"Land of the........ VERY DISTURBING!"

This is going to be a rather "announcement" formatted post.

First, in reference to the title, please do NOT waste your money on "Land of the Lost". We saw it from about 11:30 to 1:30 last night at the drive-in (second feature) - SO GLAD the kids were pretty much asleep and missed all of the foul humor. What's happened to Will Ferrell? Can we please return to the fun of "Elf" and get his movies out of the gutter? The irony is, when I first heard this movie was coming out, I thought - "Oh Michele and I have to go see this together" as we faintly remember watching the show it was based on. Then, the reality occurs - and we are lamenting that we can't leave the drive-in without disturbing everyone else parked there - and have to suffer through it. The good news - the first movie was "Night at the Museum 2". My fam had already seen it, but I actually enjoyed it even more the second time around - as did everyone else....lot of fun laughing with Michele.

Here's some pics of last night - note Michele and I's happy drive-in feet:


The oldest three sharing an Icee:


The boys found a wonderful position on the lawn chairs, until it started raining (typical Oregon June weather). Fortunately, it was short-lived and we were able to kick them out of the van again before the movies started.


Definitely not my favorite group pic.....there's a lot of pre-dusk playing in the center area that led to more mud than we were counting on.

Second announcement - man, I've missed this guy! The greeting I got when I walked in the door was "epic" (quoting from my college friends)...... Apparently, he really does love me more than "just anybody else". We've been actively trying to make up for a lot of lost time bonding since I arrived at Michele's yesterday.

Announcement number 3: Apparently, in an effort to train me to be a better nurse-maid to the sick, God decided to allow Mikayla to suffer through John's cold....I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and do better. (As well as keep the alternation between Advil and Tylenol consistently coming for her). Michele was complaining last night of a scratchy throat.....oh brother....Yes, Lord! I'm learning my lesson!

Finally, check THIS out! After saying "NO" to Facebook, his own web show (thank you "I-Carly"), and his own cell phone, John and I finally relented and said "yes" to our little man who so desires to socialize, when he asked if he could have his own blog. Imagine our surprise when we realize he is actually wanting to write - and post about his feelings - and is open to our (mandatory) reviews of his writing and editorial corrections. Don't look now, but our son is asking to practice his writing! He would be very encouraged by your comments - so those of you that know him, I'd like to selfishly ask if you'd stop by and say "Hi" from time to time (so that he'll be more inclined to stick with it). Checking for comments is now one of the first things he does in the mornings! (And I've been saying he's so much like his daddy.....hmmmm, I'm thinking there's some "Mom" peeking through).

As for the rest of this weekend - Nati's "Up" movie (theater) party is tonite - and Traig's "Amazing Race" party is tomorrow. Then, back home in time for Father's Day. I hope you all have a super weekend!

Sad Good-Byes

Good grief! After all this anticipation, all of the complaining about homework and waking up early - BOTH my kids got in the car after school and started crying - and continued all the way home. I literally grabbed two blankets and sat between them on the loveseat hugging them tight. (We were supposed to go to the pool, but it is just now starting to clear up - we'll see if we make it).

Mikayla is sad because a friend of her's is going to a new school. That's a bummer, but I've tried to encourage her to try to be email pen-pals.....

Brayden is sad because he'll miss his teacher. I think the last couple of months was really bonding for his teacher and Brayden. He said, "she's my favorite - nobody 'got' me like her". She'll be moving to kindergarten, so I assured him that he'll be able to visit her often next year - as well as visit her occasionally on Facebook.

The kids are learning early that sometimes the things we wish so long for isn't nearly as gratifying as the journey to get there.

In Sickness and In Health

Before I got married, I always thought that that particular line in marriage vows was a little unnecessary. Of course I'll love my spouse in sickness and in health.....and thoughts of playing Scrabble and sharing chicken noodle soup together filled my romantic fairy tale dreams.

However, as time and years of marriage have progressed, I've realized there is a reason we make those vows. Sickness can be a terrible foe. Be it disease, depression, constant pain, or allergies - putting up with someone who doesn't feel good is not easy. Nor is it easy to be the person not feeling good.

Part of the reason this can be so tough is that folks handle being sick so differently. Some of us do NOT like to be coddled. Honestly, that was one of my least favorite parts of being pregnant. Folks feel they have the right to caution you constantly, treat you differently and with more care when you are expecting. It was such a relief to have it just be "me" again after I had the kids so I'd get less "be careful" attention. Certainly, I appreciate the kids being taken care of, occasionally an ice pack or "bowl" brought to me - and perhaps a remote control by my side, but that's about it. Pretty much just let me get through it, folks, and I'll be okay.

However, I've found that my husband enjoys a little more attention. He was sick this weekend with a nasty head cold he picked up on his business trip. He spent most of his day yesterday asleep on the couch. I thought I was being sensitive enough, but as we had dinner last night with his mom - and teased him about his "Debbie Downer" expression, it opened up the ongoing issue in our marriage that I am just not nice enough to him when he's sick. I have my own rebuttal, but that's not so much the point. If he's my life partner, and I've said these vows, I ought to probably try a little harder to make him feel honored. Hmmmm, hope this cold gets better fast!

And, to end this on a nice positive note - a sweet pic of the kids with their grandma:

Wildlife Safari

A while ago, when I looked at the calendar and determined my kids would have the day off when a lot of our "play-day" buddies would be gone, I asked Stephie if she'd consider taking one of her "comp" days and spend this day playing with us.

She agreed, but we were at kind of an impasse regarding what we wanted to do. She finally suggested Wildlife Safari - an animal refuge about an hour and a half south of us as she's never been there. The kids thought that sounded great, and a plan was in motion.

We had a great time. The weather was perfect, most of the animals were visible as we drove through - and it wasn't too crowded.

The petting zoo was a new addition since I'd been there last - as well as these little "animal boards". This was also the first time we rode the train - however we were too cheap to foot the extra cost to ride the camels or have the elephants wash our car. Simply the entrance admission (even with the buy one get one free coupon we scored) is expensive enough......






Finally, on to the animals. We took over a hundred pictures, but I figure animal shots on a blog are a little redundant, so I only chose the most meaningful/impressive. We all had fun taking turns peaking out of the sunroof with the camera to capture these shots........





Thanks again for a great day, Stephie!

Hangin' with My Boy

I love it when impromptu ideas turn successful. Yesterday, Mikayla had a playdate with Kenady afterschool, so I decided it might be a good day to hang with Brayden. We opted to ride our bikes over to the Meyers to pay a quick visit, then on to Jamba Juice. Once we got home, he initiated a game of "no keeping score" Scrabble (YES! I played a game with my son....I always feel like a good mom when I actually do something like that....). Finally, once Mikayla returned home, we ventured off to the Dollar Theater and watched "Race to Witch Mountain" (John was gone overnight on a rare business trip). Mikayla ended up sleeping through a good chunk of the movie which was probably good as it scared her a bit. It also succeeded in fostering even more of a "date with Brayden" feel. BTW - I LOVED the movie. Just enough adventure and fun to really fit my bill.....

Lately I've been a little mellow regarding how old the kids are getting. Brayden's cousin is heading to middle school next year and Brayden is just one year behind. I can't believe how fast the time is going (but yet, I still want to speed the next few days ahead to finally get to the end of the school year!). It prompts that, "I'm losing them" Mommy worry in me, but on the flip side - life just keeps getting better and better with them.

After we rode home from Jamba Juice, Brayden made a point of saying, "Just so you know, Mom, I had a really good time with you - I love you." (Insert watery eyes in Mom right now....). My boy is 10 - and doesn't hold back telling me such things - and in fact, relishes in it. We held hands on the field trip - held hands in the movie theater....but, by no means is he a sissy boy attached at my hip. It's like it's the best of all worlds - way better than I expected and not at all what I worried about.

On Tuesday, we were blessed with the Mertz family's company for dinner. Ali Mertz will be a junior next year and I was blown away by her whole demeanor. Interactive, kind, engaging, warm, fun....and so complimentary of everything in the house and all of the food. Once again, it disarmed some of those worries. I know she's an extraordinary girl, but if that's a fraction of what I have to look forward to in Mikayla at that age.....what a treat!

So to sum up this rambly post a bit, I think my points to keep pondering are:

1. Savor these moments I have right now with my awesome kids.....
2. Stop believing that as time goes on they will become any less awesome.....

And, as for today - we're off to Wildlife Safari with Stephie (grading "no school" day). Bring on more "moments and memories"!

Return to Pisgah

On Tuesday, both of my kids' classes happened to be on field trips simultaneously at Mt. Pisgah. I had to pick one to walk around with, so I chose Brayden as I had just done the Autzen adventure with Mikayla. (If it seems like my kids are doing a lot of field trips - I AGREE! How fun for them....we never got to do that many when I was a kid!)

It was a pretty mellow adventure - I had a great group of totally no-maintenance kids that were quite content at pausing and looking for critters along our walk. It was actually quite impressive. Before we left, I made a dash for Mikayla's class and snapped a pic with her too.

Ensuring Lasting Beauty

This time of year, this place on our property is my favorite place. I love this sweet little water feature - and since I didn't design it and didn't plant the flowers around it, I think it's okay that I talk about just how awesome it is. When the waterfall was put it in (the water feature in that location when we moved in was NOT a good match for us) - the landscapers put in these little plants - assuring us they would be pretty - but I had no idea they would spread so much and produce such sweet little blue flowers. They reappear and spread even more each year, I can count on seeing them by Mothers' Day......

However, these precious blue flowers aren't the only wildlife that like the environment by the water. Grass likes to root itself in there - as well as little dandelion weeds and so forth. But, the most nasty of these is this:

See those little tiny yellow flowers in that pic? They look innocent enough, huh? In fact, one year, I decided to let them co-exist with the blue flowers, thinking it would be pretty. But, the flowers on these WEEDS are fleeting, and pretty much it just takes over - leaving in its wake these ugly brown clover like plants.

Because I care so much about this waterfall, I've become quite protective of it this year. Not a week goes by (sometimes even a day) that I'm not squatted down pulling these nasty creatures out - sometimes at the expense of the pretty blue flowers, but knowing it has to be done. Otherwise, it will take over.

So far, the water feature is still looking good. I'm proud of it. But, as I write with my eyes brimming with tears right now, I'm humbled with the obvious parallel. As vigilant as I've been with this object of outward pride - that will be less than beautiful in just a few months - how much time have I taken to weed out my own soul lately? Have I bothered to daily inspect the weeds that are taking root - much less taking the effort to pluck them from my daily life? Even more so, have I bothered to water the positive flowers in my life - with the Living Water - with God's word like I should?

As you can tell by the plethora of memorable blog posts- full of pictures and fun, there hasn't been a lot of down time in my life lately. The time that I have had, has been quickly guarded, my own "selfish time" - that by golly, I deserve! But, it doesn't satisfy - nor does all the fun satisfy, pretty soon, even that, even the GLORIOUS OREGON SUNSHINE doesn't bring the same happiness that I would expect it to bring. It all comes back to Him who does satisfy - and if I've spent enough time in His presence. The answer lately, is "NO". Thank God for the worship times with CCF lately and great sermons at church, but that's hardly enough sustenance.

So, here's to making more than just my water-feature beautiful and weed-free........

Our Turn

While we still owe them a sleepover, we tried to pay Mark and Amy back a bit by taking the kiddos out on the boat with us today. They scored about 3 hours on a Sunday alone as a couple, I just wish it could have been more.....(Darn piano recital for the Meyers kids!)

Julie had her last run before heading back home to Cannon Beach for the summer (did I mention she's a surf instructor there?). She went from last time out, just getting the knack of getting up, to today - actually doing hops as she's going over the wake.....She's got skills and has already passed me up. Hmmmm, good thing she's leaving for the summer! =)

And, Travis, having had some ankle issues, did his first run today. Seriously, John and I agreed it was the best run we've ever seen him do. Wow.... I kind of forget just how amazing he is.

Other than that, it was catching air with the intertube for the kids - perhaps a little too much as we had them all asking to "be done" by the end. Sorry, kids - you looked like you were having fun........!

I came home with a killer headache and - THANK GOD - was able to come home and take a long nap that succeeded in ending the headache and making up for last night's 1am bedtime.......Now, off to the last CCF of the year!

Trinity House Formal

The Formal was one of those events that started out pretty darn stressful, but got more fun and relaxing as the night went on. Unfortunately, we just got more tired, though....just-can't-keep-up-with-those-young-uns............

We arrived at the church about an hour early with grand ambitions of setting up unique poses and locations such as this:

However, we ended up here, trying to cruise through 40 or so sets of couples portraits in a budgeted half-hour.....(Hence the stress!). John and I did a good job working together, though, and had a lot of fun especially with the couples who had ideas in mind as to what they wanted to do for a pose.





Following the pics, we ended up in here, for a very nice sit-down dinner......


And, then, a fun shot on the way to the vehicles to head on over to the Trinity House.

When we arrived at the Trinity, there was a beautiful room full of amazing desserts and a non-alcoholic beverage bar.


In the "White Room" - this was set up - just waiting for me (yikes!) to give directions as to how to navigate Bunco.





Finally, the dancing......since it's not inside the Baptist church, it's allowed!

I Love Slumber Parties!

.......especially when they are at some one else's house and.......
.......especially when they involve both kids!

Tonight is actually the first night that Mikayla is spending the night at someone other than a family member's house, and as you can see by these pictures, it was successful! Way to go Mikayla, - and Christina and Amy for making it happen! (Brayden is over there as well, happy as can be with Andrew).

Meanwhile, John and I are nestled in bed, both of our laptops open - with two dogs snuggled around us (Mom and Dad are in Coronado, so we have Mackie). I'm super tired, but it is so cozy, just John and I - that I really don't want to go to sleep just yet.

John and I just returned form partying it up with the college students. The Trinity House had their Spring Formal and we were asked to do the photography (well, John was, but we're a package deal, and I'd like to think I contributed). That involved taking about 40 couples' portraits, pictures during the dinner, coordinating and photographing the round of Bunco they played, and then sticking around once the dance floor opened for some pics of that. I'll do another post with just a few of the higlight pics (of the 1035 pictures that were taken!) tomorrow.

I'm guessing Michele's feeling a bit fatigued right now too....She participated in an event modeled after "The Amazing Race" in Portland today with her friend, Melissa. They raced all over downtown (Broadway area-among 500 other paired-off participants) - taking pictures in front of landmarks, based on clues that they solved. I'm pleased that I was one of her "Phone a Friends" and was able to do some clue-solving of my own this morning with the help of Google..... It sounded like the only downer of the entire event for her was that it was colder than expected, but otherwise, they had a blast. Way to go Michele and Melissa!