A Blast From the Past

Kristen, my sweet sister and partner in childhood memories, was here last week with the rest of the family. We all had so much fun swimming, hiking, playing games and hanging out for our family reunion in Redmond, Or. (More details and pictures to come.)
So I was asking her if she remembered the most delectable taste I can think of from our growing up years: the elusive and delightful chocolate coconut muffin. She indeed remembers and cherishes the taste of the most exquistely wonderful muffin either of us have ever tasted. They used to sell these delicious confections at our junior high school in ol' Pleasant Hill years ago and neither one of us had consumed one, despite searching for them, these many long years. Well, a couple months back I was driving past this little bakery/cafe and decided to stop by and check for "THE BEST MUFFIN EVER" like I have done many a time at different places across the country in my search over the past 20-some years. And I found it!!!!!!!! It's called the Macroon Moon muffin and it's made at the Muffin Mill in Eugene, OR. When I informed Kristen that I had actually located the sought-after confectionary treat she was "over the moon" with joy and gladness!!!! We ran down to the Muffin Mill and cleaned them out! Then we indulged ourselves in lots and lots of scrumptious muffins. To share that long-lost taste with my wonderful childhood friend and sister can only be described in one way: It was complete and total BLISS!

Who is this ugly blue guy and what is he doing in my...

underwear? Yes, it's true! This "ugly blue doll" as we call it came into our lives about 2 years ago via Happy Meal. What was McDonald's thinking? This is the UGLIEST doll I have ever laid eyes on!! It actually frightens children. So we've decided to keep it all this time and make fun of it as much as possible. This hideous thing has been found in underwear, shoes, cupboards, closets, purses and bags, the freezer, and even staring down at me in the shower. CREEPY! I just had to chronicle this quirky little thing in my blog so I never forget the crazy things we do in the name of fun. Watch out, he may be headed for your underwear drawer next!

An Ode to Daphne

Our baby is now 18 months old,
She’s sweet and loud, and cute and bold.

Her little quirks make us laugh and smile,
She holds our thumbs, and smells them a while!

She loves to watch us play Wii all day,
And gets upset when we put it away.

She nuzzles her face into ours a lot
And looks in our eyes, that cute little tot!

The loudest baby that we’ve ever known
Daphne can scream til the cows come home!

The trash, to her, is a great play ground
She hides lots of things that will never be found.

What a relief, she’s in nursery now,
They work it out when she has a cow!

Although she’s a handful we love her a ton
With her in our family we have so much fun!

Daphne is 18 months old!!!

To commemorate the occasion I took her to get her pictures taken. Normally I would do this at 12 months, but with Daphne being a holy terror and all, I've put it off until now. Judging from these pictures you would think I'm kidding about the holy terror thing, but I'm really not!





So here's the story. I took all these toys and snacks and music and tried my hardest to keep her in a good mood before the pictures were taken. But then we ended up waiting for 15 minutes before our turn. So by the time 15 minutes went by she was screaming, writhing and clawing at me(the usual when I take her out). She and I were both in tears when the photographer finally said it was our turn. I ALMOST just gave up and went home right then, but we decided to at least try. So as soon as we stepped in the studio she perked right up sitting and playing on the sheet backdrop. And we struck gold. It lasted for 10 whole minutes and then she was back to Little Miss Rotten. But what else can I ask for? With her, not much.

Mess-maker, Mess-maker make me a mess...

These are just a few of the messes the kids have gotten into lately.


Why the garbage is soooo facinating alludes me!


Liam really enjoys his brownie batter.


Daphne found an open package of white cocoa mix and had to further investigate it's contents by pouring it out and playing in it! Yummy!

I'm Out of My Mind!

I must be! What would posses a formerly lucid-minded, intelligent college graduate to take a job like this? My co-workers whine at me and fight with each other. My in-box is filled to overflowing with dirty laundry, poopy diapers and food that must be prepared according to strict guidelines so that the CEO's will actually consume it. And these CEO's are picky! Who would work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and not get paid?!? There is no one to praise me and there is no one pining away for my job when I'm ready to quit. So why, you ask, do I keep doing it? There is only one reason someone would wade through this morass of frustrating work everyday: Love. Not from them but for them. I love my children so much it hurts! This is why we were meant to be parents: So that we could learn to love and know the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for us! To love and be loved is the greatest joy in life. So when I show my love through clean laundry, changed diapers, and healthy meals, or books read, crafts made or just through a listening ear, I am the one who makes the most, not in money, but in LOVE.

I'm Walking on Sunshine

I take 50,000 IU of vitamin D a week; my liquid sunshine. But I have to admit, I truely am ADDICTED to sunshine. So now that it's April, and we here in Oregon are seeing the sun more, I have to get out there! So I've decided to get outside and start running again. I used to run 5 miles a day. But now that I've had 2 c-sections and 4 kids, at 35 my body just doesn't respond the way it used to. ERRRGGG! But it's time to get out there and kick my owm butt! And believe me I am KICKING my butt hard! OUCH! Kristin and Chelsea have inspired me: I'm going to run the 5K on May 1st. Now that I've said it I have to do it. And now that the sun is on my side I CAN.