Spring Fever

This past weekend they ALL got along so well. 

It was very dreamy.

Little man

Every body has spring fever!

a thinker! Serious but can be so silly

expressive

growing up too fast

Look what was delivered today!!!

I may never leave this homestead.

Oren thinks it is fantastic

I am decorating for spring. It feels so good.

Sunday

Purchased at Goodwill for $7.99 - just needed some accents and TLC

Willem chalk painted it.

It is a darling addition to Hazel's room. Especially with the bunting. 

He LOVES to swing.

Our chickens are so happy

This little puppy has been the toy of the week.

I color copy pages from old books and make cards with those beautiful, old pictures.

DKs, thrifting, making memories

This smile. His company! Oh he keeps me entertained.

These books are little thrift store treasures. The kids and I went to Value Village in Tri Cities the other day. 

That night Hazel and I started reading the Read-Aloud Kindergarten Stories, copyright 1957. The language is wonderful! We crawl into bed and read one story each night and I feel I am going back in time.

At the Senior Center Thrift Store in Ephrata

DKs! I drool just thinking about their burgers. - I love this pic! It is cute of all of them.



Our life is a little shaken again this week. A boy we know well and love, his father died. Jackson has been part of the baseball family, a great kid! His dad, Randy Fair, died earlier in the week. Lots of junior high boys, along with many others, took this news very hard. Hurting for their friend and imagining life without their father. Walking with Merit through this is hard and messy and important.

I felt like this was a week of intense emotion. Soaking up the good, mourning with those who mourn.
Vance and I went out last night. We enjoyed a date, dinner, a benefit auction, time with good friends, dancing. I am so often reminded LIVE - because tomorrow is not promised.

I want to be a better friend, a better mom and wife, a better sister and daughter, a better everything. And I don't feel I am failing. I just have the desire to work harder and love unconditionally. This week rocked us. And as we navigate these hard things, we certainly thank God for His love - and are reminded to hold Him close --  I am also thankful for friends and family who come along side of us.

My Three Sons

Life with these boys is fun! There are a lot of laughs! They are so good to each other 90 percent of the time! 

Never a dull moment with these guys!! 

I love their ages so much. Having a 7th grader is more fun than I could have ever imagined. 

Merit is responsible, funny and kind. 

Willem is in 4th grade. I love what he is learning. I love how he interacts with Oren. 

Oren is funny! His language is developing daily and I love hearing what he comes up with. 

I have so much time with this little guy and am soaking it up.

Outdoor Cafe

Yesterday, this cute, outdoor vintage cafe was open here on Coulson Lane. A darling waitress, wearing braids from the day before, was my server. The food was delicious.

This was my "to go" order!

Her puppy, Ginger, was there at work with her. We played fetch while I was waiting for my order.

The eggs at this cafe come from free range chickens.

They were so good! 

Days at home with this girl are full of imaginative play, amazing conversation and the sweetest moments I could ever imagine.

Tomorrow's post: My Three Sons

Long Weekend

Hazel's room has been this little peaceful retreat. Rarely is it in order, but lately it has been. Playing Shopkins and playing with her American girl doll have been favorite activities. Her imagination is so fun and wonderful!

I love these three boys! Took this pic at a basketball game a couple of weeks ago. All younger brothers of someone on the team! 

A long weekend feels good. 

Look at what Vance and the big boys brought me on Valentines Day!! 

So beautiful! 

We have been outdoors most of today! Hazel set up a little cafe outside. Merit, Will and I played basketball. Vance is doing so much spring prep and clean up! I am thankful for nice weather. 

From the Heart

More sunshine, less fog.
Homework, a new dishwasher, Valentines, SPORTS, dirty diapers, calls from friends, hilarious texts from my sisters, belting out Funky Cold Medina in the car.
Sunlight shining through dirty windows. My husband wonders when they might be cleaned. ;-)
Raising chickens.

And dreaming of baby chicks! We are going to get 2 in one month!! Maybe even ducks! 

I am exercising daily but oh my lands, weight is so much harder to get off when you are 40 than it is when you are 25.

When Hazel talks about kindergarten, it is the most precious thing! Oh my gosh, I love seeing learning and socializing through the eyes of this six year old! 

Merit is the easiest 13 year old I have ever met.

Willem is a dear. He pushes buttons, he tests limits and he loves us in such a genuine way. He is excited about his Valentine party! And he is doing SO WELL in school!!

Oren keeps me humble. He makes me smile. He kisses me twenty times a day. He misses Hazel while she is away. He has strong opinions. He is fun. He is SO expressive.

My dad visited last weekend. It was good and it was challenging. My dad is one of the most unique people. He can tell stories for days. When he left, my head was spinning. The visit wore me out. Merit had a basketball tourney that weekend, gosh I love his hustle. My dad was shouting out completely crazy, off the wall things during one of the games. I thought he might be ejected. 

A true highlight of his visit (and this happens almost every time he visits) is that he wakes up early on Sunday morning. He has always been an early riser. He wakes up Merit and Willem too. The three of them go for hot chocolate, coffee and cinnamon rolls. What those three talk about at a table at Sherri's Restaurant I will never know. But the boys come back with huge smiles and my dad seemed light hearted. And the sweet moments outweigh the challenges. My dad has mellowed. And for the sake of my children, I am very grateful.


My camera is still out of commission and so often blog posts are a bit unexciting without pictures. I hope to get it up and running soon, especially with baby chicks and spring right around the corner.

I miss my mom incredibly. 
And I am so thankful I had her for an example.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

A greenhouse ordered, cleaning to be done, Valentines to be made...

Oh sweet memories. 

I will forever remember this evening! Willem and Hazel were giddy with spring fever! And watching them jump and play was awesome. 

Oren is transitioning out of naps. This is hard on me and it is hard on him. It is hard on the rest of the family over the weekend. He gets really grumpy some days and some days he does just great. He still takes a couple of naps a week. We both need those.

 Vance and I are dreaming a bit of gardening... and he just ordered a green house. 

 Baseball is under way once again. Winter conditioning.

Do you ever feel like this? I think we all do at times.

I am tired some afternoons and am trying to get it all done. Kelly, Lesha and I shared cleaning tips via text messages this morning~ I am running bleach through my washer right now. A cycle with no laundry, just water and bleach. Will get to the kitchen floor next. We need to start working on Valentines tonight. :-) Hazel and Willem want to make theirs. 

I subbed Friday afternoon and LOVED it. Longview is so terrific!