Test Day

 Test Day came and went, rather uneventfully.
The girls were a little anxious, but settled right in as soon as we arrived.
 

 

* The last time we tested, we tested with friends.
Those friends are moving away tomorrow :(

After a couple of hours, they had finished; and they got to pick a prize.
Of course they both picked candy.
They are their Mama's daughters, after all.
 

 

 

Then it was off to run a couple errands, pick up lunch, and a treat.

 

 

 

 They deserved it.

And while I am going to try not to brag too hard . . .
They both did AMAZINGLY well.
This Mama is so very proud.

Another wonderful end to another wonderful year!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Another Bird Rescue Story

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

 

There is never a dull moment here.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed, trying to keep up with everything.

I want to document all of it. 

The every day moments.

Life.
Like I used to.
Before life got all crazy.

But that's not an option at this point.

So, I'll take what I can get.

And that is typically several update posts a month.

 

Here we go.

 

My brother got married!

And that means that family got together.

Which means that my sister came up for a visit!!!
 

Y'all.
Life has been difficult for awhile.
Really difficult.
But there is something about having my sister around . . .
it just makes things better.
It's like finding money in the pocket of pants you haven't worn in ages.
Or better yet, finding chocolate!
Not old chocolate, mind you.
And not in your pants.
Oh geez.  You know what I mean.
It's like being surprised with chocolate.
Except better.

Because my sister . . .
she's memories, and love, and trust and uncontrollable giggling . . .
all rolled into one.

What makes it even better . . .
My kiddos love her kiddos. 

  

 

It's just a LOT of love, if you can't tell ;)

One of the best parts?

Miss Mona thinks I look like Barbie.
This is an actual picture of her with her Barbie named . . . Liz.
 

I don't think I need to tell you how that makes a lady with 402 eye wrinkles feel.

So.
They are gone.
They left for home on Sunday.
But we'll be reunited again in July at our family reunion campout. Woohoo!
And we've got plenty to keep us occupied until then.

Today Sierra and Makenna have end of the year testing.
If you have a minute and would like to say a little prayer, it would be greatly appreciated.
They're a little anxious.
But excited to be wrapping up another homeschool year.

And this weekend we say goodbye to our precious friends, as they head off for new adventures in Kansas.  Our hearts hurt, but we are trying to find joy, knowing that they are being called to bigger things.

 

 

 

Wedding Bells

 My brother got married on Saturday.
After some of the most glorious Spring weather we've ever had,
we were stuck watching it pour down rain as we got ready to leave.

Fortunately, there was a short break in the weather, right before the vow exchange.
{Unfortunately, I was stuck behind a lot of people, so not the best spot for pictures}.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

My brother, Bub {Bubby . . . that's what I used to call him because I couldn't say brother}.
To this day, I can't call him his real name, which is Deren.  I just can't.
He'll always be Bub to me :)

Anyway, Bub and his daughter, Kuaile. {She just happens to be my girls' bestest friend}
 

And Bub's bestest friends.
These friends have been together for nearly 40 years.
 

My gorgeous niece and her boyfriend:
 

And my beautiful sister and brother-in-law.
 

And my other niece, Sonoma.
Aaron had to cuddle her up because BRRRR it was cold!
 

 It was a nice time to visit with family.
And friends who are kind of like family :)

And if you're wondering where on earth are the 100 pictures that I snapped of my precious girls, all in their matchy-matchy dresses . . .

I didn't get any :(
 Kenners was the only one who accompanied me.
Long story short, children weren't invited.
Then it was changed to: children were allowed but had to leave right after the ceremony.
And in the end, Jeremy took Sierra, Kam and Tay to see The Croods.
They had a fabulous time! :)

Guess we'll have to break out the matchy-matchy dresses another time!

 

 

 

TLC

 

Miss Kitty had some female surgery yesterday . . .

 

 

 

and she's resting quite peacefully :)

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 Happy Mother's Day to my very favorite Mamas!

 

 

 

Wishing you a day of rest and relaxation!

 

 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday ~ Butterflies

 Releasing butterflies during our playdate with dear friends . . .
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So beautiful. 
And so much fun. 
Thank you for sharing with us, F Family :)

 

Maybe I Won't Move After All

The last few years have been very . . . disappointing, weather-wise.

It can be pretty rainy here in the Pacific Northwest, but the last three years . . .
it's been ridiculous!

But this year, we've broken out of the pattern!
 

 

Hooray!
Hooray for sun and warmth and slippin' and slidin'!

 

Sun just puts a smile on my day.

 

 

Maybe we don't need to move after all ;)

 

 

 

Mama of Four

Last night us girly girls were invited to a very special birthday celebration, for a very special friend.
{It was a Hollywood theme, so the girls were even allowed a bit of makeup, and oh my, they were so excited.}

My dad stopped by to get a look at his granddaughters before we headed out, and was happy to snap a few pics for us.

When I uploaded them today, I burst out laughing . . .

This was the order in which they were taken:

Photo #1:
Sierra: Uh, Mom? Do you not notice Taylor screaming because you won't let her bail off the steps into the gravel?

Me {through clenched, smiling teeth}: Yes, Dear, I do notice, but I'd really like to get one quick shot.

Kam: La, la, la, la, la, I'm a princess and I'm wearing makeup.

Kenners: I'm just going to do as I'm told and hold this here pose until Gramps clicks the shutter.

Taylor: WAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!
 

 

 

Photo #2:

Sierra: Seriously?

Kam: Mama? Tay is ruining my princess moment.

Kenners: Still smiling.

Me {through clenched, smiling teeth}: IG.NORE.IT, girls.

Tay: WAAAHHHHH!


 

 

Photo #3:

Sierra: Okay. Ifitgetsmetomypartyfaster. Cheese. Okay?

Kam: Lalalalalala, I love living in my own princess world.

Kenners: I'm kinda done ignoring it.

Me {through clenched, smiling teeth}: Last one, I promise!

Tay: This princess thing is so overrated.


 

 

 

These photos are so indicative of life right now.
New Mama would've waited until everything was just so.
Mama of four? Knows better.

Just keepin' it realer than real.

 

  

 

 

 

Ramblings

There is so much going on here.
All the time, it seems.

First of all . . .
It has been a beautiful Spring.
I mean, we're getting some rain.  That's to be expected.
But Easter weekend was high seventies and sun, and this week's forecast . . .
Eighties.
80s!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want to jump up and down, I'm so excited!
{But I won't, because I am typing this in bed ~ Kam on one side, Tay on the other, sound asleep}.
We may not have to move after all ;)

My brother is getting married in a few weeks.
Weddings are always cause for celebration, right?

And speaking of celebration:
My nephew is getting married this summer.
{Let's not linger on the fact that I am old enough to have a nephew planning a wedding} 

We've got birthday parties, and field trips, and homeschool testing {okay, so that's not all that fun, but it does mean the end of a school year.  Summer break, woohoooo!}

So much to look forward to in the coming months.

There are some sad changes ahead too.
Our best friends are moving away.
I can hardly believe it.
They have an actual move date, now.  So, it's official.
I'm beyond excited for their new adventure.
I know God has so much in store for them.
But my heart hurts.

 

 

 

 A little happy.  A little sad.
And we continue to seek joy.
I was just reading with my girls about the difference between happiness and joy.
Happiness is conditional. 
It's based on what you have or what your circumstances are.
Joy is not conditional.
It's a choice we make.
And it is present in spite of our circumstances.

Powerful stuff, right there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Trippin'

We just got back from THE most fun trip ever.

Last week Jeremy asked how we'd feel about heading over east to turkey hunt.
I'm going to be honest, I was a little skeptical.

*5 hour drive.
*1 little tiny who can't stand to be in the car 15 minutes.
*1 mama who stresses out at the thought of long car rides.
*Tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere.
You get the idea.

But.  We don't get out all six of us all that often.
So we packed.
And headed out.
 

And seriously had the most amazing time ever.

Taylor was super wonderful in the car.
I didn't even mess around.
 I started right out sitting next to her so that I could tend to her every need.
And other than a throw up episode about an hour in to the trip, it was smooth sailing.
 

We got to the cabin Sunday afternoon, and settled right in.
We got to explore on 8,000 acres of land.
And every single acre was gorgeous.
This poor little shack was right down the road from the cabin.
 

Once we unpacked, we headed out for a drive.
We saw some cows . . .
Miss Taylor thought they looked mean,
so all we heard for the next half hour was, "Mean Tow".
 

And then . . .
We saw some wild horses!
They were just beautiful.
 

The next morning Sierra and Jeremy headed out early to track down turkeys.
It was chilly! A whopping 12 degrees on our last morning.
 

And the rest of us relaxed, snacked, and headed out to explore on our own.
 

We found a little cemetery right down from the cabin.
 

And fell in love with the little tiny school house next door.
 

Later we went up on the hillside and found fossils.
Fossils, people.
It was the most amazing day ever.
 

This adorable school house was right next to the cabin.
I cannot even imagine owning this gorgeous land.
All the history here.
 

The girls loved the merry-go-round.
 

I think I could live there.
I really do.
No people for miles around.
The nearest grocery store, over an hour's drive.
No cell service ;)

 

But oh my it was beautiful.
And peaceful.
And perfect.