Yea, we know how to do it here in Monroe.

Last week had it’s ups and downs, just like our crazy Northwest weather. Unruly children and rainy days meets well behaved angels and sunshine. I’ll take the second option any day, thank you very much. By Friday I was exhausted, like I usually am EVERY Friday, but the good Lord blessed us with AMAZING Springlike weather that day, so we took utmost advantage. In the morning, we visited some friends who just adopted some new little friends, baby chicks. We held those little furry yellow balls of fun, played outside with our friends, and then headed up to the park to feed the ducks at the lake, where we met up with even more friends. I love that the sunshine here seems to bring everyone and their brother outside. When the sun makes it’s presence here in the Seattle area, even when it’s in the low 50′s, you’d think we all live in the tropics. Out comes the capri’s, chacos, and sunglasses.

Because, like I said… that’s how we do it here in the Roe.

Home we went for lunch and naps, although I had half a mind to pack a picnic lunch and eat outside soaking up even more Vitamin D, but I think we all would have been frozen by that point.

And, then later that evening, I surprised the kids by telling them we were going on an adventure. And by adventure, I really meant .99 cent slurpies at 7-11, a walk to our local feed store to see even more chicks, and a stop off at the train tracks to train watch.  I’ve learned that with any child, when you use the word “adventure”, no matter how small and insignificant it seems, it is the equivalent to us as loading a private jet to the French Riviera, yachting with the rich and famous, and having unlimited amounts of pasta and wine and gaining not one pound.

Which should remind me… Note to self:  Act more like my two and four year old when it comes to the word, “adventure” and life will be more surprising for everybody.

Because, let me repeat myself again… that’s how we roll here in the burbs of Monroe.

G-mama was in love. Even more sweet goodness of tiny yellow fur balls.

When was the last time YOU had a slurpee?

Yea, he gets a little serious about his trains.

Hope you all had a great week and a restful and ADVENTUROUS weekend!

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It’s been a “thick” month for us here. “Thick” is what Jeff refers to when the kids are wild and life seems crazy and unpredictable and we are weary.

And, that is what I have been. Weary. Fighting to stay afloat. Searching for the gratitude that often comes so easily for me. Lately, it has been difficult.

Part of me is chalking it up to the dreary, long, dark Seattle rainy days we have had most recently. But, the other part of me says that there has been a break in the true source of strength I so desperately need on a daily basis. Quiet time with my sweet Jesus.

Today, we sang in church…
“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

Tis true for me. I just CANNOT do it without my Father’s help. I CANNOT be the wife I want to be to my husband. I CANNOT nurture my children with steadfast patience and grace. I CANNOT be the woman that I was made to be. Cannot do life without my source and help.

I had several different opportunities to share my weariness with some close friends this week. Being vulnerable is difficult for me. It shouldn’t be so, but it is. I like to be the helper to others. The cheerleader. The listening ear.

But, this week I had to share.

And, you know what. They jumped to help me. Offering up questions to me to aid in what I am going through. Cheering me on by sending different texts throughout the week with encouraging verses. Listening. Really listening and not just offering up an easy “this is what you SHOULD do” recipe to feel better.

I am thankful for these types of friends in my life.

And, by the time Friday came, they even brought sweet treats to my doorstep. Because really? Really. What can be better than a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles?

And, yesterday… that quiet solitude I was so desperate for came and my soul took a breath. A deep breath. And, do you know what I heard?

Two words…

Choose. Joy.

Choose joy. That is what I intend to do. As this wise woman so aptly states, “And when I remember to give thanks in a fallen and broken world, this is what re-members me and I am put together again.”

And to you, my dear friends… that you would know true friendship. Joy. And the gift of cupcakes this week.

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Bananas and nutella on graham crackers were this week’s snack of choice. And, I enjoyed playing with my little man as we “got back to the basics” this past week.

Sorry for my lack of post last Sunday, if you follow my little blog. We spent a week in flu-land and were recovering last weekend. And, we watched a ton of T.V.. Do any other mammas out there feel as guilty as I do when you turn on the tv for your little ones? We had gotten into a funk and I lost my mamma mojo for a bit {probably the flu that threw us for a loop}, but we are back on top and back to normal this past week. And, I have been determined to get back to the simple things with my littles this week. Play.

So, I spent some time doing just that with my four year old during the end of his rest times. Just him and I. We played cars and trains and he told me all sorts of things about tractors and we made up silly stories and I snuck in a little education and we ate bananas, nutella, and graham crackers and we colored with crayons and he told me all about Finn Mcmissile’s secret spy gadgets and I gave him way too many kisses.

I went to our school’s Kindergarten info night this past Thursday. Kindergarten? When did he get so big?

Have a beautifully simple week, my friends.

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