One year ago today.....

My Hubby is....

blogging again at a new address. I love to hear his stories. You can find him

HERE.

CALLING ALL MOTHERS MORE TALENTED THAN ME!!!!

OK. I have two rather large problems in our household right now. The first being LAUNDRY. No one comes in and does it for me! I know, life is hard. In all seriousness, I would like to know if any of you smart ladies out there have a great laundry system. Do you organize it in a certain way? Do you have a schedule that keeps it all in line? The problem is getting so big it is blocking my access through the laundry room. I mean what if there's a fire!!!!!!!!

OK. Number 2. HITTING. I've never had a hitter before. Anything that irritates him makes him want to slap anyone and anything. If you haven't been reading my blog before you need to know that this "little one" is 16 months old and weighs 34 lbs. He can pack a punch. No amount of saying NO has any effect. He actually smiles and laughs. Let me tell you this, that really makes me MAD. I have also taken him out of the situation, sat him on his bottom and walked away. This makes him howl....and hit. Any ideas?

My Goodness, How Time Flies....

THE BIG REVEAL
For sweet Meris' birthday, we did a redo of her room. My mom watched the kids while we played like HGTV people. It was so fun to see the surprise and glee on their faces.

Blind folded for drama's sake!


Such delight!!


All children were pleased with the end result.

PUMPKIN CARVING

Trying to get Elias to touch pumpkin junk, NOT INTERESTED AT ALL!!!!


Birthday girl having fun, she hit the big 0-7.


Getting lots of help from Mama.


The finished product.

ALL DRESSED UP AND LOTS OF PLACES TO GO!






Bippity-Boppity....


This dude was one serious dinosaur!


Ready to go!



See if you can keep up Dad...


Getting ready.

And finally, here's a picture of Big Boy that I like. He recently transitioned to little boy. In the past that was always a sad transition, the 3rd time around...not so much. I am anxious to head into no-baby land. I never thought I would utter those words, it is a true surprise that I feel completely...well, complete.

WE'RE HERE AND I'M COOKIN'

So we arrived back to the great PNW 3 weeks ago and honestly, I am loving it. We have a huge sense of permanence. Looking back I just can't believe this crazy journey we've been on. It's interesting to note, just how happy everyone seems to be. Meris is almost giddy with delight when I pick her up from school. Kiera is bubbling over with excitement with her new preschool. Rob literally skipped out the door to work. I can't exactly say the same about Elias, I think the transition has left him cranky. I can't blame him, so we have been trying to give him an extra measure of patience. I mean, seriously, the poor child has lived in 2 countries and 3different states in his little 15 months of life.

So for now, I get to be full time Mommy while I start the job search. I relish this opportunity to just be here for my peeps. It's the only thing on my agenda and it FEELS SO GOOD. So with that said, I have thrown myself back into the kitchen. And if you know me at all, you know I love to eat and you know I love to cook. This is what I made for dinner and it really was quite tasty!

Blue Cheese Salmon Burgers

Bake premade Salmon patties as directed, while these are baking follow the instructions below.

Saute a bag of fresh spinach in butter and your choice of spices, set aside.

Slice 2 tomatoes, and saute slices in Worcestershire sauce until slightly soft, set aside.

When you have about 2 more minutes to go on the Salmon patties, take them out of the oven and cover each patty with blue cheese. Place back into the oven and take out when cheese is bubbly (2 minutes or so)

Meanwhile toast some whole wheat buns. Place Salmon patty on bun, spoon out some spinach on top of patty and then top with tomatoes.

"Yumo!" To quote a celebrity chef who actually drives me nuts. It's not her recipe though, it's mine:)

Sidenote: All of our children who appear to have an aversion to all things lettuce like, ate their spinach super quick. That butter does wonders!

SEATTLE BOUND

Well, we have news!! Am I getting tired of news? You betcha! Are you getting tired of our news? I bet so. God has definitely brought us on a journey over the last 6 or so months. And that journey has probably been some of the most challenging of our lives. The long and the short of it is that despite many promising leads and maybe expectations on our part, Rob was never able to find work in Austin. So Rob expanded his job search and Rob was hired into a wonderful, fantastic church in Sammamish, WA. We have been welcomed like family. It feels so right and so ordained. He will be the Children's Pastor at a Covenant church.

So as I write, I am surrounded by beautiful, tall trees and crisp air. The mountains and ocean are overwhelming and I feel like I've come home. Rob went to seminary in Portland so we definitely have a history with the Pacific North West. Despite my carrying-ons about the weather, I definitely feel a sense of relief and solidness about being back.

Situationally(not a word, I know!), I am here with the kids while Rob finishes packing up in Austin. My brother lives here so I am just quietly typing away, letting the kids play and really just steeping in God's provision. And maybe just pining slightly for a breakfast Taco and some Blue Bell ice cream (these are Texan specialties that I will have to somehow deal with losing!)

SWINE FLU!

I am posting a really fantastic, concise, and levelheaded discussion about the Swine Flu HERE. I think it's worth a read. It's a great tool for all of us parents!