I HATE to cook....Dinner!

Roasting Hot Dog @ Willemar Lake- Summer 2009

(yup, my kind of dinner cooking)

I know it may be hard to believe but....I HATE TO COOK....dinner that is. Yes, this Mormon mother of 5, serving in a Relief Society Presidency, dreads the question every night " Mom, what's for dinner??" I am not sure what it is, but I have always felt this way. Its not that I can't cook, I can...I just don't want to. Maybe it was growing up in a family that ate out 95 percent of the time, or the fact that I am busy or the fact that my kids likes & dislikes change faster than the weather. Bailey doesn't like Mac & Cheese (a food group at our house) or maybe that's Madison? I know, Alex bursts into tears if we force her to down spaghetti , but will eat lasagna.


Today I did something I have never tried before...freezer meals. I, with the help of which ever kid was dumb enough to be closest to the kitchen for the moment, made: 4 meat loafs, 2 baked pastas, 2 ham & hash brown casseroles, hamburger patties, sweet & sour meat balls, 2 batches of taco meat, spaghetti sauce & marinated teryaki beef. Yes I too am pretty proud of myself. Tomorrow I think I will tackle the 4 Kg box of chicken. I doubt the kids will be any where near the kitchen even if they are starving. Maybe freezer meals will change my attitude about dinner. At least when they ask "What's for dinner?" this week I can point at the freezer.

Bailey & Dyslexia

Bailey My favourite piece of Bailey's- "BACKWARDS"- she wanted to express that the way she sees the world is backwards, but just fine

A couple of years ago, while still living in Port Alberni we were told by the school that our daughter Bailey would need to have pschyco-educational testing done before for her Grade 10 year in order for them to continue to adapt learning strategies and they way test are given to her. Bailey is dyslexic and one of the smartest kids I know. We were told that once in grade 10 a student needed an IEP (individual education plan) in order for material to be adapted and in order to get an IEP Bailey needed psycho educational testing. The catch, the school wait list could take years, the private wait list is 18+ months long and could cost $3500-$5000 (extended insurance would cover $300 of that)

So we put Bailey on both lists. The private clinic called me a couple of weeks ago. After speaking to a psychologist that talked to me like I was three, became defensive when I asked her to explain how the costs were incurred and acted like we were lesser parents because we didn't have $5000 we could just hand over in a heart beat, we told the psychologist we simply were no longer interested and decided to just wait on the school list. Needless to say, I did feel like a lesser parent because we couldn't afford a test I was told Bailey desperately needed.

I then received a letter in the mail. One of those "this letter is to inform you that your child..." kind of letters. I instantly thought we had made a mistake in not having Bailey tested. I made the appointment with the school councilor. I dreaded what I thought was going to be a "I am not a stupid parent, really I'm not" kind of visits. To my pleasant surprise our visit today was great.

The school councilor thought Bailey was doing well, all things considered. Bailey would pass the class in question and sent us to talk to her Learning Assistance teacher. Ms B. told us that considering Bailey's struggles she is doing exceptionally well and here is the kicker......The provincial policies have changed in regards to learning assistance, Grade 10 students and provincial exams. Assistance can be provided to any student that requires it, and an IEP is no longer required to do so. We were assured that Bailey will receive assistance as needed, testing will be done if needed to satisfy the requirements for post-secondary admission.We were also told that the cost for testing we were quoted was ridiculous, same testing could be done locally for a fraction of the cost.

We are so grateful for great schools and dedicated teachers.

The list of why we love living in Courtenay just keeps getting longer.....

1. Beaches

2. Hiking

3. Cummberland Donuts

4. School District #71

5. Mount Washington

6. Secondhand Stores

7. Aquatic Centre

8. Diego's Mexican Food

9. A movie theater that show 4 movies at a time :)

10.Kye Bay.........

Target Practice at the Driving Range

Me- swinging a club for the first time.

Our friendly deer- look close in the centre - the 2 laying down never moved.

As a last minute outing before we had everyone over for dinner, we took our friends to the Comox Driving Range to hit a few balls. This was the first time any of us had been there. We thought it was quite a serene spot considering its right in downtown Comox, and apparently so did a family of deer.

When we arrived there were half a dozen deer gingerly munching the grass directly in our line of fire. We were positive they quickly vacate as soon as were fired off the first ball.....nope. None of them seemed to care. Two of them even laid down and stayed put, just yards in front of us. Even after a ball bounced and hit one on the back it didn't move and continued eating. For almost an hour those deer managed to dodge, all but one of the more than 200 balls launched in there direction. The golf course grass must be pretty delectable to a deer. I can't think off any meal that would be worth eating with the risk of getting pegged off by a golf ball.

Come to the Dark Side....we have cookies :)

As part of the Courtenay Ward Talent Show, Madison and Caleb decided they wanted to do a cooking segment. They decided to demonstrate how to make sundaes.....not really cooking but they did bring homemade cookies for everyone. There was a lot of thought and effort put into this 3 min sketch, even an meeting during the week to make sure they had everything just right (us Mormons like to have meetings, to plan meetings...and I guess it starts young ;)) It was a hit and the " Come to the dark side... we have cookies." iron-ons were hilarious....(Thanks Michelle)

Kye Bay

Sand Wrestling- Alex, Holly, & Bailey

Sand face wash- Dallyn

Madison, Holly, Alex, Dallyn, Bailey

Over looking Kye Bay

Since this was Grant's first day off in what seems like forever, we took the kids to our new favourite beach. Kye Bay is only about ten minutes from our house and I am surprised we only discovered it last week. Every time we turn around we find a new reason why we love the Comox Valley. I have come to realize that our kids are less than willing to have there picture taken, so it took a little arm twisting. The first two shots are what the kids are really like as siblings, the last two are my "perfect children".

Mom....It's a Lady Bug!

Dallyn couldn't wait 'til morning and just presented me with this much anticipated Mother's Day school craft. Dallyn is my baby and I know that this is probably one of the last school crafts I will receive. Dallyn is ten so I felt a little silly having the following conversation with him.

Me: Wow a painted rock...that's pretty.
Dallyn: Mom it's a lady bug, can't you tell?
Me: Where's its head?
Dallyn: It doesn't have one.
Me: Why not?
Dallyn: Mr Windle didn't tell us to paint one.

I tried to contain my laughter until Dallyn was out of earshot ......gotta love that boy!

Losing Lynne

Mother's Day has always been a mixed bag for me. While I love being a mom, it is not always a scene from heaven with angels singing softly in the back ground. There are times "the joys of motherhood" are lost in the refereeing, meal making and endless loads of laundry. The fact that mental illness robbed me of a relationship with my own mom, at times makes Mother's Day painful. I have sat in church and listened to people share what perfect mothers they have, how perfect their children are and wondered if I just missed the boat.

With time some of the pains of that day have softened. The lessons I have learned from my mom and from my children far out weigh the heart ache or frustration. I am learning to love Mother's Day one year at a time. Holly, Bailey, Madison, Alex, and Dallyn you are my greatest accomplishment and my greatest source of love and laughter, I am honoured to be your mom.

He Also Provides a Way

We have had a very busy month,between the Temple Dedication & inventory time at Wal-Mart. Grant has had to put in some long days at work and had a lot of extra responsibilities with Church stuff. There were many days I had no idea how he was going to fit it all in, but he did. He did not have to change his schedule once or leave work early, it always seemed to work out. The schedule changed and allowed him to take the entire Sunday of the dedication off, he was able to attend the TYC broadcast even though he was originally scheduled to work...he got off just in time to finish dedication recommend interviews....his boss even gave him a three day weekend when we took the entire Kramer gang to the Temple Open House. None of this has been lost on me. When the Lord requires much from us, He also provides the way.

The fact hit home even harder this week when Madison asked for money for her band trip. We have saved for the trips to Vancouver since last year and were more than happy in spending that money for that purpose. But, Madison's band trip was just out of reach financially and she was great about understanding that........ I simply wrote on the permission form that it was financially out of reach and Madison would have to wait until the next time.

Madison came home Tuesday with the biggest smile ever. Her band teacher offered to let her go in exchange for some service hours....Thank you Mr Kuhnert.

TYC finale

TYC Pics

Girls ready for the finale

Dax, Holly, Milena

Kaili, Milena, Holly

Caleb, Holly, Aiden

TYC/ Temple Dedication

Holly & Bailey...rockin' the dance

Madison

Nanaimo & Victoria Stakes...Holly & Bailey in bottom circle, Madison in circle to left, out of photo

Holly...Temple grounds...never without that purple bag.

Vancouver Temple District Youth... May 1

This last weekend will hit the scrapbook for sure. Watching Holly, Bailey, and Madison perform along with 1,2oo other youth from the Vancouver Temple district was electrifying. As parents we experienced pure joy, realizing this was an experience they will reflect on their entire lives. Sitting on a Hockey rink floor listening to the words of our prophet,speaking just feet away was amazing. They truly felt of his love for them and for Canada, He was heartwarming and funny.

The performance " A Beacon to the World" told of the history of the Church and its history in the Vancouver area. Celebrating the beautiful coastline & mountains, its people and history, the kids performed their hearts out. The middle of the show honoured those who were pioneers of the gospel in this area and how the Church was built up one testimony, one convert, one family, one Branch at a time. All 1200 youth closed the show by singing "Youth of the Latter Day" as a replica of the temple rose from the centre of the arena.

Our kids arrived home Sunday afternoon just in time to attend the final broadcast of the dedication. So grateful the ferries were on time. Our kids were exhausted but were beyond excited to relate their experiences of the last four days. I feel gratitude for so many things, the Temple, being able to share it with our family, hearing from President Monson, seeing our teenagers delight in performing at TYC.......

Crash Kramers

If you look up Accident Prone in the dictionary I am sure there is a picture of our family....I could write a book on crazy injuries...Grant started it all, two major falls off roofs...shooting himself with a nail gun no less than 3 times in various body parts...injuring himself while working in the shoe department at Sears.The list could go on and on and on. Needless to say the Kramer kids have kept up the tradition. Swallowing a screw, being attacked by an otter, putting a stick through your bicep, being back boarded by the paramedics after using the hippity hop ball as a step stool, requiring 15 stitches in your chin after falling on a church, their list could continue.

The last three Thursday my kids have continued the accident prone tradition in earnest,Thursday April 15th Holly sprained a ring finger playing basketball. Thursday April 22 Bailey sprained her ankle,while playing rugby. Thursday April 29 Alex scratched her cornea while playing predator and prey at school. Can't wait 'til next Thursday ?!