My little girl

What can I say... Lately I have been overwhelmed with how amazing God is. I see Him in everything, but who I have seen Him in a lot recently is my Maddie.
She has such a genuine heart. She really loves people, loves her family, and really loves God. She talks about Him everyday. She loves to sing songs about him (see video below), she tells stories about Jesus, she recites verses that she's learned in Kindergarten. She is truly coming to understand God's love by learning through her actions towards others.

My mom volunteers and heads up a homeless ministry in Olympia. One of her many responsibilities is delivering food baskets from their collective food bank to people who are in need. Maddie has gone on many of the deliveries with her, and everytime she comes home, the first thing she tells me how wonderful it was to give to people who needed help.
When someone is hurt or sad, Maddie will be the first one there to comfort them. When Taylor cut open his forehead, my sister brought her to the hospital to see him, and she nearly cried for him. She wanted to be sure to tell him she was sorry for him, and that she wanted to give him a kiss.

One of the things I love the most about Maddie is her keen awareness of the Lord's presence with us on a daily basis. She loves reading her bible, and she prays with fervor. This is the chalk art that she drew today:

"Jesus 'dide' (died - she's learning about the silent e...) He lives" Amen!

Watch the video below... it is a little hard to hear, but today, she was riding around on her razor with my iPod attached to her hip, singing her worship songs. She didn't know the exact words, and after listening to her, I thought it was adorable. The words are supposed to be "Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you" Listen closely...



"I will never praise you." Hilarious. She'd be really upset if she actually listened to what she was saying... I think we all have some songs from our childhood that we sang words that didn't make sense, no?

Maddie is growing up to be a beautiful girl. I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me such a wonderful baby girl.

Happy Birthday Maddie...

I am SOOOO late in blogging this, but tis the season of busyness!

April 17, my baby girl turned SIX! What is going on?! First Taylor, now Maddie?! Guess that's the way it goes...

Maddie is the most empathetic and sweet child. She genuinely cares for others, hurts when others hurt, and loves to laugh. She loves the days that her brother chooses to say "I love you, Maddie." She beams with joy! She loves her friends at school and can barely wait to get out of the car to say hi to them. She also loves God. At night when she prays, so is so passionate about her love for Him. Some of her key phrases: "GOD! You are the Holy Spirit!" "God, please help all the people to love You," and "God, We just love you." Then she finished up with a resounding "Amen!" and "Mom, I was on FIRE tonight!" Pastor's kid...

She had a wonderful birthday this year. She got to enjoy a party at school, some family time at Appleby's, and finally, a party at Rocket Donuts with all her friends!

Maddie's class all sang "Happy Birthday to you, (cha-cha-cha)" while she stood on a stool in front of the class... She was a bit embarrassed, but I am sure secretly loved it!

Dinner with the family at Appleby's...

This was the party of the year! ROCKET DONUTS!!

The spread was amazing. Rocket Donuts is this great hometown business in Bellingham that makes the BEST donuts (sorry all you LaFeen's lovers...). I found out they just started hosting birthday parties... they decorate, they clean up, they make the birthday "cake"... it was fantastic. They gave each child two/three donuts a piece, the frosting and sprinkles to decorate, and voila - birthday cake, entertainment, and distractions all in one!

Taylor's donut was BY FAR the best! Check out that PILE of sprinkles...

Our friend Brandon and Rick may have enjoyed the donuts more than the kids...

On second thought, I think they enjoyed them more!

Happy Birthday, Maddie girl... looking forward to a wonderful year of watching you grow!

The next day...

Well... today seems to be a better day. Taylor seems back to his normal self. His cut looks good, and the stitches are lop-sided... What do you expect when the kid was thrashing around? I have come to realize today that the Nurse Practioner who dealt with him never gave him the anesthetic she was supposed to. She put some topical Lidocaine on when we first go there, but nothing after that. She said she would, but didn't. I didn't realize it until later, so I couldn't ask about it. Can you imagine? Getting four stitches while being held down WITHOUT medication? Does the word "barbaric" come to mind?

I am still having a hard time today... it all seems surreal, until I see that cut on his head...

It must be tough being a boy...

Every Monday, Rick and Taylor come to my school to have lunch with me and the other "nurses." We sit in the cafeteria, and hang out for an hour before they go off to get Maddie... Today turned out a bit different than the rest.

Taylor, being the boy he is, was playing around, turning circles, getting dizzy, etc... except he fell into the concrete wall and gashed his forehead open - again! The first time was a couple years ago on our brick fireplace - right side of the forehead (7 stitches).

Today, LEFT side of the forehead, 4 stitches...
You wouldn't know he was hurt by looking at these pictures. That is because Tylenol works wonders... He was fine hanging out with us in the waiting room. He looks so funny with that big gauze holding him together!
This was our almost 3 hour wait in the ER before he even got seen... boo!
This picture was after the most traumatic event known to my son, and possibly me. First of all, the ER nurse said it was hospital policy that only ONE person could accompany the patient. When I questioned that announcement in astonishment that we were his parents, she said blankly, it's hospital policy. You can imagine that didn't go over well with us.

He screamed more than I've ever known him to scream. The Nurse Practioner was not very thoughtful, nor did she listen to my requests for a conscious sedation for the procedure. She all but insisted we wrap him up in a blanket and hold him down. He kept crying/screaming that it hurt, but she kept saying he wasn't in pain, just angry that he was being held down. I wanted to scream at her, "don't tell me what my son is or isn't feeling!" I have to tell you it was awful. I am not pleased with my local ER today, and I think a letter of complaint will soon be drafted... It is a very sad day for me, knowing that these kind of insensitive medical personnel exist - a profession I hold in such high regards, obviously.

Word to the wise - advocate for your child/self when/ if you have to go to the ER. MAKE them listen to you and your wishes... a lesson very hard learned for me today.

Let the sun begin!

The sun was glorious today!! We spent the day out at a friend's house who lives on Lake Samish. The kids were in heaven!! Running around in swimsuits, making a "water city," kayaking on the sand... what more could we ask for. Too bad I had to study all day...

A Cow's WHAT?

When our kids little started using words, we decided when it came to the "privates" and "potty" we would use the real words to describe them. Seems like a silly thing to decide, but all parents must decide at some point, because the questions are BOUND to come...

Bring us forward to present time. As Maddie and Taylor start school and are around other children, there is a lot of "talk" in our house about privates, who can look, who can't, why we don't talk about them with our friends, etc. Most of this discussion is with Maddie. She is right at the age where it is all so interesting... yeah, I know. (big sigh...)

Recently, they have begun to ask why they don't get to take baths together anymore. I have to explain that they aren't allowed to see each others privates, teach modesty, etc. So in discussions with her, when talking about privates, we use the V-word. I should have known someone else was listening...

Yesterday at breakfast, while Rick was mid-bite of cereal, Taylor exclaimed: "Hey Mom. That's the cow's v.... (insert the word)..." WHAT? I looked at Rick, clearly about to choke, then turned and asked my sweet son to kindly repeat what he'd just said (lest I heard incorrectly)... to which he gladly repeated, "That's the cow's v...." Please take a close look at the spoon and the cow...
I had no idea I would be discussing a woman's anatomy with my four year old son. I had to explain that wasn't what he thought it was. I continued that that was where the milk came from... oh boy.

My little man is FOUR!

Today, my little man turned four. (well, this post was supposed to be up last Sunday... so, pretend).

I can't believe it has been four years since we were blessed with this little spitfire. He brings so much laugher and joy to our family. He is witty (like his daddy), he is talented beyond a four-year-old's ability should be, he is already reading, writing, and playing two-handed piano. He says the funniest things at the most inappropriate times, and of course, gets a laugh every time.He, of course, is a typical four-year-old boy is SO many ways:

**He loves to climb trees
**Plays in the mud puddles I JUST told him not to play in
**Casts his fishing pole inside the house and get it stuck in my plants
**Burps and/or farts, then announces it to the world with giggles of joy, with an occasional "excuse me"
**Dresses up like Spiderman instead of the "prince" that Maddie wants him to dress likeHe is also addicted to vacuum cleaners, loves playing make-believe "get married to Maddie" (not so great), and is obsessed about footie pj's and closing cabinet doors, bathroom doors, or any other doors for that matter.
For his birthday, he got to celebrate a few times. One was at Red Robin with all our family. Now, he chose Red Robin himself. Some of you may know he has an aversion to the song, "Happy Birthday." He tends to freak out and cry any time people start singing it. So, when he chose RR, I reminded him that they sing. He reassured me he would be fine. He was. He loved having all of his cousins there, and especially loved having a HUGE sundae all to himself. He did, however, share one bite with each of the cousins. He got a Razor scooter, which I can't keep him off of, a kid's computer/game, and some great educational books/puzzles. He was SO happy!
He was, however, a bit obsessed over his new scooter. He apparently had a fear it would get taken, he felt the need to brand it with his name:
He is already becoming a pro riding it!
Caleb is one of his favorite cousins. Caleb is like the big brother he's always wanted. I think Taylor is the like little brother Caleb never wanted :-) He is always begging to play Caleb's video games, watch him play computer, play with his toys... you know, all the little brother stuff you're supposed to do! He was thrilled to get to sit next to Caleb at lunch.
Emily and Maddie were happy to sit with each other, too. Another big sister-little sister scenario.

Taylor also got to have birthday treats with his friends at preschool, and we celebrated at home on the morning of his birthday with chocolate chip pancakes! I felt this picture was appropriate to put in. This was his first celebration with my mom and dad at Claim Jumpers. He was really tired, and by the time it was dessert time, he was done for. I don't know about you, but that dessert doesn't look like anything to cry about to me! It was delicious!

Well, I know that this year will bring so many changes for Taylor, but we are just so proud of the little man he is. He is a blessing. Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful gift!

Now if he could just stay out of trouble... :-)

Spring break

While I didn't go anywhere typical for spring break this year, Rick and I did get the chance to go to Seattle for three days together, sans children!! We had a wonderful time! We stayed at the University Inn in the U district. It was perfect. They shuttle you into downtown for free and pick you up whenever you want! They are right in the heart of University of Washington territory, so we walked up and down University Ave.

We ended at Dad Watson's, a McMenamin's restaurant in Fremont, for dinner that night. BTW, if you have never eaten/stayed/watched a movie at a McMenamins joint, you MUST! They renovate old/abandoned buildings into these incredible establishments, and on top of that brew amazing beer and make great food. It's a must if you live in Washington or Oregon. After dinner, we actually got to go sit in an Irish pub for a couple hours and chat over pints of Smithwicks...

On Wednesday, we headed to downtown to walk ALL over. Everything we go to Seattle, we do the same thing - Pacific Place, Pike's Place Market, Waterfront, etc. So we decided to mix it up a little. We still did those places, but we zigzagged up and down the streets and found some hole-in-the-walls that we love. One is Pike Place Chowder in Post Alley off the Market. Rick has decided they have the BEST clam chowder of ALL time. He says it is the perfect blend of seasonings and tastes, that it is his all-time favorite chowder. We will be visiting there every Seattle trip from here on out... yes, it was THAT good. Rick also found quite a few good cigars shops that he choose to use his spending money at :-) We ended up finding this quaint sitting area in the middle of Pioneer Square with a waterfall and beautiful trees in bloom. These are a couple pictures I took there:

After we rested there for awhile, we decided it was time to head to dinner... we tried a new place for us, the Taphouse Grill. This place was crazy - over 160 beers on tap! I actually tested out waitresses knowledge of the beers, and I have to say, she did a great job! We ended our night relaxing at the hotel since it started SNOWING! What?! Yeah, I know... spring break.

Our last day (actually morning) was spent browsing in IKEA, dreaming of the day we can have our OWN house again to play with. We look forward to that day :-)

We met my parents for lunch, and to pick up our precious cargo... We celebrated Taylor's birthday with them at Claim Jumpers, and headed back home... we had a wonderful time!

I look forward to the next getaway with my best friend. Aren't vacations so much better spent with your best friend? I am grateful I have one I love to spend my time with. I am blessed... Ok, enough sap!

Easter time...

So I am a little behind on blogging, but now is as good a time as any!

Easter was a wonderful day for us this year. Very relaxing... as it should be. We had an early morning with our Easter service this year being an outdoor sunrise service. It was wonderful. They rain held off until right at the very end. We met at Marine park at 7 am, Rick gave a short message, and we spent the rest of the time worshiping our risen Lord! It was AWESOME! Then headed home to make breakfast and open Easter baskets (thank you, Easter Bunny, aka Nani).
Maddie with her basket

Taylor the Easter Pirate... what didn't you know there was an Easter Pirate?

I think my favorite part of the day was about the hundredth time Maddie and Taylor ran around the house shouting "He is Risen!," clearly expecting us to announce back (with as much enthusiasm as them) "He is Risen Indeed!" They got such a kick out of doing that! LOVE that exuberance...

Then we headed out to Rick's mom and dad's for relaxing, lunch, and hot tubbing. The kids and Rick had a blast in the hot tub!

This was Taylor "flexing" his big arm and St. Patrick's day tattoo for the camera! Tough guy, I know. Don't mess with him!

It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

Spring break is coming...

I can't tell you how excited I am that the second quarter of nursing school is almost over! Time has been flying SO incredibly fast. I don't have any plans but to relax, and I am really looking forward to it!

I haven't been blogging in a while... clinicals, tests, life. I did, however, take time out a couple weeks ago for some fun. My friends from nursing school and I decided we needed to do something fun together that DIDN'T involve studying. So, we headed out to Birch Bay to relax and hang out with NO nursing books! Dana's family own's a cabin on the water in Birch Bay, so we packed up our shovels and buckets, and headed out for some fun.

I think this might be one of my favorite pictures of Taylor....ever. Can't they just stay this adorable forever? Do they HAVE to grow up?

If there are water, rocks, and a boy, there will be throwing of the rocks in the water by the boy! I think it is actually encoded in boy DNA.

Meet Jenny, Carrie, and Kasie - my ladies! We probably see more of each other than our own families. It is a good thing I like them! :-)

This is Anna. She is my friend, Dana's, little girl. Taylor fell for her... While we were down playing at the water, they both got totally muddy and wet, so they depants and play the rest of the night in their underwear. Note - I do not make it a habit to let my kids play with others in just their underwear, although, I am sure they would love that. Who doesn't love to play in just their underwear. :-)

This is Carrie's husband, Brandon. He and Rick have become friends since Carrie and I spend all of our time together!

Kasie and Maddie...some day Maddie just might be taller than her!

I am really looking forward to more days like this... thanks, Dana, for letting us come out! Look forward to the next time.