MOCK ME IF YOU MUST....

We went here on vacation last week!!!
Yes, I am one of those. I love the whole Twilight thing and I can't really tell you why. But I was tickled to cruise up this way and was teased somewhat relentlessly by some people I know. I can take it. I really don't mind.

I got lots of photo ops like this...

and this

and then even this

and then some silliness such as this

But in all honesty, I really wanted to go to the Olympic Peninsula because this place I heard was really spectacular. It was truly the most beautiful place I have ever been. It should be on your list of things to do before you die. It's crazy.











I love this picture because I like to think we're a pretty fun family and I love seeing that come out in Elias. He's quite the ham. And he's also quite the trouble maker as well. We had one dinner on this trip end in disaster thanks to him. The dude loves his daily 3 hour nap (as do his parents!). He had missed out on this daily ritual for two days and boy did we pay for it. Ugghh. In the form of shrieking that was ear popping and being walloped in the face by my sweet little thing. That guy can pack a punch and the hit was not received well by his dear mother. It's hard to believe that the same guy can look like this...



We all felt better after a good night sleep so we spent the afternoon soaking at Sol Duc Hot Mineral Springs. It was so relaxing, even Elias behaved. And that's saying something!

A Funny Thing Happened....

So, this is the product that I use for Elias' hair. I love it. It is soft, smells good, easy to use and it keeps my man looking his best. :) I found it on a fluke while shopping Wal-mart's black hair care aisle. Yes, it's true. I'm guilty of occasionally walking through Wal-mart's lovely doors. Politics of shopping aside, I love this stuff! So I noticed that it was time to stock up on some more and I trotted down to Renton to find a Wal-mart. So here's the deal. Renton is waaaaay more racially diverse then where we live which makes me sad. I really want to make sure Elias is exposed to lots of people with brown skin. Renton is the place to be for that and as it happens, Wal-mart is the place for that too. So, I'm in the special hair care aisle and I'm looking for his special stuff. I find it, I put it in the cart. Meanwhile, I am the only white person in the aisle. I am quickly joined by 3 women who have beautiful brown skin. They want to know what I use on Elias' hair. I kid you not. 2 minutes later, Miss. Whitey-White moi is giving hair care advice. I was asked about the product. I was asked to demonstrate how I put it in Elias' hair. They acted as if I were the expert in black hair care. He of course, being an enormous flirt was lapping up the attention like a puppy. It was one of the most surreal moments since Elias came home. I think what I loved about it, was this. The inclusion. I felt like I was part of their group. They made me feel like I was part of their group. Thank you ladies for making my day!!!

THANKFUL FOR NORMALCY.

Do you ever find yourself paraphrasing your life in blog posts? I will have a certain thought or story and think to myself, "Gosh, I should really share that!". But alas, whenever I actually sit down at the computer to do something rather than blogstalk and facebook; all intelligent thoughts vanish. Completely. So at least I will leave you with some pictures. We are busy creating lives here and saying over and over again, "We will never move again". Famous last words of course. Thinking back over the last couple of years I feel like we have never truly rested. I still can't believe we went through the adoption process and then moved out of state, twice. So, I am feeling thankful for rest, stable jobs, a loving church and a healthy family!


Perfect day to be out on a boat!


Checking out the sights on the way home.


With Opa and Oma on the ferry boat ride to Bainbridge Island.


Plain cuteness. First day of Preschool.


A visit with Gami at Pine Lake Park.


Huskies vs. Cal. High of 32. We were cold.







Dinner out to "Lalibela" to celebrate 1 year home. I love Ethiopian food. It makes my heart flutter thinking about it. This dear Ethiopian man at the restaurant explained that Elias'original name didn't just mean "example", it meant Godly example. I loved that. I felt so thankful that he took the time to explain the difference.


This photo requires an explanation. Most years we send out a spoof Christmas card, this year we were a grunge band. It was fun. I'm not sure if other people find it funny but it's probably my most favorite tradition.


Coffee with Daddy in the morning. The perfect start.

I will try and be more faithful with posting. Then maybe I might be able to spill out some those "awesome" thoughts and stories I have:) Ha!

LABOR AND DELIVERY

Brings back a lot of memories for me. The joy of that sweet babe pushing her way around. The knowing glances exchanged between other Moms. The anticipation and the glory of the ending. I will never forget my reaction when my first was born (nor will I ever forget the sweet moment Elias was placed into my arms). When my sweet homegrown girl was put on my chest, it was as if I couldn't simply believe it. How could this miracle be? This spectacular display of God's provision and hope now crying in my arms. I remember just saying over and over again, "I can't believe it!" I also remember breastfeeding 6 week old Meris in my rocking chair and calling Rob over and exclaiming, "Dude. We have GOT to do this again!!!".

With a lot of sadness, those days are SO over for me. As far as I know, no more pregnancies for this little lady. If we did choose to add to our family again, it would definitely be through adoption. I can explain more on that later...

But these days, I have had the pleasure and excitement and I don't know...just thrill of being that nurse that says "Yay, you did it!". When we moved to the PNW, I finally landed my dream job. I was hired as a labor and delivery nurse. Because it is truly it's own art form, I am training for 3 full months. Can I tell you how I love it? It still has all the excitement and thrill I need with usually a much nicer outcome. I am enjoying the switch from being there at people's worst moment to one of their BEST.

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?