Blessed Morning...

It is only 8:43 and I feel like I have had a WONDERFUL DAY! The girls woke me up this morning at 6:30 with bright smiles on their faces. Kyndra and I settled into a heartwarming movie in our newly furnished and decorated living room. I finally got a coffee table, end tables, and a lamp for our living room. I stumbled on a great estate sale yesterday. The lamp, while hideous, provides a really warm, relaxing light and the tables while chipped and scratched were just the finishing touch I was looking for. I was so excited to get out Halloween decorations that have been hidden away for a couple of years. The girls were elated when they awoke from a nap and returned from a play date to a new space for our family. Kyndra and I watched Moondance Alexander... A MUST SEE or should I say if you find yourself in the Hallmark, made for TV movie, rated G genre like myself. I was in tears of joy and she had a grin from ear to ear. Kylee was watching Clifford in the bedroom and Tony was doing yoga (his new found back therapy) upstairs. It felt so good to be together, yet comfortable doing our own thing, not rushing or trying to squeeze family time into the mere minutes we are sometimes limited to. The kitchen is clean thanks to my husband. The girls had have eaten their normal weekend breakfast... Go-gurt and Lucky Charms. They have changed out their dress up clothes numerous times and Kyndra has rounded up all her Breyer horses on the tails of our horse flic (really you must see it). Tony is now herding the girls into a bath in the sparkling tub that I cleaned yesterday... in fact I got all my chores done yesterday, so today is for fun. I am looking forward to painting my new five dollar night stands for my bedroom, maybe tackling a box or two, and enjoying my family. Tony is going to take his new riding buddy on his favorite jaunt up Cabbage Hill... we'll be waiting at the bottom.

I Love You Kyndra...

Today was a long day for me, in fact it was absolutely the latest I have ever been to pick my kids up. I really try to get to them as soon as I possibly can after work, but today I couldn't get them until almost five. I told Kyndra I was so sorry I was late. She just hugged me and said, "It's okay mama, don't worry about it." She is becoming so understanding and helpful. I pray I let her know enough just how much I love her and appreciate her sweet disposition. I can't even believe I am talking about her reassuring me about something. It seems just yesterday she needed me for everything.

A Very Good Day...

Last night was a worrisome, sleepless, taped Oprah at 2:00 a.m. , trying to pray (which I am still not very good at) type of night. Today started out as a frustrated, teary, high anxiety type of day, but it didn't end that way. I wasn't hopeful. I wanted to stay in bed and hide, but I didn't. I crawled in the truck with Tony and the girls and went to The Bike Pit in Pilot Rock. We joined up with the Pitners there and had a really nice time. Riding four-wheelers is something we all really enjoy and did so today for two hours. We were super hungry so we found the nearest burger joint in the big town of Pilot Rock, Blue Mountain Cafe. It was just our families with four little girls and a few locals looking on with smiles. It was PERFECT. Comfort food at its finest. I savored every bite of my burger with a grilled bun, tater tots with thousand island dressing, and a monster Diet Coke in one of those big red plastic Coke tumblers with a bright pink straw. I was certainly almost totally done with my pity party and lucky for me the day just kept getting sweeter. The neighbor girls came over for the evening and we had lots and lots of giggles. We had two pizzas... one we cooked from Papa Murphy's that flew through the air into Tony's arms for a catch attempt with a final landing partially on the floor and partially on the oven door... never fear we ordered another from Pizza Hut and were dining in only thirty five short minutes. We colored the night away. Really is there anything more theraputic than opening a new box of 24 Crayolas and going to town with little girls who are thrilled to be sitting and coloring with you. Next, we decorated cupcakes with completely free creative license. I got to sit at the kitchen table and visit with my friends while the girls played (a vision I held onto as we were living in the trailer waiting for our home). We ended the evening with a viewing of Alvin and the Chipmunks. If that isn't a complete turn around I don't know what is... it was perfect for me anyway. I am feeling a much better nights sleep coming on. I feel myself letting go of things not in my control.

All Clean...

We are so proud of Kylee for a million reasons. Her most recent accomplishment has been mastering the potty. Today, as has become usual, she headed into the bathroom to do her business. It was clear to numerous senses what kind of business it was. I reminded her to wash her hands as I quickly walked past. Later, after dinner, she had to go again and she wanted me to come with her for whatever fickle reason she had come up with. I sauntered in with her and noticed the seat was wet. I asked her why and she told me that is where she washed her hands... pre-flush. It was as if this was normal and probably has been as she has not been asking for my help to wash lately. I just figured she could finally reach the faucet. That's our beautiful, resourceful Kylee.

Life In Movie & T.V. Genres...

I was laying in bed the other night thinking... if my life were a movie or TV show what genre would it be? My mind was leaning towards romantic comedy, but I don't think that necessarily matches life with a two and five year old. I am definitely married to sports/action/adventure, but I seriously do not match that bill. We are certainly not 50s, 60s, or 70s family sitcom (Leave it to Beaver, Brady Bunch, and the likes). I love sports underdog movies and family dramas, but we really don't fall into those categories either. I guess you could find us on the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime just living through the ups and downs. We would be pretty clean cut appropriate for children programming. Tony gets a little more PG or R-rated at work obviously. I tend to lean towards the talk show genre when I get overly focused (worried) on a topic and can't quite let it go... parenting, underprivileged, abused animals, or whatever the topic for the day may be. What a change from the days when life more resembled an episode of Friends or Seinfeld. I wouldn't trade my low key, over by nine family flick for anything in the world and lately I have settled quite nicely into the fact that I am no June Cleaver or Carol Brady. I am also extremely grateful that we aren't living a drama or soap opera.

What would your promotional poster read???

Movie Genres
Action
Animated & Childrens
Comedy
Classic
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Family
Fantasy
Foreign
Horror
Musicals
Romance & Chick Flicks
Sci-Fi
Sports
Suspense
Teen
War
Western & Cowboy

TV Genres
The Police/ Detective/Lawyer Show
Cartoons
Game Show
Talk Show
Variety Show
The TV Western
Medical Melodrama
Science Fiction and Fantasy TV
Situation Comedy
The Soap Opera
The American Made-for-TV Movie
Docudrama
Television News

Weeks Gone By...

I finally sat down today for the first time in weeks to read blogs and felt sad and inspired. I was sad that so many touching things had happened in the lives of my friends in the blog world and I had not gotten to share them as they occured. I was sad that I hadn't taken the time to reflect on our lives the past few weeks. That is truly what blogging is for me... a time to stop and celebrate my family. All this time has gone by and I certainly know I have not taken enough time to enjoy the wonderful moments in life. I have been pretty stuck in the whirlwind of what late August/ early September means in the life of a teacher. This gap in my blog represents a major readjustment period in the life of my family. It has been extra tough because Tony has been out of town and will be out of town the majority of September, October, and November. I have been dealing myself a big hand of guilt for going back to work as my children manage themselves through their day at school and daycare, but fall apart as soon as I get to see them. It is interesting to me how guilt takes up the place within me that usually houses patience. It would be handy if patience just came on extra strong and guilt and all the ickiness that comes with it stayed away for good. I know this too shall pass and already is beginning to turn the bend. It is now time to look back over the wonderful times of the last few weeks and smile... some moments recorded with pictures... some just need mentioning as the camera was left behind... alas, the inspired.

~Beach trip with the Pitners...

Bicycles made for four...



5:30 AM hunt for sand dollars (18 whole sand dollars collected)...


Balloon hats made by clowns, the wait in line was worth it...


Sitting on the jetty giving crabbing a try with no success other than an enjoyable time had by all at Cape Disappointment State Park...


The trip was great! I think my favorite part this year was playing games; Apples to Apples and Chutes and Ladders.

~A week in Portland visiting family...

OMSI Dinosaur exhibit...




Tillamook Cheese Factory...



My best birthday ever at La Tea Da tea shop in Tillamook. It was perfect except Tony couldn't join us. We really missed him...









Tillamook Forestry Center (a must visit)...






A really nice picnic lunch with my mom...


Corn Maze...




~Labor Day camping with the Sokoloskis. We had a great time! The highlight was definitely the masses of huckleberries. Sadly my camera batteries were dead and I only got one picture. I guess that is okay because we plan to make huckleberry camping on Labor Day an annual event.


~Kyndra's first day of kindergarten...






~Last Friday... benifit carnival for the daughter of one of Tony's coworkers who is battling debilitating seizures... our prayers are with you Cameryn!
~Round-Up has begun... we have enjoyed Twilight Breakfast, the kick-off parade, and went to the first day of the rodeo with some friends.
~Clothes shopping with Taunya... the shopping was terrible as it always is for me (definitely my least favorite activity), but the company and lunch was wonderful.
~Spaghetti feed fundraiser for the cross-country team where I saw my friends and old neighbors... the dinner was followed by a wonderful visit from those special friends.
~As I type taking a break from preparing the house for a Round-Up visit with Tony's aunt and uncle.
~Currently sitting in a chair having my hair genlty brushed by two cute, little beauty shop girls... THE BEST!!!