Halloween

What a day! We were finishing costumes right up to the time we went trick or treating! Our friends, Shannon, Ryan, Payton & Kendall joined us for our trip around the neighborhood and what fun we had! The little kids were so thrilled every time candy was dropped into their bags and the big kids ran from house to house to see what the next treat would be!

Now, the candy sorting and trading has begun. It's so cute to hear them talk about all their treasures!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!

I'm so embarressed!

This is the longest stretch of not blogging that has happened in a long time. I'm sorry! I really do have soooo much to blog about but life is getting in the way!

Here is just a sampling of what's been going on:

• birthdays - Teagan, Mom, Aunt Kari, Duffy, Grandma June...
• a wedding - Congrats to my cousin Mallory and new hubby Jamie! Their wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun! Your wedding gift will be on the way soon. I promise.
• a memorial service - celebrating the wonderful life of my Great Uncle Dan.
• traveling to visit family - trips to Aberdeen and PORTLAND. Wish P-Town could have been a bit longer but still fun!!
• shopping with some of my favorite gals - enough said. 
• sunshine - no enough.
• garden planting - things are starting to grow!
• rain - way too much.
• ear infections - Zoe missed an entire week of school because she had an middle and outer ear infection. She missed the wedding and a week of swimming!
• flooding washing machine - yay. Luckily, it was just the drain hose coming out of the drain. So, didn't have to get a new machine (that will be a sad day, cause I LOVE my machine. As much as one can love a home appliance.)
• flu - uhm, other people throwing up grosses me out. It was not a good 2 days and I realized I don't get paid enough to do that job. Isn't it considered hazardous bodily material in some medical professions???
• allergies
• work - yeah.
• a baby shower - too cute.
• a house-full of fun for the long weekend - we had 6 kids and 6 adults at our house over Memorial Day weekend. It was also Duffy's and June's birthdays, so fun was had by everyone. I was a totally  lame mom and didn't take a single picture - what's wrong with me?!?!
• swimming - starting back up on Monday!
• lots of cooking - lots and lots and lots of cooking. and baking.
• beer brewing - uhm yeah, got Duffy a home brewing kit for his birthday. Our first batch is brewing and will be bottled soon.
• ....and sewing - not enough if I can be totally honest! I have a pile of stuff I need/want to work on.
• Oh yeah, and all the regular stuff like laundry and dishes!

I need up upload a bunch of pictures and get some posted.. Right now, I need some coffee.

Day 14 and 15

Day 14: Style 31. Post an outfit picture.



So, this is what you get. Taking a picture of myself, or even just what I was wearing, was difficult! I tried getting Zoe to take one but she kept goofing around, so I had to figure it out!

As far as the outfit goes, I wear jeans a lot. So, instead of always just a t-shirt of sweatshirt, I try to dress it up. Today is a smocked collar, 3/4 sleeve shirt with a scarf. I love scarves - they go with everything and on windy, blustery days like today, are so nice and cozy. My Dansko mary-janes and Smartwool socks are keeping my feet nice and toasty too!

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

Dear Becky -

You are my sister-in-law but you were my friend first. Before boys, drama, life, babies, jobs - you were a friend. I was always drawn to you fun-loving spirit and miss the days of working out, shopping and just being women with no worries.

I have so loved watching you as you have moved into your role of mommy. You have your hands full with 3 babies 4 years and under! I think you are doing an amazing job and I pray for you regularly - your sanity, peace of mind, health, spirit and well-being. Your job is an important one, but remember to take care of yourself as well. My mom used to always say, jokingly, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" and there is a real truth to that! Do what makes you happy; be what makes you happy!

Be Beautiful, my friend!

Day 7

Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.

I'm struggling with this post - I always feel so encouraged by others and don't think of myself as being an "encourager". This past month, two close friends had new babies. They were already mothers, of one child each (boys!!), so they were already doing the mommy-job. I found and continue to find myself in a position to encourage these mom's as they are starting the adventure of being mothers to more than one child. So, my post is dedicated to Leslie and Shannon - both beautiful women, beautiful moms, and beautiful friends.

This last month, watching each of you move into your new role as a mom of 2, has been so much fun. I know that you are feeling tired, worn-out, stressed out and wondering why you signed up for this - but that is so short-lived. You will soon look back and wonder where the time went. But you are doing AMAZING work right now!!  Your heart grows bigger everyday as you experience each new thing baby does and what P and N are learning and doing! You are so beautiful, inside and out. You are beautiful with lack of sleep, messy hair, baby goobers, etc. You are beautiful in how you nurture your babies, teach your boys and love your husbands. You are beautiful in all that you do and will continue to do!

**Leslie - I'm dreading the day you move away. You have been so good for my soul this past year!! Thank you!!

**Shannon - thank you for letting me be totally honest, all the time! Thank you for making me laugh and sharing P with me and my family!!  I love you!!

Day 3

Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?



Beautiful Danika with her girls

I first met Danika in college. She intimidated me and made me a bit nervous (she'll be surprised to read that!). She had been at Western since she was a freshman, and I was a transfer student, so I was a newbie. We were both starting the Human Services program as juniors and I knew NOBODY and she knew EVERYONE, or at least it seemed like she did! I remember thinking how confident, self-assured, outgoing, engaging, friendly cute, perky and athletic she was! ***Side note - Danika is a runner. Not a part-time, when I feel like it runner either. I had the bright idea to run with her one time - hahahaha! What a joke on me that was!! That ended our lets-run-together relationship.

I have fond memories of the first few years of friendship - Core, studying, hanging-out, partying - she told me her house was only a "few" blocks from downtown Bellingham, when we decided to walk home after a night out. It wasn't. And she kept wanting to sit down on the side-walk and rest. And it was cold. We worked together for a year, right out of college and it was great. I knew then that Danika was a forever-friend.

Life has taken many twists and turns and through it all, she continues to be an inspiration of beauty to me (read my Day 1 post). She has a great attitude about life, even when things haven't gone smoothly or how she planned them (she's a planner, like me!) She's a wonderful mother and teacher - she is patient and kind and oh-so creative. I remember when my neighbor met her recently (they are going to school together) and how awe-struck and inspired he was by her attitude about life. He saw her Beauty. I don't see Danika very often (we live 80 miles apart, have families, etc. etc.) but she means a lot to me and always makes me feel beautiful!

*Danika - thank you for sharing your Beauty with everyone you meet. Kira and Elke are so lucky to have you as their mom, showing them what true beauty is. Chad is lucky to have you as a partner and I'm lucky to have you has a friend. Love you!!

THE Project 31 LIST:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

Summer

We have had a busy few weeks of summer. Lots of playing, crafting, going to the park, Vacation Bible Schools, bike riding, running around outside, bonfires and s'mores and just enjoying the freedom of no school and lots of daylight. Here are some pictures.

Mr. P

We met Mr. P when he was only a few months old. His parents were some of the first people we met when we started going to Olympic-View and we have been friends ever since. We've shared many dinners and celebrated birthday's together these past 2 years and are looking forward to many more.

When P was about a year old, Teagan was obsessed with him. She was going to marry him when he got older, planned on taking him to San Diego with her (whenever that was!). P's parents work from home, so I've watched him a few times when they needed me. I've always thought it was fun having him around and now that he is 2, he interacts and plays great with the girls.

A couple of weeks ago, Shannon, his mom, asked if I was interested in watching him one morning a week and more when her other babysitter wasn't available. YES! YES! YES! He fits right in with my kids, adds a great "boy" vibe to our all girl house and Zoe and Teagan play better when he's here. The funny thing is, after she asked me about watching him, I got a notice from Unemployment that my benefits were up at the end of the next week - the same week I would start watching him! Talk about great timing - Thank you GOD! I watched him every day last week and it was great. The girls ask regularly what day Mr. P is coming over and Zoe keeps telling me she is practicing for when she is old enough to babysit.

I am looking forward to Mr. P Mondays (and any other day that he may be here) and watching him grow up! He is too cute!