The last weekend of May 2009

Saturday and Sunday....

Well, I read this book called "The G-Free Diet". The G stands for Gluten, which is in alot of foods. Jeromy and Jade seem to be allergic to alot of foods, so this book had alot of information about foods to eat for severely allergic people. We found the gluten free section in Fred Meyers health food section, here's what we got...

There was cereal, pasta, pancake mix, cookies, a cake and frosting mix... we'll see how they turn out!

Remember Jade's drawing she made? This should refresh your memory...

Well, Jeromy and I liked it so much (and everyone else for that matter) that Jeromy decided to put it on a shirt... he added the text around the picture saying "Pro choice... the choice is made before conception not after conception". Here's Jeromy working on the screen printing...

Here's Jade wearing her T-shirt Jeromy made, with her own design, how cool is that? We loved it so much, Jeromy and I got a shirt, too...

Jeromy's logo on the front of his shirt "Good Tree Graphics" it is what he's named the T-shirt company. We also made Laura a shirt cause she loved the design. Some people at church likes it as well, and I'm telling people $10 a shirt! Jade gets a little profit, too, cause it's her design!

So Saturday @ 4pm we have our church's group get together at Laura and Jason's. Some families get together and we just hang out, eat great food, have a bible study and then play games. It is a great time, it is so nice to have a place to go on a Saturday night with the kids that is free from drinking, cursing, and other negative behaviors. The kids have such a great time! And they are learning great truths about the Bible and loving it too!

The theme was a BBQ dinner, couldn't have been a more perfect day for it! Here's Jade, my fabulous helper, cutting up the water melon we brought...

Hannah looking suspiciously at the camera... man, she looks so much like her big brother Max!!

Mmmmmm foooooood...

Jason at the grill, he cooked hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, chicken and corn on the cob....

Jeromy and I....

My awesome kids, don't you think Jade is looking more and more like me? It's probably only cause she's growing her hair out, but I'll take it!

There's that corn on the cob...

Laura put some of the pasta salad in a blender for Hannah, she was loving it, and look at her drinking out of her big girl cup, she has such adorable eyes...

With a group this size, several families and kids, there's always a birthday. There were 3 being celebrated today! Laura's mother-in-law Tommie, she is such a sweet lady, Happy Birthday! And one of the dads, Greg, was turning 34, cool age (that's how young I am) and then Tessa who is 13!

I think the adults have more fun letting their kids/grandkids blow out the candles....

Here's Jade helping scoop ice-cream, she's a natural. I wanted to help Laura but I am all thumbs in the kitchen. But not Jade, so she helped out alot!

Some people playing the Christian version of "Apples to Apples" game. I'm not much of a game person, but it was more fun to watch them all play and I could drink coffee and munch on all the desserts...

Some of the older kids walked across the street to the field area, and they have a tennis court, here's a short video of that....

Laura and Jason have such an awesome huge house that there's a place for everyone to hang out. Some of the littler kids were outside on the trampoline, then more of the kids were inside on the computer for a bit... these are such a great group of kids...

The babies stayed up stairs of course with the mom's near by, these are the 2 Hannah babies! Those of you who are not sure, Laura's Hannah is the baby looking into the camera...We got there at 4, but as you can see it was getting dark outside, we all started leaving after 10pm, it is sooo much fun, but I was getting tired...So, now to Sunday, we had church this morning. Our Pastor talked about how the world seems to be heading in such a negative direction. But you know what? Our faith and hope is in Jesus, not in anything in this world, and that is such a wonderfully peaceful feeling. Don't get me wrong, I do get stressed about stuff like everyone else does, but I don't let it consume me anymore like I used to do. Like one of my favorite Bible verses I have on the side of my blog up there:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

I have read that verse to myself MANY times!

After church, I went over to visit my favoritest (I know that's not a word, but it's the word I want to use!) Grandma Shield! It was great to see you grandma! I'm glad you're feeling better today! Remember the power of positive thinking!

So, I did have my camera with me, but I didn't want to stress grandma out, but Kimmy was there too, so I snapped a picture of us right after we hugged....

It was nice to visit with you Kimmy for a bit, and you, too Auntie Sharon! Hope everyone enjoyed this awesome weekend!

No time...

to blog... too busy... out enjoying the sun.... it's like a magnet... pulling me outsiiiiiiiiide....



FYI, we are tentatively planning Kent's 15th birthday party, on Saturday June 6th, about 1pm-ish.... Misty, Laura, I need to know if this time works with you guys, and Kimmy too, if Linda and her kids are in town that would be awesome if they could come too! I know all the aunts are always busy crafting, but everyone is invited!



I can't believe my baby is going to be 15... I had a little melt down this morning. Just real little, talking with Kent going off to college, he wants to go straight to a university- no 2 year college for him, and with his grades it's very possible. But I had a flash back of him when he was in preschool not talking, and how far he's come, the doctor at his "18 month old baby" check up saying with autism he'd never be in regular school, would never catch up with his peers and would need life long care, and to see him now, I just got all choked up, he' growing up too fast...



Ok, the sun WAS calling me, but I might have to pull out an old scrapbook of Kent when he was just a little guy, that will really let the tears go, love feeling hormonal!

Don't forget to hug your kids today!

more stuff

Been busy, end of the school year and all. We are in the process of getting Jade enrolled at Olympic College, yup you read that right COLLEGE!!! She took a test for the running start program, where she can take college courses her senior year for free that will count as high school AND college credit, but she scored lower than the cut off in one area of English, they said she scored high enough tho to take English 99 at OC this summer (paying for it of course $400+ ouch!) then she can take what ever classes next year for free during her senior year (except math). So we've been busy trying to get that all situated.

Pretty exciting Jade may be taking a college course soon. And for those of you who may be thinking I'm pushing Jade, this is something she wants to do.

Scary and exciting all at the same time...

Memorial Day 2009

Before I get into the great pictures of today, we should reflect on what today is really about. I came across this poem I thought sounded appropriate...

Freedom's Colors

Red is for Bravery

blood shed in sacrifice.

Freedom came with lives the price.

White is for Liberty

freedom's purity.

Life be free from God's decree.

Blue is for Justice

as vast as the sky.

Over freedom's land to occupy.

We had alot of fun today just hanging around the house, doing some cleaning, relaxing, etc.

Jade and I did our 50 minute kick-butt work out with Jillian Micheals. Then we all pitched in and did some much needed house cleaning.

The kids cleaned a couple of the bathrooms, they did not want their picture taken while they were cleaning.

Lots O laundry...These clothes were swallowing up our couch, at least they were clean...And now folded.... now we just need to put them away... hahaha

Then we all ventured outside to do some work outside. It was so nice today, all weekend!!! Jeromy helped get the kids set up to wash my car, the tradition is that the kids wash it every Mother's Day, we were a little late this year, but better late than never....

Here's a little video of the fabulous fam....

My car looks pretty sparkly clean now, thanks kids, and Jeromy!

Onto the lawn.... I love mowing the lawn....

Love seeing all the even lines come as I go...Just looking at it makes me want to go lie down right in the middle of the lawn, like I'd be making a snow angel or something, but my fear of the creepy crawly things keeps me from laying down straight on the grass...Me and Jeromy...See my lilacs mom?Now I can smell them in the house, smells so good...After our cleaning, Jeromy and I went out to run a few errands, we also got all the fixings for our Memorial Day 2009 BBQ!

We went to the meat department of the store and we each picked out what we wanted. The guys got just regular old hamburgers, I got a chicken kabob, and Jade got a seasoned chicken breast.

Mmmmmm that kabob was sooo good, now I want to make our own kabobs for our next BBQ.After all the food was prepared we all went up to the "Sink Asylum", that's what we call the room above the garage. And we watched the Incredible Hulk 2 while we ate.... kinda violent while eating, for me anyway!And that is the end of our 3 day weekend, I think this is the best weekend we've had in a long time. 3 days of beautiful weather, 3 days away from work- with the family, no major priorities to deal with. Just a great relaxing weekend. Thank you God!

Day number 2....

... of Memorial Day Weekend...

Another gorgeous day.

Well, I left off last night saying that I was going to attempt to do my 6 mile run. And I did it! Here's the stats....

6 miles

80 minutes

1039 calories burned

What was cool is that my treadmil only counts up to 999 calories and then it starts counting from zero again.... I out caloried my treadmil people!!! Never done that before! Ok, enough about the running...

We went to church this morning, and I am still amazed at how much I look forward to going to church. I remember it being such a chore for so long... the few times I would go. Now I can't wait to here our Pastor Kevin preach and to help me understand God's Word even more. It really is amazing how I view it now. All I can say is that I am so thankful God removed the vale from my eyes.

We were going to have a small BBQ at my parents so Jeromy could get some BBQ-ing tips from my dad. Because I want to have a nice family BBQ with just my family Monday and Jeromy wanted some pointers.

So we came with some food, and my dad brought out his seasoning bin, and you know my mom labeled that bin...

Here's Jeromy spicing up the meat....

Doesn't that drink look just delicious??

And what about those flowers, can't go wrong with purple anything!!
Aren't we cute??
The men... doing men stuff....
The green eyes couple yet again....
This is kinda funny, the steaks started out on the grill, but the grill just would not heat up...
So we finished them in the oven....
Yummy food as usual...
My sweet little girl....
My super cool dude...
Then my mom surprised us with smores...
Look out Jade's a professional, the BBQ grill was working for our smores...
Such cute kids, and cute grandpa...
Our whole group, minus Aurora....
MMMmmmmm just look at that....
melting chocolate...
So we had a great time mom and dad, thanks! I think our BBQ adventure tomorrow should go just fine, and if it doesn't you'll see all about it in tomorrows blog lol!

Look what a finally did tonight... cut Kent's hair. We had to say goodbye to his Wafro (white man's Afro). But I love his hair long, and I know most everyone else doesn't.... oh well, you'll all have to bare with me when it gets too long and I don't want to cut it... but I did tonight... so bye bye Wafro....

Jeromy also got a hair cut, but it's not as noticeable cause his hair was pretty short already in comparison to Kent's hair.

What a great day. Did my run, had a great time a church getting filled with God's Word, great BBQ at the parents, got some sun, and the guys got their hair cut.

God bless you all and goodnight!