It's your birthday day all day long!

He started the day moping because he was turning 46! We spend the day celebrating with my in-laws. Hearing about Dane's childhood, everyone laughed a lot, which we all needed! 

The stories go on about his aunt losing him in the clothing rack, jealous, our nephew pouring soda onto his bed, Grandma N* falling backward off the escalator when he was a rootsy-boo, the list went on. Later, he broke out the 1950s dance moves from 8th grade and insisted I join. Dane started talking about flipping me after some crazy spin move, "Nope. I'm out!" Long story short, I made the spin move but ran away when he tried the flip. I love his blue eyes, but they look scary when he's intense or having fun.

Sam, his friend, Dane, and I walked the very cold  http://www.fantasytrail.com Negative for newts in the pond. but we did have fun chasing each other through the pirate maze.  

 

Along with good moves, Dane's a great prankster. Knowing how scary it was, he twisted me on the Tarzan swing, causing me to swing out of control. It was fun UNTIL I almost hit a tree! I ran as fast as I could to attempt a leg sweep. Safe inside (for him), I warmed up a bit. Emma then begged for a turn on the swing. Braving the cold, I got some great pics of her as well. 

We missed one member of the family. I hope next year we'll see her face cring while we all sing the endless birthday song! 

First time at camp!

I made it to camp, and got WAY outside my comfort zone! 

My cabin "Joy"

My sisters! 

Amazing food! 

Made lots of new friends! 

Breathed in God's beautiful creation! 

Emma & Ollie

Someday they'll fly!

 

This depression is hurting my eyes! 

Thankful two of my kiddos are doing well. 

Fun last day with Sasha... Mom leaves for Cabo soon!

 

Brown Eyed Girl!

Gotta have fun while cleaning and helping out mom! Chloe loved chasing the vacuum cleaner, Swiffer, and the mop. Silly girl!

ALONE at last!!!

 That was a fun walk! Just Dane and I, no children or pets! Venting to each other about said children and life in general. THEN, we relaxed with God's beauty all around us! 

Getting to know you once again!

 Fun girl's day before school starts!

Window shopping is so much fun! She thought this purse would be more MY style than my hand hand-me-down, 

"What's your favorite perfume?" 

Horse therapy with Emma & Scooby

Her trainer insisted I do a trust fall! She's heard my breaking heart for my mom and kiddos' recent issues. Scooby is a good boy! Emma urged him to trot into a gallop, scary for me but worth the smiles on her face! 

Gold Rush FEVER!!!

A profanity came out of Dane's mouth when he flipped our light on at 5 in the morning, which is understandable as going alone wouldn't be much fun. However, he was very chatty teaching me the ways of the river, and I taught him about good music! Chloe also enjoyed being in the wild and discovered lots of new smells. BTW- We now have a knock sign on our door he respects.  

Gymnastics with this monkey!

She usually falls asleep much faster on these nights! 

It can't rain all the time!

Today was quite eventful. I took care of some SAHM duties and helped my mom with her house cleaning. While I was at her place, Dane called me. Eeek... he stepped on a nail while working on the new addition for Emma. He needed some TLC and help finding an urgent care facility that accepted our insurance. While we waited for the doctor, M* and I treated ourselves to Starbucks! After surviving the tetanus shot, Dane continued working on the addition! Ah, the joys of parenthood—'Have kids, it'll be fun!'"

It Can't Rain All the Time

We walked the narrow path

Beneath the smoking skies

Sometimes you can barely tell the difference

Between darkness and light

Do you have faith

In what we believe?

The truest test is when we cannot

When we cannot see

I hear pounding feet in the

In the streets below, and the

And the women crying, and the

And the children know that there

There's something wrong, and

It's hard to belive that love will prevail

Oh, it won't rain all the time

The sky won't fall forever

And though the night seems long

Your tears won't fall forever

Oh, when I'm lonely

I lie awake at night

And I wish you were here

I miss you

Can you tell me

Is there something more to belive in?

Or is this all there is?

In the pounding feet, in the

In the streets below, and the

And the window breaks, and

And a woman falls, there's

There's something wrong, it's

It's so hard to belive that love will prevail

It won't rain all the time

The sky won't fall forever

And though the night seems long

Your tears won't fall

Your tears won't fall

Your tears won't fall forever

Last night I had a dream

You came into my room

You took me into your arms

Whispering and kissing me

And telling me to still belive

But then the emptiness of a burning sea

Against which we see our darkest of sadness

Until I felt safe and warm

I fell asleep in your arms

When I awoke I cried again

For you were gone

Oh, can you hear me?

It won't rain all the time

The sky won't fall forever

And though the night seems long

Your tears won't fall forever

It won't rain all the time

The sky won't fall forever

And though the night seems long

Your tears won't fall

Your tears won't fall

Your tears won't fall forever

Seafood boil / Gaga's B-day!

Dane doesn't feel good tonight, but I'm sure he'll feel better tomorrow. As for me, I'm trying to find some moments of sanity in the chaos of parenthood. You know what they say, 'Have kids, it'll be fun!' I'll wake in about four short hours to head to the Molalla River with Christian and Sam. Christian's planned a day of gold panning, Sam will enjoy shooting, and I'm taking books and the dog. Ah... the joys of parenting on little sleep, good thing we have coffee!

This kid LOVES to shop!

 

I do not! However, it was fun to hear her say "ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for a backpack!" 

My 44th birthday re-do with mom!

Yesterday I had such a fun and amazing time with Mom who is getting her groove back! She spoiled me rotten, and I learned to let her. I loved just being me with the one that brought me into this world! My kids also chewed her ear off on all that she had missed while in the hospital. Next year maybe we'll celebrate at the casino!?

The stuffed mushrooms were delish! 

Gold rush fever!

Christian joked that I wouldn't be able to get up early enough to join him on the river before other obligations. But I did! At the crack of dawn he switched on our light... after a few curse words (from Dane), we set on the road w/ Chloe in toe. 

 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It's past midnight, and I'm finally relaxing after a long, stressful day. We rushed Mom to the ER this afternoon due to complications from her gallbladder tube! The ER was so backed up after several painful hours she insisted on being released with an appointment in the morning to have it fixed. Dane cooked dinner for us all, but it didn't go over well with two of our four kids. Hey, at least he cooked, which I was thankful for! I'm worried about tomorrow's hospital procedure with Mom, but I'm looking forward to spending time with her. I'll take her out for coffee and share good company on the way to her appointment. My therapist told me today that change is inevitable, and I need to set aside time for myself. So, I'm looking forward to October...I'll be attending a Christian Women's retreat in the wilderness with my fellow sisters!

Back to school widow shopping

She was shocked to see how much things cost. One hundred dollars for a backpack!!!

Bottle that energy!

Fun time with Emma at gymnastics. I have so much fun with each of my kids INDIVIDUALLY!

Beautiful day at Sisterhood!

Fell in love with this little guy!