Our neck of the woods!

So, on Saturday, just kind of spur of the moment, we decided to take a little drive out to Silver Creek Falls State Park. This beautiful piece of God's creation is just a 30 minute drive from us and holds special memories for Billy and I.

I guess you could say, it's where it all began:)

First Valentine's
First Kiss
First Dance

...and a promise.


We didn't have near enough time to take it all in this time around, but we'll go back, of course. Many times. I hope you enjoy the amazing scenery and fall colors as much as we did! ...and sorry, but I just couldn't pick a few...



Yes, Central Oregon, we have FIELDS of christmas trees to choose from:)

See that little pile of rocks, and, now, overgrown bushes?? That's where Billy proposed! Right at the top of the South Fall.


The top of the falls...


On our way down to the South Fall.

Beautiful. and yes, that's people behind the falls and that's where we're headed!

The "caves" behind the falls.:)

You can feel the mist. Very cool.
Too close of a close-up for my face, and what does THAT look mean, Billy?

Hiking back out...a look back.

Just thought it was a pretty bridge.

Emma says...

***UPDATED***

Just another one she just said this evening:) Caterpillars are "Patapillars"


Fingers are "thingers"

Cupcakes are "pupcakes"

And instead of reading the instructions for something, she wants you to "read the ingredients"!!

Wordless Weekend Away

ok...I lied. Not completely wordless, because I just have to say....Mentos and soda are cool and Jenny, what the heck happened to that picture of you and I?! It's a crime.

First Steps

...and so it begins and never slows down!

Women of Faith

I was blessed to be able to attend Women of Faith this past weekend in Portland with some fellow women of faith! It was just what I needed. The speakers, the music, the worship. The worship is one of my favorite parts, over 10,000 women lifting their praises to God...it's overwhelming at times. Add in speakers like Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Louise DuArt (hilarious impressionist!) and singers like Nicole C. Mullen, MANDISA, the amazing worship team, outrageous Anita Renfroe(see my last post!)and incredible dramatist, Nicole Johnson (who makes you laugh one minute and sob the next), and you can see why I come away from it encouraged, rejuvenated, convicted, and ready to tackle the things I know I need to change. Did I mention that I was only 11 rows back from the stage?! And, of course, the icing on the cake is that I get away for some girly time with some great friends! This year I was so excited to go with a friend and roomie from college who I hadn't seen in years, who invited me along with her group from Washington! She also opened up her beautiful home for my friend and I to stay Friday night. Thank you so much Brook!
My good friend, Mya, was able to come along at the last minute with us. It was her first time at WOF and I pray that she enjoyed it as much as I did:) (Thanks for driving;)) And our husbands? ...had a "sleepover" with all 5 kids and watched a scary movie after the kids were in bed:) hee hee!
....and....I was able to reconnect with some dear friends from RCC that I miss terribly... It was SO good to see you Kristin, Amanda, Ariel, and Karyn!
Oh, have I mentioned that Mandisa ROCKED the house?! Seriously! She was amazing!
...Looking forward to next year.... and if you've never been before - GO!

Laughter is the best medicine....

I'm with Kristin!(Check out "Ode to Spanx" on her blog!) Anita Renfroe is hilarious! My favorite of hers from Women of Faith was this parody of Carrie Underwood's song, "Think before he cheats", and it's called "Think before I eat":) LOVE IT! Don't forget to pause my blog playlist before you start the video:)

oh and I'll post more about Women of Faith later....

Done!

Believe it or not, with this post I will be caught up on things from my exile of 1+ months:) And it's not some spectacular event, but they are some spectacular pictures of my baby being the adorable goof-ball that he is!

Wearing Emma's shades.

Licking a toy bin???

Sliding at the park.

Don't you just want to smooch all over those cheeks?!

Relaxin' in the apartment pool before it closed for the winter.

Emma cruisin' around...she got REALLY comfortable in the pool the last part of the summer, so much so that we had to rescue her too many times. Scary.

Because I needed this...:)

Honestly....

I'm having one of those mornings where my patience is wearing thin with my children. I don't like that, I don't WANT to be like that. I need some Bible and prayer time to reset my focus....

Prov. 31:26
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. NIV

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. NASB

1 Cor. 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind...does not act unbecomingly...is not provoked NASB

Love...is not rude...is not easily angered NIV

Galations 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment....instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Phil. 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

**please leave comments and share with me and us all the things or verses that help you when you're having one of those moments or days.

Will says....

Will's playin' in Papa and Mimi's backyard this evening, when Billy sticks his head out the back door and says, "Will, what are ya doin'?"

Will: "I'm just diggin' in the dirt so I can throw it at the tree."

Oh to be a kid again! And boys....gotta love 'em!!

Pro-preschooler

Emma's first day. I don't think she even needed us there!

Cutest thing ever!

Just wanted to tell you of a few of the cutest things Lincoln is doing right now....

1) WALKING!!! - little steps here and there. His favorite thing is pushing Emma's little baby stroller around.

2) He signs "please" and "more" so well now and it's sooo adorable!

3) and my favorite....he says "yeah" "yeah" to EVERYTHING!! He totally knows what you're saying and he's answering you, that's all there is to it.

4) can't forget to mention that he just started saying "a ooo" THANK YOU, of course! We say thank you, he says "a ooo":) I love it.

1st Day of 1st Grade

I am still in shock over this one. How can I possibly have a 1st grader??? Why do I fear that the next several years are going to go by faster than the first 7? You veterans out there, PLEASE tell me I'm wrong!


He was soooo excited!

Standing outside his 1st/2nd grade blend classroom. Ready for his day!And the bell rings to start 1st grade. No turning back now:)