I absolutely love this picture. It represents my daughter doing something she absolutely did not want to do, something that was hard and something that was not a lot of fun for her. She went with the other youth in our church area on a pioneer trek for about three days with no showers, makeup, electronics, pillows, etc. There were many times she backed out and said she wasn't going. There were also many times when I was okay with that. After wrestling with it a little bit, ultimately Nate and I decided we really wanted her to go. We talked and pleaded and even had some sweet friends and leaders who encouraged her and tried to get her excited to go. In the end, I think she kind of wanted to do what was asked of her and, I sunk to a new level of parenting and told her she could get her driver's license if she went. I am so proud of her for doing it with a smile on her face, without anger (that I know of) and she did it well. Her example made me want to try to do what is asked of me without grumbling or anger, do it well and with a smile on my face. I love her for that and I believe we as parents, Amanda herself and even my other kids know there were many good things that came from this experience, especially for her as an individual. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for having a hand in my children's lives; He loves them even more than I do and I am grateful He knows what experiences they need and hopefully once in a while as a parent I tune in and get the message He sends to help carry out His plan for them.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Doing Hard Things
I absolutely love this picture. It represents my daughter doing something she absolutely did not want to do, something that was hard and something that was not a lot of fun for her. She went with the other youth in our church area on a pioneer trek for about three days with no showers, makeup, electronics, pillows, etc. There were many times she backed out and said she wasn't going. There were also many times when I was okay with that. After wrestling with it a little bit, ultimately Nate and I decided we really wanted her to go. We talked and pleaded and even had some sweet friends and leaders who encouraged her and tried to get her excited to go. In the end, I think she kind of wanted to do what was asked of her and, I sunk to a new level of parenting and told her she could get her driver's license if she went. I am so proud of her for doing it with a smile on her face, without anger (that I know of) and she did it well. Her example made me want to try to do what is asked of me without grumbling or anger, do it well and with a smile on my face. I love her for that and I believe we as parents, Amanda herself and even my other kids know there were many good things that came from this experience, especially for her as an individual. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for having a hand in my children's lives; He loves them even more than I do and I am grateful He knows what experiences they need and hopefully once in a while as a parent I tune in and get the message He sends to help carry out His plan for them.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Waitts Lake 2011
We feel so lucky to be able to hang out with lots of family and unofficial family at Waitts Lake every year. This year we were anticipating a lot of rain and yucky weather and we were so surprised to actually have fantastic weather! As always we start our weekend with the White Elephant... 
Then move on to serious baseball.
Bradley and Paul (my cousin's grandson) had a great time playing together this year. They loved driving the jeep and playing with cars.
Lauren and Amanda: Special Olympics twins.
We had great fishing--day and night.
So excited to have the Fuhrs come join us for one afternoon--cousins from both sides of the family--woo hoo!
We had some serious ultimate track ball going and that led to...
a serious track ball injury. Poor Jared hit a flower planter hard and flipped onto the gravel. He has some pretty cool battle scars from it now.
The s'mores were just right :)
All the kids.
The silly kids.
This year's family photo.
Can't wait till next year!
Then move on to serious baseball.
Bradley and Paul (my cousin's grandson) had a great time playing together this year. They loved driving the jeep and playing with cars.
Lauren and Amanda: Special Olympics twins.
We had great fishing--day and night.
So excited to have the Fuhrs come join us for one afternoon--cousins from both sides of the family--woo hoo!
We had some serious ultimate track ball going and that led to...
a serious track ball injury. Poor Jared hit a flower planter hard and flipped onto the gravel. He has some pretty cool battle scars from it now.
The s'mores were just right :)
All the kids.
The silly kids.
This year's family photo.
Can't wait till next year!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Birthday #4-0
Ok, so there was another birthday that I guess I should mention but only because some really sweet people made it such a fun day. My friend Sarah randomly had sodas waiting for me throughout the whole month prior. She was so clever decorating my cups, too!
Bradley really got into the excitement and this is a "treasure hunt" he put together for me.
Then, Sarah and Melinda put together a lunch at the park with friends. It was a beautiful day and so much fun!
My sweet kids showing me some birthday love.
Nate surprised me with the bike I'd been wanting and blindfolding me and taking me to Olive Garden with the family. Nate typically avoids Olive Garden at all costs so this was saying a lot :)
The great thing about turning 40 is I survived it and really appreciated how celebrated I felt! Later that week I had the opportunity to drive to Bothell and back on Saturday with my dear friend Kirsten to surprise our other dear friend, Trisha for her 40th surprise birthday party! It was so great! Kirsten and I hadn't been alone for that amount of time without kids in about 20 years, I'd say and we had a great time chatting on the drive. We did definitely surprise Trisha, had some delicious food and it was a really great day. The picture below shows Marci, Me, Kirsten and Trisha. We first became friends in 2nd grade!
Bradley really got into the excitement and this is a "treasure hunt" he put together for me.
Then, Sarah and Melinda put together a lunch at the park with friends. It was a beautiful day and so much fun!
My sweet kids showing me some birthday love.
Nate surprised me with the bike I'd been wanting and blindfolding me and taking me to Olive Garden with the family. Nate typically avoids Olive Garden at all costs so this was saying a lot :)
The great thing about turning 40 is I survived it and really appreciated how celebrated I felt! Later that week I had the opportunity to drive to Bothell and back on Saturday with my dear friend Kirsten to surprise our other dear friend, Trisha for her 40th surprise birthday party! It was so great! Kirsten and I hadn't been alone for that amount of time without kids in about 20 years, I'd say and we had a great time chatting on the drive. We did definitely surprise Trisha, had some delicious food and it was a really great day. The picture below shows Marci, Me, Kirsten and Trisha. We first became friends in 2nd grade!
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