Dad's Birthday

Because Steve was out of town until late for his birthday this year, we decided to surprise him by hanging balloons over his bed and a sign to wish him the best birthday ever!

                      We then celebrated the next night (Friday) with ice cream and his favorite cake.

We learned that 46 candles is A LOT of fire on a cake!

(I love this picture because of the lap full of love. Look at the way Amy is looking at her Daddy. This image is so typical of how she feels about him.)

The celebration was sweet, but I think we left the fire on the candles a little too long...

        judging by the immense amount of smoke that lingered in the room, and the of wax left on the cake...

Birthdays are such a wonderful time for our family. We enjoy celebrating the life of each member so much and look forward to the continued memories that we are blessed to create through another year that their beautiful lives contribute to each one of us.

How grateful we are for THIS member of our family. The vital roll he plays and the blessings we recieve through his diligence and faithfulness.

WE LOVE YOU!

Sometimes a Mom Needs a Break

  Steve has been traveling quite a bit lately. It gets old. Fast. Missing him stinks. Having his patriarichal presence around is missed. The lack of his consistant strength is felt. And even though he's really good at making his support available no matter where he is, the simple fact is, it isn't the same as when he's home. The children ask where he is and when he'll be home and if he can help them with homework, they adjust with anything life shovels just as children typically do. So the one who is left missing the most, of course, is me...Mom. For many a month now I have expressed my desire to have just a couple days without the cares of household tasks with freedom to do what I desired, when I desire it. I suggested a couple days in a hotel room all on my own. So a few weeks ago, knowing he was going to be out of town a couple weeks in a row, Steve suggested I join him in coastal Newport for a night.

                                                                    (image found here)

 The promise of a nice quiet dinner eating seafood with a view of the water with it's crashing waves and uninteruppted time alone, was more than I could refuse. Having Friday off, the boys were content with the idea of my leaving to spend time with Dad on Thursday. I took off around 7 and left assignments with the children. Things went smooth. Dinner was nice. The view was lovely. The night with just the two of us was enjoyable. Then the morning came, and my arms ached for my babies. My voice yearned to express my delight in seeing them when they woke up. My heart felt tugs of lonliness and concern. There I was in a hotel room all on my own with the possibilities of doing whatever I desired...and all I wanted to do was race home as quickly as possible. To my life. It was important to have this experience to realize that, this is what I chose, the one I desire to live every day, and the people I'm so grateful the Lord has blessed me with to call family. But, sometimes a Mom does need a break. A time to distance herself from the life she lives in order to appreciate, from afar, what she has and know that the challenges in life are worth the effort for the blessings that come through conquering them. I'm grateful I had this opportunity. I'm content with what I chose to be...

                                                                                      ... my life.

Birthday Present from Brian Regan

In an effort to catch up on the events of the past few months, I'm going to start with the birthday gift Tyler got to go see the comedian Brian Regan here in Eugene. He graciously took Bryon and I since he knew we were dying to go (*partly since I told him he had to take us or I would probably never speak to him again, BUT, I said, "the tickets are yours and you can do what you want with them." *e-hem*.)

This is Bryon and Tyler waiting at the light to cross the street, looking more unenthusiastic than they really were, with their insanely excited mother (behind the camera).

 We got there about an hour early and enjoyed a few snacks since we were waiting to eat after the show.

 Tyler is pausing from his texting just long enough to have his picture taken. He had a friend in the theatre up in the front of the balcany. They texted while we waived.

They were a little silly for awhile, but it was a fun silly and we had a great time.

This is the dreamy look Bryon had after saying to me, "Just thinking of Bryon Regan makes me smile."

We were in STITCHES the EN-tire time. I truly got a taste of what it would be like to literally DIE laughing.

Afterwords we went to our favorite and traditional dinner spot for the three of us at Red Robin.

(we used to go there on special occassions before the other children were born.) 

It was a wonderfully memorable night!

 Last night when I knelt down to say my prayers, I noticed something on my pillow. It had been a long and productive day and I was worn out from all the running around, feeling as if there was not another thing I could make myself do, even if I willed it, short of collapsing into bed. Initially when I saw the note I thought it might be something more I needed to do, a request from or a favor for someone.  As I looked closer, I realized that it was so much more...

 sweet appreciation and expressions of love. This was a beautiful reminder to me what a simple note can do for someone. Whether it's been a long day, a difficult month, a challenging year, or even an enjoyable time in our lives, kind expressions and thoughts by someone, in any form, can lift spirits and offer encouragement. Though we may not realize it, taking a moment to show someone what we feel for them not only blesses the lives of the reciever,

but even more often, the giver.

I quickly turned around and gave gratitude through hugs and kisses to my giver.

I am so blessed!