On the cusp

We may very well be on the cusp of something big - something so very needed. Yet I hesitate to say exactly what that something is in this space until we know more. So in the meantime while my brain just can not concentrate on anything but the possibility of something, I thought I would share some images from recent outings. The weather this weekend was unseasonably warm - in the mid-sixties!  It felt like the beginning of springtime. Even the birds sang in joy over it. As you can see the sea life was out in full swing on our beaches soaking up the warm sun while they could. What an incredible sight to see!

My baby turns two next week and I think I am just in such shock and disbelief that I have failed to plan or get him anything. Wasn't he just my tiny 5 pound baby a few months ago?! Oh time you are such a thief! Any last minute ideas? Fox themed ideas are even better!

On the cusp

Birthday Week: Part Two

It almost looks like he is pouting in this pic but he is actually looking at the sharks swimming below him

Flock and Fiber Festival Surprise


As I mentioned last week, I wanted to share the last bit from K's birthday week/Purple Grandma's visit. Much to Little L's delight we went to the local aquarium. He is planning to be the next Jacques Cousteau, you know. His special hammerhead shark Lavender came along, too. The aquarium was awesome. We could make a homeschool field trip out of it one of these days. There was so much to learn. I think everyone had fun. However, when we got to the shark tank I was a bit surprised by Little L's reaction or should I say lack thereof. I could tell he was happy to see sharks in real life but I think I expected a little something more, I mean we all know of his shark obsession, right?! It wasn't until about halfway through our time at the aquarium that it dawned on me that he was just drained and overwhelmed, you can see it in his sweet face in the pictures. My children, like me, are homebodies (and most on the introvert side as well) so our week of going out every day just exhausted us and left us all (myself included) not at our best. We were very grateful for all our experiences but just wishing we could have somehow spread them out a bit more. Of course, that wasn't really possible. Someone should make a book on vacationing for introverts. I know I'd buy it. 😂

K also had a very special surprise at the annual Flock and Fiber Festival. Her very best friends from Portland (the very same ones we saw for my birthday in August) came to see her and celebrate her birthday. Kevin and I were both in on the surprise this time but I couldn't believe all they did. They even brought a cake! She was beside herself with joy - she loves them all so (as do the rest of us). I am guessing this was one of her favorite birthdays yet (only behind the two joint birthday parties with the same friends at the pumpkin patch in Portland). It was her very own birthday party in with the sheep and woolly goodness.

Speaking of woolly, we also met up with my friend Taryn of Wooly Moss Roots and her family there. They had a booth set up, which was amazing by the way, and we had been planning to get together and let our boys play as soon as we knew we'd be back in Oregon for the event. Oh my, those boys of ours. They go months, even years without seeing one another (they write - actually draw pictures, in between) yet they act like they were just together the day before. Such a sweet friendship they have. I think the same goes for Taryn and I. What blessings friends are!!

Unfortunately, we got the event later in the day than we intended so we didn't get as much time with our friends as we had wanted but we are still grateful for the time we did have. I am sure you can imagine that it was hard for all of us to leave, but we all know we will see each other again soon.

And just because this picture is too funny not to share:

Birthday Week: Part Two

Solace (and help for baby Imogen)

Are you looking Mama? It is time for... a sand/mud bath. Quite proud of himself.

I am sure you have seen the forest fire destroying a large portion of our favorite Oregon places on the news. It blows my mind and saddens my heart to see so much destruction. Even here on the coast the smoke has covered the sun for days, casting an eerie light on everything. Praying for more rain to help us out!

A compassionate, loving mama that I know is pregnant with a baby girl. I say I know her, but really we have never met in person. She is someone that I used to chat with frequently back when I first started blogging. I haven't been in contact with her in quite awhile but reconnected when I heard the news of her baby. The doctors have told her from very early on in her pregnancy that the baby girl would not make it once she was outside of the womb. Further testing has shown this to be true. I strongly believe in misdiagnoses as well as miracles but there is a big chance this mama will only get to hold her angel baby for a short while. I am on the opposite coast wanting to do something, ANYTHING to help both mother and baby. I felt utterly helpless but then I decided something feasible that I could so would be to knit something to wrap them in. So they feel love surrounding them. I thought this might be beautiful so this mama knows that her baby's life is cherished and celebrated but also something for her to wrap herself in to comfort her through such a painful time. A prayer shawl seemed just the thing. I chose the yarn very carefully. I remember this mama loving brighter colors and this yarn has been in my stash since C was tiny, hand spun by one of the sweetest mamas I know. I have been hanging on to it myself because I love it so much and was hoping to use it for my own baby girl someday...but this is so much of an important reason to gift it. I hope this small gesture brings some solace and covers them both with my love.

Please friends, I ask that you join me in praying (and sending love) for these two beautiful souls and continue the prayers for the upcoming weeks as baby's due date (full term) draws near. She also has a Go Fund Me page set up to help out with funeral expenses among other things. If you feel so inclined to help out in that way, I know it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all!

ETA: They are also in the path or Hurricane Irma which may make baby arrive sooner!

Solace (and help for baby Imogen)

Doing Good

Always running straight towards the water... I found this photo on my camera perhaps taken by my children or one of my friend's children. Not sure who. Maybe it will forever be a great mystery!

Hey there! I really did intend to write this post last week but I didn't factor in that it was also Kevin's week of finals in college. In a one computer household, I think college finals should probably take a bit of precedence over blogging, don't you? Anyway, I am sorry about that.

About that birthday of mine. I will admit that ever since I first hit my thirties I haven't been as excited about aging another year. I still look forward to my children celebrating my life but I suppose I am starting to think a bit more deeply about life itself now. This birthday was no different. I found myself deep in my own head early in the morning, a tendency we introverts seem to have. I spent most of the day at home in my pajamas spending time with those I hold most dear. My children made me the sweetest cards (I meant to photograph them), all featuring the birds I love observing outside my kitchen window. The chestnut backed chickadee being the bird that all three of my older children chose to feature. The heartfelt words in K's card gave me just the perspective I needed to get out of my head. Not to mention the affirmation that I think every mother needs to hear.  You know how you work so hard to instill particular values and virtues in your children? And how you lead by example day after day but sometimes wonder if they are even catching on?  Well, her words let me know she is getting it. I have to share a few words from her card here because I never want to forget them. Lord knows I am incredibly hard on myself as a mother and reading these words from time to time just might be what I need to move forward:

I know that you are always there for me and you help me through my struggles. Many times I have seen you helping others - strangers even or C, L or Baby F. You are there when we call for help as our loving Mama. I have seen you go out of your way to make others happy. It makes me want to cry. You act like a mother to all. I know that we are struggling a little right now yet you act fine about it. You are kind, gentle, loving and so much more. Everyone loves you - at least everyone that I have ever seen you with.

My goodness, talk about children being a blessing from above! I am sure you can imagine that I cried upon reading those words. She reminded me that the purpose of each and every year I get to spend on this earth is for doing good and the more years I get to do good, the better!

After cards and cake (way too early in the day for that sugar rush; my head hurts just thinking about it), Kevin announced that we were going out to pick up lunch and bring it to a new beach we hadn't checked out yet. Getting a break from cooking is always a nice present to me so this was happy news. We picked up our food and watched the ocean waves as we enjoyed it. Afterwards Kevin mentioned there were some cute shops and thrift stores nearby.  I immediately noticed an Irish pub and shop I wanted to check out (I am always looking for things with C and Baby F's names on them). I was changing Baby F's clothes in the van and then Kevin abruptly informed me that I needed to hurry.  I picked Baby F up and turned around to hear K say, "Hey, those kids over there look like the D's." You know, their very dear friends from Portland (and their Mama is a friend of mine). "Wait! It is the D's!" Next thing I know my friend is walking up to me saying "Happy Birthday!" and all our children are smiling and amazed to see each other. This birthday surprise was not only a surprise to me but to all our children as well. None of them knew! We followed the D's back to their beach rental and literally spent the rest of the day and very late into the night with friends we had missed so dearly. It was such a joyous time filled with smiles, laughter and much needed reconnecting. What an incredible birthday I had. My heart is so full!


p.s. - Look, look! I finally had Baby F wear his Spring into Summer Romper. He is letting you know it is a bit too long in the body by holding it up as he runs. Oh well, I still think it looks adorable on him. I was aiming for more of an 18-month size but it looks like I overestimated and ended up with something closer to a 2T instead.

Doing Good

Surprise

I am super exhausted but I just wanted to pop in quick. Kevin surprised the children and me with a wonderful gift over the weekend. I'll post more about it later in the week after Crafting On! Hope you all had a beautiful weekend!

Surprise