Fall in Eugene!

This summer was the hottest summer that we've experienced in Eugene since we moved here 14 years ago. We always get a couple weeks of upper 90's and a couple triple digit scorchers, but for the most part we have mid and upper 80 degree weather. Not this summer though. Instead we had week after week of upper 90's...well into September. That hot weather was not going out without a fight, but suddenly our temperatures have dipped and today the rain for the next nine months has come upon us. It's definitely fall in Eugene!

This is my favorite view of our neighborhood in the Spring and Fall. Those trees drop beautiful pink flower blossoms in the spring, and a ton of beautifully colored leaves in the Fall.

Here's Justin helping with the groceries. He grabbed my slippers in his hurry outside. They were the closest to the door. Notice him ducking from the rain?

 These are my transitional season nails. I really loved how Dollie got the shape right. They are more true to my natural nails then ever! 💙💚💛

Rhino Man

Justin is a joy. There is no other way to describe him. 

From the moment he entered this world (my first and only cesarean) he batted those long curly lashes and my heart strings started twirling around his little finger with so many layers that they will never break free. 

He is the child that doesn't ask for much. He is considerate and kind. Polite and sincere. His prayers are like an angel speaking to the Lord, so thoughtful and genuine.

Yet he is fun and silly too.

With a witty sense of humor that can't be imitated or contrived, it's just real.

So when he put this helicopter seed from our maple tree in the backyard on his nose, I just purely enjoyed it...and had to get some pictures of what became Rhino Man.
Children grow up too fast.
This life is such a blink...
I'm grateful for pictures that capture special moments.

Spring is Working Out

Sooo...I starting working out again this week. 

Yep.

 It's been a good thing. I really started back at the gym 2 weeks ago,

 but then it threw me off when I got sick. 

I was miserable. 

 Being sick + exercising= greater misery. 

Trust me, it was better just to rest it off. I found a health coach to back up my equation. 

So I waited it out. I stayed home. Rested. Worked on projects. Caught up on housework. Slept as much as possible. 

Now I'm back to the grind again. 

I've gotta say it feels great. But I'm sore. In all the right places. And now I'm tired again. I'm sure it will get better once the clouds disappear. 

On a happier note, my daffodils are up and smiling at me each time I look through the kitchen window. 

They literally look like they are waving at me each time I take a peek out there.

Then there's this planter by the front door where we have smaller daffodils that smile happily and seem to say "hello, and welcome!" each time we come home. 

I swear they have smiles on their cute little daffodilic (don't look it up, it's a word) faces. The ground hog saw his shadow, so the story goes. 

So guess what? 

That's why my daffodils are cheering me up these days. 

Thank you Spring!!

Tying Shoes

I have to admit that I feel like there are a few marked events in life that determine your sucess as a parent. One of them being teaching your children how to tie their own shoes. My goal of having them learn how to do this by the time they are five came to be when Bryon's kindergarten teacher listed this as one of the homework assignments before they finished the year.

I'd like to have a great excuse for not having taught Alyssa how to do this before the time she was five. But I don't. I guess things have just gotten away from me. I will confess though, that if I had, I would not have experienced the amazing blessing of seeing my children teaching each other. I think this is a great accomplishment than if I had taught them myself.

Just after Justin taught Alyssa, she turned around and taught Amy. Is there any greater joy than watching your children teach, learn, and work together? One of those simple joys of life!

Back to the Basics

As much as I love doing what I do (eg- refinishing furniture, creating, sewing and making things for my retail space) I have found lately that I'm just so overwhelmed so much of the time. I have thought often about quiting my Shelstring blog, and have been told time and again that I shouldn't. 

As I've been experiencing so many challenges in completing things, meeting deadlines, and trying to run my home and enjoy my children, 

I've found it impossible to do. Especially the enjoying party. I haven't been enjoying much of anything lately. I have been really troubled by this and doing a lot of praying and soul searching. I've known for quite some time that I need to simplify my life more. 

That it is okay to enjoy doing things I love, 

but having all the deadlines of contributor posts and product commitments is too much for me right now. So with all of this I have decided to get back to the basics. 

To focus on what matters most to me. 

My family. Writing to think through things is also therapudic for me. 

I tend to really sort things through when I share how I feel and what I'm thinking. 

This is the first blog I ever started. The most important one for me as well. Now I'm going to try to get back to the basics 

and have decided to start enjoying things day to day like I used to...

before it all got so crazy and out of control. 

My now daily life. There is so much I've missed sharing about. 

It will be good to catch up. 

 It feels good to be back!

 

Do I Have Something In My Mustache?

The other day Jeremy and I found these mustache tattoos at the Dollar Tree. It was something we couldn't resist! One package was enough for 6 people, so since Justin fell asleep before the kids got them out, Steve was a great sport and applied one too. Now I know what he would look like with a mustache, never thought I'd see the day! 

I think we have a lot of performers in the family. 

Aren't they fun?!

*Funny Face*

**WARNING: the tattoos are hard to remove. 

Amy went to church with black spots on her upper lip. People were probably wondering why her mother didn't clean her face. (hahaha!)

Gift from Heaven

It's so important to talk to other moms. To know that you aren't alone in your experiences. Throughout the years of being a mom there are constant cycles that seem to keep flowing through, whether you like them or not. There are the times when life is busy, and then it's okay, then it's slow, then all of a sudden it's busy again. During these times we can get so burned out and yes, even a touch of depression. But what I'm finding is that no matter what, we aren't alone. Not only is there the Savior that understands, and yes we can receive strength and comfort by knowing this, 

photo found HERE

but also, he comforts us by other people.

It's not by accident that there are different prominent people in your life at different times. How thankful I am that the Lord is mindful of us and knows who we need, when we need them. Often times, if it were up to us, we wouldn't know who these people might be. It is a comforting thing to know that even when you are feeling low, you can always know that others are experiencing those same feelings. 

                                                       Photo found HERE
I'm grateful to have found so many wonderful people in my life. It is the blessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ has given to me...and many other moms like me. 

We could use some Sunshine!

Growing up I was taught to love the rain. After reading my Grammy's life story, I understood where it all started. Her love for the rain rubbed off on my Mom and then on us children. There was never anything more thrilling to me than a good lightning and thunder storm. Being raised where I was, this was always a rare delight. The smells of the promise of moisture in the air and the promise of wet on a thirsty earth, was truly something exciting and enjoyable. I have memories of sitting on our covered porch swing, watching the storm and loving every minute. Though I have wonderful memories of the rain, I haven't always loved it so much living in Eugene. In a place that rains more often than sun is shone has brought about a brand new perspective on my view of the rain. It can get so heavy and foggy and go on for so many days in a row, that people actually have to take supplemental vitamin D to make up for the loss of what being in the sunshine offers. If you aren't careful and have your days planned out, it can get rather dreary and difficult to keep your spirits up.

This is one of those days. The rain has been coming down since I became aware that it was morning and the house was still dark. My dismal day all started at 1:30 in the morning when I woke to 3 children sandwiching me in bed and my husband having been called in to work late and working till then. By 3:30 and two hours of no success in finding any rest, I got up, did the dishes, caught up on laundry, including ironing, and mending as well...something that isn't common to get to around here. When time for the older children to go to school rolled around, I found myself ready for a nap. That wasn't very successful either. How do you pass the time when you know you have all your younger children out of school for the day, and know that they will demand things and want you to help them with every blessed thing they need throughout the day, while you are left without any energy? I have none. It makes me feel like the worst person in the world.

(Photo found here) 

 So although I do love a good summer desert rain, I could use a LOT more 

SUNSHINE! 

Notable Firsts!

In the last year, Justin has reached a few milestones! These are so exciting to us, I thought we'd share. His brothers taught him how to blow bubbles with bubble gum. Here is the bubble he blew today:

 Last week he lost his first tooth. Wow, what a cutie! He enjoyed the money from the tooth fairy. :)

 And just a couple months ago, Jeremy taught him how to ride his bike without training wheels...yes he's wearing his pajama bottoms. (I'll give you a reward if you can get him to get dressed every day-I'm mean, other than PJs!)

                      And now, he is learning to tie is shoe. Is there anything stopping this boy?!

I hope not ;)

Welcome Spring!

Before we went to Utah for Spring Break, we had the privilege of attending an Easter program Alyssa was in at her preschool. She did a wonderful job, especially considering the fact that the subject she hates most of all in school is music. 

(Which is funny since she is such a performer!)

It's so refreshing having her in a Christian based preschool since they have "Easter" and "Christmas" programs, and still call them by their appropriate names instead of "Spring Break" and "Winter Break". It's also wonderful to hear them sing songs that praise the very reason they exist...the Savior. 

We love the programs at the school because they are not long and drug out either, more suitable for the attention span of the children...

and their parents. ;)

Alyssa and Amy were so excited to wear their new Easter dresses before Easter too! They were given these beautiful flowers from their teachers and friends. 

Aren't they little princesses?!

Traditionally after a performance they have cookies and punch while socializing. The children look forward to this part of the occassion.

hello sweetie! *kisses*

We absolutely ADORE Alyssa's teacher, Ms. Claudia. She was Justin's preschool teacher too, and will hopefully be Amy's someday. She's absolutely WONDERFUL!! 

Welcome, Spring!