Pacific City

Love this place.

Love that the beach feels like it's ours.

Love that we're blessed to have a home to stay in there.

Love that we were able to experience such great amounts of sunshine and warmth in March.

The pictures say it all... well... almost... more on the visit to the aquarium later! :)

Where to begin...

Can you say “writers block?”
I have so much I want to say.
I have so many great pictures to share.
I have so many thoughts running circles in my head.

Spring break was…

• relaxing


• rewarding


• rejuvenating


• restful


• real

I got so much done...

• made meals with Ang @ KISS - fun, fun, fun - and good too!


• slept in (about 6:30 each morning)


• sent letters/notes to loved ones


• had an AWESOME pedicure


• went to lunch at Red Express - AMAZING food!


• painted Mason's book shelf RED


• did laundry - totally caught up now and have stayed caught up :)


• made lots and lots of cookies - frozen in bags for lunches now - Ian is happy!


• watched shows that I DVRd long ago


• took pictures of spring blooming in our yard


• had quality prayer time with God


• visited with friends


• went to the beach for a few days


• had a great time with Josh in the car


• loved spending time with the Browning family


• sorted through the tubs of Mason & Liam's baby clothes


• played with Mason


• chased Mason


• scolded Mason


• hugged Mason


• kissed Mason


• loved Mason


• enjoyed life
  

It was a break from the day to day things that seem to consume my life...
~ the drive to and from school
~ grocery shopping at the end of a long day at work
~ rushing here and there and everywhere... and I wonder where Mason gets his energy
~ trying to keep the clutter minimal on the counter
~ wiping the dirty spots on the kitchen floor with a wet rag
~ making beds at record speed

I'm thankful that I have a career that gives me a break.
I'm thankful I have a career that gives me an even longer break in just about 8.5 weeks from now.
I'm thankful that life just keeps on rolling right along... and we're never given more than we can handle.... PRAISE GOD!

Here are a few pictures of Mason enjoying time with Jack & Jill...and of course... his gator!

Looking forward to...

~ time at home.
~ making meals at KeepItSimpleSuppers.
~ getting a pedicure.
~ sleeping later than 5:30 a.m.
~ reading a good book.
~ getting our taxes sent to our accountant.
~ watching spring appear around the farm.
~ playing with Mason.
~ visiting with friends.
~ sending hand-written notes to loved ones.
~ finding a baby book for baby M.
~ actually having time to shave my legs.
~ painting Mason's bookshelf red.
~ baking cookies.
~ taking a trip.
~ framing pictures for Mason's room.
~ going for a walk in the middle of the day.
~ renting a movie and having time to watch it.
~ the smell of fresh cut grass on Tuesday - thank you Chuck!
~ folding laundry that is still warm and not wrinkled from sitting in the dryer all day.
~ uploading music onto Ian's ipod.
~ taking pictures of this and that.
~ relaxing.
~ experiencing life - one moment at a time - and not worrying about tomorrow.

Spring Break is here!
I'm emotionally drained.
I'm tired.
I'm in need of time - quality time - to do things I love to do, but never have time to do.
I'm thankful.
I'm blessed.
I'm ready.

My blog won't be updated very frequently during the next 10 days or so... but don't worry... I'll be back! :)

Thank you for praying for my dear friends - please continue to lift them up during the upcoming days. The road ahead is so uncertain and there are so many "unknowns." I am at a loss for words - just know that your prayers are appreciated. As I continue to ask "WHY?" over and over again... my mind keeps going back to this verse from the Message Bible:

Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Peace.

Comfort. Strength. Peace.

My heart is heavy.
I didn’t sleep well.
My thoughts are cluttered.
I feel low.

I don’t understand why people have to experience things that rip their hearts apart.

My dear friends need your prayers right now.
They need peace.
They need strength.
They need to experience God’s grace & mercy first-hand.
They need comfort.

O Lord,
In this time of need, strengthen THEM. You are THEIR strength and THEIR shield; You are THEIR refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. I know, Father, that Your eyes go to and fro throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts long for You. The body grows weary, but my hope is in You to renew THEIR strength.
I do not fear, for You are with THEM.
I am not dismayed or overwhelmed, for You are THEIR God. I know You will strengthen THEM and help THEM; that You will uphold THEM with Your righteous hand. Even as the shadows of illness cover THEM, THEY feel the comfort of Your strength, O Lord.
Amen.

Why?

Mason's favorite word: WHY?
My question to God on a daily basis: WHY?



There are so many words to describe Mason...
Curious.
Adventurous.
Brave.
Clever.
Fearless.

An accident waiting to happen.

Yep… it happened again… another trip to the ER… but this time NO stitches! (Praise God!)

I’ve decided that it was wise to purchase “accident” insurance this year.
I’ve thought about buying a “body-suit” to protect every inch of his precious body.
I’ve wondered what it is that makes Mason so bull-headed, hard-willed, and curious about anything and everything on the farm.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not alone in these thoughts… and that Mason will be Mason… I just need to invest in a heavy duty First Aid Kit and keep praying!

It’s not that we don’t warn him about things.
It’s not that he gets to do whatever he wants.
It’s not that we stick him out the back door and say “go for it Mason!”

We protect him.
We hold him.
We tell him about things that are safe… and things that are dangerous… but still… he sets out on his own.

He climbs the fence – to the very top.
He figures out how to get onto the back of the flatbed (with no help).
He opens the stock trailer door and then shuts it again.
He knows how to unlock the gates.
He grabs the hotwire – and then remembers that it is HOT.
He falls and gets right back up.
He can put the pickup into gear.
He waves his arms and shoos the cows away from the road.
He pulls Dylan in the wagon.
He jumps off the steps.
He walks into a room like he's the "sheriff" in town.
He’s just over 2 years old – going on 30.

I pray for strength daily. I know God will continue to help me learn how deal with whatever comes my way with this child. Sometimes I react in a positive way… other times I want to hide in a corner and cry out “Why me?” “What are you trying to teach me Lord?” “When will he learn?”

I’m sure I’ll never have the answers… but I do know that I’m going to spend a lot of years praying for guidance and strength as my baby becomes the toughest boy around!

August

January

March

old, new & gently used

The crib was bought by my parents at a rummage sale 31 years ago for $10.
The scale checked my father's weight gain 58 years ago.
The blankets have been tucked in and around both Mason & Liam – providing warmth, comfort, shade, and protection.
The lamp gives off the perfect amount of light to watch a sleeping baby.
The mobile spins and plays a tune to attract the eye of a curious child.
The barn yard set was purchased before Mason was born... I figured it would work for a boy or a girl... and now... it gets to be used once again!

Everything about this room is “perfect.” (at least in my eyes)
The light, the colors, the warmth, the love.

3 months to go… seems like forever… seems like tomorrow.

Everything is ready for the baby who will be here so very, very soon.... but am I? Ready or not... he'll be here before we know it!






















** more pictures to come tomorrow**
(I thought I had them on my flash drive but don't)

The dresser was found at a yard sale on one of George & Donna's trips to the coast... sanded down and stained to match the crib.
The handles were painted by Aunt Bryn.
The changing table was another great find... used by Morgan, repainted & recovered to match Mason's room.
The blanket was made by Aunt Kirsten.

This baby will be blessed FOR SURE!!

Excited for his arrival.
Nervous about being a mom to 2 boys.
Praying for good health and NO allergy attacks for the next 3 months.

My Sister

I was 21 months old when Kirsten was born.
She looked nothing like me.
Her hair was black and there was a ton of it.
She looked like a little papoose.
I used to tell her that we found her on the road on the way to my swimming lessons at Kah-nee-ta.

I sometimes sit and think about life with Kirsten.
We’re sisters… so alike in some ways… so different in others.

I read a book in a day.
Kirsten read a book in a month.
I organized anything and everything.
Kirsten watched.
I was the leader.
Kirsten was little miss “me too.”
I used training wheels for a LONG time.
Kirsten never used training wheels.
I gave 4-H presentations.
Kirsten cheered me on.
I had to practice things over and over and over.
Kirsten memorized things instantly.
I wanted to talk things over if we had an argument.
Kirsten walked away and forgot about it.
My best friends were boys.
All of those boys liked Kirsten.
I have freckles and get sunburned every summer.
Kirsten has a tan as soon as the temperature hits 65.

I always wanted to be like Kirsten.
I wanted to play basketball like Kirsten.
I wanted to hit the golf ball as far as Kirsten.
I wanted to have the boys drool over me like they did with Kirsten.
I wanted to be “smart” like Kirsten.
I wanted to be tan like Kirsten.
I wanted to have straight hair like Kirsten.

I’ve fought with Kirsten.
I’ve cried with Kirsten.
I’ve laughed my hardest with Kirsten.
I’ve shared a HUGE amount of life with Kirsten.
I’ve learned HUGE life lessons from Kirsten.
I’ve learned what grace is all about from Kirsten.
I’ve learned that I wouldn’t be “me” without the influence of Kirsten.
I’ve learned that I’m a better person because of Kirsten.

My sister is different than me… and now, as an adult… I appreciate that.
Kirsten is beautiful – inside and out.
Kirsten is quiet and thoughtful.
Kirsten is a leader – in her own way – not my way.
Kirsten is one of my loudest cheerleaders.
Kirsten is an amazing woman.
Kirsten is admired by many.
Kirsten is Kirsten… and I’m blessed to have her as my sister.

On Kirsten’s 7th birthday, my Grandma sent her a Cabbage Patch doll.
She let me take it to school that day for show-and-tell.

Today… as Kirsten turns 29 (for the first time)… she is just as giving and generous as she ever was… and she is loved more than she’ll ever, ever know!

Happy Birthday Kirst!