Canyonview

and on monday syd started her week at canyonview....this year she had her cousin from portland come with her as her buddy. it makes such a difference to be with someone and have a good time. she has had a blast this week...learning new songs, riding horses, swimming, canoeing and just being a kid. last night she had paige stay the night and tonight as well...they are so tired, but they just keep truckin' along. as we drove home from the track meet last night they sang all the songs they had learned at camp!!! i might have to pull out the camcorder and record that tonight....they are both so animated and they talk not stop together. tomorrow night we get to head up to camp and watch the kids do a little performance and eat dinner together...should be lots of fun.

Track and Field

The last two wednesdays we have gone to the all-comers track meet held in town....the kids have absolutely loved it. It probably has to do with the ribbons that they "win" even if they don't place they still get a participation award. They each have done the long jump, softball throw and 50/100m run. It is fun to watch a bunch of the little kids run with their moms/dads dragging them down the track. I think this week the kids improved on their times and distances....that was the talk we had last week "next week just beat yourself, don't worry about other people, just improve on your own time". I think it worked.......no bumming about not winning. Tried out the new camera at the event...but sun was right behind them, so they are not the best, but fun to capture the experience.

A Day with Grandparents

yesterday we drove down to Lebanon to visit my parents for the day. The kids were exhausted, but so excited to see grandma and grandpa. My parents have the best backyard....lots of shade, great tree swing and an old fashion swing set, not to mention the back field, tractor and garden.

Both of the kids took turns on the tree swing and then noah broke out to the old swings.....he kept begging me to push him and I told him that I was talking right then....well he got bored and went to the ladder to go down. It was one of those moments that it happens so quickly there is nothing you can do, not even shout. He climbs up and I see the bee land on his shoulder, then I see about 5 other bees come out from the slide, noah looked at his shoulder, slapped at the bee then started running. It took about 10 seconds for the screaming to start and for him to realize that he had been stung. It was the first time either of my kids had been stung by a bee....luckily grandpa came to the rescue with some bee sting ointment and noah was finally able to calm down.

We finally headed to the santiam river for some fun and water play. The kids had a blast walking the river with grandpa.....mom was just not good enough. They swam, fished and sat in the river with the current running over them. It was a perfect day to be there, with the humidity it was just so sticky outside. When we drove back through Sweet Home we saw all the cars lined up for the Sportsman Holiday Fireworks show....I was tempted to stay, but I knew we had been running for days on end and that we had better drive home that night. It was a great day. Good memories.

Beachin' It

Just got home from two wonderful days at Pacific City. Julanne and I took the kids over on thursday to hang for the day, but ended up staying the night in a cabin there. It was one of the most perfect two days at the beach ever. The weather was amazing...we all got sunburned, spent the whole day on the sand and played in the ocean. Angela joined us for the day on thursday so we also got to play with the little baby too. The kids "attempted" to make it to the top of the dune, but only to actually did it. Most stopped about halfway up. Yesterday morning we hit the beach on a seashell hunt and came back with a tooth from some sea creature...probably not a shark, but it was fun telling the boys it was. Then in the afternoon, after swimming in the pool and packing up we headed back down to the beach where we tried to park on the beach, but it was packed with at least 50 Dory boat trailers and no room to park my little van.

Kind of weird to take a van out on the beach, would much rather have had the jeep. But we figured it out for the next time we go...park the van on the beach mid-day, bring your food/campstove and eat dinner right there, waiting for the sunset and relaxing in the beach chairs while the kids play. We both laughed when we saw other people doing that...how long have we both lived in oregon and never thought about doing that. I usually would walk on the beach at sunset, but never thought about that cool idea. You learn something new everyday. Who needs a little bonfire on the beach, when you could have your whole car!!! ha ha.


We had such a hard time leaving yesterday...but this is my new beach to go to. I usually head to lincoln city for quick day trips and beverly beach/nye beach in newport for longer stays...but it I fell in love with pacific city. I have been there before many times....but this time just caught my heart. They are building these timeshares there....3 weeks a year for $80,000!!!!!!!!! Sure I can do that. ha ha.

You notice that I have no pictures from this trip and you do not know how much I am dying to have a camera..........but I have been a good girl and I am waiting to hear from Canon to see if they can fix my point and shoot. It is teaching me much patience and wisdom. Actually it was nice to just be in the moment rather than behind the lens all the time. Okay I confess I took a couple of pictures on my phone!!! Couldn't stand it any longer.

Funny Sayings...

My daughter is the funniest thing...and she says the best things ever. Last week we were at Costco shopping around and sydnie saw the ipods (she is saving her allowance to buy one) I told her she should buy it here at costco (secretly she needs to buy it on craigslist or ebay for $$$)...she says that she would rather buy it at Target because it is cleaner, the store is brighter and the aisle's are better.....what seven year old thinks of that?


So yesterday we were in portland for most of the day visiting friends and I took her to Limited Too for girls time and some shopping. She absolutely loves this store, it has become her favorite, unfortunately not mine (super expensive, but super cute). So last night I was telling her that the next time we went shopping it would be at old navy, children's place or gap. She says "oh that would be disturbing...the aisles are too small, there are too many people and the clothes are so boring". I almost could not make it out the room before I broke down in laughter.....who says that?

She is the funniest kid ever and I am glad that she is in my life.

Camping, the 4th and Grieving

WOW.....what a week. We decided to head up to Suttle Lake for a family camping trip. Just the kids and thad and I. It was great. We had such a good time hiking around the lake, swimming, fishing and playing games. For the first time in our married history I was able to convince thad to roast hot dogs over the fire and eat cereal on the morning we had to pack up and leave. I know that this is very common camping food, but not for us. It has to be good food all the time, nothing simple and easy. Last year I was able to sneak a hamburger helper into our meals camping....he actually went for it. So I did that again this year.....ahhhh freedom to be simple.

When we got home from camping it was time to celebrate the 4th.........I went out to Silverton Days with some friends and shopped around out there. Found this adorable old green bread box and some great pictures to hang upstairs. Then we went swimming and barbeque at my MIL's. and if that was not enough we ran up to the Heinz's and spent the rest of the evening watching fireworks, holding the baby and watching the kids run wild. Some relatives were in town so Sydnie had a great time playing with the girls, because normally it is all boy all the time up there.

But the biggest news..............my camera broke while camping. This is some serious grief for me. Taking pictures is like breathing for me. So now we are on the hunt. I really want the nikon d80, but I don't have $1,000 right now. I had just about convinced thad that we should get the nikon d40.........but I think I will have to settle for a simple point and shoot. The stinky thing is that I won't be able to load those pictures from my card to my computer...I will have to go to costco and pay to put them on a cd or just print them.

So that is the skinny over here........today we are going swimming with cousins and then playdate with school friends and raspberry jam. Full day.

sunriver

sunriver mosaic
Originally uploaded by stampnchck

This weekend we headed over to bend for a little relaxing. We were invited over by some friends from church and we had a blast. We rode bikes, went kayaking, golfed, swam and went for walks. The kids had such a good time. Lots of good food, good conversation and lots of sunshine. We were very blessed to be able to stay with our friends. It was a great weekend and our kids loved it. Of course they wanted to go spend money at the shops in sunriver. Because they bought souvenirs in disneyland they think they have to buy something everytime we go somewhere...I got away with a simple water bottle...cost $7.00 for two. not too bad. That does not include the money that I spent on a little chocolate for me while the men and kids were kayaking!!! I had to treat myself somehow...not enough boats for the women, so chocolate had to do.

a little time out

This is what happens when you take one tired little boy, let him swim with his cousins all afternoon, and then he hits his sister...........................a little time to think about being mean. Such torture when sister and cousins are all in the water having fun. I love his droopy head...he looks so sad and lonely. I guess he learned because he went back in the water and had a great attitude the rest of the day.

Just a Swimmin'

So we started swim lessons this week. Three days down and they have already made such progress. Sydnie is learning the fine art of breathing, arm strokes and coordination. Noah is basically being naughty and any chance he has he is doing bobs and swimming for the deep end (no hand on the wall for this kid).

So this morning we had the little chat about not being able to be in the water today if he does not stay near the side and have his hand on the wall when teacher lisa comes....now let me say that I totally think they should be able to play around while the teacher is not with them, as long as they are not swimming for the deep end and getting in the way of the other kids.

Both of my kids are such water dogs...they love to be in the water, near the water or just hearing water gets them excited. I cannot wait until next friday to see the improvements....they can already swim, but I know that they will learn so much the next two weeks.

Summer's Here

We decided to have a School's Over, Summer's Here party this year....today was the perfect day. We had 6 friends come over and we did a couple of crafts, jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler on and ate snow cones. It was a blast. these are the best pictures of the bunch...darn harsh afternoon sunlight. SO MUCH FUN. Sydnie was so into making her box "perfect" that she almost forgot to just play......but she had a great time. That girls thrives on planning stuff, she will have to be an event planner when she gets older.


snow cones after jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler on.


a little summer memories box for each girl to paint, decorate and take home to store all the stuff they collect this summer.

nothing like good friends and summertime.

Good old fashion goodness.

Goodbye Ruth

to a woman that showed how to be wive's to our husbands, lived her life according to God's word and throughout her life showed grace and peace. This picture is from her memorial service yesterday.........where her husband, Billy Graham, called her a beautiful woman and assured us that she had a "great reception in heaven". Her life and example of faith will be remembered.

Orange and Black Fever

We have the fever here........actually my husband does...but the college world series is tomorrow night and the OSU Beavers are going for a repeat. Last year was such an amazing story, coming from the bottom of the barrel to win 6 do or dies and then going on to win the National Championship. They play saturday at 4pm.........we will be watching. Thad found this great video [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3806308258801533279&q=osu-cws&hl=en] cannot figure out how to paste in a video, so just click on the link........really inspiring. GO BEAVS!

S2S 2007

Guess where I went last night?

These two are about the hottest thing...their show is like watching a day in their lives.

Plus he is not bad either...let's be honest we wish there was no faith and tim was all ours. One can only dream right?

So a group of us got to ride in a limo to the concert.......we stopped at Bridgeport to eat at Macaroni Grill. We finally hit the concert at 7:45, we were late, but we made it just in time for the real show. I went to the soul 2 soul tour 7 years ago with some friends....and that show was A-mazing! We had seats in the 6th row....you could see tim's chest hair...ha ha. This one was just as good...Seriously could they be any more sexy on stage together....Seriously good time last night...

Everything is OK

so i have neglected my blog........and after the last entry should let you know that all is well. I spent all day in the er on monday, only to be sent home to let the process continue. They checked all my blood work and gave me an ultrasound and said that I was healthy, other than the miscarriage and that I would not be in danger of an infection..........so I have spent the last two days involved in school. I wanted to let Julanne know how grateful I am for her friendship and support....the girl spent all day in the er with me and even ate hospital food. Thanks so much. So now I am just waiting around......my hormones are still not settled down yet.....that will take some time. But other than that life is okay.

Off to the ER

here we go again. I am off to the ER to confirm I don't have a tubal....even though they swore I didn't. I am ready to yank the whole blasted thing out of my body. At the very least I will probably have a DNC...at the most surgery again. HOLY CRAP...I literally am bawling my head off. I cannot go through this again. WHY???

The Last Sin Eater

I just watched this movie (http://www.foxfaithmovies.com/thelastsineater/), based on a beloved book by Francine Rivers. It was so good. I did not know what to expect, especially when you have such a brilliant writer's novel being adapted into a screenplay. But Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird did a fantastic job with this one. These men are one of the driving forces behind Fox's Films new Faith Films....they are adapting some amazing Christian fiction into wonderful movies. I watched the making of and was struck by a qoute from Brian Bird that I wanted to share.



"There is a string running right through the heart of all of us. Violin Strings and when you pluck them they reveberate in our lives. One of the big strings is forgiveness."



I loved how he put into words the "thing" you know, when you watch a movie or read a book and it sits with you. You think about it, wonder why it has affected you in such a way. That is the mark of a true craftsman....to pull at those strings.

PIG OUT!!!!

complete and utter gluttony....that was the scene as the first graders sat down to pig out on ice cream, toppings, candy, whip cream and sprinkles. Each of the kids had a chance to earn "money" during the last several weeks in order to "buy" their favorite combination. Some kids had their bowls piled high with all sorts of sweet stuff, others just the bare minimum. It was so much fun to watch them get all excited and eat the good stuff. It was a great lesson in saving and spending and math. They even had to fill out an order form of what they were buying. so cute. Sydnie was super excited because she still had a $1.73 left over to spend on the auction at school. Holy cow......the end of school is fun.

Heaven just got a little fuller

goodbye my two little ones. even though mommy never got to hold you in my arms, you will be held in the arms of Jesus for eternity. and you won't be lonely up there, because you have three other siblings to keep you company. I am thankful for the time that I got to carry you, even though you won't be with us here, I will always remember you. I prayed for you, knowing that if God wanted us to have more children that you would come and you did, suprising us, but yet again you were not to be. I pray that God holds you close....with all the other little ones up in heaven who were not meant to be. Mommy will always love you and cherish the thought of you.

Windy skies makes.....

for great kite flying. Last night we came home from Sydnie's choir practice and the neighbor kids were out flying there kites...so our kids ran and got their's. It was a great night to be outside having fun. Noah was thrilled that he finally got his "mater/mcqueen" kite up in the air. Have I said yet how much I love summer! We had a jam packed weekend. Planting, barkdust, t-ball, swimming at grammies pool, church, more yardwork, choir and just lots of fun.

I need a cure.....

my children are probably the most verbal, loud talkative children in the world. I crave silence. My head actually hurts by the end of the evening. We are working through this phase with Sydnie were everytime we say something she corrects us. She cannot handle just being silent and listening to what mom and dad say. she always has to interject something. It drives me crazy....like bad crazy. I did not raise her this way...it is just inborn. the worst part is...she is teaching her little brother to be the same way. Plus noah is testing his boundaries anyway. I constantly hear NOOOOO to everything I tell him. He has a friend over this morning and he is being a little butt. I just told him no friends for two weeks since his attitude is stinky. Sometimes being a mom is the hardest job of all. I just want to crawl in a little hole and not deal with all of this parenting stuff...but obviously cannot do that. I honestly do not know how we will get thru the summer at the rate we are going. The kids are fighting with each other and sydnie's response to noah copying is now to scream at the top of her lungs. I know this is all a phase and we will get thru it. They do play together well most of the time, but if they are left alone for too long they start in on each other. I just needed to vent some parenting frustrations. Feel better now. On with the weekend....lots of yardwork to get done.