Blessings

Last week I was skimming through the conference Ensign and saw the talk from Elder Eyring where he talks about remembering our blessings. He said that we need to be recording our blessings in our journals so that we and our children can look back and remember the fabulous things our Lord blesses us with. This blog is the closest I've ever come to keeping a regular journal, and so I am resolving to start a "blessings" post, hopefully weekly, so that I will be more mindful of the numerous blessings in my life!

FRIENDS & FAMILY: With the turmoil of this last week and scrambling to find a new place to live (which is still in the works, I will let you know as soon as we know anything), I have been overwhelmed at how LUCKY we are. I love every one of you! So many have offered to help watch the kids while we house hunt, help Zach pack up while I am playing in Idaho, found places for us to check out, and so much more. I have been almost in tears at how blessed we are with the friends and family we have. Do you see why we don't want to leave this ward?

TEMPLE VISITS: With some babysitting from my sister, Jessie, and friend, Megan, Zach and I were able to attend the temple Saturday evening. What a sweet relief that was. We had two glorious hours to step away from our worries and stress, where we sat and basked in the calm and quiet of the beautiful Portland temple. I love the temple.

VACATION I can't wait to go to the beach. Especially after all this, I am looking forward even more to having all day to spend with my husband and kids, just relaxing and enjoying each others company!! I know it won't all be fun and games, but I still am so glad to be having this time away! Now if only I knew what I would be coming home too..........

Good morning! Let the stress begin........

Honestly, I usually try not to use my blog as a place to vent, but today I am breaking my rules. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! We have exactly 1 week until our vacation back east, after which I will immediately fly to Idaho for my sister-in-law's wedding. I am really excited, don't get me wrong. But HELP! Our lease is also coming up for renewal at the beginning of September (which is when I will finally be home). Last night, we found out that they want to jack our already ridiculous rent up another $100+ bucks! Needless to say, that just doesn't cut it for us, so we told them unless they could keep it the same, we would be out. So far, the 'negotiations' haven't gone well, and we spent 3 hours driving around neighborhoods looking for houses for rent, checking out other apartments, and I have spent the whole evening scrolling through craigslist trying to find yet another places to move to. We are going to wait until Monday; if they can't keep the rent the same, Zach will have to pack up (and possibly move) while I am gone. I love where we live, and I love the ward we are in. WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE. I found a house for rent in our ward, but it had already been leased when I called. Grrrr. *sigh* Sorry, it wouldn't be that big of a deal if I wasn't going to be out of the loop for about the next month. Normally, we would have a couple weeks to search out another place, but our vacation cuts down our time. OHHHH well. I know somehow it will all work out; it's just the meantime that is frustrating! Keep your fingers crossed............

Beat the Heat

Thank goodness for good friends. If it wasn't for Amy, I wouldn't have a single picture to post today. I have been the ultimate slacker lately in picture-taking, and haven't taken any pictures for almost 2 weeks. Mostly because we have spent almost everyday at the pool, and I spend the majority of my pool time trying to keep Kayden alive. He enjoys the pool a lot, but mainly from the perspective of running around the edge, trying to climb down the stairs in the pool (that are all underwater for a man of his stature), and diving out of my arms. Thanks Amy!





That's right, summer has finally arrived here. Better late than never, right? Seriously.....after winter weather through most of June (I heard several people call it 'June-uary') this month has redeemed Zach's opinion of Oregon. You can find us at the pool any day after naptime, and some days we go for a lunchtime swim & picnic. The other day, some of us girls (I guess I should call us Moms, but that sounds old...) went for a walk in the morn (all pushin' strollers, yeah, it was quite the sight). After a good long sweaty walk, Keegan had swimming lessons. I sat on the side with Kayden, envying Keegan with all my heart!! Soon as he was done, I packed them up in the car and we raced back home, changed into swimsuits as quick as possible, and ran over to the pool. I WAS SO HOT, soon as we got there, I parked the stroller, left the kids in it, and just jumped in the pool. Ahhhh, sweet relief. It felt great.
Ahh, but the good times never last. I got sick last week, and was laid up on the couch (or bed, whichever was closer at the time) with a fever for 2 days. Thankfully, Zach was able to work close to home for those 2 days, so he helped out a lot. I had a quick recovery, but now Kayden is sick with the same symptoms. He's been running a fever since Friday night, and hopefully it will be gone tomorrow! I'm crossing my fingers. All I hope for is that Keegan gets it this week (or not at all, that would be nice) so that it is done with BEFORE we go on vacation. That's right, the big beach trip is only 10 days away!! Not that I'm counting or anything.........

Serve My Needs

I've been struggling to get Kayden to sign with me. He won't sign anything! When he wants something, or is 'all done' I will sign and say it and he looks at me with this big smile like "Great job Mom, you did it! Now get me out of here." I know he knows what I am saying, and I know that he understands the signs. Last night reinforced my beliefs. Picture us sitting at the dinner table.


Kayden is happily stuffing his face. After taking a long draught of the finest milk (circa 2008), he drains his sippy. He looks at me and holds out his cup.
K2: "AAH!"
Mom: "More milk, Kayden?" (while signing more & milk) "Show mommy, milk!"
K2: (holding out cup more adamantly) "AAH!"
Mom: "Just sign milk buddy. Milk!" (still signing pointlessly)
K2: Looks at me. Points to fridge, holds out cup angrily. "AAHH!!!"

I got him the milk. Can you believe that?? He's not stupid. He knows the milk is in the fridge. Get off your duff Mom, and get me the milk!

Wordless Wednesday: For Jace!! Scrub Buddies

Danger: Wounded Pride Ahead

Sooooooooooo. Have I ever mentioned that I'm a klutz? Well, I am. Tonight, while making dinner, Zach calls to tell me he is just getting on his way home and will be late. While on the phone, I proceed to cut up some carrots, and include my finger in the mix. Oops. The good news is, I was cutting them with a crinkle cut design, so my sliced finger had a lovely wavy look to it! Hmmm. Maybe that wasn't as good of news as I thought. I said "Oh, OW." And wrapped my hand in a towel quickly. Zach kept asking over and over if I was ok, and I was......but then I think a little shock kicked in and I wasn't doing so hot. I started feeling like I was going to pass out, and so I quickly laid down on the floor to spare any more pain. I didn't pass out, but I did manage to freak Zach and Keegan out pretty good.
**Keep in mind I had just returned from the pool with the boys and I was making dinner still in a wet swimsuit (fantastic, I know)**

Zach called Derek & Amy (thank heavens for fabulous friends & neighbors) who both quickly came over, sure that they were going to find me passed out in a pool of blood. I recovered enough to open the door for them (although I was feeling rather foolish at this point, in a swimsuit and a bloody towel). Derek watched the boys (and fed them the dinner I had made - thanks Derek!!) while Amy took me to immediate care. I was thisclose to having stitches, but was spared them, and just got some steri-strips. I'm sort of glad, I was a little nervous about being sewed up. I did have to get a tetanus shot though, so now my arm has been rendered unusable for at least a week. Tetanus shots are so painful!
**ps I know the bandage looks fabulous, but really...I only cut the pad of my finger. Don't be fooled.**

So, after an eventful evening, I sit here, typing awkwardly with my over-bandaged finger, nursing my wounded pride with some Sour Patch Kids. *sigh*

Reunion is Sweet...........

(the above pictures belong with this post....photobucket is retarded)

And oh how sweet it was! We just returned from the M.E. Harward family reunion 2008. It was such a blast! It was held down at the family cabin on the Alsea river - a gorgeous set of 10 acres with the best rapids on the river. Not to mention the Great-Grand-daddy crawdad, good fishing, the mermaid rock, and plenty of adventure. Thankfully, I was able to convince Zach to join us for the full three days. With school and all, he wasn't sure if he would be able to make it, but I am so glad he did!! The beginning of the week found us with 1 child. Many thanks to Aunt Jessie who came up and picked up Keegan for a little one-on-one time with Grandma, Grandpa, and the Aunts and Uncles at the home front! Keegan had a blast, and I don't think he missed us at all. In fact, one time I called to say hi and talk to him, and he threw a tantrum because he DIDN'T want to talk to me. Feel the love..........
But really, he had a fantastic time, and has already asked me numerous times if he can go back to Grandma's. Zach and I, meanwhile, thoroughly enjoyed a little one-on-one with our Kaydee-baby. It was so fun (and SO EASY) to have one kid for a few days! I really enjoyed spending time with Kayden, just taking it easy and going at his pace for once - usually we go at Keegan's pace, which is much faster!! We cuddled on the couch watching 'Signing Time' in the morning, shared Goldfish, and just had a great time. We missed Keegan a lot though, the house seemed so quiet (and so clean). We were glad to be reunited when we arrived at the Alsea cabin on Thursday!!
The reunion was great, it was so fun to see many of my cousins who are spread out so far these days! Keegan had TONS of fun playing with Hannah, who is almost the same age as him, and has the same vibrant personality. I think it is probably a good thing we don't live too close together, as they both have a mischievous streak! Kayden enjoyed napping with the sound of the river in the tent, and had fun attempting to walk across the bumpy ground. There was great food, lots of horseshoes, a little t-ball, 'dreamboats', a 4th of July reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill - complete with PVC pipes and marshmallow ammunition, a fun 'kids store' that Keegan LOVED, and a fantastic auction to raise $$ for the next reunion. Can I just brag for a minute? I belong to what has to be one of the most talented families around. The auction was incredible. Everyone brought something they had made, and it was really amazing to see the variety in the handmade items. Here is an idea of what we had:

- A gorgeous quilt, made by my Aunt Suzie who is nearly blind. She is an incredible woman. She also made numerous doll quilts and quilted wall hangings.
- A handmade child's rocking chair, made by my Uncle Terry.
- An adorable scrapbook layout made for scrapbooking the family reunion by Deveney
- Several vinyl-lettering tiles (one of which I got!!!) made by Niki & Megan.
- Kids aprons, made by Aunt Rosie, two of which I got for the boys (pirate themed!)
- Delicate crocheted doilies, made by Aunt Debbie
- A fantastic Family Preparedness notebook, put together by my cousin Christy - which I totally wanted, but was outbid.... *sigh*
- Several really really REALLY cute handmade tutus. Now, I know I don't need one of these, but I did get one....I'm hoping to tack it up in the bedroom for inspiration ;-) I know, I know, TMI.

Honestly, it was so cool. I wish our family could open up a store to peddle our wares, because I would want to buy everything! Trust me, you would too. Thanks to all the family who came - we had the best time, and can't wait til 2010 for the next one!!!

ps. the 4th of July was great too - we headed into Newport and watched the fireworks from a fantastic location right on the beach by the Bay Bridge (thank goodness for low tide, or our seats would have been under water). It was beautiful! Hurray for a free country and all those who have sacrificed their time & lives for us to have it that way!