COMMUNITY

A couple of friends and I sat down at my dining room table two weeks ago and made some personalized, fun graduation cards. These two friends have seniors, graduating Saturday. The range of emotions... And for those who have kids moving away, it may feel especially big!

I was at a therapy session yesterday (my therapy sessions consist of walks with friends :) A friend who has a senior graduating was walking too with her husband. She shared the excitement of this week, how busy it all is, how when she thinks of him moving out in August the tears start to flow. He is a good kid. He adds a lot to their family. These kids growing up, good stuff and hard stuff too -

I am often reminded how important COMMUNITY is. Walking with, talking with, praying for these mamas has been so good.

Yesterday was a good day.
COMMUNITY on a walk and at the park, FUN with Oren! Then later in the day, a sports banquet where Merit received the Freshman Coaches Award. It was a dinner and then a presentation in the theater. I enjoyed my burger, chips and salad while Hazel ate two donuts! We sat with some of our favorite peeps. --COMMUNITY -- Got home at 9:30 and began getting everyone ready for bed #latenightsspringfever

Gotta get ready for another walk. It's hard to be thin at 43, but these walks are terrific, therapeutic and good for my mind!

Last but not Least

This kid has been fishing since he was 18 months old.

 Fishing on the Creek

 Oh Oren Paul!
I love Happy Hearts and I love Oren's love for singing and for "dance parties"

 The fourth kid sometimes gets unnoticed, maybe a bit pushed aside.
Although doted on and cared for by three older siblings (who are amazing) Oren has been along for the ride many times. I realize as I try to put this in writing that this has been both hard and good. Watching him mature and develop his own interests as a young boy has been really cool. And letting him develop his own interests, tell HIS story and be the person HE is has been important.
All his blankets and pajamas as a baby were hand me downs, his clothes are too. Although I think this is a healthy thing, this is the way it is for the fourth. If I asked him tomorrow if he wanted to go to Goodwill or WalMart to choose a toy, he would most likely choose Goodwill.  He has attended more baseball games than many 30 year olds. The older people in his family have an opinion of what cereal to buy or what we should have for dinner. He is rarely asked. The importance of his voice being heard has become more important to me. And when he was so excited for his family to attend his little pre-school program, I realized THAT was about OREN. And I loved that.

Last but not least Oren! You are our bonus baby for sure. Thank you God.

4 of my favs right here

Connie, the amazing cat! Everyone should have a Connie in their lives.

The parade was beautiful!! And it draws such a crowd!

Sir Mix A Lot put on a FANTASTIC show!!! Merit, Willem and I went and it was so fun!! It really took me back.

The weekend was good. Great weather, good fun!




Hazel was delighted because she saw Matt, Brenda, Carly, Quinn, Grandpa Vic, Grandma Kris and Kendal ALL in ONE day! Not to mention some other people she loves being around!

More from Oren's Birthday...

This girl! 

She was so excited to celebrate her little brother.

More from Oren's birthday on Sunday! 

Oren is such a fun kid!

I am so tired. In need of a nap kind of tired, but I really have too much to do.
Maybe I will get an hour this weekend for my book in a comfy chair - sounds nice anway
This weekend there is a lot going on in Moses Lake! Spring Fest is always well done and fun too. I hope we may go to the parade tomorrow night.

How is it already the end of May?!

Oren's 5th Birthday!

 Oren talked a lot about a Paw Patrol cake, which he would have loved.
But then the big kids and I found these really cool construction toys at North 40 and Hazel and I googled dirt cakes... Hazel was inspired and came up with this. She did a terrific job!

 Dirt piles, rocks... so fun! And yummy too

 The bubble gun was certainly a favorite!

Oren's birthday was great. And I was reminded throughout the day the beauty of simplifying.

Happy Birthday Oren!

 Today, this sweet baby is FIVE.
I am not sure how this happened! This guy has grown very quickly.

 The day he was born! One of the happiest of my life!

 Watching Oren perform in his Christmas concert was WONDERFUL!! And this week he will have his spring concert!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OREN PAUL!!!

Our Week...

 These boys! Playing catch, wiffle ball fun, time in the creek.
We have had some WARM days!! PERFECT for swimming!
These boys have had many evenings at home lately.
High school (freshman team ) baseball has ended  - enjoying a breather before Sun Devils. Willem practices two night a week, typically. But he has tonight, a normal practice evening, off.

 Cabin Cozy

Ernie - our FRIENDLY, darling foster kitty!! 

 We enjoy life on the creek for sure. No  better place to be.

I cannot wait for Oren to catch something on this little pole. He is a determined fisherman.