Horses!

This past week the kids and I went to Oregon to visit family. The kids had a blast on my mom's farm, as always. But this time we did something a little different. We all rode horses! As a kid, I used to ride all the time. I loved it. And now, so many years later, I miss it. There were a few years recently when I couldn't really ride, either because of being pregnant or having very small children who needed my attention all the time. But I realized recently that it would be a wonderful idea to start riding again. My sister still has a few horses which are very well trained. So...even though it's been YEARS since I've been on a horse, I still feel somewhat confident on them. One evening my sister, my niece, and I went out and saddled up the horses (well, actually my niece rode bare-back, which I think is pretty neat). We rode a few times around the field while the kids watched with Grandma. We mostly walked, but we did trot and even gallop for a short time. It was a great time of riding to get back into it. The kids enjoyed watching, but really wanted to get on the horses themselves. So after several times around the field we got off and let the kids ride. They LOVED it! Last summer Ellie tried riding once, but once she got onto the horse's tall back she was frightened and didn't want the horse to move. And Parker had never been on a horse. But they both enjoyed it so much this time. It was already past there bedtime, so the rides were fairly short, but they both wanted to stay on longer. It was such a fun time, and we've decided to make this a tradition whenever we go stay with my mom. Someday I hope to be able to have a horse or two, but for now we're so thankful to my sister for sharing hers with us when we come to visit.

Moving

For the past 5 1/2 years my husband and I have lived at a Bible Camp in central Washington, where he works doing maintenance and running the paintball program, among other things. Jared has worked and lived here for 7 years. This is where we have lived since we got married. It is a beautiful place to live and a great ministry. However, my prayer for a while now has been for change. Right now we live in a house with another family. We live downstairs and they live upstairs, and we share a porch, entryway, and laundry room. I am thankful for the house and the neighbors we have, but it's not easy sharing a house. Also, we live about 25 minutes from the nearest town, which is sometimes a little lonely. We have generator power, which often doesn't work real well.

So....when God opened the door for us to move north of Seattle, to another Bible Camp, I was thrilled! We were not looking for another job, but just happened across this one. In every detail, it has felt like this is where God is leading us. We will for sure miss this place, where we started our lives together and started our family. I'm sure we will come back to visit. But we're so excited for this new adventure, and to see what God has in store for us. We will be moving in September. We will be in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house (we are very excited, as right now we're in a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom). We will live only a few short minutes from the nearest town. We will have regular power. And Jared will be working with outdoor ed. groups, which I think he'll really enjoy. It will be a nice break from doing maintenance. We really feel like this will be a wonderful opportunity for our family. I am so thankful for a God who listens to our prayers and who cares so much!

Lake Chelan

During the summer our camp goes to Lake Chelan once a week for "Lake Day." Of course, the kids and I try not to miss a Lake Day. We love going! It's a chance for us to see Jared, during a season when that's somewhat rare. Plus, it's just really fun. The water is great for swimming; there is a huge grassy area where we like to play, eat, and take rests; and there is a great playground. Not to mention all the camp staff, who make the days very fun for my kids. They love Ellie and Parker, and Ellie and Parker love them, too. We have had two Lake Days so far this summer - tomorrow is the third. Last week there was extra room on the camp bus, so the kids and I rode on the bus. I was a little nervous, but the kids did great, and had a great time! At first Ellie was a little afraid of all the noise that the big kids were making, but soon they brought out a guitar and sang praise songs, and my kids sang right along! Ellie and Parker didn't know the words to many of the songs, but still they sang loudly! Last week Jared brought our sailboat to the lake, and Ellie and Parker got to take their first ride on it. They did great, and loved it! It will be so much fun when they're a little older and we can all sail as a family often. Lake Days are a fun time for all of us, and I think the kids will have wonderful memories of these great summer days!

Thankfulness

The past few days I've been feeling whiny. I really haven't felt like I should sit and write anything while I was feeling that way. But I've decided instead of avoiding this blog, I will attempt to list 10 things I'm thankful for. It will give me something positive to write about, and possibly even change my mood in the process. So here goes...

10 Things I'm Thankful For (not in any particular order):

1. The beautiful wildflowers we see and pick every day. Thanks to an extra rainy spring, they are extra beautiful this year.

2. That my kids get along (most of the time). While it often irritates me that they spend so much time at night giggling when they should be sleeping, it does mean that they enjoy each other's company. I know they love each other very much.

3. A wonderful, almost traffic-free place to run in the spring, summer, and fall (just too much snow and ice to run in the winter).

4. A healthy body that allows me to run, and to play with my kids.
5. A God who loves me and gives me a new start daily.

6. My husband, who loves me in spite of my crankiness, and who makes me proud every day.

7. My MOPS group, which has meant the world to me these past few years.

8. Friends who encourage me, challenge me, lift me up in prayer, support me, and love me.

9. The most comfy bed ever.

10. Living where there is lots of space outdoors for my kids to play.

Hey, I feel better already! It helps me so much to look at all the great things in life, rather than focusing on the things I wish I could change. I wish it came more naturally to me to see all that I have to be thankful for. But I'm challenged, knowing that the more often I practice this exercise, the more natural it will become. I think I'll try to make these "Thankfulness lists" a regular thing!

My wonderful hubby!

I have been having a hard time knowing what to blog about the past couple weeks. Today, though, I was thinking about how much I love my husband, and how wonderful he is, and I knew that that's what I should write about. Jared and I have been married for almost 6 years. I cannot say that it's always been easy, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a moment of it. Going through hard times has helped us to appreciate the good times even more. I have seen us both grow since the day we got married - spiritually, emotionally, and yes, even physically! We've grown so much closer to each other, and there is not another person I'd rather spend time with than Jared. I'm so excited to experience many, many more years together! Jared is my other half - literally. Where I have weaknesses, he has strength, and vice versa. It's easy to become annoyed with the differences we have, but when we see them for what God intended them for - to strengthen each other - than we know that they are blessings.


I think I'll just end by listing a few (of the many) things that I love about Jared.

*I love that he can fix anything.
*I love that he is such a great father. He's a wonderful example to the kids, and they love spending time with him.
*I love that he's easygoing, and doesn't get uptight about things like I do.
*I love that he gives people the benefit of the doubt, and doesn't jump to conclusions.
*I love that he often knows me better than I know myself.
*I love that he would drop anything to help out a friend in need.
*I love that he's adventurous, and often pushes me out of my comfort zone.
*I love that he listens for God's will in his life.
*I love that he's loyal - to me, to our family, to his friends, etc.
*I love that he loves me!

An amazing Father

Today is Father's Day, and while I am so thankful for all the fathers in my life, what I want to focus on right now is my Heavenly Father. I am a daughter of the King! Sometimes it's hard to fathom what that means, and how that can be. In fact, when I truly think about it, I am completely in awe. God sent His only son to die, so that I could be His daughter. So that YOU can be His son or daughter. None of us deserve to be called sons and daughters of God, but if we believe in Christ, repent of our sins, and receive His love, we are adopted into His kingdom! I am AMAZED by the love of God. As much as I love my children, and I know Jared loves them just as much, God loves us all infinitely more. Love is not just something God does, it is what He IS. He cannot act outside of love. Everything He does, He does out of love for us. And He does not simply sprinkle His love on us, He LAVISHES His love on us. My life is full of blessings from the Lord. Every day I realize more and more His great love for me, and in turn I fall more deeply in love with Him daily. Earthly fathers, no matter how wonderful, will fall. They will fail, at some time or another. God, however, cannot fail. He is perfect. There is no darkness in Him, only light. No matter what your earthly father is/was like, you can count on God the Father. No matter what you may have done in your lifetime, you can turn to Him, and He will completely and utterly forgive you. No matter what you may be going through right in this moment, He is there for you. He longs to hold you, to carry you through. Nothing is too big for Him. Nothing is too insignificant for Him. He cares. For you. He is the PERFECT Father.

Camping!!!

This is our last week before the craziness of summer camps, so we decided to take a night and go camping on Monday night. We got a new "family tent" this past winter at Cabela's, to use in place of our little 2-man tent for now. We tried to surprise the kids, but they heard us talking about tents and figured it out. They were so excited to go camping! Our first stop was Walmart, to pick up air mattresses, a tarp, and a few other things we needed for the trip. Then it was off to the campground. It was a campground that I had never been to, and Jared had been to years ago (it was his suggestion - thanks, Hon!). It's right on a lake, and there are tennis courts, a soccer field, volleyball nets, a big playground, a nice place to swim, lots of area to run around. It was perfect! We had such a wonderful time. It was just nice being away together as a family, since I know we won't see much of Jared this summer. The weather was really nice and warm when we arrived, and got super windy that night. The next morning was not quite as warm, but still wonderful. Parker didn't sleep real well, so we were all pretty tired yesterday, but it was so worth it! I love camping, and it's something I want my kids to grow up loving, too.Jared "roasted" marshmallows over our camp stove for s'mores, because we forgot to bring any wood for a fire!What a sweet smile! Parker sure loved the playground!Ellie really enjoyed the obstacle course on the playground. At first she wanted Jared's help, but before long she could do it all herself! It was a real confidence booster for her.Both of our kids really love to climb. They liked having so many things to climb (including some boulders right in our campsite!).

Parker is a fair-weather water boy. He enjoyed playing near the water, but wouldn't go in because it was too cold.

Ellie loved getting in the water, even though it was pretty cold. She's our little water lover!

Jared and Parker sleeping in the morning - what sweet angels!