Slow Down...

I walked to work today. It's less then a mile from my house, the sun was shining, and I wanted to leave my car for Anne so she could take the boys to preschool without having to switch car seats. It got me thinking about our culture. We are pretty lazy people. I sub at only local schools, and this was the 2nd time in two years that I've walked. Granted, this is Oregon, and there's rain...but aren't there also umbrellas? I think the real reason is we schedule ourselves down to the minute, and don't leave time for such things as walking places...

Guilty. I have always been a busy, busy person. In high school, I played sports, had a job, and tried to maintain a social calendar...oh, and do school of course. Same in college, and since having kids it's only gotten worse! Rushing here, going there, running late...what? Me, late. Never. I am always late. I think it takes me 10 minutes to get somewhere...which it does. But then you have to add loading/unloading kids, walking in, etc. That is one thing I want to improve on. 

However, things have slowed down for me in the past few months. I am not in school anymore (PRAISE the LORD!), I'm only working one day a week, and I'm loving it. It feels so nice not to always have to rush here, or there, but to slow down and just be. Don't get me wrong, we still have our busy days, and sometimes I do try and squeeze too much in. But overall, I am enjoying this slower pace and learning how "other people" live. Normal people. But really, what is normal? That's a whole other post...

For now, enjoy this sunny day with the ones you love the most! 

Sunday Walk...

We stopped by Happy Valley Park today for a picnic lunch and some feeding of the ducks after the boys had such a great time with Andrew yesterday. The breeze made it a bit cold, and Jakey was a little cranky so we didn't make it as long as we wanted to, but that's ok. There is a wetlands area with a nice long boardwalk, so we walked there to one of the ponds. We fed the ducks, who were well-fed I might add. Then we went back to the fields and Noah practiced with his new bat! He was actually really good and hit the ball almost every time, and it went pretty far! It will be fun to see the boys practice and get into different sports as they get older.

We want to always make sports fun for our kids. I see so many young children with so many pressures on them to succeed in school, sports, whatever. They just need time to play and have fun. Noah can learn so much more by playing with Andrew and I just having fun then standing around while a coach tries to watch all the kids, manage 12 crazy 4-5 year olds, and give everyone a turn...so I think for now, we'll keep away from organized sports, and instead enjoy them and not pressure our kids into starting activities so young. Developmentally, most kids are not ready...why push it? Besides, it really frees up our schedules and hopefully they won't be burnt out like so many kids I see in schools these days. Ok, off my soap box...

Bikes...

Here are some more pictures from last week. We went over to some friend's house one night for dinner and bike riding. The boys had a blast of course, and I got a night off of making dinner and cleaning up! Jessica and I were kind of spoiled by her husband who did it all...so nice. We also played Monopoly Deal together....and I think I won?!? I can't really remember though....do you Jess? ;-)

Here are the older boys riding bikes

Jakey doing what he does best...I think I have a million pictures of him like this over the year....

A beautiful lady driving around

Mama and daughter...so cute:)

Playing Around...

Is it just me, or does it seem like the recent pictures I have of Andrew are all him playing on kid's toys? I love it though! We've enjoyed being outside so much and getting fresh air! Here are some more pictures:

My dear friend, Anne, who finds out in a week if they're having a boy or girl!


Our life group leaders...and they do such a great job! We really appreciate them getting everyone together, because we've built some great friendships, and are growing closer to the Lord together. Noah and his friend, Rommel, going down the slide together:)

Sunny Days...

We enjoyed this nice sunny day, and are hoping for many more! I feel like summer is right around the corner...but I think I'm going to be disappointed that it's still months away! We have a neighborhood right next to us that never got developed, and it's pretty flat, so we took Noah out for a bike ride.

The boys crack me up when they do this face:
Here's my growing boy...hard to believe he'll be four in June! He LOVES throwing rocks into water, and has since he was little. And because he does...Jakey does too!
The boys loved how Andrew would pick up pieces of the wall and throw them into the pond...yes, Andrew, I'm pretty sure they don't want you to do that;)
This boy cracks me up! I could NOT get him to look at the camera...oh well! Have I mentioned that he has his own opinions about everything? Boy is he stubborn...

Me and my boy! I promise I do have other outfits...but I have worn this 3 out of the last 4 days...saving laundry, right? Actually, I washed it and didn't want to put it away, so I threw it on after work:)
I LOVE this picture of Andrew...we did have a fun day together!
What is it with boys and rocks? If there are rocks, my kids are on them.
I got this shot of Jakey looking...pretty cute!
I enjoyed our family time today and am thankful for these moments we get to spend all together as a family! Hope you got to enjoy this weather to with the ones you love!

Teen Mom...heaven stands

I must confess, I watched Teen Mom tonight, a show on MTV about teen moms. Boy, could I relate to them and their struggles. Maybe because I was months shy of being a teen mom, or maybe because they are normal struggles people deal with. Don't get me wrong, some of it was just dumb and immaturity, but it really made me appreciate how far Andrew and I have come over the seven years we've been together. Boy were we young when we started, just Juniors in high school!

I'm sure that most people know this, but Andrew and I got engaged when we were 19, during that summer. We got pregnant in the fall with Noah. We moved our wedding up 6 months (with so much help from my wonderful mom, thank you) and got married in December. We flew back down two days after getting married, and finished up with finals the next week, then packed up the Civic and drove up to Newberg. Oh, wedded bliss. We really were living on love, and not much else. We both finished up our Sophomore year at George Fox, and had Noah in June.

We struggled through our Junior year, balancing school, working, parenting, and having our own relationship. Looking back on it, it was a lot. But I guess I was raised to "do what you have to do," and didn't really think too much on how hard it was. We made ends meet, and we LOVED Noah, and couldn't imagine life without him. Although it still blows our minds that we didn't "plan" on having him, because he's such a joy now, we'd be so sad without him.

We decided Noah needed a sibling, so during my Senior year, I was pregnant with Jakey. A lot happened, but my teachers were so great at Fox, and so supportive and understanding during a DIFFICULT time in my life. We had so much help from my family, I couldn't have finished up school without all their love, wisdom, and support. I finished my full time student teaching early (because of a flexible cooperating teacher who let me start early), left for Hawaii that night, spent 9 days in Hawaii with all my family, came home, and had Jakey the next day. Did I mention I was 9 months pregnant? What a journey, but again, we made it through.

When Jakey was a few months old and I was graduated (I'm so proud of myself for doing this, I know I'm giving my kids a better future, even though it was a hard journey, I'm proud that they can say they have two college-educated parents...even if we were young:) we moved in with my parents for a year. We saved up, and payed off a LOT of student loans with their help.

Then we moved out into the place we are in now, and I love it. I feel as though we have made it. We don't have a fancy house, or fancy cars, but we both finished school, have good jobs (even if most of mine is staying home), have such loving and supportive family and friends who are surrounding our children, and God has provided and taken care of us in every situation. Without fail. He has been there, and really blessed our lives. While we don't know what life has in store for our family, we do know that we have a Mighty God who will guide our steps, even if we stray from His Will. I'm constantly amazed at His power, and how He has placed people in our lives to be such a blessing to us in different ways. I am so thankful for a husband and a great dad to walk this path with, I can't imagine doing this on my own, and am so happy my kids have such a great dad. So if you have played a part in our journey...thank you, and hopefully someday, we'll get the opportunity to bless others as so many people did in our life.

i have unanswered prayers
i have trouble i wish wasn't there
& i've asked a thousand ways,
you would take my pain away

im trying to understand
how to walk this weary land
make straight the paths the crooked light
oh lord before these feet of mine

when my world is shaking
heaven stands
when my heart is breaking
i never leave your hands

when you walked upon the earth
you yield the broken lost & hurt
i know you hate to see me cry
one day you will settle things right
yeah, one day you will settle things right

when my world is shaking
heaven stands
when my heart is breaking
i never leave your hands
your hands, your hands that shape the world
are holding me, they hold me still
your hands that shape the world
are holding me, they hold me still

when my world is shaking
heaven stands
when my heart is breaking
i never leave you


...when my world is shaking
heaven stands
when my heart is breaking
i never leave
i never leave your hands

The Beach

We've had a very relaxing time at the beach, minus our wake up call with the sneaker wave. My parents are always so helpful with the boys, and Andrew and I both enjoyed sleeping in today, and waking up with a hot breakfast. Spoiled:)

Here's my amazing parents who let us join them on their trip...isn't that an awesome shot?

Here's my little man, he's really starting to talk in sentences (that I'm sure just we can understand), and learning how to obey. Learning.

My mom and me, dry.
What a great Nana
Out for a little bike ride...he's kind of a stud:)
Running with my biker

Feeding the birds...have I mentioned how I HATE seagulls...

Playing with my baby...
My two boys...who I am SO thankful to be holding both of them.