Alles Gutes

John and I are back from our trip to Leavenworth! It was magical having a weekend away to stuff our faces with German food and beer and to allow our brains to function for an extended period of time without worrying that someone was eating garbage or playing in the dog dish. We did a lot of relaxing, which is exactly what both of us needed. Check out the pictures on Picasa and try not to drool or become excessively jealous.

Counting Down the Years

First: We met. (that's an accurate image for the level of enthusiasm I think John had for the idea of dating me at the time)


A year later I convinced him to invite me over to watch Deadwood on HBO...and subsequently date me because I am clearly awesome.


The year after that, John decided he liked me so much, he swept me off my feet and to the Oregon Coast where he asked me to marry him. For those of you holding your breath, I said 'yes'.


So, a year after that, we decided to get married and booked it to the British Virgin Islands, because by that point, we liked each other so much we were pretty much the only people we wanted to hang out with.


Until, of course, a year later when this cute kid showed up--then there were three.

And a year and a half later, Audrey's kid sister rocketed into the world.

Now there are four.

And our hearts are so, so full.

Where will we be next year?

All I know is: God is good.

Pomp and Circumstance

I tend to find myself amazed at the parenting milestones I never had time to think of when I was pregnant with these two kiddos; everyone anticipates their baby's first teeth, first words or first steps, but what about the first time your kid back-talks, accurately uses sarcasm or goes potty without anyone's personal assistance? If we're in Bailey's world right now it's more about first nose bleeds (yes, that's plural), losing fingernails and learning to jump with her feet off the ground. It just never stops--these curve balls that no one told me to be ready for. The teeth, the words, the first unstable little steps? I was totally ready for all that, so imagine my surprise when I suddenly found myself attending Audrey's first preschool 'graduation'.

This year we chose to join a preschool homeschooling co-op that my friend Brittany was spearheading. It turned out to be a great fit for Audrey's first 'school' experience and I was so happily involved that it took me by surprise when the end of May was upon us and class was over. I must say, this was the best graduation I've been to yet--eating tacos and drinking Corona while watching the kids play is my ideal graduation party. Somebody remember that in fifteen years.


These guys: Hannah, Bailey and Pax were my little buddies during the school year. I helped watch the littles so the bigger kids had a better chance of concentrating on their work. It was amazing to watch these guys grow over the year; when we started they were babies, now they're looking like a gang of rough 'n tumble toddlers. Look out! These three will get ya!

After the graduation festivities the night before, we woke up early Saturday morning and did our first hike up Badger Mountain. They've just opened a new trail that spans the eastern portion of the mountain and offers views of the north and south that weren't accessible before. It was a cool, beautiful day for a hike; Audrey rode on John's back in the Kielty carrier and I hoofed it with Bailey in the Ergo. Being in better shape than I was last year after just having a baby was nice. This time we made it to the summit and the girls shared a banana. These two are becoming great friends. I just love watching their little bond grow and I hope it keeps getting stronger. Someone asked us on the way down if they were twins (this happens a lot...people are incredibly unobservant) but I kind of hope that's how the girls will feel, living in each other's pockets.

This coming weekend is an exciting one for us. John and I will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary with our first trip sans kiddos. We're leaving for Leavenworth, WA on Friday and are spending the weekend in a really cute Bed and Breakfast. Keep your prayers with the girls and, more importantly, their Grandparents and Auntie who are in charge of them for the weekend. I'm hoping some of that good behavior I keep trying to instill in my children will shine through and that it'll be a great opportunity for some incredible Grandparent spoilage. Don't worry about John and me--we'll miss those cute kids, but I think we'll be able to make it through the weekend just fine.

...Because I am a Mom

And Mom's are not perfect. For example, I have a house full of laundry in differing stages from piled dirty on the floor to piled clean on the floor and a hand full of items that happened to make it into a dresser drawer neatly folded...only to be shortly worn and subsequently tossed into the dirty pile. (have I mentioned before my disdain for laundry? It makes me want to become a nudist.)

The point I'm getting to here is: I am not perfect. I have a to-do list a mile long and not enough time or motivation to get it done. But, man, am I having fun. So much, that I haven't even paused to document it.

Our trip to Chicago came and went in a blur of fantastic family gatherings, food and outings. I am convinced there isn't a more gracious and welcoming host than my Aunt Jeanne and staying at her house with my two rambunctious girls was delightfully relaxing and infused with bits of nostalgia and hilarity.

It was amazing to watch my girls under the microscope of traveling with one parent. Bailey came even further out of her shell; a feat I formerly thought impossible to achieve. She made friends with every Tom, Dick and Harry from here to The Windy City and just about died from excitement when she realized how life-changing a robotics competition can be. We've taken to calling that girl Joe Junior; mark my words, she'll end up a gear-head just like her Uncle.

Audrey, as predicted, was skeptical of pretty much everyone, bossy, and protective of her baby sister. The love that Audrey bestows upon relatives is hard-earned, but oh, so worth it--cuddles, hugs, high-fives, even full eye contact--those are the things to strive for. So, imagine how honored Grand Aunt Jeanne felt when Audrey fell asleep and then peed on her while at the FIRST competition. If that ain't love, I don't know what is. While luckily escaping any such extreme sign of affection, I think that Emily's boyfriend, Mike, made a lasting impression on my bossy girl too. Mostly because he allowed her to order him about and goaded her into silly arguments that she would subsequently win. I think that's the real type of relationship Audrey is looking for with all friends and family, so take note!

After Chicago, we fell back into the routine of busy nothings that take up so much of our time: running errands, playing with friends, checking on the chickens, working in the garden and wishing that Spring would actually show it's dad-gum face already.

Kathryn, Jeff and Ollie D came into town for Easter weekend. The girls and Ollie took a trip to the tea shop and we spent Easter Day with family. According to tradition, we didn't get any acceptable shots of the girls in their dresses...and according to tradition, we will do a fake Easter photo-shoot in the back yard once the weather cooperates and their dresses are either in the 'clean pile on the floor' or 'hanging neatly in the closet' phase at the same time. If you're holding your breath for pictures--try not to die waiting.

Anyway, I think that pretty much brings us up to date--I have been pampered and loved-on more than I deserve this Mother's Day. Mostly, I'm just grateful that I'm the Mama to those two incredible girls--the one's I threaten to put up for adoption any time they wake up before 6am or don't listen to me the tenth time I've given instructions--those ones are the best. I'm so glad they're mine and that they made me a Mama.

Our St. Patrick's Day: A Photo Journey

Audrey is finally getting to the age where she can really 'get' the holidays that are upon us. Or at least that we should wear green and talk about shamrocks and all that rot. It's fun to be able to actually celebrate holidays with Audrey and not go through the motions for her, post pictures and then act like we all had a grand time

Speaking of grand times...this kid knows how to get a party started.
...or a zombie riot
I never underestimate the potential curve balls she could lob at me.


Please note the green Mickey Mouse jammies and that the purple sauce is actually blueberry juice--not zombie brains.

This is Audrey's preschool gang; it was fun seeing them get into the spirit of things

As always, Audrey's favorite part of preschool is playing outside.

When we got home, Audrey helped Mama make some bread for dinner

And she even sorted the clean silverware for me. Hallelujah!

I know you were noting the conspicuous lack of Bailey in this post and here's why: She's too busy dancing, running away naked, and climbing on top of chairs, laundry baskets, tables and couches to get a clear picture of her. Here she is strapped to my back--it's about the only way to get her to stay in one place long enough to snap a photo.

There would've been a picture here of the awesome corned beef and cabbage we had for dinner, but I scarfed it down before there was even time for photographic evidence. Happy St. Patrick's Day, folks!

...and for good measure, here's a video of my girls dancing to an Irish Jig:

It's getting a bit obsessive

I'm feeling incredibly conflicted. And for those of you who know me--it is not normal. I tend to pride myself on my decision making skills: assess all possible options, pick one, move on. I don't like wallowing in indecision.

I've recently come upon a book; Growing Roots: The New Generation of Sustainable Farmers, Cooks, and Food Activists. And all I can say is: Wow. Mind blown. This book is basically a compilation of interviews the author did across the country of organic farmers, cooks and activists...hippies...tree huggers--my folk. I have a feeling this book isn't nearly as revolutionary as I think it is, but in reading these interviews I've found myself longing to have the life these people do. A simple, nearly self-sustaining life where you know where your food comes from or know who grew/raised it. I want that. Maybe my baby-fever-longing-for-a-dairy-cow psychosis is really just a longing to return to the earth--for a simpler life. Now don't get me wrong; I know the term 'simple life' implies there is little work to be done when the opposite is true, but it is what my heart is aching for.

And now for the indecision: I do not live on farm land. We live in the county, thank God, which means we can get away with quite a lot, but this is where God put me. He did not send me to live on 40 acres with a herd of dairy cows and chickens underfoot, and short of digging up every available space in the back yard and turning it into pasture, I don't think Bessy the milking cow will ever take up residence on West Yellowstone Ave. So where does that leave me? With a passion for organic agriculture, relatively little knowledge in any one aspect of it and little land to use as an outlet. My solutions? Learn. Learn by reading, by doing and by seeking out others who do what I want to do. In the mean time I really hope I don't run off what friends and family I do have with my incessant thoughts and words on this topic. If you're not a tree hugging, cow-lovin' wanna-be farmer, then please forgive me. I can't help myself.

In my life

As many of you have been able to tell, I've recently joined the cult of iPhone users. And it's life-changing...it really is. Even though I live in constant fear of being that person--the one who is constantly plugged in--I'm grateful that it gives me the chance to keep up correspondence, take pictures and share things like never before. As always, technology and I have a love/hate relationship. But it makes my heart happy that I can catalog what we've been up to and share it with you.

To begin with, the weather here has been taking a turn towards gorgeous. I'm drinking it in, because I know in less than two weeks, I'll be in Chi-Town freezing my booty off and this will all be a distant memory.

Bailey has recently discovered that sidewalk chalk does not taste good, but it's worth the fun of grossing Mom out.

John is taking a graduate level class that the Lab is paying for. Here, Audrey was helping him write a paper.

We recently hosted preschool at our house. As you can tell, with Gillian as a teacher it takes a turn from 'let's deliberately learn things' to 'why don't we play and eat popcorn'. I see nothing wrong with this.

Kap and Jeff and Ollie D came into town for the weekend. It's always awesome to see my nephew and we put up with his parents because they're his designated drivers for the next 15-ish years.

We celebrated both John and Jeff's birthdays last night--John got this fantastic pipe from his In-Laws. They must know the guy pretty well.

Around the house, things continue as always: Audrey loves to help me in the kitchen...

Bailey runs away from me whenever possible, in various stages of undress...

Audrey remains one of the silliest kids I know...

and Bailey is working on some competition for Audrey's bedhead.

This is my life. Does it get any better than this?