My Buddy & Me...

This is my buddy Dylan.



He loves to play with me.

We like to explore together.

Thanks for being my buddy!
Love, Mason

Camping...

... has to be one of my favorite things to do.
I love the sounds & smells...
people putting up a tent and trying to figure out which pole goes where and what side the door should be on…
the camp fire crackling and songs being sung…
the bell on a child’s bike as they "parade" by…
the “clank” of the horseshoe hitting the pit…
the campfire smell in your hair...
the hotdogs roasting on sticks...
to me... the sounds and smells are everything!!

I grew up camping every summer and looked forward to my family’s adventures in the great outdoors. I think my dad always wanted to be a park ranger… so no matter where we were or who was with us... we got the “full effect”.

Well, I’ve started the tradition with Mason and I can tell you that after our first camping trip - he’s already loving every second of it. We had an awesome time this weekend with our friends the Ledfords at Emigrant Springs near Meacham. It is a fabulous campground, has warm showers (free), lots of great trails to walk on, and it’s not too far from home. The sights and sounds were thrilling for Mason and he loved being able to “stomp” through the mud puddles (it poured down buckets and buckets of rain the first day). We also had our first “mushroom hunting” experience – so amazing to hike through acres of forest and see the beauty God has created...in all directions – not much luck with the mushrooms… oh well, the hike was worth every second.
My little explorer/camper loved the great outdoors and I’m so glad he’s excited to carry on with my camping “traditions” my parents started with me– whether he knows it or not, he’s in for some Awesome Adventures!

Here are a few photos... wish I could share them all...

Thoughts

Journaling is something that I’ve always loved to do, but to be honest with you I haven’t had nearly as much time to sit and reflect since marrying my wonderful farmer/cattleman. I don’t really know why I haven’t been as good about it because there is sooooo much more to journal about and I’m sure that our “stories” would be best-sellers in a publication about the “funny farm.” When I considered starting this blog, I thought it would be a great way to journal about Mason with family and friends and to keep them updated on Ian (since he never leaves this place – and yes he is alive and well). Not everything that happens is what I would call blog material, but then again… what is blog material?? Some days I definitely feel like there isn’t much to share, and other days I feel like I have to post 2 or 3 times to tell about everything. This has been an awesome tool for me to share my heart and our lives. I have no idea who actually reads my “journaling” and I wish there was a way to know that I’m not the only one who reads it at least 3 times a day…(pathetic)!
I think I finally came to grips with the reasoning behind this journal/blogging last night as I was reading my just give me a little piece of quiet book. It was talking about photo-happy moms (which I am one of… even with other people’s kids) and how you almost look for crazy things/situations for the “perfect picture” opportunity. I laughed to myself because just a short while ago Mason was running around and fell, and instead of rushing to him, I grabbed the camera because of how “great” the picture would be for his scrapbook. Ian couldn’t believe how “cruel” I was… I wasn’t thinking it was cruel at all – just a memory captured on film!
As I thought about my “picture taking” and how much I love my new camera (happy birthday to me … just a little early – from family and friends) because I can capture those moments even faster, I was challenged with thinking of photographing and journaling in a whole new way. I take pictures and write to show what great things the Lord is doing in our lives. He is always present and at work… at all times! I try to capture the moments that I feel Him at work… and even the times when I wonder where in the world He is…for me, it’s sharing my testimony… it’s capturing the sweetness of the moments my life is made of!
I know that I won’t be able to capture all the encounters my family will have with God in a picture, but when I don’t capture the scene, the smile, the tear, the beauty… LIFE… I can still write about it.
The purpose of this blog… well, it’s to record the stories of our life in picture and word… so that whoever “stumbles” upon it can be blessed and uplifted. The quote I loved in the book… “If acid free scrapbook pages stand the test of time, our scrapbooks will stand as alters, testimonies to God’s faithfulness in meeting our needs – and meeting us.”
For me… this spoke in huge volumes that my blog is a testimony, it’s sharing my faith, it’s living and knowing that God is present and with me at all times, and it’s capturing each moment for future generations!

Deuteronomy 11:18, 20
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

So, read on friends… and comment if you want – but most importantly enjoy life and live it!

** Karen… the magazine I was talking about the other day is called Lily **

** Brenna - I love that you started a blog!**

pictures from the park!

Sick

Went to the park yesterday with Bess & Jacob - so much fun! (forgot my memory card with the pictures - will post later)
Stopped by school - he loves the "big" kids and all the books in mommy's library!
Got home and realized that Mason was burning up... what kind of mom am I??... needless to say we spent the afternoon sitting & reading, sleeping and drinking lots of water & juice.
I think once he "threw-up" everything I had tried to shove down yesterday, he finally felt better... today he is with Mimzy-Grandma Murdock, hopefully feeling 100% by the time I get home.
Thanks Mimzy - hope you survived and want to come back soon!

Lily

So I found this awesome magazine as I was checking out of Bi-Mart a few weeks ago... read through it as soon as I got home and then forgot about it. Mason found it under the couch (wonder how it got there) the other day and I decided to read through it again. It is a new publication with an emphasis on "beautiful living through faith" - love that! It has great pictures, fantastic scriptures, meaningful quotes and easy, yet creative ideas for every-day living - love that even more! Just want to share a few things I liked:

"The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation."

- Corrie ten Boom

"I can complain because rosebushes have thorns...

or rejoice because the thornbush has a rose."

- anonymous

Visit an elderly friend. Share flowers from your garden.

"It's only forgetting yourself that you draw near to God."

- Henry David Thoreau

there was a great section on "blessings" that I really liked...

TIME TO NURTURE

Turn off the telephones, televisions,

computers, video games, and radios,

and connect with the people who are

most important in your life.

Use this time to listen and to offer

comfort, encouragement, wisdom,

and direction.

"Find value in unhurried living, simple acts of kindness, and the little things in life that show God's love for you."

This is my new life motto - maybe it has been for some time... all I know is that right NOW I really want it to be what people see in me... unhurried, simple & showing God's love! (the unhurried part may be hard... but I'm going to try)

so... if you get a chance, check out this awesome magazine!

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life.

Be happy now. Don't wait for something

outside of yourself to make you happy in the future.

Think how really precious is the time you have to spend,

whether it's at work or with your family.

Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

- I Corinthians 10:31

Pole, Pedal, Paddle

Spent the weekend in Central Oregon - love it there and so blessed to have spent my childhood there - such a great place to grow up!

My dad and some of the people who work/teach with him at Metolius Elementary participated in the HUGE Pole-Pedal-Paddle event this weekend - what fun it was to watch!

I don't really see myself as a participant any time soon - but I definitely think I have the competitive nature in me (like my dad) and would love the RUSH of the race... not so sure which piece of the treck I would do best at.... definitely not the downhill skiing, or the running...but, maybe the biking.
Here are a few photos I captured down by the river...

Way To Go Dad!!

7th Place in the Open Class Division
2:32:16

309th Place Overall(out of 795 teams)

Love This

love that this boy loves his daddy...

love that the view from daddy's arms is "just right"...

love that he can't wait to see his daddy at night...

love that he has such a great daddy...

...love this...

Hugs All Around

Mason is changing daily! His vocabulary is improving so much & at almost 17 months I can't believe how much he "talks." His new thing is "thank you" - he sang it all the way to town this morning - so stinkin' cute... and I say "sang" because it is almost like a song... and it's definitely music to my ears... LOVE IT!!
He also loves to give hugs & kisses - especially to cousin Morgan!
When I watch him run and giggle and fall down time after time, I am so thankful for my time with him. My job will be changing next year and I have to go back to full-time, but I'm choosing to think about all the great things I've been able to experience with him this year, rather than focusing on the things I'll miss next year. He's an amazing little boy - a sweet spirit, an inquisitive mind, a creature of habit... can't function without his blankie... and he's MINE.

Happy Day to all of you - here are a few pictures from the weekend...

Road Trip

Had a fantastic time with Shannon & Bryn this weekend! Love the fact that our "getaway" plan actually worked and that we were blessed with beautiful weather, great food, and a lot of laughs!

Stayed at the Inn at White Salmon B&B - what a cool place and the breakfast was amazing.



Bryn & I had our first experience with SUSHI - WOW! The California Roll was great - the Soft Shell Crab was good - the Eel was interesting - needless to say, we were very thankful for Shannon's "expertise" - and thank God there was chicken!



I think the highlight of Friday night was while we were standing in line for ice cream @ Mike's Ice Cream... and on the menu is a "Screaming Brownie" ... Shannon says, "what's a screaming brownie?" ... and Bryn (Browning) screams in her ear - "THIS IS!" We were laughing so hard!

Saturday was spent cruising through the shops- trying on clothes, shoes & jewelry... buying toys, books, puzzles & placemats for our kiddos at G.Willikers (I think that's what it's called) and finding $11 deals at 2nd hand shops! The weather was fantastic and our "cute" cowgirl hats were a good source of shade. Don't you love the picture?!



Thanks to our husbands for letting us have this little adventure - it was a great Mother's Day gift!

Raising a HEALTHY Eater

The book fair is still here and the books are becoming scarce... but I did find one about children's eating habits, so I dreamed up some of my own interpretations - here goes!

Make mealtime a time for learning: like learning to eat with a spoon!




















Institute a "one-bite rule" in your household: how about "as many bites as possible rule"?!



Love the fact that he's is so enterntained by a bowl and a spoon!



... and no... my child has not missed a meal!

Mr. Rogers

When I was little we my sister and I loved going to Grandma Sundberg's house. There were several reasons we loved the LONG trip to Seattle... going to Huskey's to get ice cream, splashing around at the Lincoln Park wading pool, day trips to the zoo, watching the boats go through the locks, eating fish n' chips down on Alki, riding the bus downtown, zooming around Green Lake on our bikes, ferry rides to Vashon, and watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (since we didn't have a TV at our house). We loved the trolley, his singing, and the funny puppets! Mr. Rogers was one of a kind - and as I sit here and read this book I can hear the theme song playing!

Well, wouldn't you know... several years later (today), I find a book written by Fred Rogers at our school book fair. The memories came flooding back and I love his words of inspiration... so I have to share.






from Life's Journey's According to Mister Rogers :

"It's really easy to fall into the trap of believing that what we do is more important than what we are. Of course, it's the opposite that's true: What we are ultimately determines what we do!"

"We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of saying to the world who we are."

"Who we are in the present includes who we were in the past."

"The outside is never as much as the inside..." As you know by now, that's one of the major themes of our work: The invisible essential. Oh, the outsides of life are important, but the insides are what enhance so much of the rest.

and the best one of the day (at least for me):

"The older I get, the more I come to understand that the things we possess can never bring us ultimate happiness. Contrary to what's implied in commercials, nothing we buy can ever take away our loneliness or fill our emptiness or heal our brokenness. You know yourself-way down deep-that what really matters is how we live this life with our neighbors (those who we happen to be with at the moment). That's what really matters. That's really all that matters."

Here's my little man with my big man - love them both soooooo very much!

My husband really is happy - he just thinks my obsession with "picture taking" is a bit much ...

Birthday Craziness!

I know we all have certain months that just seem to be filled with "birthday" celebrations... May is one of those for me. I love parties - and always look for ways to let the people in my life know that "They Are Special!"
A birthday is a celebration of life, a feel-good moment - when a new creation of God comes to life.
I'm so very thankful for the May celebrations I get to be a part of and hope that each of the "treasured" people in my life know just how important their life is to me.

5/4 Dorothy - you are a treasure! Continue to shine and be the great mom to sweet Ashley that you are! Here's to adventures with our December babies!

5/5 Happy Cupcake Day Angela - a friend like no other - you know me inside & out and I treasure the wonderful times we've laughed together, cried together, gone crazy together and loved each other (no matter what)! Looking forward to the fun times ahead - the great adventure called life - you never know where it will take you... maybe the circus - but at least we'll be together!

5/6 Susan - I'm so happy you're back, I'm thrilled about the fact that you KNOW that God is in control, and I'm excited to see what He is going to do in your life because you're trusting Him. Smile - life is good!

5/7 Morgan - you are a Sweetheart!! Happy 3rd Birthday! You have such a caring little spirit and we love you so much!

5/14 Bryn - what can I say?! You are one of a kind and I've enjoyed our adventures as sister-in-laws. Thanks for your encouraging words and great hugs! I love your passion for life - keep it coming!

5/19 Tiffany - can you believe our teaching careers in Hermiston began together almost 9 years ago - WOW! My fun, red-headed roommate for lots of years- you bring a smile to my face and I'm thankful for your ability to put up with all of the rest of us - and our "stupid" humor. Here's to you Red!


so - I probably missed someone - hopefully not, but if I did... please know YOU ARE SPECIAL!

Happy May to all of you - live life to the fullest and remember:

Thoughts become Words.

Words become Actions.

Actions become Habits.

Habits become Character.

Your Character is Everything!!

Girlfriends

What would we do without girlfriends?

Thanks to these women who work with me in the great profession of teaching - I get to have my girlfriends with me almost all of the time.
We laugh with each other, cry with each other, help each other with crazy projects- and most of all support each other through thick and thin!

Happy Birthday Susan

... just a few days early!

We're glad you're back in Hermiston... and yes... it does grow on you

(especially when you have GREAT girlfriends)!!

Fun Is Where You Find It

No matter what we're doing or where we're at - Mason always finds the"fun" !!








After shopping at Wal-Mart on Saturday (I know what you all are thinking - who is stupid enough to shop at Wal-Mart on a Saturday... but the good news is that we survived), Mason and I headed to Funland Park to enjoy a Taco Bell picnic. He loved his burrito and couldn't get enough of the "drops" of diet Pepsi in the bottom of my cup - he loves straws right now and doesn't seem to care if there is anything in the cup or not - I don't think this "phase" will last very long- him being "ok" about the cup being empty that is.





He's also infatuated with the refrigerator and the "cans" he finds inside. I don't know how comfy it is to sit or stand on the ledge of Papa & Mimzy's frige, but he doesn't seem to mind the "cold".






I think we may have a musician on our hands - he taps his fingers to the beat all the time and has now started tapping his foot when he hears music. So cute!

Happy May Day everyone!!