Saved by the Bell

Um, welp..school started today and for this little fam that meant our Ryder boy had his first day of kindergarten! I know every other parent out there has the same thought but for real, HOW IN THE WORLD did it come so quickly?? And why?? And can we please pretty please just slow it down some because my mama heart had a real tough time today. Mind you, I was also the little girl who cried everyday for a week when I started kinder, wanting my mom. Sooo, being "that mom" having a hard time letting go really isn't that surprising. Some might say well shame on you for being so attached to your kid but you know, as big of a knot as I held in today I am SO thankful my hubs and I have kept both our babes so close always! Just like any other area of change there will always be a period of adaptation. And one thing I know about our firstborn he thrives and succeeds in new environments. He is intelligent, kind, thoughtful and confident. He makes us proud daily and knows that even if something is difficult nothing is impossible with Jesus! He is one brave guy and sets such a great example for his brother who missed him dearly while he was learning away. :) Praying this back to school season brings so much joy to everyone and gives families lots of opportunities to share what our littles are filling their minds with!

Baby boy two "needed" a backpack also! 

Love! 

I'm here.

You know that feeling of being home? Whether you're a homebody or consumed by wanderlust, there isn't anything quite as satisfying as knowing you're in your very own element. Your zone, place of familiarity, a place of restoration and contentment. The place where you are free to be you, and comfortably so. This can mean SO many different things and look like totally different pictures. Wherever you learned to ride your bike, the town you spent your school years in. For some, it doesn't matter how many houses you called your own, home is where your mom is. Or your dad, or your very favorite person in the world. Maybe all of the above. :) What I realized today though is that home is that quiet still voice of the Lord saying, "I'm here". I was back in my "home" church, with my sweet little family yesterday morning and God's presence was heavy in reminding me that he is home! A song was played during worship that took me back to sixteen year old me, when all I wanted was more of him. One of those songs that you praise with a knot in your throat because it's just what you needed to hear. A precious exchange of conversation from the one who knows you best. A nudge to say he is all we need! A glimpse of both my babies with outstretched arms worshipping today, they know who is at the center! 

As I shared we are in a season of waiting and saving. And with that comes patience of course, but the message I'm holding onto is this. The safe haven we all view our homes as, God is our ultimate refuge. So anyone struggling with feeling restless or uneasy. Or are maybe just complacent. We ask our boys often where Jesus lives and they answer with "in my heart". And I'd say if Jesus lives in  you, well you've got it made. :) 

http://youtu.be/FMb3xBsGiZU

Happy Monday! 

Love

 

June Bug

Oh boy. Here we are, a few days into one of my favorite months! I have always loved June, not only because it's my birthday month but because it always meant no school, warm evenings and summer fun! Even now that I'm a mama, watching my boys play makes all my favorite parts of this season even sweeter. 

April and May blazed by for us, we were in GO mode literally all the time it seemed like. We decided to put our house on the market and it sold in a day, praise God but we had to really weigh our options on what to do from that point on. With a lot of deliberation we opted to move in with my awesome family for awhile while we save to build our next home! Which means most of our life is in storage for the time being, living in my childhood home, somewhere I never pictured living again with my own family. However, it's incredibly relaxing and just where we need to be for now! With the timing we were able to sign up our Ryder boy for his first team sport, t-ball..and the best part is his dad is the coach! Watching them practice has got to be the cutest thing in the world. They just had their first game and we couldn't be more proud.

 Little Lincoln joins me cheering them on, wants so badly to participate too but has been content sidelining with me since we got him his very own mitt to "practice" with! May flowers, birthday parties and my second youngest little sisters graduation from Highschool filled these last couple of weeks.

 And now for the most part we are fully settled, preparing ourselves for the Oregon heat and enjoying the slower pace of small town life. Nightly bike rides with my siblings, hubs and kiddies, Popsicles and sitting around tiki torches. So thankful! 

G'night, and good weekend! 

love! 

Moody Monday

Did you ever have one of those dinky little mood rings way back when? I had a few and thought they were pretty much the coolest. Definitely an 80's/early 90's fad that I was happy to be a part of! My favorite was this small silver frog one that had a circular center that of course changed color. The band was even adjustable, lol! 

One of those snazzy things would suit me well today. Most Monday's don't really faze me, weekdays look similar around here but this one..ugh. It's not terrible but it's one of them. You know the day. I've already had to heat my coffee twice! Amid the loads of laundry and trying to get some educational time in, there's spats. And "more pickles please" and constant picking up a room while the one that I just cleaned is being torn apart, again! Whatever color irritable is, that's me today. Then, an icky color for frustration. Frustrated with myself for being irritated! Sitting for a few and I am finally able to sink into a color that has to mean silly. Silly for being such a moody monster! :) 

This sweet job/honor of being able to raise my babes is a complex one but one that I really am thankful for. Even when I feel sassy and act like this. 

I just have to go back to the privilege of what a stay at home mama is all about. Getting to be a part of every single accomplishment my kids have. Being the one to kiss boo-boos and hold them when they're tired. Definitely not a bad gig! 

My bottom line today is this. Warm up that coffee one more time and shake it off. :) God is amazing!!!!! 

Enjoy your week folks! 

Love. 

Two Thousand-Sixteen

Happy New Year everyone! Guess what today is?! If you guessed Anniversary..you are RIGHT!!! Seven years ago I married my incredible husband and I know it sounds so cliche but truly I love him more now than ever before. God is amazing and I am thankful for his hand over our life and our marriage! There's no person I'd rather laugh with, laugh at and spend every day with. Lucas, you are my right hand, other half and LOVE of my life. Our kids adore you and so do I, still so smitten and head over heels for you! Love you baby!!!!!!!

 

Christmas decorations are finally put away although I wanted to keep the tree up as long as possible. If it hadn't gotten so dry my husband may have agreed. :) We had an absolute blessed holiday, the little guys of course LOVED opening presents. I think Linc would have totally been content just to unwrap empty boxes, lol! Basically we had four different celebrations and soaked up all the good cheer from each one. Nothing as special as honoring Jesus on his birthday and spending quality time with family. Another big perk was having my other half home for two entire weeks, he works so hard for us so him being able to relax with us was the greatest! We opted to stay close to home this New Years Eve rather than our annual Sun Valley trip and it sure didn't disappoint either. We chose a hotel home for the night, because hotels are our favorite!! Plus, the boys got to swim like fishies too :) Weather has been, well, wintery. :) Cold and snowy. Enough for my guys to sled in the yard but other than that we have been keeping warm! 

Check out some highlights! 

And this little tid bit because I got a kick out of it! 

Merry 2016!!!!!!

Love.

baby, BOOM.

Hey there yonder! Christmas is one week away and of course we are excited!!! We actually still have a bit of shopping left to do but no complaints here, I love this time of year. :) It snowed the past couple of days which my boys are thrilled about, me I'm kinda good without it! I don't care much for being stuck indoors because of weather conditions..but I'll make do, especially since it makes everything look like a real winter wonderland.

Last weekend we were winding down from our little big guy's 5th birthday and anxiously awaiting the birth of my nephew! I had the privilege of helping in the delivery room and got to witness that chub of love enter the world. At 6:31pm, on Saturday 12/12/15, Archer King made his arrival! Pretty intense being on the other side of things, my sister was a trooper and so strong. Proud of her, the bundle was a whopping 9lbs 15oz and so perfectly squishy! Thankful he's such a healthy baby! Ryder and Lincoln were itching to meet their new cousin and got to see him the very next day. They ask for him everyday now and are so loving towards him! Archer makes baby #3 born into our family this year! First was sweet Hudson, back in September(on Linc's bday) and next was my other cousin's peanut, Mason in November. Three down, three to go! One next month, and two more in February. :) Our already gigantic family is extending even more and it's so fun! 

Hope you all are staying warm and having the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, totally meant to say that!!! 

Love! 

Birthday Bubs.

My Dear Ryder,

Happy 5th Birthday!!!!! Today I cried some happy tears, because you are becoming such a determined and awesome little man. I have so many words yet none seem to quite cover the immensity of the love I have for you. December 9th, five years ago was one of the very best days ever. You came quick and entered the world alert and perfectly pink and snuggly. 

Each day, being your mama is one of my favorite things and you challenge me for the better. Everything about you makes me smile and I truly am so proud you're my son. You have such a sincere heart and a love for Jesus and people that shines so bright. I have never known anybody who is as friendly as you. You are the biggest blessing and encouragement to me, your daddy and brother! Thank you, baby boy for being so loving, kind, fun and silly! Watching you grow and learn is so incredibly amazing!! God is so gracious and we are forever grateful to have you as ours! I absolutely, positively..love, love, love, love, LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're my baby boy.
Love!
Always, Always
Mama