The Cory Connection

Another Teen in the House

2012-01-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

This girl captured our hearts thirteen years ago, and we haven't looked back. Of course, I totally love the boys, but almost every day I wonder, "what would I do without a daughter?" Of course, I'm completely blessed by all three kids, but there is something wonderfully unique and totally special about having a daughter. Yep, she is 13. And almost all that goes with it. Cam is totally "my girl

To get the perfect family photo, there will be out takes!

2012-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

First, a special thanks goes out to my good friend with mad photography skills, Angela Lenssen. Yes, the same one that is in my blog roll on the right. Head over to her blog to see more of her great work!Second, anyone who thinks it is difficult to get little kids to cooperate during photo shoots, please take special note who is the goofiest Cory family member in these photos! Oh brother!Third,

She was a good sister wife.

2012-01-03T21:37:00.000-08:00

Our sweet Ellie dog is gone. She was 11 1/2 and suffered a stroke on Black Friday. She was touch and go for several days after that, but made a really impressive recovery, until about a week ago, and then she went back down that hill. She was suffering so we had to offer a last mercy to our dear old girl. We all stayed with her until her very last breath. Oh we'll miss her. But, like human

Missing Mom.

2011-12-19T22:53:00.001-08:00

Today is one of those days. No matter how old I am, there are some days more than others, that I really miss my Mom. Today was one such day. I miss her for the little things, a quick call to say hi, help with a recipe, and comparing notes about holiday plans. I miss her for the big things. Laughing with her. I miss providing her with updates about the kids…she loved them so much. I miss

Christmas Past, Present and Future...you be the judge.

2011-11-27T19:37:00.000-08:00

This picture is confusing, right?For my blog followers that have known me the longest, there is nothing confusing about this photo. Except that sofa. What was that about? Some bad decisions were made. If you know me now, mother of one handsome 6’1” green eyed brunette, you might be very confused. Look again. Spencer did not get a perm in his hair, nor is he likely to be holding any small baby

It all starts there and ends up here.

2011-11-22T21:02:00.000-08:00

Do you ever look back at your life and note similarity between your journey and the storyline of If You Give a Moose a Muffin? I do. Here goes:If you grow up in a rural area and find yourself needing a college education but no money to fund it, you go to community college. There, you do crazy things like cheerleading and pageants. Oh, and take a couple of classes. When you transfer to the “

This is going to hurt, and leave a mark. In two days.

2011-11-13T23:49:00.000-08:00

Yeah. Here is a little nugget of truth I'm slowly learning. If you get sucked into your email, TV, Facebook, and blogs, late on Sunday night you are doomed to a day of dog-tiredness on Tuesday. Right. Here I am. Reacquainting myself with Heather's blog . Her sense of humor reminded me of how much I like this blog . Then I remembered that my friend Shelle was a guest blogger on SCL, so I had

To Blog, or not to Blog. That is the question.

2011-10-28T20:40:00.001-07:00

Now that I have more time to read and follow blogs, I have noticed a sad trend of my friends blogging less. Truthfully, I have been blogging less too. What is up with all this? I miss reading their blogs and hearing interesting tidbits from their lives. I miss documenting my own life in this way as well. So, my 26 followers, I'll get back on this old horse soon. I am pondering, scheming, and

The end of summer...or is it?

2011-09-12T23:30:00.001-07:00

Even though the weather has been warmer the last 2 weeks than it was most of the summer in Pullman, I submit the following evidence that summer is indeed over, or rather, evidence of things we did this summer!Long road trip to Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa!Cam played goalie in the Palouse Cup Soccer Tournament.Vacation Bible School - Harrison attended and Camryn helped with the crafts.Last day of

The end of summer...or is it (part 2)?

2011-09-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

And even more summer "evidence"...Spencer learned to row.Harrison played baseball...again. Harrison finished his first year in Cub Scouts. I (with help) created large raised flower beds in the backyard.

Oops...I almost forgot I have a blog.

2011-07-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

So where was I? Oh right...catching things up. You know what is funny? My 3.4 blog followers know I love to scrapbook. They also know I don't commit photos to paper in chronological order...I create as I feel led, and then place them in order in albums later. So why can't I seem to do that here...on this blog? That is a bigger question for another day. So, continuing in the "I only blog

Shout to the Lord....

2011-06-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

What a lovely and blessed weekend I just had. Crafting with friends, good talks with the kids, time at the river with friends, and the best of all...this morning's worship at church. Yes, this is a departure from my usual more superficial prattling about my kids, spouse, life, etc. The message I heard today was loud and clear. I am made to worship. You are made to worship. God loves us and

Pre-Doc Overview - Long Overdue

2011-06-07T21:02:00.000-07:00

Whew! Most of the last six months are a blur, populated only by a few important events and dissertation writing. Sure, the kids had the usual sports, music, and school activities, most of which yours truly attended in a fog of distraction and disengagement. Writing my dissertation was like birthing a baby…it was exhausting, but oh so very worth it. I offer you a glimpse into the brief “pauses”

Pre-Doc Overview - Awards, Honors, & Other Stuff

2011-06-07T20:55:00.001-07:00

It's hard not to be proud of my kids. Camryn was the April student of the month for the Kiwanis Club of Pullman. She was nominated by her classmates as a kind, helpful, loyal, and cheerful friend. Smile. Oh, yeah. She also got braces. Harrison finished his third book in AWANA and got another Sparky Award this year. Spencer wore my Save the Hooters (breast cancer awareness) shirt for "Wear

Pre-Doc Overview - Make a Joyful Noise

2011-06-07T00:15:00.001-07:00

Camryn's first year in band went well...she enjoyed playing sax, but wasn't to keen about getting up early twice a week for jazz band. Spencer continued playing his sax in jazz band this year, but learned to play the trombone for the concert band. Sadly, he won't be continuing in band next year...too many electives to take to prep for college and not enough hours in the day. Harrison had his

Pre-Doc Overview - Easter

2011-06-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

After conducting a lovely graveside memorial for Nate, our pet squirrel of 5 days, we came home and dyed Easter eggs. Nate's story will have to be told another day...consider this a teaser. On another note, what on earth do colored eggs have to do with the Messiah? People (us included) are weird.Not only are colored, hard-boiled eggs "weird", but so is the idea of filling plastic eggs with

Pre-Doc Overview - Winter/Spring Sports

2011-06-06T23:36:00.000-07:00

All three kids play (and love) soccer. Camryn plays goalie quite a bit, Harrison plays whatever position is moving the ball (Ha!), and Spencer would play defender IF he could not hurt his back and actually be able to play. He has been fighting a chronic back injury since last fall and only suited up for a handful of games all year. Bummer for him. Harrison also played basketball (first time

Pre-Doc Overview - The Little Boy's Birthday

2011-06-06T23:19:00.001-07:00

My little guy thinks it is great to be eight! He salivated over a Pizza Pipeline Colossus pepperoni extravaganza, and invited friends to Zeppoz for bowling, cake, and ice cream! Good times were had by all...including me, who "took a break" from dissertation writing for this little shin-dig!How in the heck has time gone this fast?!

Pre-Doc Overview - The Big Boy's Birthday

2011-06-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

We almost always celebrate our kids' birthdays on their actual birthday at home with a "Birthday Breakfast" which usually consists of the a VERY large, and very unhealthy pancake (made by John) including birthday candles and singing. We had to hurry through this tradition with Spencer (he had a zero period class (7:15 am), so I quickly grabbed a Lightening McQueen candle. Ha!Jacqueline came

Where to start?

2011-06-04T23:17:00.001-07:00

I'm done PhD-ing, so you would think this blog would be blowing up, right? No really. Mid-life, regular, some boring, some interesting stuff has been happening. Come back soon. I'm working up a pithy, clever, and hopefully entertaining update. A

The REAL light at the end of the tunnel...

2011-04-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Most of my days since the last post were spent working on my diss (yes, the four-letter word for dissertation). Most of the days since the last post, I was 99% sure the light at the end of the tunnel was indeed a huge train that was going to just run me over. After very stressful revisions and rewrites going back and forth between my chair and I and at literally the last possible minutes of the

The light at the end of the tunnel...

2011-03-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

I have written and submitted 180+ pages of fascinating dribble to my chair. She has marked it up and provided good, but challenging feedback. I have re-written 30% of the paper in the last 8 days and will turn it in for another round of review tomorrow. Then wait. Yes, there is a light at the end of my dissertation tunnel...I just hope it isn't a train. If the next round of feedback sounds

A simple call.

2011-02-12T15:48:00.001-08:00

If you follow this blog, you know that I feel blessed in many areas of my life. I usually blog about family and friends, but today, I must share how blessed I am by the WSU fraternity and sorority students with whom I share my life every day. This just happened. Phone rings. Sigh...I'm not getting as much writing done today as I had hoped I would. The IFC President is on the other end of the

videos...milestones and markers....

2011-01-31T20:57:00.000-08:00

Scroll down and read the next post first. Then, if the photos don't give it away...this will. Enjoy!A

Milestones and markers...

2011-01-31T20:36:00.000-08:00

There is a little bit of my kid's birthdays that is actually torture to me. With each passing birthday of theirs (and mine) I become more and more aware of my own mortality, and my precious limited days with them in my home and me in their life on a daily basis. Gloomy, yes. Nonetheless, this melancholy realization does spur me on in unusual ways. Feeling that "I'm missing it" is a huge

Why there aren't many photos of Anita & John...

2010-12-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

Options:1) We are rarely in the same place for longer than 10 seconds. No. 2) We believe being photographed will take part of our soul. No. 3) One of us is usually taking the photos of everyone else having a good time. Yes.4) Our camera does not have a remote. Yes. 5) We are difficult subjects to photograph. Yes...see for yourself. OK, it doesn't help that we had 3 helpers making fun of us,

Life moves fast. Cory year in review.

2010-12-23T19:07:00.001-08:00

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look once in awhile, you could miss it. --Ferris Bueller Well, I have finally arrived. You know, at that place in the space time continuum when you realize you actually do not have enough time to do what you want or need to do? Remember the good ‘ol days when the Cory Christmas card (all 100+ of them) was hand-crafted, contained a lengthy annual

Pullman...one of the best towns to raise kids in the US!

2010-12-18T19:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read that right. Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Businessweek featured about 50 top US small cities to raise a family (and live/work). A "top city" was selected from each of the states......drum roll please....Pullman is #1 for Washington! http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/dec201/bw20101214_289257.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories Of course it is. We do love this place and

A few of my favorite things about December

2010-12-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

This blog needed to move on from a focus on Punkins and Pumpkins. So much goes on in our lives that a person with more time, motivation, or time could/would blog about. So, this will have to bring us into the current month. Even though December seems to move along at warp speed and there is never enough time to do and enjoy all that I want to, I do love this month. Here are a few reasons (in

Pumpkins and my Punkins...

2010-11-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

Ah, I do love October. Fun times...

Old habits die hard, but they do die OR Lessons have been learned...

2010-10-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

If you grow up in small farmhouse in Nebraska, you really must learn from your mother and develop a knack for storing things in every nook, cranny, and some crevices in your own small kitchen when you grow up. For example. One might store large Tupperware containers full of chex mix, or another container with muffins in it in a cool oven. Some people might do that. Just sayin'. We decide to

My Bucket List

2010-10-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

No, this is not a post about the items on my what-to-do-before-I-die list, however, there are some doozies on that list. But that is for another post. This post is one of what will probably be several where I record items that have come to mind for the post-PhD Bucket List. Right, these are the things I am looking forward to doing after I finish. Thank you to several friends for suggesting I

The road to a PhD...

2010-10-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

...is a long one. But, at least progress has been made. First, you take classes part time for 4 years...2 every semester and 1 in the summer. Some of the classes are amazing, fun, and so much is learned. Some just feel like a hoop to jump through. You miss family fun in various forms, aren't "available" for much and spend 2 nights a week away from home (in addition to work stuff). Sigh. Then

This weekend feels like summer again...

2010-09-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

...so here is a look back at our summer stay-cation. The blog has already shown you our camping trip to Lake Wallowa and the enormous fireplace project (which, is regretably at a standstill). In between, we had a visit from my Dad and sister, Gena, a stop at Cat Tails in Spokane, fun at the waterpark, a 4th of July BBQ (with great friends) and Vacation Bible School. Not bad for not doing "

It's been a big week...

2010-08-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

Very unceremoniously, the first day of school has arrived. After a seemingly short and cool summer, one not full enough of days at the pool, time with friends, and no family vacay to speak of, fall is here. This year, as my blog followers have come to expect, there were the first day of school photos. There are differences though...Spencer started 9th grade at Pullman. High. School. Yes, I am

Blessings come in many forms...

2010-07-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

Some blessings are easy to spot: a new friendship, connecting with an old friend, healthy kids, a meaningful job, a quality education, a house to call home and so many others. But, when I heard my husband pray at dinner last night, "Lord thank you for the blessing of hard work for me to do" I chuckled. He is, of course, referring to the demolition project pictured below (double-click to

Metaphorically speaking...

2010-07-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

Camryn had a really crazy, fun, girl-time yesterday with three other middle school girls at the river (after the church picnic), that turned into a spontaneous sleepover, full of hair-fixing, clothes swapping, and makeovers. All that turned into the majority of today being spent with one of the new friends. Hearing about all the fun and seeing the result of the aforementioned activities, made me

A year, A blink.

2010-07-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

One year ago tonight, according to the calendar, my Mom was freed from the ravishes that ALS had taken upon her body. She had been trapped in her own skin for more than a year, dependent upon others to care for her every need. Many "angels on earth" lovingly did so. Her spirit, her mind, her...everything else was fine. She was the same old Mom. No maybe a better Mom. She knew where she was

Memorial Weekend Camping Re-Cap

2010-06-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

We had been planning the Memorial Weekend camping trip to Wallowa Lake (near Joseph, OR) ever since a spontaneous lunch after church back in March with the Schumachers. Add John’s Mom, Chris, coming over the same weekend for a visit, and we knew this was the makings of a great family memory. It was, in so many more ways than you can imagine. We enjoyed a beautiful, 2+ hours scenic drive to get

Another Rite of Passage...

2010-06-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

The little girl has been gradually, and now suddenly, becoming a Tween. Even though Camryn is only 11 1/2, she seems so grown up now with her new hair cut, her 'new' height (5'3") and eagerness to start middle school next fall. We decided (John, Cam and I) a few years ago that she would have to wait to pierce her ears until she was finished with elementary school and on her way to middle school.

Rites of Passage

2010-05-25T00:37:00.000-07:00

Camryn has experienced another big thing recently. After many months of hoping it was long enough (and it wasn't), the big day for a big change came last week! Take a look!She was growing her hair for the purpose of cutting it to donate to Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org). I can't believe how old she seems (and really is) now!A

There's music in the air...for all 3 kids!

2010-05-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

The Lincoln Middle School jazz band (the one I bragged about back in February) performed for us back in April. The photo and short video clip are from that night. The big Dude played in a really small saxaphone (not his usual alto sax) in a Saxaphone Octet at a Festival (but for whatever reason, I cannot get that video to load). Anyway, they received a 1 (high score). Yahoo!

More music, and a little acting...in the air

2010-05-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

The little dude was the “ham” at his K-1st Muscial, E-I, E-I, Oops! Basically, the kids were telling the story of a calf at Old Macdonald's farm that didn't know how to moo, so the other animals had to go through and each share their features and sounds to rule out what this non-mooing animal must be. I think. My friend April and I both wished for closed captioning for the "kid-musical

There's music in the air...

2010-05-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

Musicals. Recitals. Etc. The girl played the piano “publicly” at both a recital and 2 adjudications (perform for "critic") many times this spring. Take a looksie.

Catching up...Easter

2010-05-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Then, Easter. Thankfully it comes every year. It is good to reflect and remember….not so much on the eggs and the baskets, but on the Christ.

Catching up...school "stuff"...

2010-05-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

There has been school stuff. Girl is not that “sciency”. We tried. More school stuff. Oldest is not that into wearing a costume at Night of the Notables (he is Sir Ernest Shackleton, look him up) But he is a good student and was recognized at Awards Night for a couple of things.

Catching up...

2010-04-27T22:23:00.001-07:00

Birthdays. Holidays. Everyday. Get ready. This is the “Catch up, Catch all” post I warned you about. OK…blog followers. Three kids, three birthdays. Less than 30 days. Yeah, it’s a blast.

Oh brother. There is a pattern emerging here.

2010-04-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, it’s true. I’ve become a sporadic blogger. The top reasons (aka excuses) for this approach to my blog include:5. Writing a lengthy discourse analysis paper this semester has seemingly taken all of my time, and some of my joy. 4. My internet connection usually ‘takes a break’ right about when I think about blogging. 3. I’m behind on dealing with photos and videos (not to worry, there has

Harrison tells it like it is....23rd Psalm

2010-03-06T16:11:00.001-08:00

I love that he knows this one...It was one of my Mom's favorites! A

yet more evidence he is not a baby anymore...

2010-02-25T22:39:00.000-08:00

I try to be objective about my kids. I don't think they are always perfect, right, or otherwise adorable to everyone who knows them. But, seriously, can I be a super-duper proud Mom here? The back story:Kid #1 has the hair, plays soccer, is smart, but is also...a band kid. Plays alto sax. Pretty well to this untrained ear. A couple of weeks back there was a regional music "contest" and

He is NOT a baby anymore...

2010-02-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

Fourteen years ago tonight, puffed up like a hip-hop-o-potimous, I prepared for bed. Sure, I was "on bedrest" with soaring blood pressure, but like many first-timers, I "didn't get it". This is the night that my life changed forever. For the better. Due to the crazy blood pressure, Spencer Clayton could not stay in "casa de Mom" any longer and he was abruptly brought into this world via

I am leading a blessed life...

2010-01-27T23:41:00.000-08:00

Really I am. Recently, one of the few times in my adult life, I was really really wondering, what God was doing (with me specifically). You know, the times that you question the Almighty God, Creator of the University, about His decision making? Yeah, I know. Super. Duper. Arrogant and weak. Actually, I didn't think God was engineering the challenging situation (no, that had the

And the winner on my blog is....drum roll please...

2010-01-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks for participating in our blog hop! We all had a ton of fun with this! The winner of the "mysterious" prize on my blog (uh, because I forgot to post a photo of it) is... mom2m4boys! She said she would wish for: 1 - a cure for my sons rare disease 2 - that I will never lose any loved ones 3 - that i will have a happy marriage and happy family forever I hope her

Welcome Blog Hoppers!

2010-01-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

Ah, my friend Angela Lenssen, of the Paper Pals Design Team is really really creative, don't you agree? Not only is she creative enough that Creating Keepsakes featured her in this month's issue (p. 18), but she is so clever and has created this blog-hopping extravaganza for all of us to enjoy! Start over at her blog and join in the fun between now and 8:00 pm on January 25th! So, if you

snippets of life....

2009-12-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

There is a quote that goes something like this..."we don't remember the days, we remember only moments". So true. I don't think I remembered this moment until I just found it on our computer. The sweet, silly antics of a 6 year old boy are certainly worth remembering!

2009-12-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!If you are new to this blog and visiting it as if it were the “Christmas newsletter” that you had hoped Anita would write, WELCOME!In a nutshell, if you spend a little time on this blog, you’ll see and hear a lot about our year. Consider the following a brief overview of what you’ll find. John and Anita both still work at WSU which we are grateful for in this

A big decision and a big day for our “big” girl…

2009-12-23T21:58:00.000-08:00