Guys Weekend

Ryan and Daddy has their first guys camping trip last weekend. They were originally going to be fishing with another father and son, but when that got cancelled, they decided to go on Ed's company's annual campout instead.


Obviously, I wasn't there and will mostly let the pictures speak for themselves. It looks like they had a lot of fun! This little girl is Ed's boss's daughter. Her name is Eva, and apparently they hit it off very well. Ed says he spent most of the first day having her call him Wall-E.




Daddy managed to do some fishing, though not in the canoe as he has hoped. Apparently Ryan is now terrified of it (for reasons unknown to his parents!) and wouldn't set foot in it. I guess the raft isn't as scary to him as the canoe because we have quite a few pictures of him in it...most of them with Eva.



They did some geocaching at the nearby lava flow and even saw these neat rock paintings done by Native Americans long ago.



Wow, that's a gorgeous valley! I'm not a fan of the desert, but this spot would almost make you forget you're in the desert.


They found a patch of snow to play in. I'm guessing that's pretty unusual for the middle of July, but it's been a very mild summer here.


Ed tells me Ryan was in his glory with all these little kids to lead around and get to do his bidding! Thankfully, he was well behaved most of the weekend and didn't get into any scrapes with the other kids (or adults).

Birthday Caching

Since my birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, we decided to celebrate it the Saturday before. After making me breakfast Saturday morning, we decided to do some geocaching. We haven't done much of it this year, but there is a contest going on that we wanted to take part in, so we headed over to the Mt. Hood Territory to do some exploring. We found five of the ten caches for the contest and saw some neat things too.


For some reason our maps didn't print out on our cache sheets, so we had to find the locations strictly with our GPS. You wouldn't think this would be that difficult, but it took us quite a while to find our first cache location which turned out to be a winery with a small lake.


We visited an Elk Ranch. Though we didn't take the time (or the money) to participate, they have a full tour. We may come back some other time to take the tour and visit the petting farm. They even sell elk meat and interesting jewelry made out of elk horns and elk droppings (eewww!).


We also went to a demonstration forest with lots of trails and apparently a campground because there was a lone Boy Scout looking for his troop. Again, we didn't take time to hike all the trails, but we will do that when we're in the area again sometime.


We found a cache at a lavendar farm. They had already harvested the lavendar for this year, except for the decorative areas. It was out in the boonies, and I was relishing the absolute quiet!


The last cache we found was at a place I've been wanting to visit for some time called Philip Foster Farm. It is a mid-1800s interpretive center. An excerpt from their website says:

Philip Foster was one of Oregon's earliest settlers, arriving with his family by ship via Cape Horn and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) in 1843...Foster was also an entrepreneur, partnering with Sam Barlow in constructing the Barlow Road in 1846, operating a store in Oregon City, and founding a flourmill and cattle company with Dr. John McLoughlin, known as the Father of Oregon. Foster bought a 640-acre land-claim in Eagle Creek in 1847, which he developed for the arrival of emigrants traveling the Barlow Road, the "last leg" overland segment of the Oregon Trail. He cleared land, planted crops and orchards, built a house and a store, as well as constructing a lumber mill and gristmill. The Foster place became a welcome sight for pioneers struggling over the shoulder of Mt. Hood after their 2,000-mile journey from Missouri. With the store, cabins to rent and meals offered to the emigrants, Foster's Place was indeed the First Destination Resort in the Oregon Territory.

Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there, but we were able to walk the grounds and look at the buildings and covered wagons. Our homeschool group is planning a trip out there this fall, which will be great!

Fun in the City

Last Friday we had an errand to run downtown, so we picked Daddy up from work and were going to go do our errand. However, there was a sand scuplting competition going on in Pioneer Courthouse Square, so we decided to check it out.


In fact, Ed's company was partnering with Regence Blue Cross on a sculpture and some of his coworkers were working on the scuplture. The event benefits a children's charity, and there were quite a few entries.

His company's submission was called An Apple a Day Keeps
the Doctor Away, and it won the Judge's Choice award.
Most of the scupltures had kid themes, but my favorite was one with an Olympic theme that featured the Great Wall of China. I loved the dribble trees all over the mountains.


It was a fun activity, and the kids were thrilled because they got balloons. In fact, then ended up with two each, one for each time we were there. When we first arrived the judging was going on and we couldn't up close to the sculptures, so we left and ran our errand, had dinner, and came back later. The second time we were able to walk up close to the scupltures and spend time looking at them, as well as see which ones won which awards.


Ryan's favorite was this bulldozer.


Abby's favorite.
As we were walking back to our parking spot, we had to stop and watch them constructing the pilings for what will one day be the tallest building in Portland. Ryan is still very interested in construction machinery, so it was fun to watch them dig the holes with huge augers, pour concrete with the pumper trucks, and move large objects with the cranes.

Birthday Love

My family treated me extra-special this weekend for my birthday. My hubby helped the kids make me these cute cards and envelopes, which I will treasure for a long time!

Big!

Maybe it was just the beaches in Southern California where I grew up or maybe I never dug too deep, but I've never seen a sand crab even remotely close to the size of this one we dug up during our recent trip to the coast!


Okay, seriously, have you ever seen a bigger pile of shells?

For the Love of Kids

I am not a beach lover. Walking along the beach is enjoyable, watching the sun set over the ocean is lovely, finding beach glass or interesting shells is exciting, and who isn't mesmerized watching the never ending crash of the surf for a while, but that's about all the positives I can muster up about going to the beach. When I am there I am in awe of God's power and how He never stops sending the tides in and out, but after a short time, I'm ready to go.

In the span of about 20 minutes, my blanket all but
disappeared under a coat of blown sand!
I know many people who just can't fathom how anyone couldn't love the beach! Well, the sand irritates me, especially if it's blowing in my face. I grew up where it was very windy almost every day, and I grew to really dislike the wind. It seems like the wind is always blowing at the beach, at least the ones here in Oregon. I am also not fond of noise, even "white noise." I guess most people are lulled to sleep by the roar of the ocean, but I just want to run away and find someplace quiet!


Twin Rocks near Rockaway Beach.
Like most kids (and apparently adults), mine love the beach! So when Ryan wanted to go to the beach for his special day, I pushed aside my reservations and cheerfully agreed (I think I was pretty cheerful about it, anyway). We spent hours on the beach, which in addition to all the things I listed above, was also pretty chilly. The first day the temp was 68 degrees, but the next day it was in the mid 70s, though you'd never know it because of the wind. It was blowing off the ocean and made it feel more like it was in the 50s.


I really did have a good time during our beach camping trip, though I would never have chosen it if it wasn't for the love of my kids (a week later I am still finding sand in unusual places). Next family camping trip: Timothy Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest, definitely more to my liking!

Oh, The Things You Can Do With Driftwood!

There was tons of driftwood along the coast where we camped last, and besides using it for fuel for the campfire, people found other creative ways to use it! Here are but a few examples:

Fill it Up!

When was the last time you saw gas below $4 per gallon? We did this weekend (out in the boonies of Eagle Creek, Oregon, of all places)!


Who knew I'd be celebrating $3.99 when just two and a half years ago I was fretting over gas being over $2 per gallon and giddy when it went to $1.99!

Three Years

It has been three years today since I first began blogging. I waver back and forth about continuing since I often lack the time to post the things I want to, but my blogs have become such a resource for me that I've decided to just keep on blogging despite my sporadic posting. Some is better than none! Even if no one else reads them, I can't count the times I've looked back through my posts to find a piece of information or a date when something happened.

However, I have decided to make a significant change in the way I blog. I am going to try combining Ryan's and Abby's blog into this one. I think telling the story once instead of two or three times might help me keep up better. I will keep their blogs up and may occasionally add a post, but for the most part they will be just archives (or for a backup plan if I decide I don't like having them combined afterall!).

For those of you who have persevered in reading my blogs over the years, thanks so much for visiting! Your comments have been encouraging, and even those of you who don't comment, I always like to see your visit show up on my site meter!

Favorite Moment

In addition to Ryan's and Abby's posts about our camping trip, I was hoping to post a few pictures here too, but I have run out of time for today. In lieu of pictures, I'll share my favorite moment from our trip:

Cute Comic

We went camping this weekend and today was spent cleaning everything and putting it back in order for our next camping trip (hopefully next month). The kids and I washed the van as well and all the while I kept thinking about this comic strip and decided I had to post it. (I swiped it from Beth over at Family...Food...Fun. Hope you don't mind, Beth!)

How Was Your 4th?

We made these cute shirts last year but when I washed them the fabric paint all came off, so we tried again this year hoping they will last better.
Before arriving at our destination for the 4th of July celebration, we did a few geocaches. We haven't been doing much this year, and it was fun to get back to it. The kids especially liked this cache site and had a blast climbing all over the rocks.


Some friends of ours that we met long ago when we lived in Memphis invited us to spend the day with them. We spent the 4th with them last year and were so happy they invited us back again this year. Their kids are fully grown, but they were there along with their friends. It was an added bonus that one of their friends played with Ryan and Abby for hours rough-housing and goofing off. He even spent quite a bit of time scouring the grass looking for tiny flowers just to please Abigail!


We grilled out, played games and just generally had some nice fellowship. At long last it was dark enough to finally light a few fireworks before calling it a night and driving home. We left at about 10:45 and there were still area fireworks shows going off till the finales at 11:00 (it gets dark LATE here!), so we enjoyed those as we made our hour and 15 minute drive home.



(Once we arrived at our friends' house, I completely forgot about my camera and only got a couple of pictures.)

Nostalgic Ice Cream

With summer finally feeling like it's here in the Pacific Northwest, we decided to try out the local ice cream place. It's been around for about 50 years and reminded us a lot of Jerry's, a favorite place we would go during our summers in Memphis. The kids thought it was great fun, and the grown-ups enjoyed it too, especially reminiscing about our trips to Jerry's.

Abby sporting her most recent black eye.
Jerry's Sno-Cones & Car Wash was just around the corner from our house in Memphis. We loved the place! If I remember correctly, it was only open in the summer, but it was so much fun to walk down there and get one of their dozens of different flavored sno-cones, milkshakes, or other frozen treats. It was tiny, and you could wait in a long line during the hottest summer months, but it was worth the wait.


Jerry's Sno-Cone & Car Wash - Memphis, TN
One of our favorite memories is being there with a group of friends from church and watching the now-famous white Bronco O.J. Simpson chase on the tiny television inside of Jerry's. We couldn't hear the television, but were all huddled around trying to see and every time they would mix a shake the screen would scramble and we couldn't see what was happening. Finally, the employees got tired of it (tired of us?) and shut it off, so we all had to go home and watch the rest on TV. Ah, memories! Oh, and we never did try out the car wash.

A Father's Love

Being the parent of a special needs child has its joys and challenges to be sure. My challenges are pretty minor compared to what many parents deal with on a daily basis, but there are still days when I feel overwhelmed and not cut out for the job. Sometimes I get tunnelvision and can't see anything but the hill I am trying to climb, and today was one of those days. Abby began a "bad cycle" last Friday, and as I was trying to pay bills and get caught up on some housework after being sick last week, I began feeling the dark fingers of despair gripping me as I was having to stop every couple of minutes to redirect, discipline or rescue my little girl. Finally, I sat her down next to me in my big chair and we looked at some blogs and checked email. This is what was in my inbox:



Here is an additional video with more background information on Team Hoyt.

I've seen this before or at least have heard of Team Hoyt, but today this video was just what I needed to help me gain some perspective. By way of quick background, this father's son was born with cerebral palsy. Once his son told him that "running" made him feel like he wasn't disabled, and ever since he and his father have run in marathons, Ironman events, triathalons, etc. It makes my "hill" look pretty small and makes me want to be be a hero to my daughter (and son) the way this father is to his son.

Ouch!

Hubby filled up my minivan with fuel this evening. It was a little more empty than I usually let it get, and it cost $77 to fill it up!

Punctuation 101-Lesson 2

Rule 5 under Apostrophes in the Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation says:

Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.

Examples:
We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.

Retro Food

After sampling some of astronaut food last week, I began reminiscing about one of my favorite childhood snacks: Space Food Sticks. Anyone else remember them? I particularly loved the peanut butter ones, and I can still remember the smell, look, and texture of them...yum!


On a whim I Googled it, and much to my surprise and delight, I found out that they are being made again. It seems I am not the only one to have fond memories of this odd snack. There is a whole website devoted to them and the story of how they came to be produced again so many years later. Once we have recovered a bit from our current financial pinch, I think I'll order some and share a fond memory with my kids!

Unexpected Blessings

We typically go out to lunch after church on Sundays, and we almost always go to our favorite local restaurant, which happens to be Mexican. We know the server and he knows us, so much so that he brings us our drinks even before we order. Last Sunday we debated whether we should go out or just go dig something up at home since our finances are hurting a bit lately. We ended up going ahead as usual. We ordered, discussed the sermon, and quizzed the kids about what they learned in Sunday School and had a nice lunch. Then as we were waiting for the check, our server came over and asked if we knew the man who was sitting next to us. We told him we didn't and he said, "Well, he just paid your bill." What?! We were incredibly blessed by his generosity and kindness!

A second blessing came last Thursday. Our hubby called to tell me he won a $100 gas card from the local radio station! Now that is something that we definitely can use!

When we had to cancel our camping trip we had planned for next weekend, I was a little discouraged about our finances and even lost a night's sleep stressing over money, but by the morning I was finally able to turn it over to the Lord and have peace. Then these events happened and were just two ways I felt like the Lord was encouraging me to be anxious for nothing. "I own it all, your medical bills, car repairs, and rising gas prices aren't a surprise to Me."

I know that God is trustworthy even if we were to lose everything, that financial provision is not guaranteed, but this week I felt the Lord's tender mercy and grace toward us through these unexpected blessings!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habbakkuk 3:17-18

Exposure

Sometimes I get discouraged when I read some blogs where the families seem to have it all together, there's one success story after another, and everyone is always in harmony with never a hint of strife or chaos. I know that's not the way anyone's life really is, and it certainly isn't the way my life is. I try to keep Ryan's and Abby's blogs fairly positive because I don't want to seem like I am "tattling" on my kids or putting their sinfulness on display, but it's uncomfortable sometimes because on the other hand I don't want to seem like I'm bragging or that we don't have struggles. I know at least one of their birthparents read the blogs (I've made it known and available to all of them) and I want them to see how incredible their children are and what a blessing they are in our lives!

The intent of this blog originally was more of a journal of my thoughts, struggles, and things along the way that God is teaching me. I've tried to be transparent about some of my struggles and frustrations, but it's hard to dig deep and expose myself. I'd much rather people only saw the bright side, the parts where I'm growing, and the successes, and from most of the blogs I see, that's how most people feel too.

When I look at my most frequented blogs, I find that they are not the ones where everything looks perfect. I am strangely encouraged when I read about other people struggling with similar issues that I have and when I see people who do not have it all together but they are still fighting the good fight, people who fail and repent and get up and try again. That's where I live, not in the glory of success day after day but in the fight against sin and pride and complacency with glimpses of victory here and there.

Just on the off chance somebody else likes to know that others struggle, here's a list of eight things I fail in regularly. Some are outright sin, while others are just ways in which I am not meeting my own standards.

• I yell at my kids.


• I still haven't finished reading through the Bible in a year that I began September 2006.


• I snap at my hubby.


• I often avoid a particular neighbor instead of sharing Christ's love.


• I have never mopped the floor of my laundry room in the 29 months we've lived here.


• I have unrealistic expectations of people, particularly Christian leaders.


• I avoid homosexuals whenever possible.


• I am four years behind in scrapbooking my kids' lives, even though I have all the supplies.

Be encouraged:

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

Date Night

We don't get many "date nights" in our home. We have no family nearby who can watch our kids or friends that we feel comfortable imposing upon too much. Our neighbors are good to watch them when we have an appointment or a meeting or something where we absolutely need a sitter, but I don't like to ask them too much so time alone with hubby is what gets left out. Sometimes I will put the kids to bed early, make a dinner for two, and have time alone at home, but it is nice to get out of the house as a couple sometimes. Whenever my mom comes, she always insists we go out together, and we usually do at least one time. But she can only visit once or maybe twice a year.

We also find other creative ways to have some time together where we can have some adult conversation or just enjoy each other's company. We have taken the kids to McDonald's and let them play in the play area while we talked or played a game together, and most recently, we took them to our newest attraction, Out of This World, and let them play for hours while we talked and played a game together.

So last month when my dad came we asked him if he would mind watching the kids one evening so hubby and I could go see a movie and have dinner together. He agreed and for the first time in 16 months, we saw our first non-kid movie! We went to see the new Indiana Jones movie and then went out to dinner. It was so nice to have such a relaxing and quiet time alone. Thanks, Dad!

New Fence

We've been planning it for two and a half years, but last week we actually put our fence in!


Hubby took Friday off and rented an auger to drill the post holes. We live on a rock bed and even with the hydraulic auger and even with Ryan's great help, we weren't able to finish the holes all in one day.


Friday evening we picked up my dad from the airport. He is always so good to come and help us with projects! Thankfully, Saturday was a mostly dry day and we were able to finish the post-hole digging and set the posts in concrete.


We stayed home from church so we could finish the fence, but we got rained out fairly early on. We packed up the kids and took them to Out of This World for a few hours, and when we got home the weather had cleared a bit and we were able to get the cross pieces put up.


Memorial Day was spent putting on the dogear boards. It took most of the day, but we got it done! Unfortunately, the gate kit was not in stock, so we are waiting for that to arrive. When it does, it will be a half-day project to get the gate up. We also need to stain the fence, but it needs to be dry for a couple of days first. That hasn't happened yet.



Once we get the gate hung and the fence stained, I'll post some final pictures. It feels so good to have the backyard enclosed, even without the gate. But I can't wait till the gate is hung and I can send the kids outside to play and not have to worry about them!

Temporary Isolation

I have been having a problem with my wireless adapter for quite a while and need to have my mother board replaced (again) on my laptop. Since our PC died last week, I will not have access to my email or my blogs or the internet until I get my laptop back (horrors!). Hubby brought home a spare computer from work to use for a while, so hopefully he will get that connected soon, but until such time I will be out of contact with the cyberworld.

Heartache

My thoughts and prayers have been with Steven Curtis Chapman and his family today. They suffered a breathtakingly tragic loss yesterday. Their youngest daughter, five-year-old Maria, was struck by a vehicle and died of her injuries. Though he is probably best known as a Christian musician, he has also been a champion for adoption in many ways, setting up Shaohannah's Hope and themselves adopting three little girls from China. They have set up a blog to remember her, for people to share their condolances, and where you can view a cute video of Maria if you so desire.

I know I will give my five-year-old (and six-year-old) an extra hug tonight.

Sweltering Cold

Today's high is forecast to be 53 degrees (with showers), but just five days ago we had a high of 95 degrees. This time of year usually has some diverse temperatures, but more than a 40-degree swing is pretty extreme! Personally, I am hoping the Lord will give us a long stretch of 70-degree weather soon.