All mommies and babies love to take walks

I love to take walks. Now I walk with Derek and I doggies. This is a picture of what we all look like walking. This is picture is from this weekend's hike at a nearby state park. Around the neighborhood people always tell me I am adventurous walking! I just knew I had to come up with some way to walk everyone. I just need to be outside!

Well I love walking and I think all mommies do too. Here is a mommy ducky walking with her babies in front of our house. I just love how she is walking down the street. So cute.

There's a coon in that tree

On Friday, the dogs were barking out the window- a normal event. What was unusual was what they were barking at. There was a raccoon in our tree in the middle of the day. The dogs were quite upset and Derek was amused watching them. We of course had to snap a ton of pictures. When I wanted to leave to go on a walk, I was able to get him to leave the tree. He then climbed up our pine tree on the other side of the driveway. Craziness. Derek and I left anyways to walk to the grocery store and to the library which was a fun 3 mile walk. We even saw the raccoon the next day across the street.

Mother's Day was wonderful. We went on a hike at a nearby state park after church. It was beautiful, fun for all of us (including the dogs), and free! Nature, family, and fun all in one. I felt like a true Oregonian in the park, my child in a carrier, and with animals. Now we just need to take the dogs to Home Depot to complete it. Thanks God for the blessing of being a mom.

In celebration of my mom

It is my first Mother's Day on Sunday. Actually it is kind of my second. Last year our present to our moms was a onesie letting them know they would be a grandma. On my first real Mother's Day, I want to pay tribute to my mom- my incredible example of sacrifice, godliness, and love. I want my mom to read this but also I want everyone to know about her.

My first disclaimer is that I think I have the greatest mom. She is not perfect, but she sets the bar high for moms. I have a great example to follow. When people tell me I am just like my mom, I take it as the greatest compliment- craziness and all.

First of all mom is fun. You always were the extra member in any game. You are a great kickball player. You always were willing to play with us. You helps us perfect the water fight- even letting us spray you in the kitchen.

You sacrifice for us. There are too many times to share. You put our needs in front of your own always. Most of the time I didn't appreciate it.

You are a high-love and high-discipline. You always let me know your love for me wouldn't change even if my behavior was downright terrible. You disciplined me because you love me. You set clear limits for me and gave me consequences when I crossed the line. You credit the Lord when I say what you did right. He led you and you listened to Him. Your spiritual example was an example to me. I remember sitting by you as you prayed through your missionaries binder on a regular basis. You lived what you taught.

You are optimistic and make life fun. Even during an ambulance ride, you had us laughing. You helped us find the best in every situation (even if the paramedics thought we were crazy). We laughed a lot... and still do. Sorry Dad that lots of times we were laughing at you. You are a great sport!

You sing all the time.. I have inherited this. You are always singing. Singing helped us memorize bible verses and teach us valuable life lessons. It also made long car rides go faster!

You taught me how to manage money. You taught by example and you took the time to teach us. Ah lunches from the found money! You taught us saving, giving money away, and spending. Besides teaching us to love Jesus, this was the most important to me. Thank you for teaching me that life is not about money! Picnics in the backyard were just as wonderful as the trips to Disney World!

You taught me time-management. You helped me learn to say no to things to keep life balanced. You let us fall back on you while we were learning. I think of babysitting and how we always had to ask you first before we took the job. You let us have you be the bad guy until we could say no ourselves.

Mom- this is just the tip of the iceberg. I miss having you close desperately but your life lessons are put in use daily. The phone too is wonderful but I miss the physical proximity of living 10 minutes away. I want Derek to know what an incredible grandma you are. You are a blessing. You are a mom who loved Jesus first and then Dad and us. Thank you thank you thank you!! I love you so much. You are my hero!

How can I eat the plane?

Derek loves his little play mat. He has been batting at the toys. Lately he has started grabbing the toys. Now he is trying to figure out how to get the toys into his mouth. I was laughing at him trying. He would grab the toy, try to pull himself up (without success, brace an arm on the side, and then yell. He was getting quite frustrated. He is doing a great job problem-solving but does not quite have the strength to accomplish his mission. He keeps trying though!

Must chew

Derek is teething. Whether this means he will have a tooth in 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months... who knows. He does love to be chewing on things. His favorites right now are a frozen washcloth or our fingers.

We get lots of smiles and giggles these days. Derek is happy most of the time and a lot of fun. Here he is playing with Daddy.

Life is precious

We lost a dear friend yesterday. Shari and I worked together at our church. Shari loved Jesus. She worshipped Him with her whole heart. Shari loved people. She taught me so much about serving others. Now we are thankful that Shari is worshipping her Savior face-to-face. We are also sad because we will miss her. Life is precious, life is sweet..

I am down here all by myself

We are all at the table together now. Previously, Derek hung out in his swing on the floor when we ate. He didn't enjoy it so much. So we set up his highchair. Now he is at the table with us. I think he just wanted to interact with us. Now is he happy to be in his highchair while I cook and we eat.

Derek loves his tummy time. Of course, he usually stops smiling when I break out the camera!