This is what happens when your 4 year old has his own camera

Don't you want to run out and get your kid a camera?  And this is only a small portion of Henry's "collection."  I wanted to post this a long time ago, but...well...I forgot.  Grandma and Grandpa Marr got Henry a kids camera for his birthday last July and it is always a big hit at our house.  I haven't decided yet if it is very weird that Henry mostly takes pictures of himself making faces...

At least we get a good laugh out of it. :)

In Loving Memory

After 2 years fighting stomach cancer, my Grandfather passed away November 21st.  I have spent the last 2 weeks trying to decide whether or not his passing is something I should blog about.  There is no way that I could ever sum up with mere words the greatness of this man in one post and I think that is what I was conflicted over.  What I decided today though, was that I didn't have to do that. 

My Grandpa read my blog religiously.  He loved that I had my blog as a means to keep memories, which he also enjoyed.  My grandparents house is full (and I mean ceiling to floor in some places!) with pictures.  Hundreds of pictures and collages full of memories.  Family, friends, places - everywhere.  I love walking down the halls of their home because I am instantly taken back to when I was 2...9...12 (mercy, my outfits).  Times that may have seemed insignificant to me at the time, but that were so important to my Grandparents to remember.  I learned from them how important it is to "remember."  How loved all us grand kids felt because our Grandpa wanted pictures of us all over his house.  It didn't even come close to being the only way he showed us his love and devotion as our Grandfather, but it was something he really enjoyed and something us grand kids felt proud to be a part of.

I want to honor my Grandpa's tradition by being faithful in my own memory keeping - whether it's by keeping up with my blog, journaling, or hanging pictures on our walls.  I want my kids to know by these actions how much we love them - and some day, their children, along with the personal relationships my Grandpa blessed us with.

 A man of God, a humble servant, a loving father, grandfather and husband, encourager, fighter, believer, protector.  My Grandpa.  I miss you so much but I know you are celebrating with Jesus.  I can't wait to see you again.  Hallelujah!

http://obits.oregonlive.com/obituaries/oregon/obituary.aspx?n=cw-field-bill&pid=146822037

That's what uncles are good for

My brother was here for a couple days and Henry took good advantage of the play time that was offered him.  Leave it to Jeremiah to take what we usually make gentle-ish sword play into all-out-hard-core sword fighting.  This is only a small portion of their fight to the end.  As you can see, it "ended" more than once. 

My favorite part is when Henry "gets" Jeremiah, Jeremiah acts "gotten" and Henry then plops himself over like he was "gotten" too.  Little nut.

Come back soon, Jeremiah!  (and Lauren!)

It was about time

I've lived in Oregon for over 12 years now and have never gone berry picking.  Not one time.  So!  Back in September, on a rather boring but beautiful day, Jim and did some research to find a farm close by that still had berries available.  And whaddayouknow?  There's a farm just down the road and they still had raspberries and blackberries.  Henry was SO excited.  We packed up the kids and 5 minutes later, we were there. 

The first realization I had was, Holy Cow!  I've been paying a LOT of money for store bought berries!  The second realization was, Hmmm...this is a great (and fun!) time waster!  Picture me doing this with the kids all the time next summer!

Here is Jim, still smiling because he has only just put Wyatt on his back

(the kid is not a lightweight)

Ready!

And off he goes!

Henry's strategy was:

1) Pick a berry

2) Eat a berry

3) Once bucket got a teensy bit heavy, dump into Mom or Dad's

Someone ate triple his body weight in berries.  If we were not putting a berry in his mouth, he was yelling.  Loudly.  I won't share diaper stories from later on...

You turn your head for one second and someone sticks his hands in your bucket!

yum yum.

Sweet (loud) boy.

Okay, so I kind of miss his hair.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

I have to say, one of our favorite days of the year is our annual Pumpkin Patch trip. This year we got super-lucky and ended up at the patch on a rainy day.  Why lucky, you ask?  Two reasons: 1) NO ONE ELSE WAS THERE!  and 2) it only drizzled a bit in the beginning, then stopped and did I mention we pretty much had the place to ourselves?  We could take our time with everything.  No lines for the hay ride, pony rides, hay maze slide, etc, etc.  The kids all had so much fun!  Not one of them (save Kaitlyn) didn't have mud on them, but every drop of dirt was worth it.  There was once a time that I would have had a minor panic attack over being so dirty, but better mothers (the mothers that were with me) have helped me change that perspective.  It's much more fun to be dirty!

Here is our day in pictures:

The baby chicks are always a big hit

(mental note: keep chicks away from Wyatt) 

Climbing some hay

Ain't nothin' like a freshly made pumpkin donut!

One the hay ride

One of the cutest faces I've ever seen...

Does anyone know why Jim and I love this next shot so much?

Did you answer "Roy Bunch?" =D

(Okay, I might also get a chuckle about Sarah's peek-a-boo eye)

*Friends*

There is something special about knowing these kids have done this together since birth.

Carson's First Pony Ride!

Henry's First Pony Ride!

Ethan's First Pony Ride!

(but he wasn't happy about it at all)

All of us were stunned that these boys all got on horses, but as you can see, they loved it!

Wyatt

Being reminiscent of a time not too long ago when these three boys were rolly polly babies at a pumpkin patch...Holy Cow, time flies!

Afterwards, Wyatt played with the ladies.

See?  I told ya so.

Definitely a good day.  The kind of day where you are overwhelmed by your blessings in friendships and your love for so many little ones.

Can't wait for next year!

Because I'm cool like that

Just some pics of Joe Cool (aka Wyatt, aka loud one, aka screamsalot).  These pics were obviously taken a couple weeks ago, before the life-changing hair cut.  I couldn't resist posting them for the grands.  Thanks, mom, for the studly outfit!  He certainly is Mr. Flirts-a-lot...ask Jenna. ;)

Ladies...

Forever Friend

I realize that most people consider themselves blessed if they have one really good friend. You know, the kind of friend who is always there, always honest, always true. The friend who loves you for you, as cuckoo and flawed as you are. The friend that you would turn over backward for as well.  I am crazy-blessed to have four girlfriends that fit this category. FOUR. Whom I love as sisters and treasure above all earthly possessions.

Today, however, I am focusing on ONE. Because this ONE has been on my mind and heart lately. Partly because she is going through the adoption process right now, and we so badly want to meet the newest addition to their family, which really, is our family. I want to talk to her every day about what is happening, not just on legal papers, but in her heart.  Which brings me to the other reason she's been on my mind. I miss her! Even living about an hour away, I still generally get to see her a couple times a month, but if I could make that a couple times a week, I would. What has got me so teary in gratefulness to our Lord, however, is that EVEN THOUGH I don't see her weekly like I used to, and now our kids are all so busy in preschool and extra activities, and we usually have to plan a couple weeks in advance to have any kind of get-together...NOTHING CHANGES.  She is constant.  Our friendship is steadfast. 

I am thankful for her just because she is Jen.  I am also thankful for her because she has shown me the measure of a true friend.  She has been honest with me, even when it was hard.  She suffered a loss for me but let me rejoice in her gain, even though it was really hard. She is quit-witted and hilarious and I treasure our conversations and similarities.  She is a hard-working, dedicated, consistent, amazing mother, whom I have learned so much from (good stuff - all good!).  She is a beautiful person, inside and out.  She is a great listener and encourager.  She loves our Lord Jesus and has a pure heart of worship.  She is everything I hope to be in a person and friend! 

Why this sentimental post, Steph?  I don't know!  Sometimes when you've been thinking something so much, you've got to get it out there.  Blogs are a great way to celebrate something like this, because in person, there would be many tears and inadequate articulations.  This way, while there are still tears, I can think and type more clearly! 

Anyhow, I love you Jen!  If there is one particular thing I am always thankful for, it is that you asked me to come sit by you that day in rehearsal at Sleighbells.  I count that the first step to a forever friendship.