Evidence!

This just proves that you can't leave my kids alone for even a few minutes! I went downstairs this morning to get Gretchen out of bed, and when I came back upstairs with her, I found the boys had been helping themselves to the contents of my purse. But in their playing, they had taken photographic evidence of their misdeeds! They love to play with my camera, and they took several photos of each other getting into my things. Not so sneaky, are they?

A *new* patio set!

We finally got rid of our old backyard swing - the one that the top shade cover broke off of during a wind storm, and the cushions that were weather trashed beyond my repair. We posted it on freecycle, and within less than 24 hours had twelve different people wanting it. In it's place James found a used but still in great condition patio table/chair set - just what I've been wanting for 2 years! It was so nice to sit outside for dinner tonight - here's the family enjoying our good fortune!


And to make room for it, we decided to move the playhouse to the dirt area next to the garden shed. And of course, the first thing the boys did was figure out how to climb to the top and perhaps next climb to the shed roof. I just can't win for losing!

Happy Father's Day!

Today we had a big day for Father's Day. Church in the morning, and then James stayed in Spokane with Austin to attend the Father's Day car show at our new church site, while the kids and Gram and I headed out to join the rest of the family at Diamond Lake for the day. We had a great BBQ steak dinner, the dads played with the kids and opened presents, and topped it off with a Father's Day tie cake that Gram made.

Happy Father's Day to my hubby - a great daddy to our kids and an adoring huband! And to my Dad - thanks for all you do - you are a great dad and a fantastic grandpa!

Time to organize

I've been looking at the kids' messy corner for way too long! All their puzzles, games, coloring box, playdough, etc. etc. etc. just keeps piling it up. I don't really have a closet to put it in, and I really don't want to hide it all away in a box because the kids play with it all so much. But it was high time to get a handle on it.

Here's my before - can you see why I was frustrated!!

And here's my after - isn't it much nicer!

The shelf I used is one made for shoes to put inside a closet. But it was perfect for this little space. I didn't want any permanent shelves, so this one sits nicely without having to be secured to the wall.

Looking for more ways to organize? Head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie

to see lots more ideas!

I really want a bike....

I've been wanting a bike again for a while now. My last bike, a mountain bike, was stolen from my yard when we lived at our first house. Such a bummer, too. I used to ride it to work in nice weather, and it had a nice padded gel seat, a good bike helmet, freshly tuned up - and I was a dummy and left it in the shadow of my house between my yard and my neighbor's. I thought for sure it was well hidden, but I guess not. I guess I should have listened to my hubby when he said "you should really lock that in the garage".

Well, I've found something new that I would like, and it would be perfect for the kids. Click here



and see what I mean! It's pretty darn awesome.

My Pretty Girl!

Today we went to a friend's house for a playdate. It was beautiful weather, so I thought a pretty summer sundress would be perfect for Gretchen. She is such a beautiful child - and you can see so much of her personality in her expressions. I just love her to death!

Back from my blog break

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but those weeks have been super busy. I served as chair of the Relay for Life event this year, and the event was May 29-30. Lots of last minute planning and meetings and just plain busy work was done over the last two weeks, so my blogging had to take a break! But I still took lots of photos and we did other things besides Relay, so I plan on catching up and backdating some posts over the next week. It's a good thing that I take tons of pictures of everything we do, or I would forget the details! Seeing a picture helps me remember. Is this just a sign of old age??

Relay for Life went well, and was not as stressful during the set-up and the event as I thought it would be. I'll give a full report later.

For now, it's off to a morning at the park with MOMS Club friends and kids, and then lunch, naps, and a little rest for me. I'll be back!

Welcome to Monday Mornings!

So this is what our Monday morning has looked like so far. A cup of coffee just begging to be finished before it gets stone cold, chicken in pot to bowl for chicken enchiladas, Gretchen eating cereal, Daniel deciding to draw on himself instead of the paper I gave him, and Austin cutting a paper to bits! Just a normal morning in our house!

Have a great day today! So far, ours is going well. Of course, it's only 8 am!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Part of our bedtime routine with the kids is to sing some songs. Usually we do it with them already in bed, but this night we decided to sit on the floor and sing together. Here is a sampling for you.

Oh, how time flies!

It is amazing to look back at previous years at the this time and see what the kids looked like!

May 2007

Look at my little babies!

May 2008

Getting bigger!

May 2009

Look at my big kids! Full of smiles and laughter, spit and vinegar!

American Idol - I vote for......

......Kris Allen. I really want him to win. I think Adam is a good singer, and a great performer, but when I place my vote, I have to think of one thing. Whose album would I most likely buy first? And by far, it is Kris. I much prefer his bluesy, soulful singing, and creativity in arrangement, over the scream out loud Adam.

Scrapbook Pages

I've been getting together with some friends and working on scrapbook pages. Unfortunately, at this rate it is going to take me forever to get the kids' scrapbooks caught up, but I am having fun doing the pages and gabbing with girlfriends at the same time. Here are a few of what I have done recently. You can click on any of the pictures to see them bigger and in more detail.

Happy Mother's Day!

She's growing up!

Tonight I took the kids up to the bowling alley so they could watch James and his buddies bowl. They loved it, and can't to go bowling themselves this summer. I snapped a quick photo of Gretchen with Tim, a friend and co-worker of James'. And then I remembered another photo of Gretchen and Tim together, back when we first brought her home. Such a huge change! My baby is getting so big!

My life....

What more do I need to say?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Tonight we are having a yummy Mexican dinner of Carne Adovado, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice & Corn. Hopefully we won't all have heartburn when we are done!

7:28 pm - OK - dinner is done, kids are in bed! Here is what we did for dinner:





You can click on any picture to see it bigger.

Kinda Lazy Monday

For the first time in a long time, we didn't have plans to go anywhere today. There was no MOMS Club function, no church function, no grocery shopping - nothing! It was kind of nice to just get up and do things at our own pace, without having to chase the clock and hurry to get somewhere. The kids played inside and outside, we painted pictures, and I prepared two different dinners for later on this week. One is even a new recipe, and I'm very eager to taste the results! It's a Mexican dish called Carne Adovada. You have to make this yummy smelling sauce and let your pork stew meat marinate in it overnight, then cook it slowly in the crockpot the next day. So it's all in the crockpot dish, marinating and waiting for tomorrow. I also made another pan of my fruited pork chops, this time using a blend of peach jam, whole berry cranberry sauce and onion soup mix. It's in the pan and ready for Wednesday. Tonight we are having a whole roasted chicken stuffed with wild rice & mushroom stuffing. So we've got some good eats planned for this week - anyone want to join us for dinner??

The kids are in their room for "nap time" although Daniel is the only one sleeping. Gretchen was a bit grumpy this morning, so she took an early nap, but that still didn't get her out of the afternoon quiet time. She's got her books and dollies and a play stethoscope, so she's just having some quiet play time in her bed. She's been singing all sorts of songs! I'm taking advantage of quiet time by catching up on computer stuff. I already got 2 loads of laundry done, working on a third. I think we'll all go for a walk after nap time.

So, it's not really been a lazy Monday, but I consider any day we don't have to leave the house as a lazy day! I really need to have more of these days! They really are nice!

Carousel Party

This morning, our kids got to participate in a fun annual event that a local winery puts on for foster kids of Spokane. They sponsor a Carousel Party, and treat the kids to an hour of free rides on the carousel, plus a big breakfast spread and toys for all the kids that come. It's a very generous party that they put on, and they have been doing it for a number of years. The kids all enjoy it, and it is kind of our kick-off to summer event. The kids know that once we go to the carousel party, that means we get to spend a lot more time down at the "big park" and play on the carousel and red wagon. Lots of fun for everyone! And yes, I dressed them all in orange on purpose - James was at a church men's retreat, so I was by myself with the kids, and I wanted to be able to pick them out of the crowd quickly if I had to!

Happy May Day!

One of these years, I am actually going to celebrate May Day! You know, go around and put little paper cones of flowers on neighbors doors, ring the door bell, and run! I think next year, since it will be on a Saturday, and the kids will be just that much older, we will start this tradition. That gives me a whole year to plan! Just maybe.....






We went to a birthday party tonight, and the birthday boy got a trampoline. My kids had a ball jumping on it! Here are a few photos of the fun.

Park Play Day

After a busy morning of Bible Study, Preschool, and running errands, we stopped at Audubon Park for some play time. Perfect weather for some fun pics of the kids!