Who Needs Water? Part 1

Last Saturday we noticed a very soggy spot in our grass right in line with our water main for the house.  We have been with out water most of that time. 

When Scott dug it up it was leaking and probably had been for a while. Fortunately it was about 8 feet from the house and did not get in to our basement. In these few days I have developed a better understanding of how valuable water is and just how much I use/rely on it. What a precious commodity!  

This is one of the first patch jobs that lasted just long enough to fill the bath tub to bathe our little A-Dubs before the patch blew off!  Scott has spent a few hours every night just trying to by us a little time till he can put in a new line in on Saturday.   I think he patched the line 5 different times.  When the last patch failed it EXPLODED.  I didn't get to see it but when I noticed our hole filling with water I also noticed that the entire front of our house was covered with water.  I think it must have been spectacular to see!  

Tonight as I type I am waiting at the laundry mat for out clothes to finish up so we actually have clean clothes to wear and I didn't have a bazillion loads to do when the water can be turned on again. 

We have blessed these few days by friends who have opened their homes to us so we could uses their  showers, fill our water containers to do dishes/keep the house clean and wash our never ending supply of dirty dish towels.   

I certainly would not like to live like this on a regular basis and I am so grateful to have  a clean water supply but in all honestly it really hasn't been that bad.  I know a lot of that has had to do with the kindness that has been offered to us by good friends and neighbors!  

I can't wait to post pictures of the finished project. . . with any luck that will be tomorrow!

Not to be gross

Oh this poor guy!  Scott is a coach. . .girls basketball and girls volleyball.  For us, the spring means open gym for both sports.  Scott has worked it out that he is only there once a week and he schedules open gyms for both sports on the same nights back to back.  He gets to play a lot on the night he is there.  

This happened last week playing basketball while guarding another guy.  I'm sure you have heard that head wounds bleed a lot. . .just from the look of Scott's clothes when he got home I would have to agree.  It is now starting to heal.  We are out of the angry red/purple phase and into the yellow/green phase.  His comment when he got home that night, " Man, I was playing so good when this happened!  I was hitting all my shots and making some deep 3s!!!"

One last interesting note, this EXACT thing happened just a few months ago guarding the exact way, only last time it was his zygomatic arch that got hit and split open! Nice right? 

Obsession

"Mom, where's my yip-stick?"  

It all started with this chap stick a few months ago. I had these amazing chap sticks stashed all around my house so when ever I needed some it was there.  Well, this lovely girl discovered them and has since found ALL of them and proceeded to use them ALL!  I now have to stash these treasures high and out of sight. 

Her love affair with "yip-stick" did not stop there. She has recently found Avery's play make-up and has been in heaven. For days she was been covered ear to ear with lip stick and cream eye shadow in various shades of pink, blue, and purple.  

Today she decided everyone, including Kal, had earned a make-overs. Lincoln likes to color outside the lines at this point so it is perfectly fine to use eye shadow on both your eyes as well as your lips!  Both the A-dubs were good sports. 

Black Beard

This past week Avery had the chance to rehearse with The Missoula Children's Theater.  They preformed in the musical, "Black Beard."  In 5 days the company held auditions, cast, rehearsed and put on a musical.  Avery was cast on Monday as King Crab and 5 days later she was singing on stage!  I was a bit concerned as to how tired and grouchy she would be through out the week but to our surprise, we saw none of that.  3 of the 5 days she had rehearsal from 3:30 till 8.  She would ride the bus home, eat a quick snack, decompress for about 15 min and then we were out the door to return to school.  She came home happy and satisfied each night.  It was really fun to observe this.  She was happy to do what was asked of her both at rehearsal and at home to prep for the next day.  She had a blast!  She did such a great job with her lines (lots of dramatic feeling behind all her dialogue) and songs.  It has been a treat to watch her find another avenue to express herself as well as develop some new talents.

Spring Break

I LOVE the Oregon Coast!

We took a very short trip over Spring Break to visit.  It was wonderful!  On the way home Scott and both agreed that this was the best "beach day" on the OR coast that we have had since we were both kids.  The weather was wonderful!  The kids played all afternoon, building sand castles, playing in the water, burying themselves, running, flying kites.  We literally had to drag the kids away when it was time to go.  If left to their own devises they would have stayed till the sun went down and even then they would have found something to do.  

Our second day was spent at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  Kal's favorite was the shark exhibit, Avery loved it all and Lincoln just wanted to run everywhere regardless of what it was!

What a nice way to decompress and refuel before "life" starts again.  

Crazy Teeth

These pictures just crack me up!  These two get into EVERYTHING right now. We made these teeth for Halloween years ago and they found them in our bathroom cabinet recently. These pictures cause me to pause every time I come across them because I think I'm looking at different kids!! Their smiles are so strange!  

Washi Tape

Recently Avery and I made a gift for her to take to a birthday party (I wish I would have taken a pic.) It was a simple notebook decorated in paper and washi tape and it was darling! We also started our Mother's Day Gifts for Activity Day Girls using washi tape.  I will post pics when we finish, but can I say how much I am LOVIN' washi tape?  It is so easy to use and makes simple projects look complicated by adding extra layers of texture.  Love it!  

Needless to say Kal and Lincoln love washi tape too!  They wanted "band-aids" made of "wacky tape" on all of their fingers!  They crack me up.  Both of them kept this stuff on till dinner time later in the day.  

Aren't little kids hands the cutest?  I LOVE them!  Both of these little sets of hands are still chubby and small and so child like.  I pretend to believe that Kal's hands are clean but know in my heart of hearts that they go in places I don't even want to know about.  GROSS!  I'm sure Lincoln is the same as she is turning into Kal's shadow!   

Tamanawas Falls

We got to hike this past week with the sister missionaries from our area and a few good friends to this beautiful waterfall just off of highway 35 in the Mt Hood National Forest.  Such a beautiful waterfall and hike.  Lincoln is ever the good sport about being in the pack. She wants desperately to walk the whole way and she actually hiked the first 1/2 mile.  However, this kid is a bit clumsy and the terrain just got a little hairy.  Lots of roots and rocks to navigate, plus we had a short window to get back to town to meet Avery off the bus.  What a great hiking buddy Lincoln is turning into.

Kal never ceases to amaze me!  This hike was about 4 miles round trip with some steady climbing the first 2 miles.  He hike the entire way and I would say that he actually ran 60% of that.  He is strong and agile.  He has such a good sense of himself and his capabilities.  The only complaint I got was that we didn't have enough time to throw a bazillion. . .yes a bazillion rocks into the river.  

In these small moments I remember the good. 

 The Good meaning:

How blessed I am for these beautiful children I get to be with.

How blessed I am to live in THE most beautiful place on earth, IMO!!!

How blessed I am for good health that allows me to do these things with my kids.

How blessed I am to live in a free country where these outings are possible.

How blessed I am for good employment that gives me these opportunities.

How blessed I am with a spouse that encourages such adventures for me and the kids

So Thankful right now! 

Perfect Day

We had a perfect day!  I spent the morning cleaning.  I started AND I finished the whole house.  IN ONE MORNING!!!  That is a huge accomplishment for my life and I cherish it.  I actually thanked my Heavenly Father last night for this tender mercy!  Because my A-Dubs  had watch way too TV to make this happen for me AND because we are having an unusually warm and sunny spring I asked if these little turkeys wanted to go on a bike ride.  

We stopped first at Twin Peaks.  A hole in the wall local hamburger joint that was filled with construction workers and grandpas.  Delish!  My kids loved it.  After we were full and ready to hit the road we stopped of at the local grocery store to pick up a few items we had forgotten the night before.  Then, off to the park! 

Kal and Lincoln are such a blast!  I love these little adventures with them.

After the park we headed to a family friends house to say hello for a quick minute.  I love good friends, what a blessing they are in our lives.  I only wish I had a pic of them to post.  Heidi and Gary (aka GheeGhee) are simply wonderful human beings!  

On our way home both of them fell asleep. 

 I felt so blessed!  

We had a perfect day!

Calling it a Season

Well, Scott's Basket Ball season came to an official end this past week with the post season banquet.   Stats were given for each girl highlighting her achievements along with the dispensing of awards to "Most Improved," "Most Valuable Player," and "The Eagle Award."  I could see the weight lift from Scott as the evening moved forward.  His smile became more "his."  A lot of that weight came from knowing that the season's late nights,  viewings of game tape, practices, and stats/ranking would take a back seat to us, his family, for just a time.  The girls start playing again in June, right after school gets out. 

Our girls did not have a stellar season if you are just looking at wins vs. loses.  We are in a very tough conference.  Every other team in our conference will be playing tomorrow for a chance to go to State.  However, despite this huge challenge, Scott noted the improvements since last year across the board for our team as a whole.  Our numbers went up in all areas.  We were a better team this year than we were last year.  I love that he commented on the little things that ultimately make the difference.  What a good life lesson THAT is in itself!!  It is the little things that matter.  It is the little acts done over and over again that changes us, as athletes and as individuals!  Go Eagles!!!

Flexibility

Can I just say how much I love NO SCHOOL!  Avery AND Scott were home today!  I had to continually remind myself that we have school and work tomorrow because it felt so much like Saturday.  

We live in, honestly, one of the most beautiful places in the US.  The Columbia River Gorge is incredible!!  We hiked Elowah Falls today!  So beautiful!  

(This is what I got when I asked her to "smile.")

Our plan was to head on over to Scott's parent's house after we were done hiking but while we were finishing up our picnic lunch I remembered I had agreed to help a friend in the early afternoon.  To say we were all disappointed to miss a visit to Grammy and Gran Bob's house is an understatement, especially when we found out that Grammy had made stew and apple pie for dinner!  Simply put, my kids were ticked off!!!  What stood out in my conversation with my mother-in-law was her grace. She is never one to make a person feel guilty, regardless of the reason.  She and my father-in-law are so flexible.  She totally understood that I had made a commitment and had forgotten about it.  Even though she spent a bunch of  time getting ready for us she was so gracious with a short notice change in plans.  I am so grateful for that, I knew it really was okay.  She wasn't angry and there would be no grudge.  Disappointment, sure.  But, anger?  Never.  I love that quality about Scott's parents.  The ability to adapt regardless of what is thrown at them is a quality that I greatly admire.  I love them for many reasons, this being just one of them!!!  

Finally

Two days before Christmas our oven broke!  Seriously?  Since I don't start the holiday treat making in advance it pretty much eliminated all  baking for me.  This is good and bad!

Fast forward 2 months and it is finally fixed!  I know I could have and should have done it sooner but "life" got in the way, between family, work, church  school, etc. . .   Life right?  Honestly the only time I would notice it was when I was wanting to make cookies or bread.  If we had a serious need or hankering we just used our neighbors oven.  She was so great to just let me use her key while she was working.  I realized that enough was enough when I went over to her house and heard the smoke alarms before I even got to her back door.  No damage, except my burned bread!!!  So, to celebrate, today we made BOTH cookies and bread!  My house smells wonderful tonight!  

Choice

Some of my Best Friends.  We've shared a lot of miles together.

A few months ago during a lunch time conversation at work we were discussing how we felt when we had to work through our lunch.  I had stated that I often feel like a "martyr" when that happened to me, like I was being taken advantage of.  A co-worker of mine had a differing opinion.  She said she felt like a Bad A@%* when she had to work thru lunch.  She was getting it done!  

I have pondered that conversation a lot over the ensuing months.  One thought that has come to mind repeatedly is  this, life can happen to us or we can happen to life.  We can choose!

Intention.  

Purpose,  

Meaning.  

Rather than waiting for things to fall into my lap I find so much more happiness and joy when I actively pursue a goal.  Making a choice on how I feel/act is so much more rewarding than allowing another to dictate how I feel.  That lunch time conversation impacted me more than I had thought.  Even today, my schedule was slammed.  On top of working I had multiple things that I truly needed to accomplish.  I also had to get in a short run before I went to bed.  It took planning and choice.  I carved a run out of my evening and with the help of a supportive husband I was able to make it happen.  Choice.  We all have it.    

Monday

This what we came home to this evening.

Avery got out of the car and said, "Mom, come quick!  It is the most beautiful moment of the day!"  Really, those were her exact words!  I can't believe that it is February and we are having this kind of  weather with these skies.  When you are literally socked in with rain, day in and day out for months at a time, days like today become tiny treasures.  

I ❤️Oregon!

Lips

Avery had a dentist appointment today.  What, you might ask, does that have anything to do with these luscious lips.  

Well, let  me tell you.  Lincoln came with Kal last month to his dental appointment and was pretty ticked off when she only got a xylitol (caviety fighting of course) lolly pop.  No dip in the prize box for her.  Well, today she was very emphatic that she get prize too.  A stamp is what she chose.  A stamp.  Not Lip gloss.  You would never guess would you!

Hoppy Valentine's Day

We worked on Valentine's for the both Avery and Kal's classes last night.  I love that this holiday celebrates serving others with kindness and thoughtfulness.  What a great holiday to remind us to love those around us especially those near and dear to us.

Avery came to me about a week ago with this frog themed idea. "Hoppy" Valentine's Day.  I don't know if she had seen it somewhere or came up with it on her own.  I just loved that it was creative and it came from her.  It was fun to actually bring her idea to life and see how excited she was about making them.  

Plugging On

I had a day yesterday.  I have not slept through the night in over a month.  It started out with Sick Kids who weren't able to sleep.  Then, it turned into them just coming to get into bed with us.  Next it was them simply waking up and needing to be soothed, re tucked in, or a drink of water.  After avoiding their germs all winter, it is my turn to walk the "sick road," being congested in no way encourages restful sleep.  So, by the time Scott got home from work yesterday I was at the end of my rope. It took less than 15 minutes of him walking thru the door for me to be in bed.  I was beyond exhausted and frustrated.  Sleep is the biggest factor contributing to my emotional bucket.  I have a few friends that suffer from insomnia on a regular basis.  Oh, how I feel for them.  Being sleep deprived can tear at a persons soul.  Fortunately, I was able to get, not great, but better sleep last night and am hoping for the same tonight.  

My Take Away ~ 

Be kind, you may offer the only kind word in someone's day.

Be patient.  It could make all the difference.

Be understanding.  You never know where someone is at emotionally.

Be non-judgemental.  You've never walked in their shoes.

This pic gives me hope and makes me happy.  It was my final leg last year on the EPIC Relay.  This was the end. It would have been so nice to simply call it a day but, I dug deep and finished strong.  That is how I want to live my life.  

Dig Deep.  Finish Strong. 

How To Walk

The Lord opened the door and I stepped through the veil, forgetting how to walk.

The Branch President opened his door and I stepped through remembering.

As I stepped into the water, and then cleansed ~ stepped out.

As I stepped to the chair and they placed hands on my head.

As I stepped down the aisle, sharing the bread and the water.

As I stepped to the table that held the Lord's sacrament.

As I stepped through those beautiful doors in Seattle for my gift.

As I stepped off the plane to Texas to serve my years.

As I stepped up to the alter and faced my best friend.

As I stepped up to the bed to watch these pure ones join our family.

As I stepped up to the podium to do what was right.

As I stepped up to the casket to say my goodbyes.

So many steps, taken on my knees, with hope in my heart that one day the Lord may open his door again and then well practiced ~ I might step back through.

 ~Scott A. Walker

Wow, I love this guy.

Time

It has been raining all week.  I haven't photographed my kids in days.  I have been working a ton, at work, at home, at church.  Like everyone else, I am busy.  However, the sun came out this afternoon, all my kids were home, no one needed to go anywhere, no work needed to be done so, we played!!We visited a dear neighbor and walked down to another neighbor's house.  It really was a ray of light in our otherwise dark week.  Scott and I have been talking this week about not using statements like, "I will come in a minute,"  " I can help you when I get this done," " I will play with you when. . ."  Our kids have been hearing this too often as of late.  I was happy for the reminder that this is not what we want for us or our kids.  Today was a good day to represent being in the moment with these beauties!

Miss L is LOVING "my ponies" right now.  They accompany us most places these days.

I love both Kal's and Avery's faces in these pics.  So similar.  They make me smile.

This is my favorite of the day.  At first I wanted the kids to stay out of the water but quickly thought, " they are kids, the water will dry and dirt will wash out.  Let them play!!"  So glad I listened to the voice in my head!!!

Sisters

Oh how I wanted a sister when I was growing up. When I found out that I was having a second girl I quietly screamed for joy!!!  My best friend has 4 sisters.  To say I was jealous growing up (and now) is an understatement.  Despite the fact that she and I have been besties for over 20 years can never compete with sisters, nor should it.  And, since I will never have a biological sister of my own I have the next best thing.  2 daughters!!!  Now, it is my job to help facilitate a relationship that will span decades, weather tough storms, overlook differences, accept flaws and love unconditionally.  No pressure right?  

Man, I love these girls!

Spinning MyWheels

I think we all do this as mothers, we spin our wheels, going as fast as we can and never getting anywhere.  Right?  I had a great day with the little A-Dubs.  Playdate for Kal.  Played out side with Lincoln.  We laughed, We slept.  We played.  It was a good day.  But, I felt like I was living in Ground Hogs Day.  No offense, but I HATE that movie.  Today consisted of doing the same thing over and over and over and over again; laundry, pick up the house, make food, clean up children, dishes, diapers, sweep, and repeat.  

What made it all worth it?  

This little gem.  

Who doesn't need a Spiderman Cheer Leader on you side?

And I Bother With Toys Why?

Have you ever notice that kids are great at making up games or finding new and unusual ways to play with toys?  Our kids are excellent at just that!  Who needs to use the trampoline outside with you can take a bed apart and use it instead!  I really enjoy this part of my kids brain. . .the creative part.  I am not always super happy with how they choose to express it but I love that they use it!  

Sunday Talk

Avery is giving a talk on Sunday.  "I know Jesus loves me," is the title.  Honestly, I forgot, which I do a lot of.  I am very best last minute, or so I tell myself.  She, however, is a planner.  I got home from yoga last night and she was preparing her talk, with visual aids, by herself!  She had mentioned earlier this week that she wanted to write it and then have us look over it but again, I forgot.  This is the first talk she has given that is 100% Avery!  

She never ceases to amaze me. 

 In these moments I realize that it is all going too fast!  She only has 9 yrs left in our house.  In 9 years she will graduate from high school and we are half way!  In these moments I feel a sense of panic.  Are we preparing her like we should?  Will she be ready?  Are we fostering a relationship that will span decades?  Will she even want a relationship with us when she is older?  Does she have a testimony of Christ?  Is she developing a good work ethic?  Are we missing steps that we are going to regret?  Honestly, my list goes on and on and on.  I guess these moments are good reminders that, for me, it is these little moments matter and are quite possibly the most important.  It is a good reminder to stay focused on what is really important.  Family.  So grateful for mine tonight.

Activity Day Girls

I get to help out with the girls from 8-11 years old at our church.  Their group is called Activity Day Girls.  They are DARLING!  During an age where girls tend to be exclusive this particular group of girls is the exact opposite.  They are so open to everyone, despite differences.  Tonight we said good by to this cutie, Ali.  She is moving with her family in a few weeks.  She will be sorely missed!

My favorite thing about Ali is her enthusiasm for service.  Last year we had the girls tell us some of the things they wanted to do, both fun and service oriented.  Ali wanted to help out at a women's shelter.  We were able to partner with Helping Hands Against Violence here in Hood River later that same month.  Ali ended up in one of the groups cleaning an apartment that was being prepared for it's next occupant.  She was so happy to help.  Her words to the director of Hands, "I love to do service!"  She is 10!!!  What an example of  being a follower of Christ.  I have seen Ali exercise patience while working on projects with those around her.  I have seen Ali listen to others ideas with out interrupting  I have seen Ali stop to help someone struggling with whatever we are doing.  I love this girl for being so "good natured."  If we, as adults could be more like Ali we would be a happier people and a  kinder people.  What a great example she is to me!  

Tonight was movie night for the Activity Day Girls.  How cute and funny they are!  Some watched the movie, other played boards games while some helped with constructing a pinata.  Again, it is so nice to watch these girls, of very different family back grounds, work together They are patient and kind to one another.  Everyone plays with or talks to girls that they may not have a lot in common with.  It is fun to see these "unlikely" friendships develop.  I love these girls.  

**Plus I love spending this time with my Avery!!!