Off for a wonderful weekend...

I'm just leaving a quicky post. Oh okay, you got me, they're all pretty quick. I thought maybe with all the pictures no one would notice:)

Anyhoo....my sil, myself, a friend and her friend are all heading out on a hunting exposition. We are hunting wild coats, and shoes, and jeans and hope to return with a catch to last us the whole winter through.

I'm so excited about this girls trip! It's funny whenever I go on these things though. I never have time to do all the things I planned to do for me. I wanted to get my hair cut and tweeze my eye browns. You know so I look like a human rather than a mom. I actually don't even think about it much until I'm actually out on my own, no kids in tow.

Seriously, how do those women do it?! You know who I'm talking about those ones in the mall with their high healed boots and skinny jeans, highlights all in place, nails & eyebrows all done. Some of them even have kids which amazes me even more! You know those ones we all look at and think mean things about ("I bet she's not really happy...") because secretly we're green with envy!

So I'm not one of those AND I won't have my kids with me. I'll just be one of the unwashed masses, bad hair, slight roots, hint of a mono-brow... shopping the outlets with my buds.

And I CAN'T wait!! Wish us luck on our hunting and gathering trip!
See y'all after the weekend.

Oh and check out Kristen's blog while I'm gone. She made the trek with us last year and it won't be the same with out her. Miss ya Kris!

Waking up...

I woke up this morning, stretched and glanced over the sleeping three year old who had come in sometime in the night to see that it was...7:50!!! What?! Then I remembered that really we have no where to be yet today, so I rolled back over and enjoyed waking up.

These are the mornings that make me love homeschooling. Levi does have a class at 12:00 and my sil and I usually run (I will probably just hit the treadmill today) but today we can take our time waking up, getting going. Even the dog slept in.

I think I'll go have a leisurely morning coffee before I officially get started.....

I'll try this again...

This whole blogging everyday is harder than it looks. (I can't even seem to do it every day so how would I know right?!)

I'm casting my mind around for something...funny...sweet...profound...There are so many images and thoughts in my mind and heart simultaneously. How do I process all this stuff and stay on track? Maybe I can use this excuse for my lack of any visible forward motion on most days:)

I'm noticing more and more that I am completely motivated by connection with other people. I almost crave it. Both in my off and online life.

I read all my comments and visit their blogs. I have to admit to checking daily to see if anyone else has left a note. How sad am I?! It makes me feel like I'm not just whistling in the dark somehow. I'm not sure if all this counts as "real" but thanks to all of you who are reading and to everyone who's leaving a note:) You are making my day!

Check out what we got yesterday! The kids were thrilled and couldn't wait to get out there!

We live on the west coast so when we get snow it doesn't stay long. What a fun way to "jump" on the tramp!

Dogs and kids and other great pleasures...

I'm not sure who said this but I keep running into it so I thought I should share it with you. It was on the white board at the local pool on Friday, of all places.

"Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live everyday as if it were your last."

I am struck at how little my life looks like this. I don't "live out loud" in anyway that I can see. I don't think this was always true of me but I learned at a really young age that being expressive was not safe or acceptable.

I watch my oldest daughter and think that she has not learned this lesson and I'm glad. Maybe I haven't passed my fears onto her? She is all personality and it's wonderful to watch. No one says "Maddy? Hmmm. Which one is she?" People say things like, "Oh you're Maddy's mommy!" lol. I love her spirit!


And her younger sister is right on her heals. The two of them are a force to be contended with. My desire for them is that they grow up being able to fully be who God has created them to be. Without self consciousness!



My sister-in-law and I took our younger kids and our dogs on a big long walk yesterday. It was a blast and the kids did great! Amelia snapped a photo of us. How great is the light in this one?!




I love watching son #2 when he's the oldest or the only boy. He's really wonderful and truly shines.


I'm humbled and kind of freaked that I've been entrusted with these kids! CRAZY!

poop on the deck and other strange things...

Saturdays are a bit crazy for us and I know I add to it but I feel like I need to be selfish in this one area. Saturday mornings I run 10 K with my sil and her sil. I'm pretty proud of myself actually as I pretty much never stick to what I've started. I'm an amazingly fabulous starter, one of the very best, but finishing...not so good. So when we started weight watchers last January I knew I could loose the weight and probably keep it off more or less BUT I never thought I'd still be running. We run in the rain, in the frost, in the fog and even in a wind storm (once and probably never again - sorry Ange!) I don't just run. I'm kinda sorta an actual runner - weird!

Anyway, Saturdays are soccer day. It starts early with Maddy at 10:30, Levi at 11:30 and Isaac at 12:30...yup crazy! So if I DID NOT run it would really make things easier but then I wouldn't get to run. And I love it! Or maybe I just love to eat so...I love to run so I can eat and not gain...whatever, same thing!

I love my hubby though, he is happy to do whatever he needs to do so that I can indulge in my fav pasttime! Love ya babe!

What Friday already???

My plan was to write every day. Opps, I didn't even make it every other day - YIKES! Good I don't work for a paper or anything.
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I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head and none of them are really that interesting or witty or even worth writing. Maybe that's more why I haven't written since Tuesday? BUSTED!

I came across a quote in a book I'm reading that really impacted me. I keep sitting down to read it and start at that same line. I'm pretty dense, maybe I need the reminder.

"Now - listen carefully. Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling - don't try to feel forgiving. It is and act of the will."
From Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge

It's strange that this line would hit me so hard because I don't actually have trouble forgiving people. Anyway, thought I'd share it.
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We meet with a group of people from our church ever second week. It's a great idea actually because these are mostly not people we'd ever really get to know in any other way. We have dinner together as families, do a short bible study together, and pray for one another. It's good but I feel like it's so hard to really get to know each other. That we're always kind of staring out at each other from behind our windows.

It has sort of lead me lately to think about community and connection with other people. How do we form communities? Do they really matter (I think they do)? Why do I never feel like I truly know people or that they know me? Do we ever actually let people in to "know" us? I am shocked and humbled by the blogs I read sometimes. They are so raw and real. People really letting you into their heart of hearts. Is this just something that's easier to do in the anonymity of the blogosphere?

These are my random thoughts for today. No pictures or witty repartee from me:) Chat among yourselves.

not every day but...better than before...

I'm trying something new...being consistent. I know, crazy right?!
Okay so only in the areas of reading my bible and writing in my blog.

Where are my priorities?

Here's were I should be consistent if I was a "good" wife/mum

1. laundry. Everyday and folding it! I know you laundry people don't always fold. It only counts if it's folded and in the drawer! (mine NEVER counts!)
2. schooling with my kids. I am a homeschooler and not one of those poster child ones either. I'm the, rather bake, read, run, watch cool movies kind of homeschooler. I feel exactly how the kids do about their school work (shhhhh don't tell them!)
3. vacuuming. HATE IT! and now we have a dog, enough said!

I do have one thing that I have managed to do on a regular basis, for a whole year. Yes, I am as surprised about it as everyone else!

RUN!

I run at least 3 times a week. For 11 Km. Rain, shine, wind storm (almost killed by a falling branch, very exciting!) and cold.

LOVE IT!

Love how I feel after I run.

Love that I am actually capable of doing something consistently. Who knew?!

Here are my running peeps! We may have had a couple of glasses of wine at the time....