Trip to Oregon, in pictures

The boys loved these bears in Sunriver. Every time we walked by Judah would take the hat off the bear and put it on himself (like in the picture), then put it on the other bear, and the boys would talk to the bears. They, also, loved their shirts from Nana!



We visited the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Here's my mom and sister out in front with Silas.



Here is me out in front with my (four!) kiddos. Silas was tired and, obviously, not very excited about the picture. He fell asleep after we got inside and my mom pushed him around for a few minutes.



My grandma loved the eagles. She wanted us to take a picture just of them, but my sister made her get in the picture, too! :)



Silas after his nap outside on the lawn.



There were these crazy chipmunks outside. They weren't afraid of people and would come right up to you for food.



No, seriously, they would attack you. They ran right on to mine and my mom's shoe and one even bit Miranda (my sister)!! Is this normal for Oregon?



Nana, Silas, and Grams watching the crazy chipmunks outside the Otter House.



After leaving the museum I asked Judah what his favorite part was. He said, "all of the animals." Then, I asked Samuel. He said, "The birds eating the deer." I wish I would have taken a picture. It was a life size model of turkey vultures that had eaten the middle of a dead deer laying on its side. It must have been memorable for Samuel. I'm sure he's seen nothing like it.

Eagles in their life size nest.



The last night we were there we drove up to Mt. Bachelor. The boys were SOO excited to see the snow. They didn't even mind that it was patchy and dirty. Judah even put some in a water bottle to show Papa. Too bad it melted.

Menu Planning Monday

So, I think I'm going to start copying Steph and doing a Menu Planning Monday (although, she does hers on Sunday now).

I've been reading a new book. Actually, I already finished it and am now re-reading it for the second time a lot slower. It is an amazing book about being a wife and mother according to the Bible.

There is so, so much in this book that convicted me and that I'm beginning to put into practice. I will be write more about it and doing a book giveaway sometime in the next week, but for now I'll just tell you about the meal planning.

One part of the book talks about "lazy wives" who tell their husbands that they're too tired to cook or don't have anything to make, so they have to go out to eat. Whoops! Hit close to home. She said with a little planning you can make cheap, easy, healthy meals.

The last couple of weeks I've been planning my meals. I've talked to some friends about planning meals together and possibly making bulk meals for the month. I like meal planning, but I really like making food that is tried and true. I'll share some of my favorite recipes with you on upcoming Mondays.

I don't necessarily want to plan which meals I'll make on which days, so I'll just list the meals I'm going to make.

1. Tonight we had baked salmon with lemon and pepper, steamed green beans, and quinoa greek salad. The salad was delicious, Eric loved it! We'll definitely be making it again as a side to all kinds of meat and fish. Perfect bbq side!

2. Grandma Nancy's chicken enchiladas with green sauce, rice, beans, steamed green beans (we bought the Costco pack!)

3. Stuffed bell peppers

4. Grilled cheese and tomato soup (I love the easy meals!)

5. Chicken and zucchini

6. I haven't decided. The boys really like oven baked fries, so maybe hotdogs or hamburgers with that. I, also, want to make a calzone after I saw Mommy Reg's twitter about hers. Yum!! The last meal will either be pizza or out to eat.

Back Home

We're home!

We had a great time in Sunriver, OR. We ate, visited a museum, saw the snow at Mt. Bachelor, played games, and relaxed. The ride down and back was loooooonnnng, but the boys did surprisingly well. I knew Judah and Samuel would do ok, but I was worried about Silas. He did really, really well! I'll post pictures soon!

Eric took the boys to church this morning, so I could stay home and rest. I've had this annoying cold for over a week and can't seem to kick it. Hopefully rest will help.

We're moving in a couple weeks! I'm so excited to have 4 bedrooms, a living room and family room, 2 car garage, a yard with law, and just overall a lot more space. The house is in a great location- close to the gym, a few blocks from my in laws (I told them we'll be walking over for dinner each night :), and a few blocks from the park. It's also in the middle of town (as opposed to North, where we live now), so we'll be close to everything. Now begins the process of packing and getting rid of anything we don't need or use. I'm really excited for the family room. I have great plans to turn it in to a playroom/homeschool room.

I think I'm going to go lay down in my bed now. And, when I'm back, this cold better be gone!

Summer Fun

We had a fun 4th of July!



That morning we met my grandparents, dad, and sister at the park for the annual pancake breakfast and festivities.

We then spent all afternoon bbqing and swimming at friends' house. Such a delicious, fabulous time, but we were all exhausted. The boys were sound asleep by 8pm. It could have been much earlier, but I wanted to keep them up so they slept in the next morning.

Just as we were leaving our friends' I started losing my voice. I thought it was just from a long day in the sun, but by the next morning it was apparent that I had gotten the cold that Judah and Silas were fighting off. Samuel got a runny nose the next morning. Yuck! But, definitely worth all the fun!

I feeling better morning sickness-wise, but I'm definitely exhausted by the end of the day! I've been going to bed early because my body is forcing me to. I guess that's what happens when you're pregnant and, also, have three kids 4 and under. Gone are the days of lazing around and eating, like with my pregnancy with Judah.

We leaving tomorrow morning for a four day trip with my mom, sister, and grandparents. I'm really, really, really sad that Eric has to stay home, but I understand that he has to work. Such is life when you own your own business, but we'll definitely miss him!

I'm looking forward to cool weather, relaxing, and game playing! Actually, I need to go pack my games right now!

New Season

For you long time readers and friends and acquaintances, you know that much of our life had been consumed by ministry and church involvement.

A few months ago we decided to leave the church we had been attending. Our decision had come through a lot of thought and prayer over the past year. There were decisions being made and things happening that did not line up to what we believe that the Bible says.

It was an easy decision to make in one sense. We are confident in what we believe and how we live our lives for God. It was hard in the sense of what it meant. It, basically, meant that (with the exception of one) all relationships we had with the people there ended.

I have avoided saying anything on here because I know there are people from that church (that I love!) that read my blog. I don't want to hurt or offend anyone, but this is my blog. Am I really being true to myself and to my blog by leaving out such a huge, significant part of my life? I didn't post at all on here during long periods of time because it felt awkward to say something trivial when something so significant was going on in my life.

Most of the emotions have died down and the peace of God remains. We serve God first and, after God, comes our marriage and our family. We believe that the church is a vehicle that builds a marriage and a family.

For the past few months we have been attending a small church with a pastor who loves God and loves people. The church is filled with people who, also love God, and are passionate about marriage and family. It's been a refreshing time for us. It's been a season of re-prioritizing and continuing seek God through the Bible. We are thankful for our past season and the way that God used it, but we're excited about this new season that God has us in.

I understand that I'm being vague when writing this. There are very specific reasons for the decision we've made. If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me!