New Additions

Here are our new kitties; the white & black one is Dottie “Dotts” (4mo) and the tiger one is Daisie “Daise” (2mo). We wanted to get a kitten for each boy. Maysen picked Dottie out right away (she’s so great) and I picked out Daisie for Griffin. Daisie was abandoned when she was 4 days old and only weighed 5oz. They had to really work with her and bottle feed her for quite some time and her start just reminded of the trials we had when Griffin was born and got sick. Maysen named them both and so far they are getting along great. I have to make sure the boys don’t strangle them – which seems to be a struggle at times – and keeping Mase in bed past 5:30am is also the new challenge. He’ll sleep good tonight after being at a birthday party all day today. No one can replace Bird but having these two in our house is sure helping create that new start that we all needed.

I will close with a great and wonderful story of my husband’s misfortune. (Aren’t I sweet?). It was when he and Maysen went camping a few weeks ago. Nate decided he’d take his hiking boots along which he hasn’t used much in the last 10yrs. They seemed to be good shoes and all, so why not? On day 2 the boys all went on a long hike up some mountain and snow was even still on the ground in parts. Maysen climbed most the way and then decided he’d had enough. Nate decided they’d better turn back so they started to make their descent. As they started to go, Nate noticed the front of one boot – the rubber part – had started to pull away from his shoe. “Hmm. That’s weird,” he thought as they continued down. He eventually had to cut the rubber flap from his shoe to continue. Soon after, he noticed that the front was coming off the other boot as well. Then he noticed his boots were sliding and looked down to realize that the sole of the boots were coming completely off the boot. Then his foot was cold as he looked down to see snow packed into his shoe. The shoes were coming apart piece by piece …. Thread by thread. As he’s telling me this story and I’m laughing because I’m visualizing this complete circus while Maysen’s losing it coming down. He then adds that he met up with some people on the trail who stopped Nate and INSISTED that he use their duct tape to wrap his shoe back together. By now I’m CACKLING! Poor guy. Then he insisted that he show me the aftermath. Here is what I saw ….

Sad.

RIP Birdie

1999 - 8/8/09

We laid our dear Birdie to rest today. She had been with us for a very long time … through lots of transitions (military deployment, moving, birth of 2 children, first house purchase) and she was a very faithful friend through good times and bad. She became overwhelmed with infections due to a compromised immune system and her kidneys were starting to fail. It was a difficult decision but in the end, it was the best thing we could have done to repay her for all she brought to us.

We rescued her from the pound in Manhattan Kansas in August of 1999. Nathan was just about ready to be deployed to Kuwait for 4mo and I needed some company for those 4 months.

We knew Bird was the one when her cage was the only one unlocked and she kept rubbing back and forth talking to us. On our way home, a bird flew in front of my car and I said, "Lets name her Bird." Ever since then she's always known she was our Birdie.

She loved all kinds of things. She loved being outside and in the trees. Playing with the red laser light was also a love. Most dogs/cats don't get alone but she absolutely loved Bailey. They were pals. When she needed warmth, she'd go to Bay. When she needed protection, she went to Bay. She took care of Bay and licked her. They were best friends.

If I sit still enough, I can still hear her behind me …. but deep down I know she always will be. Miss you … my little Birdie …

Updates ....

Momma & Mase Beach Trip: We went up on Tuesday, stopped at the market right by the house and got pizza for dinner and soda! That is just what he wanted. We unloaded the van and after he'd inspected the house and put his favorite blanket up on the bed we went down to the beach. He stayed out of the waves and we built volcanos. We had our lunch on the beach and I'm not sure how much sandwich he ate ... I think it was mostly sand. Ugh.

After an hour we were back at the beach house for Shower#1. We made cake, ate cake batter, and while the cake baked we colored and did workbooks ... all while soft music played in the background. Then we did puzzles and it was soon announced we were heading back down to the beach. Away we went and I talked him into a seashell-hunt-walk. Holding ever so tightly he held my hand careful not to let the waves get him (had a scare last time we were at the beach). Then we buried Mase' legs/feet in the sand and Maysen put his shoes on the sand and he thought it was hysterical. There was an older boy behind us that buried his whole body and Mase was all concerned. :)

We made it back up to the beachhouse in time for dinner and a movie (Shrek). Maysen got cake and frosting and pizza. Happy boy! Before bed, we went to the park in the community and blew bubbles and played on the playground. He went to sleep relatively easy after we read stories and then I got some quiet time. It was a great time just him and I. I am hoping to make that a yearly ritual.

Boys Camping Trip
Nate and Maysen went camping shortly after I returned from the coast with Maysen. I had my 29th birthday the day before they left. Jenn was in town and we had a good time. Last year in my 20s! Anyway, our poor cat Birdie hasn't been doing well and we had got a new prescription of meds that might save her life, but they needed to be given 3 times a day. I had been planning on going up to Bend to spend time with my step motherinlaw and my sis in law. But in light of Birdie's condition and her new meds, I had to stay home to take care of her. I kept Griffin here so I got some quiet/one-on-one time with just him too and that was nice. The boys had a great time, came back sunburned (nate) tanned (mase) and eaten alive (both!). I flinched at the idea they didn't wear PJs camping ... I'm sooo not a camper. The boys came home after day 4 covered in dirt and filth and they had a blast. Tired, but a blast.

While hiking down the mountain, Nate experienced that seemed to be something out of the twilight zone. You see, as he started down, he noticed the rubber front off the tips of his boots came undone. By the time he got down the mountain it looked as though he was no longer wearing HIKING BOOTS, but rather leather moccasins! They just fell completley apart! I laughed so hard I peed! Poor Nate ...

Birdie
2nd round of pneumonia. We have figured out it is a herpes infection that causes a secondary infection. So her new medicine was a new antibiotic and Lysine. 3 times a day. She seems to be acting better, but not quick on the weight-gain. She looks like a poor little malnutritioned lion. :(

House
We are going to look into putting our house back up on the market. We're realizing now is the time to get out before our house is worth even less .... and we need more space! I'd love to be able to start building a house of our own ... but we have to sell this one first, so that might be happening in the next coming week...

Mom
If no one knows, my mom is disabled. For the last 7 years or so she has been living in North Carolina with a man who took her under his wing to take care of her. He began to develope his own problems and fell very ill the last few weeks during which his daughter, M, was looking after my mom (who refuses to move closer to us). I got a text today that this man, P, had passed away today. I don't know how that changes things, but I think my life will be taking a different path in the next few weeks/months.

Griffin
The second that the boys left on his camping trip, Fin started spitting out words left and right. He didn't have to compete with Maysen and the words came flooding out. He started saying: Ooops. Ooopsie. Uh-Oh. Wet. Momma. What's That!? It was fun. He needed a lot of attention because his Bubba was gone camping, but we had fun ..

Enough of the updates ...

Ahh, my beach house!

Chapter 1: THE BOYS

Griffin: Griffin has successfully been able to bust all 4 I-Teeth out now but they’re slow to come in. He is saying full sentences with inflections, but no words yet. He does say about 15 words independantly and according to Dr U that’s perfect! He had his 18mo check a few weeks ago and nothing to report there except he is slowing some in height. He used to be like 90% in height and Nate was just so sure he was going to be his tall boy … but I am afraid we’re going to have just normal but stout boys. Linebackers maybe? I can’t believe how quick the “Terrible Twos” comes. First of all, the TT theory needs to have a exeception clause that states “…give or take a few…” because lemme tell you. I have an 18mo old already into it …as well as a 4.5yr old who IS STILL IN IT! Griffin will drag out curling irons, crayons (before he munches then shines me the red/yellow/green flecked smile that looks like the homeless woman’s smile who lives downtown – yikes). We are throwing tantrums these days which involve (not always all at once, but it has been known to happen): throwing himself on the floor, kicking, hitting, will run away just to run back and lug into you like you weren’t there, scream and whip his head side-to-side. I can’t even bring myself to laugh anymore because its … that.ridiculous.

Maysen: Ahh, yes. The addendum to the terrible two’s. This one said goodbye to his long-lost best friend for the past year, Treyger. Treyger lived next door and is about 1.5yrs older than Maysen and yesterday they moved to Idaho for better work. T and M have frequented many ‘a backyard for random water gun fights, and I don’t know how many PB& J sandwiches those boys ate in M’s clubhouse. He was a great kid who taught Maysen to draw within the lines and now we have a whole other level of OCD – the color-within-the-lines-or-I-might-break-a-sweat OCD challenge. It’s good, because now his pictures are much more involved passed the simple scribbling.

However, T brought this screaming “AAAAAAAAA” to Maysen’s lifestyle that I absolutely can’t stand. It’s not only the AAAAAAA but it will be incorporated into words. For example: “AAAAAAAAdon’t want to go therereerereerereerereerAAAAAAAA.” Yeah. Brilliance. Now couple that simple wonder with the fact that he won’t listen and we’re talking in 5min I’m having a nervous breakdown. Fact is, the more sneaky Griffin gets the less patience I have with Maysen. Which sucks. It just does. So after a melt down night with him I decided I needed to take just him and get away. So I booked the beach house (in case you were wondering what the random beach house pictures were for) for this Tuesday and we’re going to spend Tues/Wed at the beach. Away from work, house, friends, brother, dad, everyday food (we’re eating nothing but cookie dough according to M). Yep! We’re loading up the kites, bubbles, and books and we’re sneaking away for awhile. I’m honestly very excited.

Then while at swimming lessons last week he got too far away from the side without anyone seeing him and “sunk” as he called it. I looked up finally to see 1 hand sticking out of the water. Poor boy … he was a bit pale and bluish lips, coughed up some water but not too scared to not swim anymore. But it was scary. It can happen so fast!


Chapter 2: Weekend
Went out this weekend with some old and new friends. It was so fun to feel like 21 again … being out with all the youngins! We got such a kick out of watching what I’m sure we looked like once before … the awkward silences between two new couples, the idiots some people make out of trying to dance (No … not ourselves!). It was fun. I actually did it two nights in a row! It was M’s last night in town so I wanted to see it off one last night! Thanks again, though wish I hadn’t ran out so fast .. who know what YOU could have gotten into! We also had my nephew’s 6th birthday party Saturday so that was fun. I think I’ll die when my son is on the “other” end of the decade spectrum.

Chapter 3: Work
Work has been going really well. Once the nurses who took vacation came back my schedule went to right what I wanted. Right now it's 1 afternoon a week, about 5-6hrs. It's perfect. On Thursday they asked me if I'd be interested in working in an upper PACU position. Meaning, I would get the more critical cases that came out of the OR .. I said sure! It will require a couple full-time weeks to get fully trained but I'm excited about the experience that I'll gain from that. I will be getting a longer day - still one day a week, but I'll get more hours out of my one day. Maysen wasn't real keen on me going "back" to work (my day or two) but he's adjusted fine now. Both boys have and I think htey kinda like it now.

With that I will close. I have work, yoga, walking, 2 boys, work other job, laundry, yard work, cleaning, cooking, and many more things this week that I must rest up for. Good night.

summer playdate

You know its summer when your child spends the whole day, literally, in his swimming trunks and the smell of sun screen doesn’t even register anymore. Maysen once-darkening hair is now back on the blonder side and his skin is turning more brown as the days pass by.

Today Maysen had his best bud from school, Roman, over for the afternoon. They have swimming lessons together on Tues/Thursdays and last week Roman’s mom took Maysen so I could stay home with 2 babies before I left for work. Today I took Roman and after swimming lessons they had a fun picnic outside on the deck. I honestly think Bailey ate most of their lunch – it was too much fun to have her fetch their pieces of cheese off the deck. Ha!

With July 4th being so close I couldn’t resist getting them each multiple bags of “Pop-Its”. My driveway looks like 32 boxes of Kleenex exploded on it, but the boys had fun throwing them, then driving over them with the racecar looking for “duds” that would fire under their tires.

What warm summer day would be complete without a water gun fight? Uh, NONE! It actually lasted more than the 2.5 minutes I thought it would and they got good and soaked. In they came and put the rest of their energy into building “Big Track City” …. Yes; that was the official name. I knew it was time for the play date to end when they started bickering like the couple on “Grumpier Old Men”. This track wasn’t right, and the bridge wasn’t working right, and Roman’s train was longer than Maysen’s, and Maysen wasn’t being fair …. Roman was a delight to have over and so polite! It’s refreshing when you see little tiny friendships blossoming …

busy

We spent time with the in-laws last week and got some good photos. Bobbi and George got up their above ground planters a few weeks back and we reaped the benefits of fresh lettuce, radishes, and dill.

Life sure has picked up these days. I have started my new job and although it was very stressful at first, I am settling in. I have only had about 20hrs of training and I’m on my own in the O.R. on Monday. A, my boss, is in the military. Although I was hating her “Just throw her in there” mentality when I first started, I now am thankful (almost). Its how I learn the quickest and it’s not as though it was “unsafe” but just enough independence that I learned things very quickly. I’m not feeling like I have worked there for 20 years, but I am comfortable enough to ask if/when I need help. The staff is all very nice.

One of my most proud achievements is my IV skills. I can say that I was feeling insecure with my IV placement skills when I first started. Mainly because it had been 6yrs since I last started one and I wasn’t exactly proficient in them even 6 yrs ago. On Wednesday I had to put in 10 IVs and I got them all but 2. Even my supervisor had trouble getting those 2 in. Its amazing how much more confident the older you get.

I’m getting to know Glenda more – my Yoga/Walking trainer. I’m not sure how much of a fan of Yoga I am but I can tell its sure making me stronger. Glenda and I are walking in between Yoga days and in 1 week we’ve gone from 1.5 miles in 45 minutes (had Yoga in there, too) to 3 miles. She is interesting and we get along. She sure pushes me which is what I need. Learning to balance a new job, getting off at 6:00pm then having her come to work out, on top of missing my kids! But life is life and change is good right now in my life.

I thought I'd see if Griffin would like corn on the cob. It was an instant hit! On another note, flu has hit our house. Nathan came home sick with the flu yesterday from work and last night it hit me. Luckily it has been an amazingly fast bug and we’re all feeling much better. In fact tonight I asked Nate to clean off the ceiling fan blades and that lead to vacuuming off every tall surface and dusting. Things look a lot cleaner. Getting ready to do the same outside in the yard tomorrow (dread …).

I am hoping to keep posting rather sensibly - however the next few weeks bring 20hr work weeks on top of gymastics, swimming lessons, and my Yoga/Walks. It's getting hairy these days ...

RIP

Rest In Peace, "Chacho" (grey bird on right). We'll miss you and your Andy Griffith.

changes

How handsome is this guy? He's going to the be the fox in school!

Wednesday was Maysen’s last day of school so I guess for him that signified the beginning of summer. And today sure felt like it! I think it got to above 90F here today. By 7:00pm tonight it was still 87F. So we pulled out the hose and let the boys get wet before bedtime.

I have always said that I believe that everything happens for a reason. And sometimes it just feel like life’s taking a turn. That is what is happening for me. I haven’t said anything but there have been some changes heading my way that I am excited about. We are expecting another baby! No – just kidding!!!

I have felt a heavy weight on my back over the last few months. Almost like a conflict. The Mommy in me loves staying home … but the NURSE in me, the part that craves helping and healing has felt stifled. True; I still go in and work at the clinic and work Triage and fill in here and there, but I have craved something “more”. More of a specialty, maybe.

So, I started keeping my eyes open for PRN (meaning basically “fill in”) positions in other areas of medicine. I applied for PRN positions in the ER, the ICU, and even the OR. That produced nothing, as I learned from a physician-friend of mine that the local hospital is experiencing a hiring freeze. Then one late night I happened across an ad for a PRN pre-op/PACU (recovery nurse) position for approx 1 day per week. I sent in my application, 1 week after it was posted and waited. Nothing. Then on the 4th day, I got a call from the NeuroSpine Institute in town. She asked me to meet with her the following morning and we had a TWELVE MINUTE interview. I thought it was doomed. I have, afterall, no experience in Pre-Op or Recovery Room. She told me she’d call me the following Tuesday after Memorial Day.

Tuesday came and went. No word. On Wednesday morning one of my fellow co-workers called to tell me that the Neurosurgical team had called her for my reference. While on the call with her, they called me! She asked if I’d come to the surgical suite to meet the other nurses and then “lets discuss training”. I get there and about 25min later a nurse, C, comes to get me. We go back to the nurses station and she sits me down and I get hit with a mother load of non-expectations: “So, what assets can you bring to our company?” HUH!? I was so not prepared for that, I had no idea this was Round II of interrogations. I BS’d my way through that in the end I’m sure it was more of a confusing answer than a real one. I got asked about my level of competency, my level of pace, etc. After 20 min of that I was glad to hear her say she was done. She then let A know she was done with me. A sent me back out to the waiting room for 10 more minutes and then came out to ask me if I could start training next week. It was a bit awkward having that go down in the waiting room … in front of “other” staff. But whatever, it was fine. In the end I GOT THE JOB. I am a true RN with a true specialty of Pre-Op/PACU nurse.

I have this sense of peace now knowing that although I’m going to home with my kids pretty full-time, there is one day a week that I am skipping out of my house and to somewhere where my inner true self will shine. I get MY identity back, and that is that I am an RN! I get to produce skills that only an RN can/will do. I get to be that person that helps others, strangers, in a time of need. I get to help the doctor perform miracles on some people. I’ve been missing that heightened level of … nursing. And it’s back now!!

Something even more fun that is going to start happening on Monday is that I have hired a private Yoga Instructor who comes to my house 5 days a week and teaches me Ashtanga Yoga out on my deck in the evenings. We’re going to alternate Yoga with high endurance walking. I am excited to get that going – someone to come and kick my butt into gear while teaching me a holistic form of Yoga that can calm my core!

I can't wait to see what these 2 different things in my life do. Either/or could quite impact my life so I'm just going to hold on for the ride :)

camping 101

Can you believe it? I’m living still! I do still smell campfire in my hair after 5 washings and I had to wash some loads twice to get the smell and grime out of some clothes, but we had a great time. It was challenging with children so before I go into the miseries of the camping trip, let it stand that we did, in fact, have a good time. I was disappointed when I got there and my battery was dead in my camera and all my other extras were left at home.

We got to South Beach on Friday later than we anticipated, around 4:30pm. We had perfect campsites – right beside the campground’s playground complete with 2 play sets, a rock climbing wall, 2 sandpits (with a bulldozer built-in) and multiple slides. Maysen (and wishful Griffin) was in hog-heaven! The downside to such good sites is that the wind along the coast (which blows a constant 20mph!) was not blocked by anything, so we were sitting ducks for the wind. Plates blew over at every meal, cups were gone, and the gusts sent a chilly and bitter streak through our bodies. It felt impossible to warm up with the gusts hitting us. We got our tents set up and upon unloading discovered that we had forgotten Griffin’s blankets. We gave him 2 of ours, which left us with nothing but our down comforter (harsh, I know). Before dinner Maysen fell out of a tree playing "Sandy Buckets" (whatever the heck that means). I had given him a warning not to climb it one more time but the older boys were and apparently the temptation wasn't worth the consequence. Luckily he didn't break an arm or collar bone but he did do a number on his back with deep scrapes. The boys had a hard time going to sleep but that was to be expected but nothing prepared us for the frigid night ahead. The wind didn’t stop and our tent has an open top. It’s screened but open. By 2:00am and no sleep, I climbed into the van to warm up a bit. I’d start it, turn it off, start it, turn it off. All in all I got just a smidge over 2 hrs of sleep that night.

6:00am rolls around (there were no roosters to welcome the day light, only crows … who pecked into any and everything) and guess who wakes up? One son, then the other. So we were up with the sun. I don’t think they’ve ever gotten up at 6:00am. With no firewood, we all got out of the tent and stood there, frozen still. We decided to go get coffee (excuse to warm up!) and not kidding – I was so exhausted I made Nate to check the vacancy of the local hotel nearby. He was mortified so after a couple of sips of coffee I changed my tune and sucked it up.

We got back to camp and after a warm shower and some breakfast we headed to the beach. We had to hike over the Swiss Alps of loose sand (burning thighs) but it was gorgeous! Of course we had the wind, but the sun was out and blue skies all around.

We had lunch and Jessica and I decided to go get some things much needed for a good nights sleep … blankets and a space heater! Once we got back, it was evident that Nate hadn’t heard Griffin screaming his lungs out in the tent. He was trying to catch his breath, beet red face, swollen eyes and he was so upset that it took him the next 2hrs to calm down. I think over-exhaustion played a part there because it was late even for normal nap, let alone being up so early.

We had a great night that night. We made spaghetti and the wind seemed to calm down at least for dinner. We had Josh’s birthday cake and presents, the kids played bubbles and silly string, and although we had a rough time getting Fin to sleep and then Maysen to sleep we stayed up and talked around the camp fire and that was fun. We slept better that night and stayed warm.

Having an 18mo old baby while camping is exhausting. It’s like having a puppy off a leash for the whole 2 days. Nate would be watching then I would and you just can’t relax. Mix exhaustion and wind into the equation. Plus Maysen had been up bawling the night before saying he wanted to go home and he missed home. Well, we got up Sunday and both agreed it was time to go home. Nate really wanted to have an extra day to mow, I had tons of laundry to do and it was just time to go. Nate is Mr Back Packer and even he was saying “I’m done”. We had a wonderful picnic lunch at Devil's Punchbowl (above) before heading out. There were 4 grey squirrels that came out to catch our hand outs which the kids loved. Griffin kept saying, “Cattttt”. Funny.

We got in the van and Griffin was totally out asleep. Nate slept while I drove over the mountains. We hit the freeway and I slept and when we rolled into town the whole van was asleep (except Nate … driver!). We all got home and showered with fresh clothes and sat outside in our non-windy backyard. We grilled and just relaxed. Much needed. The boys slept wonderfully that night and we agreed we couldn’t wait to do it again. It’s effort and challenging at times but well worth it. Fresh air, camp fire, great company .. it all boils out to a great time. Thanks Josh and Jessica for putting up with us and we honestly can’t wait to do it again!! We hope you’ll have us again!

baby steps

Jenn was here this past weekend and aside from scoring MAJOR deals on summer clothes we happened to take in a photography session at dusk. I am particularly fond of this picture with the bat-like cloud structure hovering above the nearby farm. Some of the picture did get cut off because of the file size but you get the picture. You can see the rest of my pictures along with some other recently downloaded albums here.

Most people who know me well, know that I am a bit particular when it comes to just a few things. Ok, some have called it "majorly OCD". A nurse/blog friend of mine was just chatting about this similar subject and I interject that I think all of us nurses have to have a small bit of OCD to help us do our jobs well. In any event, I have met my challenge in regards to my OCD. We. Are. Going. Camping. This. Weekend. My kind family has offered to start me off small - tent camping - in a state park - which means we have ... SHOWERS. THANK YOU, JESUS! I would need a major dose of tranquilizers to calm the effects of 3 days with no showers for not only me but my very messy two boys as well.

In about 5 seconds you're going to read something you probably didn't necessarily need to know about me, and that is that I'm in the shower at least twice a day. I have to shower when I get up for that crisp ready-to-go feeling. Then at night when my long day is over and I'm settling in for relaxing "me" time I need that warm, clean, comforting feeling. Now, throw in mowing or landscaping mid-day and then we're tackling shower #3. So! The thought of me going to the beach, sitting by a smoky fire, dirt floor, gooey marshmellows, wind, salt water air, dirt, more dirt, spiders (hives are beginning to develope now) ... well, you get the idea. At least I have a shower but will be slowly breaking my mold and easing into the thought of being dirty and looking at my filthy children for an extended amount of time. We'll see if we can do it without me scratching my own eyeballs out. Remember family: I love you, but please bear with me. (insert image of Bill Murray in "What About Bob?" saying in his meek voice ".... baby step get on the bus ... baby step sit in the seat")

I'm actually really looking forward to it. We grew up camping. But we also grew up camping in an RV or something to that effect. We had showers, carpet, sink, stove, TV. Nothing like this tent business. I want the boys to experience this as it's super fun for them and I don't want to be fun-spoiler so I am sucking it up but I believe I'll resemble much of the image of the hated girlfriend in Parent Trap who keeps dabbing herself in sugar water with the lizard on her head. But I'm up for the adventure and hopefully this won't be the last time you hear from me *wink*.

I'm MOM OF THE YEAR!!

I think this is hilarious ... but totally awesome. Thanks to Sherrill for sending it to/for me.

CLICK HERE TO SEE

happy mom's day

Happy Mothers Day, everyone.

I never knew what drastic direction my life would bring me after becoming a mother. I always knew I wanted children but what joy they would bring my life is something I didn't expect. I won't drone on and on and make this sound just like every other post from every other mom out there who blogs. But I do, in fact, have the best set of boys a momma could ask for!

I got my first real home made Mother's Day gift from Maysen this week. It is a sachet that they made in school. Maysen glued on the paper, helped cut it out, and his favorite part was tying the bag of potpourri up. When I picked him up from school on Wednesday he mentioned he had a "proprise!" but I had to wait until Thursday to get it. When I picked him up on Thursday (Nate got off early and surprised Maysen by picking him up - I had gone along too to talk to Ms Debbie and I turned while he was walking down the hall). He had the biggest smile on his face, showing all his immature teeth - even the chipped front tooth. He announced he had my proprise and that I'd have to wait to open his pack-pack when I got home. We arrived into the garage where I was given orders to let him out first and he'd go inside and I could then follow. Once I had followed, I was then told to close my eyes and come into the living room. There he stood, same beaming smile with his hands behind his back and when I opened my eyes this baby (above) shot out at me. He told me all about how I could hang it in my closet and it'd make my clothes smell alllllll good. We decided we'd hang it outside so I could see it everyday. He propped himself on the bed while I taped it up there, still beaming even when I walked out the doorway. He later came out and looked at me puzzled, "Momma, um, isn't it beautiful?" ... "Yes, baby. It's my very favorite" .... "Mine too." and off he went with a content smile on his face.

That makes all the many sacrifices a mother has to make worth it. I have been struggling with going back to work part time, but it's times like these that I would give anything not to miss.

This is my Wisteria Garden in my backyard. This has been the most fruitful with flowers than it ever has been and man it smells marvelous. We arched it up over our gate this past year and it's taken to it wonderfully. Could be this mommy's favorite part of the backyard right now.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there! I hope you enjoy YOUR day!

Dad's visit

Dad and Jo were here this last weekend for a few days. The weather was wicked while they were here – raining monsoon-like one minute and then sunny the next. Welcome to Oregon! The smell of rain and lilacs is something I wish I could bottle up and keep forever always … (great pic, Jenn. Was this one you took with my tripod?)

The last time they were here Maysen was 3 and Griffin was only 8 months old so it was fun with the boys being older this time. Of course that included "Silly Face Time" and most everyone participated. Nate just happened to have the camera while grandpa and Auntie played along. Maysen talked non-stop and Griffin was surprising bashful for the first day or so but when he warmed up, he warmed up big.

Dad helped Nate put up Maysen’s bunk bed. The bunk bed is actually the same bed that Nate and his brother used when growing up. This summer we’ll be putting Griffin in his day bed, and by his 2nd birthday we hope to move him in to the same room as Maysen. Maysen LOVED sleeping on the top of the bunk. We did have an incident on Day 2. Apparently “fishing” for your little brother with a blanket is a fun game … until you fall off the top bunk. Yeeeeah. “THUMP” is all we hear and here comes Maysen holding his forehead. I couldn’t get a straight story out of him until I happened to walk by about an hour later and I see Maysen hanging off the top bunk “…heeeerreee Griffy, Griffy, Griifffffffffferrrrtttty.” (I love he calls him Grifferty). He’s dangling his blanket down as Fin goes to reach for it, Maysen start slipping and the writing was on the wall.

The last day they were here we decided to go to the beach, Jo’s favorite place. It was raining but when you’re at the beach you almost don’t notice (except when it started raining sideways!). We also visited the Newport Aquarium. Maysen was having a hard time building up the courage to touch the creatures in the Touch Pools but eventually with grandma Jo's help he braved the storm and weathered through and he was happy he did!

This was before Grandma Jo coaxed him into touching things. A sting ray? "I don't like StinK Rays", per Maysen. To add, "..and I don't like sharps!" (sharks, there were baby sharks to pet in this tank)

Nice choice of finger to point with, bucko...

Fin and his Pranpa...

Seashell hunting with Pranpa and Mase.

Check out those Huck Fin pants. Nate was going to brave the current across the little river where he did and found the biggest agate I've ever seen!

Grandma reading “Green Eggs and Ham” was a hit with the boys. Apparently I never noticed that there is a mouse on every page, so they’d play “hunt for the mouse” with every page turn. One thing I can be thankful for is the fact that Jo is an exceptional grandma to those boys. She has patience, enthusiasm, and ideas for those boys all the time. I’m grateful she’s part of their lives.

I LOVE this picture of Fin. He got so excited finding the mice with grandma and she'd hold his finger and go "Buzzzbuzzbuzzbuzzbuzz" and point at the mouse. He loved it.

Nate’s last day at Weyerhaeuser was today. And as a surprise they took him to his favorite place for lunch and then told him he could go home. It’s 12:30pm and he just pulled into the driveway. That’s a nice surprise and Maysen will be just as excited when Daddy picks him up from school!