A little catch up

We've been busy bees, to say the least.

Lots of getting things done.

We leave for our trip in just 2 day and a few hours.  Yippee!

The next two days are going to be swamped and I can't wait to finalize everything.

I do so much better under pressure. Waiting to the last minute is key.  It's how I've always been.  Although by now I'd usually have out suitcases and pack things a little at a time. But, since Grace doesn't know about our trip I'm having to wait until Friday night late, after she falls asleep.  Praying I don't forget anything.  It's all so worth it.

Before we head out I wanted to send out a little catch up.  

Here are a few things we've been up to.

Cracking open Geode's 

One of Gracie's passions.
Stones, gems, rocks, etc.

Littlest Pet Shop Fun

I love these little guys

The bed time "camp outs" have started up again.
We sit and wait for the night light to heat up and the glitter to start going crazy.
Thank you Aunt Arlene.  

Date morning with daddy

Adventuring 

and some rock climbing

Fearless (when it comes to rock climbing).

Bath time fun.
Grace has a "store" and I have to ask for things that I want.
Today I chose Disney items for the taking

and a Dino, surf board and floaty

Playing a mean game of UNO.
I adore that she is loving on her baby while playing.
Already a multi-tasker

GRACIE'S LEPRECHAUN HOUSE

And, thus the projects begin

Focus

Her color design makes me smile

The entrance and Legend

The inside.  4 beds and a car, just in case.

The pot of gold (aka gold curled streamer) and a trail of gold to entice the the leprechaun to enter

One of the hidden four leaf clovers

The house/trap

More bath time fun.
Making a tent with her necklaces.
I want her imagination and creativeness 

Grace wanted to play with my hair tonight.
This is her version of "alien" hair.

And, there you have it.
Our last week.
I must run.  To-do list is loooooong.
And, I'm snoozy woozy. Must get some sleep.
See you on Saturday to reveal our trip plans.
Any guesses??

5 days 12 hours......

.....until we leave for our trip.  


Holy Smokes.  Time got here fast.  Spring break is just around the corner and we'll be off on a family vacation.  A much needed time of family bonding and relaxation.  


And, we still have not blabbed a word to Grace. She has no idea.  Shocking??  Especially since I have a hard time keeping something like this to myself.   There have been so many days where I've wanted to share it with her.  But alas, I was steadfast. 
  
I do have a huge to do list to go through this week. 
Lot's of house cleaning and organizing.  And, a little of this and a little of that.
This weekend we got a ton of outside work done.  Feels good to get a jump start on spring cleaning.  And, I love knowing that we will come home to a clean & organized house.  


A sweet friend will be house sitting for us so the pets are all taken care of.  Pretty sure they are going to be spoiled rotten. 


The only thing I'm fretting about for our upcoming trip is the weather.  It is suppose to be chilly & rainy.   Oh sadness.  I am leaving this place to get away from the cold so here's hoping and praying that a miracle occurs and it's mid 70's and the sun is ablaze.  


Some people have been asking for clues.
Here you go:
1.  It's not Florida (sorry family!).  
2.  Grace is the only one of us that's never been to this location before.  


Saturday morning I will post a video of us telling Grace the secret onto Facebook.
It'll be posted before 9:30am.  Be sure to take a peek.
We can't wait to share our surprise and how God did something so cool. 


Now go have a productive week.


Spring Cleaning Week #2-It's On! 

Weekend in Bellingham

Our time in Bellingham was rich.

Rich with family and remembrance.

Sure my vision of how things would go was not accurate.

It was better!

It was how God intended things to go.  

It was real and honest.  

Kids. 

Weather.  

Closed restaurants.

Life. 

Thus, better!

I loved this weekend.  

I laughed a lot.  

I thought a lot.  

I observed a lot.  

I love being with family even during times that are harder due to sadness. 

I only hope that this get together brings about many more down the road. 

Dinners around a big table.  Laughing with my father-in-law well after after everyone else has gone to sleep.  Lanterns ripping and catching on fire.  Dogs running through salty water.  Sea Shells. Flags made of garbage bags.  Cousins hugging.  Holding hands.  Exploring new territories.  Family.

Here are a few photos from our weekend together.  

Sisters-in-law

Snickers in doggy heaven

The search for shells

Happiness

Grace scored big time

Joy

Contentment

Sword fighting

Love

Family

Determination 

Hope

Success.
One lone lantern made it with all the wind.
To me it represented Kevin.

Uncle Marlin & Aunt Sharon's home.
They graciously hosted all of us for the weekend.

Sunday Morning farewell.

And, a quick stop at the beach just one more time
so Grandpa could experience what brings Grace joy.

Searching

Grateful for this moment

And a note from Loren:

My brother Kevin...
I miss:
His sly smile
His quick wit
His doting interest in my life
How he could explain the most complex of ideas in a simple, easy to understand way (government bureaucracy)
His creativity
His stubbornness
Knowing that I can call him, though he likely wouldn't have answered or called back
The thought of him teaching

I am sad:
That I can't see him again
That Grace will never get to know him personally
That I can't call him for math advice (speedometers)
That no one will be taught by one of the greatest teachers I know ever again
That there is a seat empty at our family events
That all of his stories of adventure are gone forever
That I didn't spend more time with him (scooter ride to Bellingham)
That he wanted us to forget him

I am happy:
That we defied his wishes and threw the best dang memorial I have ever seen
That other people knew what a great guy he was
That this tragedy has allowed me to repair my relationship with my dad
That this tragedy has brought Mark and I closer
That I have seen my family more in this last year than in the previous 10
That Kevin's death was not wasted
That we will see him in Heaven
That he is no longer in pain

TETTA

IS IN TOWN!

He's on spring break and saved up all his money so he could come for a visit.

We are so glad we got a chance to spend an evening with him while he was here and before we had to head out of town.

We took him to Brooklyn's Pizza and then to Utopia.
He also got to meet Mark, Ericka and Tyler.  They came for about one hour while we were at Utopia.
Thankful he got to meet some family.

We haven't had this much fun on a Friday night in a long time.

basketball with Gracie (she's on the other side of him...you just can't see her)

teaching Tetta how to play ski-ball

having fun

Grub time

Utopia was the first place we took him one year ago.  

Poor Grace.
When we all had to leave she cried and cried and cried.
She loves him so much.  He is like a brother to her.

We already miss him!  Wish he could stay here forever.

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