The Thursday Girls

Here are my Thursday girls:











- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Inspired to plan meals

I spent a lovely day with a dear friend. Jeanette was actually Jeremy's friend first. But when J and I got together, I was lucky to gain her. In fact I remember her calling me one day and Jeremy answered the phone and asked why she never called him anymore. Actually, they weren't gab on the phone kind of friends, but he definitely noticed Jeanette and I's friendship grew quickly and it has remained strong. She is the kind of friend where we will go months with out talking, but it's ok. We get together and it's like no time passed at all.

Anyway. My delightful day discussing kids, marriages, husbands, worries, funnies, cute guys on motorcycles, favorite books, movies, and even more worries with my dear sweet friend left me feeling happy, uplifted and inspired to make my life a little better. So, here is the result of a day well spent:

Weds- beef and veggie stew, bread, salad
Thurs- chicken salad on hoagie rolls
Fri- homemade pizza
Sat- leftovers
Sun- potato soup, rolls, salad
Mon- spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
Tues- tacos
Weds- pulled pork sandwiches, salad
Thurs- chicken fried rice
Fri- leftovers

ALMOST...

This baby makes me ALMOST want to do it again....

Thankfully I have a new nephew coming in a few weeks (YAY!)... and two dear friends that I am doing nice things for and billing them in baby holding time.... (They may not realize that yet, but I am keeping very close track).

Thank you other mothers of the world for having babies for those of us who are done!  You are very kind.

Parenting 101

Having had my first two children very close together provided me a lot of challenges.  Not being the most patient mom around combined with a quick temper resulted in a home with a lot of yelling and crying, by all family members.  As the years have gone by and the children have learned better to reason, I too have learned more patience and calmness in dealing with them.  Things got a little crazy with a sick baby last year, but I do have to sit back and give myself some credit that I have grown significantly in the area of parenting.  I still have a long way to go, but I do believe, with help, I will continue to be a better Mom.

One day at church several years ago we were sitting in a lesson when a lady, whose children are all grown and married, mentioned that she had struggled with her anger as a young Mom.  She said we are not doomed to stay that way, we simply need to go to our peers and ask them how they handle situations.  Seek out someone you admire and get advice.  That was almost too easy.

I thought a lot about the Mom's I see that instead of yelling at their kids, quietly take them aside and discuss an issue at hand.  I thought of the Mom's that truly smiled at their children and praised them for even the tiny accomplishments the children would boast about.  I thought about the Mom's that took the time to teach their children  life lessons, such as how to be independent, or self sufficient, instead of doing it for them.

I have a lot of Mom's that I want to be like.  I am blessed that I can call many of them and ask them a very broad and general question and they take it upon themselves to mull it over in their minds and get back to me with amazing advice.  It might not always work for my family, but the fact I have people who take the time to give me feedback on how to raise my precious children is simply priceless.

Another Point of Huggin'

Thursday we went to hug point again with friends!  It was forecast to be 70 and cloudy, but not rainy, so we went for it.

Only it didn't get to 70.  High was 64 I think?  Brrr... but we made the best of it and had a good and sandy time.  Erica even made a fire!  FUN TIMES!

**All photos lovingly ripped off from Erica's blog.... thanks Erica- so glad to create such fun memories with you....

http://jnesorenson.blogspot.com/

SEND JULIE TO JAPAN!

My dear friend Julie is going to JAPAN! 

She is joining forces with  Mormon Helping Hands, a church sponsored disaster relief volunteer service tour. Being a missionary who served not only in Japan, but in the direct area that was hit so hard by this disaster, she was invited to join them in their efforts to give aid where it is still needed.   She decided that anything worth doing, is worth putting a little, or a lot, of effort into.

Julie is an amazing woman!  She is a mother of 7 and raises her children with love and logic.  She is a great example to me on how I want to be a mother.

Someone asked me why I would support a country that has one of the top 3 economies when there are 3rd world countries suffering, and while our own country is suffering.  That is a good point, however, plain and simple the people of Japan still need help.  And I PERSONALLY want to help my friend.  I like to think one of my greatest talents is being a good friend.  I will support those I love in their quest to do good in this world.

She is raising money in the form of a cookbook and by asking for donations. As her friend, I am asking for your help too.  Please feel free to help in anyway you see fit: Donation, prayers, or an encouraging word or two!

GOOD LUCK JULIE!  I LOVE YOU!

Here is her website- look for a little button(JULIE YOU NEED TO MAKE IT MORE NOTICEABLE) on the right column.

Please help send me to Japan. Order a cookbook today! Thanks!!!

http://hessesmadhouse.blogspot.com/

Park Days

This summer has provided us a number of park days.  I am pretty sad to say I usually don't have a camera, but I happened to catch a few photos on this trip!!

Looks Who's 35!

ME!



I FINALLY trained my husband to make me a cake- I simply have refused to make my own, which means I have gone without most of my married life(We did go out many times and the restaurants would provide me something good).  Good Job Sweetie!



 My sweet husband Jeremy did a great job taking care of me today-- he made us a big breakfast to enjoy, and my parents joined us.  My kids were very excited to sing to me.  They had a beautiful card for me.  I went shopping the night before with his blessing and a budget that was his gift for me(and I got some awesome stuff!).  I had a low-key afternoon at home with the baby while Jeremy and the kids to a movie.  Baby wouldn't nap, but I got a lot of reading in.  I started getting ready for my night out and actually did my  make up(not remembering that last time I did my full face, I figure it was for my wedding day).  We headed out to Sellwood after dropping my kids off at my nieces house to have El Salvadorian food. Then it was over to Roller Derby to watch a very exciting game(more below).  

I called my Mom for a last minute shopping trip Friday Night- and she always finds me stuff!  I spent way too much money on myself and the conflict of guilt and thrill for doing so was grand.
 But I felt pretty spiffy-- new cloths down to my toes!

A bunch of my dear friends went out to dinner with me at El Planeque in Sellwood

These are my Ladies

And the boys

Christy, Me and Melia at Roller Derby- Future Roller Queens? 

The topping on the cake, so to speak- was the Roller Derby Experience.  Jeremy and I enjoyed the movie "Whip-it" and we looked into it and found the Rose City Rollers.  Tonight, my birthday, The Guns N Rollers were playing against the High Rollers.  It was entertaining- I think I actually started understanding the game towards the end of the night.  We cheered for both teams.  It was exciting and very fast moving.  To all of you asking me if my next endeavor will be to become a Roller Queen-- I am thinking not.  I am not tough enough-- I would be apologizing to the girls I would be bumping out of the way.  And when I fell, I would probaby stay on the ground(gravity likes me).  But who knows?  Molly Mayhem might have a place?

I feel very blessed and happy that I have so very much at age 35. 

I think this year will definitely be my year!

Tri-athlete- TWICE!

On July 31, 2010 I participated in the Blue Lake All Womens Tri-it Tri-athlon. My Second Triathlon was a different experience resulting in the same exciting sense of accomplishment. Overall I felt much more prepared because I knew no matter how crazy I felt inside, it would all work out OK and I would finish(rather I would not DIE on the course).

This time was different because my dear friend Melia and I committed to doing this race together over dinner one night. We quickly talked my sister Amy into joining us(She almost did the Lebanon Race with me, but wasn't quite ready- I knew she would be joining me very soon). Amy talked my Aunt Renetta into joining us even though Renetta was not OK with swimming in the Lake rather than a pool. My dear friend Vixie also participated- this was her sixth year!

We participated in the Tri-it which is 1/4 mile swim, 12.5 bike, 3.5 mile run. The difference between this and the sprint was the swimming distance only- 1/2 mile.

Having a cheering section really helped me out. Almost my entire family showed up! And my very dear friend Marcie who took my very favorite picture of all came too.

The swim was different from the pool swim at my previous race- but I enjoyed it. The water was 71 degrees and felt great(especially after standing out on the beach for half an hour waiting for our turn to go). The water was murky, so ended up swimming on my back or my side through most of the race and was pleased with my time. I was totally stressing about not having my glasses with me as I am completely blind without them. My niece Adrienne held them for me and handing them over as I came out of the water.

Vixie and I drove the bike course the week before so I had a good idea how long the trek was- and it was LONG! And there was a brutal cross wind. We biked up to Marine Drive and biked clear down past the 205 bridge, then we turned and came back. Being on a straight-away I couldn't tell how much longer it would take me to get back- but finally I made it! Only a couple of prayers were uttered on this trip. I did hoot and holler under the bridge because of the awesome echo it made! My time was almost the same as the time in my previous race- not bad for only biking twice since then!

Back to the transition area my family was greeting me with a poster and cheers! It was exactly what I needed to keep going. My legs were sore and I was pretty tired. In fact, I would have been just fine laying down in the grass and taking a little snooze. Off I went on the run- I didn't run as much of it as I wanted. I am not sure if I was a bit dehydrated at this point or not, but my calves were really tight and not wanting to work for me. The run course was beautiful. I was running with my equals- a lot of the ladies were run/walking too and it made me feel very good about my own fitness level. The path tricked me and lead me back down towards the lake and it seemed like it should have ended much sooner - in fact at one point I was running all by myself wondering if I had gotten off the path or something. It reminded me of the personal journey this has been for me. I kept on going.

Finally I get close to the finish line and see my friend Vixie and her kids waving and cheering for me, I see Melia's family cheering for me, I see Marcie cheering for me, I see my family all cheering for me. I was elated! I hear the announcer say my name, my age, my home town and I felt so HAPPY! I crossed the finish line and caught my breath before I went and collected my baby and got congratulation hugs.
I waited for my dear friends to join me at the finish line and it was sweet to see these amazing women I love accomplish so much for themselves. I admire Renetta, Melia, Amy and Vixie for sure. I am thankful for their examples to me. I am thankful to my friends and family for loving and supporting me and putting up with me.

After the race we milled around a bit at the stores, got some food for the "athletes" and checked my time. I was happy with my time. The kids played really well with their cousins. The baby was tired and ready for bed, so we headed home- and it was great to get a good shower and nap in.

Relaxation

I left these people:

For these people:

A HUGE Thank you to Marcie and Lulu for inviting me to scrapbook, watch movies, walk on the beach, read late into the night, feed me yummy food, not wake me for middle of the night feedings... and just make me feel so loved.

A HUGE Thank to you so my sweet Husband for not only being OK with my leaving him with my three favorite little ones, but completely encouraging me to have a little time off. I feel renewed and encouraged to do the things that are most important in my life.