Missions Trip Fundraising...

On November 22, the five of us will be boarding a bus and heading south to Mexico for a week of missions work with a ministry called Rio Bravo. You can check it out at http://www.rio-bravo.org/). As part of its ministry, Rio Bravo supports an orphanage and a school. Although we don’t know exactly what we will be tasked to do while we are there, we are anticipating spending most of our time reaching out to the children this ministry supports. Rick and I are excited to see our boys (ok…us too) stretched as we go into a new culture and spend a week completely focused on giving to others.

We are posting this information to request prayer and financial support for this trip. Any trip with a family of five can be challenging and “stretches” everyone a bit. We anticipate this trip will stretch us more than usual…for obvious reasons. We will be traveling by bus…please pray for good weather, safety and, most of all, patience! I'm not exactly sure how long it takes to get from Minnesota into Mexico, but I am pretty sure it takes a LONG time! Also, we will be introducing our kids to missions for the first time. Please pray their hearts will be forever changed by this experience.

Of course, a trip for a family of five is also challenging financially. For the five of us to go, we need to raise $1800. If you are in a position to help us with this part of our trip, we would be most grateful. This trip is being sponsored by River Valley Church and all donations should be sent to the address below. All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you so much for considering partnering with us on this exciting adventure! We really believe it will be one of the most incredible experiences and will have a lasting impact on our family.

Thank you,


Rick and Kate Ketterling
Reed, Chase and Hunter

(Please include all of the information below with any donation)

RVC - November 2008 - Mexico

I would like to support the Ketterling Family with a one time gift of $_________.

Please note that all donations are tax-deductible and should be written to and sent to:

River Valley Church
14898 Energy Way
Apple Valley, MN 55124

The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives

Many of our friends know that Rick and I have been through some trying times in the last couple (okay, FOUR) years. There is no need to, once again, go into great detail about the journey that brought us to today. It was a painful journey that inspired tremendous growth in both of us and really brought us closer to each other and closer, individually, to God.

Yesterday marked the official closure of this experience. The last legal proceeding involved was completed. Today marks the "first day of the rest of our lives"...that may seem a very cliche statement, but it is so true and I can't express how it feels to find myself finally, completely free of this mess. This chapter is closed. Never to be re-opened again.

At the same time the legal papers were being finalized, our kids began a new journey as well. This is the first time that they have attended public school. Reed started middle school and Chase and Hunter continue in elementary school. This decision was part of "the next chapter" and is definitely the right one for our family right now. I was nervous yesterday as they all left for the bus (also an experience they have never had)...and I was anxious all day...wanting to hear from them that everything went well. Of course, everything DID go well, and three smiling faces got off the bus at the end of the day.

For the first time in quite a while...all seems peaceful and I anticipate good days are ahead. Thanks to all of you that have prayed for us and stood by us for these last few years. I know that the situation that just wouldn't go away became a well worn topic of conversation. Thanks for sticking with us and letting us talk when we needed to, for setting us straight when we were having over the top emotions and, mostly, walking beside us on this path. You are all loved and appreciated!

Success

Well...I got the black belt. It was a challenging morning of testing, but in the end, I pulled it off!

I had some trouble with a board break which left my hand a lovely shade of purple and green, but it is already starting to get better.

So, this goal is accomplished. I am wondering, "what is my next goal?". Any suggestions?

What my Black Belt Means to Me...

As part of black best testing at our tae kwon do school, we are supposed to write a "thesis" on "What my Black Belt Means to Me". I am testing next Saturday (August 16th) for my black belt and my "thesis" is below...


Princess. Spoiled. Girly. Just about everyone who knows me, would use any of those words to describe me. Before ATA, Black Belt would never have appeared on that list. (Quite honestly, it would have inspired laughter to anyone who read it.)

I grew up in a home with one sister. We didn’t do sports. EVER. We were a musical family. We played dress up, acted out plays, took music lessons and painted our nails. I once dropped a piano teacher because she told me I was going to have to cut my nails. That was just how it was. Even when I was choosing a wedding gown, Rick said that the only dress that would work would be a “princess dress”. Then God gave me all sons. Many see that as ironic. Naw. I’m still the princess!

Back to becoming a black belt…I was feeling a little left out that Rick and the boys were going to do karate together. So, I figured, why not give it a try? I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it, AND by how much I wanted to achieve getting my black belt. At each belt test, I painted my toes the color of the belt I was going for. This was my way of still being “girly”…despite breaking boards and sparring. Sparring was a WHOLE new world for me. Don’t get me started on that!

There are several things about getting my black belt that are special to me:

1) I did it with my family. (Perhaps I’ll have a little leverage when they all outgrow me.)
2) I tried something new and unfamiliar to me…and found that I really liked it.
3) I stuck with it…even though I wanted to quit. In fact, I skipped one cycle, with the intention of being done…but I came back to finish.
4) I hope my sons will see that it’s okay for a woman to be “girly”, yet allow her to be “tough” at the same time.
5) Most of all, “Princesses CAN kick butt!”

Lots Going On...

Obviously, it has been awhile since I've blogged. Just so you know, the temper tantrum to make vacation last longer DIDN'T work. However, it DID prompt us to begin thinking about everything that is going on in our lives and make some decisions that will, hopefully, help us in the long run.

The first decision was that we, as a family, would benefit more from my working ONE full time job rather than a couple part time. For me, it was becoming quite overwheming to jump from one to the other constantly. So, we made the decision to start the process of making that change. I didn't have to search long as my first inquiry produced a full time position at, (SHOCK), River Valley Church. I gave my notice at CHA and started this past Monday. I continue to handle the Events Department but I am now Admin to Jim Garvey (Business Administrator) and Jeff Kerr (Creative Arts). After one week, I can truly say that I love it. The only glitch so far is that we didn't need full time child care up to this point and we are winging it right now.

With change number one came change number two. We decided that Chase and Hunter would attend public school this year rather than private at CHA. (Reed was already going to public school this year). We have had great experiences at CHA and have loved having our children learn in a Christian environment. This is the right decision for our family in our "season" and we are excited to watch them tackle a new challenge! Hunter will go from a class of 8 last year to a class of 25 (and that is only one of five classes.) So, they will definitely see some differences!

The update on our house is that our insurance company is terrible and we aren't getting enough to make half of the repairs that are needed. We are still in the decision making process right now, but know that this is somehow part of God's plan for us right now.

So that is the big update...

Aaah...vacation.

We are in Brainerd for the annual Lane family vacation. This vacation started 10 years ago with the Lanes, Kerrs and Ketterlings. There was only one kid at the time, Reed. NOW there are the Lanes, Kerrs, Ketterlings, 7 kids ranging in age from 10 months to 11 years and 2 sets of grandparents...16 of us in all!

Despite the large number of participants, this year, this has been a great week of relaxation and disengaging from our hectic lifestyle. We rent a house every year and this is our first year in this one. There is enough room for everyone to have a bed...having a bed does not guarantee privacy, just a bed to sleep in. The house is on Rush Lake and has its own dock and in ground pool. We have enjoyed hours of fishing, swimming, bike riding and just chillin' out.

Tomorrow we head back to the Cities. I'm not ready to go...if I throw a temper tantrum, can we stay longer??

Next week it will be back to all the jobs and keeping the kids entertained for the remainder of summer break...which, always seems to fly by once family vacation is over.

Thanks, Dad and Mom, for this great break from the routine!

Where'd the Siding Go?

Today is a work day. So, the boys were keeping themselves occupied by watching a movie and I was working away in my windowless office today trying to make sure I am caught up before I leave for vacation on Saturday. Rick walked in the house, a bit puzzled as to why the boys and I were completely oblivious to the huge storm taking shape outside. (because they were watching a movie and I was working!!) It was definitely a big storm. Rick was actually on the phone with the insurance company before it was even over.

At last check, we are missing a large section of siding from one side of our home, our hot tub cover is broken and we had water leaking in through 4 different spots in the house, the worst of which is right in the middle of our family room. It looks like our dog somehow managed to pee in the middle of the ceiling.

So, right now, Rick and our neighbor are on the roof getting it covered up. Hopefully no more storms will blow through! Hopefully the damage to the inside won't get any worse as long as we can keep that part covered. Siding really does have a purpose...It's not just to give each house it's own personality...go figure.

Here's my question...if all the siding has to be replaced, do we get to pick a new color? (Of course, this is assuming the new color matches everything else that ISN'T to be replaced.) Any suggestions?

Recovery

Well, the 4th of July is history. We did the parade in grand style again. We thought we would have a lot less people this year. But, in the end 58 people joined us in "our spot" for the parade. (Rick & Ryan were the "counters", I am taking their word for it that they didn't count all the "sticker people" as they stopped by our spot!) Some came early for the food (which was cut back this year for convenience sake.) Some just came in time to watch the parade. But we had fun. It was definitely a new experience to be short a couple of kids.

On Saturday, I started staining our deck. We built our deck before our "less is more" phase started. This means that our deck is huge! I stained for about 6 hours on Saturday and got half of the the floor, top rail and the support posts done. We bought the same brand, same color stain as last time...guess what...totally different color. No cheating this year, I have to do it all!

I finished staining the floor on Sunday and Rick, Chase and Hunter stained the lattice that goes around our hot tub. Our grass is now a lovely shade of "Natural Cedar" as Hunter likes painting about as much as Rick and decided to paint the grass instead!

This week, I have to find time to finish staining the deck, clean the house (post holiday weekend, eeek), and work. All before leaving on vacation on Saturday. Today it is supposed to storm, so I will work and clean the house, I guess! I am feeling overwhelmed....I need to make a list!!

Unlimited WHAT?

Rick and I made a decision about cell phones recently. We decided that we were ready for the boys to each have their own cell phone. We have had one that the three of them have shared for the past 3 years. It stays plugged in unless we have given permission for one of them to take it. It has allowed us to feel more comfortable with them going to the park near our house, over to a friend's house, etc...

This summer, one phone between them hasn't really been enough because they are all going different directions constantly! So, we made the move. We got on a family plan where our bill SHOULD be the same with all 5 of us having phones. (The first bill hasn't arrived yet, so I reserve the right to complain later if it costs more!) The plan came with minutes to share and unlimited texting. No media and no photos. The existing rule about the phone usage is still the same...plugged in unless permission is granted.

Right now, the phones are like a shiny new toy that is much too hard to resist. Especially when mom & dad are gone for a couple hours. The speed dials that we put on "in case of emergency" are too much to resist. I think Auntie Kristie counted 10-15 calls on Wednesday alone. Hunter worked a free lunch out of Grandma. Chase found out his best friend also has a cell phone (different carrier, though, and he was the one who pointed out to me, that they will have to keep their calls short! ) Uncle Ryan got a surprise phone call from a number he didn't recognize while at work. (Hunter's number) The ironic thing is, we tried to call Hunter on his phone to tell him to come home from his friend's yesterday for dinner. Guess what...he left it home!! Reed forgot to take his phone to youth group. Obviously, we are still working out the kinks in our plan.

So, if you receive a call from a number you don't recognize, it is probably a Ketterling boy. Rick and I are riding out the storm and we apologize in advance if you receive "unlimited text messages or if you are a Sprint to Sprint customer". We are banking on the fact that they are going to settle into a reasonable amount of use soon.

To Parade or Not to Parade

We have had a tradition in our house for the last 3 or 4 years. We do July 4th in a big way.

We are those nerds that put our tarps out to save our spot for the parade 24 hours before the parade begins! We load up a grill, tons of food, games, chairs and we invite anyone we know to join us if they want. Bring your own meat and something to share. We have been at the same spot every year. It's not even really about watching the parade so much as it is the excitement of the day. We have a lot of fun...and it is a lot of work.

Then we go to Grandma and Papa's for another cookout. And eventually, to the park for fireworks followed by neighborhood fireworks when we get home. SHHH.

This year, we will probably be down 2 kids. One is going to ride in the parade with a friend. One may go to family camp with Grandma and Papa (which, in turn cancels out tradition #2 on our list). Something tells me that kid #3 will find someone else to hang out with for the day.

So, we aren't "feeling" the parade like we have in the past. I suppose these are the types of things that will start happening with more frequency as the kids get older. But, I've been told, "this is the tradition...we HAVE to".

So, look for us on the hill near the Joann's parking lot. We'd love to have you join us! Bring your own meat, and something to share!

My Boys are the Best

Yesterday, we had a long overdue cleaning day at our house. With all of the activities that we have going on as a family, keeping up with the house just goes to the bottom of the priority list. Eventually, though, we have to do it.

Earlier in the week, the boys cleaned the basement. So, that wasn't on the list. (that includes picking up, dusting, vacuuming and cleaning all the fingerprints off the glass doors.)

On Saturday, we tackled everyone's bedrooms, all four bathrooms, the family room and the dining room. This, again, was picking up, dusting and vacuuming. We also got a bunch of stuff to donate to a garage sale that had to be brought upstairs. My boys worked hard ALL day. They were so great and I don't recall hearing any complaints. They were each solely responsible for their room. Then Reed did the dusting in the dining room and family room, and the vacuuming. Hunter dusted Mom and Dad's room and vacuumed one set of stairs. Chase vacuumed Mom and Dad's room and vacuumed the other set of stairs. There were other miscellaneous tasks asked of them throughout the day that they did without complaining. Lucky me...I cleaned 4 bathrooms.

What did Dad do, you ask? He was working. We don't argue about his participation when he is working (however, there IS verification involved:)

So, our house is ALMOST clean. Kitchen floor and laundry room floor is all that is left, but I don't really care so much today. Mostly, I am a really proud mom today when I look around at all the work we did!

Thanks, boys, you really made my day!

Rainy Day??

So far this summer, every day looks like it is going to be a rainy day. The weather people forecast rain, then it doesn't. I have given up waiting for the rain and we are making plans and moving on with outside activities. Except for today. It really does look like it is going to rain today!!

I have a summer rule at my house. Video games and TV are only allowed on rainy days. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and the boys can "earn" game time. 15 minutes of games is earned for every 30 minutes of reading or practicing their instrument. (We only have one instrument right now. Chase is two weeks into the saxophone. This is not nearly as bad as when we were two weeks in to the violin! yikes!) Back to my thought...I have created a spreadsheet (yes, Kristie, I AM a nerd, but I know exactly what is going on) for each of the boys so we can calculate their game/tv time. Believe it or not, this is quite the motivator. Additionally, the library has a reward program for minutes read and so does their school. SO, in reality, they are getting a lot of bang for their buck on minutes read.

However, today, on a rainy day (or, I am assuming it is going to be)...anything goes. It is a nice escape for all of us. They get to play, and I don't have to hear...'I'm bored"!

Day One

Ok. So, I figure that if the boys are going to blog over the summer, maybe I should join the fun. So far, the days of summer are very busy. This summer, I am working, which I haven't done since 1997 when Reed arrived. It is quite challenging. However, I really enjoy the jobs I have so that helps.

My darling sister started the blogging trend yesterday when the boys were at her house for the day (while I was working). She is definitely the "creative one". I am the "organized" one. Or, if you ask my niece, Lucy, I am the "fancy" one. I never would have thought to have them blog as a way to keep busy in the summer.

So, day one blogging is done. I will try and be more creative in my writing and find more interesting things to blog about as the days go by!! ( I have to try and live up to the Kerr blogs!)