camp tschetter

snow days

2012-02-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

Flakes fell, the island shut down, school was canceled and the kids enjoyed a surprise, week-long, mid-January break! Day one, during what would have been morning class, we were homebound...

And, I don't think they could have been happier about it.

1.23

2012-01-25T15:12:00.001-08:00

one...

two...

three...

four...

five...

six...

seven...

eight!!!

a pea party

2012-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

1.21.12

pajamas

purple

polka dots

paint

piggies

pedicures

pastries

presents

pink

pooped

pleased

yellow stripe

2012-01-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

yay, Cole!!

o christmas tree

2011-12-31T17:25:00.000-08:00

december

2011-12-30T22:37:00.000-08:00

the letter 8.0

2011-12-18T23:53:00.000-08:00

Mid-December of Christmas past, we were still without a tree, and I was short on holiday cheer. I stirred from restless sleep on a morning much like this and spilled out thoughts that became our annual Christmas letter. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred or so minutes later, I sit fireside, wrapped in the same blanket and nestled in the same chair. Today my spirits are high, my well is full, our tree is trimmed and even some holiday shopping’s been done. This morning, my only companions are quiet, solitude, tea and time. I am poised and ready to write. And yet, as I consider the seasons, the months, the days, the hours, the minutes and even the heartbeats and breaths of the rich year of life that has been lived since last December, my thoughts are plenty, but the words are few. For the first time in eight Decembers, I don’t have much to say.

Paul, the kids and I are settling into our third year on Whidbey, and as such, the initial shock (and aftershock) has subsided. We are becoming invested and more firmly rooted in this rural island community. The Pacific Northwest continues to make its case (from the ferry yesterday, Paul and I saw a sea lion AND an aircraft carrier (!!!)), and it is leaving an impression (this morning, I chopped kindling and built a fire donning wool, fleece, fingerless gloves and dreadlocks (huh?!)).

Yes, 2011 has certainly brought its share of ups, downs, insides and outs, like most years do. We reached milestones, and then the next day came. Dreams came true; winds of change blew. Both memories and mistakes were made. We laughed. We cried. We worked. We played. We slowed way down, sped back up and saw much less of one another than we have in years past. The unthinkable occurred. It humbled, silenced and stilled. And in its wake remain gratitude, fortitude, love, possibility and friendship.

I’m speechless. So, in the hush of this December, I asked my family if they have anything to share.

In response, Maya (7.9) – tenderhearted, ever-jumping, old soul – shook her butterscotch ringlets and said, “No… may I have a snack?” Hmmm. Yoda-loving, leading man, Mr. Cole (6.5), beamed with bright eyes and dimples when he responded, “I like Legos®. Do you like Legos®?” Uh huh. And even Paul (37.2) stared blankly in response to my solicitation. “Huh…. What’d you say? What do you want me to say? Merry Christmas,” he replied, then smiled his sweet, steady smile and walked away. Sigh.

I think that sums it up.

A full and frenzied forty-three hundred minutes have passed since this letter began. My husband and children have retired for tonight, and I am back to thinking in my chair – wrapped in the blanket where I began. But early this morning, I was not alone. Rather, I sat with my family around the swing that hangs from a mighty tree just outside the house. I ran back and forth in the crisp and cool of this morning from swing to camera and back again. As we sat together, we didn’t say much, but we laughed a lot. We waited for the red light to stop flashing, and in the stillness that followed, we smiled.

This December, we are quietly suspended in the calm between heartbeats and breaths. Paul, the kids and I have so much for which and so many for whom we feel grateful. We’ll probably have more to say about it in 2012, but for now, we wish you peace… and snacks… and Legos®… and a Merry Christmas!

~ Paul, Abi, Maya and Cole

chopsticks and a nutcracker

2011-11-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

gratitude

2011-11-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

kids rock

2011-10-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, I went in to clean my guest/kids' bathroom,

and I found one more reason why I love having children...

hannah and george

2011-08-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

weekend guest

2011-07-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

the fourth

2011-07-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Eleven score and fifteen years ago, some guys declared independence and our nation has been celebrating ever since.

For us the fourth is especially sweet. It marks milestones, beginnings and the beginnings of ends. It means flags and camp fires and the Maxwelton Beach Parade. We remember Denver, America and Paris. We think and talk about the people who have come and changed and gone. We eat ice cream cones, and we give thanks for our freedom. We celebrate vision, courage, the adoption of a Declaration and the adoption of...

...a Bear-Bear.

hangin w/ mesty

2011-07-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

six

2011-06-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Friday marked the conclusion of an especially busy week for our family.
It was a particularly big day for Cole. School ended for the summer, his beloved kindergarten teacher retired, he spent an afternoon of make-believe, popsicles and sunshine at the park with his buddies, and...

... our little man turned six!!

graduation

2011-06-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

bridging

2011-06-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

the chum run

2011-06-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

one race.

two runners.

3.1 miles.

four ears...

...five bagels, six orange slices a ton of water

and one proud papa at the finish line!

circus bezerkus!!

2011-05-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

family

2011-05-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

mother's day

2011-05-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

oh yeah... april

2011-05-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

holy saturday

2011-05-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

first thursday, cont'd.

2011-04-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

An Art Walk with my Kids
photos by Abi T.

first thursday

2011-04-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

An Art Walk with Our Mom

photos by Maya and Cole

april fools

2011-04-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

Paul and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary at a quaint cabin on the Olympic Peninsula. While our kiddos were with grandma, we were with each other.

I rarely get to be just and to just be with my husband. It was glorious to share day after day of undivided attention -- to sleep in, to play games, to listen to music, to dance, to sit around, to split a pizza and an uninterrupted bottle of wine, to explore a national park and stay as long as we wanted.

Yes, it was glorious.

and lazy.

And extraordinary.

Our milestone came and went, and then we all returned home.

This family and this life is everything and nothing like I imagined when I vowed and promised on that beach in Malibu a decade ago. Seasoned spouses warned that everything would change once we added children to the mix.

They were right.

A week ago, as we danced in that dark, candle lit cabin, Paul told me that he loves me more today than he did when he married me. And now we're home, and it's raining, and we have two children. And they are giggling and running around the house, and Paul is asleep in our bedroom. And I'm keeping company in the living room with my computer and snapshots from another week in our lives. Spring Break is over and our every day and ordinary resumes in the morning.

Everything has changed.

I love him more too.

daylight savings

2011-03-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Schoenbachers came up from Olympia last weekend. It rained. We talked. We zumba'd. We grilled. We bowled. We played games. We stayed up late. We lost an hour. We brunched. It kept on raining, and we had a good time nonetheless...

mammalia

2011-03-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

On the way home from school, the kiddos and I happened into a car-ride conversation about mammals. I don't recall exactly how we got there, but we did. For 15 minutes, we brainstormed all the mammals we could think of: monkeys, horses, hippos, cats, dogs... Mrs. Itaya.

We wondered about pigs and discussed warm blood, cold blood, feathers and fur. We considered snakes, reptiles, birds and fish.

What if it's sunny outside and you are cold-blooded. What if it's snowing and you are warm-blooded?

"What if you are bald, are you still a mammal?" Maya asked.

If a man is bald, might he still have fur on his arms and under them? On his legs or his toes or his back, in his ears, on his face or elsewhere? She pondered this, then turned to Cole.

"Will you have a beard?" she asked. And together, the three of us shared a good laugh.

While driving 55 on 525, I turned to picture my sweet-faced, smooth skinned, dimpled little boy all huffy and gruff with facial hair. I'm not sure whether to chortle or to sob about the the idea of Cole shaving.

bewitched by bugs bunny

2011-03-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

mismatched

2011-03-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Another day. Another load of laundry. Another kid-sock gone missing... and I'm here on my chair this stormy Friday afternoon, marveling and wondering: how in the world is this POSSIBLE??

feels like home

2011-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

It's winter on Whidbey... and this morning it feels like it.

The first flakes fell upon yesterday's conclusion, and this morning, we awoke to crisp air, the wonder or white and exciting news of a 2-hour school delay!

My kiddos spent their matutinal gift in snowdrifts, Paul played with the camera, and I was breathless and speechless as I soaked it all in. Right now I feel warm, and I'm basking in fond thoughts of home.

I LOVE this.

a staycation

2011-02-21T21:35:00.000-08:00

seattle - midwinter break 2011

dream date

2011-02-21T21:17:00.000-08:00

Upon my return from my fourth Nutcracker with Maya,

Cole asked me out on a date -- his dream date.

Saturday was our big (and beautiful) day.

super bowl

2011-02-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

Paul was sunning with his brother post-surgery in San Diego, so the kids and I flew solo last weekend. We missed the big game on Sunday -- it was one of a handful of times in the last couple years that I've missed our big ole' Trinitron -- but we made the best of it...

fifty-two

2011-02-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Ms. Barbara!!

january '11

2011-02-10T11:36:00.001-08:00

all i want...

2011-01-09T23:30:00.001-08:00

And that was 2010 -- six months, ten posts, nine hours,
and one now-blank memory card later -- whew!!

This afternoon, just two weeks shy of her seventh birthday...

Maya lost her sixth tooth (sigh).

december '10

2011-01-09T23:04:00.001-08:00

fall '10

2011-01-09T21:35:00.001-08:00

summore summer '10

2011-01-09T17:39:00.000-08:00

And in the sun-kissed spaces between...

we spent time with some family...

caught up with old friends...

...and made some new ones.

We moved on...

grew up...

ran for a while...

... and played.

We took some risks...

faced some fears...

stepped outside...

... gained fresh perspective

...and in the end, as the tides and leaves began to turn,
light triumphed over darkness, and love endured.

ahhh, september

2011-01-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

in September...

the kiddos returned to school and their dadda turned thirty-six.

virginia '10

2011-01-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

in August...

we traveled over a river, through the woods, on a ferry, on two planes, back in time, on a roller coaster and through a water park to Grandma's house and back.

fat camp reunion

2011-01-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

in July...

the fat crew reconvened.

super hot '10

2011-01-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

at the end of June...

we went to the desert.

five bat years

2011-01-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

on the seventeenth of June...

our superhero turned five.

brace yourself

2011-01-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

It's a new year, I'm feeling motivated (and I need to return the camera I've been borrowing for the last six months)...

christmas present, 2010

2010-12-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

It is mid December – the most wonderful time of the year. Anticipation is rising and carols ride the waves. The true meaning of the season is being preached from pulpits as malls and schedules swell. Scrooges, Fezziwigs and Cratchits alike are drunk on holiday cheer, and the pressure to purchase and to process is mounting. Yet there are no presents under our tree (we don’t actually have a tree yet), and I’m struggling to write this letter.

In Christmases past, I reveled in the sights, sounds and smells of the season. I sang the songs, spent the cash (and credit), and I was surrounded by people I adore. Only time will tell what will be of Christmases to come, but this is the reality of Christmas present: I am finding the holidays increasingly difficult to “do.”

“Give good gifts,” I implored in the last letter I wrote, and then well-meaning loved ones lavished towers of bright paper packages tied up with the string upon us… not exactly what I had in mind. Since then, Paul, Maya, Cole and I have scaled back, dared to believe, taken some risks and by way of grace, we are living a rich life in the woods. We are experiencing so much more with so much less. Even still, I haven’t figured out how this life fits in at this time of year. I’m not sure where to put more stuff we don’t need or how to live simply when packages arrive and my kiddos are thinking, “Screw simplicity, and bring on those presents!”

I thought this was a Christmas letter, you may be wondering. What about the highlights and syrupy updates? Well, in a nutshell: we sold our house and much of our stuff, chased some dreams, and on our way to Texas, we moved to an island in Washington (I’m serious). Maya (6) learned to read, lost some teeth and found her style. Cole (5) wore a cape (everyday… for a year), discovered Legos and started kindergarten. Paul sold a business, bought a boat (which is now for sale… interested?) and for fun, rides atop waves he splashed in as a child (pulled by a kite). As for me, I cut my hair (on a whim… with kitchen shears), found my way – fueled by love, Hope, Joy… and Zumba – to the bright side of a dark depression, and now, between cleaning and writing days, I teach 6-8 classes each week clad in neon and dancing to Latin music until I am all giddy and drenched.

As you can imagine, far more has happened since I wrote last. Honestly, to attempt to condense this beautiful story of the last two years – with its chapters of challenge, triumph and amazing grace – into a page would be a profound disservice. Let me say, however, that we are each becoming ourselves. We are home, we are loved and we are doing well – better than we’ve ever been – as individuals and as a family.

And yet, the space between us and many persons whom we love has increased. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up Christmas morning to discover it was all a dream? But the bittersweet reality is my pop princess and I don’t always (i.e. this morning) see eye-to-eye on hair, accessories or the appropriate attire for school. My superhero – who’s fighting crime and a bug – just vomited all over the floor (thank God for hardwood!). And we will spend this Christmas away from people we love – some by choice, others by chance and circumstance.

But in this space and the time that has passed between Christmases past and this one, reside a good gift. And as I look to the future, I see potential (and tinsel). I feel gratitude for this wonderful and difficult and beautiful life. I have known the greatest gift of unconditional love. In my children’s eyes, I see health and hope, promise and possibility. In my husband’s arms I find strength, adventure, confidence and companionship. Thankfully, I stand beside a willing partner in this dance.

I have been given dear friends who have become family and dear family who have become friends. I’ve witnessed miracles that can come when competition gives way to cooperation. And although this letter has reached its conclusion with neither a tree, nor a bright red bow of resolution, I know that God has blessed us indeed. To Him and to you we say thanks… and Merry Christmas.

~Abi, Paul, Maya and Cole

conversations, cont'd

2010-12-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

In and out of thoughts and daydreams, as I drove my children to school yesterday morning, I tuned in and back out of a conversation they were having...

COLE: If Maya wasn't your name, what name would you want to have?

My curious ears perked up...

MAYA: Umm... Nashiko.

Nashiko. Mmmm hmmm, that's EXACTLY what I was thinking.

August?!

2010-11-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

There are SO many wonderful stories to be told and even more pictures sitting on my camera right now... SIGH.

rake?

2010-08-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

We were pulling weeds in the garden yesterday when Maya asked me a question I didn't expect to hear for another decade.

"Momma, when can I date?" she asked with a giggle, a shoulder-shrug and a well-rehearsed bat of her lashes.

At first, I thought she said rake, but after inquiring further, I confirmed that my SIX-YEAR OLD did indeed ask me when she can date.

The background blurred, time slowed to molasses, I think I went numb, mumbled something about being sixteen, stammered about not dating until I was well into college (a slight exaggeration); then I resolved to just shut my mouth and play it cool. I don't recall how the conversation ended (perhaps it's because I passed out, bumped my head and blocked the whole thing out).

OK, that last part's not true either, but it happened in my imagination when the conversation played over again in my mind last night.

Sixteen hours later, I'm watching my little girl spring about the house with her mermaid Barbie and wondering: Excuse me, whah?!? What WAS that? The dating things is bound to come up again before 2020, so what do I do?

I think I might need a strong drink and a sedative.

ritz crackers

2010-06-02T09:32:00.001-07:00

thank you.

last hurrah

2010-05-28T23:04:00.000-07:00

reaping and sewing

2010-05-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

Four years have passed since I first (and last) used needle and thread.

Three days remain until preschool breaks for the summer.
Two Tschetter tschildren came armed with stuffed animals,
exceptionally long hand-me-downs and big dreams
to One mom with a freshly dusted sewing machine and time...

(oh the possibilities)

Bear-Bear (before)

... and after!

O'Neil (before)

... and after!

sleepover

2010-05-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

wonder and saving grace

2010-05-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I've set aside some time to attend to my camera.

It's amazing to me how quickly old photos pile up and get stuck there or deleted or banished to nameless files on my computer. Today, I found two pictures from the 14th of April worthy of saving -- not because of their quality, but because of their content: another day in the life of...

These photos mark a moment in a day that could have so easily slipped away save the wonder of digits and markers and paper and imagination. Thank you for all of the above and both of the below.

Late that afternoon, as my kiddos busily attended to the fantastical world that rests in the space between school bus and bed time, they ascended the stairs in search of supplies -- scissors... pencils... staples... tape...

Rapt in smiles and secrecy, they hurriedly descended the stairs to that particular afternoon's project. At one point I heard more laughter and Maya say something about removing her shirt (?!?). A few minutes later the dynamic duo returned to receive some final assistance and to share the fruits of their labor.

They absolutely floored me that day, and nearly three weeks later, I'm still smiling as I remember my august, mid-April encounter with two superheroes.

The accessories have varied, the Velcro has vanished, but come rain or shine, daytime or nighttime, school pictures or... Easter, Cole is still wearing the cape he made over SIX months ago. And when equipped with space and colors and an infinite supply of paper, the measure of Maya, my wonder woman, never ceases to amaze.

"The more I wonder, the more I love," Alice Walker once wrote, and I re-read this morning. Mmm hmm. I keep hearing and reading that these wonderful moments will pass me by. Savor, they say. Wonder, she says.

Today, my home is quiet, and I am here with silence and time and words and photos on my camera. My house is momentarily empty, yet wonder and gifts abound. Grace has granted two more reasons to love my life, to mark its moments, to rejoice and to say thank you.

Thank you.

a wooden anniversary

2010-05-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

We were a stop on Ray and Perla's anniversary trip up to Vancouver. Thankfully. We got to spend a few days of good weather, good conversation, good wine and good food with dear friends.

Here in the woods on this island, I'm learning that distance and time don't matter as much as I once thought, where love and friendship dwell. Nearly a year has passed, yet we picked up where we left off. Our present time spent together was comfortable-- canorous -- even sweeter than past times I recall.

Five years later, they have become family.

Perla, Ray, many thank yous, and happy Fifth.

a strong finish

2010-04-12T11:33:00.001-07:00

Spring Break Staycation.

Day Seven.

Oak Harbor, WA

La Conner, WA

Skagit Valley, WA

thank you for WA.

rhyme and reason

2010-04-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Staycation.
Day Four.

Stop, bad guys!
Please move out of the way
'Cause Batman saves the day.
Happy Birthday, Batman, Hooray!

Please be kind if you want to come to the party.

~Cole

i spy...

2010-04-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Staycation.
Day One.

(thanks again for the puzzle, Grandma).

paul's eyes

2010-04-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Paul walks our beach every Saturday morning.
This weekend, he took his time and the camera...

a good friday

2010-04-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Joy

Cedar

Izzy

Leo

Violet

Sylvan

Thank you.

into the woods with grandma

2010-03-25T16:42:00.001-07:00

on a log

2010-03-08T21:30:00.001-08:00

sunday drive

2010-02-28T21:23:00.000-08:00

signs of spring

2010-02-24T20:56:00.000-08:00

I fondly remember Maya's predictable days of old. One of my favorite memories is her daily, midday costume change. When the clock struck three, my princess disappeared to her room, and without fail, she went from pigtails and dresses to a pink ball gown and tiara.

My friend Paula once encouraged me to enjoy the sweetness of those days, because they would just end one day. Impossible, I think I responded aloud.

Paula was right.

Along side kindergarten came the school bus, the Tooth Fairy, the mysterious appeal of teenagers and hot lunches and the end of dresses. Maya -- the artist, the independent -- emerged with Autumn's vibrant colors.

As the days got shorter and colder, Maya's costumes changed. She began to roll her eyes at suggestions of hair clips, long-sleeved shirts or heaven forbid, skirts. Instead, she preferred to do her own hair, brush her own teeth and pick out her own clothes. By Christmas, we had purged her closets of all her unworn dresses and replaced them with consigned basics of her new outfit of choice: a t-shirt, athletic pants, an oversized sweatshirt and rain boots.

"This too shall pass," my mom said recently with a knowing smile.

Early last week, Maya was the first to notice the tiny pink buds blossoming on our neighbor's tree. Since then, the cherry blossoms have blossomed, and clusters of trees all over town are covered in pink.

Paul invited Maya to a local Daddy-Daughter ball, which they attended over the weekend. I was shocked when Maya described the outfit she had in mind for the night: a long skirt that touched the ground and gloves, maybe (huh?!). The second shock came when we entered Maya's closet on Friday afternoon and found NOT EVEN ONE dress.

Nevertheless, we took our chances and spent Saturday in the sun. Paul, the kiddos and I drove up the Island to Ebey's Landing for a picnic and a hike. It was glorious.

On the way home, we stopped by Good Cheer, a thrift store in Freeland. Just past the few girls' dresses, Maya uncovered a satin lilac skirt -- size 10 (no matter, it touched the floor) and a cranberry top (size 6... phew) with flecks of silver in it. Perfect.

She asked me if I would please help her to do her hair before she and her daddy left home for their date. OF COURSE, I obliged. To my surprise (and sheer delight), she opted for pigtails.

last weekend

2010-02-24T16:47:00.001-08:00

Fourteen years after he first kissed my cheek...

furlough

2010-02-12T05:11:00.001-08:00

winter on whidbey

2010-02-12T03:16:00.000-08:00

cole.

2010-02-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

sunny in seattle

2010-02-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

six

2010-01-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

september '09

2009-11-15T16:55:00.001-08:00

august '09

2009-11-15T15:48:00.009-08:00

homeward

2009-11-14T23:22:00.017-08:00

7.24.09

8.1.09

saying goodbye

2009-11-14T22:27:00.002-08:00

winds

2009-11-14T21:45:00.001-08:00

six days in kauai

2009-11-14T21:05:00.018-08:00

6.30.09

cole's fourth

2009-11-14T20:37:00.008-08:00

6.17.09

last day

2009-05-28T08:25:00.001-07:00

Schools out for the summer!!!!

Maya and Faith

Cole and his boys - Magnus, Aidan and Joe

Maya and Ms. Cyndie

The graduate!

spring

2009-05-27T08:15:00.002-07:00