The Unexpected

 A quick back story....Starbucks is having frappuccino Happy Hours this week.  From 3pm-5pm 1/2 off Fraps.  Loren's store had so many people taking advantage of the incredible deal that they ran out of a bit of product and needed to borrow some from another Starbucks.  However, the closest one that had what they needed was in Leavenworth, a 1+ hour drive away.  Loren ran there and back on Monday.  To repay them, he had to return the product on Wednesday.  Grace & I decided we wanted to go with so we  tagged along making a family fun day out of it.  Loren found someone to cover his shift, took a personal day and thanks to milage our trip there and back was covered.  Oh Happy -unexpected-  Wednesday!

 If you've never been to Leavenworth, this is one of those places you must go to in your life time. A place to add to your Bucket List or Life List as I like to call it.

It was an old run down lodging and sawmill industry that was brilliantly turned into Bavarian themed village that has "become a pillar of the tourism industry in the Pacific Northwest."

 We walked along the downtown area, stopping in all the neat shops.  Our favorite was Kris Kringl, the most spectacular Christmas store we've ever seen before.  After exploring the town we chose Gustav's as our lunch stop.  Burgers always hit the spot.

After lunch we piled in the car and drove around looking for unique roads to drive down.

We ended up finding field after field of luscious fruit trees in full bloom. 

We thought it would be neat to find a place to explore while on our way back from Leavenworth.

 We enjoy exploring places that are not often traveled....

....finding roads that have been washed away

.....and, doing things with Grace that are slightly dangerous that end up teaching her
a sense of grand accomplishment in the end.

 These photos do not do this hill justice. It was so steep I could not go up it with my camera in fear I would fall and break it.  I stayed below and cheered them on.  There was one moment I got a bit nervous as they tripped over a rock and it came tumbling down, down, down-which could have been one or both of them.  But, I let the fear go and just trusted they would be fine. And, they were.

Victory!  Can you see them at the very top of the hill, arms raised in joy.

It was so steep that Grace had to hang on to Loren's back as they came down in a
zigzag motion so not to fall or slip down the hill.  Thank goodness
they had their walking sticks. 

"Go Team Statema!!"  
What we say on all of our adventures.

And, that was our Wednesday.

When we got home, we had 1 hour until our small group (5 families total: 10 adults, 7 kiddos and 1 on the way) showed up at our home for dinner and fellowship.  I must say we all slept well that night.  It was a long and wonderful day.



Now, skip forward to Friday, May 13th.
Another busy yet unexpectedly wonderful day.

We played with moonsand; making cupckes, icecream and candies.  We went to Jazzercise.  And, then we headed to the Touch A Truck event.

Grace did so well.  She made it 3/4 the way through the event.  Then it got a bit too loud and we headed home.  I was very proud of her.  She stayed so calm.  She didn't cry or panic when it got too loud, just calmly told me that she was done and would like to go home.  Way to go Grace!

When we got home we came out side to play and found this.....

Our fruit trees all in bloom and smelling of perfume.

Sure it was only just barely 69 degrees out today but my girl wanted to play in her pool-for the first time.

and, she wanted to acquaint herself with the slip and slide.

The view from the kitchen while I cook and do the dishes.
I love this view.  

A good sign that summer in on the way.  

So glad spring is finally starting to show it's face.

After we had some outside play time it time to head out again. We dropped Grace off at a friends and headed to Ellensburg Christian School.  We got called in for an interview.  It went exceptionally well.  We shared our hearts and lives and desires for our daughter.  We were comfortable and laid back and felt at home there.  We will know after next Thursday whether or not we are accepted into the school.  Oh unexpected peace.

After our meeting, Tetta joined us for dinner & game night.

While waiting for dessert Grace colored Tetta a picture and had him close his
eyes the entire time so it was a surprise. He is such a trooper.  

They have a very silly and special relationship.
Even with the language barrier they seem to understand each other.

We taught Tetta Gracie's favorite game, I Spy Eagle Eye and he WON!
Go Tetta!

Grace helping Tetta find a hidden pictures 

And, then my little warrior princess wanted to play the Wii.
She kicks butt at Sword Play.  Look at her face.  She is so serious. 

Girl friend won every single game.  

It was such a simple and enjoyable evening and a perfect way to kick off our weekend.  
Loren has two days off. The only thing we have planned is the Farmers Market & Children's Day which both take place Saturday morning (I am going to be at a booth at the Children's Day event advertising my dance class-praying it doesn't rain as we will be outside).   Other than that we are just going to play things by ear and enjoy our family time, even if it means staying in doors all day playing games and reading together.

Enjoy your weekend.
Make every moment count.

A Day For This Mama

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.~ Psalm 127:3

Isn't spring breath taking!

All I wanted for Mother's Day was quality time with my family.  No gifts.  No fancy meals out.  No flowers. Just time. Time with my loves.  And, that's exactly what I got--all weekend.  No gift could outdo that and quite honestly I don't need anything so this was perfect!!!

Loren took off work on Saturday.  Oh how that speaks my love language. 
We went to the Farmers Market (1st one since last fall) & ran into a ton of people we knew who greeted us with hugs.  Walking there and back reminded me of when we first moved here and our routine of Saturday walks to the Farmers Market and how wonderful it was to feel like we were merging ourselves into the community of Ellensburg.  This time it felt like home.

On our walk there and back I took some photos.
Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the beautiful colors of spring.
They are so inspiring.  Bright, Cheerful, Energizing, Vibrant........

Our Library

Down Town Ellensburg

I did buy a tomato plant for our Topsy Turvey.  

 After the farmers market we came home for lunch. After lunch while Loren and I were getting things ready to go Grace did this......

And, Jake loved every minutes of it.  Such a strange and wonderful cat.

4 hours later and he was STILL like this!

After we got Jake all comfy and cozy we drove to Yakima to cheer on a friend who was playing in a baseball tournament.  Their family actually stayed with us Friday and Saturday night and it was wonderful to have them here. The Seadogs WON and Grace was the best little cheerleader out there.  This was the first baseball game (or game of any kind) she has ever been to and she thoroughly enjoyed it.  
 
Being there brought back wonderful memories of when my brother was that age playing ball.  I miss watching him, cheering him on and seeing the pride in his eyes when did well.  Oh many years have passed by since then, yet for a moment on Saturday it seemed like it was just yesterday.

Daddy teaching Grace all about baseball (Did you know Loren's dad use to be a pitching coach?)

Waving to Collin who was up to bat-wearing his sisters pink hat to support the Breast Cancer Tournament.

Our friend Steph teaching Grace. I love this.

And, Grace stoked that the team she was cheering for WON!

 

That was our Saturday.

On Sunday, we just hung out at the house until 1:30pm.  In our PJ's, doing absolutely nothing.
That is my kind of Mother's Day.  Loren cooked me breakfast.  And, he did all the dishes, too!
Half way through the day we ventured out for an hour or so to walk around a lake we'd never been to before then hit up Freddy's to pick up groceries as my sweet hubby made me a yummy dinner.  It was a good day.  I got to nap. I got to rest and relax.  I didn't have to hand wash one dish.  And, I got a back and foot rub.  My husband is incredible.  It was a good day!

Now back to reality.  The life that I love.  Taking care of and serving my family.  There isn't a better job in the entire world.  Thank you Grace for making it possible for me to have a Mother's Day.  "MOM" is a spectacular & humbling title to have and I will wear with pride every day of my life.

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother's Day.

You have been my mommy for 30 years now and I love you so much.   Grateful that God gave you to me and me to you.  I couldn't imagine it any other way.

1st Christmas, just 10 days old-1980

Oh the fun memories I have from my childhood.  

One of my favorites: Watching Santa (aka: Grandpa DiLello) deliver Christmas presents on Christmas Eve-in the middle of the night.  The anticipation was almost unbearable. We would get woken up to the sound of reindeer landing on the roof and bells jingling.  It was so exciting.  We would watch him from behind a chair in silence as we did not want him to know we were there (we were suppose to still be sleeping--every kid knows that if you are not asleep Santa will not come to your house).  Mom would be sitting with us and dad would normally be across the way with the video camera capturing it all on tape.  And, then when Santa was done putting the presents under the tree, we had to run to our beds and pretend to be asleep while he left.  Once he was gone, we ran out and opened all the gifts.  Oh glorious fun.  And, oh what a tease because we then had to go right back to sleep.  Boy did visions of sugar plums dance in our heads each Christmas as we awaited morning.  I loved Christmas growing up.  I still do.  Glorious memories.  And, due to this tradition I am pretty sure I believed in Santa longer than another other kid in the history of Santa.  

25 years later my own little girl was born.

I am so thankful that God moved you to West Palm Beach the exact day we found out we were expecting.  I don't know what I would have done with out you near by the first 9 months of Gracie's life.  She was blessed, as was I, to have you there to play with and learn from.  

Just minutes after having Grace-April 2, 2006

I love your relationship with Grace.  

It is beyond special.

Has been since day one.

April 2nd, 2006

My first Mother's Day-spent with mine & Loren's family
It was also the day Grace was Dedicated to the Church. 

You have a way of making Grace feel like she is the most precious girl.

From the moment she was born, I've watched with joy in my eyes how she yearns to be surrounded by you. 

5 years later and you still make her giggle and smile from ear to ear.

Disney/Florida Vacation 2011
Best Vacation Ever!

Mom, you have always been there to comfort me, encourage me and take care of me.  

I Praise God for you.  You have a taught me much about life and about God's love.  I have watched your relationship with the Lord grow over the years and it is beautiful.  I have seen you go through the hardest times in your life with Grace and Dignity.  You always choose the Godly path instead of the worldly path even though at time it might mean walking away from things you care deeply for.  You have taught me that God's path may not always be the easiest and you may have to go it alone but being obedient to His call is the only path worth taking.

Thank you for showing me with your actions how I can better live my life.

You have truly been an inspiration in my life and in the lives of many.

I took this on our Disney trip.  Mom said I'd probably use it in a blog
post and embarrass her so I figured since she said I would, I should :)
You never fail to bring life to a gathering, Mom!   

 I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2011.

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.