What?! 13 days?!!!

I can't believe its been so long since I last posted! Time is flying, that must mean we are having fun. We have been enjoying the few sunny days we've had and celebrating birthdays. Yep, auntie Anna celebrated her 14th birthday last Wednesday. It was fun with cake and ice cream followed by a weekend get away to the beautiful Salmon La Sac.


We had so much fun, playing in the dirt


Floating down the rapids,


Getting some much needed rest,

and tossing our cares to the wind...



Really, it was a great time and I am so glad we got a chance to go out again before winter sets in. Benson had a bit of a rough time (its no wonder after we threw him around is it?!) He seems to be getting all of his teeth at once and he has no pain threshold at all, so the poor little guy just cries and cries - mostly at night. So camping wasn't his favorite thing ever, but we survived and the rest of the campsite didn't kick up out! Bonus!

Now we can start getting ready for hunting season. Joey is really excited to get to go out before we head back overseas. I've decided not to go hunting this year, after our camping trip I know the boys would just enjoy being home that much more. We'll sure miss our Daddy though! I hope its worthwhile and he brings home a HUGE buck! We're hoping and praying!!!

Nothing Like Having Too Much Fun.

Dude?!

Just a swingin'

Jumping with Dad and cousin "tomtom"

Caught on film playing in the "off limits" cupboard - naughty boys!

Playin' in the Puddles

That pretty much sums up what the past few days have held. Puddles, piles of wood, dirt, tractors and lots and lots of fun. Here are a few of the other things that have been happening, in no particular order.

-- Joey and I went on a date last night. It was lots of fun. We went and saw an exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum. The exhibit was called "Illuminating the Word". You can read about it here. I have to tell you it was my most favorite exhibit ever. I was literally moved to tears. If I get a chance I'll write another post all about that sometime.

-- Last Tuesday Joey's parents returned from overseas. It has taken a week but we are finally figuring out how to all live together again in the same house. It is great fun to have a full house and an extra blessing to be able to eat together, pray together and just be together again.

-- I was tagged by my friend Laura for this thing. I am suppose to post 7 things about myself... 1. One of my favorite things to drink is called the "Duke of Earl" - Earl Grey tea steeped in hot milk with a bit of vanilla, just plain good. 2. My right foot is almost a 1/2 size larger than my left. 3. I make homemade pizza for whoever shows up almost every Friday night. 4. I actually cry at Hallmark commercials. 5.I love American Football and I secretly hope my boys are big enough to play. 6. I am so afraid of spiders I can't even vacuum them up without screaming. 7. I am a beer snob - seriously, I'd love a beer, but it better be good :-)

-- Josiah has become Mr. Defiant lately. Every other word is "no" and often it comes with stomping his feet and looking really mad. I was hoping we would never have to go through this. It could be worse though. He could be shouting and spitting and breathing fire I suppose :-) He has also become way too cute to be punished sometimes. I can't resist his cute smile, little squinty eyes and random asian accent! (Does anyone know where that asian accent came from?)

--Benson is sitting up in bed a lot which is great, except he hasn't really learned how to get back to the lying down position. So that involves lots of tears and frustration for both of us :-) In other news I think he is going to have weird messed up teeth, it looks like his big-fatty-meat-eater teeth are coming in before any of the other top teeth - does this mean he'll look like a vampire?

-- With the return of Joey's parents came the discussion of our future plans. Some of you know that we generally switch places with them, while they are overseas we are here and when they come home well,... off we go. So, it looks like we'll be leaving sometime the beginning of November. I am really, really excited to get going, but it will be hard to leave friends and family behind. I'll keep you posted on our plans.

--Well, there are lots of other things I could tell you about, but I figure that kinda gets us back on track. Hopefully better posting from here on out. Have a great rest of the week!

Things I learned without using the internet (shocking I know!)

My week away from the internet was...nice. I struggled at times, proving how deep my addiction, and I confess I even got on really fast on Monday morning. All in all though it was really good. It gave me some time to get some things done around the house and to spend some great time with the boys.

I realized a couple of things as a result of the break. First, I enjoy goofing off on the internet - searching for new recipes, reading the news, facebooking (can you make a verb out of that?) and just seeing what else I can find. However I am easily distracted and suddenly 2 hours has gone past and I've just wasted it. Second I need my rest. The biggest difference in my week was that I actually had time to take a nap. So often I sit down to just check my email "real quick" and then I'll take a nap. As I already mentioned, suddenly 2 hours has gone past and there is no way I'll be able to take a nap without piles of guilt washing over me! That extra rest I was able to get was so good for my attitude. I was a better wife and a better mother. At least I felt like one. Third, spending time with God is a priority and if I get on the internet I usually totally forget my priorities (there are just too many good recipes on allrecipes.com!). I was and am able to have a focused quiet time when I keep the internet out of my life. And that time with the Lord is really what makes me the best wife and mother I can possibly be.

So, what does all that mean? Well, I have decided I will kinda schedule time for the internet. Hopefully time when other people are home, then I am less focused on the darn thing. The plan for now is no computer time until after lunch (uh, except today :-S) and then only on certain days - say Monday, Thursday and the weekends? Its kinda a work in process, but I am really excited to keep myself in check. Its a good thing as Martha Stewart would say :-)

Well that's the deal, the plan, the whole shebang just so you know. If you're thinking there is something in your life that you're a little "addicted" too, I highly recommend taking a break. Its a great way to learn important things, not to mention an excellent topic for blogging!

I'll leave you with a couple pictures of the boys from the last week. They are growing up TOO fast!

Benson loves his Bert.

Josiah helping Daddy mow the lawn. Doesn't he look all grown up?!

And Now It's Time For...

--Something new, what do you think of the new background? Just thought I needed a bit of an update.

--A little break. Lately I've been struggling to get things done, chores, quiet time, life. I realized this morning it has a lot to do with this device I am sitting in front of, and specifically the internet. It is bordering on an obsession for me. So, it is time for a break. Right now I am thinking a week. After that I'll probably have to take some time and be super disciplined, even set a timer so I don't spend too much time on this thing. Then, who knows. We'll see how things go. I'll be sure to let you know how it went when its over.

--Enjoy the new background, see you in a week :-)

The Orchid

On the window sill in the dinning room there sits an orchid. My mother-in-law left if for me to care for while she is overseas for the year. It had a few blooms on it when she left and has bloomed another time since she's been gone. Now as we await their arrival, just a few weeks from now, it is in full bloom yet again. It is absolutely magnificent. I am in awe of a God who has created such a delicate, intricate and beautiful flower. Isn't He good?!

Birthday Catch Up

Joey gave me a Birth-week this year instead of a Birthday. It was so much fun. The first day he watched the boys while I got a pedicure and then he took me to the mall and bought me a two new shirts. Then on Tuesday he took me to the Seattle Art Museum and we got to look at a exibit showcasing some impressionist painters. It was really great. On Wednesday my actual birthday I went out on the town with some close friends and we had a GREAT time laughing, eating good food and enjoying yummy drinks. My favorite drink was a "Jade Martini" I don't know if they have it anywhere else, but it was lovely! Thursday there was a BBQ at our house, it was a lot of fun to have more friends over, play some volleyball and stuff our faces with hamburgers! Friday we left to go camping in eastern/central Washington. All in all it was an EXCELLENT birthday. I am so blessed by my great hubby. I have to tell you though one of my favorite parts was the little notes he left me each morning to tell me what the day held. What can I say I am a sucker for love notes :-) Here are just a few pictures of the week. Better late than never :-)

Here I am opening the Wii that Joey got me for my birthday. It has been a fun addition to the house!

Yep, I'm officially 30!

Sitting with the boys (l-r Thomas, Josiah and James)

Benson on our camping trip, he had loads of fun.

Josiah loved playing in the water where we were camping. It was a great trip.