Be Home

fly away home

It is a beautiful thing, a plane. It can take you to places that you see in your minds eye every day. Not by days, but by hours. If the take-off and landing, layovers and boarding, go well...even better.

Our plane took us to see a place and people we love. The weather was stunning! It complimented the freedom that a spring break should all be about. No jackets, no rain, no cold breeze, just a time to focus on enjoying all that a week can mean to your heartstrings.

Pictures from my mom's 60th to follow...

 

snow

We thought that we might escape the snowy season here. But oh-my-word were we ever wrong! Not only did we get some frigid temperatures but the wind was simply insane. Thank goodness it only lasted for the better part of a week and then once again I see grass and hear rain upon my windows.

The snow was not only blizzard like but actually whipped up through the french doors creating small drifts at the thresholds. My boys trekked out to the barn for wood during the most bitter of moments as they have for a few months now. And all for the glorious reward of a burning flame safely within the fireplace and doing its mesmerizing work on us all.

In contrast to the sand like dunes being created with snow in our backyard, inside the evenings cocooned themselves into a marathon of reading, knitting, playing, eating, and watching. I usually lament the cold of winter, but the season that bring a sense of sheltered peace, I'm learning to soak up with open arms.

 

little steps

She's growing...

They all do that ya know, grow up. Even if you try and slow each moment by drinking in each sleepless night and giggling day. Believe me, because I am trying to do just that. This month my second son reached double digits. That makes two boys who have reached the over ten mark! Then my youngest son turned 7 and I really wanted it to be only 5. And must we really mention that my husband himself crossed over to a number that I will soon follow in 6 short months and it really wasn't nice of him at all.

So when I mention she's growing, its with an overwhelming urge to stop the inevitable. But with each passing day she gets more amazingly beautiful, so i guess that eases the passing of time just a little. So before I forget what the little toes look like sitting day by day beside me, I stopped mid-stream in life and saved it the way only way I can.

Livia Jane

 Hello, my long lost journal friends...

 

Life is such an

ebb and flow, isn't it.

Sometimes the statements made

by penning your experiences actually

end up going by

out of an expressed silence.

 

That silence for me,

is one created out of moments,

connected by thoughts,

kept hidden by seasons simply to ponder.

 

Till one day, you wake up

with new thoughts ready to be

shared...

 

Welcome with love

 Livia Jane

{smile}

strawberries

Sixty percent of the nations berries come from Washington and actually just from our very own county! It isn't that hard to believe if you drive the countryside for any length of time. June, I'm learning, is the month for strawberries - sweet, sweet strawberries.

Since moving in we have discovered the history of our property through simple conversations here and there. One of those was with couple in our church who recently celebrated their 90th birthdays together and happens our neighbor across the road {and the fields}. His dad was good friends with the father who built our home. We of course don't own fields of berries, however our neighbors still tread over endless strawberries. So when they wanted to know if gleaning would be of interest to us, we were much obliged.

These strawberries are the sweetest you have ever tasted! In fact they are so sweet that they really won't last long enough to be shipped to grocers all over the country. So these are the berries you sink your teeth into for desserts such as strawberry ice cream and shakes. We were warned not to eat too many or else your tummy will not be happy with you in an hour but the irresistible nature of such a harvest finished off the bucket in no time at all!

Moving in

Last weekend we officially moved into our new home. Boxes were packed, and hauled, and delivered. I loved walking over the old creaking sounds of oak floorboards under my feet. The sunlight streaming in made the cardboard packing smell of a new family within its walls. I did a good job of only directing where I wanted things to go but lamented every moment I could just pick it up myself and get the job done. Good thing I have able bodied young men in the family.

The kitchen was the priority on Saturday morning. Followed with the clothing being removed from suitcases. But we were a bit more distracted than other moves by some clucking in the garden. I can't seem to get over the fact that I somehow skipped over the suburban dog or cat ownership and now have a flock of hens to accustom my mindset. Although I'm pretty sure the dog is as good as bought when I spy a good ad in the paper.

We chose this house the first time we laid eyes on it in October of last year. It went un-purchased till the date to which we could make it ours. It does sit on a two lane highway which probably was not a selling feature for anyone not needing the comfort of "city noise" to an un-bred farmer girl like myself. But as they say, "when in Rome...". So here we are, 90 seconds from the church and surrounded by blueberry fields and mountain views, along with burn piles in the back and a beebe gun range near the fence. Will I ever get to those boxes?

 

 

 

more chicken, anyone?

My cousin and his wife operate a Chick-fil-@ in Liberty, MO. They have worked tremendously hard at acheving this goal and gone through almost as many changes to life as we have in order get there. So it was with great pleasure we visited their store one afternoon and saw the inter-workings of their restaurant.

And I'm not gonna lie, it was just as pleasurable to consume it's delicious desserts as well!

 

 

 

 

the sunflower state

It's been a year, almost to the day, that we started our pacific northwest adventure. That means a year since the familiar has rested in the everyday. And while we are embracing all that it is to start life from scratch again, it was equally as wonderful to see the faces and places that we loved.

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These are some of the beautiful moments shared together over the week.

:: George's first airplane flight, to which he loved without a snitch of nervousness.

:: Kite flying and bubble blowing in Grammie's backyard, the likes of a heat wave we had yet to experience!

:: Attending the wedding of a former student and the joys of memories flooding each conversation.

:: Sharing an evening with family, and the unprompted love Annika displayed with Great-Grandma while enjoying girl time with cousins. Looks like George got some girl time as well! {I don't think he was hating it}

There were also some days of specific places we journeyed but they deserve their own spot of interest...

week {18}

There are a lot of pictures I could post, and should, and will. But today there is one that needs to be acknowledged. And that would be the definite presence of someone else in this household!

easter festivities

The first 60 degree day in the North Sound and it was on the Saturday before Easter! What a gift. We found a new beach about 5 min up the road from us which I'll share later this week. Let's just say I took a lot of pictures due to the hours of sunshine we were soaking into the skin!

But egg hunts and easter baskets were the true priorities and George would not allow any part of the festivities to escape his pre-thought out, very detailed remembrance of last year's glory. What pressure! Thank goodness the day was a rousing bit of joy and excitement for everyone.

 

 

Easter Sunday wasn't nearly so warm or sunny but the day was beautiful just as well. Our first church holiday at CBC NorthSound was amazing! The house of the Lord was full and the fellowship was electric. I wish I had been aware enough to snap a few pictures but 4 kids + friends + food...well, the camera just didn't get dug out of the recesses of the bottomless purse.

After service we made sure to take a few traditional family photos except that we aren't all in one picture at the same time. Go figure. But Annika's first fancy twirly dress was well documented as she didn't want to take it off all day! Instead of dying easter eggs, which I confess I loathe, we used watercolors paints and it worked great! George and Annika lathered the brush all over the white oval like a sponge, while Peter and Andrew worked on a bit more details. But in the end, it was Nicholas and I perfecting our egg creations and enjoying a bit of creative table time when everyone else had dispersed amongst toys.