A Weekend Away

We took the kids to Solvang for the weekend. It was soooo nice to get away!! My favorite parts were:

• window shopping in the early morning hours before the crowds started.
• Piling onto one bed to watch The Polar Express together.
• Eating Dutch pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice at this little restaurant called Paula's.
• Watching the local churches perform a living nativity
• Just being together with the little punks and my awesome husband.

There's something about getting out of town, even if it's just for one night, that recharges a person. I gotta remember this and do it more often.

Decorating for Christmas

New Address

Just wanted to let you know we moved. In June. And I never sent out our new address. Hey, life is busy and I needed a good reason to do it! You know, like Christmas cards. I love Christmas cards!! I decorate the inside of my front door with them and don't take them down until February. So if you're one of those folks who are sending out Christmas cards and you want to send one to me, will you please email me and ask for my new address?
I would really appreciate it! BTW a friend took this picture of me and Owen. Didn't she do a lovely job? As camera shy as I feel, it really is nice to be in some of the pictures.

school pictures

We decided to take our own this year. One down, four to go.

Florabella Textures

I played with them last night for the first time and I think I'm in love.

That is all I have to say.

halloween

Here are a few pictures from Sarah's halloween party as well as our jack o lanterns. These are especially for you awesome sis!

routine

The kids have been in school for a couple of weeks now and life is settling down again. Owen's no longer the super easy dream baby he was six months ago. He's discovered his "fire within" and now lets his voice be heard. It's both lovely and terrible.Fall is here but you wouldn't know it. I'm missing the fall colors of Utah but also loving the beach. Can't have it all I guess.
Brent's working like a crazy person but we're thankful for the work. I'm feeling content lately. I know crazy can strike at any time so I'm just enjoying the present. Today. Today was a good day.

Friends at last

They did make friends in the end. The dynamics just worked, you know?

Granted the relationship may have been a little one sided.

It went something like this..

Owen could do whatever he wanted...

and Sarge would eventually just go to sleep.

Not a bad recipe for a baby/dog relationship.

A day at the lake

I started going through our trip pictures yesterday. We had such a great time! LOVE seeing the country, the family, and most of all spending so much time with my kids. It was a precious 2100 miles well spent.

a rainy day

At the first sound of thunder we ran through the house opening all the windows.

You see, I'm teaching my children to love thunderstorms.

Something about the wind and the rain and the sound. It's like the song of my heart.

The smell of wet earth and air. The sound of rain on the roof. Seriously folks, it just doesn't get any better!
And then, of course, there are puddles...

Sarge

One of the things my kids love most about my awesome sister's house (aside from seeing my awesome sister and her family of course) is the chance to love up on all her animals. This trip is the first time we met Sarge, their new basset hound.
Owen had a sticky face and Sarge did his duty and took care of it. Honestly, I didn't see it coming and as a result, it took Owen a few days to warm up.
Poor Sarge. He looks so innocent doesn't he? Aside from the fact that he eats everything imaginable (electronics included), this guy is a serious lover. I didn't have to worry one speck about him being around the kids. Aside from the licking of course.
Owen however, worried a lot. He had this look on his face for three days. They did make friends eventually. Sarge's gentle nature and comatose sleeping habits won Owen over. Come think if it, I think he won me over too...

Cove Fort

Day one of our adventure we stopped at Cove Fort on the way to Utah. We did a tour and took a welcome break from driving.

a little birthday love..

Over two thousand miles later, we arrived home just in time for Brent's birthday. It was a night well spent celebrating my awesome husband. A few good friends and lots of good food. What's not to love about that?

So happy birthday Doofenshmirtz. I'm so glad you were born!

With love,

Your Adoring Wife.

ps. I really like you

sayonara

My thirty day challenge is officially ending at day 25.. ish. I'm taking the kids and making the "family rounds" before school starts. Daily blogging just doesn't fit into that schedule. The trip consists of a ridiculous amount of driving for one woman and five kids, lots of ice cream, a fair amount of crying and complaining, loads of fun, and priceless memories. Wish me luck! I have no idea what they're doing but thought it was definitely picture worthy. Ahhh.. imagination! I love it!!

Lauren, age 6

Lovely trees

There is a specific type of tree here that I absolutely love. I don't know the name, but the bark peels off in strips that twist around the tree. It makes variation in texture and color that are.. well.. dramatic and beautiful.

priorities

I made a list yesterday of the most important things I'd like/have to do on any given day. It went something like this..

• budget
• exercise
• read scriptures
• play with kids
• clean house
• plan/prepare meals

Then I read a book for the next three hours.
After that, I numbered my list according to their importance and thought about the amount of time I put toward each. And I realized something. My priorities need a serious course correction! For example, if cleaning house is number six in importance, then why am I spending so much of my time doing it!? Does the amount of time you spend on something represent it's true value to you? It seems like is should, doesn't it? Point is, I'm thinking about this. I want to spend the most time on the things that are the most important to me. Honestly, I don't know if that's possible. It's just.. well.. it's complicated! So what do you think? Possible? Not possible? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Broadway

We've had lots of fun the past year seeing a few broadway musicals. Last night was Mary Poppins. I was really looking forward to it and in many ways it didn't disappoint. The sets were amazing and the singing, acting and dancing superb. These shows amaze me with just the scope of the production.
That said, my favorites stayed the same. I love a show with a powerful story. One that makes me feel something. If you have the chance I would still recommend Wicked, Les Mis, or Phantom. They just can't be beat.

green smoothie

2 generous handfuls of spinach

1 frozen banana

1 handful of grapes

1 large slice fresh pineapple

1 -2 cups ice water

Blend the heck out of it and enjoy.

Sunday game time

After church today it was Hungry Hungry Hippos, Pick-up Sticks, Polly Pockets, and legos. Can't forget the legos.

jacks

She's growing up

Thoughts on peace

I heard a woman talking about peace yesterday and I've spend much of today with her words on my mind. She said it's misunderstood. We seek after it.. ache for it even.. when in reality all we have to do is give in to it.
I've wondered about this all day. Is it really so simple? I understand that happiness is often.. ok maybe always.. a personal decision. Is peace the same way?
I believe that God wants our happiness above all else. His peace is a part of that.. but in the chaos of my day how do I find it? Peace and quiet are just not possible in our home. So I have to find peace without the quiet.
I do ache for it some days. I feel frustrated by the mess or the children bickering and peace is a stranger. Other days I feel a lovely, still place in my heart despite all the crazy going on around me. Those are good days.. So tomorrow I'll choose peace. I'll give in to it. Accept the gift. I want it to be that simple. I hope it can be..

Ty