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!

screams and sales

Garage Sale & Auction
My fund raising Garage Sale for the Christian School was very successful! Friday was very busy and a lot of our bigger stuff sold. Saturday was an additional day we did this year and it wasn't necessarily worth it. We only made $700 that day and it was pretty slow. Overall, we made $2500.00 for the school so I was pretty proud about that. It wasn't quite my goal but I usually have a way of overshooting my goals. The family that donated the use of the storefront for our garage sale also started inquiring about our ultimate goal of building a new Christian School. He, needless to say, could be a very big financial gain to our goal so I think that was a very good connection to make.

I was pretty tired today - I think it all caught up to me. Papa and Sherrill are in town and they came to watch Maysen in gymnastics tonight. He did great - completing his hand-stands with his arms, not head. He's doing really well at listening and following directions. For a smaller, strong boy this has proven to be the perfect thing for him and he's enjoying it.

Dad and Jo will be in town on Saturday. I'm excited to have them in town. It's been almost a year since we've seen them and Maysen is excited to say the least. They'll only be in town for a few days but I'll take what I can get!

Friday is my sister-in-law, Danielle's, fund-raising AUCTION for the Christian School. She takes months to prepare for this so we're pretty excited. They usually will pull in $15,000+ at the auctions and this is the 4th annual auction. With the economy the way it is, I'm hoping that it will continue to be a success even this year. We have a new caterer this year who is fabulous.

First School Incident
I forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago we had our first "incident" at school with Maysen. I picked him up from school and his teacher pulled me aside. Apparently she walked down the hall and while she was gone, Maysen jumped up, turned off the light (basement classroom-no windows) then SLAMMED the door and started screaming. THREE. TIMES. It scared the crap out of his classmates and woke some babies in the baby room across the wall. He got grounded from his snack and show time after bath that night and the next day he apologized on his own to Miss N. Something tells me that won't be the last time that happens ....

YAY!

In an update about this post, Laith got a new heart!! You can read about it here.

job

Nathan accepted FT's offer on Monday. He officially told Weyerhaeuser he was leaving. They took it well; mainly that they were sad to see him go because he was such a big asset to them, but at the same time they understood that this was a job promotion for him and how do you refuse that? They agreed to meet in the middle with salary requirement so Nate accepted and signed his Acceptance Letter yesterday. He's going to lunch tomorrow with the guys from FT again just to get to know them. This is a good thing, I think.

Learned that my dad and stepmom Jo from California are coming for a few days to visit starting May 2nd. I haven't seen them in months so I was excited. They are buying a new car and since they're Oregon residents they will be coming back here to buy it. I'm looking forward to spending a few days with them. Lord knows when the next time I'll see them will be.

I booked tickets tonight for Nate, me, and my sister to see comedian Dane Cook in Portland on June 6th. He is hysterical, you can see some of his acts on YouTube.com. One of the best I've seen so I'm pretty excited about that. We'll be going childless so I'm not sure what I'm more excited about :0)

Heading to bed. Tomorrow starts 3 days straight of Fund Raising Garage Sale FUN! Tomorrow is set up/finish price and then Fri/Sat are the sale days. Pray for good return! Last year we raised $1900 in about 7hrs. Since we're doing 2 days this year, it's hard not to set expectations but I hope we do around $3500. We'll see. Night.

Easter 2009 & Backyard

Finally Easter pictures have emerged. See post below for all that we did but we had a great time. I still can’t believe how much Maysen looks like Nate and Maysen looks like me. I guess in a way that’s sorta how it’s supposed to go.

Bunny Tracks CAUGHT! And what a loot!!

Mmmmm Chocolate for Breakfast!! Does Chocolate Bunny count as protein?

Dad helping Fin find eggs at Aunt Danielle's house. He's the one who hid all 50+ some of them. Ahh, his mind is slippin...

There is one left ... and he "thinks" it is in the kitchen so the kids are on the hunt!

We’ve been working long and hard this weekend, thank goodness the weather has been beautiful (70s). Friday was spent hauling/loading donations for the garage sale I’m doing for Maysen’s school. It was the last day of parental donation-pick-ups so as you can imagine there was a ton! I had 4 van-loads plus 1 trailer full (Thanks to the guy who was unloading a chair). The rest of Friday was spent sanding our original deck so when the new deck was stained they matched. Saturday Nate and I spent 4hrs sorting donations with volunteers and I think we about got it sorted out. This week I’ll spend one more day pricing non-bulk items, Thursday setting up, then open on Friday. I still don’t have childcare figured out for Friday but I’m sure Lord-Willing it’ll happen. The rest of Saturday Nate stained our decks and I got the van washed up and back to pre-donation pickup.

Today was our shopping and planting day. We’d anticipated this day so it was fun. Nate got his Father’s Day gift (his new grill) and I got all my new flowers/chairs/plants and planters for Mother’s Day. The boys played in a bucket of water and water gun fights with the neighborhood kids so they were entertained. Now? We’re pooped. Nate should hear tomorrow whether they FT accepted his salary requirement. He took a vacation day tomorrow so he’ll be home. We plan on relaxing and maybe heading to Dorena Lake tomorrow.

So, with that said, here are the end result of our projects thus far. We still want to do some more planting and lay down mulch but you get the idea...

BEFORE: May, 2008 (last year)

Before, February 2009...

AFTER, Today.

Cement slab, BEFORE May 2008

Thanks to George and Dad for all the ears lent to Nate for his questions and frustrations. I'm sure proud of my Mr Handiman.

developments

It was another sugary Easter Success in our household this weekend. On Saturday night we put out the infamous secret “Bunny Track Catcher Powder” (flour) in hopes of catching the tracks. We previously had dyed our eggs, put them in a basket in the center of the table, only to be switched out with Easter Baskets from Mr Bunny. Maysen got an array of Curious George paraphernalia while Griffin scored a few new balls and plastic tractor (all of which Maysen thinks are his as well). We searched for eggs at our house and then headed over to Danielle’s where MIL Sherrill is watching her kids while they are on a mission trip. They have a huge house so Nate had gone over previously and hid all 50+ eggs around. After all eggs had been accounted for we started dinner and it was very yummy. Great time was had by all…

Another happening occurred Easter morning. Ever since Nathan graduated he’s had a “mentor” if you will, Mel, who has helped him out along the way in just about every job Nathan has had as a software developer. A couple of weeks ago, Mel retired. It was a sad day and on Sunday Mel actually called him yesterday morning to tell him that although he had retired from Weyerhaeuser, he hadn’t retired for very long. He had accepted a Director of Developing position of a software company here in Eugene and he wanted to “entice” Nathan to leave Weyerhaeuser and offer him a promotion as a Senior Developer with more $. It seems so weird to think of Nate as a Senior Developer because usually that requires 5-8yrs of experience. Nathan has 2. So this has been a great honor. Today he had lunch with the company guys and Friday he is having a final interview with everyone including their satellite counterparts in the UK (Scotland). I’m so proud of that man and the progression of his career!

I had to take Maysen in to the doctor today. Oddly there was a strange bulge that developed in the back of his left knee. Although I was pretty sure it was just a cyst, I didn’t want to take the chance of any other developing tendonitis/fibrosis. It turned out to be what I expected: A Baker’s Cyst. Although not usually seen this young, they’re very common and shouldn’t be of an issue.

I promise to post pictures next time …

Happy Easter!! More to come ...

My Soft

Her name was Great Grandma Edith and although I lived in Kansas and my family was far away, she thought enough of my birth to make me My Soft. My Soft was a term I coined because the underside of this hand-sewn blanket was a flannel bottom. It was warm and soft against my skin and I loved it a lot.

The Kansas winters were often very cold and frigid. Climbing into a bed with cold sheets is nothing anyone (even at this age) wants to do, let alone being a little girl climbing into bed to be warm. So my dad would flip My Soft over to where the flannel part was up and making it not-so-cold against my skin. Again, it was an immediate comfort.

I wasn't the only one who possessed the infamous "Soft". My sister, Jenn, had one made for her as well by Great Grandma Edith, but hers had more blue to it. We were the Shindley Girls ... with our Softs.

At night before bed, we'd bring our Softs into the living room and lay them out. There were 4 of us, so each one would get on a corner. You notice the variety of different pattern blocks in the blanket. That made for a great hunt-and-find game, in fact it was The Soft Game. Dad would start it off by saying (Jenn you'll remember the pitch) "Caaaann yooooooou fiiiiinnnnnd ..........*long pause* ....... the one with the 2 red wheels and one brown wheel on it" and it would be a race as to who could find it first. Those were good times. Really good times.

My Soft was given back to me when my dad sold our childhood home to travel in their RV and work. It had been stored up in our attic along with other childhood memorabilia that I now possess like my dad's Vietnam photo album. In a way it was strange to get all these things back at such a young age. But in another way, it was comforting to know that a piece of all that was back with me. Safe.

I sit back as I watch Maysen watching cartoons with his beloved Blue Blanket (that's what he calls it). He requires such Blue Blanket on all trips and every night to "cozy-up with". Its amazing what we can form attachment to and what it means to us. I can only hope that his Blue Blanket means just as much to him in the years to come as my Soft meant to me.

Thanks for thinking of us, Grandma Edith, when you made those blankets. It's turned out to be more than just a blanket for me. Thanks to Grandma Sherrill for having M's Blue Blanket made especially for him.

Written in plain ink-pen, this states "Made By Grandma Shindley"

Happy Birthday, Honey.

Finally, the age is catching up with the white hair on my honey. I think it's a symbol of how hard he works for his family. He works 4 ten-hour days so he can spend more time with us. But those are very long days, often resulting in only 5hrs sleep at night.

I idolize him a lot. He reminds me a lot of my dad in how hard he works to get whatever needs completion DONE. He has the patience I could only hope to possess. He has the willingness and eagerness to learn and to try anything - no matter the task. He is humble at times I would be perhaps "too" proud. He knows where he lacks and works harder at those areas to excell. No matter who or what has him down, he continues through the corridor with his head held high. He is unlikely to hold grudges. He sympathizes with those who struggle and genuinely cares for people and their feelings. He is passionate on his opinions but is also willing to look at any and all views on the matter. He never gives up. He has a very honest and boastful laugh that will immediately infect those around. I personally feel the world is a better place with him on it; in the decade that I've known him, I know I am a better woman and person with him beside me; and my kids are lucky enough to such a great role model to look up to.

Therefore, I celebrate another year of you being who you are, making it just that much more "right" to be here. We love you, honey. Happy 32nd birthday.

Only in my life

When it rains, it pours!! Why me!?! Of course .. WHY NOT!? There are a plethora of sayings that apply to you when you are having one Hellova day or two. I think mine went a tad like this, “*#^&@(@*(T^Y&*$U(T*&*#(“ Period. Let me explain:

Sunday morning seemed like a normal event. Griffin called for his bottle around 5:30am. He wakes back up at 6:30 and I thought “forget it, he just ate!” for he usually will sleep in until 8:00. True to form around 8:30am he wakes up and Nathan decides it’s his turn to get up and let me sleep. All I hear over the monitor is *door opening* “Ohhhhh. Nooooo.” My response? Shut the monitor off and turn back over. So I’ll tell the story through his eyes:

Everything’s fine. Griffin’s awake and sounds happy on the monitor, no distressed baby or anything to warrant a need for bracing when opening door. Reach for door handle, turn, and it was as if the seal of a casket had been broken open; a casket bearing a decomposing body for the last 83 days in the New Orleans summer … PFSHHHHHHHHHH. The vile smell hits his unprepared nostrils like the unassuming fly disintegrating on the 893mph windshield shrieking right for him (enter “Ohhh Noooo.”). As his eyes adjust to the cave-like darkness that surrounds, it finally reveals a beaming baby standing in his crib. He appears to resemble the drunken mother from What About Mary, smiling so big it seems unnatural. His hair is in straight-up Mohawk fashion so high and straight you’d think that 348 cans of Aqua Net was involved. But no. The true culprit is a mixture of milk curds and partially digested peaches from the day before. Yep. Vomit. And lots of it. Having been tossed previously, the creature beaming weirdly at you had rolled, danced, and fallen back asleep in the tossed salad. The day goes by fine until that evening...

10:30pm Griffin is up.
11:00pm Griffin is up again.
12:00am Maysen is up “My ear hurts”
1:30m Griffin is up again – gets Tylenol.
2:00am Maysen is up again with ear – gets Motrin. I look with my otoscope, ear appears inflamed.
6:00am Griffin is up. Check his ears. Too waxy to view ear drum. Goes back to sleep.
8:00am We’re up. Fin has piece of bread, which he throws up, along with suspicious milk curds on the floor.
10:00am Maysen complains of ear again. Otoscope now reveals infection in L ear of Maysen. Dr appts are made for both boys with our old pediatrician.

1:45pm: Griffin must get up from nap. Hand on the door. Knob turns and immediately the rotting flesh odor consumes me, but this is more of an odor of dead pig carcass roasting away in Nigeria for a week. It singes my nose hairs immediately causing a fury of watering eyes and gagging. Ahhh, diarrhea. Just what I’m prepared for considering I need to be walking out of my house RIGHT.NOW! Now, what happened next could actually be a pretty good marketing tool for Huggies, had it not been putrid. I know this won’t be pretty so I just rip the diaper off and brace for impact. I am absolutely amazed at the built-in dams Huggies has created has actually held in the cement-mixer-like diarrhea that came shooting out. I know you’re dying for visual color, so we’ll go split pea soup with hint of mustard – and that consistency as well. Got that one? Yummy. I stood there frozen – like a tight rope walker who needs to poop – wondering just what to do. Any sudden movements could end this whole ordeal badly. And then it happens. The Back Arch, then foot-plant action. Rrrrrrrrrigggght. Now he's looking like a white African baby covered in war paint. Somehow we recovered with lots of prayers to whomever would listen, running out the door as quickly as we could.

Now. “There’s more!?” you might be asking. Ohhhh yes. In my life, there’s always more. You see, we left the house in such a hurry, the bounty diaper was left folded up on Fin’s dresser. And as we returned home from the doctors and then the joyful wait at the pharmacy (both boys have ear infections), I walk in my house and I am thrown into a realm of confusion because I again smell the rotting flesh. You see, I happen to have a Beast-like animal who roams my hallways. Her name is Bailey. And as she saw me leave through the dark and dampened laundry room door and shut it with such force I would not be returning anytime soon, she immediately started salivating. She does this because she knows, to my dismay, that I have inadvertently left this … "treat" of sorts, for lack of better wording … within her grasp. And you know the rest. She took no time in devouring the contents of that poop-filled bundle of joy with savage-like agility. All. Over. My. Living Room. Floor.

I hope none of you read this while eating Split Pea Soup. Good Day.

Mr Reader

I have found one seriously good book for Maysen. Lately he's been into Curious George and while at the library a few days ago, I found a huge 352pg (mind you BIG print and many pictures) compilation of the first 6 or so Curious George stories. I found the book on Amazon.com so I think the Easter Bunny might stop off there this Easter. Of course, Griffin liked looking at all the pictures, too.

Loved how this book matched Fin's PJs...

Just a small portion of what we're doing to our backyard. As you can tell it's monsoon season here in the Willamette Valley and it was true-to-form here today! But ... Nate got the "pig pen" done yesterday. This is where we'll house Bay when she's outside. As much as we love her, she is destroying our grass so she'll have her own space back here under the maple tree. Nate is building her dog house next, so hopefully will be done soon after the sod gets laid down. I can't wait to get the grass here to get rid of all this mud! Then it'll be painting and planting around here! My BIL was here yesterday and did the estimate for our deck extension, so we'll have a 2 level deck which will be nicer than our piece of concrete that's falling apart!

And now we have blue sky and sun. Welcome, Spring!

Ode to my Tree Pee'er

Alright. So I debated about putting this one on here, but it's nothing too horrible. Just another pic that displays just what we're into these days and that's peeing outside! One good thing about having boys and you're "far" away from a bathroom, is the simple fact that if you're in an isolated place (or not-so-isolated in my dad's case .. hehe) you don't have to fear! I just so happen to have my camera in-hand when I turned around to this view. I know when he reads this at the age of 30 he's going to kill me...I promise to not put this in the highschool yearbook when you graduate, son. Well. Maybe ... is this blackmail material or what?

Maysen is sure becoming our little Mr Independent these days. He likes to be helping with whatever is going on. Whether it's cooking, or folding laundry, or putting clothes away, or getting dressed - he wants to do it himself or help with it. We have started on our backyard this past weekend and while daddy was outside scooping up old mulch chips, I look out to see our Mr Bean with bright red cheeks, rain boots hiked to the hills carrying this huge shovel putting mulch chips into a pile. And that's what he's been doing all week this week. In the afternoons he wants to go "shobel". The other morning I wake up to him looking into the toaster. "Cooking brefass mom". Thankfully he really was - Toaster Strudel and all! Juice in his cup. Then he adds "You can go sweep more, mom. I'm just getting ready!". In a way it saddens me that he's growing up so quick he doesn't need me to do his breakfast anymore. One day, sooner than I'd like, he'll be going to school not wanting hugs or kisses anymore. I'll be one sad Momma when that day comes.

I'm so proud of you, Mase, in more ways than you'll ever know. You amaze me at how smart you've become doing your work books. You can count soundly to 14 and ABCs are a breeze. You can spell your name up until the Y (although you write it backwards) and you know your name is Maysen-David-Scovil. You know the teachers call your mom Leslie and your dad's name is Maysen, too (so you think, Nathan does sound an awful like Maysen).

You have a mind like a steel trap. Recently you recalled Papa's white church on a trip in Baker City, although they haven't been in that church since you were 1yr old. Just last night someone was sick on TV and you remembered being "...on the big plane with grandma-grandpa-motorhome-house and I coughed in that bathroom..." (recalling being in Iowa for great-nanna's funeral and you got the flu when you were 3). I am not sure the memory is a good or bad thing *wink*.

You love Griffin, however lately you are being a typical big brother. You don't like him bothering you and pull him out of your room by one arm on multiple occasions. You yell at him when he takes your toys and you've taken to putting Anti-Griffin Signs up on your door.

You have started gymnastics and so far are liking it. Your best bud is Austin from school and even play at gymnastics with him sometimes. You are smart, considerate (often getting my coat for me on my walks because you don't want me cold), strong, and overall a great little boy. I love you so much.
Momma

Wanna-Go-Back-Now Vacation

I failed to mention in the below post that during our vacation we hit up the outlet malls in Lincoln City. Let me tell you moms out there 4 beautiful words: Children's Place. $2.99 STOREWIDE! Talk about a bargin blissful day!! I got complete outfits for the boys for next year. 3 huge bags later ... my total was $83.00. Thanks to Tiff and her additional 15% off!! Ok. Read on ... Most of us when returning from a vacation are ready to come home. I know I was on Sunday. But. I’m ready to go back! Our little getaway to Bella Beach was relaxing, quality, and fun. The cottage we stayed in was so inviting and warm that it was hard not to fall in love with its coziness. It was clean, bright, airy, and smelled of a mix of ocean and cinnamon. The kitchen was loaded with more amenities than was needed and I was glad I brought lots of stuff to cook with because I took full advantage of that gourmet kitchen!

The beach was a 2min stroll out our back door. We stopped and visited with neighbors and met fellow dog-friends along the way. Aside from our close-call mentioned in the post below, the kids loved the ocean. I am afraid to think that we have a 2nd dare devil on our hands … Mr Fin is a bit fearless of the water as well. Makes for Momma-Stress x2!

Our days were spent cooking and eating breakfast in our jammies, watching Fin sweep the entire houses' wood floor (which he was obsessed about!), playing Peek-a-Boo with Fin sitting inside their cabinet and flinging the door open (which he thought was hilarious!), playing "spin game" with Maysen's kite tail which was ripped off in a record-breaking 30 seconds, and relaxing by the fire watching movies.

There was also a playground on-site which was wonderful at entertaining the kids before lunch/nap time. It was a "Maysen & Dad date" that they'd walk down to the beach leaving me at home alone while Fin slept. Ahhh, serenity.

Some good friends of ours, Tim & Tiffany, were ironically also staying at the beach a few miles from us at their condo so we were able to meet up with them on our last day there. They have 2 kids as well; Austin & Karaline. Austin is in Maysen’s class and they’re best buds so that was really fun. We went golfing and to the batting cages where I think the big boys (husbands) had more fun than anyone! We went back to their condo and went swimming. Griffin, who despite the statement above has been skiddish of swimming pools, wanted in with all his might! We’ll have to remember that for next time. Maysen is getting more fearless of the water by the day, I believe. It’ll be good to get him back in swimming lessons this summer.

On our way home, we stopped in Lincoln City and visited a park near Devil’s Lake. It has an absolutely AWESOME wood play structure, that yes; even WE got lost in. Bailey was coaxed down the slide, which it was her last trip. We are thinking this would be an awesome structure to play paint ball in … ??

Poor Bay ....

On another note, we have moved passed our karate misunderstanding to gymnastics! Maysen had his first class last week and is loving it. That could change on a dime, so stay tuned ... (but I did love how good he slept that night so I'm hoping it sticks!).

While we were gone we had a shed built for us. Nathan’s plan was to build this himself, but we started to realize that the cost of having it built vs. the time it would require of him … it was worth it in the end to just have it built. NOTE: The following is a Lesson-To-Be-Learned from. We got home and to our dismay, our shed wasn’t quite what we had in mind. Lesson #1: Be around while someone new is building your project. Lesson #2: Don’t wait until you’re unsatisfied to research their “license #” only to find out their Contractors License is expired. Lesson #3: Specify EVERYTHING. Assuming contractors “know best” isn’t always true. The other half of his money we still have. Once he completes the job how we want it, with signing a Waiver (because he’s not insured), he’ll get the rest of his money. That’s set tentatively for Friday. I’m still skeptical. What a nightmare!

Ahhhhh, I want to go back. Maybe after my fund-raising garage sale, Nate will take me back ... just ME!