Changing Seasons
Life update!
Volleyball season is over, and I can't even begin to explain how fun that was for me. I got to use the competitive side of my brain again, and I'm really proud of all the improvements our team has made. The girls pushed hard and made it passed the District level, but lost out at Divisionals. They got to see a lot of great volleyball, and we now know where the work is to be done before next season.
I love that now that Volleyball is over, we are into the Holiday season! Last year I had a really rough fall, and this year it is truly flying by. In fact, Josey already put up our Christmas lights! (Don't worry, we won't ACTUALLY turn them on until after Thanksgiving.)
The reason we have them up so early is so that we can start programming the lights to music. Josey and I figured that we will be music teachers for life, so we may as well have a musical house. If you want to watch our Halloween light shows, you can watch them on Youtube here: Josey's creations Ghostbusters and Peer Gynt, and my songs O Fortuna and Phantom Of The Opera.
The songs take a really long time to choreograph, especially if you really want it to move to the beat and still be interesting... so we will be programing holiday music when we have free time.
What is free time these days anyways? I had oodles of it last year and this year I've filled in a ton of those spaces. Lately the "Saco Sweat Hearts" have been doing fitness videos after school several times a week, so I'm loving having a big motivation to get fit again. Core De Force is kicking my butt. I'll be starting piano lessons again very soon, and in just a month we will get to have our holiday concerts.
This week, Josey and I did something neat and our schools performed a joint Veteran's Day Concert. Although it wasn't on Veteran's day because we didn't have school that day. "We Honor The Brave" was the title, and we invited Veterans to come so we could show them how much we appreciate what they've done for our country. The Glasgow Courier did a nice write-up about the event here.
It's amazing what a difference it is for these kids to get to play and sing with a larger group. A choir of 9 high schoolers becomes a group of at least 20, and a 20 piece band becomes almost a 50 piece band. My youngest students got to sing with other students their age and they absolutely loved it. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces of all grades made it 100% worth the time and effort.
Plus, having a music teacher husband at the other school makes it pretty easy. ;)
As you Bozemanites may know, Josey made it back for all but one home game this year. He's crazy, that's so much driving. I love being married to a bobcat, and not just any bobcat, a band geek bobcat who goes to every game to help with the marching band. Last weekend I made it down for a game and I took a LOT of pictures of the band. I'll be over here editing my brains out this weekend while Josey takes one more trip down so he can go with the band to Missoula for the Cat/Griz game.
We've also taken on some other responsibilities this year. Josey is the "custodian" who cleans up after all the home volleyball and basketball games this year, and again I am impressed with his work ethic. His favorite line from one of his mentors is, "I like being married, it means I can have nicer things." While that is definitely a true statement, he works his tail off so that we can get the neat Christmas light music system, and that we can afford to do the things we want to do. He also just ordered the snowplow for his Rzr... should be here on Monday. He's pretty excited. Now we just need snow!
I've been busy with photography, taking some senior pictures, and this year I took middle school basketball team and individuals. Talk about pressure, but also a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to taking the North Country basketball high school team pictures next weekend - and I'm thankful that Josey enjoys taking care of the "business" side of things. He got us set up with a printing company and all that jazz, and my brother Graham made a nice template for us for the team pictures. It takes a team, and that's partly why we haven't got a business name yet. For now, we'll just be Quinones Photography.
Panther and Arrow are best friends. At least in my eyes they are. Most times I get home from work and they are snuggling in the same bed together. Panther has been learning that he bites us and her too hard, because she's clawed him a couple of times. I think getting Arrow has been a very good decision.
Arrow is a spaz. She can keep herself entertained for hours with just a speck. Neither cat really likes to be picked up and cuddled, but they'll come sit on your lap if you whistle them over.
Just the other night, I was telling Josey that I was a little bit bummed that Panther didn't sleep with me anymore. He used to sleep up by my head, but now he's down at our feet or somewhere else, because Arrow also likes to be on the bed. So, last night, Arrow got in the blankets with Josey and was purring like a little machine and I decided to try to call Panther into the bedroom. I called him and called him, and eventually he showed up, and then snuggled up in the crook of my arm. I WAS SO HAPPY! My whole family was cuddled up for bedtime!
Yes, you may make fun of me for calling my cats my family. They are so fluffy and warm!
Speaking of family, as many of you saw on Facebook, last month Josey and I flew to Washington and surprised my parents. We were in Great Falls for the Montana Music Educator's Conference, and flew into Pasco the last evening of the conference. Unfortunately we missed the All State concert, but we were able to be with my entire family for a whirlwind weekend.
We decided to go that particular weekend so that we could participate in the final fun run that my dad hosted. Six years ago, my dad started a fun run called "A Very Poplar Run" on the poplar tree farm in Boardman, Oregon. Over the years it has gained a lot of popularity, as it is the only chance for people to get to run through rows and rows of perfectly spaced trees. In January of 2016, the company my dad works for sold the farm to a company that has now been chopping down the trees, and turning it into farmland.
This year was the very last Poplar Run, and Josey and I had not been able to make it out for any of the previous events, since we were in school, I was running track, he was in marching band, then we were teaching, etc. But this year was very important, and when I found out it was the same weekend that we would already be in Great Falls, I booked the tickets and we got to give my mom and dad a really awesome surprise. Thanks again to my siblings Ainsley and Graham for helping plan out the surprise and for keeping our secret!
My dad started working for the company that owned that farm back in 1998 (did I get that year right, family?) and that job is how we ended up in Washington in the first place. When I was six years old, we moved from Reno, Nevada to Kennewick, Washington because of that job. I grew up in a fantastic community where I was able to try everything and anything I wanted to. I really didn't realize how lucky I was to have those opportunities until now, when I see what the kids in Saco don't have access to.
My parents let me try it all, and the Tri-Cities provided endless opportunities to do so - I played softball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, did a ton of figure skating, summer track clubs, summer band camps, dabbled in ballet, gymnastics, clogging, and took years of piano lessons.
There are so many other things that my parents let me do, and many of them weren't free. Thank you, mom and dad, for letting the sky be the limit and letting me experience all of those activities. I have memories from all of those that helped shape me into who I am today.
I bring this up not just because it's part of the season of thankfulness (Turkey Day, coming right up!) but because my parents are getting ready to move away from that place that I know as home base. The town where I learned how to hurdle, how to skate, the driveway I shot hoops in, the house I first practiced piano in.
My parents will be moving west sometime in 2017, as my dad will be working in his company's Portland office. I've known that my parents are moving since the farm sold this January, but now that the house hunt (and house improvements) have started, it is really sinking in. I am sad to not have my childhood home to come back to, but I am also excited for my folks to have their own new adventure.
Plus, I'm having my own Montana, adventure, right? Growing up is weird, like, I had no problem leaving the house for college in another state, but now that I have my own home, you can't help but wish everything else could stay exactly how it was.
But just like the seasons change, and it gets darker earlier and earlier every night, we find the things to look forward to and make a difference where we can. For instance... I may just decorate the inside of my house for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving! Oh the horror!
And before we know it, the days will start to get longer again, and the world will continue to spin, regardless of who our President is or what our trials may be. Our Life Night at youth group this week was about trusting God, and it really made me think. So many times we think we know best, and we think we don't need him. But it is in these changing times that we need him the most.
Even though Josey and I are paving our own path out here on the Hi-Line, we still need Him. And I like to wear my reminder of who's really in charge. Lead me Lord, by the light of truth!
Til next time,
Chelsea
 |
| Josey and I after we ran "A Poplar Run" in Oregon. |
Volleyball season is over, and I can't even begin to explain how fun that was for me. I got to use the competitive side of my brain again, and I'm really proud of all the improvements our team has made. The girls pushed hard and made it passed the District level, but lost out at Divisionals. They got to see a lot of great volleyball, and we now know where the work is to be done before next season.
I love that now that Volleyball is over, we are into the Holiday season! Last year I had a really rough fall, and this year it is truly flying by. In fact, Josey already put up our Christmas lights! (Don't worry, we won't ACTUALLY turn them on until after Thanksgiving.)
 |
| Christmas lights preview.. soon this will all be blinking to music! |
The songs take a really long time to choreograph, especially if you really want it to move to the beat and still be interesting... so we will be programing holiday music when we have free time.
What is free time these days anyways? I had oodles of it last year and this year I've filled in a ton of those spaces. Lately the "Saco Sweat Hearts" have been doing fitness videos after school several times a week, so I'm loving having a big motivation to get fit again. Core De Force is kicking my butt. I'll be starting piano lessons again very soon, and in just a month we will get to have our holiday concerts.
This week, Josey and I did something neat and our schools performed a joint Veteran's Day Concert. Although it wasn't on Veteran's day because we didn't have school that day. "We Honor The Brave" was the title, and we invited Veterans to come so we could show them how much we appreciate what they've done for our country. The Glasgow Courier did a nice write-up about the event here.
It's amazing what a difference it is for these kids to get to play and sing with a larger group. A choir of 9 high schoolers becomes a group of at least 20, and a 20 piece band becomes almost a 50 piece band. My youngest students got to sing with other students their age and they absolutely loved it. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces of all grades made it 100% worth the time and effort.
Plus, having a music teacher husband at the other school makes it pretty easy. ;)
We've also taken on some other responsibilities this year. Josey is the "custodian" who cleans up after all the home volleyball and basketball games this year, and again I am impressed with his work ethic. His favorite line from one of his mentors is, "I like being married, it means I can have nicer things." While that is definitely a true statement, he works his tail off so that we can get the neat Christmas light music system, and that we can afford to do the things we want to do. He also just ordered the snowplow for his Rzr... should be here on Monday. He's pretty excited. Now we just need snow!
 |
| My Ghostbuster-Custodian-Husband. |
I've been busy with photography, taking some senior pictures, and this year I took middle school basketball team and individuals. Talk about pressure, but also a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to taking the North Country basketball high school team pictures next weekend - and I'm thankful that Josey enjoys taking care of the "business" side of things. He got us set up with a printing company and all that jazz, and my brother Graham made a nice template for us for the team pictures. It takes a team, and that's partly why we haven't got a business name yet. For now, we'll just be Quinones Photography.
 |
| They look so innocent... |
Arrow is a spaz. She can keep herself entertained for hours with just a speck. Neither cat really likes to be picked up and cuddled, but they'll come sit on your lap if you whistle them over.
Just the other night, I was telling Josey that I was a little bit bummed that Panther didn't sleep with me anymore. He used to sleep up by my head, but now he's down at our feet or somewhere else, because Arrow also likes to be on the bed. So, last night, Arrow got in the blankets with Josey and was purring like a little machine and I decided to try to call Panther into the bedroom. I called him and called him, and eventually he showed up, and then snuggled up in the crook of my arm. I WAS SO HAPPY! My whole family was cuddled up for bedtime!
Yes, you may make fun of me for calling my cats my family. They are so fluffy and warm!
Speaking of family, as many of you saw on Facebook, last month Josey and I flew to Washington and surprised my parents. We were in Great Falls for the Montana Music Educator's Conference, and flew into Pasco the last evening of the conference. Unfortunately we missed the All State concert, but we were able to be with my entire family for a whirlwind weekend.
We decided to go that particular weekend so that we could participate in the final fun run that my dad hosted. Six years ago, my dad started a fun run called "A Very Poplar Run" on the poplar tree farm in Boardman, Oregon. Over the years it has gained a lot of popularity, as it is the only chance for people to get to run through rows and rows of perfectly spaced trees. In January of 2016, the company my dad works for sold the farm to a company that has now been chopping down the trees, and turning it into farmland.
 |
| Handing out finishers awards after our race was over. |
This year was the very last Poplar Run, and Josey and I had not been able to make it out for any of the previous events, since we were in school, I was running track, he was in marching band, then we were teaching, etc. But this year was very important, and when I found out it was the same weekend that we would already be in Great Falls, I booked the tickets and we got to give my mom and dad a really awesome surprise. Thanks again to my siblings Ainsley and Graham for helping plan out the surprise and for keeping our secret!
My dad started working for the company that owned that farm back in 1998 (did I get that year right, family?) and that job is how we ended up in Washington in the first place. When I was six years old, we moved from Reno, Nevada to Kennewick, Washington because of that job. I grew up in a fantastic community where I was able to try everything and anything I wanted to. I really didn't realize how lucky I was to have those opportunities until now, when I see what the kids in Saco don't have access to.
My parents let me try it all, and the Tri-Cities provided endless opportunities to do so - I played softball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, did a ton of figure skating, summer track clubs, summer band camps, dabbled in ballet, gymnastics, clogging, and took years of piano lessons.
There are so many other things that my parents let me do, and many of them weren't free. Thank you, mom and dad, for letting the sky be the limit and letting me experience all of those activities. I have memories from all of those that helped shape me into who I am today.
I bring this up not just because it's part of the season of thankfulness (Turkey Day, coming right up!) but because my parents are getting ready to move away from that place that I know as home base. The town where I learned how to hurdle, how to skate, the driveway I shot hoops in, the house I first practiced piano in.
 |
| Pretty sure I'm rockin' a Scooby Doo bathing suit. |
Plus, I'm having my own Montana, adventure, right? Growing up is weird, like, I had no problem leaving the house for college in another state, but now that I have my own home, you can't help but wish everything else could stay exactly how it was.
But just like the seasons change, and it gets darker earlier and earlier every night, we find the things to look forward to and make a difference where we can. For instance... I may just decorate the inside of my house for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving! Oh the horror!
And before we know it, the days will start to get longer again, and the world will continue to spin, regardless of who our President is or what our trials may be. Our Life Night at youth group this week was about trusting God, and it really made me think. So many times we think we know best, and we think we don't need him. But it is in these changing times that we need him the most.
 |
| My new jewelery from Farmgirl Paints Etsy |
Even though Josey and I are paving our own path out here on the Hi-Line, we still need Him. And I like to wear my reminder of who's really in charge. Lead me Lord, by the light of truth!
Til next time,
Chelsea
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