A Bit of Bragging, Some Beef, and Babies!

A bit of rain couldn't dampen our smiles!

It's going to be a sunny Memorial Weekend here in the PNW and we are HAPPY about that! Let me start by acknowledging, thanking and remembering the men and women who are the reason we have a Memorial Weekend; those who died while serving in America's armed forces.

I was born and raised a Hoosier, so of course I'm thinking about the 500 Mile race too, which takes place on Sunday in Indianapolis. "Lady (only one woman this year) and Gentlemen, start your engines!!"

So I must brag. My third child graduated last weekend with his Master's in Family and Marriage Therapy and he is already employed. Successful Launch! At the moment he is in Sri Lanka, and then Nepal, studying the culture. It's his final class. Prayers for safety would be appreciated.

If you are a Mom of an elementary-high school son who is causing you anxiety due to his lack of motivation and/or desire to read or study, let me give you hope and encouragement. A LOT can change once your son goes to college. A LOT. My boy who didn't like to read and spent way too many hours playing X-Box. Now he's earned an Undergraduate and Graduate Degree from a stellar University (Whitworth), he LOVES to read, and he is passionate about helping others. He's also a husband and wonderful brother. My Mommy heart is just so full and proud.

About Beef: Our family has a tradition. Every time one of our four children entered college as a freshman and then again when they graduated, we all drove a half hour East of Spokane to the Wolf Lodge Inn Steakhouse in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. It's a "hole in the wall" spot with lots of taxidermy on the walls, but amazing steak, and rolls to die for. By the way, there is fish too, if you're not a Carnivor. With four undergrad and two graduate degrees to celebrate, we've been there ten times! Look through the sign-in welcome book for the Carver family!

Here are some pictures from last year when Sarah graduated:

That's our oldest son, Mitch, in the middle. He wasn't able to fly up from L.A. this time.

About Babies:
I was going to the Steam Plant Grill Friday afternoon and I discovered a Baby Boutique right next door called "French Toast Baby." Oh! So cute! Perhaps this was a sign that I'm not supposed to dream of moving to Spokane to be near my kids and opening a baby store...

I am a proud Grandma...of three kitties! My son and his wife have Walter and my youngest daughter has an eight year old rescue cat name Mimosa (Memo.)

 Walter did NOT want his picture taken.

This is Memo-I never actually saw her on this trip. She hid under the couch the WHOLE time!

Sarah decided she needed a kitten too, so meet Layla May! Oh my goodness she's adorable! We all had fun playing with her during our "TJ send-off brunch" at Sarah's apartment.

I also got the privilege of meeting a darling newborn human baby belonging to a friend's sweet daughter. Oh little Mary, you are perfect!

My friend Kimberly was in town too, so we got to catch up while we snuggled little Mary.

Other hi-lights of our trip to Spokane last weekend included dinner and stories at TJ and Katie's apartment, seeing Allie's cute spot (yep, 3 or my 4 kids live in Spokane) and watching the nighttime Lilac parade off the patio of our hotel. Night time parade plus cocktails? Win, win!

Of course we popped into two of my favorite places downtown on Sunday before leaving; Atticus, a coffee house with great gifts and Anthropologie. I was good, I didn't buy anything, I just looked!!

As I finish this post, I'm sitting out on my deck, listening to the birds chirp and the boats honk, sipping a glass of Rose' and munching on Trader Joe's pizza while I enjoy the beauty down in the Harbor. I am blessed. Thank you for taking the time to read "See Jane Learn" and I wish you all a joy-filled Memorial Weekend!

In His Grip, 
xo Jane

P.S. I want to give a shout-out and congratulations to my Omaha nieces Mattie and Nicole, and my nephew Connor, who are celebrating graduations this weekend. Love you!

5 Favorites on Friday

photo source:http://www.usatipps.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/indianapolis-speedway.jpg

Happy Friday Friends!

Here is my list of favorites for the week:

1. Have you seen the Happy Chewbacca on You Tube? Oh the joy of simple pleasures! She's adorable! We all need to learn how to be entertained by silly things and laugh at ourselves...

   Photo source:https://comicbook.com/popculturenow/2016/05/25/megan-fox-wants-to-play-kitana-in-a-mortal-kombat-movie/

2. I really like these shirts : I'm excited that I stumbled upon a sale this weekend for a cute baseball-style t-shirt. They are all cute but I chose the green yoga pants one. The blog, The Handmade Home is always good!
       

3. This fun coloring book by one of my favorite bloggers is available on Amazon for pre-sale. If I was going to purchase myself an adult coloring book, this would be the one... It's on my wish list!

photo source: http://theinspiredroom.net/2016/05/26/home-decorating-coloring-book/

4. My favorite spot to hang out in Spokane is the Davenport Tower Lobby. It's so fun to sit in front of the fireplace sipping a Starbucks or a cocktail. My dreamy "home" away from home. Added bonus...my sneakers match the Jungle decor!

5. My Tuesday morning bible study life group is the BEST! I love the women who have become like family; we are sisters in Christ! It's been such a great year of study, prayer, laughter, challenging each other, and friendship. 

Not pictured: Jean

Besides the favorites mentioned above, my favorite MOMENT  last week was watching my baby girl graduate from Whitworth University. She went through a lot to finish her degree and she persevered and did it! We also had a blast eating pizza, toasting with Champagne, and playing board games afterwards at her very own apartment. 

Mike and I are so thankful God provided a way for all four of our children to receive an education from a wonderful Christian University. Three teachers and one soon-to-be counselor making an impact in the World!

Do you have any fun plans for your 3-day Memorial Weekend? Since I'm a born and raised Hoosier, I'll have to tune into the Indianapolis 500 mile race on Sunday. If I feel better, I'm headed to a Mops end-of-year celebration tonight. I am excited to have my youngest coming home tomorrow for a short visit and possibly bringing her kitty (Mimosa, the Grandkitty I haven't met yet.)

(If you hear barking and toenails scraping wood floors coming from Carver Cottage, you'll know Sydney isn't adjusting well to the furry visitor.) Fingers crossed...

Don't forget to honor and remember all our service men and women who have lost their lives to protect our freedom! GOD Bless America!

What are your favorite things lately?

In His Grip,

Jane

Thank You Whitworth!

"I always pray with joy...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:4,6

The Carver family Era at Whitworth University has been eleven years and is about to end. We are headed over to Spokane this weekend to celebrate our youngest child's college graduation. All four of our children have attended the same college. Crazy, right? I am obviously the school's and my children's biggest fan, as evidenced by my collection of Whitworth apparel and items. (Not shown are the Pirate Mom and Dad license plates on my car...) Twice I've been given the opportunity to act as a Pirate Mom and speak to incoming freshman and their parents about why Whitworth is such a great school.

This family adventure began back in 2005 when our oldest son Mitch started college and chose a small private school we'd learned about from our Pastor, Mark Toone. (He was and is currently on the Board of Education.) Back then, it was still a College, but in 2007, when our daughter Allie started as a freshman, it became a University.

The graduations began...

(Mitch-class of 2009/English Major)

(Allie-class of 2011/Elem. Ed.)

Keeping with tradition, T.J. also wanted to attend Whitworth and he attended 2010-2014. He's just completed his first year of graduate school in a new WU counseling program. Last, but not least,  Sarah started her Whitworth adventure in 2012. Although she spent her Sophomore year here at Tacoma Community College, she returned to complete her Art Education degree and will graduate this Sunday!

(Tim-class of 2014/Theology major)

(Sarah-class of 2016/Art Ed.)

Four times of moving excited kids into the BJ (Baldwin/Jenkins) freshman dorm... Different off-campus homes to set-up, and LOTS of wonderful friends to meet and become like family... Oh if only we'd known all four would end up in Spokane at the same University we might have bought a little rental home they all could have lived in!!

Lots of long road trips over to Spokane to attend Family weekends... Hanging out in the "Hub"... Stock-up shopping trips to Fred Meyer and Costco. Coffee dates at La Petit Chat Bakery and dinners out at The Elk, Twigs, and The Flying Goat... So many fun memories were made over the years!

Greenbluff in October

In the "Loop"

We are Pirates!

The gang at The Elk

The tradition of a steak dinner at Wolf Lodge in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho will continue this Saturday night. We make the trip when they start college and when they graduate. It's fun to see our name in the guest book in years past... This will be our 8th trip or maybe 9th!

Four Pirate graduates. Thirty-two expensive tuition checks written and parent and student loans to be paid. There have been several years when we've had more than one child on campus at the same time. Four times (plus Mitch's Master's) of sitting in the Spokane Arena for hours to hear our child's name read so we can cheer as they walk across the stage. (My tip; bring a book or Kindle to read.)

(Mitch earned Masters~2010)

Prayers shot up for finals and relationships... The blessing of both our sons meeting their amazing wives while at Whitworth...

(Daughter-in-laws Amy and Katie)

And so, our baby girl will be walking across the stage for her hard-earned diploma this Sunday. We'll be there to cheer for our fourth and final Pirate. 

Adorable photo taken by Olivia Strohm Photography

We're so proud of you Sarah! You are lovely and talented inside and out and loved by SO many! You will be the best and most compassionate High School Art Teacher ever!

We're so grateful for the blessing that Whitworth has been to our children and our family! Thanks to their friends and the nurture of Professors, each of our kids has become an improved version of themselves. Besides the fabulous education of their chosen field of study, they've gained confidence and the ability to connect with adults of all ages. Theology has been learned and tested, they became mission and outward focused, and above all caring and loving adults. 

The school motto is "Education of Mind and Heart" and I believe all eight of our family members have received that! Thank you Whitworth! 

This Sunday afternoon, I'll be the Mama holding a hankie, possibly wearing sunglasses to hide the tears and cheering loudly for my beautiful daughter, Sarah Michelle.

In His Grip, 
Jane

We will return for TJ's graduate ceremony next May, so I guess it's not actually our FINAL Whitworth weekend!