Relationships

I have always known that relationships were important. And I don't say that flippantly. I really have always known. As short of a time as I had with my mom I think she poured into me that love of people. My Dad's family (all 60 of us or whatever it is) showed me that relationships were not only important but sacred and valuable and worth the investment. Then I became a Christian. And a new relationship was born in me. It made all the others more powerful and more sacred.
As an adult I can get swept into thinking that other things have as much or more value. It usually doesn't last long because I really am a 'people person'. However, there is the house and the car and the...you can fill in your own blank there. I have become a little obsessed with health and wellness. But trying not to let it rule my actions and motivations. Trying not to let it overcome and be the power I look to save us.
Anyway, I am just being drawn back into God's desire for us to be in relationships. To make them our priority and to include Him in that endeavor. His desire is that we be loving our relationship with Him and in so doing we love the people around us that much better. We can't take all this crap we have here on Earth with us. In fact, we might not even get to keep for our lifetime. But I can cultivate beautiful relationships with the people I love.
At swimming lessons a few weeks ago the gal whose house we were at taking them was chasing her two grandkids around and we had this short but powerful conversation. She looked at me as I laughed as her grandson kicked a ball into a piece of furniture and knocked it over. She said that her mom used to always say she would never have anything nice and she finds herself thinking that now and then. Then pointing to the spunky 5 year old she says, "but really what would I rather have?" I nodded. Point taken. Wisdom of the elders. You'll never really have the nicest things in your house if you care more about the people in your house. And really what would I rather have.
Clean houses are good but knowing my children, husband, and friends is way better. I desire to know my kids hearts fully. And that reveals to me a glimpse of how God looks at each of them and me. I want to be open to Him in that and teach my children to be open to Him. Maybe by cultivating relationships I will teach them how to have an open heart toward their God. And in so doing they will live the life He has for them to live. We went to a concert recently and it was good but what struck Casey and me was the love these men had for what they were doing. Casey keeps saying they are doing what they were born to do. I want my children to do what they were born to do. That makes me cry just thinking about it. I want that for them.

Chickens!...and a rooster!

We are now the proud owners of three adorable black hens and one not so adorable black rooster! They will not be laying any eggs for another month or so, but until then we are so excited to have them. They are very cute and on the small side so they are perfect for our yard. We have a little coop that Casey built and in the day we just let them roam around the yard to eat all the bugs...Yeah! They should lay an egg a day.

I am excited because Daisy got up this morning and without me even asking she let them out of the coop and checked their food and water! It looks like I won't have to do much to care for them...thank goodness. She is thrilled and was just sitting in a chair watching them walk around this morning. And actually it is very pleasant having them out there...you do just want to kind of sit there and listen to them make their little noises and stuff. So peaceful somehow. Casey named the rooster Johnny...of course. Daisy named two of the hens Violet and Lucky. And shocker of all shockers Jack named a hen Thomas. So there you have it. I have my own little city farm now; chickens and all. Next...a goat! Just kidding. Maybe I'll be able to catch them long enough to take a picture...we'll see.

Some people...

I had to go to Les Schwab today and get my tire fixed, which took twice as long as they said it would, of course. As we were patiently waiting outside for the Burb a man was waiting with his very old and cute dog. The kids asked to pet her and they did. After about five minutes of them petting and sitting with this dog the man turns to me and says...wait for it...

"you should have the kids wash their hands when they're done because she had fleas really, really bad and we just got her that flea collar and did drops this week."

AAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

I feel itchy, our clothes are being washed in hot water and I am a little pissed off.

Holes

I listened to a gal speaking today about things we believe about ourselves. We take those things and out of fear of the risk we would have to take to use them, we bury them in holes. She says your either a risk-taker or a hole-maker. I also realized that because we bury these talents or even just truths about who we are we don't steward ourselves well. We were made for a purpose but what if we spend all our time burying things that were intended by God to be used? Why don't we see our selves as treasures to be stewarded just like money? I don't say this to get myself or anyone else freaking out about squandering their gifts but just to think about how we use the parts of us that God gave us. What makes me unique and how can I use that to benefit the people in my life? That is all I'm asking.

Hunt Lake

I went on a hike to Hunt Lake this last Saturday with nine other people. It is amazing to me how nature can transcend and teach us no matter where we have come from or where we are now. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all learned a little something about ourselves and the people we were with. We got to be in silence in God's creation and hear from him in a refreshing way. It was brilliant. I am grateful to those of you who went with me and sad to those who weren't able to make it. I highly recommend getting out and trying that sometime...you won't regret it...because we were made for such a time as this.

Camping

We went to Horse Haven and had a great time. The kids were thrilled to sleep in a tent for the first time, which Casey and I realized was kinda sad. Nonetheless, we played in the creek, rode motorcycles, ate crap, took naps, got bit by bugs, peed in the woods, and had an overall good time. Jack was learning to play gin with Curt who is willing to play a game with anyone...obviously. Jack actually sat there for about 30 minutes playing cards with him. That is Lucy on the mini-motorcycle...she had a smile on her face the whole time. Daisy loves nature; flowers, bugs, and sticks! Nothing like camping to make you appreciate a good long hot shower!

Yellowstone...finally

These are pictures of Grand Teton, which of course doesn't really do it justice but I thought I would put them up anyway. You should really make it part of your bucket list if it isn't already...amazing! Also, this is what was happening a lot in the car...we were in it for a long time.




We had a great time in Yellowstone and we finally got our USB working for our camera. These first two are just a small sampling of Daisy's photography work on this vacation!

July...what the...

It is July! How in the world did this happen? It has been barely sunny or warm here and we have only gotten out to the park maybe two times! I am disgusted with the summer being half over and not even really having started yet.

There are some summer things happening though. My brother came for his annual Hoopfest/birthday trip. It is always really fun to have him here. We love to spend time with him. The kids love him and know that when he is here there is at least one guaranteed trip to Zips in it for them. We also went to Clinkerdagger for Jordan's birthday dinner and that was a real treat. Just the three of us adults. So, I downed my glass of wine without a worry and ate my fish happily. (I can no longer make fish at home or I will kill my husband..allergies) We talked and sat on the deck overlooking the water. It was fantastic. If you can make the time and money for a date to Clinks...do it. You will not regret it.

Also, we are staring down the barrel of two weeks of swimming lessons...but first we are going camping this weekend. I am a little anxious about this because I have never camped with a 1 year old before. Thank you Lord for our Suburban because I may be in it with her. So, I'll let you know how that goes.

We have just been going, going, going from the minute June hit and I am not feeling the slow down yet. Though I would like to. I am grateful for time with the friends I have seen and missing the ones I haven't seen or talked to in what seems like months. I am hopeful that on my return from camping I will be able to have a week of 'normalcy' -insert your laugh out loud here-and I will get in touch with some of you that have escaped me as of late.