Last Minute Getaway!

Our family had an impromptu getaway this past weekend. We had been planning on visiting Depoe Bay, OR to do some whale watching on Monday. After thinking about a 2 1/2 (plus) drive there and back, we decided that was a bit too much "van time" for the kids...not to mention for Mom and Dad! So while having lunch Sunday afternoon we spontaneously decided to head out for the coast that afternoon and spend the night in the Newport area Sunday so we could have all day Monday to sight see. It proved to be a great idea! We had a wonderful time walking along the beach collecting shells, visiting the coastal towns, (and sampling the tastes of those towns!) and seeing breathtaking views of God's creation.

We saw 3 whales right off the coast. Wow! That was a first for all of us. One whale in particular was so close to the shore that you didn't even need binoculars to see it. It was just incredible! We also saw seals swimming around in the ocean. Another first for us. I think I was much more excited than the kids :)

Sunday night my husband and I sat outside our hotel room (it was right on the beach!) and just marveled at God's spectacular creation. There were thousands of stars in the sky and it seemed the ocean just stretched out forever in front of us. We listened to the waves hit the shore and stayed warm in each other's arms. Definitely a top memory for me.

We were totally worn out when we returned home late Monday night, but it was well worth it! We're thinking about making it a tradition every year before school starts up. We just can't get over how much stuff there is to see and do in this part of the country. We are lovin' it!

The Great Northwest

This morning I was taking a walk and thinking what a beautiful area of the country we are now living in. As I looked into the distance I saw massive mountains spanning across the horizon. Above the mountains I saw a vibrant blue sky speckled with white puffy clouds. The trees and grass around me were the greenest I've ever seen. All the colors and sights of this landscape had me in awe. It was a breathtaking view. Plus, the air just seems so sweet here in Oregon. I'm sure it's the lack of humidity that makes it such a pleasure to breathe in! The temperature (most days) is mild and the rain may make it's appearance some afternoons, but then often leads into a gorgeous evening. (Yes, I realize the rainy season is just around the corner!) I know everyone has trees, and clouds, and grass, but it just seems especially beautiful here.

I often wonder why God lead us out here, taking us so far away from family and friends. But, I am so grateful and content to be where we are. Yes, Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be very difficult this year. No family get-togethers and no gift exchanges, but we still have our family of six. I wouldn't trade that for anything. And we have our God. Irreplaceable. I wonder if we aren't out here "by ourselves" so we can learn the importance and value of our family (the 6 of us.) I am quite sure we need the ongoing lesson of relying on and trusting God, especially when we don't have the support system we're used to. We want Him to be our Rock no matter where we are. And yes, we are enjoying getting to know our new family (BCC) very much! They have given us such a warm welcome. In a sense, it has felt like home from the beginning.

I guess this post has been more a time of "reflection," but in the end, I am left with feelings of gratitude, awe, and thankfulness for God's grace, unending love, and perfect timing. I am reminded of Psalm 136~ His faithful love endures forever!

Sweet, Sweet Music

Today this Mom's ears were blessed with some of the sweetest music I've ever heard. My morning had been particularly difficult. The twins were going at it for about the 5th round of yelling, fighting, and were refusing to share with each other. My 8 year old and I had a little "run-in" with each other about what outfit she would wear for the day. She wanted to wow the neighborhood with her new school clothes and I wanted her to wear her cut-offs and old t-shirt so she could run around and feel free to dirty up. (She's only 8 and it's starting already???)

So I started up the steps to begrudgingly fold 3 loads of laundry that I've been putting off for quite some time. As I was nearing the toppling pile of laundry, I was reminding myself of how "unfair" and "difficult" motherhood was. I was doing a pretty good job of making myself feel justified for my ever brooding bad attitude. So I folded all the laundry and proceeded to put it all into the correct closets and drawers. I was just about to open my 5 year old's bedroom door to put her stuff away, but stopped. On the other side of that door, my daughter was ministering to her Mom and didn't even know it. She was playing her sister's little pink guitar and singing such a sweet song. It didn't have a consistent melody, and would've been considered off key by most, but the words were heart-warming. Nothing rhymed and it didn't seem to have a verse or chorus, but these were the lyrics I heard being sung so heart felt:

Oh, I want to obey, Oh I want to obey
God loves me and I love Him
Sometimes I'm naughty and I get in trouble
But I want to obey
God loves me, God loves me
I love God, I love God
And I want to obey Him

The bitterness and "it's not fair!" attitude started to melt away as I listened to this song. It was the heart of my little girl being displayed in song! Yep, she certainly taught this lady a lesson! Instead of being so caught up in what wasn't fair in my world, I needed to be thinking about what was so great in my world. I have a God that loves me unconditionally (even when my attitude stinks!). He has given me hope through His son. And yes, sometimes I'm naughty, but I want to obey Him because I love Him!

So, thanks Hannah, for blessing your Mom with that beautiful song. You think I am the one that teaches you things, but you have taught me some very important things as well! God has used your sweet spirit and loving heart to remind me of His love and goodness. Your music did my soul some good so keep on singing Boo!

8 Already?

Our oldest daughter, Lyndsey, turned eight a few days ago. Wow! It just doesn't seem possible, and yet it is very true! On August 5, 1999, an absolute wonder of God's creation entered my life. I remember being amazed when I first laid eyes on my little girl. The first words out of my mouth when Lynds was born were "God is so good!" And now when I look at my beautiful 8 year old girl, my thoughts are still the same. God, you have given me a treasure in my Lyndsey! You are so good!

Lyndsey and her family spent the day at the Children's Museum in Portland and had a great time! It was fun watching Lyndsey and her sisters use their imagination all afternoon. She then had dinner at Chevy's, a mexican restaurant. After we were done eating, the Chevy's staff serenaded her with a song and gave her a sombrero to keep. She wore it quite proudly :) Then we spent time browsing in a local book store, which she liked, since reading is one of her favorite things to do. There are so many things I love about my oldest daughter:

• She loves her sisters and watches out for them
• She loves Jesus and desires to obey Him
• She is an excellent reader
• She is a huge help to her mom on a daily basis
• She shows concern for others
• She is already a planner (just like Mom)
• She gives great hugs
• She is a giggler
• She is always ready to forgive
• She has gorgeous blue eyes
• She is a sweetheart
• She loves me and her dad, even though we aren't perfect parents...thank you honey

I just can't express how much I love this little girl, that's growing up to be a young lady. All too soon she's going to be a teenager, making some very big decisions in life. Lord, I pray she chooses to follow you all of her life. And please help me to love her as you love her. Thank you for giving us Lyndsey. She's so special and I can't imagine my life without her. I love you Lyndsey Lu!

Chocolate Trifle Delight!

I just wanted to post a picture of the dessert I made the other day. It's based off of another recipe, but I made a few tweaks to it. I must say, it's sublime! I thought it was pretty to look at and others told me it tasted just as great. Now, I'm definitely not tooting my own horn, because it was super simple to make, and it probably could have been "prettied up" a little bit more. But I really enjoyed making it and certainly enjoyed eating it! I have decided to call it a chocolate pudding and toffee trifle. I'll be sharing the recipe in a future post, if anyone is interested. Oh, and this trifle is certainly not figure friendly, which is probably what makes it taste so good :)

Busy, But Good

Today, just as many days, has been a crazy, hectic and busy day. What have I accomplished today? Not a whole lot it seems, and yet I find myself preparing for my husband to come home from work already. Nothing special was on my agenda today; I made a quick trip to the grocery store, made the kids lunch, threw in a load of laundry, made a dessert for a get-together I'm attending tonight, played a few rounds of "squirt guns" with my girls, cleaned up several spills, did dishes, the list goes on and on with mundane things. And yet, I look back at my day with contentment and satisfaction. Oh yes, and with gratitude. Grateful for spilled juice and loads of laundry, you ask? Well, kind of!

Having a day like today reminds me that God has given me the desires of my heart. No I do not like juice stains on our white carpet, but I do love my little Gracie who put them there! Did I really appreciate the grass stains I scrubbed at on Hannah's new capris? No, not especially, but I love being Hannah's mom and doing her laundry so she can have clean clothes to wear every day (even if they don't stay clean very long!). As long as I can remember I've had a desire to simply be a mom and nothing else. Well, I wanted to be a wife too....first thing's first :) There are several days, I'm ashamed to say, that I would love to take a looong vacation from motherhood, but here I am with 4 fantastic daughters, a husband who loves me, even though I don't deserve it, and a house with a bathroom just for me and my husband....does it get any better than this? I think not!

So today, I just wanted to take time to say "thank you" Lord! Thank you for taking the ordinary and making it an extraordinary blessing for me. God you are so good and you know me well. For that, I am thankful.