Ahh, back to reality.

   This past weekend, Randy and I were privileged to attend the child-free couple's retreat with our Sunday school class out at the coast at Twin Rocks Camp.  It was a wonderfully relaxing, recharging time, and the weather couldn't have been nicer.  Well, I mean, it could've been 80 degrees, but for Oregon in January, it was as nice as it could possibly be.

   My DSLR wasn't working and my phone was dead most of the time, so I only got a few pictures.  Pitiful, I know.  But it is was it is.


   Randy and I have found in our 3 short years of parenting that time alone, just the two of us, is a high priority for our relationship.  It never fails to amaze me how quickly people can lose themselves in the roles of Mom and Dad.  It becomes their identity.  Their driving force.  Their anchor.  Their sense of fulfillment.  Of worth.  And it's easy to do because parenting is such a GOOD thing.  A noble cause.

But even good things that cause us to drift from one another become bad things.
 
   Before I was their Mama, I was his Wife.  His friend, lover, and companion.  And all of the diapers and bath times and Cheerios and Good night Moon can make me forget…..forget what it is like to just be HIS.  So friends, do yourselves a favor (do your children a favor!) and remind yourselves.  Remind yourselves how it all was, before you forget how.

   The best thing that parents can ever hope to offer their children, is a good relationship with their spouse.



   Ironically this walk alone on the beach almost didn't happen.  Randy wanted to go and I got talking with some ladies and supper was quickly approaching, and…..you know how it goes.  But we took a break to just get away for a while, and I'm so glad we did.  I'm so glad that he still wants me for me.  Not just because I am the mother of his children, but because he loves ME.

  Plus, it always feels like a shot in the arm for my parenting endurance.  I get back and I get a giddy little feeling in my stomach as we hurry into the house to see the girls.  I still have those moments of reuniting emblazoned on my memory from previous years, and they are so special to me.  This year the girls were napping, so it wasn't the usual triumphant return.  But after they woke up and I went to get them, they were so happy to see us it made up for it.  ESPECIALLY their Daddy.  I think it's safe to say he's the favorite around here right now.  And I watch them adore him and my heart swells with the thought of what a wonderful father they have.

   As for the rest of the retreat, it was a lot of the usual…..board games, overflowing snack table, fireplace crackling, people laughing, meals I didn't have to cook, thought-provoking sessions and of course, long walks on the beach.  My favorite moments though, were probably just the deep, soul-stirring conversations I was able to have in those short days.  It was like free therapy.

   In other news, can you believe we're practically through the first month of the brand, spankin' new year of 2014?  Seriously.  And I never thought I'd say this, but I'm quickly beginning to like January better than December.  Who would've ever thought??!  But December is just SO full, frantic and frenzied, and January is nights at home, popcorn and movies, and little getaways like the retreat.  So December of 2014, you're gonna have to bring your A-game to try and win your place of honor back!

Well folks, nap time moments are precious, so that's all for now.

   Well, well, well.  The sun actually decided to show it's face today so we are TOTALLY going to go outside and frolic in it.  But the girls are still napping and so…..here we are.

   I have a few little things to catch up on that have happened recently.  First up, Jocelyn went to her friend Addie Mae's birthday tea.  And it was quite darling.  Erin (her mama) had every little detail perfectly thought out and executed, from the tiny little labels on treats and favors to the garlands on the chairs.
   All dressed up and ready to go…..why is she looking so old these days??  Seriously, it is like the universe is TRYING to make me feel like time is completely out of control.  Well, I guess time IS completely out of control…..but you know what I mean.  Slow down little miss, mama's beggin' you!!







   Making homemade ribs on his homemade smoker…..pretty impressive even if it HADN't been raining, which it was!

   This weekend, we had a little pizza, a little movie watchin', a little football, a little coffee, a little BBQ, a little lounging around, a little church time, and it was all just a little bit perfect.

 

(In order of appearance)

   One of many coffee breaks, a 2 yr old daughter of mine mastering the teenage smirk (Lord, help us all), a TRIPLE-YOLKER from our chickens, sensory play that makes a huge mess but keeps two littles occupied for a while and so it's worth it, sportin' our team spirit, a little homemade BBQ from the homemade smoker, and last but not least, triple set of pink toes. (The Ducks were up by 45, what else were we supposed to do?) 

So what did you do with your weekend?

   I kicked off my weekend the right way with a homemade McGriddle.  That's right, ham/egg sandwiched between two pancakes.  If you aren't drooling over that kind of breakfast I'm not sure you deserve to have one.  


  Then I starting feeling like the gray/overcast day was just going to rain on my parade, so I invited over Jessi and her girlies for a play date.

   We got to drink a little coffee and talk about grown-up things, the girls dressed up and didn't make each other cry TOO often, and we all ate lunch and took naps.  Well my kids did, I didn't.  (What's a nap?)  It's been a good day so far. 

Speaking of grown-up things, don't look now but I think I'm growing up.

   I know, I know, I was shocked too, but I think it's true!  After all, I read a not-so-nice comment the other day from an (of course) anonymous commenter, and I laughed.  That's right, a honest-to-goodness 100% genuine throaty chuckle emitted from my open mouth.  That my friends, is a breakthrough.  That my friends, is progress.  That my friends, is the sweet taste of victory.

   Because not so very long ago at all, that would have had me down.  It would have had me furrowing my brow, wondering whom it might have been, why exactly they don't think very highly of me, and what exactly I could go about doing that might change that.  Not anymore.  I have come to realize in my very grown-up state of maturity *cough* that nothing you could ever do will make everyone like you.  There will always be someone, somewhere, somehow that disagrees with you.  Dislikes you.  Disapproves.  Disdains.  Dis-something.  That is just the way it always has been and always will be.  So accept that, pick yourself up off the floor, and move on. 

   For those of you that missed it, it was on my last post.  I had written this line (which I thought was just a teensy bit clever, if I say so myself) :
   "It happens every year about this time.....everyone around me is canning up a storm like a reincarnated Mrs. Ingalls Wilder, and I'm sitting on the sidelines wondering if I'll be subject to a public lynching if I go to the store and buy a can of pie filling."

And someone commented:   "Actually you're sitting on the sidelines blogging."

    O.k.  let's just be honest here, that's pretty funny.  And I don't know if they were even trying to be funny, or trying to be snide, but I think it's funny.  Because it's true.  And I could launch into a defense of why I blog, and how I think it's truly important (because I do) but I won't.  Because that's not really the point.  I know that some people will never in 17 lifetimes understand why a person would blog.  Why a person would ever write at all, for that matter.  And that's o.k. I don't understand why anyone would ever want to drive Nascar.  Or be a sumo wrestler.  Or train scuba divers.  But that's just me.  We all have different interests and passions and I'm so stinkin' glad we do, because that's kind of what makes this world go 'round in the first place.  But I digress.

    The point is not about whether or not you should be blogging, and whether or not it's a valuable use of time.  The point is that if you have something negative to say, you shouldn't say it in the first place, but I guess if you feel like you have to, you should have the courage to sign your name to it.  That's just sort of common sense.  I honestly, truly promise to try and take a look at it from your point of view, and respectfully consider your opinion if you own up to what you say.  But if you choose to anonymously, spot a vulnerability in someone and use that as a weapon, I guess I will just laugh.

   So with that said, I was happen to find out that I can at least laugh at things like that now.  We've been through a lot together, me and this dusty ol' blog, and I guess we've survived and made it this far, so maybe that means we'll stick around for a while longer. I so hope that I can use this blog as a platform for inspiration and encouragement, and in the spirit of that, I am going to link some things around the inter-webs that has been doing the same for me lately.  Enjoy.

Maybe the best post I have ever read. EVER.
Making your own utility vest. I adore this mama's style.
I'm in need of a really good blazer.
The funniest Pinterest board you will ever follow.
I'd love to buy like 10 different booties for fall, but I'd settle for these.
I want this dress so bad. But it's too expensive and also sold out. Aside from those things, I still want it so bad. (I'd wear it over jeans)


What are you all up to this weekend? I'd love to hear.

    Honestly, I read each and every comment, even though I am officially The World's Worst Replier.  Is replier a word?  Anyways.....happy Friday everyone!!

We stayed home from church this morning. 

   Randy wasn't feeling great and I'm not courageous enough to brave church with the two little ladies on my own, so we all stayed in and didn't get dressed up or rush around like crazy people, and it felt rather wonderful. 

   Don't get me wrong, I love church and the fellowship we experience there, but some days it is nice to just have a little down time at home.  A little coffee, a little reading, a little Whinnie the Pooh, and some peace and quiet. 


   The weekend was a good one.  I am one to enjoy lots of activity....hosting and going places, events and parties, friends and family, etc.  Randy is one to like things a bit slower, with time at home and time as a family, maybe a movie or a walk with the girls.  I'd say that this weekend was a good balance of the two.  And isn't that what keeps marriages strong?  Finding a balance. 


   Friday evening we stayed home and had BBQ for dinner.  This wasn't just any old BBQ, this was pulled pork sandwiches from a pork shoulder that had smoked/roasted for 8 hours!  And then of course no BBQ is complete without the 'fixins' so we also had coleslaw, cornbread and baked beans.  If only we had sweet tea it would've been just like Bo-Mack's.  Randy recently found a new love, and he's found it in his homemade smoker.  He's taken such pride in it, and is constantly thinking up foods he could prepare on it, and ways to tweak it and make it a little better.  I would post pictures, but he wants me to wait until he makes a better one and maybe paints it.:)  So for now I'll just post this picture we took on a walk we took afterwards to burn some of that BBQ off. 

  There is a bridge over the river just a short walk from our house, and we haven't attempted fishing very often on it, maybe a few times our entire time living here.  But luck would have it that on his VERY FIRST CAST, he pulled up this beauty.  Flawless BBQ from his homemade smoker and then a good-sized catch on the first try?  He was feeling his oats that night, that's for sure.  What a guy.:)

    Jocelyn, on the other hand was T.E.R.R.I.F.I.E.D. of the fish he caught, and when it would flop on the ground she would just go ballistic.  In a sense it was slightly funny, and in another it was not at all.  I just don't know what to do to get this kid un-afraid of animals.  Like seriously, it's debilitating.  If we go somewhere there are pets, she can hardly enjoy herself the entire time.  It doesn't matter if it's a large, forboding dog or a tiny kitten.  Any suggestions to helping her fight this phobia?

   Last night we enjoyed a delightful evening over at my sister's house.  The menfolk played some lawn golf (is that what it's called?) the ladies soaked their feet and exchanged recipes, and the kids all ran around, playing happily and contentedly together.  Sounds like a good time to me!