My Exciting News...

My exciting news is that my Mom's last day of chemo and radiation is TOMORROW! Seven weeks of intense treatments has almost come to an end! There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. It is hard to believe that the time is almost over. I remember, like it was just yesterday, a deep dread about her starting the treatments. It hasn't been easy by any means, but God has really helped her through it. The key (I'm sure my Mom would say), take one day at a time! I am so thankful for all the prayers, meals, love and concern showered on my Mom during this time. We won't know what the chemo and radiation did to the tumor for several weeks. But, once again, we will just take one day at a time. Today I am excited that she is almost done! Yippee!!!!!!

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day. I've never really thought too much about this day - until Asha started going to school. Today Asha took a field trip with her class to a retirement home to share with them some "earthy" poems and dancing. They danced like butterflies, raindrops and flowers coming into bloom. It was very cute to watch - especially the boys as they were so silly. To honor Earth Day they decided to walk to the retirement home instead of take a bus. It wasn't too far to walk, but I think it made an impression on the kids.

Today around the dinner table we talked about ways we as a family could "save the earth". We came up with a top 10 list of things we could do to help the earth! The kids got pretty creative!

1. Don't drive a car.
2. Don't throw food on the floor (Lana's favorite).
3. Don't hit the earth with an ax (Luke's favorite).
4. Pick up litter.
5. Plant a tree.
6. Turn off lights.
7. Use rechargeable batteries (Matt's favorite).
8. Use garbage for something else - like a tin can or bottle (Asha's favorite).
9. Help the earth not to quake.
10. Shop at Value Village (My all time favorite)!!

I'm convicted to do more and take more responsibility! God did make a pretty amazing earth!

When I grow up...................

Last night at the dinner table Matt and I were asking the kids what they wanted to be when they grow up. I thought their responses were so cute I had to publish them.

Asha, "When I grow up I want to be a ballet teacher."

Lana, "When I grow up I want to be a Mom and a Princess." (Can you be both?)

Luke, "When I grow up I want to be a camper driver, or an oil truck driver, or a garbage truck driver, or a bus driver........." (You get the picture).

Jeffrey, "I want to be Bob the Builder." (well...he kind of said that)

May all their dreams come true! =)

April Snow Brings May Flowers?!?!

April 18, 2008, Seattle, WA
Need I say more?!
(I have the song, "Frosty the Snowman" stuck in my head!)


Check out the HUGE snowflake on Lana's nose!

Oh, I love Spring!

Here is my poor tulip!!!

Yes! The Sun!

Here are four things our kids LOVE to do on very sunny, unusually warm Spring days in Seattle. Yes, yesterday we were blessed with this type of day. We needed it!

Blow Bubbles!


Play in the Dirt!

Play Tarzan on the Swing!

Have Picnics in the Sun!

Great Date Option...

Matt and I recently discovered a free date option! Ikea! They have free childcare for one hour while you shop and walk around Ikea. The kids have lots of fun with balls, climbing toys, coloring, playing in an Ikea play kitchen, and much more. We get to slowly browse the shop, get some fun decorating ideas and maybe even purchase some fun nick nacks. Another bonus....once you pick up the kids they have really inexpensive lunch options. Ikea is really the way to go for a fun cheap (quick ) date option.

Pondering in a Coffee Shop

This morning I sat in a coffee shop pondering life and sipping a decaf vanilla nonfat latte. Across from me sat a man, and I watched him and pondered his situation as he struggled to sip his own latte. He didn't look older than 40, yet his hands shook violently - probably the cause of Parkinson's Disease. He looked like a nice man - he had kind eyes. My heart was sad for him.

I pondered a friend who recently emailed me expressing her deep sadness over the unexpected death of her cousin. It brings up even greater pain as her brother was recently killed as well. Hard times....my heart was sad for her too.

I pondered my own Mother who continues to deal with cancer. She has about three more weeks left of her chemo and radiation treatments. She is strong and continues to stay active. What after this though? Will all these treatments really remove this growth?

In the same breath......

I watched and pondered a mother who sat on the other end of the coffee shop where I was at. She was holding her new baby girl. The baby was nestled on her mother's shoulder. She was content, peaceful and warmed by her mother. It was a beautiful sight. The mother had a glow about her. You could tell she was proud of her new bundle. I pondered how much I love babies!

I pondered a situation closer to home. My husband was recently struggling with digestive issues. After several tests the doctors didn't discover anything wrong. What a relief - a burden lifted. Even my husband seems lighter and is feeling better.

I pondered my friend who can not conceive any children. Soon her and her husband will bring home a baby boy who doesn't have a home or anyone to love him. Soon he will be filled with love and their arms will be full!

I'm thankful for times to sit and ponder..... to be in a bubble of thoughts.