Decisions

I feel lately that our schedule has forced us to choose. What is the best choice? Do I see friends or family? Do I try to cram everything in and be ridiculously busy? Do I choose camp or VBS? Do I choose church or family? In most situations, I think one may be a better option than the other, but yet they are all good options.

This is my struggle. To decide between good and best. To decide where my priority will be. To decide how not to overcommit myself to things. To decide how to live out my faith for Christ, but to not be so busy I can't stand it. To decide how to make time for family for just fun and being together. To decide when it's time to just rest and be still.

Lately decisions have become a lot like drugs to me. Just say no.

Garage Sales and other stuff

We've been busy...summer has officially started and with it came the sunshine and everything else. We had a garage sale the last 2 weekends to raise money for our teens going to Ecuador! I am thrilled that Jeb, Liam, and I will all be going this year and my sister Rachel will be meeting us down there too. FYI - my sister Rachel has a boyfriend and is going to be doing mission work in Panama with him, then joining us in Ecuador. His name is Stephen, and I know some of you AIM people know him. Well...she's pretty cookoo over him and I couldn't be happier for her! This week has been VBS. Jeb is the story time guy and I am cooking meals for everyone. Will post more later...

mr. golden sun

Where are you?

I was counting on hot days & nights

swimming in the lake

some camping

and a little water skiing

Please shine down on me

Happy Dad's Day!!!

For Jeb, you're a wonderful Dad...and to our Dad's, the best Dad's ever! We love you!

Breakfast food

Pancakes, crispy hasbrowns, bacon, biscuits & gravy, eggs, coffee and cream...toast with butter...yummm!!! Breakfast is by far my favorite meal...and while I usually go with a bowl of cereal...it is the meal that I enjoy the most and the only meal that I could eat at any time of day...it's good for breakfast, lunch or dinner...so versatile! I am writing this to list a few of my favorite breakfast joints...usually if they have old school coffee mugs, it is going to be good!

I realize that I am only going to recommend a few places in a very limited geographic range, but these are the BEST that I have ever eaten at...and in general I go for the mom and pop places, not so much into the chain restaurant...so if you are in the area and are looking for the breakfast with personality...

KJ's Cafe, Trout Lake, WA - the original best breakfast you could ever get, specializing in huckleberry pancakes

Cameo Cafe, Portland - I recommend the coconut waffle...especially with butter, powdered sugar and lemon

Bijou Cafe, Portland - organic bacon and eggs!!

Cadillac Cafe, Portland - the hazelnut & banana french toast is killer

Fatty Patty's, Battleground - you're guaranteed a heart attack...but it's good stuff

Should you ever find yourself in Santa Rosa, CA, don't miss out on Hank's Creekside, everything's awesome and you can watch them cook your food

Brown Bag Cafe, Redmond, WA - huge portions, homemade bread

Pancake Corral, Bellevue - family owned business for 50 years...great service with a smile, a nice mom and pop atmosphere with great food...get there early or you'll be waiting outside

I must be hungry...

A POEM FOR LIAM, BY DAD

Dearest Liam,

You are my son.
I hope that some day, you will own a gun.
Wont that be fun!?

You are a really good right now,
But if your not...watch out!....POW!
You will get a spankin from Uncle bacon.

Now that your 1, there will be no fun.
There are lots of responsibilities around here.
You need to clean up mom's can's of beer!
The windows are dirty, so make em clear!

Liam, Liam, I love you so dearly!
I want to know you more nearly!
I am saying this sincerely!
your dad!

On your 1st birthday...

A cheesy little poem for my baby on his first birthday...

Liam is one
He is so much fun
Thank you God for my son
and for giving him the cutest bare buns

his favorite food is yogurt
and he often gets himself hurt
when he shuts his fingers in cupboards and drawers
but his favorite thing in the world is to explore

liam has six teeth
and when he smiles it's really neat
he also has beautiful blue eyes
i do not like to see him cry

his favorite toys are cars and balls
he giggles when he plays with them'all

now i can turn his carseat around
i know it will help him not to frown

his fingers are often very sticky
i can hardly believe he's growing up so quickly

my favorite memory of this first year
is every day with the little dear

we love you liam!!! happy birthday!!!

I heart Mariners

I've never been a serious fan of any sport. I guess I have always enjoyed highschool and college games because I went to school with those people, so it was fun to cheer them on. But to cheer for people that you don't even know??? I just have never had it in me. I have never understood how people could be so loyal to one particular team or sport...I can't relate at all.

One time Jeb and I went to a Seahawks game when we first moved up here to Bellevue and we didn't want to pay $20 to park our car for 2 hours...so instead we drove around until we found a parking spot about 10 blocks from Qwest field. We started walking towards the stadium and little did we know (because we were new to the area) that we had parked in the ghetto...people were dealing drugs and following us and all sorts of crazy things. We had parked on Yessler...and for those of you who have ever taken the Seattle underground tour...you'll find out that Mr. Yessler -the streets namesake- was a very bad and evil man...which is totally beside the point...but a historical fact nonetheless...and ironic that it turned out to be a slummy part of town. Anyways...we nearly died walking to seahawk stadium and then people were sitting in our seats and wouldn't move when we got there and everyone was drunk and spilling beer all over the place and cussing at the top of their lungs. i didn't get it. oh yeah...and they all booed the entire halftime show when the oregon ducks performed and they kept shouting, "go back to Oregon!" Needless to say, we had just moved here from oregon and were feeling a little sentimental, so we were excited the oregon ducks were there! so we leave early because it is cold, people are still screaming and one guy is listening to the game on headphones and dancing the entire time...these are true fans.

i felt sad in a way, because i wanted to be a fan too. i wanted to get into the game and love it...but i couldn't. then later that same year, we went to a mariners game. it was summer time and warm and we sat on the 1st base line and the sun pours down on you and the seattle city skyline is right out in front of you and everyone's happy and laid back and it smells like popcorn and peanuts and garlic fries and cotton candy...and moosy the mascot sometimes rides a 4 wheeler around the baseball field, and the dirt combers do dances, and they do hat tricks on the big screen!!! It's like it is a super carnival while watching a baseball game. it was then that i realized that I LOVE BASEBALL....and I don't have any other team to love besides the mariners...they are my home team. sure, they may not be the best (although they did win every game i went to the first season i was here)...but I LOVE THEM. they are like a good friend to me...they make me happy when i see them even if things aren't so hot for them.

and besides, richie sexson (1st baseman, cleanup batter) is apparently from hockinson, so jeb feels like he and richie are like best friends now since they grew up in the same neck of the woods. And every time i see ichiro, i giggle, because my grandma lue thinks he is cute.

things can't get any better than this!