Hump Day

   Here are my favorite moment's from today so far

After school Z came over for 3 hours to play & hang out while his mommy worked
We love having friends over.

Showing Z our favorite secret spot across the street from our house at the hospital.
It's the Healing Garden.  

60's, overcast and fully dressed...and she still goes in the sprinkler.
 

I don't mind her getting soaked as long as she's happy and happy she is!

Our garden is full of tulips.   Grace loves to pick them for me.  I have 6 inside in a vase right now. 

Next up on my Wednesday make it fun list: 

Watching Beethoven & listening to a thunderstorm while snuggling with Grace is a good start.   

We have not experienced a thunderstorm since we were in TN last June.  

I miss a good Florida rain/thunder storm and it's raining good.  Thank you God for watering my yard.  

....just realized my car windows are open.  Oops.

A DAY OFF....

I would like to apologize in advanced because my photos are completely out of order.

My up loader rearranged the photos and I'm too lazy right now to fix them all.

Hope you don't mind!

Loren works a lot of hours.

He is gone from 5:45am-6:30/7pm or later each work day.

He also works every other Saturday and has every other Wednesday off. 

Because of our limited family time, when we do get a day off together we make it count. 

This past week we had Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday together! 

Here is how we spent it.

Sunday

Sunday was the hottest day we've had this year.  We loved it. 

It was just the right weather for our Sunday.  We spent the morning and afternoon at church (by the way we love love love our new church, The River).  Then we ran home for outside storage reorganizing.  Grace played in the pool, while Loren and I sorted and figured out where to put things, what to throw out and what to sell.  Honestly, I completely dislike this job each spring/fall, but it's one that must be done so we plowed through and finished just in time.   Just in time to sell our mower, grab dinner to go and we head to Carey Lake for a dinner picnic.  Grace even played in the lake for a bit before we had to run home for bath and bed time.  It was a great day-Lot's of sun and fun.  And, we got a few things accomplished too.  Always an added bonus!  

This makes me happy because it means summer is just around the corner. 

Our back deck with all our shed stuff cluttering it.
Not a fan of clutter-a tad stressful for mama

The River.  Our new church.

 

WEDNESDAY 

Loren had off today.  I love when he has Wednesdays off (even though it means the next week he'll work six days straight and Grace will maybe get to see him 1 hour each of those day).  While Grace was in school we went on a date.  Our favorite kind of date: a Hike!  It felt so good to be outside and getting exercise.  After we picked up Grace from school we ate lunch and headed the Kittitas County Museum.  It's free, there's lots to look at and Loren's never been so Grace thought it would be a wonderful way to spend our afternoon-and she was right!  The rest of the day was spent at home relaxing and enjoying each others company!  


At the museum

Precious time at home

dancing with daddy

On our date

The bridge that brought us to our hiking destination. 

I think Ellensburg is gorgeous

Spotting bald eagles and hawks 

We didn't make it to our destination: the bottom of a water fall but we hiked for 2 hours
and got an amazing work out.  It was perfect.  

SATURDAY

Saturday was a busy and beautiful day.  In the morning Loren took Grace on a date to The Palace Cafe for breakfast. Then they went to the pet stop and made a final stop at ABC Donuts.   They walked the whole way....from home to down town and around town and back.  While they were on their date I went to an Aware Breakfast/Fundraiser.  If you have never heard of Aware, please check them out!  Go HERE.  After we each got back we ate lunch together, cleaned up the house a bit, napped (well, Loren & I did).  Loren mowed and fixed up his scooter while Grace and I played out front.  At 5:30 our sitter showed up and Loren and I headed out to the Women of Vision Fundraiser/Dinner.  If you do not know what Women of Vision is please go HERE.  We had an amazing night connecting with friends and learning a ton.  There was a silent Art Auction and we ended up winningtwo pieces of beautiful art by our friend Mark Berry!   We got them for a steal, but grateful the money all went or a fantastic cause.  Blessed by this day.  

So this is Jake.  He's our cat. He's big and beautiful and odd.
We love him!

Sadly, he is very old and his hips are starting to go.  Thinking this might be his
last year with us.  Prepping for the worst and hoping for the best.  

while we were out front playing, Grace decorated our big tree with dandelions

It's beach ball time

cleaning out the car and fixing up the scooter

being kissed by Bailey

Beware of the lioness

spring is finally here

rest time

One of the pieces of art. We put it in our kitchen
I love that Grace knew immediately upon looking at it that it was of Italy

the 2nd piece of art we won.  Loren surprised me with it.  Thank you, babe!

How did you spend your time off this last week?  

Happy Friday

Happy Weekend-eve

We have a busy and wonderful weekend ahead of us. 

On Saturday we have two fundraisers to attend. 

I'll be going to Aware in the morning.

And, Loren and I will spend the evening at Women of Vision: The Power of Art

While I'm at Aware Loren's going to take Grace on a date.  

Sunday we have church then yard work/family time.

I can't wait for this weekend.  So many incredible ministries to learn about and hopefully help out.  

We hope you have a stupendous weekend!  We can't wait to hear all about it!

We kicked off the weekend with an afternoon trip to Utopia.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

What to do next?

Seasoned reader friends.  I need your help!

I'm on the 3rd and final of the Hunger Games books, Mockingjay.
I am purposely reading it slowly because I don't want it to end.  Book 2, Catching Fire was by far my favorite (so far). I seriously couldn't put it down and read it in a matter of days.  Sleep was definitely sacrificed and it was worth it.  I could see myself wanting to do the same thing with Mockingjay but I'm delaying.

 

For those of you who don't know me super well, I seriously never read, especially fiction.
I only read when I have to: Bible study,  Work, etc. And, the bible for my daily dose of Gods life changing Word.  But, I can not remember a time where I sat down with a book for pleasure or that wasn't a self-help (ish) kind of book.  I guess 31 is the year for change.  I have found a real love for reading.  A love for reading fiction. But, I don't know where to go from here.

This is where I need my reader friends.
What do I read next?
Help a girl out.
Any suggestions? Something that will grab my attention and keep it from beginning to end.  I do not like horror.  But I do like mystery, suspense, funny, thought-provoking.....

Thanks for your suggestions?

Seriously.....

.....I can NOT put this book down.

I might not sleep tonight.  And, this girly does not not not read-ever (minus books for my bible study or when I worked at Young Life and had to read for Monday morning staff meetings).

I would recommend the Hunger Games Trilogy to everyone (well, everyone over the age of maybe 13).
It really has opened my mind and eyes to a lot of things.  

If you are a reader-read these books!
If you are not a reader (like me)-read these books!
Seriously.  They will not waste your time.

Ok, must get back to my book.  10:17pm.  I think I've got another good hour of reading time before I start drifting off into dream land.

Happy Reading.

Birthdays Are Special

March 31st.

We started off the weekend with a surprise from the Turners.

Well, we knew they were coming but Grace didn't know they would be there when she got out of school.  She thought they were coming a few hours later.  I love surprises!!!    

Grace turned the corner and there she was, her BFF.
She squealed and ran into her friends arms and then just kept hugging.

walking home from school 

and a stop at the creek to go "fishing" 

The fun never ends when our girlie's are together.
They played non-stop from 11:30-8pm.

they swapped PJ's

And, it's party time!!!
Jazzercise and a Candy Shop.

Jennifer had the brilliant idea of putting candy on top of the mini water bottles.
Attached with frosting!

Can you see G's shirt?  It says "Gracie's Candy Shop"
Jennifer made it for her.  The lolly pop on the right has a hidden number 6 in it.  

Cup Cakes by Johnny's Cakes

Cookies thanks to Pillsbury ;)

The set up.
Thank you Victoria and Jennifer for helping us set up in record time.

I borrowed this stand from a friend.  She let me paint it.
A little left over pink spray paint and chalk board paint and voila 

Dina made the party spectacular!

Sweet friends

Tristan breaking it down!

Cup Cake Time

The most special friend of all!

All the kids walked through the "Gracie's Candy Shop" before leaving the party.
It was so neat to watch their eyes light up when they made their way up to the shop and we filled their bags to the brim.  I love helping create an atmosphere where kids feel like they can be kids while doing things that bring them happiness.  It brings my heart great joy.

Thank you Jessica for helping me serve the candy.

It was a spectacular party.
And, it was incredibly fun to plan and put together.
One day I will have my own party planning business (along with all the other business I want to have as well----hey, my mom always said to dream big!!!)....you just wait.  Then I can use other peoples money to plan super awesome parties, make their kiddos crazy happy and I get to use up all the ideas I have rolling around in my head.  One day.....



After clean and saying goodbye to all the party guests, we made one last stop before the Turners had to head back home.

We all went to Carl's Jr.
Thank you Jennifer for the special treat.

Oh Gracie's T. you crack me up!

After this, my girl cried and cried and cried.  After a year and half she still sobs when ever we part ways.  She will never have another friend quite like this. It is one special friendship.  Thank you Jennifer for making the trip and for helping create beautiful memories our girls will cherish forever.



April 2nd.  Her actual birthday....

Red + White = Pink

Gifts from family

Ready for school

Birthday breakfast

Birthday poster

Snacks for school

presenting her poster in front of her class

Mrs. Ray, her substitute teacher

Mr. Weburg, the principal 

Birthday lunch

Mani/Pedi

Danney and I use the barter system.  I clean her house once a month and she does my nails one a month.
A few months back I took some photos of her daughter for her.  In return she did Gracie's nails for her birthday.
I love it!  

This mama got to lounge while she got her mani/pedi and L-man napped

She said Grace was a moving target and was amazed they were able to get paint on her nails.
Yep, that sounds about right.  My little mover and shaker.

Gift Time

Thanks Hand Me Down for the free leotard 

Clue Jr.  Thanks swapmeet

Horton Hears a Who game....also from Hand Me Down for free!

From Papabear (He also got her a Dino Train coloring book and a craft)

From Grandpa Guibert

Exactly what she wanted, thanks Dad!

Thank you Tyler

Thank you Katie

Thanks Mark and Ericka

Loving all the outdoor chalk fun

And, lots of books from mommy and daddy....been collecting them from Goodwill for the last 8 months.

Oh happy day.

If I could bottle up her energy & sell it I'd be a truly wealthy woman.  

But who needs that kind of wealth when I have an abundance of love filling up my life

bubbles

What kid asks for Potato Leek soup for their birthday dinner?  Gracie Statema did!

The day was drawing to a close.
We wanted to celebrate just one more time.
Our good friend Amy who works at Starbucks told Grace if she came in on her birthday she'd make her a free drink. So we went in, got Grace her free drink and played some games.

and I brought a cup cake curtesy of Freddies.  

We love Amy

April 3rd
Still more gifts thanks to Grandma and Aunt Arlene.

Super cute snack holder that came with a matching lunch bag.  From Grandma Armstrong

Lady bug ball

A bug catcher

and a cup cake princess shirt-so perfect for our princess who loves cup cakes.
Thanks for all the great gifts Mom!

And, some fun Disney stuff from Aunt Arlene

Phew.....what a wonderful, busy, spunky, fun Birthday Weekend.
Thanks to everyone who sent gifts, cards & birthday wishes via email/facebook.
Grace felt very loved and cared for. Thank you so much.   Hooray for 6!!!!



And, only one day after her birthday I got inspired for next years birthday.
What do you think???

A bug theme???  The possibilities are endless.......