Ramblin' Update

(Make sure you check out the Introductions to my friends below)

Don't know if you heard about it, but we got rain this week. A lot of rain. Rain, in the high desert isn't all that common. I know, hard for those of you from the valley, or WA to relate. Thursday we actually drove over to Portland for Joey's annual eye exam (more on that later) and as we drove the road actually dried up and it was dry in Portland the whole day. How's that for backward? Anyhow, a little rain was fun for the boys to play in, but they had a hard time getting out of shorts to do it. Here's Eli under the eaves...gutters are optional around here.
Juneau was happy to get inside a little. Dog is chewing up our house and home these days, what did I expect? He's back to running with me again, got him all "fixed" up a few weeks ago and he's loving the run.
And did I tell you we got a Trader Joe's at long, long last? I've been so feeling like home just ain't home with out it, and I'm a sure sell for them, can't get out of that store. As I was unloading food yesterday I had to shoot this pic to show my great loyatly. To make it even better, they've just informed me that they do a "lobster hunt" in the store...each week the staff hides two lobsters for the kids to find while shopping, if they find them they get to choose a prize from a treasure box. How great is that? Entertainment while I shop? Not to mention that the store sells just TJ's stuff, so I can walk from one end to the other in just minutes, not days. Needless to say, I love TJ's. *Haze, see, I bought your yummy sheep cheese?*
And last but not least, I wanted to show off my painting from my Aunt's birthday party. Last year my Auntie Pudding (a.k.a. Margee) bought this pasta bowl and painted it for fruit, I thought it was fabulous! No more smooshed kiwis on the bottom of the bowl AND because the sides are low, the bowl advertises itself to my wee shoppers as they cruise through the kitchen looking for snacks. I love it. These, of course are schoolboy sized apples. Anyone know what to do with a kumquat?
Lest I forget Joey's appointment, he had his annual eye "muscle" exam (he's got 20/20, wears his glasses to prevent double vision due to a muscle that won't do his job) Thursday and the doc kicked us out, saying Joey's eye seems to be stabilized. Joey wears the glasses to keep him from cranking his head around to look at things. In a few years he may be able to do without the glasses, without fear of any spinal effects or long lasting muscular effects that turning his head would cause. Of course, the glasses will continue to help him keep his head straight, but Ralph and I have a disastrous combination of vision problems; the kid will have to have corrective lenses one day...let's give him a break!

Side notes...when Eli grows up he will be a dinosaur hunter & we do believe that Joe has a just barely loose tooth, oh he's so happy!

Introducing...

Spring-dirt floors, 28 loads of laundry, stinky-puppy-gets-a-bath, (that leads to a stinky bathroom) cranky boys, no naps...all directed by a mom without enough arms. Anyone want to trade jobs, just for today?

I'm having one of a those days. I got a good start, spent good time with my Best Friend, who orchestrates this whole world, even my little beautiful mess of a house. That keeps my perspective, today is just another day in paradise.

Little did you know I'm warming you up to the introduction to a few of my friends that have recently been blogging. I guess blogging is contagious, it's a fabulous hobby.


Kristin, the mother of four wiggle worms and wife to our Worship Pastor, is hosting Stepping Heavenward. She shares insightful thoughts on parenting. Kristin is a breast cancer survivor. I am amazed at her perspective born from tragedy that has hit her life. Kristin is here with her little Josh, Nate's best friend.

My friend, Cathy has three munchkins of her own and runs a little blog entitled dancing in the rain.
She (in black and white) is aiming to enjoy life, in the midst of busy, challenging and often disappointing days here on earth. Eternity in mind...

Another friend, Julie ( a fellow runner) has a fun blog, Pounding the Pavement and you can get in a fun read a lot of how about life "as I see it"!! I also see a theme of healthy living here. :) She's making great introductions to each of her family members too.

Karyn is mother to the cupcake mentioned last week in my blog. Karyn has encouraging and witty writings, in spite of her long time battle with chronic illness. Read about her own beautiful mess...and the girl is beautiful. :) Karyn is pictured here in the camo with Aspen.


Doing this write up on my dear friends has just revealed two things to me.
I related to you how each of them has had struggle and frustration in their lives. I want you to know that I don't measure my friends or identify them with their lives' struggle, or illnesses.
I do, however, see the rich love for Our Great God in these ladies that has been deeply etched on their lives as a result of pressing into him through their life's struggle. I see deepened character, eternal perspective that has come from their experiential knowledge of God.

We all have a story. A "testimony" of pain, hardship, loss. I can see here hard and fast evidence of God; how these ladies let the pain and hardships in their lives force them to press you into our Sovereign, Ever-loving, Faithful, Kind, Gentle, Comforting Jesus. I am blessed to be surrounded by friends so rich in wisdom. Oh this stuff gives me chills!

Second thought, I need to get more photos of my friends. :)

Yummer-Summer food idea

I made this yummy salad when with my sister and her family this weekend, she asked for the recipe, thought I'd share it with y'all too. It's so yummy, and my great grandma's recipe. Extra-Special.

Three Bean Salad
Esther Favinger (mom's grandma)

1 can green beans
1 can washed yellow wax beans
1 can kidney beans
1 cup diced celery
1/2 diced green pepper
1/2 c. diced onion (red for color)

Mix Together

Bring to a boil;

1/2 c. salad oil
1/2 c vinegar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
3/4 c. sugar

Pour dressing over veggies while hot. Let stand 24 hours before serving.

No-Nappers

As you know, we're in that transition time; Eli and Nate are both giving up their naps, due to grumpy evenings and late nights. Well, for two weeks they've been taking NO naps, going to bed around 7:30-8, and getting up as early as 5:30 a.m. This AIN'T workin' for me. I guess the no nap days will have to be more gradual. We'll have to tolerate the late nights sometimes, or early mornings others. I take much hope in the fact that Joey, at 6 &1/2 is now sleeping until 7 most days. He too, used to get up EARLY, back when I was pregnant and having tiny babies and all. Lovely.

Ahh, they look so peaceful when they sleep, don't they?

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts...and always be thankful.

Memorial Day Vacationeers

My sister, Hazel had the most fant-abulous idea; our two families should have a weekend getaway together at my Aunt and Uncle's Guest house in Pleasant Hill. It was a marvelous time... highlights being my sweetiest pumpkin nephew, a few good walks, and the swimming pool. I'm telling you, swim lessons pay off! All our winter work has turned to summer fruit, and what better way to celebrate?

Cupcake turns two!

We had the privilege of attending the birthday party of some dear friends' daughter...what a kick! There was a not-so-subtle cupcake theme, and the kids all got to decorate their own cupcakes, and of course, eat them! This was just a hoot, the kids loved it and we loved watching them. Elijah figured the perfect way to go at it was face first. Yumm! Happy Birthday, Cupcake!

Funniest story of the year...

My dear friend sent me this story last week...

“Out of the mouths of babes,” isn’t that the phrase? Well, last night, Ellie (3) was making comparisons, big vs. small, etc. She held her hand up to Glen’s and observed that his hand was bigger than hers. This went on for a while. Then she says, “Daddy is a big man. Mama isn’t. Mama is . . . .”

Now, what do you think? I was thinking “Mama is small” – opposite of big, or “Mama is not big,” something along those lines. Nope.

Ellie said, “Daddy is a big man. Mama is just . . . fat.” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glen almost died laughing.

A mass of Beautiful Scenery

Since we've moved here, I've been wanting to hike Monkey Face at Smith Rock. Sunday Dad and I did just that. The weather was beautiful, and the scenery was amazing. I, of course, took a billion photos and I wanted to share just a few. Monkey face is quite obvious in the rock, and don't forget to look for teeny tiny rock climbers, lava tubes, high desert spring flowers and one photo containting the Three Sisters, (mountains) Broken Top and Bachelor. Thanks for the great hike, dad!

Tucker in the bird bath

Thursday at the Library

A puzzling time for Eli,

A little color time for Joe.

Nate hits the puzzles too.

Pedi's all around

Who says a little spoiling is a bad thing? Not I, says Mama cool-toes. My sister, Megan and I treated my Mom to a pedicure and lunch today. It worked well, as Ralph's gift to me was a pedicure too. It was a real treat for me, as my sweet hubby is far and away working today, my girlfriend Kelli took ALL of my boys for 3 hours so I could indulge a bit. Thank you, Kell!

So mom and Megan and I met up to sit and get massaged by our chairs while our feet soaked away their little worries. Then we got all the great treatments of a pedicure, including something like a cheese slicer, who's job I'll leave out the details. Anyhow, we came out with sparkling toes just like this:
After ward we headed to Siagon for some yummy teriaki. It was so fun to have time to chat and bicker just the three of us. A mother's day tradition I plan to continue...