24 days

24 days to soak up the beautiful flowers in my flower beds.

24 days to sit on the front porch and drink coffee and soak up the sun.

24 days to enjoy the peaceful morning quiet of this neighborhood.

24 days left to soak up neighborhood friendships.

24 days

PERSPECTIVE

This is a word that has been coming to mind frequently in the last week. Once it was woven into the day to day fabric of life, bumping into a friend at the store, visiting with someone who has lived life much longer than I have after church, having friends over and hearing about life as it is for them, talking to a para at school.

I have missed this.
Now, it seems more calculated. Planned. Vulnerable. It has made me crave it all the more.

 Long walks and talks bring perspective. Appreciation for the beauty all around us.

God's word brings perspective to my soul.  Reading good books brings perspective.

Those who have gone before us bring perspective.

Saying goodbye to friends from far away lands brings perspective.

So I keep pressing into those things, because perspective cultivates so much more in life!
LOVE. COMPASSION. GENEROSITY. KINDNESS. LEARNING and the list goes on.

Going to church as a family for the first time in months was so good.
 I was challenged in new ways and gained more perspective.
 I want to share this with my children. I want them to see me stopping to talk to the new neighbors, asking the gal at the store how she is doing, asking the hard questions, being willing to listen.

I am eternally grateful that God brings just the right person or circumstance along to remind me of what truly matters in life. HE IS GOOD.

What is that saying again...?

The days seem long, but years are short. 

How is summer already around the corner? 

These days spent mostly at home, we have adjusted. 

We have found a new routine. 

We have learned new things about each other. 

We look forward to day outings at our favorite lake.

 Our kids love playing in or near water. I love this. The sound of water has always been so soothing to me.

 I especially love watching the relationship of my oldest and youngest. It is a special bond and they compliment each other so well.

 Relationships are tricky in small spaces for long periods of time. Its hard work, but we are trying our best!

 They loved me documenting this. :)
 Look away if you are grossed out by the next image.

The only reason to document this is to remind myself what my Grandma always said, Haste makes waste! Yep, don't be hasty when using a sharp knife. You will cut the end of your finger off. Don't worry, its healed up now. I just have no nerves in the end of my finger to remind me to slow down. Don't we all need that reminder from time to time?

Its time...

I've realized that writing things down has been therapeutic for me in so many ways. Our lives have looked so different these past months. I have time to sit, think and reflect more. This blog is a way I can document our lives. Whether its read or not is not important to me. It will be invaluable to me later as I relive the moments that are captured here.

School has been canceled for the rest of the year. Distance learning has been challenging for us. It took me a hot minute to realize, my kids are all grieving this loss. The loss of not doing life with their teacher and others at school whom they have grown to love. The loss of fun memories and events they look forward to each year. Sometimes they ugly cry, sometimes they are mad, sometimes they are frustrated and I get it.

But sometimes, sweet friends drop off fun books for us to read.

 Sometimes we go for long walks when the weather is so nice.

 Sometimes we play badminton in the front yard.

 Sometimes we find fuzzy worms, we name them, and make fun homes for them.

And always, I am giddy over fresh farm eggs that are so beautiful, this picture does not do them justice.

We are doing our best to fill our days with good times and with thankful hearts.
God is SO good and we are so blessed, and its ok to cry sometimes.

2017...Reflections...

I am sad I did not keep up with my blogging over 2017. It is a sort of scrapbook online for me since I don't get time for that these days.
There is one word that keeps coming to mind when I think of this past year...BLESSED.
As I sit and reflect over all that we were able to do I am truly humbled and grateful to God for every moment.
So here it goes, a highlight reel with a few glimpses at my most favorite moments.

This girl, I cannot believe she is double digits now!!! We celebrated on the ice with friends.

These girls, what can I say? I am humbled that God has put them in my life. They bless my socks off in so many ways!!!

I love flowers. These are from my husband, that means they are extra special.

Jaron, you make us laugh so much! You are growing up and getting more fun each day.

Our garage is getting a makeover. So excited the kids get their own play space!

It has snowed so much this winter. Our kids have enjoyed it.

These people are dear to our hearts. They came and had dinner with us.

Spring time means baby ducks!

This dear lady, her smile lights up a room! She is a prayer warrior and I am blessed to have her as my mother in law. We spent mother's day with her.

80's themed party for a friend. So fun!

How is she 6 already??? We love her! Sweet, sassy and all!

Fishing with dad.

Jay took the kids to an air show in Spokane, WA.

Our camping adventure to the redwoods in California. These amazing trees awed us with their grandeur.   

brothers...time playing together...having fun. Their sun kissed hair and skin soaking up the last of warm days.

This guy, he is giving. Spending time with others, pouring into their lives even if its just a bike ride up Beezly hill.

Jay and I had the amazing opportunity to go to Brazil. This place has part of my heart.

Time with friends at the beach, watching sunsets, soaking in the warm weather.

Memories that will last a life time. So BLESSED to go on this trip.

Amazing food...

At the mall their was a bathroom with little toilets for kids. One more reminder of why I love Brazil. Family and community are important.

Because the little things matter. Time around this fire pit as the nights are getting chilly.

Marriage retreat. Time well spent. Soaking up time with friends in this beautiful place.

Getting  our tree in Leavenworth.

Decorating our tree. This time of year is so magical.

A fun visit from our cousins.

It snowed on Christmas in Seattle!

Snuggling with cousins while we hear the Christmas story.

Fun little projects

 This year I decided to make most of my gifts. This homemade soap was fun to make

 I also made this baby doll carrier for my little niece, Samantha.

 For my girl cousins I made these cosmetic bags with leather scraps from Grandma's old coat.

 ...and these are the kids ornaments this year. I finally organized them in little bags.

 Nathaniel's was commemorating our steam train ride.

 Jocelynne, a horse for her first horse ride on the beach.

 Jaron's first summer playing in the sand at the beach.

 Emily's first year at Kindergarten.

This was fun too. Sewing them all pajama pants for Christmas.