For the Record

* Ian had and still has no idea I did this. ( I think he'd take my camera and the computer away if he did!)

* My mom's youngest sister had a baby girl this week (5 weeks early) and is doing well. So crazy to think I have a cousin the same age as my own son.

* The cute little sundress and hat have been mailed and should be arriving any day! (I did not keep it.)

* I'm pretty sure that our number is 2 and that trying for a girl just isn't going to happen... but like they say: Never say never!

* Mack has been sleeping through the night this week - amazing! and last night... well, the fashion show must have worn him out... he slept from 8:30 until 6:00 this morning. I thought for sure something was wrong... but no, he's alive and well! (I'll let you know how tonight goes.)

* I promise I won't dress my boys up as girls ever again - unless it's for Halloween or Homecoming week!

* Mack really is becoming a "thumb sucker" and is so cute trying to figure it out!

I just bet...

that all this time...

you've been thinkin'...

that Mackinley...

was a boy.

We sure got you fooled!

2 month check-up today.
4 shots today.
12 lbs. 9 oz. today.
24 inches long today.
A thumb-sucker today.
Too cute for words today.
Making his daddy proud today. (well, maybe not)

He is definitely not a girl...

but doesn't he make a great model for my cousin's new sundress?!

Staying Young While Growing Old

1. applaud others' success.

2. exercise daily.

3. keep a positive attitude.

4. read widely and often.

5. play with children.

6. enjoy nature.

7. laugh heartily.

8. take a class.

9. plant a garden.

10. count your blessings.

11. take risks.

12. sing from your heart.

13. get a pet.

14. eat healthy.

15. give generously to others.

Today as I placed my books on shelves, I came across one of my favorites.
Lists to Live By.
This book highlights success, friendship, virtue, marriage, home, health, contentment, love, family and wisdom.
It is a book that makes you think.
It is a book that offers information and inspiration.
It is a book that I don't read through nearly enough... but today I did.

Today I smiled as I read the page with the list I copied above.
Today is the birthday of one of the greatest women I know.
Today is a day when this woman can read through this list and KNOW that she is "staying young" while growing old.
Today we were able to celebrate her birthday and her life - a life lived to the fullest.

Happy Birthday Patty ~ You are definitely staying young while growing old!

I'm finding...

that the right places for my favorite things in our new home has been somewhat of a challenge.

How is it that the things that looked "just right" before look "out of place" now?

My pitcher collection is still wrapped and boxed carefully.
My hot-pad holders haven't found a home.
The bakers rack that I "couldn't live without" is now standing empty in the middle of the garage.
The doors are in different places.
The windows are different sizes.
The rooms are layed out completely differently.
The toilet flushes differently.
The bathroom door actually locks.
The underground sprinkler system is awesome.
The riding lawn mower is almost as good as paying Chuck.
The fruit trees are beautiful, but are dropping fruit like mad.
The gator and buck have their own "parking lot."
The barn wood frames look great with the huge brick fireplace.
The sunsets are beautiful, but somewhat blocked.
The "fresh produce" sign I've had for years is actually legit.

I'm adjusting. We're adjusting.

I'm finding that there are pictures that just aren't going to be hung.
I'm finding that my bed is beautiful in a room with a lot of natural light.
I'm finding that the office nook located outside our bedroom door is one of my favorite places to be.
I'm finding that having a tiny laundry room right off my kitchen is better than having a huge one in the basement.
I'm finding that fencing the yard has kept the dogs in, but hasn't slowed Mason down one bit.
I'm finding that living on a road with traffic is interesting.
I'm finding that the pile of things to unpack is getting smaller.
I'm finding that having people in and out of my house daily is wonderful.
I'm finding that no matter where we live - life is still the same in a lot of ways.

I still do laundry.
I still wash dishes.
I still read books.
I still change diapers.
I still live.
I still learn.
I still love.

... and someday soon I'll take you on a tour of this house that has become our home.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Never knew these quiz things exsisted.
Crazy to see what is out there for us bloggers.

Not that any of this is true... but I do like purple. :)

You Are a Purple Crayon

Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors. You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful. People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you. And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off! Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Looking Up

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works!
In Wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches."

Enjoying the beauty that surrounds my every day life and happy that I can share it with you. ~Blessings prayed for each of you this beautiful Sunday~

Maternity Leave...

has finally started.

So weird to not be at school for the start of my 10th year of teaching... but happy to be home with my boys (all 3).
October 1st will be here before I know it. So until then, I'll continue doing what I seem to do best:

• Stripping wallpaper.


• Painting, painting, and painting some more.


• Relishing the freshness of the new looks I've given each room.


• Uploading photos to Costco from home - LOVE IT!


• Searching for "missing" items that are nestled in a box somewhere.


• Visiting with mom & dad. (they're back!!)


• Enjoying dinner out with my husband and friends.


• Driving to town and back in less time then in took one way from the Windy M.


• Picking strawberries from the garden that I'm so blessed to have right in our yard.


• Shoveling puncture vine - HATE that stuff.


• Reading and re-reading friends blogs and comments. So thankful for the world wide web and the ability to "connect" with others.


• Appreciating the little things like flip-flops and lip gloss.


• Witnessing my baby smile and laugh at his big brother.


• Laughing with my husband and loving his care-free spirit.


• Waiting for the next adventure to begin.

It's windy here today - imagine that.
The house is quiet, the baby is sleeping, and the my "to-do" list is about to be tackled.
Mom & Dad just left.
Mason was sitting proudly in the back seat - so very excited to be going to Papa & Mor-Mor's house for a couple of days.
I'm headed to Home Depot...wish me luck in picking the "perfect" color for Mack's room.
Pictures to come!

Fresh Faith

A few years ago I read a book called Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala.
Great read.
Totally inspiring to trust God with everything and watch Him go to work.

Needing to re-read that book.
Needing to trust that I'm doing the right thing when my son is testing all boundaries and limits.
Needing to know that God is at work... even when I'm at the end of my rope... when we're all at the end of our ropes.

Our strong-willed, curious, adventurous, sweet boy is 2 years, 8 months old. He is all boy (as you could see in the previous video) and honestly thinks that he is an adult. He's tall for his age. People see him and think he is 4. People expect a lot from him. I don't know if it's his size or if it's his "no fear - I can do anything" attitude... but I think I've become one of those "people." One of those people who expect him to act and think and do like 4 year olds do.

I expect him to do what I ask.
I expect him to understand exactly what I mean when I say something to him.
I expect him to comply and not question.

...and then suddenly, I realize that I have great expectations, but have forgotten that he is only 2 and that parenting isn't just something that starts at birth and ends at age 3.
It's a daily thing. It's a hourly thing. It's a moment by moment thing that you can't let slip or you'll be sliding into a deep, dark hole. It's something that I sometimes think I'm not cut out for.

The Strong-Willed Child came off the shelf today.
Shepherding A Child's Heart was opened for the 43rd time.
Chapter 6 of Parenting Isn't For Cowards was read and re-read.

all that, and I sit here tonight... tired, weary, exhausted, and at peace.

We're doing the right things.
The books reaffirmed it.
We're setting expectaions and following through.
We're letting him know that we're in charge.
We're loving him and telling him that over and over and over.
We're trusting God and having faith that "this too shall pass."

Today, Mason tested and tested and tested.
Today, Mason was loved.
Today, Mason suffered some consequences of some not so good choices.
Today, Mason realized that he isn't the boss.
Today, Mason lived the life of an average 2 1/2 year old.
Today, Mason won our hearts over again for the 450,237th time - dirty face & all.



Tomorrow's a new day.
Tomorrow will bring laughter and love.
Tomorrow's another day to have "Fresh Faith."

Monkey See - Monkey Do.

Life is like laundry.

There are days when it seems that my home, my job, my attitude... pretty much everything... needs a face lift.
There are days when this life I'm so very blessed to call mine needs to be spun, and wrung, and soaked.
It needs to be scrubbed.
It needs to be hung out to dry.
It needs a large dose of stain remover.

I like to be clean.
I like to smell fresh.
I like the fact that my clothes are stain-free.
I like that when my life looks like it belongs in the bottom of the laundry basket, things happen.
God happens.
He comes. He wipes the stains away. He washes my soul.
And before I know it, the life that once looked so stained and dirty is suddenly hanging on line, basking in the sun, ready to tackle life yet once again.

Laundry.
All it takes is a little soap, some water (doesn't even have to be warm), and in my case... a lot of Spray 'N Wash... and something that looked and smelled and appeared to be at it's worst magically becomes fresh and clean and new.

Thank you Jesus for your blood.
Thank you Jesus for the fresh start you give us time and time again.
Thank you Jesus for taking care of my laundry.

Expressions

Expressions tell you a lot about a person.
They give insight to who they are, what they're passionate about, and often show their "true colors."
Expressions are shown through body language.
It may be a twinkle in the eye, or maybe it's a lopsided grin, or possibly even a gesture with a hand.
Whatever it is - it is unique, it is individual, it is meaningful.

I really don't see pictures of myself that often because I'm usually the one holding the camera.
I don't see my expression that often either - aside from the goofy faces I make in the mirror - and I really don't know what I look like when I'm interacting with others.

Pictures speak volumes.
They capture an individual and freeze their expressions.

The point of this post???
Well - I was captured by a camera recently and can't help but wonder...
"How did I get these "crazy" expressions?"
"What do they say about me?"
"Are my eyes really that big?"

Capturing expression is a gift.
It is challenging. It is fulfilling.
It is something my good friend Robert does with ease.

Thank you Robert for capturing our life so well and sharing your talent with us for the past 4 years.
You've brought our "expressions" to life.

Mommy & Mason ~ Oct. '05

Little One

Why can't you stay this size forever?

Life has been so busy the first 7 weeks of your life and I'm afraid you've been born into a family that doesn't know anything but busy.

You don't seem to mind the chaos that happens around you daily and your mild manner is just what our family needed.

I love the sweet smiles you are beginning to make.

I love the way you watch the horse on the mobile so intently.

I love the chubbiness of your little legs.

I love the indent in your chin.

You're beautiful sweet baby boy.

You're handsome already.

You're mine and I wish you could stay this size forever.

Finally

2 1/2 hours later...

I'm trying to understand why some days it goes so well and other days it doesn't.

I'm really trying to keep my cool when the "battle of the wills" happens.

Why is nap time so hard? I was tired. Mack was tired. My eyes were heavy. Mack was asleep.

... and Mason, well, he was wound up like a top!!

Why was I worried about tackling errands and shopping at Wal-Mart? He was perfect all morning. Held my hand in the grocery store, sat in my chair at school, used his "please" and "thank you"with the secretary, actually stayed in the cart at Wal-Mart, fell asleep on the way home... and then... well, I guess there would be nothing to look forward to if everything was always "perfect."

I'm thanking God for the song that keeps popping in my head... with the words: "You are my strength when I am weak."

Praying that tomorrow goes a little more smoothly and that I remember to be patient!

Who would have thought...

I can count on one hand how many times I've seen my husband in shorts ( in public).
I can count on one hand how many times I've seen my husband "relaxing" on a weeknight during "harvest."
I can count on one hand how many times I've seen my husband dive off a boat into cool, refreshing water.

This new adventure we've found ourselves a part of has brought a lot of good things into our lives.
Ian is becoming punctual.
Ian is learning to relax.
Ian is making time for us.

As we pulled out of the river tonight, I couldn't help but smile, thinking "who would have thought... us... out in a boat in August on a Wednesday night."

Thank you Doug...
for taking time to take time.
for praying for years for something like this to happen.
for being excited every day about this new adventure.
for sharing life with us.

Looking forward to the future.
Excited about the changes that are happening daily.
Thankful that you've accepted us as we are.
Ready to watch blessing upon blessing make its way into our lives.

day to day things...

laundry!
Love that I have a clothesline!
Love the smell of my sheets after hanging to dry!
Love the look of clothes on a clothesline!
Love that Ian's clothes aren't nearly as dirty as they used to be!
pictures!
How is that when you move to a new place, your favorite things - especially pictures and art work just don't look the same?
Things are finding the "perfect" place - not necessarily in sight, but that's ok... they won't be in a box forever!
I'm getting some great ideas for a huge wall I have in my living room... more on that later!
Mason!
He's been going to Wa-Wa (Walla-Walla) for the past 2 days to work with daddy... and loving every minute of it!
He's so proud to be "fixing" things and "working"... and Ian says it's been wonderful...we'll see how today goes!
He has developed a sensitive side that I am falling in love with when it comes to caring for others!
He's 2 1/2... going on 15 now!
Ian~
Home before dark.
Blowing bubbles with Mason in the yard each evening.
Relaxed. Happy. Smiling!
Me~
Loving my ability to post from home!
Loving the fact that my house is all on one level.
Loving Colbie Caillat!
Loving my built in dresser in my new closet.
Loving great prices on coats for Mason at Costco!
Loving.
Mack~
Weighing in at over 11 lbs.
Smiling.
Cooing.
Beautiful. Peaceful.
Love watching him grow right before my very eyes!

Fantastic success is made up of quiet opportunities that were never neglected.
~ Claude Farley

Photos from Patty's garden~ loving that this beautiful lady is a part of our daily lives!!

Preparing for the Future

Making my way around the county fair last week I couldn't help but envision the future of my little "mutton busters" sporting their Wranglers and hats proudly. Mason was enthralled with the animals... that was until he saw the tractor parked in the show barn. I guess we'll save a spot on the mantle for that "Tractor Driving Champion" trophy I know he'll proudly earn.

Someday Mason and Mack will be in FFA.
And someday I'm going to become a "fair mom"... whether I want to be one or not.
Someday we'll be proud owners of pigs or sheep or rabbits or goats. (Anything but those fine feathered friends and I'll be fine!)
And someday they'll both earn "Grand Champion Steer" awards (according to their father).
Someday both of my sweet boys will be sporting coats like this one - no doubt about it!

so for now... I think I'll enjoy the fair from a distance.
I'll walk around with my boys and look at the animals and tractors and know that someday - someday soon - I'll be there in a camp trailer, taking a turn at barn duty, preparing my sons for their presentations and showmanship, making sure their shirts are pressed, bathing their animals and cheering them on... and definitely making my husband proud!!

Right Now...

Our house is quiet.
I'm sitting at my computer and am so very happy to say that I am actually able to post from home!!
The writer and photographer in me will still make its way into the lives of others. Praise God!!

...and yet, right now, my fingers can't seem to move, my eyes are dry, there's a lump in my throat...
Unbelievable.

Mack is 6 weeks old today.
There are still countless boxes to be unpacked.
The paint brushes have taken a break for a couple of days, but will be in full swing again soon.
The pictures are waiting patiently to be hung.
The cupboards are full.
The dishes are done.
Has it really been 9 days since the moving truck pulled away and left us standing here... overwhelmed, excited, and grateful?!

My parents left this evening.
Not just to make a quick trip to town.
Not just to go home for the weekend.
They went home.
Home for good.
Home to the life they so graciously gave up for 7 weeks.
Home to their beautiful garden and gorgeous view of the Cascade Mountains.
Home to that place I'm thinking I need to go visit soon... like tomorrow.
They went home... and we're missing them.

I knew it would be hard to have them leave, but I had no idea that 5 hours later I would still feel like I was 18 again, sitting in my dorm room, wondering what on earth I was going to do without my parents. I had no idea that Mason would cry so hard and feel as lost as I did as their car pulled away from our new home.... and 5 hours later still not understand why Mor-Mor and Papa weren't here. I had no idea that life would feel so empty... not just for us, but for them as well. I had no idea how blessed I would feel to have the best parents anyone could ever ask for.

Tonight...reality begins.
Life with 2 boys, a new home, a new job, neighbors, pavement, boxes, and only 2 adults begins. We're surviving.
I actually fixed dinner, washed down the cobwebs from the end of the house, visited with my neighbor, fed Mack, read to Mason, hugged and kissed my husband, started a load of laundry, and finished the dishes without too much trouble.

It's quiet.
Mason is quiet and still a bit teary-eyed.
Ian is quiet and tired.
Mack is quiet and sleeping peacefully.
I'm quiet. I'm teary-eyed. I'm tired. I'm going to be sleeping peacefully soon.

We miss you mom & dad.
Thank you for blessing us with the gift of time and the gift of love.
It's been a wonderful summer - and definitely one we will all treasure forever.