Young Champions 2012

Every year my church puts on a program as an outreach to the community called "Young Champions". It's a track and field clinic that's designed to teach kids about teamwork and share the love of God. I was SO excited that Emersyn was old enough this year. They have a preschool category for kids that are 3 1/2 or older. I helped with the preschool registration and it was a blast. I hope to get more involved next year. It was just such a great event! 

Here are some pictures from the past four nights! 

So proud of my girl!!  

Enjoying some snacks while sister plays. 

Frisbees!

Coach Everett! 

Got his workout clothes on, ready to shoot some hoops! 

We got the kids new shoes (that they needed very much) the night before Young Champions started. They were SO cute! 

My strong man. He hung here for probably ten seconds totally on his own. 

Ems and one of her besties, Stella.

Ems and Ellie, so proud of themselves! 

Her first medal! 

The last night they did a full on opening ceremonies for the kids. The preschool led the way. SO cute!!! They had the opening ceremonies music from the Olympic and everything. 

Watching the kids

Go Emmy go!

Didn't quite get the concept of hurdles...maybe next year! :) 

I'm so thankful to belong to a church that does things with excellence. It was a great event!

Our Getaway!

Back before Brett took such a big pay cut, we had bought a Groupon for a night away at the beach. We had bought it with the intention of taking our family to the beach for the night and enjoying the kite festival in Lincoln City. However, after thinking about the logistics of that, I made an executive decision to just drive to the beach for the day with our kids and to save the night away for just Brett and I. I am SO glad I made this decision!!

Brett's parents are pretty great about taking our kids so we can go on dates and even keep them overnight every so often. Overnight dates are the best. But we don't usually get to GO someplace, usually we just go to dinner and maybe a movie. It's hard for me to enjoy date nights when we have things to do at home though. And we pretty much always have something to do. There is something to be said for getting away from home to relax....it let's me unwind in a completely different capacity that is so needed. And I think it's important for the sake of our marriage!

On Saturday we enjoyed a lazy morning. And by lazy I mean that Brett and the kids watched TV in bed and I got ready, got everyone packed and then got the kids bathed and ready to go. ;) Then we went to Starbucks for some family time before dropping the kids off at my in-laws. We got the kids dropped off and onto the road to the beach by about 12:30. We took our time driving to the beach and enjoyed being able to have a conversation in the car, listen to the music we wanted to, hold hands and just relax.

The lodge we stayed at was beautiful and we got a heck of a deal with Groupon. It was about $100 and included a $25 dining credit. We checked into our BEAUTIFUL room, sat out on our patio and enjoyed the golf course view and RELAXED. The resort had a complimentary putt putt golf course that viewed their beautiful golf course and we decided that would be a fun afternoon activity. It's fun to do things like that after being together for 10 years, almost like you're flirting and dating again. After golf we went back to our room and I read some of my book and Brett worked on homework, only to discover that we forgot the laptop cord at home and so he wasn't really able to work on it. I think that the Lord may have intended for that to happen though so we could really focus on each other.

We had dinner at our resort using the dining credit and enjoyed a beautiful view overlooking the golf course. Then we headed to the private beach to build a bonfire and watch the sun set. Brett ALWAYS wants to have a bonfire on the beach and I am not usually a big fan. It's not that it's boring to me, it just seems more like a group thing to do. Anyways, Brett was so excited to make us a bonfire and it was so nice to just be still and watch the sun go down and enjoy the ocean. There's something so humbling about watching the ocean. Such a reminder of how big our God is.

After our bonfire I had decided to indulge Brett and *let* him do something that he LOVES doing, though never gets the chance......play $20 in blackjack at the casino at the beach. I gave him this money as a gift because it was in our *fun* money jar and he works hard for his family, he deserves to have some fun. Well, this turned out to be a good investment on my part because he turned the $20 into $75 and thus paid for all the meals on our trip! We were at the casino for about an hour and I just stood by Brett and watched him get giddy when he would win. I did not enjoy the casino environment and thought it was depressing watching people flush SO much money. I watched people go through hundreds of dollars in minutes. But, Brett had his $20 to spend, no more, and he did good. :) I may choose to get a pedicure with a special $20 and Brett might think that is silly but he wouldn't object. I had the same attitude with his spending money. :)

After the casino we went back to our hotel to go swimming in the pool and hot tub. It was open 24 hours which was so great. A lot of times hotel pools close at 10pm which is lame.

The next morning we slept in until 10am (can't remember the last time that happened!!!) and then sat out on our patio for a bit before packing up and checking out. We went to Starbucks for breakfast, did a little shopping at the outlets, had lunch on the ocean and then headed home. We went to the mall to get our kids some shoes that they needed and then went back home for Brett to do some homework. We had planned to go to a movie that night but Brett ended up doing homework until about midnight. I did some laundry, ironed shirts for Brett to have for the week, cleaned Emersyn's room, and watched some Grey's Anatomy. It was a good mixture of productivity and recreation.

I picked up the kids yesterday after doing my grocery shopping for the week and reading a bit at Starbucks. Man, if I could start my day every day at Starbucks with some devotion time, I would be such a happy girl. I'd be a broke happy girl but happy nonetheless.

We had such a great weekend and decided that with the chaos of Brett's schedule in school, we need to do a night like that quarterly if possible. I've got to keep my eyes peeled for good Groupons! :) 

Though this time has been challenging with Brett's pay cut, the Lord provision never ceases to amaze me. And He's been providing beyond anything we could ask for. God is good!

Purposeful

The past few days I have been in a funk. We've been home a lot and that *could* have something to do with it. I've also been watching an extra kid which really isn't that big of a deal but it's a little more work and it makes it so going places isn't as fun or even doable with car seat situations. (Caitlin, if you're reading I'm still excited to have Emery tomorrow...this has nothing to do with that!!!) Anyways, I've just been in a funk. I've been having a hard time getting fully back on my *diet* and that's always defeating. Making good choices {in general} has to become a habit and when you veer off that path, well, it can put you in a funk.

I love being a stay at home mom. I love being able to read to my children in the middle of the day. I love being able to hear them giggle and play together. I love being able to do laundry and dishes during nap time even. But I do miss feeling more purposeful at times. When I was working I could check "purposeful" off my list. I had worked that day, thus contributing to our family's income and therefore, I served a purpose. Raising my children and taking care of my home is certainly purposeful as well, but it doesn't feel as concrete. I don't feel like I get to check something off on my list daily. I can always think of something I could have done better...not lost my patience with Emersyn, spent more time on the floor  with Everett, read to them more, prepared healthier snacks, cleaned more, done more laundry, etc. With work I just clocked in and out and that's all that I could do. I got paid to do a job and I did it well. I don't always feel like I do my new *job* well.

This afternoon I had a phone meeting scheduled with the women's ministry director at my church. I was nervous because the meeting depended on successful nap times for three children and you just never know. However, I was able to get them all down and asleep by the time 2pm rolled around. I spoke with Terri for about 30 minutes about our upcoming women's retreat and ended the call full of energy and excitement. I had a list of things to follow up on and am excited to get into planning mode again.

I realized that it is vital for me to have purpose outside of my home for me to feel fulfilled.

I had the same rush the other night when I had a listing appointment for a referral. (Thanks Lacey!!!!) I used to get really overwhelmed at balancing real estate and my family but now that I'm able to be home full time, I miss it! Being a Realtor gives me purpose. I love every aspect of it...meeting new people, listing homes, finding new homes for families, all of it!! I came home from the listing appointment and jabbered my husbands ear off about who knows what but I know that rush came from feeling purposeful.

As wives and mamas it's so important that we don't become complacent and in a *funk*. We're no good to our families if we can't serve them with a joyful heart. And when I'm feeling down, there is no joy to be found.

And so I will strive to find purpose each day, however I can. Whether it be through ministry stuff at church, real estate, encouraging friends, or whatever! I know that it's the best remedy. Better then emotional eating, sulking or being impatient with my husband and kids.

What do you have in your life that gives you purpose outside of your home? :)

Monday

Today is a day of recovery. My parents left Saturday morning and even though I always vow not to get emotional, I always end up in tears. It's especially hard to say goodbye to my dad because I don't to see him as often as my mom. My mom gets to come back in a month so it was almost not like I even had to say goodbye to her, she'll be back probably right when I get the house cleaned up again, ha! But I won't see my dad until Christmas time and by then Everett will be walking and have changed SO much. It stinks. But it is what it is. As we were leaving the airport and I was sad, Emersyn gently reminded me "Mimi and Grandpa might be gone but God is ALWAYS in our hearts". Out of the mouths of babes. My precious Emersyn has such a sensitive spirit towards the Lord. I can't wait to see how that develops as she grows up.
 

Mimi treated Ems and I to mani/pedi's....Emersyn's first!!!

I was feeling VERY refreshed after my spa afternoon! Thanks Mom!

 We'll miss Grandpa....and his gold card! See how Ems is holding it with a look of victory on her face, ha ha! :)

 We've been having a lot of fun at weddings these past two weekends....they make for a great date night! Dinner and dancing, whoo hoo!

After my parents left we went right to a wedding, then home for an hour while Brett got a hair cut and I fed our kids and ironed a shirt for him, then off to drop the kids off at Brett's parents, to another wedding, then home late. Sunday we helped teach in Emersyn's class (which was too cute) and then went home for a few hours. Kids took naps, I went to the store, and then we went to a picnic with some old friends for a few hours.

These girls were some of my very best friends in high school. We've known each other since we met in elementary school at our church. :) The picture on top is when we were around 19 I think.

 It was fun but BUSY weekend. Today I was dragging this morning and refused to get out of bed until I absolutely had to. Brett left for work and I stayed in bed, letting Emersyn play with my phone until Everett woke up. Everett's been teething and having rough nights so I think he decided to sleep in this morning to get caught up on sleep and didn't get up unti nearly 10am, which never happens! It was great and made for a lazy start to our day which I'm normally not a fan of but today I embraced it. We ran some errands and then came home for lunch and naps. This afternoon I need to start cleaning up the mess that comes from having 4 adults and two kids in one small space for almost two weeks. Ems has VBS for the next three nights at her preschool and I'm going to be getting ready for a listing presentation tomorrow night (yay for real estate business and referrals!). Tomorrow Ems has a friend over for the day, I babysit my sweet little toddler guy Wednesday and Thursday, and then Friday Ems friend is back for another day. (Her mom is out of town). It's going to be a busy week but it's all leading up to.......A NIGHT AWAY WITH MY HONEY!!!! I am giddy excited!!!

 Finally got these picture ledges up and decorated. Brett and I tend to be paralyzed by the need for perfection and finally I said enough is enough. I picked super random already printed pictures from a photo box and it turned out great I think!

 A super creative friend of mine made this for me. We like to exchange favors. :) 

Here's to the week going by quickly so I can rest and relax at the beach with my man this weekend! :)

Lately....

It's been awhile since I updated my blog so I thought I would let you know what we've been up to lately! 

Lately we've been drinking lots of Starbucks, thanks to our very generous Mimi & Grandpa! 

We enjoyed a very fun 4th of July! 

We headed to the beach for the day and it was amazing weather! 

We've been flying kites at the beach!  

 We've been keeping babies captive in baby tents! 

We've been having quality time with family! 

We've been enjoying the farmer's market!

We've gone on walks at the library park!

We went to a wedding to celebrate two lovely people, one of which I have known since she was three and I used to babysit her! 

I love to dance....and I've got the blisters to prove it! :) 

My parents are here for the rest of the week and are leaving on Saturday. Summer seems to have finally arrived here in Oregon and I'm thrilled! It's going to be a great week!