December Daily 2016 Day 17

It was tough to choose just one picture from today. Today's theme was "kid cooking". Samuel wanted to make pancakes (shock!) and he decided to make eggnog pancakes. This evening, he wanted to make cookies, so we made peanut butter blossoms. The other thing I noticed about today was the relationship developing between Samuel and Boss. Boss used to annoy him, but now Samuel is entertained by him and Samuel has become a willing party that holds and meets Boss' many demands.

December Daily 2016 Day 16

We get this Harry & David package from our neighbor, Leroy, for Christmas every year. It's always a surprise when it comes and this year in particular it was such a blessing! I didn't have groceries or a car, so all this produce was awesome. His kindness makes it truly feel like Christmas.

December Daily 2016 Day 15

This was the day after the snow storm - Colin was working and my vehicle was still stranded in Lake Oswego. After they spent time building a snowman (and woman), the kids and I headed out on foot to Starbucks. We grabbed our neighbor girl and really enjoyed the walk. They ended up playing hockey in the street that night while I watched for cars. It was such a fun day! Normally I don't love the cold weather, but once I bundled up, it was so nice to get out of the house and avoid cabin fever! It didn't hurt to have delicious, warm drinks to boot.

December Daily 2016 - Day 14

This day was about getting stuck in a snowstorm. I had thought I could make my 2:30 waxing appt. in Lake Oswego before the storm hit, but by the time I got there, the storm was in full swing. Traffic was crawling and sliding. After an hour or so, I called Colin and asked him to come get me. He waited a bit and it still took 2 hours for a 20 minute drive. We arrived home safely around 9 pm. I haven't seen a winter like this in a long time!

December Daily 2016 Day 13

We have two kid birthdays in December and even though it feels like such a crazy month, I purposed this day to solely focus on just Juliet. We didn't do a party this year since she had just been to Cirque de Soleil and the Nutcracker was a couple days away, but we made an effort to make this a day of her choices. I did he hair how she wanted, told her someone could help pick out her outfit (she loves that), I painted her toes and nails sparkly red, we went to her fav restaurant (Vietnamese) for lunch and had her favorite dinner (spaghetti). We ate on fine china. We went to the mall and got bubble tea, she wanted to shop in The Gap (she picked out a pair of sparkly blue shoes), we perused makeup, we had chocolate cake  and Grandpa and Grandma came over. She got a new sewing machine and pink cowboy boots. She was really happy with the day. This particular year, Colin and I couldn't believe she is 8 already! It seems like last week that we were in the NICU with her. Being told her lungs would never be normal. And here she is - healthy and vibrant!

December Daily 2016 Day 12

I love taking this bokeh picture of our tree every year. I think it really captures the dreaminess of Christmas traditions and lights. Our tree is such a Charlie Brown Christmas tree this year, but it's so full of memories (the manner in which we got it). Another thing about trees in general is listening to Juliet tell me the other day on the way home from church how she learned about Christmas trees representing life - evergreen and new growth.  Just like Jesus represents life.  I love that our church is continually teaching these kids and that she actually remembered enough to tell me was really touching.

December Daily 2016 Day 11

For Day 11, I will be adding our Christmas card to the album and also the family pics that were taken specifically for this card. This was a last minute photo shoot and I didn't think I would actually convince Colin to do it. We headed into the woods behind our photographer's house and shot the pics. The kids did really great and Colin showed up out of sheer love for me. I pieced these outfits together from a thrift store the day before the shoot. Doing Christmas cards is one of my favorite parts of the month. I love creating them, sending them out and getting some in return.

December Daily 2016 Day 10

Day 10 was about family time. We had a combined December birthday party over here (for Aunt Michelle, Juliet, Syd and Samuel). The kids spent lots of time coloring and playing with the fashion plates that Sis got as a gift. There were conversations, memories of Mom, lots of laughter and sitting by the fire.

December Daily2016 Day 9

Day 9 was mostly focused around Cirque de Soleil. This was Juliet's birthday gift from Jim. He took her and her friend, Miriam and I down to the Moda Center to see the show. It was different for sure. 

In the evening, I hit the Zumba potluck. It was so nice to get a chance to know these ladies outside of class!

December Daily 2016 Day 8

This day I had each family member write on a tag and start with "All I want for Christmas is....". Later, we had the Schlunz family over for dinner and in the midst of a snowstorm, they chained up, came over and we had an immensely fun night of eating good food, games and storytelling. And for a moment, it felt like what December really should be. Good company in a warm house. Not always about presents, but more about relationships.

December Daily 2016 Day 7

 I can't document December without a day for Elf on the Shelf. Trixie has been a bit more active this year and the kids (mostly Boss) love finding her every morning. Today she was hiding in the fruit bowl on the table and all the fruit had eyes. Boss asked in a panic, "Why are there so many eyes?!". I told him they were all watching him to see if he was naughty or nice. Ha!

December Daily 2016 Day 6

My Day 6 is simply this: embrace the mess. Most of the time in December I am overwhelmed with money spent, presents to buy, stockings to fill, cards to send and 2 kid birthdays to celebrate. This year, I paused on this day, looked around at school clutter, kid clutter, Christmas clutter, etc. and just thought "embrace it." This will have to be a mantra and I don't always embrace it, but I will try.

December Daily 2016 Day 5

Day 5 - the kids were eager to decorate our tree. They have so much fun! We get a crackling fire, get Christmas music going, break at least one ornament and finish by Colin lifting Sis to put the angel on. I think the angel might be her favorite part.

December Daily 2016 Day 4

Day 4 was all about getting our family tree up at Mt. Hood.  Normally we get a tree sort of last minute at a local lot and usually not even as a family. This year, we packed up and headed to Mt. Hood to cut down our own tree. It was such a fun day! We were in a remote area so there were no people around and we got the road and woods to ourselves. The kids had a blast sledding and making snow angels, drinking hot chocolate and just enjoying the snowfall around us. It truly was a picturesque day.

December Daily 2016 Day 3

This day of December I spent a good part of the morning working out. I started the day with Liz at a very early Bikram yoga class, then came home and headed to Zumba. Since the kids had been home by themselves for awhile and it was a weekend, I decided I would try to be fun mom for a day. We went to the new yogurt shop that was giving away free frozen yogurts and then headed to the new movie "Moana" and even got the luxury recliner theater. The kids loved it!

December Daily 2016 Day 2

The story for December 2 is family time. We spend so much time in this living room, where our main source of heat is. Lately the boys play Xbox with Colin or they look at books. We sit by the fire while Jude plays with guys are Legos. They fight. They watch movies. This particular night Colin was tickling Sis (which she always loves) and I read to the kids. Usually there is also some sports event on the TV these days.

December Daily 2016 Day 1

Here I am documenting December again! It's always a stretch to pic a story/picture for each day of December, but I'm always glad I've done it after it's over.


Today's story I think was about the small slice of my life that is non-domestic. I do workout a fair amount, but as far as spending time with friends outside of family time, it's a rarity and deserving a photo. This first day of December, I not only had my hair done, but also had lunch with Liz at La Provance. It was a rich time of conversing and enjoying good food. And not being ON or meeting any needs. Such a great way to start a crazy busy month of trying to meet others' expectations.

Week in the Life 2016 - Sunday

Sundays lately have been Sabbath days - a day for sitting by the fire, crafting, kids playing and going to the North Clackamas Aquatic Park.

 Boss is officially my most snuggly kid (Sis is a close second). Boss will invade a lap even if there is no room and a person is asleep.

I caught rare moment of Samuel and Sis with arms around each other. Normally they spend their hours together annoying each other. I'm so glad I captured this moment on camera because it may never happen again.

 My kids burn at least two hours every Sunday at the Aquatic Park. Jim gifted us a 3 month pass and we love to use it. The kids currently enjoy the slides the most - although Boss is too small so he stays in the kiddie area and enjoys when I watch him. He's always so happy when the kids come back from the slides to play with him.

This giggling picture of Sis is literally how she is all the time. She's so happy. I tell Colin all the time that she literally lives in a world of unicorns and lollipops. She is untouched by the world.

 When I ask to take a picture of Boss, he covers himself in limbs.

 Sis has taken up sewing. I've recently gotten both machines serviced. Currently she is sewing on Grandma Mary's old Bernina.

 Boss is never happier than when he's in the pool.


Jude captured a picture of what I do best - order and drink coffee from Peete's. This is the best coffee shop around. The people are friendly and the coffee is absolutely amazing. I always carry a bit of guilt about paying for coffee drinks, but it's also part of my sanity for this season of life. In this picture I'm still wearing my nursery volunteer tag as I helped with the babies at church this  morning. I love doing it. It helps me get my baby fix and not beg Colin to adopt a baby girl.


Meals: Breakfast: eggs, oatmeal, doughnut at church; lunch: salad, sandwiches and veggies; dinner: salad and pasta fagioli soup.


Overheard: Jude: "Even if the boarding school had a million Millennium Falcons, I still wouldn't want to go there."