enjoying the process » loving the journey, not just the destination

Fast Friends.

We met Shay & Bethany way back in 2003…ish. Hallie recommended Bethany as a babysitter for us when we just had Cade & Canyon. I can’t even remember having only 2 kids. What did I do with all my time? I remember being overwhelmed then. It was overwhelming- anything more than you’re used to is overwhelming. Over the years we got to know Shay & Bethany more, we really enjoyed their company and one day they got married. There’s a LONG, crazy story about the drive to their wedding in Yakama with Shay’s guitar and 2 kids with double ear infections throwing up in the back of the car- had to go to the farm worker’s clinic for drugs, yadda yadda kinda story…  Bethany came to work for us somewhere in there and let’s just say- she’s the best.  All around- the best. Nice, funny, cute, Godly(probably should have led with that one), and now she’s a mommy. I’m so happy for these two. It was fun to watch them with their little guy on Friday night. They are smitten.

Here’s his cute face.  Look at those BLUE eyes! His name is Titus which I LOVE. Keagan calls him “tidy.”

Chloe’s playin’ it real cool in this photo. Acting like she’s not interested. They learn so young.

In other news… I finished up my 3rd novel for the summer. Usually during the summer I like to read classics. So far I’ve read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath , In This Our Life by Ellen Glasgow, and just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I love reading, but I always miss the characters once I close the book. Jem & Scout became my closest friends and now that they’re gone, I really miss them. I wish I knew what happened to them after that last night. And can I just say, I wish there were more men in the world like Atticus Finch? Of course, if you haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird, you’ll have no idea what I’m talking about. But (not to tell you what to do) you really should read it. This is my 3rd time through it & I’ve enjoyed it more with each reading. Probably because I’ve matured a little since my last reading-  no funny comments mom! I just know she’ll finally chime in with a comment like, “matured? Are you sure?” 🙂
Speaking of my mother… her birthday is coming soon. I’ll leave with a little “sneak peek” of what may or may not be (part of)  her birthday present:)

July 19, 2010 - 2:56 am

Bethany - Fun photos! Even more fun hanging out with you guys. Thanks again for dinner and so glad Hallie introduced us.

July 19, 2010 - 12:05 pm

Shaycam - Dig it. Glad we’re friends 🙂

July 20, 2010 - 12:38 am

Hallie - What can I say I network. You are totally stirring up a boo radley moment in my heart!

July 20, 2010 - 11:55 am

emily - It’s worth another read- what a gem of a book! (Get it “Gem” = Jem?)I’m a dork. I know.

July 21, 2010 - 12:50 pm

Kate - I read Bell Jar last month. That was an interesting book. Afterward I read about her real life and the two stories are intertwined in my head now.

July 27, 2010 - 12:03 am

Jen Rodin - I agree with you about Atticus Finch, his character is an amazing man. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite movies. A few years ago I read the book for the first time and I really enjoyed it.

A month in photos.

We are having a BLAST this summer. I was determined to enjoy every minute this summer & not let it pass us by. It feels like we’ve been on summer break for a LONG time. We’ve been to the beach several times, the pool almost every day, VBS (which feels like it lasted a month- that’s a good thing), playdates, coffee dates, spa days, breakfast dates, Thursday night dates with James, LOTS AND LOTS of summer reading (I’m on my 3rd novel, 3rd non-fiction, the kids have read so many books I can’t keep up and we’re on our 4th read aloud), park nights, friends over for dinner, 4th of July party…. you name it! We are having FUN this summer. I love it.  But I have to admit, I’m REALLY excited for school to start up again. I still get giddy looking at new school books and school supplies. Okay- on with the photos. Sorry about all the blah. blah. blah.

This little girl is 7 months old if you can believe it.  She’s just now starting to eat cereal and some veggies. It took her a LONG time to figure out the spoon. But now she’s got it & she’s gettin’ a little chunky, I’m not gonna lie.  I like it.

We went to see Toy Story 3 with Papa when it first came out. Have I mentioned how obsessed Keagan is with “Ight Ear”  (Lightyear).  He FREAKS OUT anytime we see anything with Buzz or Woody or any Toy Story character for that matter. He calls Woody, “Woo-Tee”  It’s super cute.

VBS this year was a “HERO” theme. The kids had a blast.. It was my 1st year NOT helping with VBS. I kinda missed it, but it was nice to hang out with Keagan and Chloe for a few hours.

We had the 4th of July party at our house this year & we were able to skype with the Worsleys. It was bitter-sweet. We’ve always spent the major holidays with them 🙁
I miss them so much it makes me cry 🙁  So let’s move on..

Want a fun way to hang out with friends & not have to clean dishes afterward?  Grab dinner & take it to the park. The adults get to talk while the kids play- everyone is happy! No cooking or cleaning involved- win/ win.

Just because I think he’s really cute. And he’s one of the nicest boys I know.

Gavin & Christine at the beach. It was a little chilly on the 5th of July. Still fun.

James took Jaden & Cade on a mountain bike ride across the dam and down the mountain. Their faces were BRIGHT RED when they came home. This is the “before” shot- still happy, no red faces 🙂

July 15, 2010 - 11:46 am

Hallie - I love that one of Cade. When you left yesterday Pearson said, “Caedmon is so smart, and always makes good decisions.”

July 15, 2010 - 7:31 pm

emily - Pearson’s pretty smart himself and SUCH a people-person. I wonder where he gets that??

A Date with Kennedy.

I love this girl so much.  Last week she asked me, “mom? when can we have a date again?”  So I promptly told James I’d like to have some time with her & we went out for lunch the very next day. She chose Starbucks (girl after my own heart).  She dressed in the outfit she knows I love (gray & Yellow, of course) and we set out for our “date.”  On the way she said, “Cade left his wallet in the car” as she eyed it on the floor in front of her.  I said, “Should we take his money & buy our lunch with it?”  She very seriously said, “No mom. One of the Ten Commandments says that we are not supposed to steal. We have to obey God.”   And that is Kennedy. She loves God already. She wants to obey Him and she loves to learn His truth. You don’t know (or maybe you do) how it warms my heart to the very core to hear her say things like this. I pray her heart will always be as soft to His Truth as it is right now. It’s such a beautiful thing to see and such a testimony to me. I ♥ you, Kennedy.

July 10, 2010 - 2:27 am

Hallie - I didn’t know Kennedy wore glasses 😉 I love her soft heart. And her keen fashion sense!

July 10, 2010 - 5:51 pm

Bethany - Kennedy looks so grown up with her new glasses. So glad you got to have girl time. 🙂

July 10, 2010 - 6:12 pm

emily - Those are actually my glasses. I took them off for a second and she snatched them 🙂

Chloe’s Room.

Slowly, Slowly it’s coming along. Things don’t happen quickly around here anymore. It takes a while to accomplish most things, as I’m sure you can imagine.  I’ve had certain things on my list that just get crossed off because it’s been so long I’ve changed my mind about it… does that happen to anyone else?  But, decorating her room is FUN so there’s added incentive. Just a few more finishing touches and it will be complete.
I’ll start with a picture of Chloe in case you’ve forgotten what she looks like 🙂

Next up: this is the bedding that Sandy made for me. If you have any sewing projects, she’s the one for you! Email me & I’ll get you in touch with her! She did a WONDERFUL job. Chloe & I both love it!


This is the photo mobile I made for her. She was really tired of looking at the freaky jungle animals. She told me.


This is Chloe in her crib. She likes it a lot.

And this is the quilt that Beppe (grandma) made for her. It is absolutely beautiful. A treasure she will have her entire life.  I’m so thankful to have so many talented friends and family members. Chloe is thankful, too. She told me.

June 27, 2010 - 1:39 am

sara - The photo mobile is awesome. I adore it. It beats scary animals by far. 🙂 I forget, when was it you were coming to help decorate my house?? I can’t remember; it’s totally slipped my mind…. 🙂

June 29, 2010 - 8:27 am

jenny - That little girl is such a doll. Wow. What is so special about California, again? You could live here, you know!

June 30, 2010 - 12:54 am

Hallie - Me. I’m special about California.

June 30, 2010 - 5:32 am

Julie Long - It’s all so sweet Emily! She’s getting so big 🙂

July 1, 2010 - 10:14 am

jenny - You could live here, too. There’s room. Just find a holler and settle in.

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