We Remember

In Memoriam: Remembering September 11, 2001

11 Years Ago Today......

This morning. 

We are sitting on the back deck watching the contractor start the process of putting our yard back together.  He is filling in the massive trench that was dug out a few days back.  A least 1/3rd of our back yard was torn up to fix our plumbing problem.  And, the trench that stretches the length of our back yard is a good 5 feet deep.  It's been an incredible process to watch.  

Our landlord (right) with our friends the Aveys.  

Goodbye Trees

Before the new piping was put in

We were with out plumbing for 7 days.  Not bad as we were thinking it was going to be 10 days.
As much as we could easily complain about it, we choose to find the fun and adventure in it.  And, in return it was fun and adventurous!  Through this process we ended up growing more empathetic to all those around the world who are completely with out plumbing;  who have no way to wash clothes or dishes and no way to shower or go to the bathroom-at least not in a sanitary way. I am grateful for this experience.  I am glad my daughter got a lesson in having to do things the hard way while making a choice to not complain.  It was good for all of us!

We are grateful for our landlords. They have made this process easy.  They have been wonderful and compassionate.  We are thankful for them and how well they have taken care of us.

As much as there are things I am going to miss, like the sound of the backhoe and the daily free and unique entertainment, I will be very grateful to have our fence back up so that cats and dog can chill out back again.   I am pretty sure the cats have been plotting their revenge for days now.

On a different note:

11 years ago today I met Loren Craig Statema.

11 years ago today I gained a best friend. 

We met at Sight and Sound Theatres during orientation for our new jobs.

Loren was from New York (who had originally planned to move back home to Puyallup, WA before auditioning for S&S) and I was a 19 year old, first time away from home girly girl from Florida living out my theatrical dream.  Who knew the two of us who are from opposite sides of the country would eventually meet up in the small Amish town of Lancaster.  

I can not imagine my life with out Loren in it.  

Thank you Loren for pursuing me with respect and passion.  Thank you for all the creative friend dates you took me on.  For taking care of me and for never giving up on me even when I turned you down originally.  I love you so much.  And, I love our life together.  

To the next 11 years and beyond!

Random Photos from this weekend:

We went to Yakima yesterday and shared a
Mint Chocolate Chip Milk Shake at the Soda Fountain

Gracie's 1st time getting her hair cut at a real
salon. 

Excitement for the week to come:


Work, work, work for Loren and I.
Gracie's 1st Dance Class of the new year (Tues. the 13th)
1st Day of Kindergarten (Wed. the 14th)
Gracie's 1st day of Kids Club (Thurs. the 14th)

It's going to be a busy lovely week and we can't wait!

A Much Needed Day

Today has been a good day.

Loren only had to work from 5am-9am which was a huge blessing as he's literally been working non-stop for over two weeks now with out a break or time to be home with us.

I jazzercised it up at 9am.
Boy is it good to be back into it! 
I feel so much better this week.

At 11am we met with Gracie's Kindergarten teacher.  Mrs. Folley tested Grace and did some crafts with her while Loren and I filled out a ton of paper work.  It was super fun.  We got all our questions answered and Mrs. Folley got to see who Grace was and told us she was so thrilled to have her in her class.  Then we came home, packed a lunch, got our swim suites on and headed to Irene Rinehart park.  We ate, read, relaxed, searched for shells and rocks and just had a wonderful time relaxing together.

Then we came home to...........a toilet that works (of course it started leaking and flooded the bathroom, but my awesome hubby was able to fix it right away!)!!  Hooray. Laundry-GO.  Dishes-GO.  Before we can use the shower, we have to scrub scrub scrub away....but, it's coming along.  Our entire back yard is dug up just about and will remain open (it's a good 6 feet deep) until the inspector comes on Monday. After we are approved the yard will be put back together.  What a wild ride this last week has been for us!

Nap time followed our excitement after returning home to plumbing that works!
I laid in bed for almost 2 hours.  It was utter perfection.

Then we made breakfast for dinner: chocolate chip pancakes, eggs with mozzarella, sausage and vanilla yogurt.  Such comfort food.

To end our day Loren and Grace are in the hospital parking lot working on some bike riding.
I'm cleaning and getting things back in order.

It's been a GREAT day!

Now, GO and ENJOY your weekend!


***If you have noticed I have not posted photos in quite awhile, it's because I can not find my charger. I brought it to Puyallup with me a few weeks ago and haven't seen it since :(  
So bummed.  I need to figure out something ASAP as Grace starts Kindergarten in T-Minus 5 days and I need to capture this once in a life time moment.  Please pray we find it or find a good deal on one on line (none of the camera shops here sell what we need-sigh).  Thanks.

Rounding Out Summer

This is how I would love to spend all of my days.
Thinking I might move on over to Hawaii some day.

Labor day weekend came and gone which means fall is just around the corner.
As much as I love fall, summer had such a late start that I am not ready to let it go just yet especially since it was only two months ago that we put away our winter attire.  

Thankfully, "my" efforts to keep summer around longer are working.
Temps have been in the 90's this week!
And, thus my plan is working ; )

Here's to taking advantage of ever day of sun and warmth that we have left.

7 days until Grace Starts Kindergarten.  Grace can not wait.  The rest of the school district started today and she wanted to start with them.  It's been so hard for her to wait.  This Friday we get to have a special meeting with her teacher, just the three of us.  It'll give her a chance to get to know us and us a chance to get to know her and ask any questions we might have.  We will celebrate the fun occasion by picnicking at Carey Lake.

Day 5 of having no toilet, shower, washing machine or dish washing access and at least 5 more days to go.  Bring It On, Camping From Home Adventure!  Our landlord just swung by and I think things will finally get moving on the plumbing next Monday.  The trees (yes, plural.  We found out a 2nd tree needs to be removed as well, as does part of our fence.  The cats, who can't get enough of the outside, are less than thrilled to be me moving in doors) will be removed either tomorrow or Friday.  Part of our fence needs to be taken down today so the cats need to be moved in doors for the time being.  It's all one big wonderful adventure. 

Thank goodness for the Sallee's who have let us shower at their home.  Today they were gracious enough to let us come do two loads of laundry.  We have been washing dishes out back in wash tubs and today I will bathe Grace in a baby pool.  All = a good story to add to the many pages of our Statema adventures.

Grace and I have used the last two weeks to hang out-just the two of us.  It's something we have both needed.  It's been life giving.  It's been refreshing and I see a change in Grace & myself. She seems happier. She is definitely a girl after my own heart- a homebody who enjoys doing things with family most!  She's happy just being at home or exploring outside with mom and dad.   It's been nice to do what we want and like most.  Simple things.   To not feel the need to be surrounded by a ton of people.  It's been freeing this week.

We are making some changes in our life/routine as of late.  Good changes.  Getting rid of things in our week that aren't life giving.  Adding things to our week that bring us joy.  

This weeks has been a good one.  Dinner with friends.  A friend date.  Kiddie pool time.  Quiet time.  Moon sand.  Baking.  Sunshine.  Go Fish.  Dinner out.  Walks. And, lots fun at home.

Have you reevaluated how you spend your time lately and who you are spending your time with?
It's not spring but doing some "life" spring cleaning is always a good idea.
Figure out the pros and cons.  See what is there that shouldn't be & get rid of it.  Add in stuff that will bring more richness to your life.  Happy Spring Cleaning!

Enjoy these last days of summer!  All too soon snow will be on the ground, the scent of pumpkin pie will be in the air, hot chocolate will be poured in to pretty mugs and the leaves will be changing and falling all around us.  Until then--outside we go, with sunblock of course.

Parade Day

It's Parade Day!

We'll snag a parking spot at Starbucks (we kind of know the manager-wink, wink) and walk down to Domino's where some great friends have set out earlier this morning to drop off our chairs so we have a place to sit when the parade arrives.   You could actually put your chairs out on the side of the road the night before the parade (what we did last year) and no one will think twice about taking them. A plus to living in a small town.  Nice job, Eburg!  You rock in that kind of way.


So, last night we had an "adventure."
Our toilet and tub got backed up and our toilet was leaking badly.
Called in plumber #1.  He said it doesn't look good.
Called in plumber #2. He stayed until 11pm and told us that our huge massive pain in the butt tree in the back needs to be fully removed and then the yard needs to be dug up in order to fix the old piping that the roots of that tree most likely are crushing.
And, our landlords are on vacation at Disneyland until the end of next week.
-Awesome-

So, we have no shower or toilet use until it's all fixed.
Double Awesome.

Sure, we could be bummed and upset about all this.
But, no thanks!
We laughed for awhile about it.
Laughed at the timing of it: a holiday weekend and our landlords are on a Disneyland vacation until the end of next week.  It's going to be a grand adventure.

Thankfully, our sweet friends, the Sallees, offered us the use of their shower anytime we want!
I am going to teach Grace the fine art of peeing outside or in a cup and we'll make some frequent trips to Starbucks for other bathroom needs, if ya know what I mean.

On that note, I hear a monkey waking up.
Off to get ready for the parade!
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

Faith

I was awakened this morning at 4am and could not go back to sleep.
My mind was flooded with the thoughts that keep trying to pull me down.  To clog my mind.  To try and confuse me and make me doubt.  These thoughts also try and make me feel anger with a dash of anxiety-the kind that makes it hard to breathe.

I don't like my mind to be filled with junk.  I don't like to feel heat rising when I think of something someone did or said that was unkind.  I want peace in my heart and mind so I can go about my day actually living & giving.

So, I pray.  But this morning I rolled back and forth in bed exhausted with thoughts that wouldn't just up and go away so instead I up and went away and read.

I opened my bible and landed in Hebrews.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1

It spoke of all the amazing people who showed true faith, who were promised great things and never gave up no matter what persecution came their way (mind you, some of the things were torturous). And, "these were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:39)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by a such a great clouds of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12 1-5


I want to have that kind of faith.
The kind of faith where no matter what comes against me I will not back down or let it effect who I am.
I want to endure and end strong.

Thank you God for the sensitive heart you created in me.
I pray that through tough experiences that rock us to our core, make us question everything and have the potential to send us into a tail spin we find a way to rise above.  That we find courage.  The courage to step forward instead of back even if stepping forward is scary & unknown.

"With out faith we can do nothing. With faith we can do great things through God's Power."

Hebrews Aside from the Family Reading Bible.

My daughters favorite song at the moment is Christy Nockles, Waiting Here for You.
It's a perfect song for today.  It's a perfect song for every day.

Please watch THIS video.
It might just change your day.

Summer, where did you go?

Brrrrrrrr......massive wind + cooler temps = a false start of fall?

I only hope since summer started very late that it ends up sticking around for at least another month.

Dear God,

We would love another Indian Summer, pretty please!

Love, girl from Florida who likes the warmth and sun very much!

The cool breeze has brought with it the Ellensburg Fair.

The Fair and Rodeo are a big deal around these parts.

People come from far away to see the famous Rodeo.  From what I hear it's pretty spectacular.

We won't be hitting up the Rodeo this year but we will be heading over yonder to the fair.

Tomorrow night to be exact.

It was the first "big" thing we did when we moved here last year.

It was one of those moments where I thought to myself, "I could really live here."

We are excited and can not wait to go.  We'll head out right after Loren gets off work and as soon as L-Man gets picked up for the day. We'll pack some sandwiches for dinner and walk over to the fair grounds.  I love that it's about a mile away.  No car needed. And, no crazy parking fees either.  

On a totally different note, I started my new job this week.

I started watching a just turned one year old.  He will be joining us two times a week for 5.5-8.5 hours a day (usually 8.5).  And, one week out of the month we won't have him.  God has been so good and provided me with a job that would pay our student loans that kick back in come September and a job where I could still be home with Grace.  Now, I asked for work and God provided in abundance.  I have 4 other job offers as well....3 cleaning gigs and a job at a Pharmacy, which equal just a few jobs too many.  A good problem to have, I must say.  Now I just need to move the people pleaser in me to the side and say no to a few of those jobs.  

Tomorrow is day number two of babysitting.  I need to rise & shine quite early as he gets dropped off at 6:20am.   So, I must bid farewell and hit the hay so I have the energy I'll need for a 12 month old, a 5 year old and a long day of work followed by lots of walking and fun at the fair.

But, I don't leave you empty handed.

Here are a few phone photos from weeks past.

Gracie's 1st letter to Santa.

Mailing the letter.

The girl loves birthday parties.  

Especially when there are fairy tattoos.  

Oh yes, and pinatas

When it's too nice outside to be inside.....

....and a mama has to mow.....

.....we pull out books and chalk....

....and, the girl goes to town.

That's right! We love to laugh. 

A 2011 summer favorite.  Back yard reading time on a blanket while eating a snack.

Getting ready for Kindergarten.

An evening stroll with friends

And, a game of good old fashion Red Light Green Light!

Good Night!