Super Awesome

This (or something close to it) happens every day in our house

Moments

We were originally supposed to go hiking this weekend on Snoqualmie Pass, but we cancelled at the last minute because I haven't been feeling quite right lately. When the weather on the pass called for rain and thunderstorms all weekend, we weren't too sorry to have missed it. And you never know when the grass will be greener on the other side, because we had some very precious moments during our last minute weekend at home. On Sunday, all of this happened...

Our dear, sweet neighbors asked if they could bring Parker to the Bellingham United soccer game. Parker is pretty sure he is a professional soccer player, so there was some minor confusion about whether or not he would be able to play WITH them, but he was ELATED to go with them, none the less. We are lucky enough to have these two live next door to us, and add to it quality time with Parker and our cup runneth over. He came home talking a mile a minute of popcorn, skittles, and (of course) a snazzy jersey and matching hat. Jo and Dave are going to be AMAZING grandparents some day, but for now we are blessed to have them practice with us and our kids.

A very joyful Parker after his game with Jo and Dave.

Everly spent some time in the garden while Parks was at the game.

She managed to find a turnip almost as big as her.

We got Parker a new (to him) mountain bike to replace the little one he so quickly outgrew. To say he is thrilled is an understatement. This boy LOVES to ride bikes and the fact that it has two handbreaks and gears - it's sent him over the edge of excitement. The bike is a wee bit too big for him still, but his passion knows no bounds, so the bike stays. And gets ridden. A lot.

 

 All Parker's bike riding ignited some excitement in Everly too and she's been working on her balance bike. She's getting fast and good. It helps to have our neighbor girl Amelia (whom Everly ADORES) outside riding with her. :)

And then, the icing on the cake: the Archers came to Bellingham for the day and stopped by for an impromptu visit and dinner. We made our dinner double it's size and the kids ran around and had fun and got way too tired and way too cranky and I couldn't stop smiling because Gabe and Tirzah were here. And then I did the usual peer pressuring to just move to Bellingham, already!

Glamping.

I forgot we sometimes have a life. Jeremy and I took a trip last weekend to the east side of the mountains with some friends. We were lucky enough to tag along with them because Mark runs a youth outreach adventure camp that happens to be a few minutes away from my parent's log cabin. We went for two nights and we played games, rafted, road horses, stayed up late watching movies and chatted. It was grand. I came home, edited the photos, and then promptly forgot to post them. I do that sometimes. We came straight home from the trip to Jeremy's aunt and uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party (where it POURED down rain) and then unpacked our soggy suitcases around 10pm and fell into bed. The next day was father's day, and well...life escapes us sometimes.

So, here you go. A little late, but a lot worth it.

The beautiful ranch. It's truly amazing.

Heidi, Mark, Me, Jeremy

 So, as we were riding, we came out of the forest and I looked up and saw two jets making a cross in the sky. I told Mark it was a symbol of our ride and I would document it. He then asked me if I missed the actual wooden cross leaning up against a tree right next to me. Why yes, I did Mark. Thanks for pointing that out. Sometimes life is in the details?

 We went whitewater rafting for a few hours on the Wenatchee too and it was AWESOME. I had another cute picture of all of us in front of the raft, but we looked kind of creepy in our sleeveless wetsuits, so I left it out (you're welcome).

Bring on the thunder

A storm rolling in impeded our day of gardening. We stuck it out for a long time, but when the thunder and lightning arrived, we took ourselves indoors. And by indoors, I mean the garage. It's a lovely June storm where we can all still wear t-shirts and feel warm. So the kids decided it was best to paint the playtable Jeremy made for them and then celebrate the rain with a little dancing. I would share the cutest photo of the two of them dancing with their umbrellas, but Everly feels it's best to dance in rainboots, and ONLY rainboots.

Where do babies come from?

Parker took it upon himself to tell Everly where babies come from. I was fortunate enough to overhear their conversation for my own education as well.

Parker: Everly, listen carefully. Do you know where babies come from? First Jesus puts a tiny seed in your heart. It stays there for a long time. Then one day it falls aaaaall the way down to your tummy. Then the seed grows and grows and becomes a baby. Then you have a baby in your tummy and you have to get it out somehow. I have a seed in my heart, so maybe I'll grow a baby someday, even though (whispers) mama says 'probably not'.

Everly: And when I fell to the tummy, I hurt my head. I need a bandaid.

Twenty One

Jeremy took the kids to Boxx Berry today to pick strawberries while I was at work (*tear* - I've never missed a seasonal berry picking event before!) and the kids had a fabulous time. They become serious pickers when we give them a berry picking task. I think they're motivated by year-round delicious smoothies. They know they need to put in the time to make them last. :)

The three of them picked twenty one pounds of strawberries today! Not to mention the full basket Everly picked from our own garden this evening. There's no such thing as too many strawberries.

And last night I had a craft night with some friends and we made these little cuties. I was going to stop at two, but then I wanted a little crowd and once I had three I realized the need for a fourth to make our little family. There's also no such thing as too many birds.

Thank you.

We started this Father's Day morning the usual way, rushing around, trying to get ready, and unpacking bags and desperately trying to find shoes just so we could get out the door on time. We made it to church, we sang, we prayed, we headed to Lowe's and to pick up groceries on the way home. We unpacked from two weeks worth of running around the state of Washington and only a few random nights in those two weeks spent in our own beds. We cleaned, put away, straightened up, entertained the kids, and prepared dinner for the grandparents to celebrate Father's Day.

Dear Jeremy,
Amidst all of that today, the chaos, the standard rhythm of our day, the exhaustion from being on the go nonstop lately...all the while you had patience, you had humor, and you made "pizza boats" with the kids for lunch. You saved Penny from impending doom, you swept the kitchen, and you buckled kids into carseats. You winked at me from across the room, you held my hand during church and you hugged me and told me I made a good pizza boat, just as you did for your son and your daughter. You picked the vegetables you started from seeds by the front window months ago, you unpacked the car, and you made everyone dinner-because this was your wish. I sit back in awe of it all every day, and why should today be any different? You are an amazing father, giving your children gifts in experiences and teaching them the fatherly standards, like fishing, and hiking, skiing, growing vegetables, swimming, and how to talk in a bad British accent. But you also give your kids a million other little gifts in the extra minutes you snuggle with them after they've fallen asleep, the way you look them in the eye and hug them tight and tell them you're proud of them, and the way you smile at them when you're across the room while they're too busily immersed in their playing to notice. Thank you for being a father that has unending love, a lot of patience, and the desire to do things with them that invite a little craziness into our lives. Thank you for being the driving force to getting us all out in the rain, making a mess of the kitchen, and going for hikes so long it takes us all days to recover. Thank you for making us laugh, wiping away our tears, and making sure we all have ice in our water. Thank you for knowing how to drive in the snow, the quickest way to set up the tent, and for keeping your (many, many) spreadsheets. Thank you for being our provider, thank you for your patience, and thank you that your love is so big, even when it's split three ways. I love you.

Love, me

Parks at 6 months.

Welcoming a minute old Everly.

Our here and now.

Tonight's bounty that Jeremy picked for us.

Clammin' Up

 
We did some clamming last weekend while were down south. Clams have a way of multiplying while they're in your bucket, so when I estimated we'd gathered about 80 or so, we counted over 120 when we got home so we were able to share some with our neighbors. Parks is all about clamming. He takes all of his hunting or gathering roles seriously. He is a connoisseur of the outdoors, so anything involving looking at, hiking on or eating around nature and he's all in. I believe he'll be and Eagle Scout one day. Everly usually enjoys digging around in any element and looking for the the little details (a crab, a worm, a tiny jellyfish), but this day she was very much deterred by the mud for some reason. She was not a big fan. Oh well - some days are ok for making it through the mud, and some days are not. I find that to be a good metaphor for life in general.

Hamma Hamma

When were on the peninsula, we took the kids hiking up to Lena Lake. We stopped for a picnic lunch, ran into a herd of elk, and fished up at Lena Lake. It was divine. It was also a very long hike. The guidebook said it was 6 miles roundtrip, but after we hiked back down and studied the most updated map, we realized it was a little over 7.5. Wow. Amazing, because Parks did it all except for the last quarter of a mile. He needed a little encouragement from time to time, but this kid LOVES being outdoors, so he was in his element and relishing every creek we crossed, every deer we spotted, and every waterfall we came upon. And then I took way to many pictures (what's new?).

 We found an old pump well to fill our waterbottles. So fun!

 The beginning of the hike...

 Minutes later...

Sleepy backpack girl is a sure sign of a good hike.