The Ocean

We went to the Oregon coast this last weekend, it was the perfect way to spend Mother's Day. With Sydney having her mom, both Grandmas and a Great Grandm

a to celebrate the mother's in her life. It was wonderful.

On saturday my dad and I got up early and went out to sea to catch us some dinner.

We had a wonderful time and the weather was fabulous. Our captain got us to the perfect spots and by 9:30 everyone on board had caught their limit.

We had a lovely dinner that night with rockfish chowder and 3 different kinds of broiled fish = fall-of-the-bone tender!

We were able to stay at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Salishan - it is so be

autiful and right on the ocean ... you can see their house in the background of this picture from our boat (second from the right).

The kids had a blast in the sand and we all enjoyed some beautiful sunsets!

I love the Ocean

We are off to the coast today, there should be some beautiful pictures to post next week I hope!

We finally had a decent day of weather yesterday with mom and dad Cardinal. The clouds parted and they actually saw the top of Mt. Hood! We stopped by the Rose Garden and although it is a couple weeks early, we found a couple of roses to stop and smell. I hope all the moms in my life feel loved and blessed with family around them this weekend! We are truly lucky Women! Thank you - from one mom to another.

Pictures more than Words

I have found myself without a lot to say these days ... it is just a season of experience that I don't know how to formulate into words. I have felt badly that I haven't posted much, although I had promised many of you that I would make sure to do just that.

I figured a few pictures would express what is going on in our lives ... well at least the good times that we want to capture. I choose to focus on those today and show you all a little bit of the GoodTimes!

A trip to Justin's family and a stop at their cabin on the drive home to dip our feet in the nice mountain water. A walk/bike on the waterfront here in portland. A walk around the neighborhood on sunny days. And a drive to the beach for the day to help all our spirits!

All is well with my soul.

Easter

Several people have asked me for some pictures of the kids from Easter. We did have them looking their best, but as all you parents know - that doesn't last long. There was far too much fun going on here for us to be able to catch much on camera. But it was a lot of fun with the family celebrating the life Christ gave us.

Love and miss all of you that we didn't get to share this special day with!

Firsts

Before the concert ... getting ready!

Sydney has been going to a home school program this year called friday school. The kids all meet up on friday mornings and do elective type classes together. They have a really good music program and she has enjoyed that the most. This last weekend she had her first Christmas concert. First concert or performance of any kind really. She seemed to have so much fun and was the kid that probably should have paid more attention to the teacher, but was having far too much fun for that.


During the concert - waiving to mommy


Enjoying cookies and punch after the concert! Too much fun!

LET IT SNOW

Sydney has patiently been waiting for the snow to cover up all the grass (that was the definition I gave her of when we could build a snow man). I was so relieved that the first good snow of the season was a nice, packy, snow man making snow! It was still pretty warm out for this time of year and it reminded me of the excitement we used to have as kids when it would snow in Portland. School would be cancelled, the whole neighborhood would be out playing, and half the parents would be home from work. The city shut down, and as a kid it seemed magical. Sydney was that excited to be out throwing snow balls and building a snow man with dad and mom. It was really great when the big kids down the street came over from their snow ball fight to look at the big snow man she was making!


As you can see Asher was not all that enthused with being outside in the cold but I was really hoping we would have a good snow fall this year before we left, and I got my Christmas wish!

A moment to remember!

9 years and counting

Justin and I were able to brake away from the busyness and go to the City a couple weeks ago. We had a great time even through the rain! We did all those tourist things we hadn't done yet, like seeing the Statue of Liberty, and enjoyed the time alone. Although a highlight of the trip was our last day when we were able to see some of Justin's buddies from the collage days that we hadn't seen in some time. We had a great time at a play and loved just walking out of our hotel and walking around Time Square, 5th avenue and the surrounding areas, it was great to not be maneuvering a stroller. It happened to be 9/11 and fashion week while we were there ...a lot of extra things going on everywhere. Then Estavon and Meggy came up to Lake Placid and Massena this last weekend ... such great people. Thanks for visiting.

I am so fortunate to be growing with this man. We both recognize we are human and seem to have more grace for one another as we get older ... I love grace, what a gift. I seem to need it daily as I strive to be closer to who God created me to be!

Here's to growing old together in Grace!

Life is Good

Well, Justin and I were running in different directions there for a while and the last couple of weekends we have been able to catch up a little and just enjoy life. We had a wonderful afternoon in Lake Placid this last Sunday and a lovely time with friends that friday and saturday. Life is Good! The 'Iron Man' was going on while we were in Lake Placid ... it was really cool to get to see people from all over the world come and push themselves in competition ... Run/Bike/Swim ... I believe someone from Germany won it all! As you can see it was a nice day, but asking for sunshine would have just been a little much these days!

The Beauty of our History

 

This is a photo I took a little over a week ago while in Washington DC. The dome of the Capitol building from the floor of the Rotunda. It is awe inspiring to think of all the people of power that have stood on that ground, but it is the founding fathers that really had my attention this trip. The were not necessarily moral men as would define today, but they all seemed to know from where we came and who we must rely on. In the World War II memorial (most recent memorial) ... In a quote from the "Day of infamy" speech by FDR ... In God we Trust is completely left off - not even three dotes to show that there is more. We have come so far ... in ways that seem good - but so many that really hold us back and fence us in. Even this dome was built using wood from the old dome to power the steam engines ... would we say our time is too valuable these days?

Time is precious, but there is responsibility that comes with time. We have a responsibility to be learned individuals with a voice. Our nation is free, but our freedom is blindly taken away as we sit back and simply pray. Prayer is powerful, but we as Christians often put responsibility back on God that he has already given to us. Please - know the world we live in and voice your opinion. If one person writes a letter to their representatives - true, it may not make much impact - but when they get 100 letters from people of like mind, weather they are in agreement or not, they will know the issues matter to those they are representing. We have power through our voice!

I so enjoyed my trip and the group of people I was able to go with. I missed my kids and husband very much, but found a bit of freedom in time with myself that I have not taken in quite a while. My mom was able to come meet me there as well and spend the trip with us riding back 11 hours to Massena. It was a fun ride full of 20 questions and loads of jokes.

I just got back from a week away in Burlington, VT this week with my kids and was welcomed home by a spotless house and a lovely plant from my husband. I am a very lucky women who loves my life very much and wants to do whatever it takes to ensure my children's freedom to have such a future.

In God We Trust ... but let us not forget that it doesn't stop there ... sometimes He trust us by giving us responsibility.

The last few weeks

 

Sydney and Asher's new(free) toy. We have something called claen up days here ... everyone puts things they don't want out on their front lawns and at the end of the week the town comes and cleans it all up for free. People drive around and can have anything that is put out ... I got this from our neighbor - worth the humbling! I will post the rocker I picked up when I get it all fixed up!!!

 

He has no idea that this thing won't move ... I love this age!

 

He came into the room with this hat on and a tub of animals for me to open ... I think he wants to be a farmer today!

 

Enjoying the spring ...

 

Sydney takes a turn riding the 'little' horse!

 

Having fun out at the Jaggers ...

 

 

Asher's turn ...