Week #26 & 27 @ The Dahlhouse

Summertime is in full swing at the Dahlhouse.  I am enjoying having a more relaxed schedule.  Even within the down time of summer, we continue to have a "schedule".   Monday's find us traveling to and fro from our little community library.  I finally found it!  It is the sweetest little library and perfect for my kiddos to peruse the aisles searching for the perfect book.  Bella calls it "book shopping" and cracks me up each time she says it. 

Water fills many of our hot days. 

Because this little one LOVES water sooo much, we have decided not to set up our big pool this summer.  Instead we have opted for a smaller pool that can be emptied when finished.

However, the size of the pool does not stop the big kiddos from joining in on the activities.  Pool is a pool.  LOL.  Grace is a joy!  She and Matthew have such a special bond and Grace is an excellent helper.  I can always count on her for Matthew help.  She is growing up.  Can't.even.believe.it!

Even though it is summer, the process of fighting and advocating for my kids does not take time off.  Even on a warm Monday, you can find us in the doctor's office with double appointments because this mama has a concern.  Man...I LOVE MY BOYS!  Luke is struggling...he is such a sweet, beautiful soul.  What a privilege to be his mama.  In the midst of Luke's of trials and hard stuff....I am crazy, deeply grateful for my amazing son!  He bring such joy and how I love him and the good God that brought us together.  Pray for him if you think of him.  We've had some very hard days around these parts. 

And oh Matthew...the little person I wished for that I didn't know that I needed!  Matthew is in Infant Toddler Early Intervention.  We have therapy for him for language delays.  He also is tip toe walking. I am concerned and needed the doctor to look at him.  After an exam and four xrays that left us both sweating and crying, he was referred for a pediatric therapy evaluation.  Knowledge is power.  We will be happy if he is fine, and happy to get help if he needs it. 

I finished this book in June.  Wow!  I knew it would be a hard read...and it was.   As a mama that has had both life and death within her...that has said goodbye to three little babies I never knew...my soul needed to read this.  I needed to feel it again.  I needed to grieve a bit more.  I needed to let myself go there.  And I did.  I cried the ugly cry more than once and surprised myself that even after 15, 14 and 12 years ago of losing my babies, the memories, the pain, the dreams and hopes for these little tiny humans were still there.  I allowed myself to feel it and talk about it.  And.it.was.good.  I am glad that I read this book. 

My photobook from Shutterfly arrived.  I designed one about our anniversary trip to Hawaii.  It turned out better than I expected and I highly recommend them.

My scar from my skin cancer is healing very well.  It is better than I could have imagined!  I am very happy. 

 Everyone needs a batman in their life!

 And a baby with a cat on their heads!  Thank you Facebook messenger!!!

 BBQing at Mimi and Papa's.

 Holding on to Hope while parenting on difficult days.

Bella had the opportunity to take a Mandarin lesson through a company called Lingo Bus.  It is a partner company with the one I work for VIPKID.  She loved it!  She is obsessed with Chinese culture.  She loves Panda's, Chinese food and learning people's names in Chinese.  I heart her so!

We've been selling pizza cards as a fundraiser for 4h.  This is our new mini rex rabbit.  She is super soft.

Papa and Mimi took Luke this last weekend for an overnight at their house.  They also took him golfing!  I am hoping that Luke will be able to join the high school golf team in a couple of years.  He really loves it and I think it would be very good for him.

Finally two of my kids promoted grades/classes on Sunday!  Bella moved up to the first grade class.  And Luke graduated out of children's church on Sunday mornings.  He is now going to be a helper for the younger kids classes.  Grace is excited as well because she gets to begin going to youth group.  Tonight is her first night!

VIPKID Teaching Work From Home Update (6 months Later)

You guys...I am just a few days away from my six month anniversary at VIPKID!  What an incredible six months it has been!  I thought I would give you all a little update about my first months at VIPKID. 

First off...I was hired in the middle of January, which is quite possibly the worst time for beginning to teach at VIPKID due to the start of Chinese New Year.  It was a very slow start.  Although, because I was very part time, it didn't bother me.  In January I taught a total of six classes. LOL.  February I moved along and taught 35 classes.  That was just enough to hit the first bonus of an extra .50 cents a class.  I was thrilled.  The following month I taught 63 classes and in April 73 classes.  In the month of May I taught 96 classes!  This was a major victory for me!  I am so happy to have found something that I can do entirely at home, and mainly while my kids are sleeping.  My job takes little time away from my babies, and I have little to no stress associated with my position.  I work the days and the hours I decide.  Yes, there is a sacrifice because I get up early a few days a week.  But, I have come to love the quietness of those early hours, and enjoy my time that I spend getting a glimpse into China.  It always amazes me to hear the honking of cars in China, seeing the sun set while the sun here is rising. 

VIPKID is really a fun place to work.  They have all sorts of incentives, contests, bonuses and they truly care about the people who work for them.  I have had fun digging out my teaching materials to see what I can use to teach my Chinese students.  I have built up a small clientele of students who regularly see me, and even a couple of students who exclusively see me.

Technology is amazing.  This is a view from my app on my phone.  It is wonderful to be able to look at my schedule and classes from my iPhone. 

My desk will typically look like this after my morning classes.  We have fun, sing songs, practice words, play games.  Lots of props and high energy is needed.

Recently, I moved my desk and set up downstairs.  With the kids' doors closed and their white noise machines on they cannot hear me teaching downstairs.  It has made my life a lot easier to be out of our walk in closet.  I can finally breathe!  This is a picture of my new set up.  VIPKID has brought me a lot of joy and given me my love for teaching back.  I always tell people I NEVER would have imagined myself working for an online company.  VIPKID is totally legit.  I've been paid every month on time, and I enjoy teaching my special little ones on the other side of the word.  It is only one computer trip away. 

If you would like more information on how you can become a VIPKID teacher please feel free to contact me @ misscarissa@hotmail.com   I would love to share more with you.  If you apply you can use one of the below codes or link.  They both work.  This is not a multilevel marketing company, however, if you are hired, I get a little monetary bonus.  I just signed my second contract and look forward to another six months with this awesome company!

VIPKID WEBSITE

copy and paste into sign up page:

referral link:      https://t.vipkidteachers.com/?refereeId=3266666referral code: 01Y0KQ 

Week #24 & #25 @ The Dahlhouse

Weeks #24 and #25 were a blur of activities.  The beginning of week #24 had all the Dahl kids saying goodbye to their classmates as school came to an end.  The three of them each had an amazing year!  We are proud of the growth they all experienced and look forward to next year at Cornerstone. 

Blessings come in all shapes an sizes, and this one is no exception.  Bella has been so sad about leaving our big play structure behind when we moved in January 2016.  Many tears have been shed over that play structure (especially when we found out that the new home owners chopped it up and dragged it out).  It, however, was too large for our new backyard.  One of my friends, Kim, posted on Facebook that they were giving this structure away for free if we took it apart.  Thankfully Mark is very handy.  Bella is thrilled with the new play structure, and it is the perfect size for our little backyard.  I especially like the covered rooms underneath and up top. With all the rain we get in the Pacific Northwest, it still means Bella can venture outside in rain boots.  I am certain Matthew will be following her shortly as we have discovered he is an outside kind of guy.  Thank you Kim! 

The middle of the week, I took all four kiddos to Luke's Casey Eye Appointment.  It is always an adventure with my bunch!!!  Good news is Luke's eyes remain stable.  The doctor actually allowed me to view what his glaucoma looked liked.  I also got to compare his eye photographs from years past too.  It is very interesting.  We all rode the tram up the hill, viewed the fish in the tank, and watched Cars in the exam room while waiting.  Matthew was pretty good up until the doctor came in.  He decided to have a blow out!  I took him to the bathroom that resembled one you would find on an airplane (seriously people it is a children's hospital) and used 10,000 wipes on a kiddo that needed a serious bath.  I couldn't find the plastic bags and the only spare outfit I had was a one piece sleeveless number. It was 60 degrees outside. I was laughing in the bathroom...because what else can you do?  We all survived the traffic home.  Memories.

VIPKID continues to go very well for me.  I love working out of my closet.  I sometimes have to remind myself that this whole thing is REAL!  I have an online job where I teach the sweetest kids in Beijing, China.  I have even built up a steady clientele of regular students.  One thing is for sure...we have FUN! 

I continue to heal after my bout with skin cancer.  I have a nice scar that will be a reminder for the rest of my life.  I have decided though that the scar means I survived.  I will proudly wear it as a reminder that God has things in control.  I won't leave this earth one minute before I am supposed to.  At times my shoulder is tender, but I am able to do more thing with my right arm now. 

I am soaking up every moment I can of his babyhood.  I love that he still lets me rock him to sleep.  I cherish the time. 

We celebrated Father's Day even though I ended up sick and I was the one that took the nap.  LOL.  We are all so thankful for Mark and the wonderful father he is.  We love you babe.

Mark transitioned back to traveling with the trains.  It means we are all in a period of adjustment.  Some of us are doing better with the change than others.  This first week back was rough (not.going.to.lie.)!  I have declared Monday's library day.  I finally found our adorable little library in Battle Ground.  The kids love to go and pick out books.  I am teaching Luke and Grace how to use the Library catalog, and how to search and put books on hold that they want to read.  I think they are getting the hang of it.

Still searching for the perfect laptop.   Suggestions?

Longest day of the year.  This is the view from Matthew's bedroom at 9:30pm. 

This boy LOVES outside!

Our newest rabbit addition...Pixie!

And finally...our favorite photographer took my kiddos 4th of July pictures!  We love you Brienne!  You are amazing.

A sneak peak!