More dirt

Adam dumped a couple of loads of dirt on our patio- out of his cool dump truck- at first I was annoyed- little did I know it would provide hours of entertainment!!

House for Sale

This is my favorite "plant" that blooms. It's just a big poof ball!!




Again, not really for sale...just adding to my book. But Ted and I are in a little bit of a disagreement over when to do it. I think in order to get as much equity as we can we better sell it before the market crashes even lower. He says that's a stupid reason to sell...what say ye?

Dirt

...two hours later!

Lazy Summer Days

Labor Day really signifies the end of summertime fun...the start of fall fun! We had a such a lazy easy summer. I'm just going to make a quick list...that doesn't seem so lazy but it really was quite laid back...I'm sad- in some ways- to be stuck in a rigid routine once more...
Seattle
Mariners
Rock climbing
Scout camp
Swim lessons
cousin sleep overs
braces
gymnastics camp
The Hobbit by JR Tolkien
On the Banks of Plumb Creek by Laura Ingals Wilder
Bike rides
Trek
10 year anniversary!
OLYMPICS!
rasberries
nectaries
corn on the cob
Dust Devils
baseball
30 years old!
FORKS!
ferry rides
boating
jet skis!
baby birds
fair
good-bye to good friends
freedom on wheels (we let the older two kids basically ride around wherever the wanted to with the neighbors the last few weeks of summer...they thought that was so cool:)
Happy Summer!

School starts!

The first day of school was Tuesday, August 26th. Emma marched confidently off to first grade and James sauntered smugly into third. They both came home happy and excited about teachers, classmates, recess... I feel more and more the blessing of good schools and good teachers. My little precious people are away from home for 7 hours- I can't imagine feeling insecure about where they were- it really makes me question uprooting my little clan???
Adam woke up Wednesday morning in quite the mood. He was not going to get dressed- he was not going to go to school- he was not going to eat breakfast- HE WAS NOT GOING TO GO TO SCHOOL! The more you fight him the angrier he becomes- so I said a little prayer and walked away. An hour later he was dressed and fed- but he was still NOT going to school. I really didn't know what to do because Adam can be very stubborn and I wasn't going to drag him kicking and screaming into the school. We had a few minutes so I asked him what he wanted to do- play uno & not go to school:) So we played a game of Uno- and I was prepared to play another when he jumped up and said, "I want to go to school now Mom. I love Miss Jan!" Wow! I was so relieved! It was a beautiful moment. And he went shyly into school- and I think had a good day, trying to be brave without his best cousin Ashton. Kyle will definitely miss Adam- they are good playmates!

My heart aches as I send my kids off every day...but I must say...I HAVE GOTTEN SO MUCH DONE THIS WEEK!! Wooo-hooooo!

Funny things I've heard the last few days---

Adam went potty- I went in to help--
Mom: "Man- Alive Adam...stinky!"
Adam: "Are women alive Mom?"

I can't remember the other one!

Forks

I have to clarify that we did not drive 8 hours just to go to Forks. My sister is starting graduate school at Seattle Pacific University in September and had a few things to take care of on Saturday- and my Mom was flying in from New York City late Sunday night- so we had all day Sunday to kill some time. And it was worth every moment. Forks is a dumpy little town- very excited to greet anyone who is "vampire hunting"- but the drive from Port Angeles to Forks is an amazing drive around Crescent Lake. The water was so blue and inviting. Unfortunately it was a beautiful sunny day so we didn't spot any vampires- we did see a lot of dead deer though so they must not be too hungry this week:) We ate at Bella Italia- and I guess Stephanie Meyer had been there just a couple of weekends ago! As we headed back to catch the ferry to the mainland we realized it was Sunday night- and everyone was headed back so we had a long wait for the ferry (talk about wasting gas! you have to leave your car on the whole time- about 1 1/2 hours- as you inch along!) But it was actually very refreshing to just sit and stare at the green and smell the exhaust--And of course the time spent with a dear sister is completely invaluable!

Happy Anniversary... to Edward & Bella! (and Ted and Stacy too I guess)

Man....if I had known 10 years ago that we were this close to sharing our Wedding Day with Edward and Bella I would have moved it up a day! (yes, I proudly admit that I am a little obsessed) I guess I can't change the past now...and I wouldn't change the past DECADE for any other life in the whole world. I can't imagine being happier with anyone else. I remember when we were dating and I was wondering where it was all going to lead- one of the thoughts that kept wandering through my mind was how I felt so at home with him. And I'm definitely a home girl. He gave me the same peaceful wonderful feelings of home- and I decided that was a pretty good sign.
And so...