Flowers and memories of my mom

me, my mom, Grandma Dorothy

My mom's front porch and raised garden beds always looked so beautiful.

I loved the holly hocks in her garden.

Her petunias were always gorgeous and her hanging baskets "mammoth."

She planted her own hanging baskets and rarely bought the ready made ones.

That way she could personalize them and save money.

I have a picture of my mom that I love where she is on her front porch surrounded

by her flowers. I searched my computer for that picture this morning as Hazel was sitting

on my scanner, begging for dutch licorice and pushing any keypad button she could push.

I was reminded that sometimes in March I neglect my duties as a mom and wife and dive into

every picture I have of my mom. Searching, remembering, reminiscing --- it

is good and can be really enjoyable, but it can be hard too.

I strive for that healthy balance of remembering and embracing the great times, but

keeping up with my dear little family who needs a healthy mom and wife.

This week each March I allow myself to spend some time missing my mom

and thanking God for my mom.

I am also so grateful for my four siblings.

Siblings are such a wonderful gift.

My dad brought my mom yellow roses in the hospital right after she had me.

When my mom passed away, my five dear Ebenezer girlfriends bought us a yellow rosebush. We took it to Boardman, Oregon with us. We were in the process of moving. I had to leave it there when we came back to Moses Lake. But when we bought this house, there was a beautiful yellow rosebush in the yard. Every time that rose bush blooms I think of my mom.

My sisters were both engaged when our mom passed away. She died on March 25. Natasha had a June 2nd wedding and Lesha a July 13th. Lesha and our mom had chosen the flowers for her wedding before our mom died. Mom's special touch for Lesha's wedding was a gift, but our mom was so missed at both the girls' weddings. We so badly wanted her there to celebrate their marriages.

This winter seems to be dragging on...but the past couple of days have been so beautiful. I bought some daffodils yesterday to add a little spring and sunshine to our place and watching Willem and Hazel with these bright flowers was so much fun!! Hazel was imitating me as I as putting them in a pot and adding potting soil.
This bright little girl packing around daffodils was so cute! Soon (hopefully) the tulips and daffodils will be blooming in our yard.

The 55 degree heat wave, along with Hazel

dumping a little potting soil down Will's shirt caused

him to go shirtless for a while. :)

So today, I am missing our mom.
I am so thankful for God's gift of flowers.
I am also thankful for memories.

Tomorrow will be the tenth anniversary of her death... hard to believe we have had ten years without her.
I have more pictures and memories to share tomorrow.

Weekend Out Of Town

Girls Weekend

A girls weekend is refreshing, fun, a good opportunity to laugh and have deep conversations... a good opportunity to reconnect and encourage eachother.

Lesha and Lissa

Me and Lissa

I am holding the Cheesecake Factory buzzer which let us know our table is ready.

The theme of the weekend seemed to be Cheesecake Factory! We just kept

going back for more!

Seems that when we do this get away, often we have a newborn

with us or one of us is pregnant. This time around it was Lissa. She

is pregnant and due the beginning of June. :)

Sitting at a restaurant or Starbucks for an hour or two just talking and

enjoying the conversation and food is so fun! It feels so relaxing and

refreshing.

Shopping was great. We hit H&M, IKEA, Old Navy, Cost Plus... we got some

fun bargains and did lots of looking.

We missed Natasha this time around, but hope she can join us next time!

If you haven't tried the Cheesecake Factory's cheesecake, you

have GOT to. Yum!

Lesha and Michele

I rarely get chunks of time with this sister of mine,

so this get away was a TREAT!

These girls make life so much more enjoyable.

Thanks for the great time!

Our Bathing Beauty

Oh Hazel Jane.

Hazel is spirited, fiesty, funny and loveable.

She is not as easy going as she was in her first year of life.

During Hazel's first year she was "Miss Go with the Flow"

Now, she knows what she wants and will often try hard to get it.

We giggle at her and with her often. The boys adore her

and play funny cute games with her. Oh Hazel, you are a little dear!

I have been house cleaning and spring cleaning. Willem

has been a wonderful helper. He is cleaning bathroom mirrors, washing windows and

dusting!

Once I got my craftroom in order (somewhat anyway)

I started getting in the mood to make cards.

Hazel really wants to get in on the card making, so

I handed her three washable markers and some cardstock.

She had fun :)

good thing the ink is washable

Our boys havin' some hot tub fun!!

smartphone, iphone, blackberry

I like to keep things simple. I like to keep things affordable. That is why it has been hard for me to give into the age of iphones. I don't know how to text because I would way rather talk to someone or send a complete email, with real thoughts and continuity.
I took Willem to an event one night a few weeks back and the three women sitting next to me were all typing away on their iphones. No eye contact, no conversation, just iphone communication. I wondered how I could have gotten to know these women sitting in the Learning Center ten years ago.
These gadgets seems pretty cool, lots of capabilities... but they also seem to take away from the simplicity and conversation that I happen to love.
So, I have an old school cell phone. I pay $38 a month and never run out of minutes. My husband has been encouraging me to get with the times and get an iphone or something along those lines. I keep thinking the one I have works, I haven't lost it now in probably two months (this is big for me) and why upgrade when what I have does what I need it to do. But then there are stories of couponing apps... apparently I can track my miles and calories burned on a gadget like this... I can receive emails when running errands... I can take pictures with a phone like this...
I went for an OBGYN appt in January and as I was leaving the office the Dr. asked if she could see some pictures of my kids on my phone. Pictures? On my phone? I left there feeling Amish. Or at least very behind the times.
When I email a friend who sits in front of a computer to check her emails, I usually get an email back. When I email a friend who gets the email while driving down the road or while out to lunch with friends, the replies aren't as frequent. I get it, but it stinks. I want to be the gal that writes back.
SO, I ponder whether or not I should really give into this popular device. My ringer has stopped working on my cell phone so I probably need to move onto something better or at least a phone with a ringer that works. The apps would be fun. Couponing help, very cool. A camera within reach, appealing.
My husband's blackberry has provided constant dinner interruptions, vacation interruptions and we hear it ring or "zip" far often then any of us ever wanted. But, it is a connection to his work - a connection he has to have. I don't really HAVE to have this connection to the world.
So what are your thoughts?
Do you have an iphone, blackberry, smartphone? Are they all the same thing basically? Does it make your life more simple or more complicated?
Laura Ingalls and I would like to know.

Sunday

My sis in law Cary sent me dark chocolate truffles and lemon lift tea.

A hot cup of tea in the afternoon and a truffle is a pretty yummy treat.

The Chief! Looking forward to lots of spring and summer cruises

in this.

Picked up this book at the thrift store. Merit is going to read it today.

I've got paperwhites growing in the kitchen.

We have a little girl who loves to explore outside!

Enjoy any signs of spring you may have where you are...

I am on the lookout.

Who doesn't love...

Playing in mud puddles

                      Rudy is 13!! Her birthday was March 8th. What a good ol' loyal dog we have. :)

Shortly after this picture, I scooped her up for a bath.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE diving into a good book??

A few Thrift Store hot buys!

Getting Happy Tea from a treasured friend!!!

When the UPS lady delivered it yesterday, I had a huge smile on my face.

It is already working Kristabelle.

Monday Musings

What a week. I need to be so thankful, one week ago I was feeling so sick and during the night Monday night I had no idea what was wrong with me! I feel so much better. Vance and I enjoyed David Gray in Spokane Saturday night. A little get away to Spokane was refreshing. I was feeling down in the dumps. Jessica B. took great care of our kids!
Soccer is in session! Merit had his first game Saturday. I stayed home with Hazel, and Vance took Merit Henry. Willem was at his buddy, Calvin's birthday party. Merit had a great first game and played hard. That child's speed and determination has me smiling.

Willem asked me a few days ago if two people needed to be married in order to dance together. This is one example of the Willem questions I am asked throughout the day. He is such a smart, sweet boy and the way his mind works is so interesting. Also, his question made me want to have a summer dance or attend a wedding reception so that he can dance his little heart out.

An evening this week I think I will open a bottle of wine and enjoy some yummy cheeses and grapes :)

This picture doesn't really do it justice...

I made this chili a while back and it was good. Think I will add it to this week's menu.


White Chicken Chili

A Cambells recipe, adjusted

1 T olive oil
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts cut up
lil salt
lil pepper
4 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 an onion  -- a whole onion if you love onion
1 can cream of chicken soup 3/4 cup water
green pepper if desired
1 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
2 cans white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oil, add chicken, chili powder, cumin and onion and cook till chicken is cooked and veggies are tender.
Stir soup, water, corn and beans in saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook ten minutes or so, stir it occasionally, top with cheese.
This chili is so yummy served in a warm tortilla!

Hazel is into everything. Curious little mess maker on the run!

Last year in April I took these two pictures. Are we really

almost ready for spring? I hope so.

showered with love

I didn't know until yesterday what a huge support system I have.
In fact, I've been feeling sorry for myself because I miss my sisters and my mom...
And yes, I still wish my sisters lived here and oh how sweet it would be if my mom was still with us.
And the long periods of time without seeing Lissa and Kristen stink...
but I am so grateful for the people who have shown so much care this week.
I feel incredibly blessed.

I am getting better!! I am thankful!

These past few days I have spent some time dreaming of spring and summer...

Barefoot... not big coats, hats or gloves... I am looking forward to that.

Our garden

Children barely clothed loving the outdoors

yuck

Pneumonia is awful.
I am so sick and every part of me seems to hurt. I will say, after having started on my antibiotics my chest doesn't hurt AS badly when I cough. I had the shakes and chills during the night Monday night. I considered going to the ER. Instead, I went to the doctor yesterday a.m.. My pulse was racing, I had a fever... this is rough. Vance met me there and watched after Hazel while I had the blood draw, x-rays, all that stuff. I am so thankful to my friend Kelly who took Willem and Hazel for the WHOLE day today! Time to get back on the couch.

We went to the dunes Sunday, this was right before the pneumonia set in. I couldn't figure out what was going on with my chest and I just felt off.

Rudy and the Chief, our dunes vehicle

These three have been soooo good while I am sick.

Willem and Merit have been incredibly helpful.

Hazel is at a BUSY age and this sick mom is having such a hard time running

after her which again makes me so thankful for Kelly's willingness to take

her today!

Oh, Chicken and Stars soup for dinner tonight.

And if Vance wants to add grilled cheese to the menu, he can.

I look like a lazy cook after reading Natasha's blog!

Check it out. Her recipes and pictures are amazing.

Time for a nap.