The List

"Bye Bye...See you lator"

"HOT!!!"

"Nooooo"

"Ma Ma"

"Daddy!!!!!!!!"

"More C-up"

"Kitty Kat"

Ryker what does the puppy say? "ruff ruff"

"all done"

"Heyyyyyy"

"shoes"

Sweet Ryker's ever growning list of words spoken at 19 months

My Sweet Son

My eight year old son is most of the time your typical boy. He is full of wonder and loves to explore and climb up anything he passes whether it is a rock, lamp post, or tree. He often complains about schoolwork, chores and picks on his little brothers. But I love the moments when you get a look into his heart, and this afternoon was one of those moments.

We were in the middle of his history lesson and he pauses and says, “Mom, do you know why I can’t wait to be a grown up?” “No son, why”, I said. I was waiting for him to say, you can stay up as late as you want, eat whatever you want, or buy whatever toy he would like to have. But no Seb replies, “I can’t wait to be a Dad!” I asked him why he wants to be a Dad. He said that will be so awesome just to love his kids and play with them. He will make their food and feed them when their Mom is sick. His face was so full of joy talking about this. My heart melted. I love being a mother and I feel so blessed that the Lord has sent three boys to me, but life moves pretty fast and more often than not I am focused on clean faces, clean house and what is our next meal that I do not think about who they are. I am so proud of the person that Sebastian is becoming! He has a heart for the Lord at age eight and is very mindful of that. He loves people and is always concerned for making them happy (almost to a fault like his mother)
He is always concerned for helping the underdog and thinking up ways to make the world a better place.

I don’t want to rush him but I am excited to see the man that he becomes.

I love you Sebastian!

just photos

I will write more tomorrow. For now here are some recent pictures!

Who Knew

Who knew that organizing our home school materials could be so pretty!

About two weeks ago while getting a latte at my usual coffee shop I spoted this chest in front of the resale shop next door. From the the moment I laid eyes on this beauty I had to have her! So, after a quick phone call to my husband she was in the back of the SUV and away we went.

Now from the pictures of my home I have posted so far I know you can tell that I love blue! When I first brought the chest home I was sure that I wanted to put her in my bathroom. Even though my bathroom is not even remotely decorated I knew the piece would fit perfect for the future plans I have in that space. But funny things happen when you put a piece of furniture in a holding spot. I had it sitting against a bare wall in the front room for the day (waiting on my husband to help me carry it up stairs) and my mind began to wonder.

You see, my dining room is not very big. I have always felt that the only thing that fits in there well is our big square pub style table. But, as I sat on the sofa in the front room staring at my latest treasure I realized that the color is the PREFECT compliment to the paint on the walls, window dressings, and artwork in the dining room. (which has totally been changed in the last 6 months)

So am happy to report that this beauty is working out wonderfully! I really did not have a great storage place for our mountain of home school supplies. Everything was kept in large baskets that I thought I would haul up and down the stairs everyday (which turns out only happened on Mondays and Fridays) So instead the kiddos can now help themselves to what they need and I get to have something pretty to look at while we work at the table.

I just love the feet!

The distressing is perfect for my taste. Plus I have never refinished furniture my self so having someone do it for me just the way I want , SCORE!!!!!

Oh BTW this sucker was on $40!!!!!! Double Score!

So, if you find a piece that makes your heart sing and you have no clue where to put it, I say get it!!!! You never know what you will come up with once it is sitting in your living room

Work in Progress

I have really been loving my new camera. I have taken way too many pictures, but I have quickly discovered that taking a million shoots is the only way to get a good picture. Taking good pictures really does take some practice and a lot of patience!!! Thankfully I have the best subjects to practice on.

Today is my birthday. It is a Monday so, last night I got to have dinner with my family on my husbands side. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (one of my favs) I had the Thai Chicken Pizza and cherry limeade and I have every bit of both!!! It was really nice to spend time with people that I care about and of course get some presents. And this morning I got a treat when I showed up at my regular coffee shop, taped to the ice cream case was a sign saying "happy birthday Robin, Love Mom" with a coffee card taped to it (keep in mind my Mom is over 2,000 miles away) Boy, do people know that way to my heart that is the 2nd present in 24hours that is coffee related.

After a GROSS GROSS weekend weather wise the Lord has blessed me with pockets of sun and no rain today.

On my birthday today I keep hearing

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm to you, plans to give you hope and a future." jeremiah 29:11

How wonderful to remember in all times that My God loves me and wants good for me! What a wonderful present!

Cheeseeeeee!!!!!

Who knew that happiness comes in the form of a camera!

Yeah, I am happy to announce that for my birthday that my husband gave me a Canon Rebel T1i EOS500. It came with a 18-50mm lens. This is not the camera I have been looking at for the past year, it is way better! Not only does it have basic point and shoot mode (which is already a million times better than my old Panasonic point and click). The Creative mode is wonderful. I can not get over the amount o0f control I have over the shot. Now, I only have to spend the next million years trying to understand which goes with what in terms of the shot I am trying to achieve. It also takes video as well and not just any video... Are you ready.... It shoots in HDMI... for all you nerds out there how cool it that!!!!


So, I know that there are not many people out there but if anyone is listening and has some words of wisdom for a SLR beginner, I would love to have some tips. So, that it is known I love to of course take pictures of the kiddos but I am a nature lover and have always loved to attempt to take good landscape pictures.


One other note about my fabulous husband.... He also got me this super cute bag for the camera and a beautiful camera strap that is in route to the house so I will be sure to show it off when I get it.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

well it is almost wordless.....I GOT A SLR FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!

What Have I Done

What would you do if one day you opened your email and find a letter from a stranger claiming to be your sister? What would you do? How would you feel? Would you hate your parents from keeping it from you your whole life? Would you hate that person for changing who you thought you were? (only child to becoming a sister and aunt in one letter)

I am sitting here sick to my stomach because I just did that to someone. I have a half sister who is in her early 20's and has lived her life as and only child. The sad part is everyone around her, (parents, aunts, uncles and cousins) all knew otherwise. I am sure that she will feel betrayed by them in some manner but it was her parents choosing. I am worried if I did the right thing but i have been waiting for 18 years to do the right thing. I can now only hope and wait to see what she will do. I am praying for the Lord's grace in the situation. Hoping I can speak softly and with wisdom. I am also praying that I will accept what ever the Lord has planned for me in this. So far it has been for me not to have a role in my earthly Father's life. I hope this will be a new page. I have spent my whole life hurting for him and when I let that go I have spent my time sad that this young woman has not known that she had a sister. When I was a little girl I used to beg my mom for a sister. Of course I was blessed with a great brother who is 10 years younger than me so clearly he does not call me for sisterly advice. Which is ok, what little relationship he and I have I will take because he is a great guy and I am blessed to have him. But on the other hand there is something about a sister bond that I desire. (always have) I so envy my sister-in-laws while we get along great they are in laws and we speak every few weeks but the 2 of them talk everyday and I feel silly and somewhat desperate to say let me into your sister circle so I have never shared my heart with them out of fear of being laughed at.

Many people have told me to let it go but I cannot. It is family and I cannot just forget about her. It is like saying "hey there sorry about losing your foot but just forget about it and move on." Ugh!!!! people are generally trying to make me feel better but unless you have gone through it don't share you opinion please because until you are in that place you just don't know how your heart will fill.

So here I sit wondering if she will ever respond.

Valentine's Day Treats

So at MOPS this morning we made the sweetest little Valentine's Day treats I have seen in a long time and the best part about them is that they were super easy to make.

We made Cream Cheese Mints...

8oz block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese

2lb bag of powder sugar

1/8 teaspoon flavoring (peppermint, vanilla, raspberry, etc...)

small rubber molds (hearts)

Knead together or use a mixer to make dough. Add coloring if desired...the more you add the darker the color.Use granulated sugar for colored mints, e.g. red sugar with red dough. (Do this by putting a drop or tow of food coloring into a container with sugar, seal and shake.)

Take a small ball of dough , dip in granulated sugar, press into rubber mint mold sugar side down, press out immediately and let dry at room temperature for 1-2 days. You may then layer with wax paper and freeze fora year or refrigerate for 6 months.

these take a little bit of time to press out but when you put them in to a little heart box it makes a cute little treat to give to you sweetie or drop a few in a bag of a tasty favor for a party.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Peek-A-Boo!

So I haven't been avoiding my blog, it just has been a busier than usual week.

We have been driving around town a bit more these past few days (which I hate) due to the fact that I have been selling several unused items we have around the house on Craig's list. I am loving the free space but I am loving the extra mu la even more. The extra cash is going right into the Las Vegas fund. (Hubby and I are escaping in June)

I am so happy to report that after MANY MANY months of trying to make it the Zumba classes at the Y (Ryker has a melt down and I always have to leave the class) Ryker and I have made it through the class. So needless to say I am doing my best to workout 3 days a week and yet again I am not home, but at least it is for a reason to improve myself.

I am have been painting the family room and I can't wait to get the finishing touches on to show it off. I can't believe the difference it has made.

Seb and I have also been hammering away at school. We are currently studying Greek history which has been kinda fun, although he doesn't understand why the worshiped so many God and Goddess. (it is really cute)

So there is a quick update.

I have a busy week ahead too, we are going down to Tacoma for a play date with cousin
E and then this weekend I am off to the Flower and Garden Show for a afternoon with BFF!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Boys, Blooms, and Blue

So this past weekend was super uneventful. With half of the house having colds and it being a typical pacific northwest January weather pattern (cold and wet) We hung around the house.

So I finally tackled painting the powder room. For the last 10mons I am sad to admit it has been covered in a blue color that looked great in the store and on a paint chip but when I put it on the walls of my low lit room, "tropical spray" looked more like a Miami night club rather than the soft robin's egg blue I was hoping for so after at least 10 different samples smeared all over the walls I finally found a more modern blue that I really love. "Buckland Blue" has my me very happy, I have gone into this at least 30 times today. I think I might even carry it into my family room which is way overdue for a new color.

So can you see my attempt at glazing? I did not know realize at the time that I need flat paint for the stripes to show up in my low lit bathroom. I am learning the hard way that lighting indeed affects everything. So, with having 3 young men in this house there is no way that I will have flat paint in a bathroom. I hope you get the picture and that I need not go into further detail. So, long story short I really like the stripes but too bad you can only see them with a flash or lighting strike. I am now in need of new accent pieces for the shelf here. The small painting that was here no longer fits, so now that I discovered Hobby Lobby has on line shopping I am sure this will be filled in no time flat.

This is the first artwork that my husband I bought together. I love it here. I would have never thought to hang such a big picture here but it looks so great as you walk past the powder room.

I love bulbs!!!!! The is noting better to help see me through the winter than the having blooms in the house!

And of course no weekend is complete without finding Ryker in the bathroom at least 5 times unrolling the toilet paper!

Xbox time on a Sunday afternoon!

Armchair Mania

So to me one of the best parts about having a home is making it your own special hideaway. A place where when you walk in through the door you feel at rest. Someplace that is a beautiful expression of you. A place where at the same time it is ok to have your feet on the sofa and you don't live in fear of it all tumbling down with one wrong turn from a young boy just trying to have fun. I have no greater joy some days than to be snuggled on the sofa in my living room sipping a latte and looking out window takingin the veiw of the beauty of the valley while little boys run round and round chasing each other. That veir has produced some amazing sunrises and sunsets over the last several years. I have lived in my home for about 7 years now and I am still overflowing with ideas. Sometimes my many many ideas lead to over load and so as a result nothing ever comes of my fabulous ideas (well at leastthey are fabulous to me) So for my latest binge these last few months I have been craving for the perfect arm chair for the living room. For a long while I thought I wanted a big brown leather wing back chair to go along with my heavy old world styled pieces already in that room, but times they are a changin'....here are just a few of my latest finds.


Can you believe that all of those pretty chairs are from Tar-jay. I sometimes can't believe all the little hidden gems I find on target.com














These last few are from Pier One. I love this store I do not go here as often as I would like but I am sure my wallet is happy for that. I love the playful prints. I have a home that seems to have brown tones in every room so slowly I would like to introduce more bright colors but in a soft whimsicial way.




The floral prints just make me happy! I have either (A) lived in the Pacific Northwest to long and need prints like this to see me through the winters or (B) I have too many men living in this house and I need to inject so sense of feminity this place. I am pretty sure it is a little bit of both.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Relationships

I often think of the relationships in my life. My friends, my family, my neighbors. I often ask myself if those relationships bring glory to the Lord or do they draw me away from who I want to follow. Many times when I feel inside my-self that the relation is drawing me into sin I often pull back and shelter my-self. So, this week I find my-self thinking about the relationships my children are involved in.

I know that one of my many many roles as a mom is a protector of my boys but I have never thought of protecting them from friends, school/play mates. Only keeping them away from obvious dangers.





Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, of what fellowship have light with darkness? 2Corinthians 6:14

with our recent transition to homeschooling have been reading several books about homeschooling. The book I am currently working on has really affected me. Educating the WholeHearted Child, is a book that is several years old but it is rooted deep in scripture. This book has challenged me in many new ways. It has caused me to refocus my family, God has been the center of our lives, but I am not so sure that our little family was next in line to that.

With my oldest about to be 8 I am quickly realizing that he is starting to make his own choices (or at least wants to make his own choices) We have tried to set our home up in a manner that his friends will enjoy hanging out here for years to come. I have been so focused on that I have not stopped to think about where do we draw that line in our children having close friendships with unbelievers. The Lord God calls us to be disciples for him, but do children really have the intellectual know how to achieve this yet. I say no, I have watched my precious children challenge me on a moral manner already because I friend of his told him otherwise. I love that when you are young you have not yet had experience with fools and liars in your life so you eagerly believe what ever is spoken to you (hence having "faith like a child") but this is also very dangerous when we live in a fallen world and the enemy comes after you as a child to try and separate you from a life with God.

So I sit here at a crossroads wondering how much is too much for my sweet young men who have close friendship with children who live in home on the opposite end of what we are trying to achieve in our home.

Prayerfully seeking the right answer...

Karate Kid

Sebastian has been taking Karate since this past fall, and he has really grown to love it. When he first started he behaved like most boys his age, rowdy and never standing still. As time has gone by he has become a new Seb, he is focused and tries his best at every class. It has been really neat to watch him. He has also been teaching all the boys on the block his skills, it is like his own little dojo. It is nice to see Seb use some leadership as he is our child that follows along with his friends. Before Christmas the class had their first test not only did Seb get is yellow belt but he was promoted to yellow belt 2-stripes and is now in the intermediate/advanced class.

way to go Seb Iam very proud of you.