9 years!

Our story is a good one, I think...and as I look back, I am absolutely certain that God's timing and plan was perfect.  Even though Linfield is a tiny college and Kyle and I were both active in the Greek system, we didn't meet until my senior year when he moved into the apartment next door.  Perfect timing.  We had a lot of fun, dated other people, did a little studying and were at a great spot to start a more "serious" relationship when we met.  From the first glance at (a shirtless) Kyle, I knew that I wanted to get to know him better.  Really, who wouldn't, he was so cute?!?  We attended a party together and went on our first official date (a Kevin Bacon movie) a couple of weeks later.  I knew pretty quickly that this relationship was different and special.  It wasn't always smooth sailing, but we had a lot of fun and fell very much in love.

And as we celebrated our ninth year of marriage today, I can honestly say that I found the perfect man for me.  He is a calming balance to my somewhat high strung self, he offers rational perspective, isn't easily agitated and is always loving. His love is something that I count on and have never doubted.  Marriage is a not a sprint, it's a marathon, and there are days that are harder than others, it's certainly not always easy, but I am so thankful to have a husband who is faithful, loyal, loving and patient. 

And here's a look at our journey together...

Fall of 1999

We'd only been dating a few months by this point...I kind of think we look exactly the same, am I delusional?

Alpha Phi informal

You'll notice a trend if you look at our college pictures - we were often in crazy clothes or funny hats.  My girlfriends and I were notorious for dressing up and parading around campus.  Such innocent fun.  I loved those days!

Spring of 2000

Theta Chi Red Ox

Yep, it's a big ol' barn dance and it was a ton of fun.  I just laugh at the frequency of my overall wearing.  Overalls...to a party?  And I confess this wasn't the first time. 

March 15th, 2003

Happy then, happier still...

I love this picture and I loved everything about that day!

I often find my mind wandering on Sunday mornings at church, thinking back to this special day.  We were calm and so joyful...so completely ready to start our life together.  It was emotional and fun.  We were surrounded by our friends and family and made a promise to God and each other.  I wouldn't change a thing.

And so began our life together as husband and wife...here's a little look at the places we've been.

First stop, our honeymoon to Fiji!

We stayed at a beautiful, secluded, relaxing resort and enjoyed every minute together.  We went scuba diving, had lobster dinners, laid in the sun, read, snorkeled, attempted (and failed) to kayak around our little island and talked about our dreams for the future.

The following year we headed to Disneyland with friends.  Kyle hadn't been since he was a kid and we had such a great time together!

Here we are in the waters of the Caribbean.  We wanted to take a special trip before we started a family, and we decided to take a cruise to the eastern part of the Caribbean.  Still one of the best weeks of my life.  We had so much fun, got to see four different island nations, dress up for fancy dinners, relax poolside and meet new people.  It was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.

We've managed a few trips to San Francisco to visit Kyle's sister.  This trip was especially memorable, because both Stacy and I were pregnant.  It was also fun, because Stacy and Justin lived in the heart of the city and we were able to do a lot of the fun, touristy things.  Carter was a pretty easy traveller and was at such a fun age.  This was a very happy time.

Every other year we are fortunate enough to head down to Cabo San Lucas with Kyle's family for a week vacation.  We have been three times and each time gets better!  I can't imagine how nice it will be to go next year and have both kids out of cribs, done with diapers and naps and able to swim on their own!  We might actually get to relax.  Oh the thought!

And our best adventure...two healthy, spunky, smart and beautiful little ones that God has blessed us with.

So, after nine years here is where we are in life - Thankful for our healthly family, happily employed during this time of economic unrest, struggling at times to raise our strong willed children, growing in our faith together and counting our blessings!

Kyle and I were able to celebrate our anniversary on Sunday evening.  Ken and Diane were gracious enough to watch the kids so we could enjoy a few hours together.  We ran a few errands (and we asked ourselves when running errands alone began to feel like such a luxury?) and then had a wonderful dinner.  We lingered over drinks and appetizers, took our time eating our meal and talked.  We planned and dreamed and had fun thinking about our future. 

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Cheers! 

To many more!

Matinee with the Chipmunks

Sometimes laughter can be the best medicine!

Even though Kennedy was still feeling sick, we decided that an outing to the movies wouldn't be too taxing for her.  And to be honest, I was so tired of being at home that I had to figure out a little outing for us or I might have gone crazy!  My poor mom is here visiting and sadly we haven't been able to have our usual fun.  Well, this little trip to the movies was fun. 

We headed to the Liberty Theater in downtown Camas and caught an afternoon showing of Alvin & the Chipmunks - Chipwreked.  I don't know that I've ever seen Carter laugh so hard.  He was so excited and seemed to really love the show.  I love that he watches movies from the edge of his seat, giddy with excitement.  And really, who wouldn't enjoy six little chipmunks singing Lady Gaga and Beyonce?  It certainly won't win an Oscar, but it was an entertaining kids movie.

Nana and the kids excited for the movie to start!

Donuts with Dad {revised}

How sad and disappointing for an excited three year old to have to miss a special event at preschool...Kennedy has been sick for days and unfortunately had to miss school this week.  Donuts with Daddy was scheduled for Tuesday and there was no way that Kennedy could attend.  She cried a little and begged to go, but in the end, she cheered up quickly when Daddy brought donuts home for breakfast.  It wasn't quite the same as sharing the morning at school with Dad, but it had to do.

Of course I had to get a few pictures...notice the scabs and redness under Kennedy's nose.  Poor little one's nose was running so often that it was rubbed raw.  Come to find out, Kyle, who has also been sick for some time, has pneumonia so it was definitely for the best that we all stayed away from preschool!

Kennedy's donut request:  chocolate

Daddy's special surprise:  chocolate with sprinkles!

I was able to pick up her school work when I was at church for bible study, so they sat together and colored paper ties for one another when Daddy got home from work.  We thought it would be fun for Kyle to bring in donuts to K's class once she's feeling better, too.

snow day

I am always up for snow...I love the white, clean look of it and I love to see the joy on my kids' faces as they run and play.  With that being said, I'm kind of over winter and am just counting the days until summer.  I'm ready for tank tops and flip flops and sundresses for Miss K.  I want to put away the wool and down and pull out the pastels.  God had other plans.  On Thursday morning (March 1st, which to me seems like it should be the start of spring) we woke up to an inch or two of snow...enough that school was 2 hours late, which meant no AM kindergarten and consequently no school for Carter.  He was a bit sick so he wouldn't have been able to go anyways, so I guess the snow was an added excuse to stay in pajamas all day.

Even under the weather, Carter had to bundle up and play outside for a few minutes.  Kyle thought I was crazy to let him go out in the snow with a fever, but I figured sometimes it's okay to break the rules.  And snow seemed like a good enough reason.

The snow was already starting to melt by the time the kids headed out after breakfast.  But they managed to roll a few starts to a snowman and toss a few snow balls.

Jake always has the most fun!  He's like a puppy again when it snows and I love seeing the friskiness and energy that he usually keeps under wraps.

Our neighbor, Olivia, came down for a bit.  Although by this point, Carter's energy was fading and he didn't last much longer.  I had promised hot cocoa, so it wasn't too hard to coax them back into the house.

A little snow ball fight to end our play time. 

Sometimes I wonder about Carter's impulse control.  What started out innocently enough turned into Olivia getting snow down her coat and a wet boot.  I seem to be battling these type of choices with Carter a lot lately and I honestly don't know what else to do.  It seems like my words aren't doing a bit of good.  Any advice?

little fishes

We just finished up our third consecutive session (fifteen weeks!) of swimming lessions for Carter and Kennedy.  It was a great activity to have during the winter and both kids improved so much! 

 Kennedy has always been a little fish, fearless in the water.  But now she can actually do some strokes (or movements that closely resemble strokes) and float on her back.  She is always in classes with kids who are older than she is, and I'm always so proud of how she does...keeps right up and tries everything that the instructor asks.

 Carter moved up to a level 3 for his last session and learned so much.  He is swimming laps in the pool and doing so great!  His strongest stroke is the back stroke, but he's mastered the crawl and worked on the breast stroke, side stroke, treaded water in a hula hoop (without touching it!) for over a minute and started diving a bit.  I am always so proud when watching Carter swim.  When he started at 3, he was so fearful of the water and now he couldn't be more comfortable...he jumps right in!

 Taking photos of kids swimming was a challenge.  But I really wanted to document this time.

We're taking a little break during the spring, but hopefully we'll do lessons again in the summer.  My kiddos love the water, and I know that swimming is an important skill that they will use all of their lives.  I also love that they were able to get physical activity twice a week during the cold winter months.

Fun with Cousins!

Stacy and the kids made a trip up to Portland last week and we were lucky enough to see them three different times during their visit.  I'm not sure how it happened, but I didn't snap a single picture of my sweet little niece...sad.  She was sick towards the end of their trip and asleep in the car during our museum visit.  She's so cute and has grown so much and I'm sad I don't have any current pictures to post.

I know I've said it many times before, but I'm so thankful that Kennedy and Carter get to grow up with cousins who are close to them in age.  It's a fun little group of five!

On Saturday, Kyle took the kids and met his sister at the Children's Museum. 

Carter and Bennett in the dig pit - love their coordinating shirts!

Kennedy is such a turkey when it comes to having her picture taken.  Kyle marveled at how well B would pose for pictures.  You had to be quick, but he always looked to the camera and smiled his super cute smile.  He could teach his cousins a thing or two!

All three enjoyed the veterinarian area

In the reading nook

I love B's crossed legs...he's growing up way too fast!

The water room is always a hit

After a few hours at the museum it was on to lunch. 

What a special day!

We headed out to Hillsboro after church on Sunday and the weather was decent so we bundled up the kids and headed to the park.

Before dinner I took the kids out to ride bikes...I am still impressed by how well Carter is doing on two wheels.  He loves it!

The "big" kids

Kennedy, Bennett and Carter

These two are so funny together.  I'm not sure if it's their proximity in age or their strong willed nature, but they argue like crazy.  Today's argument was whether it was "raining" or "sprinkling".  It's hilarious to watch them together. 

There's so much going on with Kennedy's outfit...comfy jammies, rain boots and a winter coat.  Oh Kennedy, you are unique and I love you!  I pray that you always feel confident enough to be just who you want to be.

And not one to be left out, Brady came along for a stroll.  I just love those chubby cheeks!

Such a great smile!  B really loves Carter and was his shadow the entire day.  Carter is quite patient with him, as opposed to how he can be with Kennedy, and they get a long great. 

Joy!

And here's a cute picture of Baby Sloane, I just couldn't bare the thought of leaving this sweet little one out!  I love that she smiles with her whole face, just like Kennedy did at her age.  She is a doll - so happy and always moving!

{Photo from Stacy's blog}

School Showcase

Last week we attended a "showcase" night at Grass Valley.  It was an evening designed for the kids to show their parents some of the projects that they have been working on in class.  They also gave a short performance of a song that they had been working on for the past month in music.  The evening was a bit chaotic, but it was organized chaos, and I could tell that Carter enjoyed showing everything to us.

We arrived in his classroom and were able to look through a pack of work related to their unit on the heart.  (It was February after all)  We also wandered around a bit and admired artwork and things posted on the walls.

Oh and there was a giant cow heart on display.  Not quite sure how I felt about that.  On one hand, it's great for the children to explore and learn - seeing how big it was proved to be fascinating.  On the other hand, there were nearly 50 kids walking through the class and it did seem like an easy way to spread germs and bacteria.  Bleh.  Thankfully plastic bags were provided to cover little hands and sanitizer and a hand washing sink were close.  I was a little surprised that Carter wanted to touch it.  His first thought, "it's so cold."  There was also a small chicken heart off the side, but it certainly didn't get the same attention!

Ryan, Weston, Emory and Carter

How cute is this little scene?  This is the reading nook in the Kindergarten classroom where the kids can read once they finish up an activity.  The little boy on the far left is Carter's buddy, Ryan and that is his older brother and younger sister.  They are a great family.  I can't say it enough how thankful I am that Carter chose such great friends this year.  Ryan is exactly who I would have chosen for him, and I feel lucky to be able to help foster their friendship.  His mom is wonderful and we get along great.  Definitely a blessing! 

They were all reading so quietly.  Of course, Kennedy wanted no part of it but was thankfully distracted by a silly Daddy!

Off to the cafeteria to sing a quick song.

"10 Little Speckled Frogs" - sang with all the heart these cute little ones could muster.  I was impressed!  Carter was quite serious about the whole thing, singing and doing all of the hand motions.  My friend was able to snap these few pictures for me, since we were way off to the side.  Thanks Shannon!

"One jumped into the pool" - little fingers acting like jumping frogs.  Cute stuff.

Such a great picture of my two favorite guys!

A sweet boy and his very proud mama.

Love my little man.