Count my Blessings

If you are reading this and live around the area I do, you have been experiencing the nastiness of smoke as well!  It is awful!  I don't remember it being this bad for many many years.  Which is a good thing!

My blessings:
Today I was told by Carson I am the best mom (he doesn't say that to me, oh, almost ever!)
Last night Gabe told me that too (he is a little more free with that).

I got to go on a date with Carson and Gabe this morning.  We had to do a couple of errands (drop off a box at the post office, drop off something for Carson's school, and go to the store) and then I wanted to surprise them with something.  I am rarely able to do anything with them.  Usually I have Finn and one of them, or just Finn.  So I wanted to try to come up with something (inside and out of the smoke!) for the 3 of us to do.  We went to Market of Choice, grabbed 2 individual packs of cream cheese (which we never do!) and then they got to pick out a bagel.  We went to the toaster, I sliced them and then we toasted them up and went to the tables.  The boys thought this was great!  I was a little bit proud of myself for coming up with something that they liked and that didn't include sugar.  :)  Then we went to the library for story time.

 After our date, we went to the bank, where Jim (my dad) banked and I was able to close out his account for the Estate.  I am really happy to have that done!  Apparently you have to wait 75 days after the death.

We don't have to breath in this smoke while we are in the house!  Praise the Lord for AC!
My moms neighbor bought an adorable onesie at a garage sale this weekend, and Finn wore it this morning and was hamming it up!  Big time.

 

I am thankful for dark chocolate.  A lot.  Gotta say, I love it. 

Time with my mom to visit our dear family friends.

My mom, Kathy, me, Alicia, Carson, Eloise, and Finn in Lake Oswego at the grower market.

Chris and Finn.

Our room.

Where Carson, Finn and I slept.

I have been able to get back to the Y a bit!  Woo-hoo!
I am so excited and thankful that the Presbyterian rummage sale is coming up again this Friday.  And I get to go to it with my mom, friends and niece!  So excited!  
Family.  Family is so important to love and support each other.  It amazes me.  Sticking together, helping each other.  Doing what is best for your family.  Such a blessing.
And of course, I am always thankful to the Lord.  The one and only who loves me uncondtionally.  Always.  No matter how I am acting, or how appreciative I am.  He alwasy loves me.  How can you repay that?  You can't!  That is how awesome God's gift is!  He gave his only Son with knowing that we can never repay him!  NEVER!  Wow.  Try wrapping your head around that!  Pretty awesome crazy, if you ask me!
Food.
Clothing.
A safe place to sleep every night.
And even though we are having to run the AC at night, I am so so thankful that I am not having to evacuate my home because of these nasty fires!  Wow.  Can't imagine how that would feel.   
My 3 sons.  They do drive me batty, but they are such a blessing and I know that we all have each other, to lean on and enjoy life with!
Friends.  Friends that I have had since 6th grade, and new friends that I have met through church and Carson's class.
I know that the smoke is so disgusting and awful for us to be breathing, but I am liking that it is darker during the nights and early morning.  And that we can have our curtains closed to make it darker too.  I do miss the fresh air though...for sure!  

Eloise, Alicia and Finn.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!  Even if it is hot, be thankful that you can go outside and not be breathing in ash.  Not much fun.  But, I am glad it isn't always like this!  That is for sure!

ALOhA!

Pick and Choose

I love "to do" lists in the sense of being able to see what needs to be done, doing the task, and crossing it off the list.  I do not like lists that aren't finished in a day so that you have to pack the list around to make sure you remember everything you need to.  However, with life, kids, marriage and everything in between there just isn't enough time in the day to really get everything I would like to done!

I have recently realized that with the lists, you have to pick what really needs to get done on that day.  Some of my things I had to choose today were, getting Finn a bath, watch a library movie that is due tomorrow (which I started and didn't finish), pick up Carson from school, get everyone food throughout the day as needed.

Tomorrow's list includes, riding bikes to school, having my mom trim my hair, and working on some Trades of Hope things.

 My dear friend, Leah, who has been in Romania the last 7 years doing Missionary work is home visiting for the month of April!  This was taken after Andrew, her English bf, the boys and Leah played some American football.  1st time for Andrew!  4.11.13

Finn looking all Ashland-y with Gabe's hat.  4.10.13 

Gabe, Grandma and Finn at Carson's 1st {freezing!} soccer game.  4.13.13

Carson playing Spring Soccer!

The pictures below were taken in March.  Carson had a cut down birch tree trunk land on his foot.  It was too heavy and he couldn't get his foot out so Gabe pushed it off of him and came and got me.  Carson couldn't walk so they came up with the idea of Carson getting in the back of their dump truck and Gabe would push him to the couch so he could hope up on it. 

Gabe was so concerned for Carson.  Saying "I'm so sorry Carson.  I love you Carson."  And offering a lot of hugs.  And of course, "I love you" in sign language.

I am thankful for the special moments with my sweet boys.  They are very active wild boys, but I love 'em and am so blessed to be raising them.  

Enjoy your family.  Things change.  They grow.  Hold on to the special moments.

 

Our Harvest Day

Our Harvest Day consisted of carving pumpkins, lunch with friends, making Carmel apples and passing out candy to our 3 "customers" that we had.  The guys were even by the street trying to drum up business.  Oak St. was very quiet this year.

It was a very nice day overall.  I am very thankful for my family and wonderful friends!  

AlohA! 

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a time there were two little girls who used to play together...

They grew up and one moved to the big city, where the other one came to be a part of her special day...

Her two boys, her mom and Grandma all went with to celebrate...

The two boys were carted around the city in matching pink strollers...

Until they came across the lovely bride's reception...

Where they got cool sunglasses, had awesome food, danced and played!

A little time went by, and the city gal got pregnant, while the other one was pregnant with her 3rd...All this time the city gal's parents lived where she was raised.  But, with babies, they bring changes!

And the city gal's awesome parents decided that they don't want to be away from their granddaughter once she arrives...

So, their friends decided they needed to have a lunch before they moved to the big city!

At the lunch, they got a lot of practice to take care of their little wee granddaughter, being silly...

And giving comfort...

And after all of that, Chris and Kathy, got sent on their little way to join their new expanding family.  They will be missed very much, but the joy's they are going to have with their son-in-law, daughter and granddaughter will be amazing!  Take care of each other, and we look forward to hearing and seeing the new one soon!  

Much love to you all!  XOXOXOX.

Visitors

 

We had a variety of family and friends come to visit us in the hospital.  There are a couple of people I didn't get pictures of, but these are who have visited us since the arrival of Finn! 

10 years!

Today is our anniversary of 10 years!  

In 2002 we were getting married Labor Day weekend, and I think (I could be wrong) this Labor Day weekend we might be welcoming baby Finn into our world! 

Enjoy your 3-day weekend!

Shower of Blessings!

This morning was a day of blessings!  Many of my friends and family gathered at the open space by my moms house to bless me, Finn and the rest of my family!  

It was a very special time celebrating with all the lovely ladies!  I can't wait to get everything all organized!  I keep thinking about everyone who came and the amazing gifts we were given.  We are truly blessed!  The generosity is just mind boggling! 

 

Wonderful family and friends! 

Thank you everyone for coming!  Thanks Mom, for putting this together!  It was so great.  Thank you Mom, Jodie, Gina, Kristin, Alicia, Isabella, Jacqueline, Heidi, Pat and any others who helped prep food, set up and take down!  I am amazed by all the love!  I love you guys and whether we talk daily or once in a while, I am so blessed to have you in my life.  I thank God for you and your kindness.

Here are some pictures that I got emailed to me this morning.  Had to add some of the beauty to the post!

ALoha!

Offer

A dear friend, Deborah, asked a while ago if she and her family could have Carson and Gabe over for the night.  At first, I thought it would only be Carson to go and have a "camp out" in their pop tent trailer.

When it came down to the planning of it, they wanted to have both boys over.  I was a bit concerned since it would be their first time together, at a house that we aren't blood related to.  But, Deborah was sure she wanted to have them both.  So.  I stepped it up and got OK with it.  Kinda of.  :)

When I went to pick them up before nap time the next day, I was greeted with "Mom!  I don't want to go home.  I want to stay here!"  I am so happy that Carson missed me so!  :)  Everything went well, from what I have been told, and the boys had a great time!

It is so weird to keep having that feeling of "are they really old enough for this?  I am sure they are just little babies and aren't ready for this..."  I know that I will continue to have this feeling for the rest of their lives.  I wonder if it ever gets easier, or if it always feels like a little piece of my heart gets cut out with the next big step they take!?

Carson and Gabe ready to head to the Quast's house.  7.26.12

 

Thank you Quast family for having the boys over!  It is greatly appreciated!  Love you all. 

AlohA!

GirlsWeekend

Last night Jodie, Gina, Tracy, Arica, and I got home from being gone on a weekend girls trip.  We had many laughs and saw just lovely sights!  The weather could not have been any better, it was amazing!  Such a blessing!   

Hoh Rain Forest, Port Angeles, and 1st Beach WA.

Hoh Rain Forest, WA, and the Carver Cafe, OR.

The Hoh Rain Forest is amazing!  The water was clear as glass.  It was so beautiful!  We had a great walk looking at all of the moss covered trees, clovers, and ferns.

Thanks for the laughs ladies!

Aloha!