Idaho!

Cousins and sunshine and baby goats and chickens and horses and BBQs with family and NO carsick children (Yes we caved and yes we got DVD players for the car.  One of the many things I said pre-parenting that I would definitely never do because screen time impacts child development.  But apparently screaming and throwing up for hours on end impacts parents sanity ... so I guess we went with our sanity? :)  But it actually made for a very relaxing drive to and from Idaho ... Kind of felt like we were on a date we had so much time to talk!  What can I say?  Bribery works.)  So fun to see Joe and Michala's new home and see the cousins playing together (Caroline calls Luke, "Gootey ("Lukey"?) and Amelia is "Mae" so she'd ask first thing in the morning and after naps, "Gootey Mae?  Gootey Mae?"  So cute!) and see my sister pregnant and visit with GG Ruth and Scott's family ...  I didn't do a very good job of getting pictures but here are a few ...

Summer evening ...

More fun with bubbles!

We love Martha!

Making a wish .... (for a motorcycle :))

When you have a twin brother you end up with outfits like SpiderMan jammies with a
tutu and purse ... It just happens :)

Ergos and berries and a cowgirl :)

Spreading awareness ...

This blog is basically a mommy blog ... a few deep thoughts here and there about faith, parenting and being a nurse.  But mostly just updates on my loves and pictures for friends and family who live far away.  But I've recently been in touch with two women (one whom I know through church and one whom I haven't met) who are using their blogs (and other forms of social media) to spread awareness about things that have deeply impacted their lives.  Heather is a woman who has survived mesothelioma and she has a video about her story which can be found here ...  her's is an incredible story of hope and endurance.  I'm always inspired when people use their painful and difficult circumstances and stories to help spread awareness and encourage others who are journeying on similar roads.
Shasta has twins that are almost the same age as Luke and Amelia and the four of them play in the nursery together.  Her son Malakai has cerebral palsy. Her blog, which can be found here , is a great resource for parents of children who have CP (and probably other special needs parents as well).  Shasta is also an author and wrote a children's book recently, the proceeds of which help pay for her son's medical bills.  A clip was made about her book and it can be seen here:

These are painful and difficult stories to tell, I am sure.  I am also thankful that they are being told!  So that we can better understand things like CP and mesothelioma -- how to love people going through or living with these challenges and how we can support them.

Fun with Bubbles!

Nothing like a huge bubble wand and some dawn dish detergent and glycerin powder to make four generations of people laugh and have fun!  Our family friend, Maggie, had the great idea to bring over a recipe for bubbles and some fun bubble wands and let the kids experiment.  They loved it!  Well, until Amelia decided that a tub full of bubbles is really meant for bathing Luke and started trying to wash him in it :)

On rest and joy ...

I spent the last few days retreating.  I've never used the world in that way.  Usually I would have said I was going on a retreat but as a mama of two little kids, it felt more appropriate to say what it is:  retreating!  From the mundane tasks that demand so much time (no dishes for two days?!  no food prep?  Or laundry?)  At first it was almost unnerving to not be constantly moving (prepping the next meal, starting another load of clothes). Each morning it struck me as both so strange and so wonderful that I could just lay in bed awake for a bit and not be jolted awake and have the day start with a bang (or a fight :))   It's been a year since I left the kids (for Allie's wedding!  Happy Anniversary to Allie and Jon!) and it was time.
I was inspired by the many women that I spoke to -- many stories were told and we spent a great deal of time praying for one another -- encouraging each other in prayer and scripture and crying together.   Believing that redemption is possible   There is something so freeing about doing life with others.  It is hard, no doubt.  We will, inevitably, make things messy.  We are people.  But the messes and the pain are worth the risk that we take when we enter into community.
If I could pick one goal for my children's lives it would be that they would be people that LOVE DEEPLY.  That their lives would be marked by a deep deep love -- for God, for others, for service, for their future families, for one another. But love requires vulnerability -- something that our culture avoids at all costs.  We know more about the characters on our TV shows than we do about our neighbors.   But yet we all long to be known.  How do I cultivate a love for relationship and for others in Luke and Amelia?   Right now, by prayer.   And by teaching them to play well in the sandbox with others :)  As they age I can only imagine it will become significantly more complicated.  But I do know that children (for better or worse) imitate the behavior they see.  If we, as parents, are able to confess when we make mistakes, able to accept forgiveness, able to love others even even when it's hard  ... that is what they will emulate.  Oh parenting, never stops humbling me.
My two days of rest are done but we ended the weekend with such a joyful outing -- picking many pounds of strawberries.  I was more than ready to see Scott and the kids and my sweet husband had the van packed, kids ready to go (harder than it sounds, trust me, getting out the door still remains a challenge) so that we could enjoy some family time today.  Feeling thankful tonight for a chance to step back and look at my life/goals/fears in order to move forward.  Thankful for the transparency and beauty of the women I spent the weekend with.  Thankful for a God that values relationship above all else.  Thankful for two super excited kids to greet me when I got home and for a husband that made this weekend possible for me!  (Should mention though that it was a group effort since it was Scott's work weekend!  My poor dad came over at 430 AM so Scott could get off to work.  And Maryanne entertained the kids for a good chunk of the day!)

Beautiful hike with 40 ladies!

Wow!

We love our berries!

Didn't know where to get started!

Feels like Summer ...

Homemade ice cream?  Birthday party?  Happy toddler (and Daddy!)

Devyn's mom made his cake ... WOW!

Oregon berries have arrived!  We hope to fill several freezers full this year :)

Where my Lukey can be found often!

Playing ball with Papa!

Beautiful flowers from Martha's yard :)  

Summer in Oregon is such a fun time -- I'm going to buy Amelia saltwater sandals this week which brings back memories of wearing them every summer for all sorts of adventures.  Tonight I'm feeling thankful for the sun and for the family time we were able to enjoy this weekend.  The kids are in such a sweet phase right now.  They still have occasional meltdowns (like all toddlers) but we've seen so much change and growth in them over the last few weeks. (Maybe partially due to a new discipline theory -- Love and Logic has become essential at our house these days). Amelia has just been amazing us with her compassion and love for us all.  It's so sweet!  She will run over to Luke if he needs anything, "It's okay Lukey, I'm here!  I fix it!  Honey, it's okay.  I kiss you!"  She totally imitates what we say to her and it makes me giggle every time I hear her telling her brother, "It's okay, Lukey, I fix it for you.  I kiss you, don't be sad."  Seriously?  Priceless.  They both have such kind and sensitive souls, it warms my heart to hear them talking to each other.  Today I dropped a bowl in the kitchen and Luke comes running over, "Mama, you okay?  Don't be sad!  I'll be a helper!  And I'll kiss you too!"  Oh those two ... so much joy in watching their relationship unfold and their personalities develop.  So thankful to be looking forward to a summer together with them.