Stir

Linking up this week for five minute Friday. Another opportunity to flex those writing muscles and make them work! 

If you want to learn more, simply click the box to the left here. It will take you to Kate Motaung's website with all the details. 

The prompt this week is "stir" so I get to write for five minutes about this word. No editing, no thinking, just freewriting. 

Last weekend, we had a visit from my husband's aunt. This is grandma and grandpa Hart's daughter, the ones who just passed away this spring, only four days apart. 

She brought over some things that Stephen had asked for from the house. The biggest being his grandpa's chair. One of the things I found most touching was that he asked for one of grandma's metal bowls and wooden spoons. 

Looking at them, they don't seem to be anything special, but to Stephen these bring out great memories of he and his grandmother cooking with those bowls. Stirring ingredients together to create cookies and other delicious concoctions. 

It is truly a blessing to have such strong memories in such seemingly worthless items. Him being able to use them in our day to day life will keep her (and grandpa's) memory alive even longer. I love the little things that stir up the memories we have of those we have lost. The greatest part is, I know that we will meet again and hopefully up there we will be able to whip up some more cookies with grandma. Stephen will have to bring the bowl and spoon though. 

Bittersweet Gratitude

This week has been incredibly hard for our family. We found out last Tuesday that Stephen's grandpa passed away. Then on Saturday, we got the call that Grandma had passed away in her sleep. Both his grandparents in just five days. While we are grieving, it is easy to wallow in it, to live there in our grief. I'm trying to make sure that if he wallows, I can help him out. Grief is something we need to learn to live with. Here are five things I am thankful for this week: 

1. I am thankful that Grandma and Grandpa Hart are together. We miss them terribly, but I can't imagine grandma without grandpa by her side.

2. I am grateful the whole family has some wonderful memories with the Harts. The girls, Stephen and I spent several visits picking goodies in their garden (fresh strawberries and green beans!). We took a trip to the Enchanted Forest and even went to a fish hatchery. These are all things my girls will not only remember, but cherish. 

May 14, 2016 
McKayla (10), Grandma Charlene Hart, holding Alivia (7), Grandpa Rodney Hart, holding Natalie (8)

3. I am grateful that Stephen had the chance to go back and say his goodbyes. It isn't something we ever want to do, but I know personally how much it means to be able to say goodbye and hear it back.

4. I am grateful that Grandma and Grandpa got to live out the rest of their lives on the farm they loved. When they sold it a few years ago, I was afraid they would end up in a care facility or something.... But they negotiated with the buyer to stay in their home (buyer really only wanted/needed the land). 

5. I'm grateful for my faith because not only do I know this isn't the end for Grandma and Grandpa. I know one day we will join them in Heaven.

What are you thankful for this week? 

A Brother?

 On Thursday, November 11 at 6ish in the morning, the girls' dad and his girlfriend Hazelle welcomed a son into the family. Asher was 8 pounds, 1 oz and seems to be fitting in just fine. Here are Natalie and McKayla's "first look" pictures. Not actually the first look, just the first time holding him. Thanks to covid there were no visitors allowed, so we had to wait until he came home on Saturday. 

McKayla got the first "first look" because she was home waiting for her dad to come home. I brought Liv and Natalie over later in the evening. Liv had no interest in holding him, so no pictures of her, but Natalie couldn't wait to get him in her arms. 

Can't wait to see what this new addition does for the girls. They all seem excited right now which is wonderful. 

Oregon Vacation: Part 2

 Our Oregon trip part 2: 

Thursday, July 22

The girls and Tabi's kiddos. Natalie with Silas in her lap, Alivia, Aeri and McKayla. 

Thursday, July 22

Just Aeri and Silas in the tent. 

The moon on Thursday night was incredible! Pictures don't do it justice, but I still like them! 

Thursday, July 22

Thursday, July 22

Friday was our beach day. We didn't get to go last trip, so this one we had to go. We went to Ona Beach, just outside of Newport. It is one I have gone to since I was a kid. 

Friday, July 23

 

Friday, July 23

From left: Alivia, McKayla, Colleen (my sister)

Friday, July 23

Our doggies LOVED the beach. I was quite surprised that Lola went in the water! At one point, Maverick was in clear up to his chest but not further. 

Friday, July 23

Lola got all windblown and her fur took on a "beach waves" look. I wish I could have captured it on camera, but this is all I got. 

Saturday evening we headed over to Analise's house. As is tradition over there, we took family pictures. I had to share all of them because it feels like they show our personality. 

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24    

Saturday, July 24

From left: Roselyn, Callin, Alivia, Natalie, McKayla and Ava (my friend Kendra's oldest) 

Saturday, July 24

Roselyn and Callin were just cracking me up. Aside from the fact that I could NOT get a smile out of her. 

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24

My girls and their 8 year old cousin! 

Saturday, July 24

Feeding the Ducks

Tuesday we had the chance to go on a picnic with Stephen's Nana, mom, sister, her boyfriend and his three nieces. The girls are all around the same age. Surprise to me, my brother, his girlfriend and sweet Roselyn showed up. They helped us all feed the ducks. 

Natalie, Stephen, Daysha, Mike, Rosie, Jess, Dez, Alivia, Dee and McKayla. Colleen and I were behind the camera 

We all really had a great time, until it started getting hot. Then the kids were D-O-N-E.

1000 gifts: Three gifts of persistence

• it is a gift to have not given up on our trip. It was almost not going to happen, because of Stephen's job, but he persisted in asking for the time and we had a wonderful trip. 
• it is a gift to be able to have a jamberry party while down here. There have been some really rough months with the business but my persistence seems to be paying off. 
• it is a gift to see my girls so persistent in learning. They might fight it sometimes, but they have a love for learning that I really appreciate. 

Wordless Wednesday

1000 Gifts: 3 gifts loved

• it is a gift to be loved by so many here in Oregon. It's literally coming home every time I do it. 
• it is a gift have so much family (by marriage especially) here in town who we can be with every time we come. We love being here and they love being us. 
• it is a gift to be surrounded by so many people who knew and loved my mom. They know what a loss we suffered and make sure I get lots of hugs being back here where her loss is so solidly felt. 

Wordless Wednesday

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my uncle Warren. Ignore my children's funny faces. It was a long night.

1000 gifts a gift a 8, at 12, at 2
It is a gift to have a stable secure job to go to every morning.
It is a gift to have a husband who packs food for me to enjoy for lunch. Not every day, but often enough to really appreciate!
It is a gift to have a slower day at work so I can really enjoy the time with my coworkers and actually talk to the patients awhile. 

Great-Grandparent Visit!

Stephen's grandparents are in town for a few days. We were lucky enough to go out to dinner with them last night. The ladies all finished before the men, so we waited outside enjoying the sunshine and the flowers. It was a most beautiful night. I attempted to get a good picture of the girls with their great-grandma Hart. I think we did pretty good. 

aside from them not looking at me, the picture is good

Then Natalie get's fisty with M, Liv is tired of posing

and we are done. lol

I am loving them all. Might just have to put them together in a frame.

1000 Gifts: three gifts flat

• It is a gift to have flat portable technology. We have been able to have a few skype dates using my tablet and I love it! 
• It is a gift to have a nice flat yard the girls can play in.
• It is a gift to have flat mostly smooth roads to travel. I can't imagine traveling the way they did back in the old days, before freeways. 

365/256: Thankful Thursday

Thankful for a new addition to the family. Meet my newest niece:

Marley Walker born 9-10-13 @ 4:06 pm - 5 pounds 12 ounces

Nothing like Family

This is my husband's family All the girls (minus one who decided to move to Florida the month before our visit!)

From left: Angela, Sherry, Rebecca, and Renee

And the boys

From left: Jimmy, Paul, and Chuck (with their dad Mike in front)

Then all the little ones!

From left (again!): Kiera, Gabriel, Lacy, Renee, Abbigal, McKayla, Kayleigh, me, Alivia and Natalie.

Do you know how hard it is to pose that many kids!? There are three grand-children missing, and that is Angela's oldest ones, Austin, Crissy, and Brianne. This is the first time we have had a picnic together in a long time. I really do hope it becomes a tradition. It was SO MUCH EASIER to see everyone without driving from home to home. :) And it was a joy to see all our family together.

PS I just got word this morning that Paul was in a serious rollover accident. He was asleep and only got a gash on his head (was in the hospital for a bit just in case though) but the two boys he was with were injured more seriously (we think because they were awake at impact, so they weren't as limber) anyway. One has a broken back the other two broken legs. So, if you could please keep them in your prayers it would be appreciated.