Bessman Family Updates

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-01T20:16:00.001-08:00

Learning the Game

2012-01-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

Chess...

Joe has offered, more times than I can count, to give me lessons... teach me the game. But at some point I reached the decision that the part of me that wanted to learn for him was overruled by the part of me that really had no desire at all. Although I enjoy watching him play, I would never enjoy actually playing myself.

I didn't learn at a young age like he did. If I had, maybe things would be different. But the fact that he did makes his desire to teach our son all that more meaningful. And our assessment that Brendan would be the perfect child to learn this thought-provoking, problem solving game was affirmed during our trip to California.

Joe got out the Chess board to play with my stepdad, Paul, who was (and still is) recovering from spinal surgery related to the cancer he has been fighting for nearly a decade. Paul welcomed the chance to be out of bed with something to do and Brendan was thrilled with the chance to be with Daddy and Papa.

So, as Joe began the game, he also calmly explained every move to Brendan along the way. Five minutes in was where he would've completely lost me, but Brendan hung on every word. And just when I thought he was only halfway listening he would ask an appropriate question that would put me in my place.

Paul got tired quickly and had to put the game on pause for later. And Brendan was nearing the end of his 5-year-old focus limit. I watched him sweetly tell Joe "Daddy, I think I'm going to go play with cars now..." But as I turned away I heard Joe say "OK Buddy, just let me show you one more thing..." And 15 minutes later I realized he had gotten sucked back in. But the smile on his face let me know it was by choice. By the end he was naming each piece with confidence. I'm not sure whether that final smile was for a new love of the game or for his special time with Daddy. Either way... that boy is amazing :)

Christmas!!

2012-01-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

The coffee was brewing, breakfast was baking, cameras were set and I tiptoed upstairs to get Joe and the kids out of bed. I had heard them stirring and knew that the anticipation was likely too much to bear. They rushed downstairs with pure excitement and began their fury of unwrapping. My sweet little Kindergartner read each tag and made sure each gift made it into the right hands. He even paused his unwrapping efforts to give his sister the special gift he picked out for her... all by himself. They were both overjoyed and ultimately pleased. We ate our special breakfast and opened the new toys. Hours of entertainment made for such an amazing day. The lack of crying, whining and tantrums... and their cooperation in sitting for the "Christmas Morning Jammies" picture was better than any gift I could have asked for.

But it wouldn't have been Christmas without reminding our sweet offspring of the reason for the celebration. And so it was with great praise that we shouted a joyous "happy birthday Jesus!!" and thanked God for this special day. "For a child is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

New Year

2012-01-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

Now I'm blogging out of order. I know. I haven't even posted Christmas. But if I don't post my "year in review" now then I just might never get around to it. Or it will get so late that it will seem irrelevant. Whatever... here's 2011 in the life of the Bessmans.

The beginning of the year brought nothing much extraordinary. In February I got the chance to leave Joe and the kids for a long girls weekend in Hawaii. It was a difficult task convincing Joe to actually let me go but I truly believe we all benefited in the end. I got some much needed rest and relaxation and spent some good quality time getting to know some really great girls.

My uncle passed away on New Year's Eve 2010 and I travelled with the kids to California in early February for his memorial service. The meeting hall at the local fairgrounds was filled to standing room only as people came from all over to pay their respects. It was incredibly touching and eye-opening to realize just how many lives he had touched. We then travelled back to California (with Joe this time) in April for the family's first Easter without him. Beyond the rain and clouds and somber disposition we were still able to find joy and happiness in just being together.

Preschool graduation kicked off the start of our summer which involved travelling to California (while Joe did is annual army training), our big family camping trip at Harris Beach, soccer camp, swimming lessons and lots of friends and family time. Then Brendan started Kindergarten in the fall and life for this mommy changed drastically. Our every day lives now revolve around school... getting him there, picking him up and everything before, after and in between. I joined the PTA but have yet to make it to a single meeting.

We spent one of our best Thanksgivings here in Bend with my parents. My dad and stepmom made the journey through the mountains with turkey and fixings in hand. The food was delicious, the company outstanding and our stress-free holiday left us feeling joyful and blessed. Christmas was wonderful, just our family of four. Then we travelled (yet again) to California in an attempt at more family togetherness.

Joe continues to enjoy the work he does for Kittelson & Associates and I'm continually grateful for his ever-growing career and the opportunity it gives me to be at home with the kids. His army career brought changes this year as he retired his position as Company Commander of the 224 Engineers and moved on to be with the Battalion. A huge role change for him, as his new position involves none of the "fun" and camaraderie of his role as commander. A lot more sitting and "planning" and not a whole lot of doing. He enjoyed being in the more "active" role but has made the decision to just stick it out for now.

I still work an average of one 12-hour night shift per week at the hospital. I enjoy the people I work with and feel like I've become part of a "family." But my main focus is still on being a wife and mother and those are the things I plan on strengthening this year.

Christmas Card Sentiment

2012-01-02T22:23:00.000-08:00

Before Joe and I got married 9 years ago I had never understood the magnitude of a Christmas card list. You know... those lucky (or unlucky) people in your address book who are fortunate enough to receive that yearly mailing you put so much effort into. There are the ones you send them to because you always have and you enjoy it... whether they send one to you or not. The family... the ones who probably enjoy them the most. And then the ones you bought the extras for... the ones you send them to simply because they sent one to you. Whether you want to admit it or not, you know this is true.

Regardless, once I started receiving "photo" cards I realized how much more sentimental they were and made it a tradition of my own. The first "photo" year we posed with a 6-month-old Brendan in front of the fireplace in our Vancouver home, photography courtesy of my father-in-law. Second year we had professional photos taken with an 18-month-old Brendan between our two smiling faces. Third year we had just had Aubrey and opted to send out birth announcements instead of Christmas cards. Fourth year we went back to the same professional photographer and ended up with a beautiful family photo and repeated the scenario with a new photographer for the fifth year (last year.) But as the time crept by this year and we made the decision not to spend the money on photos, I realized we would either have to forgo the family photo and try for one of just the kids, or... do it ourselves. How hard can a tripod and remote really be? (and now you're laughing because you know this wasn't my thought at all...) Fortunately for us, rather than pressing the timer button and waiting, I just had to keep pressing the remote... hoping for the best.

Take One: Seriously children? Aubrey, for the love of Peet, sit STILL... and who am I? The Nanny? Why doesn't anyone want to sit with ME??? Let's try this again...

Take Two: OK, getting closer... if I sit close enough to Joe she doesn't realize she's sitting on my lap instead of his... but seriously kids... FACES?! We are a HAPPY FAMILY!

Brendan, I said "happy" not forced enthusiasm... Aubrey please leave your sock on and wipe the goofy look off your face...Forget it... this one will have to do. Here's hoping for better in 2012...

Kindergarten Christmas

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

There is nothing at all like watching 20-some Kindergartners trying to sing and dance along to beloved traditional holiday music. They'd been practicing for weeks. Brendan would come home singing Rudolph and Jingle Bells, telling me all about how excited he was for his coming debut. A tiny classroom filled with tiny chairs for... well... large parents. I opted for a spot by the wall with a clear filming view while Joe and Aubrey sat stiffly in the audience. And as the crowd applauded and the kids took their bows, my sweet son's beaming smile was all it took to melt my heart.

Visiting Santa

2012-01-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

It took three tries. Santa was busy this year. Who knew it would be an hour long wait just to see the jolly guy? But the Christmas season couldn't go by without letting the kids delight in this all time tradition. Of course, as parents, we'd been asking for weeks... "what do you want to ask Santa for?" but the question yielded various, ever-changing results. A slight difficulty when trying to finish gift shopping... So we knew our lists would have to wait until they could tell the big guy himself. For Brendan? Legos and cars and trucks!! For Aubrey? A princess Barbie and a baby doll! Though we had no idea that her three-year-old perception of "asking Santa" for something involved him handing it to her on the spot. Explaining that he would bring it to her on Christmas was lost on her three-year-old sense of time. Fortunately the tears were soothed and by the time she sat on his lap, she was thrilled to just be in his presence.

Birthday Party

2011-12-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

It was over two weeks ago. The weekend before Thanksgiving. A whole 10 days before her actual birthday. Had we known that only one of the families we invited would come, we wouldn't have made such a big deal about having it so early. We thought we were being considerate of Thanksgiving plans. Such is life...

As it turns out, only having our good friends Scott and Tracey with their kids Kian and Emelyn happened to be a wonderful, more intimate ordeal. I made sure, despite my initial disappointment at the shortened guest list, to still make it feel like a "party." She deserved at least that much for her special day.

Her request was "hearts." How about butterflies? "HEARTS!!" What about lady bugs? "HEARTS!!" Tea party? "HEARTS!!" OK... hearts it is. I cut out several paper hearts to hang from various places along with coordinating balloons and a festive sign (borrowed from last year with a new "color" touch to coordinate this year's theme.) Baked a batch of orange-cream-sicle cupcakes with coordinating heart toppers and the girl was beyond thrilled. And as we sat and chatted with our good friends while the kids all played I realized that the number of guests was irrelevant. What mattered was her perception. She felt like the star of the show and that's what filled my heart with joy.

Dryer Disaster

2011-11-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

Laundry.

It's one of my favorite chores. Crazy, I know. There's something extremely satisfying about empty hampers, the clean smell, and drawers full of clean clothes. But let me tell you how a satisfying chore can turn disastrous when two little people are involved.

I had worked Monday and Tuesday nights making Wednesday morning (at 7:30 after working 12 hours) the only available time to hit the grocery store. I figured I was better off anyway as Thursday was Thanksgiving and the later it got, the crazier the stores would be. Flew threw the store with my list, drove home to put the groceries away, threw some laundry in the washer and laid down for a quick rest before picking the kids up and finishing the cleaning before my parents arrived. Sitting down to dinner I remembered that I needed to remove the clothes in the dryer for the ones in the washer. I ran upstairs and began pulling clean clothes from the dryer. I pulled out a pair of Joe's work slacks and thought "hmmm... how strange... what did he get all over his pants. Looks like several tiny rust spots. Well, that's what he gets for wearing them in the garage. How sad..."

I put them in a heap on the floor, planning to eventually toss them. It was the second item of clothing that clued me in to a much bigger problem. I pulled out a pair of MY pants. A very beloved, worn, elastic-waist pair of brown cargo pants. Pants I bought on clearance for crazy cheap, wear at least once a week and even begged my mom to sew the drawstring back into when it snapped from not untying it when pulling them up and down. Yup... those had "rust" on them too. How bizarre...

And with the third item of clothing a small, empty, cylindrical piece of paper dropped to the ground. One with the words "Crayola" and "Burnt Orange" typed neatly on it. I dropped the pants and started to cry (remember that I'm on very little sleep at this point and my emotional state is unbalanced... don't judge...) I ran downstairs to deliver the news to Joe. He didn't look nearly as upset as I felt and I needed to feel justified. So I began shouting like a madwoman as he cleared the dinner dishes and escorted me upstairs to assess the damage. His mind was on the dryer... what kind of damage does a crayon do to such a marvelous machine? While mine was on the FULL load of dark clothes that were surely beyond salvaging.

He began a two-pile process. One for undamaged pieces and the other for irreparable pieces. One by one we pulled them out. When he got to my sweater I nearly passed out. MY SWEATER??! A lovely deep v-neck purple and lavender striped favorite purchased over 6 years ago. NOT MY SWEATER!! The tears returned. "Honey, it's just clothes" he said, thinking those words would soothe me.

"But those can't be replaced!! I'll never find a sweater like that again!"

The rest of the clothes were a blur. A favorite workout tank, kids shirts, the culprit pants/pockets, socks, a couple pairs of underwear. I was still mourning the sweater and cargo pants. The task of figuring out just where to go from there was too much on my weary brain. Fortunately for Joe, his task of cleaning out the dryer was made easy by the strong (and noxious) cleaning powers of Goof Off. Not to be confused with Goo Gone (the orange oil based product that removes unwanted stickiness.) This stuff has some powerful chemicals that, when sprayed onto a cloth, wiped the crayon clean. And let me tell you, while my clothes looked horrid, the inside of the dryer obviously got the brunt of the damage.

I left the clothes for later. I needed time to process the damage and mourn the probable complete loss of two all- time favorite items of clothing. They stayed in a heap until Sunday. I approached the pile with mild hope. "Start small" I thought, and began scrubbing at tiny spots with a toothbrush and cleaner. Seeing as how I wasn't making much progress I decided to also spray the spots with Oxi-Clean stain spray. How much more damage could I do? I would likely be throwing the whole load out. I tossed in the stain-treated sweater and cargo pants and a pair of Joe's jeans for good measure.

Hours later, in what can only be called a laundry miracle, I pulled a magically clean sweater and pants from the washer and almost cried tears of joy. Of course Joe didn't seem nearly as pleased (these were just clothes after all.) And it wasn't until much later that I realized I could have pulled the whole thing off as an excuse for a shopping spree (what husband could say no to a wife who just lost her favorite sweater?)

But for now I will thank God and the makers of Oxi-Clean for diverting a major Crayola/Kenmore crisis.

Three Years Old

2011-11-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

Just three short years ago this child entered our lives. We went from a family of three to a family of four never imagining how much our hearts would grow to accommodate the love we would have for her. She tests our limits and our patience on a daily basis. It's who she is... her strong-willed personality. But then she smiles... or hugs me... and tells me she loves me THIS much {insert arms wide open} and I can't help but love her to pieces. Happy third birthday sweet baby girl. I love you from the deepest depths of my heart.

Captain Hook and Tinkerbell

2011-11-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Really just a pirate and a fairy costume from Costco. It was Aubrey's love for the sweet Disney fairy that brought about the idea to elaborate them (who knew that she would still be demanding to be called "Tinkerbell" even weeks after the costume had been put away??) Brendan looked much more fierce with his hook and eye patch (which he donned for our trick-or-treat outing.) Although his "arrr matey" sounded too sweet and friendly to be intimidating. When one man handed him candy and said, looking at the hook "oh, I hope your hand feels better..." Brendan giggled and whispered as we walked away "I wonder if he knows it's fake..." I love the sweet innocence of children. One of the downfalls of Halloween in Central Oregon is that, when the sun goes down, the temperature drops drastically. So we stepped out into the 40 degree chill that night and ushered the kids to about 15 houses in 20 minutes. Though despite the numb fingers and toes, they would have kept going had we let them.

5 Rolls

2011-11-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

Of toilet paper that is.

I tried to stop thinking of it as money down the drain (or literally flushed down the toilet as is the case in this story.) Incredibly difficult to do since that's exactly what it was. FIVE rolls of toilet paper... I'm still slightly seething.

I was indulging in one of those rare mornings as a mother... I got to exercise, I got to take a shower, and I even had time to do my hair and makeup. Yes, I would feel good "pampering" myself and it would be a good day. But my dreams of being that mother faded quickly as I heard a tattling voice yell.

"MOMMY!! Aubrey got the toilet paper wet!!"

I was slightly perplexed. What exactly could this mean? My mind was reeling.

She met me going up, on my way down the stairs. By this time I was concerned. No pants. No underwear. And strands of her hair were dripping.

"Aubrey?... why is your hair wet honey?" I hesitantly asked.

"It got in the toilet," she replied with a smile.

I rounded the corner into the bathroom and fought to keep my composure. How many rolls of toilet paper? FIVE!! I keep a pretty basket in the corner of our downstairs bathroom that holds extra rolls of toilet paper since the pedestal sink doesn't allow for under-sink storage. Just two days ago I refilled it with FIVE extra rolls. All of which now sat in one big soggy wet pile.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!" I cried.

"I know," she replied with a shrug (her version of "I don't know" and her most common answer to everything these days.) But I don't even know why I asked because the situation was becoming apparent by the second. The low water level in the toilet was not due to common "clogging by defecation" (not generally expected of my youngest anyway...) but rather "soaked" up by my FIVE extra rolls of toilet paper! All of which had been placed back into the basket, adhering to one another in an unsalvageable mess.

It took all I had not to unleash the "wrath of the angry mother"...

Things I was grateful for:
- she didn't UN-roll the toilet paper, possibly rendering the toilet semi-permanently clogged
- she managed to do this all miraculously without making a huge wet mess of the entire bathroom
- it didn't involve soap
- there was surprisingly no feces involved
- nothing was broken
- my sweet daughter told me she was "sorry" and I truly believed her

After all... when all was said and done I suppose it's a fortunate thing I was only out FIVE... ROLLS... of TOILET PAPER!!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten Soccer

2011-10-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

It's really a very hilarious concept. Teaching a bunch of 5-year-olds to play soccer. I mean, I suppose they have to learn sometime, but this was more entertaining (and a little frustrating) than anything. When we asked Brendan (#7 up there) if he wanted to play he was thrilled and he always had fun. I think that's really what's important. We were lucky to have 6 Saturdays with no rain (wait... luck? this is central Oregon!) Although I admit there were one or two that I wished I could be watching from the comfort of my heated van. But we ended the season with a beautiful 70-degree sunny fall Saturday and for me, that was perfect.

What I learned from Kindergarten Soccer:
- our son is by far the least competitive kid out there
- 5-year-olds have very short attention spans
- I could never coach Kindergarten soccer
- yelling "watch the ball BRENDAN!" and "KICK IT!!" really doesn't help at all
- you resign yourself to cheering no matter WHO kicked the ball because, really, that's an accomplishment in itself
- my kid is the shortest kindergartner in the record of kindergarten soccer
- he's also the cutest
- I don't think my son ever made a goal and yet he still seemed to have a blast

Kindergarten

2011-10-11T22:41:00.001-07:00

I thought I could handle it. I mean, seriously? I heard moms talking about getting hysterical as their babies went off to school and thought "not me... I can handle this!" Why shed a tear? This is a glorious time right??

The night before, as we picked out his clothes and prepared him for the big day ahead, he whispered to me, "mommy, you don't need to be sad that I'm going to school... it's going to be OK." And I thought "oh no... you too?" What's wrong with these people? Now I felt like I'd be letting people down if I didn't cry!

But my emotions were the least of his worries. His excitement was nearly palpable. He could barely stand the fact that he wouldn't be going to school first thing in the morning and would have to wait till after lunch to begin his adventure. Being in afternoon Kindergarten has it's pros and cons... the waiting being the biggest con. His daddy came home to accompany us for this momentous occasion and he was thrilled for us both to share this experience with him. We walked him to his classroom, helped him put his things away and he chose a seat and sat down. As all the other parents were hovering and milling about I thought "is it really this easy?" I knelt down to give him a hug and eyed another mom looking at me nostalgically. "What's her problem?" I thought, "I'm FINE!" His smile never faltered. His daddy knelt down to hug him and I felt a small twinge in my chest. We turned to leave and he was ready to let go, excited for his new adventure.

"I did it," I thought, "no tears!"

And then it hit me. We turned around and peered through the hall window to see him sitting quietly, smiling eagerly. We waved good-bye and he waved with sheer enthusiasm. He didn't need me... and it broke my heart. I turned back around and broke into tears. And as Joe put his arm around me I thought to myself "So this is what they they were talking about... the bittersweet joy and pain of letting go..."

Good luck my big Kindergartner. You've entered the big wide world of academics and I'm going to be here for you every step of the way :)

Your Present

2011-10-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

So I have to break stride and come back to the present with this post. Because some things are just too sweet not to remember and I haven't told stories about my kids in awhile.

I sat here this morning trying desperately to figure some crazy computer stuff out, working away at the blog. My frustrations kept me glued to the computer while the kids were off playing.

"Just one wipe, mommy... just one?" Aubrey asked, holding a package of wipes up for my observation and approval.

"Yes honey, you can have ONE wipe then put them away" I replied, eyes still glued to the screen. I'm not proud of these moments. The ones when I know that my focus should be completely on my children and yet I'm letting something else consume it completely. It happens more often than I'd like to admit and typing this nearly brings tears to my eyes. I am only human I suppose.

But of course, even at the age of 5, Brendan believes there must be some magical reason that Aubrey would want to play with a wipe and insists that he have one too. So I cave, let them have their wipes and immediately confiscate the rest of the package. But as I turn my back, typing away, I see out of the corner of my eye my son on his hands and knees. He is using his wipe to clean my hardwood floor and is moving with slow precision and thoroughness. I see him pause to scrub at a spot and continue on.

He moves on to the living room and sometime later comes to me in the den with a sweet smile.

"I have a present for you mommy" he says softly, "I cleaned for you... I picked up the toys and I cleaned the floor with my wipe."

Chills ran up my spine and I fought back tears. I hugged him.... TIGHTLY. And basked in the warmth of his smile. At 5 years old he can read me like a book. He aims to please and he knows how to do it. I told him how much I appreciated his hard work and I knew it came from his heart.

This boy... he lights up my life.

Deschutes County Fair

2011-10-05T20:26:00.001-07:00

OK, so it was over 2 months ago. First weekend in August to be precise. But I'm trying to make up for lost blogging time in correct chronological order and so here it is... our trip to the Deschutes County Fair.

Joe's not much of a fair person himself but I went every year as a child and it was sometimes the highlight of my summer (living in small town Grass Valley...) I went this year with the full intention of having a "fair food" experience as you only get them once or twice a year. So I was defeated and disappointed when we left without my corn dog. We just didn't have it in us to stay any longer. Kids loved seeing the animals and the free pony rides. We let them each pick one carnival ride which resulted in me riding the swings with Aubrey, pulling her crying from them when we had to get off and Brendan in tears when he realized he could not choose both the motorcycles AND the airplanes. It was at that point that we realized they were hot and exhausted and our fair experience needed to come to an end. They were asleep before we hit the highway.

Friends Forever

2011-10-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

I considered it a blessing when we had the opportunity to move to Bend three years ago (yup, it's been THREE years!) Joe's career was flourishing, mine was flexible, we regarded Central Oregon as a terrific place to raise a family. All of the benefits lined up and landed us where we are today. But the one thing I hated was all the people I would be leaving behind. One in particular... my very good friend Sarah. Not that Bend is incredibly far (although a 3 1/2 hour drive warrants at least one night's stay...) But life gets busy and travelling becomes inconvenient and we're left with a friendship that exists mostly over the phone. And for this reason alone, I truly cherish the times when we do get to see each other in person. We saw each other through the births of our children. We envisioned Matthew, Ethan and Brendan being the best of friends for life. So it's extremely touching and sweet to see that when they visited in July, even with several months' span between their last visit, they remember their friendship as much as we remember ours and our dreams of "friends forever" can still live on...

Grassick Family Camping 2011

2011-10-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

Every summer Joe and I have tried to take the kids on an annual camping trip with my parents. An attempt to give them the fun camping experiences I had as a child. But this last summer we changed it up a bit and invited my sister, her 3 kids, my brother and sister-in-law and their little guy. A real down and dirty "family" camping trip. And since half of us were coming from Oregon and half from California my dad settled on Harris Beach State Park as our final destination. Just a few miles north of the California border on the Oregon coast. In fact, the drive from Central Oregon required us to drive down into California before heading back up into Oregon along the coast. But once we all got there and got settled in, the kids had a great time and it ended up being a trip to remember.

The beach was a tad on the cold side, even for the first weekend in July. Of course the kids didn't mind (nor did my sister) and jumped right in despite the numbness and tingling that ensued. We bonded, we laughed, we told stories, roasted marshmallows. And when we all parted ways it was a bittersweet goodbye. And so the plans begin for Grassick Family Camping 2012...

Top Row: Shawna (age 13... days from 14), Lindsay (my S-I-L), Jill (my sister), ME Middle Row: Dad, Nadine (my stepmom), Joey (my brother), Joe (my husband), Aubrey (age 2) Front Row: Sevvy (my brother's boy age 2), Molly (my sister's girl age 3), Brendan (age 5) and Josh (my sister's middle child age 7)

Another Year Went By

2011-10-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

Since it's been a coincidental tradition that the kids and I take a trip back to Grass Valley every summer, we decided it should also be a tradition to get an annual photo of my sister and me and our 5 kids. It's amazing to see how fast they all grow. The ties that bind us together...

Summer 2011

Summer 2010

The Party (Birthday Cake Part 3)

2011-08-28T22:15:00.001-07:00

And finally, the day he had been waiting for. He picked the cake out almost a year in advance, finding it in one of my magazines and asking if I could make it for his "5 birthday." The boy thinks his mama can do anything. And while I stressed about the imperfections, it melted away as he exclaimed "oh mama!! it looks just like the picture... you did a really good job!" He's good for my ego, I think I'll keep him around.

The party was a hit. A kids' favorites menu including mini pigs in blankets, goldfish crackers, star-shaped mini sandwiches and more. The kids were in heaven. They ate outside and played to their hearts' content and Brendan loved every minute of it. Surrounded by his favorite friends (most of them girls) he opened his gifts and thanked his guests politely. My sweet little 5-year-old boy :)

Belated Birthday Boy (Birthday Cake Part 2)

2011-08-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

June 18th. The Saturday before Father's Day, the only day off his daddy gets from his two week training for the army. So we headed to Albany for a joint celebration... Brendan's birthday and Father's Day... and some much needed time with daddy. The added bonus was yet another birthday celebration complete with cake from his Grandpa and Bubbe. The cake was gourmet and absolutely delicious and he was delighted to find out that it read "Buckaroo Bunny" instead of Brendan. A special cake with the two nicknames his grandparents gave him from birth. He's his grandpa's buckaroo and his Bubbe's bunny. He found it amusingly fitting... as if he expected nothing less. So here's another cake to you and your first 5 years big guy.

He turned 5!

2011-08-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

I realize how late I am in posting this. His birthday was over 2 months ago. I've fallen behind and I'm trying to catch up.

June 18th, 2011 marked a very special birthday for this sweet boy. Five years old, preparing for the big world of kindergarten, pulling his mama's heart with him as he goes. Whenever we ask him to stop growing up he states so simply "I'm sorry mama, but you don't get to choose... only God can choose and he chooses for me to grow up..." You're right sweet boy and I love to watch you grow but there are so many things I miss as they disappear along the way.

It's hard to pass up that irresistible smile, those dark eyes and blonde hair... the same cowlick as his daddy, the cleft in his chin. He's sensitive and sweet, playful and smart. I'm forever and always amazed at his charm and intelligence. And while I can only hold onto his youth for so long, it sure doesn't stop me from trying.

Braids

2011-08-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

The kind that only Nonna can do.

I grew up with a mom who knew how to do hair. French braids, twists, up-dos, you name it. Who needed to go to a salon for dances when Mom knew how to do it all? One time in particular that I remember well was lying with my head in her lap, slowly turning as she french braided from one side to the other. I wore it to school that way and was complimented at every turn.

But for this reason in particular, I had a slight moment of panic when I realized that I wouldn't be able to be a hair dresser for my daughter. A simple braid I can do, pony tails... yes. But french braids scare the heck out of me. So when we were visiting my mom in June and she offered to braid Aubrey's hair I jumped at what might be a once every year opportunity. I'm not even sure how she got her to sit still so long. Cartoons never keep her attention like that for me. But I cherished the moment and almost cried when I had to take them out, knowing all too well that these were braids that only Nonna could do.

Birthday Cake Part One

2011-06-27T16:40:00.001-07:00

It has become a tradition that when Joe heads off for his army annual training the kids and I head to California for a week and, while there, take the opportunity to begin celebrating Brendan's birthday. I'm a firm believer in having a Birthday Week (or two), especially for the kid whose daddy misses the real day every year. So we gathered for dinner, a round of "Happy Birthday" and a bite of caterpillar cake (Brendan's birthday cake choice #1.) Don't look too close, you will surely see all the imperfections as I got extremely frustrated while decorating this bad boy. But the frustrations melted away when Brendan took one look and said "it looks juts like the picture mommy!" and flashed his sweet smile.

8th Grade Graduate

2011-06-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the kids and I headed to California to visit my mom and attend my niece's 8th grade graduation ceremony. I was 17 years old when she was born, she was only 20 months old when Joe first met her, she was 5 years old as the flower girl in our wedding, 9 years old with her hands on my belly, feeling baby Brendan kick. This can't seriously be happening. Look at her... she's a beautiful young woman now, time has flown by way too fast. But it was important to be able to be there for her, showing her how much love and support surrounds her as she enters the (sometimes ugly) world of high school. We'll always be here for you sweet girl. Stay strong and you'll survive these next 4 years.

First Hair Cut

2011-06-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

OK, so we've trimmed her bangs before. But never that sweet soft fine baby hair that had been growing since birth. I put it off for as long as I could. Once you cut it, you can't go back. But it was finally time. All those uneven layers were starting to drive me nuts. And since I was having anxiety at the thought of her first haircut anyway... it was only appropriate to go to the local kids salon here in Bend that offers a "First Cut Certificate" complete with a smiling picture and a lock of that baby fine hair. She looks like such a big girl now. My sweet baby.

Preschool Graduate

2011-06-16T23:51:00.001-07:00

As silly as preschool graduation sounds, it truly brought to light how far this boy has come in the last 9 months. His social and academic skills have flourished and it's hard for this mama to believe her baby boy will be starting kindergarten in the fall. The ceremony was short and sweet and involved the kids singing a few songs that they had learned, standing up to receive their "plomas" (Brendan's interpretation) and hearing what it was that their teachers would remember most about them ("we will remember Brendan for his kindness to others... and we KNOW he prefers blondes...") He spent most of his time swooning over his friend Brooke (the cute curly blonde) and telling us all about how much he would miss going to school. Little does he know that it's only the beginning of the next 13 years of his life.

Like Family

2011-06-16T23:27:00.001-07:00

Bend KAI Family

(left to right: Scott and Tracey Beaird with kids Kian and Emelyn, Casey and Kristin Bergh, Matt and Lauren Kittelson, Joe and Annie Bessman with kids Brendan and Aubrey)

It's amazing to me how close-knit a working community can be. It was one of the benefits we saw when we made the decision to move to Bend. We've all become so close that it's hard to imagine 2 years ago when this group was only two thirds what it is now (lacking the Kittelsons, the youngest Beaird and half of the Bergh couple :) Four working men with four intelligent (and beautiful) wives, it's no wonder it's always a party when we all get together. We seriously couldn't imagine better people to be sharing this journey with. We consider them family, because in so many ways they are.

Finally Some Sunshine

2011-06-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

May 10, 2011. The first day in probably nine months that felt nice enough to venture out to the park. As evidence of our long lack of nice weather Aubrey asked when I put her shirt on... "I wear my swimsuit?" to which I confusingly replied "um.. no, honey, this is your shirt..."

She looked at me and asked "why you see my skin then?" and I had to smile. "These are called short sleeves sweetheart." And THAT is how long it's been since we've seen warm weather. So long that Aubrey forgot what short sleeves were. Of course she's also only 2 1/2 but still...

Needless to say, the kids were ecstatic and played hard enough to take 3 hour naps that day. How I long for the weather when every day can be park day.

Easter

2011-06-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

I know. Here it is, early June and I'm finally posting about Easter which was over a month ago. This blogging thing has been slipping lately.

We decided this year to take the trip down to California to spend Easter with some of my family. Thinking we would be escaping the cold and rainy weather that had been plaguing most of Oregon, we were sadly surprised that the effort was useless. It rained there too...

There was a big family picnic planned for Easter day. Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins and family I've never even met. But the backup plan was put into action and the picnic was taken inside. And what does the Easter bunny do when it's too wet to hide eggs outside? Well he hides them inside of course. Not the best photo options but we made do with what we had.

Had it not been for Aubrey feeling under the weather we may have gotten a few better pics of her with her brother. She spent most of the day sleeping feverishly in her daddy's arms. At least she was a good sport and put on the dress...

Stuck

2011-06-04T21:39:00.001-07:00

My friend Tracey came over early last month to visit and let the kids play. The weather was sunny but chilly... perfect for sending the kids out back to play while we chatted. It didn't take long before I heard my dear daughter wailing and delayed inquiring about the reason as she tends to be overly dramatic. So Tracey walked to the sliding door, looked out and stifled a laugh as she sighed "oh Aubrey..." and by the time I reached the door I had to turn my back so my baby girl wouldn't see the giggles. Had it not been for Tracey I wouldn't have captured the photo. But in between giggles I managed to whisper "is it bad that I kind of want to get the camera right now?" to which she replied (as only friends can) "do it... you only get one chance!"

And I only felt a slight pang of guilt as I snapped the picture while my sweet girl cried "I stuuuuck Mommy!! I put my chair on...!!!" I them promptly removed the chair which she dragged back into the yard and we all survived. Nothing but a little memory making.

My Loves

2011-04-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

I seriously love these two. She with her baby, he with his teddy. It's the life I live... a blessed life of motherhood.

I'm a Big Girl Now

2011-04-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

The crib came down, the bed went up. But it wasn't without tears that this huge milestone was reached. She's growing way too fast. "My big girl bed!" she says. The crib made her look huge, the bed makes her look tiny. I suppose she'll always be my baby girl.

Birthday Cake Tradition

2011-04-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

I'm not even sure how many years this has been going on but I know it's a tradition we're not about to break. Each year on (or around) my birthday I allow Joe to step into my kitchen and use my beloved tools to create for me a birthday masterpiece. He's an engineer, an artist, a perfectionist, but most of all an incredible husband. Every cake he's ever made has been filled with more love than I could imagine and for that I love him more each time.

My birthday... March 15th... was complicated this year. The kids came down (one subsequently after the other) with a quick stomach virus the weekend preceding which left Joe and me inflicted with the same bug on my lovely birthday Eve. We believed it was possible that we would recover as quickly as the kids and make it on our dinner date the next night (it was my special day after all...) But misery struck and we were left taking shifts with the kids while the other slept it off. Joe was back to work on the 16th but I was still recovering. It wasn't until Friday that we were able to resume our date (a birthday "mulligan" if you will...) And so Saturday was baking day.

The one difference this year (and likely every year from now on) was the two little helpers who were eager to get their hands in on the project. So I sat back and watched as three of the most beloved people in my life put all of their efforts into creating my special day cake. And the end result was fantastic as always. Banana Cake with fresh raspberry filling and lemon cream cheese frosting. Now step away from the kitchen dear husband for I am still the cook of the house and I can't be outdone...

Back it Up: Hawaii for Girls

2011-04-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Or I suppose I should say Hawaii for nurses as this trip was disguised as a "business" endeavor. It took some convincing but Joe finally agreed to let me take off on a girls only vacation to sunny Hawaii. Oh yeah, and of course it was for work... a 5 day trip for a 1 day conference. Absolutely necessary. I felt myself coming close to an anxiety attack as I packed and prepared to leave Joe and the kids for 5 days indulging in what I was trying to consider a much-deserved break. I planned it all out down to the meals in the freezer and who would take care of the kids. I was determined not to let Joe have any regrets.

So, early on the 24th of February I left the 20 degree temps of Central Oregon and boarded a plane for sunny Honolulu. Met up with six other girls from work and packed a ton of adventure into a seemingly short trip. Getting the conference out of the way on Friday, we experienced an afternoon on the beach and a night on the town. Spent Saturday hiking Diamond Head crater, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and enjoying a fun and relaxing dinner at Duke's Canoe Club. Took the city bus on Sunday to the beautiful Kailua beach where we swam in the calm waters and basked in the warm sun. Rented a minivan and drove to the North Shore on Monday for a change of scenery watching whales and surfers and stopping for a coconut water experience (coconuts sold on the side of the road, chopped open and complete with a straw for drinking your "water.") And then headed home on Tuesday. Back to the real world (and the snow...)

It was the perfect get away trip. Just long enough that I missed my husband and kids, but not too much. I felt slightly guilty getting away but was still able to relax and have fun. The girls I was with made the trip fun and worthwhile... an adventurous beach trip to remember...

Apologies

2011-04-15T22:33:00.001-07:00

So first, I want to apologize (as if I really have a following of readers who are saddened and dismayed by the fact that I have fallen behind on blogging...) But hey, to anyone who may be interested, I'm going to try to get back into it. So many updates! Read on to be enlightened by the latest non-adventures of the Bessman family :)

Troubled Waters

2011-03-04T22:31:00.001-08:00

I know how often I comment on how incredibly different my two children are. But one of their greatest differences has always been their love (or lack thereof) of the water. From the day we brought Brendan home from the hospital when he was born, he was terrified of bathtime and has never had the desire to learn to swim. I struggled through two rounds of "mommy and me" toddler lessons, hoping his fear would resolve (the dangers of having children afraid of the water are too horrible to fathom) but I sadly had no luck. In fact, I was the only mother whose child screamed in fear through each class. I had almost given up hope (and stopped trying for the last 2 years) until my good friend was referred to a local woman who teaches lessons out of her home.

She is the water wonder woman (at least to me...) With the patience of a saint and years of teaching skills, this lady is my saving grace. And who better to take the plunge with (pun totally intended...) than his very best buddy, Kian. (that's Brendan on the right, my Shorty McShortster alongside Kian and Miss Mary)

Lesson #1: Brendan cried each time Miss Mary "made him" put his face in the water and I almost cried along with him. Her insistence and reassurance that he was not, in fact, getting hurt by the water paid off and he left with a smile.

Lesson #2: Less crying but a lot of repetitive "why do I have to do it AGAIN?!" when the practicing continued. I saw the lightbulb go on as he realized that holding his breath wasn't all that difficult and floating could be effortless...

Lesson #3: Back floating is EASY (this woman is a saint!) And he's learning to do an actual swim stroke!

Lesson #4: Brendan is back-floating on his own. I watch in amazement as she lifts her hands from the water and my baby boy floats by smiling. She begins to teach him the back stroke. Have I mentioned this woman is amazing??

Yes, we will continue our lessons with her, maybe for the rest of his life... Aubrey on the other hand gets to take a soak with me in the deep end, jumps happily from the edge, dunks playfully below the surface and begs to "weeee" on the rope swing... TOTAL... OPPOSITES...

This is what you get

2011-01-07T22:14:00.001-08:00

When you have high hopes of getting that perfect picture of your kids on Christmas morning in their Christmas jammies in front of the tree. Like the one I got last year... only last year she was only 13 months old and hadn't yet hit the flaring attitude of the terrible twos. So this is what I got... a true testament to the life I live with these two...

Christmas Morning

2011-01-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Santa 2010

2011-01-06T23:18:00.001-08:00

Brendan, our shy little guy, was able to get out a softly whispered "I'd like a red truck and some tools from Home Depot." His discomfort is obvious but he's still cute as ever.

We had high hopes for Aubrey, our ever social sweetheart. But she flirted with the idea of a meltdown when she peered up at Santa's intimidating face. Fortunately (and all too randomly) for us, Benny the Beaver (the infamous OSU mascot) was roaming the grounds and caught the eye of one sweet little girl. He kindly obliged to do a little dance beside the camera man which resulted in the silly grin. The tight grip on her candy cane is evidence of her implied incentive but she would have much rather sat on Benny's lap any day.

White Fluffies

2011-01-04T21:22:00.001-08:00

Just days before Aubrey's second birthday we were hit with our first big storm of the season (one of many that would follow and keep a permanent visible layer of white on the ground.) Despite the pains it took to get these two geared up, the smiles and fun were priceless.

New Year

2011-01-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

I sort of lost my momentum there at the end of the year. Falling behind on keeping up to date. And as a result, some of January's posts may seem a bit out of order. So much to catch up on. I apologize and vow to try harder...

The last year was seemingly uneventful but filled with changes nonetheless.

I turned 30 in March and celebrated by inviting my close friends to a grownup sleepover. Sent my kids to the grandparents and had a much needed girls weekend. I then celebrated again in April by taking a week long trip with Joe to Mexico. A trip we only slightly regretted, wishing we had gone somewhere else and missing the kids like crazy. I struggled with the notion of 30 for only a moment as I realized in many ways my life just keeps getting better. March also welcomed the arrival of our newest niece, Madeline Rose Bessman, born to Alex and Katie (and the 5 of their children) on the 17th in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

June took Joe off on his annual training and me and the kids to California for a family visit. We ended the month with our group camping trip and had a blast.

July signified the annual Sisters Quilt Show (or really just an excuse for my mom to come and visit) which we dragged the kids to and still managed to enjoy every moment.

In August our very good friends Molly and Ryan and their three kids moved from Portland to Bend in an opportunistic career move for Ryan who now works for the city of Bend. I prayed day and night that this was where they were meant to be and I feel extremely blessed and grateful for the doors it has opened in our friendships with them. Feeling secluded by the daunting snowy passes that keep visitors at bay is much more bearable with close friends.

August also brought us the newest member of the Bend Kittelson team, Matt Kittelson. He and his wife, Lauren made the life changing decision to settle their roots here in Bend and it has been nothing short of fantastic. This left the fellow wives with a strong desire to bond by forming a group (OK, an excuse to meet once a month without our husbands...) We call ourselves the Kitty Kats and meet on the first Monday of the month. It doesn't matter that we may do nothing more than watch the Bachelor and chat about nothing... it's friendly bonding and I'm blessed to be a part of it. Who understands what it's like to be married to a Kittelson engineer better than fellow wives???

Our good friends James and Sarah came to visit with their boys in September but they could have stayed a week and not stayed long enough. I always feel a piece of myself being torn away when they leave and I realize just how much I miss them. Brendan started preschool after Labor Day and took his independence to a whole new level. Kindergarten will be a heartbreaker for me.

Joe and I saw Carrie Underwood in concert at the Rose Garden at the end of the month (a sort of celebration for Joe's 30th birthday.) We had a fantastic time and the show was amazing.

Joe celebrated his much dreaded 30th birthday (he only got to be "younger" than me for 7 months) on October 1st and was completely surprised by his surprise party. Two weeks later we flew to North Carolina for our fun filled (previously documented) family visit.

November and December enveloped us in the holiday season. After announcing last year that we would no longer be traveling for the holidays we had no idea what that looked like for us. I cooked a Thanksgiving meal for the 4 of us and sat in bewilderment at the "un"Thanksgiving feeling of it all. It was slightly depressing to think that Christmas would be more of the same. But alas, our friends came to the rescue and invited us into their home for Christmas dinner. We consider them as close as family and really wouldn't have wanted it any other way. So it wasn't at all unexpected that we then spent New Year's Eve with them also. There's nothing depressing about being in good company.

And so here we are, the start of a new year with many promises and adventures ahead. Here's hoping for good health and prosperity...

Party in Pink

2010-12-09T23:32:00.001-08:00

Being surrounded by friends who seem to go "all out" for their children's birthday parties, I decided I needed to step it up for this girl this year. Especially while I still have all the decision-making capabilities. It won't last forever. And I have to admit... it was actually a ton of fun. Two very good friends helped me pick a theme ("cupcakes" and "PINK PINK PINK"), helped plan the food (a Saturday mid-morning brunch) and stayed up late the night before helping decorate. And with the added help of my sweet loving mom who rode the train up from Sacramento to be here for the event, I couldn't have done it without any of them.

I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, me or Aubrey. But she was more than thrilled to be the star of the show. The sweet tutu that my close friend made as a gift came in as a close second to being the highlight of her special day (cake and presents took first place.) She donned the tutu before guests arrived and promptly began spinning in circles, giggling with glee.

The brunch menu consisted of three different quiches, a hash brown casserole (made by the same sweet friend who created the tutu), a platter of fruit kabobs with dip (made by the other sweet friend), and the yummiest pumpkin cupcakes with orange cream cheese frosting (orange flavored but pink tinted!) She was surrounded by amazing friends and family and enjoyed every loving moment.

Her mommy on the other hand, fought back tears as I realized how fast my sweet baby is growing up. If only time could stop for a moment... that moment when she calls for her mommy and I hold her in my arms... when she wraps her arms around me and melts into my core... when telling her the words "mommy is here... it's OK..." makes everything better.... if only...

Halloween

2010-11-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize it is now the end of November and I've finally come around to blogging about Halloween. That's how behind I've gotten...

Originally I had planned to "match" their costumes. You know, come up with a theme and plan accordingly. Because, let's face it, how much longer will I be able to influence their costume choices?? How cute would it have been for me to be Bo Peep and for my kids to be my sheep? Adorable right? Well I challenge you to find an appropriate adult sized Bo Peep costume that doesn't consist of a short short skirt, high heels, sheer stockings and a bustier! Impossible, I assure you. And when Brendan commented on his desire to be a cowboy I immediately tried thinking of possibilities for Aubrey. A horse? A cowgirl? I finally gave up and bought the pre-made lady bug and resigned to the fact that there would be no theme...

But you have to admit they were pretty cute anyway :)

Pumpkins

2010-11-30T11:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Baby

2010-11-28T14:15:00.001-08:00

You make me smile...

Finale

2010-11-28T14:07:00.001-08:00

To finish the story (again, remember although I'm blogging now, our trip was actually October 15th-24th... I've been slacking, I know...) from Charleston we drove up to Charlotte before heading back to Rock Hill to spend our last couple nights with family. Charlotte is the home of the newly built and recently opened Nascar Hall of Fame. None of us have ever been the Nascar type but Brendan is a race car lover who was thrilled beyond belief by the sites at this place. We spent a good couple of hours touring the facility and learning everything we never wanted to know about NASCAR but the kids had a blast. Then it was back to Rock Hill and eventually the flight back home.

And although there were numerous meltdowns, tantrums and minor setbacks we left with nothing but positive thoughts and memories and the desire to return. I have a feeling we'll be seeing the South again in the future...

Charlestonians

2010-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

A term I've never heard before but I'm almost certain is probably used to describe the folks of Charleston, South Carolina. The next stop on our itinerary.

First stop as we headed into Charleston was Folly Beach. Middle of Fall, 75 degrees, sunny and only slightly windy. It was the perfect day for a beach walk and the perfect opportunity to let the kids run wild after being strapped in the car for the 3 hour drive from Savannah. But our short timeline and various sightseeing desires only left us a minimal amount of beach-roaming time.

From there we navigated our way through the city to the USS Yorktown which sits in the Charleston harbor. It was an interesting piece of history to see but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as Brendan and Joe... the military/airplane enthusiasts. And after a long (and relatively napless) day of driving and touring, it should have come as no surprise that both children began to unravel.

This is the "you've GOT to be kidding me" look that seems permanently plastered to my face when I've had enough crying whining and fit-throwing.

But we eventually got it all together and ventured into historic downtown and were pleasantly amazed by the beautiful architecture and design. So much history in this beautiful city. A tour of the sites, a traditional southern meal and a night in a hotel on the river as day 8 would take us back up to Charlotte and closer to our trip back home...

Trolley Tour and More

2010-11-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

The next day of our trip found us navigating the beautiful streets of historic downtown Savannah in search of this famed Southern restaurant. The Lady and Sons, owned by Food Network star, Paula Deen, is known as much for its food as it is for its atmosphere. It was on top of my "must see" (or "eat at") list and required a bit of planning. Doors open at 9:30am for same-day lunch and dinner reservations. So I took it upon myself to drag Joe and the kids along for support. We stood in line no longer than 20 minutes or so before we were on the list and on our way.

Next stop, breakfast and boarding the trolley. We've never been huge fans of guided tours. Joe hates being on a timed schedule at all, let alone someone else's. But the Savannah trolley tour came to us as a trusted suggestion and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our guide was humorous and knowledgeable and we were able to see so much more than we could have on our own. An added advantage? Aubrey fell asleep on Joe's lap and was, therefore, extremely well behaved the entire tour! We completely fell in love with the beauty and history of this amazing Southern town. The two days we spent there were not nearly enough and I find myself longing to return. But fear not, there was so much more to our trip and so the story continues...

Shower Time??

2010-11-23T21:15:00.000-08:00

In remembering our fabulous vacation, I tend to block out some of the "not-so-fun" moments... but there are those memories that seem so hilarious after the fact, that you can't seem to forget them and upon blogging about Savannah this one came to me...

The hotel was not easy to find... especially in the dark... and with a GPS that only lasted 2 hours (when you're packing for 4 people for 10 days you tend to forget a few things and the "car charger" for the GPS was not at the top of my list.) So with the help of Joe's Blackberry we were on a late night search for our destination. Should it come as a surprise that after a few wrong turns and an "I think you've gone too far..." we were stressed and exhausted beyond belief when we finally arrived. The doorman wheeled our belongings to our room as the valet parked the car and I checked us in. In 10 minutes flat we were unpacking and relaxing. Joe retreated to his laptop to check in at work as I scouted out the room amenities. Kids needed baths and jammies... mommy needed a stiff drink. Turns out none of us were in luck.

I peeked into the bathroom which consisted of tile. Floor, all four walls and ceiling. And for good measure. Because one one side sat the toilet. On the other side was a shower with nothing more than a flimsy curtain to shield the water from the rest of the room. No... bath... tub...

I eyed the hand-held showering device and decided it would have to do the trick. Stinky, sticky, tired kids do NOT make for a good bedtime routine.

I stripped Brendan and ran the water. I laid down a towel to kneel on and silently cursed the hotel staff for such unsafe conditions (not even a skid-free mat??) as I checked the water temperature. Good to go. Stood Brendan in the stall and sprayed him off. As thrilled as he was to be "tickled" by the water, this was less than appealing as a means to wash my child. Within seconds he was screaming "TOO HOT!!"

Sure enough the temp had risen and it took another minute (while Brendan now shivered) to get it back. I reached for the soap and paused mid-reach. How would I wash this wet, writhing boy with one hand while still holding the shower head? I contemplated only for a second and then slowly let the shower head fall. HUGE mistake. You know that picture of a garden hose full blast, slithering like a snake and spraying full force? Yup, that was the shower head. As Brendan squealed with delight at my unfortunate mistake, I screamed and grabbed for the head. Now, not only were we both soaked (me in my clothes, socks and shoes) but so were the toilet, the walls and the ceiling. So one-handed it was. I soaped him up and rinsed him off then attempted to dry us both.

Joe was oblivious to the commotion and still working, seemingly uninterrupted, at his laptop. I left Brendan to dress himself and grabbed the girl for a second round of shower time. Having already experienced what I thought was the worst, I figured I was prepared to tackle a second round. But my miscalculation of the fact that the shower (and entire bathroom) was now WET from our previous endeavor resulted in chaos. It is apparently (and all too obviously) the sound of his daughter's cries that will make my husband come running. How could I have believed that telling a two-year-old to "stay" standing on a tiny bath towel would result in her listening?? One foot off the towel onto the wet slippery floor and she went flying face first into the slimy tile. After assessing any apparent damage (and kisses from her daddy) I concluded that this child would need 4 hands to bathe her. Two to hold her upright (her daddy's) and two to spray and wash.

Jammies, clean teeth, story time, eyes closed... kids were out. I let out a huge sigh of relief as my head hit the pillow... we would survive to laugh about it later...

Savannahians

2010-11-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

A term used frequently in the book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." A story set in Savannah, Georgia that gives an interesting (and eventful) glimpse into the heart of the Southern town. A book I had wanted to finish before our trip but ended up finishing just 3 days ago. But maybe having been there gave me a realistic picture in my mind as I read.

We headed south from Rock Hill and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way (this is a slightly sarcastic remark... I-95 is much of the same tree-lined scenery that sort of gets boring after awhile...)

We headed straight to Tybee Island, a fun and slightly touristy place located just outside Savannah. We arrived at Ft. Pulaski with just enough time to tour the facility before they closed. A beautiful Civil War historical site with so much tragic history to tell. I was awestruck and amazed.

It was a huge disappointment when we drove up to the Tybee Lighthouse just after they had closed to visitors. It would have been an enjoyable experience to have seen it from the inside.

At that point it was nearing dinnertime anyway so we opted to find ourselves some grub. Attempting to immerse ourselves, fully, into our Southern experience, we hunted down this fun (suggested by a trusted source) restaurant that had nothing but Southern Seafood written all over it. The Crab Shack was a crazy fun place that looked exactly like it's name suggests... a shack. Tables with garbage cans in the middle, equipped with an entire roll of paper towels. It was an experience we'll never forget. Sharing a platter of crab legs, shrimp, muscles, crawfish, corn, sausage and potatoes, we left the restaurant with smiles and full bellies.

The long day really wore the kids out so it was no surprise that after baths and stories, the kids were out within seconds. Much needed rest for our continuing adventure...

Southern Hospitality

2010-11-16T22:20:00.001-08:00

So let me begin by apologizing for being lazy with the blog lately. I seem to have gone through a lapse in motivation for blogging and will be trying to catch up rather haphazardly! Our trip to the South was a month ago now but sharing late is better than not sharing at all :)

For a better understanding of our decision for a "Southern" vacation I will preface the story with the fact that Joe's brother, in a very fortunate career move, took a position with his job that entailed moving his wife and (then) 5 children to Rock Hill, South Carolina 2 years ago. So in an attempt to do some reconnecting, visiting, bonding and adventuring, I convinced my husband to take some time off to visit the South.

The flight from Portland to Charlotte was fairly (and quite surprisingly) uneventful albeit long and exhausting. But it was worth the exhaustion when we stepped off the plane into the beautiful, warm, sunny, fall air of North Carolina. The only shock was the calculation that appeared to be going through Joe's head as he took a mental inventory of our possessions and eyed his brother's company Mercedes hoping we'd all fit to make the trip. Squeezing between the middle of my children's carseats with purse and backpack in hand was no small feat. But had I been 10 pounds heavier it would have been nearly impossible.

We were welcomed with love and excitement and shouldn't have expected anything less.

Alex and Katie were the most gracious of hosts, taking us to places we absolutely enjoyed and helping make memories we'll never forget. Days 1-4 of our trip consisted of an exciting tour of a historic cotton plantation in the heart of the Carolinas, babysitters for 8 kids that allowed an adults' night out, a local peach farm version of a hayride/pumpkin patch and a hike along an old canal trail. If our goal was to see and experience as much as possible then they were helping us attain it.

The kids were so well behaved and got along so well. By about day 3 Brendan was referring to his cousins as his "friends" and didn't want to leave.

But day 5 took us on another adventure as Joe and the kids and I drove a borrowed Ford Explorer down to Savannah, Georgia for a look beyond the Carolinas. And that's where the story continues...

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-28T22:40:00.001-07:00

This year's pumpkin patch excursion was a spur of the moment "this may be the only chance we get since we're going on vacation" trip that left me waking the kids up from naps on a Friday afternoon, rushing them out the door, and forgetting to bring Joe a change of clothes (and shoes) as we picked him up from work on the way. It felt only slightly rushed as we wandered in search of the perfect pumpkin, made the most of several photo ops, and perused the on-site market. After all, the itinerary that followed included dropping Joe off at his office so he could run and get a hair cut, run home, grab a bite to eat, pack his bags and leave for Albany (for Guard duty) at a decent hour. But as stressful as that all may sound, I couldn't risk the chance of missing out on our yearly p-patch trip and so we made the most of it. My sweet little pumpkins searching for pumpkins... it doesn't get much cuter than this.

Fire Station Fun

2010-10-28T22:21:00.001-07:00

One of the benefits of having Brendan in preschool is the opportunity for me to chaperone all the fun-filled 4-year-old field trips. It's the kind of mom I always dreamed of being. The one who volunteers to drive, to load the van up with chatty kids, to cart them off, help keep track and watch the priceless smiles as they laugh, love and learn. So when Brendan's teacher asked if I could drive for the Fire Station field trip three weeks ago I jumped at the chance. Three 4-year-old boys talking non stop on the 5 minute drive who lit up with excitement through the entire presentation. The hats stayed on and the smiles continued on the 5 minute drive back to school. Priceless memories in the making... I think I may have had more fun than even Brendan.

Oh, and another benefiit of chaperoning? I get to put faces to names that I hear about in our "how was school" talks... namely a cute little blonde named Brooke who happens to be the current love of his life... I may need to keep an eye on this one :)

A Hand to Hold

2010-10-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

She'll be Daddy's girl forever I'm sure. She sits next to the door on the front bench seat of Daddy's truck. And even though it's me who sits by her side, it's Daddy's hand she wants to hold. And really... how could he resist?

Long Distance Friendship

2010-10-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

OK, so not really LONG distance. Though the drive from Portland to Bend can be treacherous at best through the winter months, the mileage is really not so far. The problem is, that all the hopes and dreams Sarah and I had of having children who grew up together, living just down the street from each other and seeing each other several times each week diminished in the moment we drove away, moving our possessions and our lives through the mountains to sunny central Oregon. But we've vowed to keep in touch and our friendship has never faltered. The boys still remember each other and it seems they pick up right where they last left off. And even if it's only one visit a year, there are priceless memories made in what feels like too short a visit.

The Falkner clan arrived late on Friday September 17th carrying two sweet sleeping boys through the door and up the stairs. All was quiet as they laid them down to sleep when breaking the silence, Sarah's cell phone GPS informed us all "GPS... YOU HAVE ARRIVED." We all stifled a laugh and I whispered loudly from downstairs "YUP! THIS IS THE PLACE!"

We visited until the wee hours of Friday night, spent Saturday playing and relaxing, watched a movie after the kids went to bed and said a sad good-bye on Sunday afternoon. And as I watched them pull away I had a longing to be back in Portland, if only to be closer to the friends who mean so much to me. But Bend is my beautiful home. And if keeping in touch means fun, relaxing visits then so be it...

School Boy

2010-10-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

It feels like forever since I've updated the blog so I apologize tremendously. So much has been going on these past couple of months, it may be hard to catch up on it all..

I struggled for quite some time over the decision to put Brendan in preschool. Was it necessary? Was the cost worth it? Could I handle the influences that would result? Could HE? You only get one chance at doing the best job possible as a parent and I wanted to make the best decision. I knew if he struggled with it I wouldn't push the issue. But as it turns out, he absolutely loves it. He's growing and learning so much already. Just look at that smile... the picture says it all.

Clean Up

2010-10-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

OK, so it's not as if I'm in the habit of allowing my children to eat food off the floor. But if you know how crazy my husband is about keeping those floors clean (fortunatley for me, the floors are his job...) you'd know it's not that big of a deal. So when I found my sweet girl on her hands and knees snacking on those runaway Cheerios I grabbed the camera.

Tears and Tantrums

2010-09-10T23:46:00.000-07:00

It's a phase.

I have to tell myself that in order to get through it without suffering a nervous breakdown and committing myself.

My 21-month-old daughter has entered a phase wherein she feels it is absolutely necessary to scream horrifically when placed in the seat of a shopping cart. This is not the end of the world, you say... but when nearly 50% of our outings consist of the need for a shopping cart, it darn near FEELS like the end of the world.

Attempt #1... JoAnn Fabrics. I come to the realization that not only does the NEW location not open till October 1st, but the current location has been in the midst of a closeout sale for the good part of two months. The likelihood of finding what I'm looking for is slim yet I still attempt a quick look. The screaming begins (my daughter's... not mine) and all 10 patrons quickly glare my way. Thirty seconds in and I'm already approaching insanity. I grab my girl whispering intense motherly reasons why her behavior is NOT acceptable and drag Brendan nearly running full speed to the car.

Attempt #1... FAIL

Attempt #2... I get a text from a friend to meet in a half hour at a nearby kids recreation facility. Good idea... JoAnn's was a bust. And just enough time to stop by Fred Meyer for a few small items on my list. Hop Brendan into the cart basket and Aubrey into the seat and this time the blood curdling scream is accompanied by kicking and thrashing. "I will conquer" I think to myself... "I can do this, I will ignore and will not be defeated." But humiliation sets in as, with each step, the tirade increases. I grab Brendan and pull crazy screaming child from the cart and attempt to quickly leave the store with my dignity intact.

Attempt #2... FAIL

So as if one could possibly find the idea of a third attempt even remotely a good idea...

Day 2, attempt #3... Drop Brendan off at preschool and prep myself for what will be a MUCH better stroll through Fred Meyer...

WRONG...

Screaming begins the second I lift her into place, legs kicking, arms thrashing. This time I have the energy. I can do it. I will ignore her obvious efforts to take control of this situation and I will persevere. The glares from fellow shoppers quickly wear me down. "HELLO?? If you just move a little faster, I can make this quicker for all of us" I think. She is unrelenting and louder by the second. An old man shoots me a look. "YUP!" I want to shout, "if you think it's hurting YOUR ears, imagine how it sounds from just six inches away from the amplified source!" I can't hear anything other than the shrill cries of my child. Her mouth seems permanently fixed in the open and screaming position, every ounce of saliva mixing with tears and snot to produce a disgusting mess that slowly drips from her face. I am focused on the task at hand and my attempts at comforting her only seem to fuel her angry outburst. I hear a lady say softly to her husband "I think she may be hurt" and I want to shout "she WILL be if I have to endure this much longer!!" And finally, in what had to have been the longest 10 minutes of my life, I was out of the store with my head hung in horror, shame, guilt and anger. I strapped her in her car seat and released an unnecessary furious outburst. Then I closed the doors and laid my head on the steering wheel and began to cry with my daughter. Me, for being the type of mother I never wanted to be... for not knowing how to fix my child... for letting anger take hold of me... for feeling banned from public places that require shopping carts... for using unkind words directed at this tiny person who fills my heart with so much love.

Her, for reasons I will never know.

Attempt #3... FAIL FAIL FAIL

Oregon Coast Camping

2010-09-09T23:24:00.001-07:00

Having camped on the Oregon coast nearly every summer of my childhood, I should have expected the ever present and infamous wind and cold. However, I purposely scheduled our annual family camp trip (insert my parents, their fifth-wheel and all accompanying camp gear i.e. espresso machine) on the last weekend of August to attempt for a bit of warmth and sunshine. I failed on at least one count. Sunshine be darned, the wind on the beach made sand castle building almost unbearable... almost... Little did Brendan know, his grandpa is a die-hard when it comes to sandcastles and has survived 5 unrelenting children who would freeze their butts off before leaving an unfinished sculpture.

Beverly Beach was our site of choice this year, a site where many of my childhood camping memories were made. Lots of fun times, food, biking, food, nature walks, food, playing in the sand, food and more food. We come prepared to feed an army so what else is there to do?? And who says you can't have s'mores in the middle of the afternoon? Where there's a fire, there's a s'more! As far as Aubrey was concerned, forget roasting, the marshmallow was fine as is (less mess factor for me!)

More importantly, lots of smiles and laughs, and despite the long drive home, lots of good old memories made...

Six Minus One

2010-08-16T23:50:00.001-07:00

Out of the six of my parents' grandchildren the only one missing is my brother's son, Sevvy. We missed him dearly and the picture could only be complete with him in it, but times are limited when all six are ever together.

We decided not to humiliate the 13 year old by asking for another bathtub picture this year... I think she was grateful although I really can't tell... she looks as though we've asked her to stick her finger in a light socket. I believe this is just the perpetual expression of a teenager

(left to right: Brendan (4), Josh (6), Shawna (13), Aubrey (20m), Molly (2))

Sisters

2010-08-16T23:20:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it's good to be reminded that you still have a goofy, silly giggly side, even at the age of thirty.

My sister and I have never had the extremely close kind of relationship that I always wished we had. It's difficult to develop that once we've chosen the alternative most of our lives. But I'd like to believe we've given it a better try these past few years and despite our differences, we'll be sisters for life.

I was honored when she asked if she could pack up her three kids and make the 8 hour drive to come and stay a few days. They provided some much needed company on one of my lonely "guard duty" weekends and I welcomed the change.

We took the kids swimming, we watched movies, went for walks, rolled down the grassy hills with the kids, stayed up late, talked, giggled, and took ourselves back to the carefree times of our childhood at a moment when we both needed it the most.

My sister gasped as we involved ourselves in "cleanup" time with the kids. I could only imagine what it was she had found in the toy box. My mind was reeling... a bug? moldy food? a days old sippy cup???

"LOOK!" she exclaimed, having velcroed half of a toy corn cob to half of a toy hot dog, "IT'S A CORN DOG!"

And we both nearly fell to the floor in hysterics. It was one of those moments where you know it's not even all that funny which makes even that much FUNNIER. And seeing as how the children whose ages in succession were 20 months, 2 years, 4 years, 6 years and 13 years, we were obviously the ONLY ones who found this so hilarious. But all of these facts combined had us laughing till we cried. And after a fun-filled "sister-date" to Target and Fred Meyer where we giggled, laughed and nearly made fools of ourselves (when you ask a sales clerk a question, you are expected to pay attention and listen... you are NOT supposed to try on a crazy pair of sunglasses so that your sister explodes in hysterical laughter in front of said sales clerk...) every so often one of us mentioned the "corn-dog" and the uncontrollable giggling ensued.

They only stayed a short while but I couldn't have asked for a better visit. I will forever cherish the priceless memories that were created this weekend, the kind that make me smile and remember just how much I love my sister...

It Happens

2010-08-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

To the untrained eye, these two seem like the best of friends.

OK, in all honesty, the love that these two show for each other is one of the greatest rewards of motherhood. Of course they argue and fight on a regular, daily basis... they are (almost) 2 and 4 years old and that piece of siblinghood is merely unavoidable. But the sharing, the helping, the comforting, the hugs and the love... those are what make these two the most precious pieces of my life.

When God Speaks

2010-07-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

You open your heart and listen.

A 76-year-old man sat down on the bike next to mine at the gym this morning. He struck up a conversation that started with "you're going too fast, you're making me look bad..." And we soon found ourselves keeping good company as our exercise time flew by. He flattered me sweetly when he asked if I was in highschool or college and when I told him I was 8 years out of college and married with 2 children he began to dole out some advice. Married for almost 55 years to his highschool sweetheart, I figured he had a thing or two worth listening to.

"I don't know what it is," he said "but still, after 54 years, there's nothing better than coming home to her... she's still the love of my life."

I didn't want to be so stereotypical and ask the obvious "how did you do it?" and fortunately he went there anyway...

"Some people ask me... what's your secret? How did you stay with just one woman for so many years? And I tell them... I pray. That's right, no matter how things were going in my marriage, all I had to do was pray that they would get better and they did. That right there is how you make it work."

He had the sweetest smile and I'm sure I did too as I stepped off my bike and thanked him for the conversation (which lasted a good 20 minutes and included so much more.)

"It was all my pleasure" he said with genuine sincerity. And I walked away looking upward and whispering a soft prayer of thanks.

Little Girl

2010-07-26T22:06:00.001-07:00

She's the reason I question my sanity on a frequent basis. But she also reminds me what being a mom is all about. The trials and tribulations can melt away when she wraps her tiny arms around my neck and says "I yuv you mama..."

Almost 20 months old, rapidly approaching the age of 2. I've quickly come to realize that the "terrible twos" has nothing to do with actual age and everything to do with entering the phase of independence. Whoever created the term simply had a child who accomplished that at age 2. For us? It started at 18 months. She's got a temper, an attitude, and a strong opinion and she's not afraid to express them on a regular basis. But that smile comes out and it melts your heart. It's impossible not to love that sweet face.

Signs Point To...

2010-07-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

Left.

As in left handed.

As in the hand she chooses for the two main life tasks that generally require handedness. Eating and writing (and occasional nose picking.)

Is this something to be worried about? Of course not. Is it remarkable? Hardly. Would I have posted if we realized she was right handed? Nope. Is it possible that she will change from left to right? Sure.

Just taking a moment to treasure a child's uniqueness.

A Year Goes By

2010-07-14T23:20:00.000-07:00

(Summer 2009)

(Summer 2010)

*Just realized while posting this how similar the poses are in both pictures... totally unplanned!

A Boy and His Teddy

2010-07-05T23:13:00.001-07:00

Teddy has been a very special part of this family for nearly three years now. Brendan was skeptical about him when we first brought him home but the soft and cuddly bear became his constant companion and there wasn't a night he would close his eyes without Teddy by his side. He tested a few other options... Geoffrey his stuffed giraffe... Tessa his other smaller bear... Freddy the frog... but no one compared to Teddy. This bear was so loved that the stuffing in his neck began to wear thin as a result of a little boy's hugs. His soft velvetty coat turned into a lovingly worn type of comfort. Brendan talked to him, played with him, slept with him and loved him as if he were truly his most cherished friend. So as silly as it sounds, his disappearance came with a huge sense of sadness and loss for all of us.

My search efforts were unsuccessful as I promised my sweet boy that I would continue to look as I tucked him in for bed. I opened cupboards and drawers, looked in closets and under beds and came up empty handed. As I kissed him sweetly on the cheek before I went to bed, he opened his eyes and whispered softly "did you find him mama?" and my heart began to break. "No sweetheart, but I'll keep looking..." as he replied a sweet "OK" and closed his eyes. I would not be going to bed... I would spend the next half hour searching in places I hadn't covered and would still be unsuccessful...

In the morning I felt a soft tapping on my shoulder.

"Mommy? I really love Teddy but I just can't find him" as he fought back tears. I HAD to figure this out. So we searched together and failed yet again. I pondered all the places he could be, feeling 99% sure that he never left the house. And as I reassured my boy that maybe Daddy would be more successful once he got home, I knew in my heart that Teddy may be gone forever. So I had to break it to him gently.

At the breakfast table I said "sweetheart, I think Teddy may be... gone..."

"Gone?!" he cried with a terrified look of horror and sadness that was quickly being accompanied by tears. "But mommy... Teddy is crying and he misses me... he needs me to find him."

And there it was... my heart was broken. I couldn't bring his teddy back.

Joe was sure that I just wasn't looking in the right places. But after a couple days of his return and hard searching we were baffled as to where he may have gone. So I took the last resort and ordered a brand new Teddy. I felt a strong sense of sadness as I knew he would never be the same. How would Brendan feel about replacing his very best friend? So the day he was being delivered I wondered "is it wrong to tell a tiny lie?"... I had an idea...

"Hey buddy" I said that morning, "I think I know where Teddy went."

"You do?!"

"I think he's not missing, he just went to get washed up for you and he's coming home today!"

"He is?! Silly Teddy, we thought he was missing but he wasn't! I'm so excited!!"

That afternoon as we began our trek upstairs for naptime, the doorbell rang and I sensed Brendan's excitement.

"Mama... I'll bet that's Teddy! Do you think that's Teddy?! Oh I hope that's Teddy!!" as he jumped up and down.

"Teddy?! Are you in there Teddy?! Teddy... come out!" I cried in semi-mock excitement as I ripped open the box.

Brendan grabbed him from my hands and wrapped his arms tightly around the bear's neck crying "oh Teddy... I missed you so much, please don't ever leave me again!"

And when I watched him fall asleep, clutching Teddy with a smile on his face I thought "no harm done in telling a tiny lie..."

We love you Teddy and we're so glad you're back :)

Green Peter Camping

2010-07-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

We were invited by some friends to join a larger group of friends for a weekend of camping at Green Peter Reservoir last month. It happened to fall on the last weekend of Joe's annual training which created a situation in which I packed up all the gear and the children (while slowly coming down with what would be a bad case of laryngitis) by myself, drove 2 hours to the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, met with the group, unpacked and set up camp, made dinner and got the kids to sleep while trying to keep it all together. There were more than a few moments when I questioned my sanity. Had it not been for the several other husbands present and willing to help me pitch my gigantic 3-room tent, I may have tossed in the towel and driven to Albany to sleep in the comforts of my parents home. But by the time the kids were asleep in the tent, the adults were crowded around the campfire and I had a roasting stick in hand (s'mores were on the horizon...) I felt the stress of the day release and was glad I had made the decision to go.

Joe joined us on Saturday and we were fortunate enough to experience a tour of the lake guided by our good friends and their boat. The weather was beautiful and the water a bit chilly but that didn't stop me from throwing caution to the wind and jumping in full force. Who needs a wetsuit?! I donned my bikini and a life jacket with my feet strapped to a wakeboard as I attempted something I assumed looked easier than it really was. I had no idea what I was in for as I failed each attempt with a face full of water. So after 6 attempts and 1 ALMOST success, the teeth chattering chill was more than I could bear. I headed back to camp feeling defeated but not for lack of trying.

After 2 days and nights without showers or baths we packed it all up and made the trek back home. The van was unloaded in record time and everything was unpacked, put away and laundered in just a couple of short hours. The kids were bathed, the adults were showered and we all slept well in our beds with wonderful memories of a fantastic weekend.

Lessons Learned

2010-07-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

We've always thought our son must have been born with a love of books. From the age of just one year, he would sit contentedly flipping through books for what felt like hours on end. At 18 months we would leave a board book or two in his crib for him to "read" himself to sleep. This habit continued to the present time where he now surrounds himself with at least 2 or 3. It is not unusual to find half of the contents of his bookshelves buried in his covers.

So it should come as no surprise that the library is one of his most favorite places to visit. We visit less often in the summer months than in the winter simply because we can't pass up the opportunity to be outside. But it doesn't stop his amazement at the prospect of "borrowing" books... enjoying them for awhile and then trading them in for more. And every trip involves a walk down the "truck book" aisle where we've probably checked out every single book on the subject at least two or three times (garbage trucks, fire trucks, diggers, dumpers, loaders, monster trucks... they've got it all.)

And this love for books has given me the greatest opportunity to teach him about caring for the things we enjoy. He knows what it means to destroy property, especially property that doesn't belong to us. There are consequences that come with ripping the pages... ultimately at least one night without the comfort of his page turning obsession. So when I found the remnants of a hardcover book about firetrucks I was deservedly upset. A small part of me felt like I had failed at getting through to him and I wondered why he would have done such a thing. The pieces of binding and torn pages were hidden beneath his bed while what remained of the book was shoved beneath the mattress. Evidence of a young boy who knew what he did was wrong.

I explained that the book didn't belong to us, a fact he already knew. The librarian would surely be sad and we would have to pay for her to buy a new one so that other kids could continue to enjoy it. And so we headed off to the library. I prepped him once, telling him that he needed to apologize and explain what he had done and we set off to face the consequences. As I stepped up to the counter I explained, rather ashamed, "we need to pay for this book... and this little guy has something to tell you..." I lifted him up to her level...

He made eye contact but spoke softly "I ripped this book and I'm very sorry..."

The look she gave instantly put me at peace. She smiled kindly and said "I hope that you're able to enjoy many more books here without ripping any more... how does that sound?" While she looked at me and whispered "we don't get that very often... so wonderfully said... good job" and she smiled again.

We paid $12 for the book and my job was done. Will he ever rip a library book again? I can only hope not. But as for a lesson, I think he truly learned...

Birthday Party: Take Two

2010-06-20T22:17:00.001-07:00

Who says small parties can't be fun? Two friends along with their baby sisters and parents joined Brendan (along with his baby sister, parents and grandparents) to celebrate his 4th birthday this weekend. Pin the tail on the donkey, fun party favors, good food and good company made for the best 4-year-old party I've ever seen. Joe was even able to arrange an "off" day from his army training in order to make it home for just one night which was probably the one and only thing Brendan really wanted in order to make this party perfect...

Birthday Party: Take One

2010-06-20T21:59:00.001-07:00

It seems it has become a tradition for us to travel to my hometown of Grass Valley right around this time each year. Joe's two-week summer training for the army (that happens to fall during the SAME two weeks every year) leaves me with an inherent desire to be with my mom. What better excuse to visit. So we packed it all up and made the LONG drive to Grass Valley once again.

It should come as no surprise that Brendan would cherish this as a tradition since it results in his receiving the first of 2 birthday parties each year. So just 2 days after we got into town, we gathered at a local park and had ourselves a party. After a prolonged cloudy/rainy season in the Northwest (you NWers know exactly what I'm talking about...) the 80 degree sunny days were a very warm welcome. And a perfect backdrop for a party in the park.

4 years and 2 days ago

2010-06-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

I gave birth to this sweet bundle of joy. A joyous experience as we so badly wanted him in our lives. I had no idea what my life would be like with him in it, and now I can't imagine it without him. He's charming and sweet and can be more than a handful at times. His mind is constantly thinking which makes him incredibly inquisitive. He's smart and he's mischievous but can stop me in my tracks when he looks at me out of the blue and says "mommy... I love you so much!" It's hard to believe he's 4 years old. It seems time flies way too fast. But no matter the age, he'll be the first to tell you that he'll be my baby boy forever... I love you sweet child, you light up my life.

Picnic in the Park

2010-06-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

During a short glimpse of summer weather a few weeks ago, a friend and her kids invited us to picnic with them in the park. Kim packed a lunch and we met at her house, walking the few blocks to this beautiful park. The boys ran around and rode their bikes (hard to get them to sit long for lunch) and the girls (just 7 weeks apart in age) had fun pushing the wagon and stroller. We were lucky to get in about a half hour of picnicking before the man we deemed the "picnic wrecker" came to tell us he needed to mow the very large field that we happened to be sitting in the middle of. He was "kind" enough to start at the end furthest from us but made it obvious that we would need to move quickly. Oh well... the time was well spent and much enjoyed anyway!

Partners in Crime

2010-05-26T22:46:00.001-07:00

Why oh why does it seem that two innocent children, when left individually, can be so well behaved. Yet, together can get into more mischief than a child should ever be able to achieve?? It's not that I intentionally leave my children unattended. The simple fact of the matter is... that no mother can keep a constant eye on her children every second of every minute of every hour of every day (at least not with her sanity intact.) And so in a moment of desperate downtime I sat to chat with a long lost friend on the computer. Four tiny feet tiptoed up the stairs and into Mommy's bathroom (unnoticed as I was engrossed in my much needed friend time.) After what couldn't have been more than 10 minutes, my mommy radar noticed silence (never a good thing with two small children.) So I left the computer to investigate. It was the moment the older child heard my footsteps and I saw him run past me in a blur shouting "Aubrey did it!!" that I knew I was in for some trouble. In an already fragile emotional state, I let out what could only be interpreted as a blood curdling, murderous scream (looking back I see this was an obvious overreaction.) And my childrens' eyes widened in horror as I processed the mess before me. Aubrey is a curious child, but while she loves to open cupboards and "reorganize" things, she hasn't yet mastered the task of unscrewing caps.

This is where her co-conspirator comes into play. In what can only be considered speculation (because I've learned that a 3-year-old can not TELL you what he was thinking when he knowingly committed such behavior) her brother saw her curiosity as an opportunity for learning. "We're not supposed to be getting into mommy's makeup Aubrey, but here, while you're at it, let me show you how much more fun this can be..." Unscrewing the lids to several containers of Bare Minerals powder makeup and tossing the powder freely around my tile bathroom. Shower gel?? Oh that lid comes off too... and if you tip the bottle upside down, this fun gooey sticky stuff comes out... here, let me put some in your hair...

Necessary punishment, stripping of clothes, wiping the floors with a towel and some tears, a hysterical call to my mom who can reassure and calm me like no one else can, bath for the baby, LONG timeout for the one who knew better, and a scream of horror when the final punishment was dealt (Teddy was tossed to the top shelf of the closet, only to be returned for good behavior...)

Round one goes to the kids, those sneaky little partners in crime. But I truly believed that the hell we had been through was teaching at least Brendan that what they had done was wrong. And so we carried on with the rest of our day. Soccer for Brendan, lunch and naptime for all. As I rested my weary mind, I believed (and prayed) that the evening would bring peace. However, it seems, for me, that bad days only get worse.

The children were banished from upstairs (deservedly so) and within full view until I retreated to the den in search of that night's dinner recipe. It only takes minutes to notice silence but these tyrants are quick! I entered the kitchen with a gasp and shouted words I don't even remember. The smell was confusing... Indian food? Mexican food? Italian??? Several bottles of spices (curry, chili powder, Italian seasoning, celery salt, and cardamom to name a FEW) had either been combined or emptied onto the kitchen and pantry floor. A second round of clothes removal and cleanup. Fortunately for me, our Dyson hand-vac sucks wonders and did a tremendous job. UN-fortunately for me, the person who last used it (*ahem* HE shall be unnamed) didn't latch the canister tightly. So as I tapped the side to redistribute the fine powder from the filters, the bottom opened and spilled the contents back onto the floor. I contemplated walking out the front door and never coming back (and in a nanosecond of insanity thought about how wonderful that would be.) Instead I slammed the canister shut extra hard for good measure and sucked it all up a second time. This did not, however, do anything for the fact that the curry was now winning the race for the strongest spice in the mix. My laundry room wreaked of strange Indian food (I don't believe they mix chili powder, celery salt and cardamom into those curry dishes...)

And just in case you were wondering... Bare Minerals makeup does NOT stain tiny white socks, but curry and turmeric do...

Tumalo State Park

2010-05-25T18:19:00.001-07:00

Throwing rocks in the river... no young boy can resist this!

Me and my kiddos

The sun was deceiving. It was actually pretty freakin' cold but still beautiful.

My First...

2010-05-18T23:20:00.001-07:00

Pigtails!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Not Me Monday

2010-05-03T22:34:00.000-07:00

That was NOT me whose children were depleting an entire roll of toilet paper into the toilet making a mess of the bathroom. And I did NOT proceed to lose my control and scream at the top of my lungs. No, I would NEVER do that...

It was NOT my child who ran through the kitchen wielding a steak knife pilfered from the open dishwasher, NOR was it my child found stuffing the contents of her dinner tray down the front of her shirt (the snapped-in-the-crotch, bodysuit kind...) And it was NOT my child who went limp on the floor of Starbucks after her mommy said it was time to go... no, my children would NEVER misbehave like that.

It was NOT me who put the kids to bed early while my husband was gone, just to have some ME time. I believe every tantrum throwing, whining, crying, screaming moment is too precious NOT to share with them...

It was definitely NOT me who set my child down in a clothing store while I paid for my purchase only to turn around and find her missing while the cashier nervously helped me find her... how irresponsible would THAT have been??

I was NOT the one who told my sweet little 3-year-old to stop talking when he asked his 50th question... I love the sound of that sweet NON-STOP voice...

And it certainly was NOT me who sneaked a cookie from the pantry and ate it in hiding so that my kids wouldn't ask for one... who would DO that to their children?!...

New Idea

2010-04-30T18:00:00.001-07:00

And yet not so new. I mean, there are probably thousands of recipe blogs out there, I know. But it's truly a passion of mine to share in my kitchen adventures and the idea came to me through a suggestion from my sister. Why not create a blog just for your recipes?? This, after posting on facebook that I had made "blue cheese stuffed chicken breasts, spinach orzo salad and roasted cauliflower" for dinner one night. I had several requests for the recipes and this seemed like such a fun idea. I've been posting some recipes right here on the family blog but realized that, while it's fun and inspiring for me, they don't seem to belong in the "story of our lives" format. And so the idea has been put into motion.

I posted a request for name suggestions and was overwhelmed with the amount I got. It may have had something to do with the fact that I promised a poll where the winning name would get a $5 Starbucks card...

So what I ask of you is this... please vote on the name for the new Recipe Blog (poll located on this page to the top left.) I appreciate any and all suggestions!! And while I don't anticipate a HUGE following, I'm excited nonetheless.

Mexico Trip: Parte Dos

2010-04-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Our hotel may not have had the best food around, but the housekeeping was exceptional. There was a new "display" each day as we returned to the room. My favorite was the kissing towel swans, complete with fresh rose petals! I loved them so much, I didn't want to move them.

We spent days 3 and 4 just soaking up the sun and getting out a bit. The tasteless dinners left us desiring a good night out so we opted for a bus ride to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (the chili's picture was just a quick use of the prop for a photo op... we did not actually EAT at Chili's) for an awesome dinner and the BEST Margaritas (mine was a "Pink Cadillac" made with silver tequila, triple sec and a special pomegranate margarita mix!) The dinner was also complete with balloon art (as evidenced by my beautiful hat that Joe made me wear all the way back to the hotel...) But it was after that night that we started to see a change in the weather. Big rain clouds encroaching on our sunny skies!! It was a good thing we had taken some relaxing time to soak up the sun by the pool the day before. Running from the incoming rain really wore us out.

Stay tuned for the story of the tiny rental car and our adventurous self guided tour to the Tulum Mayan Ruins!

The Never-Ending Conversation

2010-04-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

B: "Mommy, why are you stopping the van?"
M: "I'm stopping here to get some coffee."
B: "Why did you tell her that?"
M: "I needed to tell her what I wanted."
B:"What is she doing?"
M: "Making my coffee."
B: "What is that noise?"
M: "The coffee machine."
B: "Do we have one of those?"
M: (smiling) "Not that kind."
B: "What kind is it?"
M: "The kind that makes espresso."
B: "What is a presso?"
M: "A special kind of coffee."
B: "Why is it special?"
M: "Umm... because it's different than the kind Mommy drinks at home."
B: "Oh..." (pausing)
M: (holding my breath, hoping we're done but knowing all to well that we're not even close)
B: "What did you just give her?"
M: (sighing slightly) "My credit card."
B: "Isn't that Daddy's credit card?"
M: "No honey, mommy has one just like Daddy's"
B: "Where is Daddy's?"
M: "In his wallet."
B: "Why did you give her your credit card?"
M: "Because I had to pay for my coffee."
B: "Why did you have to pay for it?"
M: "Because coffee isn't free sweetheart."
B: "What does free mean?"
M: (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And such is a day in my life...

Mexico Trip: Parte Uno

2010-04-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

So I've been all about collages lately on the blog since it's such a great way to get more pictures into less space... and yet the story of our Mexico trip will be posted in three parts...

It's been YEARS since we've taken a vacation together. Our trip to Maui was before Brendan was born (almost 5 years ago!) I figured my 30th birthday was a perfect excuse to head for the beach, leaving the kids behind. We took the plunge, leaving our kids in great care and planning everything down to the last detail (including a typed and notarized Medical Consent Form and a three page "handbook" on everything involved in the daily lives of my children...) And yet I still felt a nagging sense of guilt for being the least bit excited to leave. I chose Cancun, never having been to Mexico, after consulting with several people about the "best" Mexican travel spots. Close to the Mayan Ruins, I figured my adventuresome husband could be persuaded.

We flew from Redmond to Seattle then Seattle to Cancun in a LONG 9 hours of total travel time. Fought through the crowds of Timeshare pushing salespeople to the shuttle that took us to our resort. Our expectations diminished as we checked in and unloaded our things. Even more so when we picked up our forks at one of the 5 "restaurants" that would be serving our "all-inclusive" meals. So it wasn't the best food ever and the room left a little to be desired (our "mini bar" was a semi-cold mini fridge stocked with canned beer, soda and two small bottles of water...) but the sun and the beach were a welcome retreat from the 20 degree weather we were enduring at home (we RAN from the truck into the airport that morning, hoping not to freeze!) It did not mean, however, that we weren't pining for a room at the Hilton as we explored the white sand beaches.

We spent the first day getting out. Joe decided a kayak adventure was in order so we shuttled to the adventure spot and hopped ourselves aboard a tandem two-seater (kayak rentals were one of the obvious benefits of "all-inclusive.") I eventually let go of the worry that we were floating "too far" from shore and rested my paddle on my thighs (Joe is much more efficient at rowing when I'm not attempting to "help" by splashing with my oar...) So after about an hour on the water, soaking in the sun, we waited for our ride back to the hotel. But with 20 minutes to spare, we opted for a quick walk down the street that resulted in an indulgent McDonald's ice cream cone. After all, who could pass up a $7.00 ice cream cone (pesos that is... it took some getting used to, seeing some crazy prices... the cones were approximately 55 cents!)

Day 2 involved a bus ride down the hotel strip to the local Wal-Mart. With dismal resort food, we at least needed some snacks to tide us over. And so began our adventure with the Cancun city bus system. Fortunately for us, our hotel consierge informed us of the $7.50 bus fair (again... only about 60 cents in US dollars.) So with our converted money, it was easy to shell out an exact $15 pesos to get on the bus. It was the unfortunate people who didn't know exactly how much to give who ended up getting robbed as the busdriver pocketed the change. Knowing which bus to get on was the second challenge. I envisioned a bus much like the city of Portland (lighted displays clearly stating the route.) But I was in for a shock when I realized the destinations were PAINTED on the front windows of the buses. So it seemed obvious... if we wanted to go to Wal-Mart, we looked for a bus with "Wal-Mart" painted on the front (among various other points at which the bust would stop.) And on the way back? "Zona Hotelera" So after our Wal-Mart adventure we longed for a good cup of coffee and spotted the Starbucks like water in a desert, the addicts that we are. And after some much needed coffee and lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, it was back to the hotel for sun and relaxation. Stay tuned for parte dos...

Color Me Orange

2010-04-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

Eggs and Jesus

2010-04-06T08:21:00.001-07:00

Seriously... cutest kids in the world. This was before we left for church with only 15 minutes to spare. BIG mistake! Somehow, the fact escaped me that half the city would be at church on this given Sunday. As we neared the entrance to the church parking lot Joe exclaimed "keep going! If there are cars coming out, it means there aren't any more spots." "Are you kidding me?!" I cried. There has to be at least a hundred parking spots in that lot!! But he was right. We followed the "smart" cars and parked in the school lot down the street. Joe held Aubrey and we each held one of Brendan's hands as we rushed the half mile walk from the lot to the church in what felt like 30 degree weather with 20mph winds. We took our seats on the floor outside the interior doors and couldn't see or hear a thing. But we were there. And I suppose that's what counts. We did our best to teach our kids that Easter is about so much more than eggs and candy... that Jesus died and rose again for our salvation (the REAL reason we enjoy this glorious holiday!)

Words of Wisdom

2010-04-03T00:03:00.001-07:00

I cannot tell you exactly what was being said here, but it was too precious a moment to pass up. One of them was likely imparting words of wisdom and, by the looks on their faces, my guess is it was Brendan...

Fishing For Fun

2010-04-02T23:37:00.000-07:00

You may think me selfishly biased but my husband has got to be the best daddy who ever walked this earth. Perhaps being a child at heart gives him an added advantage. While perusing the aisles of a local craft store, he spotted a small (albeit cheaply crafted) wooden model sailboat kit and decided it was a "must have." I could not resist or complain, for the toy cost only $1. A bargain for the fun it would likely create.

The excitement was overwhelming as Brendan and Daddy painted and glued the pieces of their special boat, working side by side with priceless smiles plastered to their faces. And when Brendan sadly wondered where they would be able to sail their boat (the weather was not conducive to outdoor adventures), Daddy came up with a plan...

I heard their voices coming from the master bathroom and wandered in to observe the fun. Joe had filled the bathtub with a few inches of water and they were taking turns blowing the sailboat back and forth. As the proverbial "light bulb" came on inside Joe's mind, he left the room and returned with Brendan's fishing pole which he then tied to the boat as a "steering" mechanism. I believe Joe was upgraded to hero status in that simple moment... a moment of priceless fun between a father and son...

Keepers

2010-03-25T23:16:00.001-07:00

This week was a huge hit with three new recipes. The Fontina-Stuffed Potato Skins and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apples pictured to the left accompanying a rather delicious grilled pork tenderloin were absolutely outstanding. I can't take much credit for the pork other than grilling it to perfection as I bought it packaged in marinade (I figured if I was focusing on side dishes, I could slack a little on the meat!) And while the pleasant noises all around were proof of an awesome meal, the best compliment I could have asked for was when Brendan cleaned his plate and said sweetly, "oh mommy, thank you so much for making such a good dinner for me... oh that was SO yummy!"

It was the Grilled Chicken Salad that really had our mouths watering. Not necessarily a favorite among the kids (although not at all understandably so, as I figured the sweet background flavors would have won them over...) It was Joe and I who had to restrain ourselves from licking the bowl clean and arguing who would get the leftovers. Served with greek flat bread and a side of fresh strawberries... Joe turned to me and said "this one's a keeper!"

COOKIES

2010-03-18T21:44:00.001-07:00

Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints

Chocolate? Yum... Hazelnuts? Yum... Put 'em together and these cookies are outstanding. So much fun for Brendan to help with too. He loved rolling the balls in hazelnuts and his tiny little thumbs made the best little thumbprints. I omitted the espresso since I wanted Brendan to be able to have one without bouncing off the walls. And I reinforced the thumbprints with a measuring spoon after removing them from the oven so they would hold a little more filling. This recipe? Definitely a keeper!

Pizza Party

2010-03-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

Chicken, Red Grape, and Pesto Pizza

So I've been slacking in the recipe department and not for lack of good outcomes! I've simply been falling behind on blogging and hope to get back up to speed.

While my mom was visiting, I took the opportunity to make homemade pizza which I have only ever done a handful of times. This recipe sounded delicious and tasted even more so. But even more enjoyable was the effort that Brendan was able to put forth in helping. Such an easy task for kids, spreading ingredients, sprinkling toppings. It was worth the huge smile that accompanied his excitement as he exclaimed "daddy!! I made pizza for dinner!!" Paired with a simple salad, this one got thumbs up all around.

Birthday Cake Tradition

2010-03-17T22:44:00.001-07:00

As you all may know (from last year's birthday post), my wonderful husband and I have created a tradition that involves the one and only time each year that I allow him to step foot in my kitchen. I like to call it the Birthday Cake Bake-Off. I choose a recipe, I buy the ingredients and he creates a masterpiece. Years past have included Angel Food (from scratch of course, involving a dozen beaten egg whites...), German Chocolate and Red Velvet. While I narrowed my choice down to 5 options, I had to go with what sounded the best and I was in the mood for strawberries! So, Strawberry Angel Cake was the winner this year in every sense of the word. My only requirement was that he make the cake from scratch (the recipe, included as a link within the text, calls for a purchased Angel Food Cake.) Because, if you've ever tasted the difference, you know that nothing compares to Angel Food made from scratch.

He took the day off from work, made me a wonderful breakfast, chatted over coffee, went shopping with me and the kids, worked with Brendan on the wonderful cake, went on a family bike ride, then hired a sitter and took me out to dinner. We spent an amazing evening over dinner and coffee then returned to enjoy the cake. And every bite I took reminded me how blessed these first 30 years of my life have been. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

But while I appreciated the efforts of the magnificent cake-off... his presence in the kitchen never fails to produce crazy outcomes. An adverse result to not "supervising" the process??? He uses the salt from the salt shaker, fails to put the lid back on completely, and I pour half a shaker of salt onto my much looked forward to Chicken Parmigiana the next night... fortunately for both of us, we laughed it off but he'll never live it down :)

Getting Older

2010-03-16T19:51:00.001-07:00

Yup... I turned 30 yesterday. And while I received many cards with simple platitudes, this one had me cracking up (and had Joe wishing he had found it himself!) Inside it simply read "Happy 30th" but was accompanied by a sweet message from a very special friend... I think I'll keep her... she makes me smile :)

Beach Kids

2010-03-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

This is the Oregon coast folks... we wear coats and jeans and it's most often cloudy... but you just can't resist... it's the ocean afterall!

Astoria 2010

2010-03-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

Joe had an army officer's convention in Seaside this past weekend so the kids and I seized the opportunity to use it as a getaway for us too. Hotels were cheaper in Astoria and, since it's only 20 minutes from Seaside, it seemed like a feasible option. The 5 hour drive from Bend was nothing short of miserable, especially since we woke the kids early and got on the road by 7:00. We shopped and hung out while Joe did army things and then spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning together as a family. The weather left a little to be desired but the sun peaked out every now and then (and you can't expect much from the Oregon coast in March!)

I found my BO BO!!

2010-03-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Can it get any cuter???

15 months!!

2010-03-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

Although a little late in posting this (a little late in posting ANYTHING for that matter...) our baby girl is officially 15 months old (going on 16!) She's transitioned from a baby into a toddler and is growing so fast before our eyes. She's discovered her "bo bo" (belly button) and will show it to anyone who asks. She follows her brother around with her "kissy face" and won't stop until he gives her one. She'd rather walk than be carried and wants to do everything her big brother does. She's such a lover. Taking time out of her busy playing to give out hugs and kisses. She's looking more and more like her mommy. My baby girl for sure. And just when we think we can't handle her attitude, she turns on the charm and we fall in love all over again.

Nothing New

2010-02-15T17:08:00.001-08:00

I'm sorry to say I have nothing new to post. No new recipes, no crazy stories, no cute new pictures. Just our everyday lives. And maybe a few updates.

Aubrey has mastered the talent of going DOWN the stairs. In an attempt to give her mother a heart attack she ran full speed towards the top of the stairs and stopped just short of the edge, plopping herself down in an "about face" motion and proceeded to scoot herself backwards down each following step. Gotta keep an eye on that one. Her vocabulary also now includes "apple" "silly" "juice" and "beads." She amazes us with every new word.

Brendan has shown an interest in reading and Joe is working with him almost daily on identifying the sounds that go with each letter to create words. At 3 years old, his intelligence never ceases to amaze me. He also recently took a random interest in childbirth, asking me just how it was that his sister got out of mommy's tummy all those months ago. My mind worked hard wondering just how much to tell a 3-year-old as I explained that mommy "pushed" her out... He thought awhile then asked "how?" To which I replied "well... mommy pushed really hard." His mind tinkered some more as it came slowly to him "OHH!! Like this {enter strained, having a bowel movement look}?" I stifled a laugh and said "umm... yeah honey, kinda like that!" But I feared this wasn't enough. He thought about it some more and started again "but how... {enter a lapse of about 10 seconds and an obvious change in attention span} hey mommy! did you see the towers I built for my cars?!" *WHEW* I had survived!

And such is the life of this mommy of 2... full of strife and adventure, full of love and devotion.

Together Forever

2010-02-02T22:25:00.001-08:00

The Beairds and the Bessmans... PRICELESS!

A Work of Heart

2010-02-02T21:59:00.001-08:00

I've waited so patiently to post these pictures. This quilt was one of the hardest projects I've ever done and yet still so rewarding.

After Aubrey was born, my good friend, Tracey, gave me a truly thoughtful and meaningful gift that she had been planning for months. I opened the sweet wrapping paper to find a very personal small set of handmade pottery (plate and cup) with Aubrey's name and birthdate hand painted sweetly on both. She explained that, growing up, she had been given her own personal set of china that she used every year on her birthday. A special tradition that she remembered with fondness and wanted to pass on to my daughter. And while she couldn't find a place that made personalized child-sized china, she tracked down a woman who makes and personalizes small pottery (http://www.coloradoriverpottery.com/child/index.htm). It was then that I realized why the gift had been late. The birthdate, the name... of course they had to be definite before she could finish the gift.

So when Tracey got pregnant with her own baby girl, I struggled to come up with a gift just as thoughtful. How could I top such a meaningful gift? I was silly to have overlooked the one talent that would truly be appreciated. And so it came to me. I would make a quilt. A handcrafted, straight from the heart gift. Little did I know the heartache and frustration it would bring me to create. But in the end I was able to see that my perfectionistic attitude was keeping me from seeing the true beauty of what I created. When I saw the look on Tracey's face when she opened it and received the hug of appreciation, I knew I had chosen the perfect gift.

The pictures don't do the colors justice. Tracey chose a combination of colors after I offered up the pattern as my template and they are a beautiful combination, much lighter and softer than the photo portrays.