Can You Guess Where We Are Going.....

We have tickets booked for TENNESSEE!

Just booked them today.

Only 4 weeks and 4 days to go.

Thank you mama for the tickets! 

We were originally thinking of going at the end of summer, right before school started, but with me teaching dance the timing just wasn't working out.  And, all the summer flights were ridiculously expensive.  The only week that worked that was a low price and didn't clash with work happened to be the weekend of Gracie's 1st ever dance recital.  We bought an expensive costume, signed a contract and monkey has been working hard at her number since January.  We thought all was at a loss.  I had a chat with Grace and she, on her own, said she didn't think she wanted to do the recital and wanted to go to TN instead.  She was a bit nervous about the recital (this year--she said she would be ready when she was 6) and wasn't sure if, when the time came, she's be brave enough to dance in front of every one (we had a bit of a scary dance experience back in December-so it's still fresh in her mind).  So, I emailed her dance teacher and got an immediate response.  She completely understood and was ok with Grace dropping out last minute and the kicker---there was another girl who started dance late and they didn't have a costume for her.  She is going to buy Gracie's costume from us!  Huge huge blessing as we could definitely use that money on the trip.  God is so good. Always taking care of our every need.  Sometimes we have to say yes to something knowing we will have to say no to something else. But, in the end, if it is God's will all will be worked out, even the littlest things that we think He wouldn't care the least about.  


I do have a few Prayers I'd love lifted up:


1.  Grace and I have never traveled with out Loren and we have never been away from Loren for more than one or two nights.  This is going to be difficult for both of us, especially for Grace.  She's already gotten teary eyed thinking about daddy not being with her.  Also, I have to take medication when I fly and it usually puts me out of commission.  I have always said I would never travel alone with Grace due to that as I want to be 100% when I am the one fully responsible for her but I am believing I will be just fine. Please pray that my medication does not effect me in any way and that we are safe while traveling alone.  


2.  Please pray as I plan my up coming summer dance class.  I'll now need to plan it before going on the trip as it starts 5 days after we return.  I am by nature a procrastinator (it in some odd way makes me do a better job if I wait to the last minute) but I do not want to put this off to the last minute.  I have a lot of music to load and decided on. Themes to sort out.  Theatre games to plan.  etc. etc.  I also ask for God's wisdom in how I lay out the class.  I am going to be teaching itty bitty kiddos and their attention spans are very limited and I want to keep them focused and engaged.  


Thank you and Yippee, Hooray, Woohoo, Sweet, Woot, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.....


......just a smidge excited. 

Just another "average" Wednesday

I have a terrible memory.
My memory use to be so much stronger but then I had Grace and "Mommy Brain" sprung itself upon me.  
It is a real thing-I am living proof.


That is one of the reasons I have this blog.  I do not ever want to forget.  I want to be able to share with Grace all about her childhood without missing any details.  


So bare with me as I recount my Wednesday.  It was a good one and I do not want to forget.  


I sadly forgot my camera the entire day.....  Not sure what I was thinking as it was beautiful out and we went on some unique adventures and the day was simple and easy going.  Love that combination.  
....so I had to borrow some photos from Google Images.  I promise to take my own photos next time.


On Wednesday Grace and I spent the morning baking chocolate chip banana bread (YUM) & playing at home.  Then we went to story time at the Ellensburg Public Library.  I was sad to find out that it was the last story time until June 21st.  Ho hum.  We usually go once a week to story time, pick out books and videos for the week.  I guess we'll have to go and just do our own story time ~ maybe even invite some friends to join us.  I secretly have always wanted to be the "story time girl"who gets to read to all the kids, sing silly songs while helping them form a love for the library and for reading.


After story time we went home, made lunch and ate it outside.  Did I mention the weather was finally nice again after 3 days of either extreme wind, rain & gloom, or cold (yes, we still have to keep winter coats on hand for rare days of cold + wicked wind).  After we at our lunch basking in the sun we hid more eggs and ran around the back yard searching for every last one of them.  


Fresh Air + Running Around = a tired monkey and monkey's mama


After some much needed rest time, I didn't want to miss a minute of being outside on this rare spring day of sun and warmth without wind.  We ate a snack, packed a water bottle and drove to Olmstead State Park (Olmstead Place State Park is a 217-acre day-use park that features a working pioneer farm. The park hosts tours and school field trips. Pioneer artifacts are plentiful in the park, and many can be seen in action in the work of maintaining the farm. Picnic space and walking trails interweave with interpretive activities.)

It is only a 5-10 minute drive away and ultra fun to explore.  

We walked the trail, sat by the stream, threw grass and sticks into the water while watching it get pushed away by the current and we ran from the "Dragon-o-saurus," whom Grace demanded must stay in the woods and leave us alone!  We even got a special tour of one of the houses built in the 1800's (they usually don't do tours of any kind until the summer months but they saw us and asked if Grace wanted to look in one of the houses).  

Oh the many adventures of Grace & Mommy. And, we are able to do everything we do for free or just about free.  It is such a gift to not have money is excess.  It allows us to 1. fully rely on God and 2. use everything God gave us to entertain us.  It causes us to be creative and explore everything around us that is just screaming to be explored and admired.  Thank you God for all that you've supplied for us. 


After our time away, we ran home, cleaned up the house and made dinner in time for daddy's arrive at 5:30.    


After I got dinner on the table I got to do something extra special-something I don't normally get to do.  I got to have a Girls Night Out!!!!  Rhonda picked up Brooke and I and we headed to The Soup Bowl for sandwiches. After that-we got a bit wild & crazy and went to Goodwill and shopped around for an hour looking for good deals with out little munchkins pulling us this way and that.  I found a black dance skirt for Grace for .99!  Score.  And, to end our G~N~O we stopped by Utopia, of course.  We talked about deep stuff,  silly stuff, laughed so much our stomachs hurt and just had a great time being with each other. Nights like this are needed.  I feel so refreshed today after getting a little "me" time and I feel ready for the day.....and, thank goodness because it is going to be filled with lots of little girls.  I will be babysitting two twin sweeties in the morning, and two spectacular sisters in the afternoon. That's 5 girlie's total and we are going to rock it!  Play-doh, dress-up, a walk to the playground, some stories and maybe even some dancing are in our future.  


Now-go outside-find the unexplored areas near your home that are screaming for you to look at in awe and wonder giving all glory to God for what He has created.  You do not need money to be joyful. You do not need money to find adventure.  Joy is a choice and adventure can be found with every breathe you take.  

A Glorious Weekend & a Catch Up

We thought it would be a good idea to take Tetta, our Japanese Community friend, on a picnic and then exploring on some trails.  It would show him more of Ellensburg and a bit more about us since this is one of our favorite things to do.  We picked him up Sunday afternoon and boy was the weather full of utter perfection. It was 70. No wind. No clouds.  And, all the leaves were budding with lime green teeny leaves.  Spring was around us and it smelled incredible.  

We went to Irene Rineheart Park and it was OPEN!  

Needless to say we were very grateful as it has been closed for the last 6 months.

It's about a 5 minute drive from our home and one of the most beautiful places.

I am so thrilled as to where God has brought us.  So much diverse landscapes here in Washington.  I could not imagine living anywhere else.  The beauty this land bestows is one of a kind.  

Picnic time

As we started our walk we found a remote control boat show taking place

They went SO fast.  It was a very neat experience.

The start of our walk 

Spring is exceptionally beautiful.  If only it would warm up
and stay warm.  

And, we don't like to stay on the trail for very long.
Exploring is the way to go.....

.....because, you find places like this where you can skip rocks....

.....and find really cool walking sticks.  

My hope is that Tetta feels apart of our family and goes home
with a wonderful sense of what Americans, here in Eburg, are like.

Another off the trail location we found.....

....along with this fly fisherman.  My first time seeing fly fishing in real life.

The beauty just doesn't get captured in photos......

....It literally takes your breathe away.

It was a wonderful experience.  And, Tetta kept asking for more. I like his attitude!  He appreciates nature and the effort it takes to get to the good locations.   After a few hours of walking, we headed to McDonald's for a ice cream cone to cool us down as we drove Tetta home.  When we got home we were exhausted, so Loren and I laid in the sun like cats and napped.  After our nap we grilled outside for dinner and played until bedtime.  My kind of Family Day.

Are you enjoying your spring?  Taking advantage of the good days, turning off the TV, getting off the computer and seeing all that God has created?  If only every day could be like that!   Nature is definitely when I see and feel God the most; when I feel most connected and my head is the most clear so I can hear Him better.  Maybe today calls for another adventure.......




On a differnet note....

SEATTLE & CHRIS TOMLIN

Mom graciously bought us tickets to Chris Tomlin.  He is our favorite Christian artist.  We love all his music and were so thankful to be able to go.  

We went up Friday night-stayed at Loren's Uncle Jim's place (he was out of town for the night). 

The next morning we met our friends in Seattle for some kiddo play time. 

Then we visiting Uncle Jim for a bit before running to Loren's Uncle Chucks and Aunt Barbie's for a visit and dinner. It was a jam packed day but it was good.  It was needed.  I feel very much content when we can visit with family.   Things just feel right.  

After dinner we headed on our way to the concert.  We got stuck in concert traffic and got their late (don't worry we didn't miss Chris Tomlin) but it was a blessing in disguise because Grace was sick-she got a fever the instant we got in the car to drive to Seattle on Friday.  Then Friday night she woke up screaming over and over again and was up 2 hours earlier than normal so she was sick & exhausted.  All that to say, she miraculously fell asleep in the car on the way to the concert (she never falls asleep anymore during the day) and got in a good 20 minute nap-thank you traffic!  When we got to the church we ran in, found our seats and had the most uplifting, exhilarating, Spirit filled concert experience of our lives.  Watching Grace close her eyes, lift her little hands and sing out Chris Tomlin songs made my heart overflow with gladness and thankfulness.  My soul was refreshed. 

Thank you Mom for the tickets!

Here are some photos of Gracie's time with her best bud Grace.

The view from Uncles Jims house-that is Seattle across the water way

Seattle Center

Starbucks and the Space Needle

watching a dance show inside the center

The center was flooded with bounce houses so we let the girls
go on two of them.

SMALL GROUP EASTER EGG COLORING AND HUNT

We are apart of a fantastic small group that meets Wednesday nights from 5:30-7:30.  We meet in each others homes and take turns hosting and cooking meals for each other.  We fellowship, then we send the kids with a sitter to another room so we can dive deep into God's word, share what is going on in our lives and pray for one another.

Below are some photos of the Egg hunt we had with all the children.  An incredibly fun group of people to share our lives with.

Some of my favorite kiddos

 Thanks for letting me catch up a bit!

Now, go and enjoy spring!!!