reading right now - pulled out her stack of sticky notes and proceeded to scribble away, hiding from all prying eyes what she was writing. Until she delivered me a note - a love poem from her to me. In her words it was

'Words about you that I love. There's WAAAY more than this. These are just my favorites.'

I...was moved to tears. and I could see in her gleaming eyes and facial expressions - as she watched me, searched my face and body language for my reaction - the excitement and knowledge and warmth that her Papa loves her deeply. It was incredibly moving for us both. So without further ado, Finn's poem to me:

Papa:

Joking.

Reeding.

Silly.

Helpful.

Loving.

Happy.

Papa.

Love, Finn.

I do believe I'll be keeping this note for all of my lifetime...

Hamming it up on the ice.

Bright eyes.

Snowy days in Corvallis

Corvallis and surrounding areas have had more school days cancelled because of snow this school year than any in recent history. And, with a changing climate, we can expect more of the same (i.e., more extreme events; higher highs and lower lows). The question is, will we be societally smart (and proactive) in our planning for the future? When it comes to work and school schedules, it's nearly impossible to plan which days will be cancelled due to weather. But we can prepare for the eventuality by having a list of fun (and challenging) home activities close at hand. And a potential list of babysitters ready to call. Personally, we like the idea of swapping kid-watching days with parents of friends. Then the burden doesn't necessarily fall on any one person. In the meantime, the kids just love playing in the snow, even at their school playgrounds!

An English Tea Party

Gentlemen ready for a spot of tea...

You never know what will happen in this house...Nanny and Grandpa came for a visit and we put on a tea party for Finn. Cat was Mrs. Farkwar, Finn was Ms. Nesbitt, Little man was Mr. Stansfield the 4th, Nanny was Mrs. Perrywinkel, Papa was Mr. Hazelbottom, and Grandpa was Mr. Pigglesworth. We made up stories, dressed up, and Finn loved it!

The tea party.

Marriage and Division of Labor

While discussing table etiquette after dinner, I jokingly teased mummy that she didn't pick up her dinner dishes after being excused. With a wink and a smile I said something to the effect of, "how are we to teach our children proper table manners if we don't pick up our own dishes?" Mummy, with her own wink and a smile, jokingly says "well, I do the dishes. I figured I would pick it up later." Finn, after overhearing our conversation says, "well, mummy, you ARE his awfully wedded wife." Laughter and general happiness ensued.