Serving for Spring Break

While today may have looked like this- with 100% chance of rain and high wind warning-

There looks to be a lot of promise for what the end of the week will turn in to around here. =)  I hope it turns out to at least get close to that...

Not only am I just personally hoping for sunshine, but with Spring Break Camp happening at Harlow this week, it would definitely be advantageous for those kiddos (and the staff) to keep those kids happy outside!

And speaking of staff...Michele and I now have all five of our kids serving out there.  Nati, Brayden, and Traig are all legit counselors, and Mikayla and Ellie are assisting through the program with the Middle School group. 

The bigger kids all stayed the week out at Harlow, while Ellie and Mikayla were dropped off and picked up each day. 

 

Brayden's role this week was a little unique.  He was paired with just one other camper who is autistic, and while capable of hearing and accepting direction, he does not speak himself.  Brayden enjoyed the experience immensely - though, by Tuesday afternoon he'd already been a passenger on the Camp Harlow train 22 times!

I'm so thankful that Danielle is Women's dean again.  All of our girls have such a great relationship with her and so is so gifted to love on the gals serving out there. 

You know Traig's in his "Happy Place" when he actually poses (with a sibling!) to take pictures. 

This was Ellie's first year - and pics like these two made us feel like it was successful indeed for her!

 

It was no secret to anyone that Mikayla got the raw end of the deal when it came to counselor pairing.  The gal she was put with had counseled many years ago and did not enjoy it, but thought she'd give it another try after a lengthy absence.  Yeah, her feelings didn't change.  So, Mikayla actually got to step up and take on more responsibility with her group of kids -

I love this selie Nati (Jump Rope) and Mikayla (Koala) took together.

It was much better than the selfie Brayden and I took on one of the mornings I delivered coffee. 

We took a pic of all five of the kids' lanyards.  Brayden didn't take an individual pic with his camper...

 

It was a wonderful week for all of them, all things considered.  For Brayden, in particular, it seemed to really encourage his perspective and attitude on life.  Ah Harlow, we love you.  Not too long until summer camps begin!

Gooey Tears

I've been shedding a lot of "gooey tears" this week.  And, by "gooey tears", I mean the kind that sort of leak out of your eyes while you have butterflies in your belly and a goofy grin on your face.  (Or maybe a not-so-attractive sappy face...).

Two major things were unveiled this week from dear-to-my-heart, long distance friends.  Both of them were revelations of a prayer answered that fulfilled their utmost heart desire - but seemed so impossible due to failures, rejections, and heartbreaks that have been encountered during the journey.  Or, should I say, "Wait".  Because, as time has gone on in my Christian walk, I'm more convinced than ever that the "wait" is the hardest thing to go through.  With a "No" answer, there's closure - and another plan is pursued or revealed.  And, obviously, a "Yes" requires no faith at all - there's just joy in that one.  But, the "Wait" - oh my.  That's when it feels like God is absent.  Like He doesn't care.  Like He's oblivious to your suffering, your daily hurting, and the oblivion of unknown it feels like you've fallen into.  That's when the standard you've been waiting for gets compromised, your expectations drop like lead weights, and you wonder if you are even worth the conclusion you've been hoping and dreaming for all along.

I've felt it happen.  I walked the journey of anxiety for four years - those priceless four years I'll never have back of Brayden and Mikayla's first encounters of life.  I wondered if the despair I felt every day would be my lot in life and if it would only be in Heaven that I would ever feel a release of the constant emotional (and physical effects) of anxiety.  Sure, there were plenty of "good days" in the mix - but, in my heart, there was a constant mantra that "it would never be the best...UNTIL..."

I felt that way waiting for God to bring the man he wanted me to marry.  I fell in love with three guys before John - and believed I could be a perfect wife to all three of them.  But, all three of them made the choice that I wasn't good enough for them - and oh, was that agonizing.  Equally agonizing though, was the hurt I knew I was causing for a few of the other guys in my life - guys that pursued me, but weren't the guys that I felt met the standard God had set before me.  The standard embodied by a certain "John Riley" who, like the three other guys I loved, couldn't seem to see me as "wife material".  No matter, I would wait.  But, there was always a doubt if I was even worth that high standard...and as the WAIT went on...I definitely faltered in my faith if God really ever wanted me to find joy in a lasting relationship and marriage.  And, ever in my thoughts was, "this time being single is okay, but life won't be what I want it...UNTIL..."

Compared to Noah and his family, or Abraham and Sarah, or Joseph - my wait was oh so short.  Most of our waits are, when compared to the "Hall of Fame of Faith" members of the Bible.  And, that's why those folks are my heroes.  When I consider the scorn and shame Noah and his family endured, the scoffing and snide snickers of laughter Sarah heard behind her back, or the actual imprisonment and persecution Joseph rose from triumphantly, it's all so inspiring, but also overwhelming.  I can't imagine waiting THAT LONG.

So, the "gooey tears" come on with extra abundance when blessings are revealed after long waits.  And, almost in tandem with the blessing itself so often comes the realization of why the wait had to happen and how perfect God's exact timing really is.  (Sometimes, there is no explanation, sometimes the wait might just be to grow you, or serve as a testimony and encouragement to someone else on a similar journey).

So to Sara and Courtney, I blame you for the puffy eyes and smeared mascara - because you've caused a lot of it this week - and I couldn't be more thankful!!!

The Many Antics of Whitley

There are numerous occasions that pictures get taken that end up on my phone without a real blog post to write about.  So this is the blog post of some of the silly that takes place- here, there, and everywhere when Whitley's involved.

AT APPOINTMENTS:

These were taken at Brayden's root canal appointment.  Steph was actually meeting me here, to pick her up early for actually Whitley's own doctor check-up appointment - so I didn't feel like the wait would be too daunting.  But, she gave me a run for my money as she brought water in a cup out from the bathroom and a free toothbrush they offered and tried to clean the coffee table glass.  And, then, that space where the magazines sit underneath that table?  Oh, perfect to crawl beneath and stare up through the glass.  It was all fun and games until another patient arrived to share the waiting room.  Time to step it up, Whit!

She gave me some sweet poses at this point.  

Pretty sure this was taken at Mikayla's school as we waited to pick her up to take her to an appointment.  Nice shades, Whitley.  =)

AT (AND AFTER) BATH TIME:  

What a goofball.  She much prefers to take baths with me, and not just alone.  The other day she got a hold of my phone just as I was getting out and took a pic.  Oh DEAR ME.  Let's just say I'm glad she doesn't know how to post to Social Media.  Mortifying and quickly and absolutely deleted.  

This robe she's wearing is actually Mikayla's old one, but it is WHITLEY'S now, and she insists upon wearing it for at least a half hour after every bath time.  (Don't you love those natural curls?!)

AT SOCCER CLASS:

Not much to say other than she's very enthusiastic and getting more and more skilled with her kick.  Occasionally she'll give hugs to fellow campers - and is always quick with the high fives to the coaches.  

LOUNGING AT THE HOUSE:

This pic illustrates that there's no such thing as just "laying around with Whitley" (except during designated nap time).  She won't allow it - even on this day where I just wanted a few minutes to lay on her lap and watch "Curious George" with her...

We got this grocery cart on clearance at Kohls for like $7.50!  What a steal.  I think, though, of even more significance to her than the cart, plastic food, and mini shopping bag was the old wallet I gave her...."All for me?"

Some days - there's just no explanation.  Recently, that coffee table was found (actually, on the infamous Target day) with Mikayla's night-before-Frapacinno poured in all the panes and filling up the now-disposed-of Yankee candle.  I wasn't a big fan of the smell anyway, Whitley.  And, let's not even begin to talk about her antics with Sharpies.... =(

Recently, the biggest laugh has come in her pursuit to rid the house of any unwanted insects - particularly the horrid house flies that are my sunshine-weather nemesis.  She actually has a phobia now of insects, not sure what started that, but her obsession in getting the buzzer killed offsets most of the fear.  Twice now, we've been able to trap one in the bathroom and she'll clutch my backside and hide behind me- only to peek out to point where it's at and if it's landed.  Then, she'll rely on me to crush it.  In the last occasion, she got the opportunity to be the one to flush it down the toilet.  She's then quick to announce to everyone that we GOT IT!  (And give details...)  She also likes to be armed with the fly swatter - something that makes me kind of cringe in grossness - so I try to keep it very clean!

IN SLEEP:

Isn't she an angel?  Not much to say other than we have a very precise routine we follow which involves a specific arsenal of animals and dolls, her own blankie, her own Rudolph pillow, my Kindle set to a specific "Waterfall" sound effect, an Essential Oils diffuser with a certain light up color (that she gets to pick each day) that gives us the sweet smells of orange, cinnamon, and Thieves (trying to keep us healthy!), and OF COURSE, me by her side....

Yes, I nap with her.  I usually last about half of the nap these days before "nature's call" mandates I wake up - which is good because those long naps kill my nighttime schedule.  But, seriously, how could you not just curl up with this little girl and savor every little touch.  Obviously, I was awake when I took this next picture, it just looked creepy if I kept my eyes open...but, that little hand, there was no staging that.  That sort of thing happens a lot.  In fact, she'll frequently fall asleep with her face right next to and facing mine, trying to share the same pillow.  It may not sound that comfortable, but her sweet little touch and the routine of it all, and just the sheer relaxation...it's such a "good feelings" kind of release....   (And, as a sidenote, it's such a victorious thing to now have naptimes be so smooth and easy - as that was the hardest thing I faced in the early days of watching Whitley....)

AT THE PARKS AND INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS:

She's ready to grace the park with her presence.  It's been a couple of times now, when we've been walking and she sees the park at a distance from her stroller that she'll shout out (from half a block away) to the other kids:  "Hey guys, I'M COMING!  We can play now!!!  I'M HERE NOW GUYS!!!"

 

She's a swing lover again (we had a stretch there where it scared her).  She could spend a straight half hour just swinging. 

And smiling...especially when you grab her feet or thighs and tickle....

She's pretty loud and boisterous, but very friendly at the Gateway Play Area.

And, CONFIDENT AND TALENTED....its obviously not a big deal for her at all to pause her play and just break into song - with such a pose that says she is born to do this sort of thing.  I wish I had able to get it from the start (I was only able to record the second half), and could zero in on more of her voice over the other playful kid squeals...but it was awesome!

Trials at Target

Look at these sweet little angels.  You'd never guess, at this point, just how crazy and out of control they'd caused our morning to be.  

It was supposed to be a "Hey, what do you think about swinging by Target together - and then maybe hitting up the Gateway Play Area?" adventure.  But, something was in these two's systems.  And, they let us know it.

Actually, we already knew Elsie's digestive tract was totally off by what they found when they woke her up that morning.  So, that was no good.  (But, she seemed to be feeling totally fine).  And, due to the crazy fun had on the previous Sunriver weekend, Whitley's sleep schedule was totally off.  She finally fell asleep at 11pm the night before  - so her reasoning was sleep deprivation.  With all of that pre-knowledge, Christi and I should have TOTALLY KNOWN BETTER.  But, we tried anyway.

You know it's bad when you resort to this:

Yes, that's our girls.  Pulling their Fisher Price Popcorn Poppers throughout the store.  Fortunately, it was early, and not very populated.  But, their (and mostly I mean Whitley) patience in the stroller lasted just past the accessories section (the first place you'll walk by....about 17 seconds), so we needed some other method to keep them occupied as we tried to collect the dozen or so items on our lists.  Crazy girls!  And yes, we did purchase them.  We figured it was the least we could for Target's troubles.

By the end of the Target trip and Gateway Play visit - shoving, spitting (like making the "raspberry noise" and getting everyone around wet with it), limbs all over each other...oh yeah, we had it all.   Good times.  Time outs.  Christi and I just found ourselves laughing at all.   But I bet, in years to come, these will be the sorts of days more fondly reminisced than even our most successful children's museum visits!

Three Full Days

With Whitley off in Sunriver with Travis and Stephanie on Friday, Mikayla and I decided to take advantage of both of our days off by heading up to Michele's Thursday night and then off to the Woodburn Outlets bright and early on Friday morning.

We actually had a purpose this time.  May 1st, the day we leave for Disneyworld, is now right around the corner, and we had some hot-weather wear to purchase.  Particularly an item or 2 from the Disney Store (to pick out the Mickey Mouse t-shirt John promised to wear when we all don them on our first day in the Magic Kingdom). 

Mikayla was delighted they now have a Starbucks on site for her to get her "Cotton Candy Frappacino".  We took a selfie while we waited. 

We walked away with quite a haul - having spent most of the day there and then having moved on to Old Navy and Target.  Unfortunately, one of our bags got left in one of the restrooms - we were super thankful it had already been found and handed off to Customer Service at the Woodburn Outlets by the time we realized back at Michele's house.

On Saturday, we treated the girls to a showing of "Cinderella" at the Independence Theater.   It was outstanding.  Even though I know the story from start to finish, I still had chills at the end.  So sweet!

Finally, the weekend concluded on Sunday with a tournament up in downtown Portland.  We had to wake up at 5am to get there - and I was so glad I had GPS to rely upon, as it was dark and raining hard.  I'm not a fan of big city driving, by any stretch of the imagination.  Throw in being redirected to a claustrophobic parking garage a block away, charged $10, and then treated like lower class as we entered the very high-class Multnomah Athletic Club, I was not a happy camper.

But, the girls weren't phased - and they played some great volleyball that day.  

Mikayla played non-stop as the other libero on the other team was off playing in a soccer tournament.  I think she improves at every tournament I see - she isn't phased by a power server and seldom shanks them these days.  Way to go Mikayla!

 

I had to laugh because on Sunday, Mikayla was so worn out, that every time we got in the car, she was asleep within minutes.  On the way to the tournament.  On the way home - before stopping at Woodburn for the missing shopping bag.  And, then again, after we got back in the car after Woodburn.  I don't blame her - I would have been doing the same thing if given the option!

Future Pro-Bowlers

Mikayla and Christi did me a huge favor by watching out for Whitley (Elsie helped too!), while I went out to see my mom for the first time in forever.  (A good thing meaning I hadn't needed emergency headache treatment, but not so good when I miss her and and was overdue for maintenance work).   Mikayla took this while she was helping watch the girls at Christi's house...

So, after I returned, I suggested we try our hand at bowling with the girls.  They had shown interest when we'd gone for John's birthday, and I thought if we found a place with a ramp that they could push the ball down, they might really get into it.  Strike City had these options, so we went there.  We were surprised that the girls were required to wear rental shoes as well....at size 7, they fit Whitley close enough (in this pic), but Elsie had to wear hers over the moccasins she was already wearing.

If we were to do it again, I wouldn't have us bowl.  That kind of interrupted the flow and attention span of the girls.  But, sometimes, all we are looking for is time-killers with these two - so this fit the bill.  =)

The gave us a 7 pound ball to work with.  Just for perspective, Elsie weighs a mere 19 pounds, and Whitley is twice her weight at 38 pounds.  Little Elsie was doing great just to hold on to this thing!

But, she was very determined!

 

These two together....such crack-ups!

 Whitley, not surprisingly, wanted to do it "all by herself". 

Love these smiles of achievement!

Right down the middle, Elsie!

Just so you know, Whitley wasn't throwing a tantrum - the girls were just doing their own thing while Mikayla tried to take her turn!

Way to get her done, Elsie!

I love this quick hug!  And, it was timed well as Elsie succeeded in getting the first spare between the two of them!

Maybe we should have brought Whitley's pillow and blankie....

Adjacent to the bowling alley, is a putt putt course, lazer tag, arcade, pizza place, and indoor playground.  We thought we'd get the girls good and tired before naptime, so we headed over there for lunch and play.  

Our little wanderer saw this as we walked in, so she had to return and check out what all the bright lights were about.  

I'm pretty sure that both Christi and I were able to report solid naps that afternoon, so I think our attempts to wear them out were successful.  :)