What Have I Started?

Last night the kiddos were suppose to be in bed and Erik and were sitting down to watch American Idol and yet here they came marching out of their room, Ivan following Hannah. The obligatory question, "What are you doing out of bed?" was answered by Hannah with, "There's a 'saur in our room!" Ivan helped elaborate by saying,"'Saur, room!" and pointing in the general direction. Erik suggested that "Sir Ivan the Clifford of Dante, that brave little knight, should go kill the 'saur." So we gave him his sword and off they bravely went to kill the 'saur. I followed discreetly and watched as Ivan went straight over to Hannah's bed and plunged his sword under the bed a few times, then climbed on Hannah's bed with her and held his sword up high in victory and they both started jumping up and down.
Much better than American Idol I say. I only wish I had grabbed my camera!

Exhausted Ivan

Looks like Ivan fell asleep mid-....something.

Sleeping Boys

My boys slept in this morning until 9am! Talk about strange and amazing. They looked so cute. I think I got my new digital camera on the wrong setting but you get the idea.

Trash Bash

Last night Kathleen and I went to the Trash Bash at Cart'M. It was a lot of fun. We left all six kiddos with the Eri(k)cks and we had a wonderful time. (Her husband's name is Erick also but he spells it differently than my Erik). Who would imagine that a party at the dump with food and a Trashion show and a circus could be that much fun? I think next year I'll take Hannah. It was fun to see people I know from the community and sad to realize that there are so many people I don't know. I met a friend of Kathleen's last night and he asked me (more than once cause I think he had had a little to drink) if I was new to the area...sad to say I've been here 6 years or 7 if you count Ecola. It's about time I got to know my "neighbors" I think. I've been thinking this for awhile and I do have a plan. First I've been shopping in Manzanita more...even at some of the little specialty stores and actually trying to talk with the people working there. Second was the Trash Bash because it is the party of the year in and around Manzanita. It was crazy how many people were there last night, I heard someone say they expected over 1000 people! (At the dump!) Third, I was trying to get Erik to attend the Blues Festival at the Nehalem Winery on Saturday night but I think he's heading to Baker City to help Grandpa and Grandma Dante move, so I think this might be out. And lastly I am really looking forward to the Farmer's Market opening in June on Friday nights. We loved it last year once we remembered to go. Oh, I guess that wasn't lastly, cause I realized that we've also been playing community volleyball on Monday nights. There are just so many people that I don't know around here, it was sad for me to realize that most of the people I come in contact with and know around here are the people I see at church. It's time to step out.

Beautiful Woman

I needed some encouragement this morning and God gave me this. Not for myself but for the many women, friends, sisters and mothers that I know and have encouraged me. Thank you so much.


Beautiful woman
sharing God's rest
a haven for the weary-hearted
for this reason you are blessed
Beautiful woman
not striving for a worldly place
strong arms, strong knees
for lifting others to the throne of grace
Beautiful woman
nurturing as mother, sister, friend
passing on the love God gives
sowing hope in gardens that you tend
Beautiful woman
no blush or lipstick or powder can hide
the God-light shining from your eyes
Beautiful woman
resting near your presence
being hugged by your arms
a clearer picture of our Maker and Sustainer
who fashioned all your charms
Beautiful God
who chose to say so much through you
who every day draws me nearer
using beautiful women such as you.

Tattoos

So I've been thinking of getting a tattoo for awhile and now that I'm not pregnant or nursing I can. The other night I asked Erik the all important question of, "So, can I really get a tattoo. Would that be okay with you?" And his response? "Sure, I guess...what tattoo should I get?"
I almost fell over. And he's serious too, he has no idea what he wants but he wants to get a tattoo also, he thinks on his upper arm/ shoulder. I''m still in shock. Anytime I've mentioned it before he says he doesn't care if I get a tattoo but thinks it's kind of dumb to mark yourself permanently. I don't know if he will and I'll keep you posted if I do actually get one.

Craziness

I'm very excited. My sister in law, Michelle, moves in tomorrow and crazy me, in the process of cleaning out the back bedroom for her I decided now would be a good time to re-paint in there as well. This of course I did not decide until yesterday afternoon. I went to the hardware store to pick up more spray paint and as always I took a look at the beautiful wall of colors and right then and there I decided to paint. I just finished rolling about a half hour ago and I must say I really like it. No more blue stripes, it is now a "greenish-grayish slightly khaki" color. I think it's called "Australian Morning" or something like that. Now let's just hope the paint dries quickly so I can put all the furniture back.
Hannah came in while I was painting and told me, "I said craziness like four times out there and then I came in here and said it again, craziness."