One of my favorite things

Since having my second child, one of my favorite things is seeing, watching, and hearing my two girls interact together. It started with Abbey holding her baby sister, then the smiles to each other, the giggles, and now they play together, chase each other around, read together, dance together, push their dollies side by side in strollers outside...They really do love each other. It is so fun to see. Ella asks for "Abbey Abbey Abbey" when Abbey is not home, and Abbey has given Ella some funny nicknames...sometimes she just calls her "joy" which is her middle name, or "little sockee (sounds Native American to me!)", "little wudgy". Soooo funny! And, of course there are the many moments each day they make each other mad or cry. Ella has even started to go sit by Abbey when she is in a time out!

More often than not though, these good times shine through and make me so happy! Being surrounded with many wonderful women in my life - four sisters, three wonderful sister in laws, the most amazing group of girlfriends, and my mom and mom in law, I know how important, wonderful, fulfilling and precious the bond is between "sisters" - in whatever form they come in.

I pray that the bond my girls are forming in these early years of their lives will last a lifetime and that it would be so strong that nothing could ever separate them as sisters and as friends. I pray that they would always be close and quick to forgive each other. I am so excited to see them grow up together and to see what God has in store for them. I love these kiddos with all of my heart!

These pictures were taken a couple weeks ago...one weeknight...Abbey reading to Ella. Ella was so attentive and Abbey so serious. It was really sweet!

Ramblings.....

I'm copying this entry layout from my cousin Kristy, and ultimately Tiffiny. Hope you girls don't mind!

Tuesday with Kyrsten...

I'm thankful for: Today I'm thankful for my kids. I'm enjoying them today!

What I'm listening to: Ni Hao Kai Lan - Abbey's cartoon :)

What's for dinner tonight: Roast with potatoes and veggies

What's happening this week: Preschool for Abbey, playdate with an old friend, MOPS, Friday night out, Saturday mornig coffee with my friends, church, and hopefully I'll be attending a Haiti benefit concert Sunday night. A SUPER busy week!

What I'm missing: My friend Natasha

I know I didn't post last month, what a month it was. January wasn't really a good start to the new year. Lot's of tragic things happened causing heart ache for many people I know, including myself but more importantly one of my best friends and her family.

On January 12th, my good friend Natasha lost her 5 and a half month old sweet baby boy Case to SIDS. What a sudden, heartbreaking tradgedy. When I heard that something was wrong I spent the rest of the day praying...please God, please don't let Natasha lose Case, heal him, make him better. When I found out he didn't make it, of course I was in shock. "Lord, this isn't what I have been praying for all day...WHY??" "How in the world can this be part of your "perfect" plan?" "How are Natasha, Reese and Lane going to get through this?" "Why, why, why?"

My heart was broken in a million pieces. I cried for days for my friend who must have been enduring the worst pain ever. I can't think of anything harder than losing a baby, a sweet child whom you have grown to love so much, who is a part of you and your family. It is every parent's worst nightmare. Natasha lives down in San Diego so I felt so helpless being far away. I just wanted to be able to hug my friend, cry with her, and just be with her.

I referred back to the book of Job in the Bible which deals with the issue of human suffering. I have read it years ago and decided it was time again. I was reminded that God doesn't mind our questions...it's okay to ask "why?" however we may not ever receive a response. God doesn't have to answer us. He wants us to trust that He has the perfect plan for our lives and that "everything works for good for those who believe in the Lord". He doesn't mind our questions, but He does not want us losing our faith our doubting Him. That is sin. I believe that God allows trials or down times in our lives in order to test our faith and prove faithful to Him. I know that we will be blessed if we remain strong and trust in the Lord. Job lost everything in his life - his children, animals, land, wealth, etc....but was blessed later for trusting God. It is during these times when we are on our knees that God wants us to turn to Him more than anything. He will carry us through the pain and days, months and years ahead.

Now, these truths I know in my head and my heart, but I am human and I still feel heartbroken, sad, and overwhelming grief. I believe God when he PROMISES "For I know the plans I have for you...They are plans for GOOD, NOT for DISASTER, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE. In those days when you pray I will listen. If you look for me in earnest you will find me when you seek me." Jeremiah 29:11-13. Knowing this does not take the immediate, raw pain away, but it DOES get me through. Gives me hope to hold on to, strength to get up in the morning and face each day and in time, eases the pain. God grieves with us, hears our prayers, knows our needs and will get us through if we trust Him.

I've read a book titled "I will meet you in Heaven." God promises that in Heaven we will be "in an era where we will know and be known". We will know our loved ones and they will know us. How awesome! This I know...because of her faith, Natasha will see Case again. This is NOT the end. She will get to hold him forever in heaven, for ETERNITY. I can not even grasp that! Case is in Heaven now, with his grandma Karen, seeing the face of God, and watching down on Natasha, Reese and Lane. He loves them will be there to meet them. He is not sad or hurting. He is in peace with God. Thank you Lord!

It's hard to beleive that taking Natasha's baby away from her can be part of His plan for her life. What good can come of this? I don't know. There is no immediate answer. I do know that God is using Natasha and Reese's amazing faith as testimony that is touching so many people's lives. My pastor spoke about them in church referring to their amazing faith in God, what an example! People that don't even know Natasha are praying for her and her entire family, shedding tears, and being touched and changed by her story. (This is what we get for living in a small county that knows everything about everyone) I can only pray that this is reaching people that need to think about their own faith, the direction their life is taking and their relationship with God. I know that my heart has been changed by this. I CANNOT imagine how people get through tragedy and pain without having God. How hard and sad.

Natasha is a WONDERFUL mother and Reese is a great father. Case is lucky to have had them as parents. So is their 5 year old son, Lane. They are blessed to have Lane too. What a sweet boy! I was blessed to have met Case at Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the hour that I held him and he fell asleep in my arms. I will always treasure that and remember his babbling, smiles and chubby legs. They were bare and I just got to snuggle him and rub those sweet thighs! I am thankful for the few hours that I got to spend with Natasha and the rest of my girlfriends while she was here for the funeral. I treasure our coffee, conversation and friendship so much. We are all so blessed to have girlfriends that are as close as sisters. I'm thankful for these amazing women in my life. I love you all!

As we all return to normal life, I know that Natasha, Reese and Lane are struggling. Struggling to find a new "normal". I pray EVERY day for my friends, praying that they will feel God's peace and love for them. I pray that God would give them strength and courage to face each new day with hearts that are open to Him. I pray that God would fill Tasha's "empty arms". I pray that everyday God would ease their pain a little more but that they would hold on to their memories. Please keep praying!!!! Natasha, we love you and can't wait to see you soon!

Christmas excitement

Sampling the cookies!


Abbey's sugar cookies :)

The "shining star" at this program!

My little entertainer!

Getting ready for her church program

Our beautiful new Pottery Barn stockings!

Pretty girls

Reindeer Abbey

Abbey and cousin Koltin at the lighted parade

My family

It was so cold!

Abbey and Daddy found the perfect tree!

Daddy and Ella at the lighted parade.

It's been a while since I have posted, so here are a bunch of pictures of our family and our Christmas festivities so far. Getting our tree, our new stockings, making sugar cookies and Abbey's church Christmas program. It's been busy, and so fun! I love this time of year and am soaking it all in. I'm enjoying Abbey really understanding the meaning of Christmas this year, clelbrating Jesus' birthday and singing her Christmas songs. She is precious...I love hearing her answer first in Sunday School all of the right answers of the Christmas story...she could recite it to you all. Both girls are loving receiving Christmas cards, eating all of the yummy treats, driving around the neighborhood looking at lights, playing with the tree and helping me wrap presents. They are so fun and so often remind me of what life is all about. Thank you Jesus! Merry Christmas to you all!

Viva Las Vegas

World's largest chocolate fountain :)

Our hotel

On the strip

Like my bowling outfit?

All the guys and their buckles....plus Mel :)

Bill and Duane showing off their new belt buckles....such dorks! :

The ladies...me, Melanie and Kim

Us in our Limo ride to dinner one night.

The "self" pic :)

Dinner at Koi - fabulous!

In November, Duane and I had a four day getaway to Vegas and had so much fun! We went with two other couples and had a great few days filled with "adult" time :) We enjoyed fancy dinners, drinks, playing craps and poker, walking the strip, visiting "old town", naps in the middle of the afternoon, golf, shopping, massage, baths in a big soaker tub and alone time. As fun and crazy Vegas can be, I had no trouble relaxing and pampering myself. I came home relaxed and refreshed...Thanks to our parents for watching our girls for us so we could do this. Here are just some of our pictures...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

On October 26th, Duane and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary! Can you believe it?! I feel like I should be way older than I actually am. At least 30, right??!

Seriously, the time has gone so fast and just continues to go faster every year. This year we celebrated at home because the girls were sick, but I got these flowers delivered to my door at lunch time - aren't they gorgeous?! Duane specified to have a lot of lilies because they're my favorite :)

We are so happy together and are thankful for how God has worked in our lives. He has been faithful to us, and has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined as we started out eight years ago. ( 10, I should say :)) We have our two beautiful daughters, great careers, a nice home, our health, the best family and friends...what more could we ask for? Life is good - we love ours and what we have created together! Looking forward to many, many more years together.....

Falling into Fall

Abbey turns four!

Future Seahawk fans!

Abbey's preschool class

Our family, plus Tori :)

Me and the girls

Ella had so much fun too!

Luce's pumpkin patch

She had to choose just one!

Abbey and Tori waiting for the hay ride

Abbey's first day of preschool :)

Go Seahawks!

Making the applesauce, what a project!

Trish, Tam and me - sister in laws

Just call me Betty Crocker :)

Fall is definitely in the air around here and with it come the fall decorations, pumpkins, pumpkin spice and eggnog lattes, candycorn, apples, football, start of school, and many birthdays for our family. I love it! Summer and Fall are my favorite seasons so I love the transition.

In September my inlaws brought six boxes of apples over from eastern washington, and together with my mother in law and two sister in laws, we made 54 quarts of applesauce! It is the best -nothing beats a bowl of warmed up homemade applesauce any time of the day! We each got 19 jars...we'll see how long they last!

Abbey started her first year of preschool in September. So far she is LOVING it! I have enjoyed seeing her be challenged more and making new friends. Her school is a Christian preschool where they work on different "character traits" each month in addition to the normal academic activites. For example, September was sharing and October is responsibility, etc. They memorize a Bible verse associated with each and we work on the definition at home. It's great, Abbey is doing well with this and is always proud to show us when she has been using her skill...she is always quick to point it out! She has had "pajama" day at school, and today we visited a pumpkin patch. Lot's of fun! I look forward every day to see what new craft or work she will bring home. It is sure exciting to experience with her.

We also celebrated Abbey's 4th birthday on Oct. 3rd. My sweet girl is growing up! Can't believe how fast four years has gone by....She had a fun day (I should say week) spent with family and friends. Thanks to all who celebrated with us! She is still talking about it!

Oh, and what would fall be without football in our house? You will find Duane on the couch with football on Saturday afternoons, ALL day on Sundays and Monday nights until February! Go Seahawks and Huskies!

We are looking forward to pumpkin carving this weekend, Halloween next and enjoying lazy days in between.

HAPPY FALL!

Summer Happenings

Daddy and Abbey swimming

Me and my girls

This was the theme of the week - as little clothes as possible!

Sweet little baby

My pretty Abbey

Sweet sisters - love those little buns!!

Our family

My 4th of July baby

Happy Birthday sweet Ella!

Opening gifts

She loved the cake!

Digging in!

Me, Anya, and Hannah

7 miles later

We did it!! YAY!

My mom, cousin Ana, and Abbey at the fair

Abbey at swim lessons

Us at Ty and Alisha's wedding

Karen and me :)

At Semiahmoo - Duane making fun of my height :)

Naked baby!

Miss Abbey

Loving the water

Tide pools at Clayton Beach

Clayton Beach

Spaghetti Night!

MMMMMMM......

Silly baby!

Lara and me running the Bham 15K in September - what a beautiful day it was!

Okay, I am the WORST blogger ever! I'm such a slacker! Between keeping up my Facebook (priorities :)), and business of life, I have neglected this thing. But, I'm wanting to change that...from now on I vow to post at least once a month, just for the sake of updating. I LOVE reading all of my friends blogs...you all are so talented and creative, I just love catching up on your lives and I want to do the same.


So, our summer was awesome! We had a lot of fun times this year. I love fall, but I am having a hard time letting go of this summer. Besides the AMAZING weather we had this year, we got to enjoy Mariners games, two trips over to my in laws property in Eastern Washington, a week of camping at Lake Chelan, Ella's FIRST birthday, two sessions of swim lessons for Abbey, afternoons of playing in the kiddy pool and sprinkler, the NW fair and just hanging around. I also ran in my first two races and plan to keep on going. I just love it!


What a fun season it has been! As always, I take WAY too many pictures to post, so here are some just quickly highlighting our summer.