Finding joy and friendship in the journey, Missing my mom and being a mom

I am having some goat issues.

Our neighbor goat is about to tip me over.

"GO HONE GOAT!" is what Hazel often yells.

I've been pulling weeds and working a little harder at preventing weeds. I did the pinterest newspaper trick (suppose to be a great weed preventor) in a large area in our backyard.  I didn't think the wind was blowing the day I took on this project, but I quickly discovered it was. So, trying to lay newspaper over a big area with a little wind  and a curious puppy wasn't easy. Also, I kept running acrossed coupons I wanted to clip. That is me: thrifty, easily distracted and random. Then I bought several bags of mulch and spread that out over the newspaper. As I have madeover a couple of areas, I have been motivated to buy some fun perennials and a couple of blueberry bushes. These plants don't thrive in an area where a goat loves to eat and wander. Quickly, my plants were eaten. Why is this neighbor goat not focusing on my weeds?? It seems to focus on my new blooms and treasured plants. And why does this goat sometimes roam free?

Today over coffee I shared our goat problem with 5 great friends. We often find ourselves sharing things much bigger than a roaming goat. But I realized as I shared my story that this is a group of women who are easy to share with. The good, bad, sad, silly and ugly. God has blessed me with some fantastic friends. I left the morning at Maria's feeling blessed and nourished. With mother's day right around the corner, I certainly miss the friendship I had with my mom. I miss sharing the big things and the little things with her. She would laugh if she could see me or Vance chasing this goat off.  I miss many things about her. God knows our needs and places people in our life who never replace those who we've lost but these people bring us joy and share our pains - if we let them.

I feel so blessed also to have four siblings who share with me memories of our dear mom!

They are some of my favorite people to be around.

http://thegypsymama.com/2012/05/mothers-day-for-the-motherless-daughter/

Today, my friend Katie (a beautiful blessing, a friend who also shares joys and pain) emailed me the above link to a blog with a post I might be able to relate to.

I did. I love the way the author writes and through tears I read through her beautiful post... thought I would share.

This weekend will be a weekend of soaking up these kids! And remembering my mom with love...

Finger painting! I never let the boys do this at 2. I am so much more laid back

than I was several years ago. I love watching my kids be creative!

Jansen Family Happenings

There is something about watching this boy play baseball that is really good for the soul.

There is something about his attitude and drive that makes me smile.

I thank God for Merit's talent and good sportsmanship.

Merit had a tournament Saturday and Sunday. Baseball, baseball and more baseball. Merit is on two baseball teams and is learning a lot and gaining skill. Merit gets a lot more playing time on the Reds team compared to the Rebels, but he is having fun on both teams. Vance had an opportunity to go to Vegas with his dad, brother and the Allred guys. It was cool they could do this weekend trip. The three kids and I were at the baseball fields. Willem and Hazel had a ball. Willem rode his scooter, was excited about the concession stand snacks and had fun hanging out. Hazel loves the playground and making new friends. Thanks to Sandy and Gramma Kris for their support and fun... we had a great weekend!

The weather has been beautiful.

Yesterday Willem, Hazel and I met Vance for a lunch date at the Japanese Gardens.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Hazel is very crazy about her dad. She is SO excited when he gets home from work. If he is gone overnight or for a couple of days, she asks about him often. I love this.

enjoying life

Life has some funny moments lately.

And boy do I love these moments.

I am so thankful to God for these sweet moments of enjoying life.

I have found myself lately listening to my boys' tell a story that I find to be very funny but

it seems like it would not be appropriate to laugh. In my mind, I think I HAVE to write this down and 90% of the time I forget.

Merit's Daily Oral Language paper shouldn't probably be that funny. But, it sometimes is.

I have to share a bit:

It can be very uncomfortable to be "in the middle" of a disagreement.

Write about a time this happened to you. Remember not to put anyone else in this position.

Merit's response:

Fiction: It was when a hobo and a nother hobo were arguing about whose underwhere they had on.

That is a silly scenario I think... and creative too. I like how he wrote another: a nother and I guess underwear/underwhere might be one of our summer spelling words.

Here is another part of the assignment:

When have you asked for help to solve an argument or problem? Whom did you ask? Make a list of who you asked and why you asked each person.

Mom --------------- because she is nice

Dad-------------------------------because he is helpful

Uncle ----------------------------because he is fun and careful

Aunt----------------------------------------  because she solves lots of problems

Grandma ----------------------------------because she has had that problem

I am not sure which uncle is the fun,careful one... I would say Nate, but the kids haven't seen him in close to a year. He was probably writing about Matt. Fun would be a word I would use to describe Matt, but maybe not careful. (Just kidding Matt)

The Aunt is Lesha, for sure. I know this because last summer at Hovander Park Merit was sharing with her that he was having a tough time getting to sleep at night and was worried about different things. She took the time to really hear him out  and she suggested he try Sleepy Time Tea. ;) Later that weekend

 she gave him some sleepy time tea. He said it worked like a charm. That conversation and the advice and care she gave I am pretty sure he will never forget. I love that.

The grandma part is cute too.

We have been having a lot of baseball fun lately!

The baseball parade and opening ceremonies were Saturday. It was really fun.

This coming weekend will be PACKED with baseball!

The Reds!

I am making cards to be auctioned off Sunday at church to raise

money for a youth mission trip. Finding time to make cards has been a bit of a challenge, but

it sure is fun when I dive in.

Life has some very heart warming moments too. ;)

Willem made this for me a few days back.

He said "You mom, have a golden heart."

He is so good to me!

Will's new scooter!! He loves riding it around at Merit's games and practices.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. She would have been 57.

I thought of her 200 times yesterday.

I put an exfoliating mask on my face yesterday morning.

This totally made me think of her.

My mom had a better skin care routine than I do. And as of just lately, I have decided to be more

proactive. I remember her doing chores around the house with a mask on! Jafra was her line.

I have been planting some flowers and lettuce which also makes me think of her.

Laughing with my kids totally makes me think of my mom!

She loved to laugh with us and took a real interest in our lives.

ohhhh and I have been doing lots of photography... check out my Hazel Jane link

enjoying the 80s

This weather has been so beautiful! We are soaking it up! Saturday afternoon

I had a photo shoot at the Japanese Gardens. The weather was so nice. I will post

pictures on my photography blog soon. We also worked in the yard a bunch on Saturday.

Vance got a lot done. It was so good to be outside. The kids ran through the sprinkler, Nellie

got lots of exercise! Spring is here.

Sunday, Merit had a 3 hour baseball practice. They did it first thing in the morning because by afternoon the temp had hit mid 80s. Baseball is taking up a lot of his time, but he really seems to enjoy it. He is learning a lot and improving his skill. He is meeting lots of new kids too which is fun.

Yesterday, Willem, Hazel and I met our dear friends Katie, Maddie and Sam at the park.

It was 86 degrees!

Sam

Hazel hot, sweaty and havin' fun!

Maddie and Hazel

Maddie

Willem

Then we headed over to the other side of McCosh park. Hazel

was tired, but we were having so much fun in the sun we just wanted a few

more minutes of play and our friends Liz and Mitchell were there!

As the kids had a really fun time playing, I got to catch up with two fabulous friends and just soak up the day.

We then headed home to greet Merit as he got off of the bus. I made dinner, then the kids and I headed to soccer for Merit! All the boys ran and played, shirts off, having a blast. After soccer, baseball. Whew! No wonder I was ready to collapse at 9 p.m. last night. What I find to be so encouraging and fun though is that we love this. Willem and Hazel meet new friends, do lots of exploring, get a lot of exercise... Merit seems to love being a part of a team and he is good about making time for his reading and homework too. No time for TV or the Wii lately, but that is okay! Sure some days it gets to be a bit much and the laundry pile gets high, but it has been good fun.

Vance helps a lot with Merit's baseball teams and it is fun to watch them out on the field.

Willem and Mitch

 The Japanese Gardens! I am excited for summer days, packing a sack lunch and heading to the Japanese Gardens, a park, the Aquatic Center or enjoying our yard!

Today is another FULL day!

Spring, Stanley, a love for books

oh the sweet signs of spring!!

I won't share our flower beds covered with tumble weeds!

I hope Willem, Hazel and I can do some raking and cleaning up this afternoon.

Yesterday afternoon a few of us PTA members set up for the Scholastic Book Fair.

The spring book fair is Buy 1 Get 1 Free, so this is a hit. Lots of books! Lots of students excited about books! I was drooling over some of the books. There are several great recipe and cook books for sale this time around too. I noticed that Flat Stanley is for sale. I think this will be one of the books we purchase because we have had a fun time getting to know Flat Stanley over the past six months.

Emma Willemsen who is one day younger than Merit (and her mom is one day younger than me!) sent us Flat Stanley at the beginning of the school year. We were to take him on a few adventures and share our life in Moses Lake with him.

Stanley flew to North Dakota in the fall.

This is our good buddy Jeff, also a pilot, showing Stanley a good time.

Stanley loved hunting.

It was truly a guys trip.

Stanley had a few scary experiences in North Dakota.

(Don't worry, this one won't be sent to Emma's third grade class)

Stanley learned to drive the golf cart when he was here. Riding

with him is a bit frightening, but it sure is exciting.

Merit and Stanley

Stanley loves the view from one of our trees in the front yard.

Have you or your kids read Flat Stanley?

Do you have any book suggestions for our family?

It is so much fun to make reading exciting and enjoyable!

Emma, if you happen to read this, thanks for sending Stanley!!

We are sending him back to you with some pictures on Monday.

Jansen Family Catch Up

This past week has been one of the busiest. I think the next month or two may be like that. Soccer, baseball, PTA stuff, the Scholastic Book Fair, end of the year field trips and so on.  The boys' Spring Concert was last Friday. They did a great job! Hazel was a little lady sitting in the audience. In the past she has gotten restless, but this time she did great!

Merit is playing baseball and soccer. His schedule is very busy. He is keeping his grades up though. The boys got their report cards yesterday and we are proud of their high marks.

Willem has lost two teeth now! He is so excited about this! He has been waiting a long time (in his mind) to lose his baby teeth. He was so excited to see what the tooth fairy brought him. We had a conference with Will's teacher yesterday. She had lots of good things to say about him. I am so thankful that he is studious and a very kind, helpful person! He his ready for first grade.

Hazel loves being outdoors. She loves golfcart rides, going down to the cabin, blowing bubbles, playing with Nellie... She also enjoys going to different parks and ball fields around town.

I took on a position with PTA. Our boys' school needs involved parents. It feels good to be involved. I want to make a difference and help support their education.

My photography is picking up again. These spring blossoms and beautiful days encourage people to book family photo shoots! I have four booked for this month and then I think I will wait and schedule some for May. I have to remember not to over schedule. I love down time too.

Vance enjoyed a fishing trip to the Ketchikan cabin. He said the weather was beautiful. It is such a good place to relax. He had fun.  He is helping with Merit's baseball team too which is really cool.

One of my favorite recent pictures

Willem looks out for Hazel in an incredible way.

He is so good to her.

I love watching this.

Thankful Thursday

Willem and Hazel playing with friends at the soccer fields

I am so thankful Willem and Hazel have lots of fun playing at

Merit's games and practices.

Exploring

I am so thankful for where we live. The wide open spaces and beauty is so wonderful.

Merit and his soccer team acting goofy!

This is such a great group of kids! And Merit's coach

is incredible!

It feels good to get outside and plant a few things in pots.

Feeling so blessed

This spring break has been wonderful.

I think, quite possibly, the best yet.

Nellie why oh why do you like to poop and pee in the house

and garage when we give you 30 opportunities a day to go outside?!

But that unconditional, I'll follow you anywhere love a dog gives is pretty incredible.

I love the imagination.

The beauty in nature has been so wonderful this week.

And watching the kids enjoy it is so fantastic.

Willem, Merit and I painted at Art Garden Pottery this week! SO fun!!

We had some fun playing Connect 4 yesterday!

Also yesterday we went to see Dr. Seuss the Lorax!

It was really good, I especially liked the end.

I have listened to this song a few times this morning. It is so beautiful.

It is so important to remember what Easter really means.

Jesus paid it all.

Cheers to spring break!

This spring break has already been fantastic.

These three are making me smile from ear to ear!!

Today we had such a good lazy day at home.

Looking forward to more down time this week and maybe a trip to the

movie theater.

I am feeling very blessed.