Brave Boys -n- Dodgeball

Big Brother joins the fun in the backyard. . . .

in his pj's so doesnt want to be photographed.

Nolan's creative choice in lawn furniture (notice infamous tongue action):

Dodge ball . . . . Elijah shows no fear:

Nolan jumping off trampoline to avoid being an easy target during dodge ball:

Nolan contemplating, can I escape quick enough?! . . .

once I hurl this ball towards 16 year old brothers head?!

The years sure run by . . .

Elijah is infamous for chuckling when he runs

...dont know why, but it's cute!

Nolan makes ME giggle when he runs . . .

for reasons like his green tongue matching his green shirt,

not wearing socks despite by many reminders to put some on,

& shoes on the wrong feet but he doesnt care.

Darla. . . . always intense, focused, and fast when running.

Drive at Dusk Turns Up This:

Ok so here is the scoop on this adorable place:
1. I used to live a couple houses down from this waterfront cottage when I was 6.
2. The home was renovated this past year . . . . and I just marvel at its cuteness.
3. Alan did the heating/air - so I received a sweet lil' tour last spring when I brought my honey lunch. That same day we actually went & sat by the river to eat lunch. As we sat there we saw our eldest son floating down the river with his best friend in a raft. Ironic timing!
4. Back to the cute place. . . I love smokey grey aged cedar & white trim w/ the barn red punch of color. Super cute don't you think? Now plop this place down on a piece of farming acreage, and have a meandering creek on the property . . . . . and I found our next home!

Ok this goat barn is also a couple houses down from the Welches home I lived in back in 1st grade. The various sets of horns would always creep me out as a kid. The only thing I ever encountered similar to this in Eagle Creek (I think Duus Rd, maybe?) . . . a bus drivers (Benscooter?) had a farm called skull ranch. It had the big log entrance arch w/ a big ol' cow skull. It also creeped me out.

Ok so here is the delightful Salmon River, less than a mile from my home. In the distance you can see BBQ smoke . . . this has been a common sight & smell the past couple of days. Nothing beats the smell of the natural forest, river, & camp smoke. Ahhhh...... life up here is good.

Another peak at the river at dusk.

Here I present Hunchback Mtn . . . only a country block (less than a mile) from our home:

We had a nice drive yesterday but it wasnt without dissapointment:
Really people? I cannot believe that people dump their garbage on the side of the road like this. This isnt far from my house, and it is a main road. Shame on you! You really cant afford the $20 a month garbage bill? Or $20 for a truck load to the dump? May your conscience get to you. So why should I go pick up your dirty diapers & milk jugs which will remain here until one of us do?

I'm so mad & sad

That little 8 year old girl, Sandra Cantu, missing since March 27th from Tracy CA was found dead today in a suitcase in an irrigation pond only 2 miles from her home. I am so sad to hear this. I was praying this little girl was safe, and some sicko snatched her & decided to end her life. Please, dear God, bring forth the person(s) responsible . . . . please protect all the others who come into contact with them. I pray for this poor family who lost their baby girl and all who have been touched by this horrific crime. We can rest easy knowing Sandra is safe now in your arms Lord, thank you. Please let the truth expose these creeps, and I pray they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law & beyond.

Softball Beginneth

2nd official practice, Friday April 3rd 2009.

Steps for a great athletic experience:

1. An eager participant (Darla)

2. A patient & encouraging coach (Suzy)

3. Parents willing to commit time, transportation, & support (Alan & I)

4. Cooperating weather (the snow melted in time for practice, so cant complain)

5. Great friends working together as a team on a common goal: have fun & learn softball!

Elijah Could NOT Be Happier!!!!!!!!!

Last night was our kindergardner's 1st basketball practice on a REAL team!

He still keeps double & triple checking with me that he is going to play in a REAL game.

So here are the facts. . . . he has practice one weeknight a week in Boring. They do not offer any basketball programs in Sandy/Welches until 3rd grade, thus the commute to this YMCA program. There are 7 kids on Elijah's team. . . . 5 girls & 2 boys. Elijah is the tallest on the team, which is uncommon, he is our only "short" child. All our kids are 90th percentile for height except Elijah who has been ranked 20th percentile for height. In other words... out of 100 kids his age - 80 of the 100 are taller than Elijah. So they only practice for 1 hour and their games will be on Saturdays. FUN!!!

This was supposed to be a 5 & 6 yr old team but somehow the coaches daughter is on the team & she isnt even 4 yet. But it is super adorable! Many of the girls dont know how to dribble. I actually worried the ball was flat because they would drop the ball to try & dribble & it seemed the ball would just go splat & sit on the floor. The girls would dribble & bat at the air. It was so cute to watch these 7 kids work together on the different drills. I was warned that at the 1st game it will be an accomplishment if the kids just remember which basket is their teams. They are allowed to travel, double dribble, etc., Elijah was so confused when the adults were applauding the kids who would run up to make a lay-in without ever dribbling.

One for the record books?

Note: This photo is in our front yard Friday, April 3rd.

Ok so the local paper "The Mountain Times" just published this eye opening fact:

Brightwood (which is lower elevation than our home):
This winter's snowfall = 70.5"
10-year average = 27.5"
Last March = 7.5"

Gov't Camp (higher elevation than our home):
March 2009 Total = 114"
March Average = 48"
Last March = 61"

Please pray for this MISSING girl . . .

Please study her face:

8 year old Sandra Cantu : missing from Tracy CA (60 miles E. of SanFran) since Friday 3/28 around 3pm when she walked to the neighbors to play with a friend.

She is Hispanic, 4' tall, 45lbs, brown hair, brown eyes & was wearing a pink hello kitty shirt & black leggings.

Please study her face . . . its not impossible to think an abductor might flee to our area with this child.

For more info on this story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/31/california.missing.girl/

Sweet Home Bamma-Bamma . . .

. . . Darla Diane's signature song since a very young age.

Rainy Day Play Ideas?

1. Make a homemade pizza.....even more enjoyable when shared with friends.

2. Built a fort with an assortment of top sheets & throw blankets.

3. Gather supplies, like fruit rollups, & $Tree clip on book lights.

4. Turn off all the home's lights.

5. Crawl into fort & hang out.

Payton Going On His 1st Date Tonight

Ok so he is sixteen afterall. So not a huge shocker to most of you I'm sure.

Payton & Grace are just good friends. Dont dare suggest otherwise he says. Both are Christians & talk about there shared beliefs.

They are going to a PG13 moving called Knowing starring Nicolas Cage. I will definitely post a photo of Payton all dressed up, fresh new haircut, new hair product & cologne.

Note: His new jeans from Zumies are the same color as his hoody shown above. His shoes are the same color as his t-shirt. It was the most colorful outfit I have ever seen him wear. But he looked adorable!

His grandparents are so ultra good to him . . . when he came home from visiting with them for several days he had the infamous Zumies bag. Now he told me they got him a new pair of jeans. I asked him if they are a different shade of denim . . . since all the pairs he does have pretty much all look the same to me (BUT THEY'RE NOT MOM), and he smiled & said "Yes! They are a different color. They are more of a lighter colored blue." Well a little while he came out of his room to show me the new jeans & I kid you not they are TURQUOISE!!! I was shocked! But I didnt want to make him insecure or doubt his decision but I know he could tell I was not expecting colored jeans. They are cute but out of the ordinary for him. Then he said "Well if you think these are weird, wait till you see my new sunglasses." And I was like "What?!?!" And he said "Well, theyre not really sunglasses . . . they are shutters." I think he said Kanye West created them, but I could be wrong. He then comes out & shows me 2 different pairs of them. White pair & the turquoise again. He told Grace about them, and asked her if she wanted him to bring her a pair to wear tonight and she gasped "I wont wear shutters in public!"

This is definitely a new chapter in my life as a parent of a teenager. Soooo cute. She beat Payton to the punch & got her drivers license already, but I am driving him to the theatre & picking him up. He requested this....yeah!!! Oh one more cute thing....he tells me he asked her "What kind of treats do you usually get when you go to the movies Grace?" And she said "Cookie Dough Bites". . . . . and guess what people??? That is what Payton has bought the last 2 times he went to the movies he says. Say it with me now . . . .
C O M P A T I B L E ??

Ok so here is a photo of Payton opening the door for his friend Grace at the cinema (zoom lense):

Before anyone thinks "Oh Amy, how embarassing for Payton. His mom photographing it." They had no clue I was there. I drove off like I was gone, then circled back around just in time to capture it. I was really this far back when I took this photo:

V is for Victor

When Nolan was a tiny baby we discovered the lil' honey inherited the "V".

This trait comes to us by way of Alan's side of the family, NOT mine. Alan also has a "V" on his forehead when he tucks his chin way in, makes a super firm frown, and raises his eyebrows in an insane looking way. For Nolan it comes much easier... basically he just needs to pout or mildly frown. Without further ado . . . I present the "V". Which we refer to as Victor.

BEFORE

Nolan asking if he can have another popsicle:

AFTER
Mama responding no it's almost time for dinner:

Spring Sprung Right Back To Winter

Well we didnt get to take our Field Trip to photograph sweet signs of spring budding up & blooming all over the Mtn up here because . . .

a) Discovered camera batteries were dead - needed to charge them

b) The weather quickly CHANGED (see below)

Celebrate!!!

Today, March 19th, is the official last day of Winter!
Field trip today - the boys & I will be hunting for miraculous signs of spring on the Mountain.
Will post photos later of our findings!

State of Oregon: Unclaimed Property & Money

http://mscfprod2.iservices.state.or.us/dsl/unclaimed_property/search.cfm

I have found soooo many people I know who's names are listed on this site.
There is a inquiry form to claim the money. Check it out!!!

One mans junk - another mans treasure . . .

Ok so most of my friends & family know that I love garage sales, thrift stores, and overall good finds. I prefer rustic decorative pieces & reusing, repurposing items. I especially love craft items which I can always snatch up at a tiny fraction of a Craft Store pricetag. I love handmade items & art.

Well Beth Twist is an extremely talented artist/stitcher . . . she married a young man I grew up with and they have a beautiful family. For my wedding anniversary gift Im hoping my husband will buy me one of Beth's jewelry pieces she makes & sells online. I tell ya, she is super talented in a multitude of ways! Back to my story . . One day I was randomly looking thru the arts/crafts section of portland's craigslist online and found an ad for 9 reproduction samplers for $75. I immediately thought of Beth & her interest in Ssmplers. I sent her an email & she planned to go check them out. Well, a part of me was a bit worried it would end up being a waste of time & gas money for her, but realized it was up to her whether or not she wanted to pursue. Then . . . I was happy to read this story on her blog today re: this particular find:

http://thetwistfamily.blogspot.com/2009/03/some-things-im-excited-about.html

So moral of the story: Well, first Beth is brilliant for researching. 2nd you never know what you may find buying used items. I love it. New items off of a store shelf have no history, no story. Bring on Spring & bring on garage sales!!!!

Kendra In Heaven Now

Please pray for children Melissa, Jay, & Dianna as they mourn the loss of their mother.


To read about her story: http://barelycontrolledchao-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/

Daydream

I am laying in field of tall soft grass.
It is a comfortable 80 degrees out & a soft breeze is passing over my face.
I am at peace & happy.
Looking straight up, I watch a couple plump white clouds drift across the blue sky.
No sounds except the breeze swaying the grass & birds chirping.
I close my eye lids & listen.
I feel my face warm from the sun.
I would love to stay here for hours.

But I need to go make the kids lunch.

Payton Pursuing Permit: On Monday!

After three trips to the DMV for the study manual, and a year later. . . . a weekend at Grandpa Ricky's pays off . . . Payton had a very supportive study partner & he just reported he is 100% ready to go in for his drivers permit exam on Monday.

For those of you, like myself, who have been driving for 20 years you might laugh at trying this online practice test (only 10 questions). I passed but just by the skin of my teeth! Eeeks.

http://www.oregondmv.com/DriverLicensing/knowledgetest.htm

Update: Payton failed the test by 1 point . . . . so he will try again soon. He was frustrated with a question about a guy on a horse who raises his hand. He was asking me "How was I supposed to know what to do if a guy on a horse raises his hand?"

2 months late posting. . . . .

This is partially due in part to the younger photos of my first born being scanned & stored on Darla's MP3 player which was missing for a while.



Part of Payton James 16th Bday Celebration, back in January, was a nostalgic trip thru our old stomping grounds. . . just my boy & I.


The apartment Rob & I lived in in Oregon City when Payton was born 16 yrs ago, our 2nd & 3rd home . . . then Payton's favorite home of all-time was our lil' brown house in the middle of a berry field in Boring, Oregon:
Below is a pic of the private paved drive we had which is where Payton learned to ride his bike with no training wheels. My nephew Lennon also learned to ride a bike with no training wheels on this same driveway.

The outing would not have been complete without he and I also visiting our old favorite mexican restaurant in Gresham.

2009:

1998 or 1999:

2009:
1998 or 99:2009: