around here: week 23 2021

 {May 30-June 5th}

{Me, my brother Dalton, and my sister Roxanne}
[just missing our little brother Dallas]

Beyond grateful... for my husband who did not hesitate when I asked if I could leave him all weekend (Thursday to Monday) to see my friends who were traveling from Florida and New York to see their mom. After originally saying yes to two nights, he ended up encouraging me to take four nights and include a visit to my grandparents at the coast. He is just the best man. 

I am also grateful that I came home to call the chores done (he even wrote them all out on the blackboard like I do every week) and the kids swimming in the pool. 

Waking up... Sunday at my grandparents house and hitting the road pretty quick.  I decided to break my drive up, and stay the night at a hotel in Vancouver, turning a 6+ hour road trip into a 4 hour one. 

Sitting... on the beach for a while before I headed back to town.  It was just what my soul needed after a whirlwind weekend. 

Perusing... Barnes & Noble (my favorite! I miss having a book store so much!), grabbing Subway for dinner in the hotel room, and swinging by Bed, Bath and Beyond.  

Spending... time reading, writing in my journal and watching Friends reruns in my hotel room.  I really enjoyed having a night to myself before heading back home Monday.

Joyfully... being reunited with my family.  I am so glad to be home with them, and so grateful for the unconditional love they show me.  They accept me exactly as I am, and I belong with them.  I came home from my weekend away with a renewed passion for my role here, and feeling that I am so vital to our life here. 

Welcoming... Pride Month in with a cute photo shoot of Carly in my favorite swimsuit of hers (she has a ridiculous amount of swimsuits) eating a rainbow lollipop from Aunt Julie & Aunt Erica. 

Visiting... Wenatchee for dinner with  my brother Dalton who was staying with my parents for a few nights.  It was so good to see him, and have him see all his nieces and nephews.  (My Carly was born on his birthday) 

Vaccinating... the twins with their COVID-19 vaccines and feeling grateful that they could get them.  Jack hates needles, so I was proud of how well he did. 

Planting... my dahlia tubers that had sprouted in the backyard along the fence, and putting up a little fence edging to try and keep Grady out of my flower beds. 

Smiling... when Logan put Smart water (my favorite) in the cart as we grocery shopped for me to have later.  I love when my kids do something thoughtful.

Swimming... after I got all hot & sweaty planting my dahlias.  Josh and Samuel were in there, and they said it was almost like bath water (so warm!) so I joined them, and I was so glad I did.  I never regret getting in the pool.  I love swimming.  I'm just a fish!

Craving... some down time after my trip away and a busy week visiting my brother, gardening and grocery shopping.  I am just exhausted! 

Watching... House of Cards with Josh.  I love when the kids are down and we have enough time to watch an episode or two.  It's fun to have a show we love, and to guess what they will be up to next. 

Taking... the kids back to Wenatchee this weekend (despite feeling like I would rather stay home with my butt on the couch) to attend The Apple Blossom Festival Carnival with my parents and sister's kids.  Gosh, we ended up having the best time! I even went on a few rides, and enjoyed an elephant ear. (My favorite! Yum!)

We made so many great memories, laughing together and being brave enough to go on certain rides.  It ended up being the easiest time I have ever experienced with our 8 combined kids, and it made me really feel the SWEET side of their bittersweet growing up.  
We never lost a kid or had a tantrum.  We were able to wait in lines, practice patience, and be kind to one another. It really was so lovely.  

Impressed... by my sister's cake making skills (yet again- *see Carly's birthday cupcakes) and loving the "campfire" theme she did for the twins.  She baked candies to make the candied flames and was so creative in every detail. 

Loving... my niece little Lulu.  She has the sweetest disposition and is so beautiful.  I can't wait to see who she becomes!

Thankful... for my friendship with Shana, that we have each other to give advice and listen, and that we make it a priority to spend time together every week.  Shana has really taught me how to be a better friend.  To have the hard conversations, to love each other well, and to make time for each other.  
Love her!

***

I love all these messages about loving our bodies 

and living our lives in them, 

not for them. 

***

around here: week 20 2021

 {May 9-15th}

{Your Story is Beautiful}

{Wyatt even practices his stacking skills at school
& his teacher sends me pics. Love her!}

Waking up... on Mother's Day to an empty house (thanks mom & dad!) and a full heart.  Jack texted me as soon as he was up, "Love you. Happy Mother's Day!" It made my heart swell up.  I made myself a delicious eggs & spinach breakfast and then Josh and I headed to Wenatchee to spend the day with my parents and my sister's family.  We got the cutest pictures of the little girls together, and really enjoyed each other's company.  It was so nice.

Watching... the twins at their baseball game, and then Carly at the park when their game was over.  Watching her made me think how lucky she is to have such a large cheering section always rooting for her. 

Thankful... that my friend Jessica asked me to come and share my gratitude journal with a gathering of her church friends.  It was fun to share that creative side of me, and I enjoyed being with other women. It's been so long since I have regularly gotten out of the house!

Being... flexible and trying to stay in the moment as different things come up.  You would think that with four kids, I would be really flexible and "go with the flow", but I am not. And change (especially last minute change) is hard for me. So I'm working on embracing new opportunities (like when Wyatt had last minute practice this week and that meant Carly and I got to go play at the park in the sunshine) and trying to be wherever I am, fully.  It's not easy (especially during school-at-home with the twins) but I am trying!!

Writing... through some of my new writing course on date night since Josh was gone working on his car.  He was also gone Saturday, and I have to say, I am so grateful that he and Samuel are able to do the work themselves. They amaze me.

Having... the cousins over with Nanny (my mom) on Saturday for some swimming.  We had the most fun, swimming and splashing and playing, and then when we were done with that, Nanny ordered us pizza and we had movie night!  It was awesome.

Finding... all the socks.  Everywhere I go, there are dirty socks.  Under the couch, in the car, on the stairs.  In my bedroom, on the rug, under the table.  Ev.er.y.where. They're making me CRAZY!

Receiving... news that my speeding ticket has been successfully deferred.  As long as I do not have any moving violations in the next 12 months, it will not go on my permanent record. Phew! (For that story, go here.)

Entering... the phase of parenting where we can leave the kids home alone for periods of time, and while it is wonderful (and freeing!) it is also bizarre.  I do wonder if the growing up of your kids ever slows down enough for you to catch up. 

Reading... so slowly this year compared to years prior.  I am not sure if it's because I am schooling the boys, or if it's because of my sleep issues, or if it's because I am just sort of burnt out, but I am reading a snail's pace.  Josh is actually ahead of me on "Number of Books Read", which is appalling to me. Haha! I am still reading some, just much slower than usual, and I'm not in as big a hurry.  Some if it may also be because I hit my "Read 100 Books" goal last year, so this year I don't have a specific goal. I am just trying to enjoy whatever I'm reading. I am very curious if Josh will close out 2021 with more books read than me. He isn't convinced because he tends to read less in the summer and I read more, but I guess only time will tell.

Loving... the book "In A Jar" that Carly checked out from the library.  In fact, I loved it so much I ordered us a copy.  It's about this little bunny who collects memories in jars of his favorite places and moments.  Reading it inspired Carly to find a jar in the hutch and go outside to gather things in it. 

Organizing... the twins room.  It's not exactly how I would have it, but I try really hard to let them have their space be their space. So it's a perfect compromise.  My favorite part, of course, was color coding their Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. 

Soaking... in all the beautiful blue skies we've had lately.  The joy that the blue sky brings me is immeasurable. 

****

Deep Thoughts: