Angels come in many forms...

Maybe it's because I gave birth to her, but is she not angelic? I sat and watched her today at ballet, and my heart swelled with pure love for her. She has a heart of gold and a love in her heart for others. Scarlett got a tiny scratch the other day and I found grace (as usual) doctoring her with ointment and a band aid. She claims weekly that she wants to grow up and be a nurse because she loves to help sick people. This is why I find her angelic. She is an angel.

Happy birthday, Connor...

My birthday boy turned 12 today! I had a little talk with Connor on our way to his favorite Mexican restaurant (with just he, Chris and I) and I explained to him that there are certain birthdays that are real milestones. Age 12 in my opinion is one of those. It's like saying goodby to being a child and officially becoming a youth. Connor has matured so much and has brought a joy to our lives that cannot be comprehended. We love you Connor.

Hardworking...

I am so lucky because I get to be Christians cubscouts leader. I never thought being a cubscout leader would be fun but being in there with my Christian definitely makes it fun. He built a toolbox at Home Depot this past weekend and he worked his little heart out on it. I am proud of this sweet boy.

Seaside...

You would think that living close to the oregon coast we would visit often but it's been nearly six years since we've been. I finally put my foot down and said "we are going." The coast can be so iffy...you never know what kind of weather you'll get, but chances are it'll be cold and possibly wet. But we got incredibly lucky. It was sunny and 60 degrees. It wasn't crazy warm, but it was gorgeous. I love spending time with my family.

I'm all yours...

Have you ever bit into a big juicy donut and feel like you were given wings and sent straight to heaven? Donuts are my downfall and in my younger years I ate them a lot. Not so much now. The guilt isn't usually worth the payoff. But today I ran 13 miles and when I saw this chocolate beauty staring back at me I said to myself "YOU ARE MINE." Wow and was it worth it. I might just have to run more miles and add these babies back into my diet.

17 wonderfully blissful years...

When Chris and I got married 17 years ago, we chose to have our anniversary one day after my husbands birthday. Yesterday he turned 44. And a day after I celebrated the fact that he was born, I celebrate being married to him. 

To understand how our love works you have to understand the history of love in my husbands family. Chris told me a story the other night of his father, who never would buy anything for himself. He was one of the most selfless men you could ever know. He never missed an opportunity to open the door for his wife no matter where they were or what they were doing. He constantly showered gifts upon his wife, but always went without for himself. 

One time He wore a pair of cowboy boots so long that the heels finally wore completely off. He went into the store to buy new ones, and the lady helping him look at him hobbling in on heeless shoes and said "boy, it looks like you could use a new pair of boots!" My heart melted when Chris shared this story with me about his father. I drew so many parallels between Chris and his dad at that moment. Chris would give me anything in this world if I wanted it. But the only thing I truly want is him. He is honestly the most steady, loyal person a girl could ask for. I can say unequivocally, that every day I know without a doubt that I am loved.

Spring break...week one.

The girls have spring break for two weeks instead of one. I purchased some fun crafts and made sure to get some homework from their school to keep them busy. After working on some projects I took them on a walk. I love having kids. I know I say that all the time but it's just so true for me. Yes, I get stressed at times and feel like life is moving way to fast, but overall it's the most rewarding thing I have ever had happen to me. I'm so eternally grateful to be a mom. If it's the only thing I ever do, it would be more than enough.

Dad....

Oh my poor dear husband. I've got to have a chat with my girls about giving him a better look.

Am I really that old?

Today when I got out of bed Christian and the girls had turned on looney tunes. I shut off the TV and Christian said "Mom! We watched the oldest looney toons ever. There was a tv on the cartoon and it was shaped like a big fat box! And the washing machine? It had a big square hole on the top of it!" I laughed and it brought back memories of those awesome low to the ground big box tv's we had as kids.

If my kids think that stuff is old...what will my future grand kids think?

Miracles do happen...

I did something I would never normally do. I actually allowed my children to explore their artistic sides, and allowed them to paint. I am a bit of A neurotic person, and hate hate hate messes, so this was a big step for me. They had a total blast, and I realized I definitely need to do this more.

More sun...

I still couldn't get enough of the warm sunshine today, so when Grace got out of school we walked on the trail near our home and had a little picnic. It was a blast. Spending time with my kids along with the sunshine is an awesome combination.

I'm going to marry the sun...

You got that right. I officially have a serious obsession with the sunshine. After I picked Scarlett up from school, she played play dough and I layed on my warm back porch and took it all in. It was like a vitamin d bathtub and I loved every minute if it.

My little Scarlett...

Ahhhh my little letty. What can I say, I love this girl. She's pretty spoiled when it comes to one on one with her mommy. I picked her up from school today and she said "oh no, the teacher said we could do play dough later." So I said to her "do you want to stay with grace a few more hours?" And she said "um, I can maybe do play dough tomorrow." She wanted to be with her Mommy. This touched my heart. So what did we do? We went to the store and bought some playdough and did it at home.

Laughter...

What would we do without family? 

Chris's brother Jon Who is an airline pilot, has been staying in Portland for the last month. He has been able to visit us a couple of times. The kids absolutely adore their uncle Jon. He is a always playing jokes or tricks and they all love this.

Watching Chris and Jon together was awesome. We were up until 1:00am while they recalled stories from childhood. They laughed so hard that it was completely infectious. I laughed so hard I almost peed a few times.

Without family life would be one boring experience.

Ice cold...

Remember doing this as a kid? Or as an adult, if you're me. There's nothing like being incredibly thirsty and drinking cold tap water out of the faucet. Scarlett told me the other day that her favorite faucets to drink water from are this side faucet in our kitchen and the one into bathroom. Apparently, they contain the coldest and best tasting water. :)

Let there be light...

Do u see the pasty white face staring back at u? That's me with 52 degree weather flowing through my window in the form of bright light. That's the light I need to lift me out of the dark hole of winter. This bear is ready to come out of the dark cave. Bring on the time change this weekend.

A story about love..,

Halee and Austin's English teacher recently assigned them to write their very own story. It was to be short and they could pick and choose any topic.

Halee wrote hers in a matter of a few hours. No internet to aid her. Just inspiration and a keyboard. What came of it is touching...the kind of story that makes you feel loved in a universe where it's easy to feel small. I have been given permission to share it here...

As I walked along the dusty streets of Jerusalem, I came across a man. He was perched on a stool with an easel placed in front of him sturdily in the ground. As I approached I could see a blank canvass, unusually white, placed gently on the easel. Curiosity overwhelmed me. As I neared him, thoughts soared across my brain. Why was he out here in the middle of nowhere? What was there to paint? We were surrounded by miles of nothing but desert. When I finally reached him he was delicately rustling through his paint, as if to find the perfect shade of colorful magic. He began painting. Colorful fluid flowed smoothly from his brush, sweeping back and forth across the white canvass. He made the work look incredibly effortless. I could see the passion in his eyes as he furrowed his brow. I could tell this painting was of great value. If he knew I was watching, I did not know. He had given no note to my existence. “Sorry to bother you,” I stated. But I saw you over here and I was just wondering….what are you painting?” He looked up at me as if he had known I was there the entire time. He had a soft gleam in his eye. “Just wait and see.” He replied. “I know you won’t be disappointed.” And with that he continued his painting. “If you like,” he added, “You can view my other artwork.” “Yes, I would like that very much.” I replied.  As he searched for his artwork I found myself feeling like I had seen him before, like I knew him. I didn’t know why. He handed me a book full of portraits, took his seat, and continued on. As I viewed his work I was amazed at how detailed the pictures were. But as I looked closer I noticed the paintings were of the last parts of Jesus Christ’s life. The pictures told a story. I was caught up in a vision. I opened my eyes and found I was in a place unknown to my memory, but in a story I knew all too well. I looked around. I saw a sign reading The Garden of Gethsemane. A man lay before my eyes. Pain filled my heart. I heard the tender words cry from his lips “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me. I thought of all my sins and mistakes; of all the reasons that he was here suffering. If only I had been able to reach out and hold his hand, and cradle him like a mother’s child. Pain and gratitude filled my soul, and I cried like I never had before. I looked up and wiped my eyes, a new scene stood before my eyes. Soldiers in red capes I saw, and Judas sealing the fate of this man with kiss on the cheek. I followed them as the man was hit, and beaten near to death. A crown of thorns placed upon his head. Then on the cross, a desperate plea, ‘’ Father, why hast thou forsaken me?” Then it was finished. I had no words from anything I had seen or heard. Than one last painting, an empty tomb. The sun shone brightly on a man dressed in shining white. A woman stood, one word escaped her lips. “Master!” she cried. I opened my eyes and the vision was done. Again I felt tears forming in my eyes. This time not tears of sorrow, but of joy. I knew where I had seen the artist. I recognized the gleam in his eye. I ran my hands gently over the paintings. I looked up. The man was gone, but the easel still stood in the ground. The painting he had been so enveloped in was finished. It had exquisite detail. It was me, cradled in the arms of the savior.