A little fishin' a lot of Tulips and a Starfish...

And that will about wrap up Spring Break, aka as, "Mom, entertain us every minute!" week. We shopped for lures, we shopped for flies, and Ethan organized his tackle box with all his new gear. We asked around for fishing tips, and it is a good thing men around the fishing aisles are eager to share their genius! Bellie watched movies and painted her nails. We sat on the banks of our new fishing holes and played, quietly because Ethan is all business. "You'll scare the fish, be quiet!" Jeezsh, who knew I was going to have such an avid outdoors men!? E could literally sit there for hours totally satisfied with the feeling of fishing, the water, the casting, the whole atmosphere. No, we didn't catch anything...yet! Jack is too loud and busy to sit still quietly, even committing the ultimate fishing no-no, throwing rocks into the water. This just about sets Ethan over the edge. The boys made a fire pit in their boys only fort in the woods, very creative and clever. I have never ran so fast to hide the "fire stick", it is safely tucked away. Ethan was quick to ask "what kind of rocks make sparks" Great, good thing I don't carry about flint! I have spent many extra hours refereeing the screaming, kicking, punching, ax chasing (not kidding on that one) squabbles. I think to summer coming up quickly and find haven when I remember oh yeah, we will have our pool time back. Thank goodness. So here is to Spring Break. Despite the fighting and the constant need for entertainment I have to admit I am the luckiest mom on the planet to hang out with these three rug rats. To see more of "entertain us every minute week" adventures click right HERE...

Every year the tulips are the same but the kids in front of them keep growing and growing!
Skagit Valley at it's finest!


This is my Spring Break treat, isn't it cute?! Ethan asked "why does our whole life have to be rainbows?!"

Okay if you must send Ethan and Jack some MALE to their HOWS, please...feel free.

But please no teens because they have WEPINS!

Yikes hide the matches!

So please send MALE but no TENS and no matches to the ultimate club HOWS!

Check out my consequences if I don't take him! Perhaps a please would be nice?!

Jackers is always fascinated with the sea life!

Born to fish...seriously it is all consuming for EE. Hope we catch one soon!

We hope you too had a wonderful Spring Break!
A, E, I, and J

I Need God...

Is fake it till you make it still a familiar concept? I need God so much to live my life. I can't imagine living one day without him. I am so thankful for Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Holidays stir up the past and stir up pain. Saturday was spent with the kids, making Easter special then because 2007 is odd- Easter Sunday was spent with their dad, leaving me alone. I have the most amazing, truly amazing, supportive friends. However there are some aches and some pains that can not be comforted by anyone. Only can I take it to God and let him work on my heart. I wish there was another way to put this, but I hate it. I hate divorce, I hate the fact my children have to be shuffled back and forth. I hate everything about this situation. So I do need God, every minute to send his loving comfort and the knowledge it is going to be okay. That He has a plan for me and for the kids. So it is a Happy Easter, how could it not be with Christ alive and living in us!

Izzy's Magic Shoes...

Forrest Gump ain't got nothing on us! We added to Isabelle's stylin pink ensemble this morning with her new braces. Again she took it in stride being more excited about the new pink shoes than the hassle of me having to pry her little feet into these things every morning. She actually took to them quite well, the tone in her feet and ankles is so weak that the extra support has to feel good. The hard plastic boot is strapped super tight around her foot with Velcro straps, the feeling of that if on my feet would make me crazy! After building up to wearing them all day we should start to see some benefits! More endurance and increased likelihood to enjoy hiking with me and the boys. Now she gets so tired she simply sits down on the trail and refuses to keep going. So add the Forrest Gump braces up there with her pink hearing aids, and pink glasses, it takes work to be such a trend setter!

Soccer Here We Come...

We entered the world of Soccer last Saturday at Ethan's first game. The skies gave us a break for the hour and waited to pour until we got in the car. This was much appreciated by mom and the other 900 parents on the sidelines! But I know with Spring Soccer comes rain, so I'm sure some soaking wet shots are to follow. His team consits of mainly boys from his class so they really have a fun time playing together being that they are so close. We even got to see Zachary from our old neighborhood! Although at this age there is never an official score taken, the team would tell you "We're Undefeated!!" As always Ethan's two greatest fans watch from the sidelines.
You can see more of the action here.

Peppercorn Sauce...

At around 18 months Ethan fell in love with golf. Today at age 7, he still loves golf although we have added a few new loves like fishing and soccer. So knowing Ethan's strong passion about things I figured his little brother would not be much different, I was right! Jack at around the same young age fell in love with Bunnies of all things. His fascination with them continued, so at long last I caved and helped his wish to come true! We added baby Peppercorn Sauce to our family this last Monday. I have to say I was not all that excited about the prospect of owning a bunny. You can see by the pictures that you can't not get excited about a little creature that cute! So count mom in the line to hold little Peppercorn. Who knew a bunny could be so fun? She has a sweet, docile temperament and loves to be snuggled and held. My purpose in agreeing to the deal was to nurture a little quiet and gentleness in the boys and so far it seems to be working. "Bunnies like it quiet and so do I!" Ahhhh... I love the baby bunny and the quietness she brings!

Has Spring Sprung?

We hope so! Jack and I were so excited to find daffodils actually in bloom on the way to the bus stop this morning. To feel the sun this afternoon was such a great feeling. And... beware of pesky leprechauns!

Science Fair Super Star!

Isabelle knocked my socks off yesterday at the school science fair! I am so proud. She clearly signed a simplified explanation of photosynthesis and the reason we need energy from the sun to eat! She was so proud of her display and her peers were genuinely interested it what she had to say. I have to say I am a bit proud of myself as well for pulling it off, a science fair project seemed like an unjust nightmare for me! Yeah, together we did it, with a little help from Auntie and EE! Good job Bellie!

Rain, Rain, Everyday...

This is why...

I'm so tired. This is exactly what I have to contend with at 10:47 at night. Jack being Jack with his insomniac tendency does not need as much sleep as most children. Last night I had HAD IT! I locked myself in the bathroom to take a bath and watch CSI. Only to return to MY room to this... What gives?

Sassy for Spring...

We were hard pressed to find a haircut sassy enough to match Isabelle's sassy personality! I think we may have done it. I don't know if this is the little attitude that goes with nine year old girls but she certainly is pushing all my limits! Picture one will show you can sign with attitude too!

Ethan's Motto...

It is fun that Ethan can read so quickly now on the drive by! "Mom, stop! That sign is about fishing." Two months and counting until the fishing derby...and counting and organizing the tackle box, and counting and organizing the tackle box....

Valentine Surprise...

Because this is my blog I suppose I can write what I desire, right?! Well I am requesting your prayers… I am on a new journey that began in the beginning of January. Last night I had a Valentine date! I have met a guy that is so genuinely kind and generous that often I do not know how to respond. Last night was our first time “out on the town” and I have to tell you how strange it felt to run into people from church etc… with someone else other than my ex-husband. Please pray for me and for Gods will to be clear as I set out to experience this surprise, unexpected relationship! And as always, here is a picture of my three little Valentine’s. Thanks for caring so deeply for me to have an interest in my life… to care so much about me and my kids! To the future!

21 Days in Paradise...

Hello my blogger-checkin friends! It has taken me weeks to get back in my groove since being on vacation for three excellent weeks! From the day we left we have been dodging storms, wind in Seattle, snow in Denver, ice in Nebraska, back to Colorado, more snow and then finally returning home to Bellingham only to find more wind, snow and ice! Our time with family was great! The boys had the time of their lives hunting with grandpa and great Uncle Dave! We experienced everything the CABIN ON THE RIVER has to enjoy, cutting our own tree, sitting outside in the hot tub, four-wheeling and exploring the woods. Jack got the privilege of being the "camel trainer" for the trip. He and Camille really bonded. To top off the amount of fun Uncle Andy and Auntie Steph came along with baby Drew. It was so fun to be with Drewy, what a sweet nephew I have. Isabelle loved holding and watching after Drew and hanging out in the cabin with Grandma and her cousin Joseph. We all had a great time, despite the ice storm like none other, that snapped the power poles like toothpicks! My parents were with out power for over two weeks. Here are the pictures from PHASE ONE of our trip, Pike Place Market, down town Seattle at Christmas and our flight out. And finally what the kids had been waiting for CHRISTMAS MORNING at the cabin, the surprise visit from Santa with our cousins Luke and Laura, etc… Thank you to my Auntie and Uncle Wayne for such a great surprise! So I'm back! Back to blogging and back to our life right here in the Valley... A little routine feels good!