Spur of the Moment

Sometimes a spur of the moment trip is the best kind. Rand had Friday off since he worked last Saturday and we've been just waiting for the weather to get nice enough to head to the ocean. Yesterday the stars aligned and knowing the weather has been nice for "too long" and the rain has got to be coming, we decided to take advantage!
I lived here my whole life and have awesome memories of going to the ocean and so I am not sure why I thought my children would be any different than I was and choose to stay out of the ocean because it is just too cold for swimming? I mean really. So I packed all wrong, bringing blankets, sweatshirts and boots instead of swimsuits and flipflops. Did it stop them? Um no.
We played in Westport for the day and picked up saltwater taffy (because how can you not when you go to the beach) and then headed home just in time for Brendan's baseball practice and had a really perfect day.

Frozen solid

Typical. Remember this?

How She Grows

Growing, growing, growing. My back is feeling the difference. Three times this week I have put her in clothes too small. Time again to sort through the closets.

(and this little boy is officially binkie free! hallelujah!!!)

Summer is Coming

We've had such great weather! I got a QuickShelter for Mother's Day and I've already used it about a bazillion times. Nothing's better when you are on the go (all the time) and need a shady place for little ones. We've been playing baseball, swimming in lakes and mostly just being outside. Some planting has happened, but not a lot. Some flowers are in pots and some seeds are in the ground, and I still have some seeds to put in (better get on that!). There is nothing like late spring/summer in the Northwest.

our little private lake

the view from the other side

sammy the super swimmer

Mom of 4

I know it is different for everyone, but being a mom of 4 has been more difficult than I thought it would be. 3...no problem. 4...I can't even count how many times I have cried because of how miserably I seem to fail every day. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't change a thing. And we are happy and enjoying life wildly. But the day to day "toughness" can only lead me to one place. A place where there is grace and I know what I'm doing is a sacred calling. I know God will give me the power to overcome the laundry. He will give me the inspiration to come up with creative meals that most of us will eat. He will give me the strength to go grocery shopping after a long difficult day. He will help me homeschool these young ones and give me "breaks" when I need them. He will miraculously stretch our money further. I know these things to be true. One thing I find amazing is that even when I feel completely fried....like I'm done and I can't do it another day, I will go to bed and although nothing is different in the morning....I am different. I feel refreshed, like I can do it again and I'm happy to. Good thing!
I love being Mama to these 4 kids of mine. I am overwhelmed with blessings that I don't deserve.

The first one. The one who made me a mom. (I have faith that he will have teeth again some day)

Miraculously in one place at one time!

This is more what it's really like

Mom of 4. The best job in the world.



Annabel::3 Months

How is it May 7th already??? I missed Annabel turning 3 months by a long shot! Well I didn't really miss it, but my blog did. :)

Annabel. What can I say? She sleeps at night. Wakes to eat usually just once and takes a nice long morning nap. She is terrible in the car. My first child who wasn't instantly calmed my a nice car ride. Oh well. She sleeps at night. I can't complain.

This girl likes stroller rides and being outside and being carried around. She mostly just gets to tag along with whatever her brothers are doing. She has watched a LOT of baseball already in her young little life.

Absolutely love the difference a girl makes. :)

Birthday Weekend

We had such a busy weekend! Rand took Thursday off and Friday he had to take off since he worked the weekend before and so we had a GREAT 4 day weekend. Friday I turned 35 and I actually got a fancy cake from a little cake shop and I didn't have to make my own this year! It was real good.

Saturday was a true Saturday and we had baseball all.day.long! We were there from about 10:45am until about 5:00pm....maybe later. It was long. But wow, the weather was beautiful! After baseball we headed up to Tacoma to stay at the hotel with Uncle Chris and Aunt Joanie. Always a treat when Aunt Joanie comes to town. We get to go on vacation too! We had a stunning view in the morning of Union Station, the Tacoma Dome and Mt. Rainier!

We had to take advantage of the pool, of course and Annabel had her first swim. She liked it and who can resist a fat baby in a swim suit!

Are we getting tired  yet???

Well as if it it all wasn't enough all ready we headed across the street to the Children's Museum of Tacoma. Because the weather was so lovely and it was a Sunday we had the museum to ourselves, which was nice!

This is what Joanie and Annabel did the whole time.

This little art studio was awesome. I could use one of these rooms in my house!

FUN!

Snake!

We went for a little walk around our property today to show Aunt Joanie and Uncle Chris the beauty of the Great PNW. It was beautiful. On our way down the path we saw a little tiny dead snake. The boys were fascinated. I went on to tell them that oh yes, when it is warmer this summer we will see snakes, probably in the grass and probably much bigger than that one.

It turned out we didn't have to wait until summer. Joanie spotted a nice big one out in the grassy field and we chased it, took pictures of it, and some (one) of us even picked it up! *shudder*

how awesome are these trees??