A Little Getaway

Ahhh, all rested up from our mini getaway.
I think one of the things I love most about getting away is coming home.
I love to be home.
I love my bed.
I love routine.
I just love familiarity.

So.
We spent a couple of days in Sunriver last week.
Jeremy had a conference to attend, and the girls and I had a free schedule, so away we went!

It just so happens that Papa {Jeremy's Gramps} was there for the same conference . . .
. . . and it was his birthday!

We had a nice little BBQ gathering at our place.
What a lovely evening.
Perfect weather.
Perfect company.

And before I go any further . . .
I was still without Miss Lily.
So all of the following photos were taken with my iPhone {and a couple with one of my very first digital cameras}.  It's not about the quality, it's about the memories {I have had to repeat this to myself many a time over the last couple of weeks}.


 Papa and his Great Granddaughters
 

We found the coolest little nest right outside our door.
We tried not to disturb the Mama too much, but every time we'd leave the house, she'd fly out,
perch in a tree, and keep her eye on our every move.
I didn't blame her.
 

There was a little of this from Tay . . .
 

And a little of this for the rest of everyone:
 

Hawaiian Shave Ice . . . the perfect accompaniment to an 88 degree day.
 

We even took a little drive up to Crane Prairie ~
One of Jeremy's most favorite spots.

 

 

 There's Miss Kenners, and my Mama-in-law, snappin' away at the beautiful scenery.

Yep, it was a much needed little vacay.
And now we are happy to be home.
In our own beds :)

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Easter 2013, and my new word ~ JOY

 Whew.
I knew Easter weekend was going to be a toughie.
It's so hard to know what to be for everyone.
I want to be the support for my husband, but I don't want to overwhelm.
I want him to know I'm always here.
Ready to drop everything to listen.
But I don't want to hover annoyingly.

And my girls.
This last year has been so hard on them.
Harder than most anyone realizes, I think.
I know how I feel, as an adult. Not knowing what the future looks like.
I can't imagine that from a child's point of view.
How frightening it must all be for them.

So.
I'm determined to seek out the joy in the every day.
They NEED to know that joy still exists.
I need to know.
And speaking of joy . . .

Nothing more joyful than two besties {and cousins!}
enjoying an evening out for ice cream.

 

I was so happy to hear that my sister and her lovies were coming up for Easter.
Just the kind of joy my kiddos needed!

We colored eggs.
 

Miss Tay colored in her own way.
Little Miss Lefty ;)
 

 Look at these dolls!
My dad gives them all walkie-talkies and they play "spy" games.
It is pretty much the most adorable thing ever.
 

If this doesn't put a smile on your face . . .

And if it looks like we're a little . . . under dressed . . .
We had an Easter heat wave!
77 degrees on Saturday!
Hallelujah!
 

Easter Bunny came . . .
 

Cousin Kuaile spent the night . . .
 

And we woke to another glorious day on Sunday.
 

 

 

 

Ya gotta seek that joy out.
It doesn't always find you.
You have to find it :) 

 

 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday ~ Flashin' Way Back

 Since I've been talking about wanting to stop time {or go back in time},
 I thought this might be fitting.

March 2009
Great Wolf Lodge ~ Washington

Our little family of five.
Realistically I know that we had our challenges then too.
But my memory tells me that that was a much more carefree time.
Ahhh, memories.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Good Weekend.

Saturday afternoon we took a drive toward Mt. Hood to visit with relatives of Jeremy's that we've never met.  An added bonus?  Jeremy's "Tata" made a surprise appearance.  He isn't in wonderful health, so it was so nice to be able to see him, and let the girls give him a big ol' hug.  Plus it was the first time he'd seen Taylor.

{I feel this overwhelming need to apologize for the quality of the photos.  It's not always easy balancing a baby on your hip, a two year old wrapped around your leg, and snapping "good" photos.  But then, lately, I've noticed certain photographers continually apologizing if the lighting isn't great, or some other such thing, and only posting the "good shots".  As if those are the only ones worthy.  So.  Yes, there are blown highlights, and limbs out of focus, but I love each of these pictures.  Because they are special.  And emotional.  And isn't that what a photograph is supposed to be?  Whew.  Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.}

Tata holding his littlest granddaughter :)



Miss Tay took quite a liking to his finger.  Look at that sweet little grip ;)



And then Smarties were handed out.



And someone took a liking to those.



Then things got a little crazy.  Balancing Smarties on the nose and all.



We're kooky like that.

It was a good weekend.  Full of great memories.  How was yours?

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday ~ Family of 6

Jeremy's grandparents just celebrated 50 years of marriage {pretty spectacular!}, and we were so happy to be able to celebrate with them. 

And I was ecstatic to get our first photo as a family of six. 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday ~ A Preview

We've been busy having Fun, Fun, Fun

with Family this last week while my

Sister was visiting.

Here, Kenners having a BLAST

on the Slip n' Slide

at Sierra's Birthday Party!

I've got so much to post, but so little time.

Stay tuned, won't you?

For more WW Fun, check out 5 Minutes For Mom

A Little More Like Myself

Whew, life has been a little crazy lately.

Thankfully I am feeling much better.

Tired, but better.

I'm finally ready to post pictures from our camping trip!

So . . . get ready for some super duper cuteness . . .

Mom, are we there yet???

Kenners enjoyed putting puzzles together

And Sierra loved our family auction

And for good reason . . . Grandpa bid on an iPod especially for her.

Take a look at this cutie!

My nephew Jaymes . . .

Gotta love all that dirt ;)

My niece, Sonoma.

Is she a punkin, or what???

We had such a great time.

Can't wait till next year!

It's Good to be Home . . .

But it was great to get away!

We had a wonderful mini vacation with the family.

The girls got to play, play, and play some more with cousins.

(*Warning ~ many pictures to follow)

My sister's son, Jaymes, followed Makenna EVERYWHERE.

(Is he a cutie, or what?)

And take a look at this little muffin. My niece, Sonoma.

Kam caught up on some much-needed sleep ;)

{notice the drool in picture 1}

And the girls were sooooo excited to present me with my Mother's Day Gift,

which happened to be my favorite thing in the whole world . . .

Chocolate!