On our wedding song….

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Our first dance song during our wedding was probably one that only a few in the room/barn knew but one that was super impactful for me for many many years. “A Page is Turned” by Bebo Norman is sung by an artist that my girlfriends and I met on a Young Life trip to Malibu in high school and became an obsession for all of us and me well Into my college years and beyond (his Pandora station is one of my faves). I had always thought it would be the perfect wedding song before I had a partner to marry and then as I was planning our special day with Scott and listened to the lyrics, my eyes were filled with tears on how perfect and God-orchestrated the words were for us and our story filled with storms and preparing “the one to hold (us) up when (we) come undone”.

A page is turned by the wind to a boy in curly grin
With a world to conquer at the age of ten
But as history unfolds and the storybook is told
He finds salvation but not at the hands of man
And the God of second chance
Picked him up and He let him dance
Through a world that is not kind
And all this time, preparing him, the one
To hold him up when he comes undone
Beneath the storm, beneath the sun
And now a man, here you stand
Your day has come
A page is turned in this world to reveal a little girl
With a heart that’s bigger, as it is unfurled
By the language in her soul, that’s teaching her to grow
With a careful cover of love that will not fail
And the God of second chance
Picked her up and He let her dance
Through a world that isn’t kind
And all this time, preparing her the one
To hold her up when she comes undone
Beneath the storm, beneath the sun
And grown up tall, here you are
Your day has come
Beneath the air of autumn, she took him by the hand
And warm beneath the ardor, she took his heart instead
And high upon the mountain, he asked her for her hand….just for her hand

 A page is turned in this life, he’s making her his wife
And there is no secret to the source of this much lifeWhen the grace falls like rain is washing them again
Just a chance to somehow rise above this land

Where the God of second chance
Will pick them up and He’ll let them danceThrough a world that is not kind
And all this time, they’re sharing with the one
That holds them up when they come undoneBeneath the storm, beneath the sun
And once again, here you stand
And once again, here you stand
Your day has come

To Scott….thank you for always holding me up when I’ve come undone. And dancing with me through all the storms and all the sun. One day more and one day less…..until there are no more days to count. I love you.

On craving community….

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It’s amazing to me that even though I love being social and outgoing and all that jazz…..staying at home and hunkering down into routine is always a default mode. Especially with kiddos, sometimes its just easier to “chill at home” then make the effort to get out and see other people.

But then we do that and I love it so much….being in community with others makes me crave more community with others. And at this season in our life, it doesn’t always have to be a big fancy dinner (although I do love that) or something hugely entertaining for the kiddos (although that’s an added bonus so we don’t have to hear “mom” every 10 seconds)….it just has to be us out of our house, out of a normal routine and connecting with others while we’re at it.

Moral of the story – text me and lets hang out!!!!! Oh….until August 20th. Then its volleyball season and ain’t nobody got time for a social life when there are games to be won. ?

Helllooooo August!!

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Soooo….just to be real transparent, August 1st kind of gives me a panic attack. School starts back again, tons of meetings, and volleyball tryouts are right around the corner!! Every year, I have to try and settle my self-talk down about the 2-3 weeks I have RIGHT NOW to relax, enjoy time with my family, camp and relax a bit….but the looming 2-3 weeks after that kinda freak me out.

This year, I am starting a new position, WonderGIRL is starting a new school, and life will just look and feel a bit different….which is both exciting and challenging all at once. So my goal this August is to just be in the present, have some courageous confidence about the role I’m stepping into, and try to transform my panic into preparedness for the Fall and thus, into excitement for what is to come!!!I already shared this graphic on my social media, but I really do love it. In all areas of my life whether it’s my chosen profession or a few of my little fun side hustles, I hope to have a purpose when showing up to all of them, including parenting my littles. Sometimes, the purpose feels big and world-shaking, other times it feels super intimate and inside family walls only….but I like that divergent part of our world and our tribe…keeps things from getting too boring around here.And just to end this post but start August on a CUTE note, look at Rexie Roo cuddled up on my legs. Not quite a lap cat YET…..but baby steps (right after this flash went off, he realized he was being somewhat cuddly and nice and quickly abandoned ship…..grrrrr).

Parents of teens support group….

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I’ve seen (and commented on) multiple posts of parents of teenagers reaching out for support and community. And while I totally FEEL that all over the place and hope to make a splash in this arena through my future job at FSD, it just doesn’t seem to be an available option right now.

But until then….this podcast is seriously a MUST LISTEN!!!! Every episode is real, insightful and you walk away with real tactics or mindsets shifts you can use right away with your teens. The show is based on a real life moms relationship with her sons (who committed suicide three years ago) therapist. Her fire was lit to help save other teens from that outcome and talks each week with an amazing counselor (y’all know I’m hard on counselors typically) on how to connect with your tween/teen in the most vulnerable years of their life.

Check out the podcast now!!!! (Also perfect to listen en route to your family vacay WITH your spouse while the kiddos have their headphones on)

Hint: the “DM episodes” are quick snippets of them answering listeners’ questions and you can listen to them in any order.

The real episodes might be better in order as the beginning episodes really build on each other.

And the wonder of first experiences….

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Along with our first camping trip with all three kiddos (5 people meant two cars, two ice chests and way more smores supplies needed), we wanted them to experience some fun FIRSTS as well. I had heard and read about the Blue Fox Drive-In and since we were so close at Deception Pass, it was the perfect opportunity to try it out.

Even Scott had never experienced the drive-in when he was younger…..I love when I know how fun something is and the suspense of them about to experience it…..momlife win!!!They happened to be open all week, so the Monday evening showing was perfect….wasn’t too busy and we got a perfect spot to set up shop in the back of the truck for the show!!!This nostalgic drive-in has go-karts, the actual movie, an awesome snack bar and a full arcade which keeps everyone entertained before dusk and the movie starting. I can’t imagine people staying for both movies – we were tired and ready for bed after just the first showing!First go-karts for all three kiddos!!!Also fun….we watched Hotel Transylvania 3 which included this fun crew of monsters heading on a summer vacation cruise. The kiddos transferring some of the movie plot to our recent Cruise-mas vacation was a fun walk down memory lane as well.

On the magic of repeating….

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Back when our wonders were still in foster care, we tried to create memories that they could cherish once they moved on or back to their forever family. We wanted to fill their worlds with wonder and joy and the innocent excitement of childhood that they had missed out on in their early years.

And then time passed….and more time passed….and we got to start repeating trips and traditions. And that is where the magic happens for me. Each repeat trip or activity feels like “normalcy” for our family and lays a foundational block in our family history and story that I certainly do not take for granted. Camping at Deception Pass is one of those repeat traditions that we almost didn’t go on this year due to crazy schedules but we found a spot and squeezed in a few days and I am so glad we did.BraveGIRL calls this shot “couple goals” and made us stand in front of the beautiful sunset for her (awwww teenagers).It was a joy introducing our new BraveGIRL to our camping tradition…..she entertained us nightly at the campfire with beautiful singing and scary campfire tales that had WonderBOY completely enthralled.I love watching Scott and his love of all things nature spill out onto the kiddos as they go exploring (sometimes my anxiety and dislike of messes keep me from enjoying these moments but I am working on that).P.S. If you have never gone camping at Deception Pass…..it is seriously the best. The lake to swim, the ocean to explore, the bajillion of trials in the trees????? It’s awesome and super close to us!!!

On her celebration…

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but first, check this “then and now” pic from her first bday party I got to throw her 4 years ago when she turned 12. We’ve both grown so much these past 4 years……lessons mutually taught to each other about trust, patience and grace upon grace. She is a 4th of July baby which means most of our holiday is dictated by what she wants to do. Lake time and a deck party were on the agenda which our neighbors did a pretty good job lighting the sky for us!A few months back, WonderGIRL brought me a very detailed list for a beach bonfire party she had envisioned for her 16th. Although her wishlist included friends upon friends, we opted for a family dinner at Semiahmoo’s summer BBQ (so yummy….summer bucket list item!!!) and a bonfire just down the beach afterwards. This next picture literally takes my breath away with love for her and her maturing personality. With a lot of complicated stuff going on in her world and thus, in ours, this night to focus on her beauty and spunk was a wonderful way to kick off her 16th trip around the sun!!!Dear WonderGIRL,

Thank you for falling into my arms and my life at just the right time. No, I never questioned adopting you and no, I will never ever leave you….not when you’re 21, not when your 51, not when you drive me away with your words and not even when you push me away with your arms. I am fiercely committed to changing your story from darkness to light, from brokenness to whole, and from fear to love every hour and day I get to be your mama.

I know you. I chose you. I will love you forever and ever. ❤

Love, Mama

On digging deep….

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and using my oils while we’re down there in the trenches of hard feelings and hard behaviors! Summer months for us mean we double down on counseling and therapy, both for our children and for ourselves. With any therapeutic process (the good ones anyway), hard feelings and processing don’t just happen in session, but out of session and through relationship. While we account for this by lessening our schedule, increasing connection, and other strategies, I really wanted to put my rather large collection of oils to the test to see how we can impact our hearts and our heads during this time.

Here is what we are trying this summer for emotion management and healing for our two Wonders and so far, I have been super impressed with the results. Many of you asked for the recipes and if you message me, I’d be happy to send those along. If you’re interested in seeing the connections between essential oils and emotions, I HIGHLY recommend this book. (Images below from my IG story taken from the pages)

If the intrigue level has tipped after reading this post, please reach out and let’s chat!!! Lots of you have been asking for essential oil remedies…from bug repellent to sun relief, tummy troubles and anxiety with your kiddos or you. Our team is also doing a quick and easy online class later in July.

I’m looking for 5 people to spoil with a goody bag of doTERRA samples and the opportunity to win daily giveaways. The first 5 people to contact me (message me or comment on the FB post) will be added to the event. You’ll receive your package on or before July 16, and I’ll add you to an event page so you can learn how to use your samples and enter for prizes!

NOTE: If you already have a doTERRA account or being helped by someone who does, please save this “spoiling yourself” opportunity for some people who haven’t yet experienced doTERRA. Thanks much!

WonderGIRL is sweet 16!!!

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After 16 years of filling this world with joy, extra loud laughter (like seriously…..so loud), and love for others, this little lady is 16! Here are a few of her thoughts, dreams, and ideas captured into history…..
On being 16…..
Being 16 is exciting but at the same time it’s going to be a bigger step to adulting. Which is nerve wracking and adventurous. The older I get the closer I get to getting my own job and buying my house and my future kids and driving (hopefully not in that order says Mom…..please get a license). I feel like there is going to be a chance in the world of WonderGIRL.

On your future job….
My future dream job is to open my own bakery. It will be desserts and baked goods from all over the world. Two days a week, kids will come in and our bakers will help kids learn how to cook. It will be an open cafe every Saturday and Sunday.

Thoughts on your brother….
As of right now, my brother is very frustrating. He thinks that since he’s getting older and almost in 5th grade he’s so cool. He is getting a fun summer with Fircreek. The other day when I was doing yard work, without the parents telling him to, he brought me hot chocolate which was very sweet. He’s very fun to watch tv shows with and tells me which parts I’m going to like.

On counseling….
Counseling is really hard. Really helpful, but really hard. I hate putting in the work because it’s really hard to deal with so many emotions. It’s really helped with me and my Mom’s relationship and with me being able to trust Daddy more. It has not been an easy journey, but I’m more open and honest with her. It’s easy to be vulnerable with my counselor.

What is your purpose in life?
The reason I am here is to bring joy to the world and be helpful to kids. To learn what God has planned in the future and to be an amazing sister and a daughter and have a wonderful future.

Who are you?
I am a girl that believes I can make a change. I don’t know. I’m stuck (Mom: in life or on this question???? WG: I don’t know who I am right now….I think I do in my heart but I’m not sure)

What is important to you?
My brother. My family. My past. As of right now, my heart is pretty important to me.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I’m really loud (insert Mama’s shocked face here…..I’m sorry dear I think that’s one of the first things people learn about you). I think people don’t know that I’m a big sleeper.

One word quick fire:
WonderBOY – amazing
BraveGIRL – silly
Mama – loving
Daddy – protective
Rexie – fiesty
high school – drama
favorite movie – Black Panther
sweet 16 – exciting
proud of – how far I’ve come
favorite food – spaghetti

Intentional Summer 2018

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It should not have taken me this long to both complete my poster and post this….but such is life (hence the #wesurvivedJune) seen below.

Here is our past intentional summer projects: 2017 and 2016 (spoiler alert – our summers are pretty low key around here)….I got a few extra posters printed for my readers (thank you sweet Elizabeth) so check out the bottom of this post for how to enter my small freebie giveaway.I have TWO blank posters to give away if anyone would like them (better late than never)…..post in the FB comments what you’re looking forward to in July and I’ll pick a winner Friday!