MIA.

Sorry I went missing on you. :) We headed up to Estes Park with Nathan's parents this past week and just got home. I'll post again after wading through stuff here and unpacking and all that. Really. I will. :)

Don't touch the llama!!

I'm sure you've all played those games as a kid where you try to avoid stepping on the floor because it's hot lava, right? Well, yesterday the boys were playing something along those lines and suddenly I hear this mantra from the family room...Micah shouting, "Don't touch the llama! Don't touch the llama!!" I tell you, the other boys and I just about busted up. After I finally stopped laughing, I did try to explain to Micah what a *llama* is and how that's different from *lava* but he didn't really get it and I didn't push...it's just too adorable. :)

As further evidence of Micah's hilarity, later that night he kept trying to get me to hold Noah's soccer ball...insisting that it was my present and I couldn't put it down. Since I didn't really want to hold the ball and was trying to do something else, I politely thanked him for the present but explained that the poor soccer ball was afraid of heights and wanted to be on the ground. (Yes, I do things like this from time to time...completely make things up like that.) Micah, latching on to this idea, allowed me finally to put the ball down but then started making the ball "talk" and ask to be in my lap again. Upon putting it in my lap, though, he lifted the ball out quickly and exclaimed, "No, no, I'm afraid of kites!" (speaking on behalf of the ball, obviously). Man, that kid cracks me up! 

PS. I've now added the September Album in a Year files here on my blog. Check the link over on the left. I think the new CK website has these most recent months but the archives are still spotty over there as they transition. In the meantime, they're all here for you. :)

New Year's Resolutions

Yes. I'm aware that it's August and not January. But. A couple of things have me really treating this as a new year.

First, and somewhat obviously, a new school year is starting. With two school age kids now, that seems to be more significant than the calendar year. (Actually, the public schools here started this past Monday...crazy early if you ask me. :) We won't "officially" be starting until after Labor Day.)

Second, having just observed the first anniversary of my dad's death, I've been doing some soul searching...asking myself if I'm really living the life I want to be remembered for...if I'm putting my energies into my priorities rather than being distracted by inconsequential things. What I've found is that there are definitely adjustments I'd like to make to my life. And I'm excited about it! :)

In the spirit of motivation through making things public, here is a quick run down of what I'm hoping to tackle in the coming year:

1. Establishing (and sticking to) an exercise routine. I want to be around for a good long while and know that if I continue to put off getting in better shape, it will only get harder. :) Besides, these boys are persistent in their requests that I play soccer in the front yard with them, LOL! I'm feeling pretty proud of myself in that I've actually been doing this for the last month or two...going to the gym 2-3 times a week and getting some cardio (usually elliptical) in at home on the other days. Still working on how this is going to work with our busier fall schedule...

2. Establishing (and sticking to) a homeschool routine. Yes, we've been homeschooling for a couple/few years now. But, I feel like this past year in particular I've not been as diligent as I'd like in our lessons...not only in simply doing them but in making them more memorable and fun. I'm committed to doing better this year and in those to follow. And I have some plans up my sleeve... :)

3. Teach myself to enjoy meal planning and preparation. Ugh. Anyone who knows me knows I hate to cook and am not overly concerned with what I eat. But. Given that whole exercise routine thing and becoming healthier overall, doing better with meal planning seemingly must be a part of that. Plus, I really should do better with balanced meals and all for the boys. Hmmm. We'll see how this one goes. ;)

4. Create a home worthy of childhood memories. Our home is pretty plain. What we love about our house is the location and the floor plan. We've always had intentions, though, of redoing the floors and the walls and the landscaping... Still not quite time yet for any of those. In the meantime, though, I've been unconsciously waiting to add anything else to our home...no real decor or furniture or plan. So our home remains rather basic and plain. I've decided, now, to start doing more about that...probably still nothing huge, but little touches will make a difference.

So. That's that. Nothing earth-shattering or anything...just a renewed commitment to getting life headed in the direction I want. Now you know. :)

Catching up...

So. I was out of town last week(end)...flew to Prosser to be with my family for the one year anniversary of my dad's death. Due to cost, only I was able to go. Nathan and the boys had a good time here by themselves, though (can you say Lego Mindstorms?).

My time in Prosser was good...flew in Thursday and made it to Prosser...spent the first part of Friday (the anniversary) at church and then at our Kiona farm (where my dad died). The priest came out and did a special blessing at the site, where friends and family had built a beautiful little memorial area. Then we ate together before heading to get pedicures (okay, just the girls...Joe declined our offer, LOL) and do a little shopping. Saturday I was able to spend some time on my own at the cemetery before a movie with my sibs and god-daughter. The rest of the day was filled with family and friends who came to help celebrate my grandma's 87th birthday and my uncle's 86th. (I think I have that right.) Fun times. Our nights generally ended with watching the Olympics, though I realized how incredibly spoiled I am by having my DVR, which allows me to pause and rewind and all. ;) Sunday, I caught a ride back to Portland (and the airport) with my aunt and uncle. Now I'm home. Yup...quick trip, but needed. Whew.

Now. I'm trying to sort out fall schedules and figure out what's what. Nathan's parents will be here this weekend and we'll all spend a week up at Estes Park. Hopefully, hopefully, I'll have things more pinned down come September. :) In the meantime, just wanted you to know I'm still here but a bit distracted...really, though, I'm way excited about the coming school year. We have some fun stuff in the works and I'm really working on focusing more on homeschooling this year, as I've been a bit lax of late. For the moment, however, I need to go get in a cardio workout before Asher's first soccer practice this afternoon... ;)

Please join me...

...in wishing the love of my life a very happy birthday today! I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't get around to even making a card (darn those Olympics, anyhow! LOL!). But, in honor of his birthday, here are 33 reasons I love him:

1. Once upon a time, he dressed up as a pirate to take me to a dance...and he hates to dance.
2. He does my research for me on all things technical...which cameras, printers, phones, computers, etc are the best fit for me and have the best track record...that sort of thing.
3. He gets as excited as the boys when it comes to things like robots and rockets.
4. I'm the only girl he's ever kissed.
5. He loves babies as much as I do (no...not hinting at anything here folks! LOL)
6. He made me crisp meat burritos.
7. Truly, he's one of the most honest and worthy people I know.
8. He can reach the things on the high shelves for me. :)
9. He loved me first...but I love him more. ;)
10. His heart is totally in the right place...he's devoted to our family in all things.
11. He doesn't mind watching sappy movies with me.
12. He knows his own mind.
13. He plays with our boys and, through that, teaches them.
14. He's supportive of my decisions and patient while I get around to making them.
15. He knows me and has for more than 16 years now...I love that we have grown up together.
16. He plays in the sprinkler with the boys rather than just supervising.
17. He knows and understands when I need some time to myself and makes that possible.
18. He listens to my opinions and gives credit where credit is due.
19. He once put shelves up in an apartment I was sharing with some girl friends, just because he thought we might need them.
20. He makes me food. :)
21. He doesn't let the boys get away with any disrespect.
22. His gene pool makes it a possibility that the boys won't be as short as I am. :)
23. He hasn't had a full beard since shortly after we got married. (hee hee)
24. He fully accepted the deal we made that I was responsible for what went into our babies and he was responsible for what came out.
25. He held my hand as each of our boys was born and stayed with them when I couldn't.
26. He took the risk on letting me back into his heart after I'd dumped him...twice. Then it didn't take too much longer for me to convince him we should get married. ;)
27. Though he may not admit it to some, he knows more about scrapbooking (tools, products, processes, etc) than some scrapbookers.
28. He doesn't get too upset when I swipe his food or portions of his food. :)
29. He's, um, got a nice back side. ;)
30. He understands me even when I don't...or at least pretends to until I feel better, LOL.
31. He reads my blog.
32. He pushes me to be a better person, wife and mother.
33. He's mine.

Yup. All mine. :) Realized I don't take enough pictures of just him, but here's one of my favorites from a little over a year ago:

So, Nathan, happy birthday!! Did I embarrass you enough? :)