A glimpse to the future?

When we were in San Diego this summer, Bekah asked if I would take a few shots of her and Chris at the beach (with Mr. Cash still cooking in her belly). When we were about finished the kids had started to gather round and I couldn't help but snap a shot of the motley crew!

Maybe it's a glimpse into their future.......though I think the look on Chris' face says it all.

The perpetual smile.

That's Ryder, the boy with the constant smile.  I love it.  He can make me smile....even when I don't feel like it.  It's so bright, so inviting, so cheerful, so blissful.  How can it not make your day?

A moment.

Yesterday at church, before we took communion, our Pastor encouraged us to jot down five things we were thankful for.  Quickly, I rifled through my purse to snag a pen and began writing.  When you live in a free country with the abundance we have, there are always more than five items to list, but we only had a few moments and the suggestion of five was a realistic goal. One thought that came to mind was "moments".  In life, all through the day, the hours, the minutes, the seconds, there are those times when we want to freeze everything and let it be etch into our memory.  It may be the smallest detail or the biggest deal ever, but we grab it and try to seal it in.  That's why I love my camera.  Ofcourse, not every moment can be captured in a photograph, a giggle, a mispronounced word, someone saying "I love you", those are cherished in the heart and mind.  But for many, I grab my camera, aim and hope it will help me remember "the moment":

It's not much really, but when I woke up the other morning, came downstairs and looked out my front door (something I do every single morning!) I couldn't help but be captivated by the way the light was shining through the trees.  It just caught my attention, it was just a moment.

Hunting and those lovely love languages.

Oh, you've heard of them, those five love languages. Kinda like a personality test for your bent on love. The book by Gary Chapman has been around for many years and just like those personality tests it's fun to see who you are. Ofcourse, I tend to be quite uncomplicated, I didn't even need to read the description to bead in on mine and Randy's love languages.

Acts of Service.

Who me? Am I really that simple? Really?

Um, yes.

A little work on the house, some errands run for me, watching the kids so I can grocery shop in peace, even straightening up a room is apparently all I need to feel content and loved.

Randy? Physical touch, with quality time taking a close second. When we were dating, I remember he always wanted to hold my hand (fingers intertwined) or have me sit right next to him in his little Ford Ranger. In fact, I would shift gears so he could keep his arm around me while we drove! Now if that doesn't shout physical touch, I not sure what does. We always were together, going to the movies, playing card games with my family or cuddling on the couch, that was our qt.

So how does this help in real life? Let me give you an example.....

Right now we are approaching a very busy time for Randy.....hunting season is getting under way. Stick with me here, "early season" isn't even until the end of September, but for my "type A" man, preparations start way before that. Plowing fields, planting crops, setting up game cameras, deciding on stand placement, etc all need to be worked out before the season opens.  This can be a super stressful time for both of us, but, understanding eachothers love languages can come in handy.

Randy knows that I am most happy when he helps me out around the house (mostly maintenance and some remodeling) or at least supports the work I would like to do.  Remember, I'm an acts of service girl, I like getting projects going, seeing things fulfilled.  Now, he can either ignore those needs and convince himself he's worked hard all year for this time and deserves every moment of enjoyment while I take care of things around the house or he can plan ahead, discuss what we are trying to accomplish and devise a plan of action while scheduling his time for all the hunting his heart can handle.

That was a serious run-on sentence, I know.

Okay, turn the tables.  I know Randy looks forward to the quality time he puts in at the farm and in the stands hunting. These few weeks are what he anticipates and works for all year.  I also know he misses the kids and I the entire time he is gone and always looks forward to getting back home and being with us, loving lots of hugs and kisses on his return.  Now, if we have worked out a plan to make sure I don't feel overwhelmed while he is gone (leaving me at {mostly}peace), then I will have a greater desire to reciprocate my love when he comes home.  Instead of feeling resentful, I will embrace him for thinking of me and loving me, even when he is away.  Rather than give him the cold shoulder, I can feel content being close to him after he gets home.  His love language asks that I shower him with affection and naturally he will return that to me by making sure my to-do list get done. 

Ofcourse,  these aren't pre-conditions.  Life happens and perfectly made plans can unravel.  If he doesn't meet all of my needs or I don't meet his, we can't withhold love.  Marriage is about commitment and striving to give more than you take.  You can't make demands of your spouse simply because your love language "entitles" you to it. That would be just plain silly.  But, if you work at understanding one another  and how you "operate", it can ease tension, lessen bitterness, and build a stronger bond between you and your spouse. 

What really happens.

So last week, I had a stretch of blogging almost daily...wow! But, what I need to share today is what really happens around here when mommy blogs more often:






Addie and Gage raided the coat closet and with Addie in her new swimsuit, proceeded to dress in their winter attire. All this while I blogged....

As you can see, all of the photos of Addie were taken "on the run" and it was a bit like pulling teeth getting them to put it all away when they were done!

Only Gage and Addie.

@ the Dinosaur: and how does that make you feel?

The kids were happily digging in the sandbox for hours the other day. The weather was perfect, a light breeze with beautiful sunshine and they dug away.

Finally, they came inside to show the me the dinosaur bones and teeth they had found. "Look mom! We are being psychologists out there. Look what we discovered!"

Trying to hide my grin, I said, "Oh, you're being archeologists, how fun!"

"Yeah mom, archeologists. It's so fun, we want to do this forever!"

Here are some of the psychologists, I mean, archeologists finds:

I found myself imagining them out there talking to the old bones; asking about their childhood, what their friends were like and how all of that made them feel.....



*Check out mom's bag HERE!

Where's the sprinkles?

While talking to my sister, Bekah, Saturday afternoon, we exchanged "stories" about what cool thing we were working on. She was excitedly getting ready to steam mop her floors, "Aren't you jealous, Lizzie? I mean, I know that's how you want to be spending your Saturday!"

Um, yeah, that's what I wish I was doing...

"Well, I think I might be cooler Beks. I'm trading out the kids clothes. You know, fall and winter to spring and summer."

Silence.

A bit of snickering.

"Yeah Lizzie, cuz we have seasons and all here in San Diego, I know just what you mean..."

So Beks, just for you, you know, so you can see what you're missing out on living in a season-less city:

Ashlynn helping to lighten the mood of the lovely job:

When Addie and Gage heard what was going on they were super excited. I had announced that we were getting out the spring clothes and they couldn't wait to get started, even offering to help with what they could...

Until the bins started coming up from the basement and getting opened.

Where's the sprinkles? You said we were getting the sprinkles!

For Auntie Colie.

Just enough for a pony-tail.....and a whole lot of mischief!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Second only to Christmas, this is our favorite holiday around here. We always start the morning off with heart shaped pancakes topped with strawberries. Unfortunately, Ashlynn, Gage and Addie have terrible colds this morning, but they managed to eat a few pancakes anyway!






We are going to attempt a craft later....if the coughing and runny noses permit.

Sledding fun!

Randy, the kids and I spent the afternoon sledding at his parents the other day. They have an awesome hill on their property and with all of the snow this year, we've had quite the sledding adventures!

Our Packer fans getting ready to head down the hill!

Ryde and I loved the saucers...and going down backwards!

Gage only wanted to ride with Randy or I.....and he loved every minute of his "free" ride back up the hill!

Can you see I'm trying to slow down, I forgot how intimidating going down the hill the first time is....

We couldn't resist making a snowman!

Not sure what Ashlynn was thinking, but I love her pose!

By the end of the day, Ashlynn had mastered the art of sledding down the hill on her bum!

We are in the clear with no snow predicted for a while, but I'm sure we'll get one last run at that hill........

And some more snow.

It was pure powder.....the snowman had to wait a few days before he came "together".

I told you I didn't really shovel off the whole driveway!

Sneaking a peek at the real worker:

Ryder helping out:

The thaw:

My Mountains.

There are few things on earth more beautiful than the mountains. When you are away from them for a while, you forget there magnitude, their glory, their call to come explore. My brother-in-law, Aaron, has said he doesn't know what he would do if he didn't live near some mountains. "How would I know which way I was going if the mountains weren't there to guide me?"

I woke early the morning before we left and watched the sun rise above the mountains behind the home I was raised in. All of those years as a child, I don't think I ever noticed a sunrise. Of course, I was still sleeping. But us kids would get up as soon as the sun's rays pierced our bedroom windows.



We always headed to the mountains. In part to procrastinate the impending school work mom had for us, but mostly to explore and create. We carved trails hiking up that mountain, made gum trees and forged a lifelong bond with one another. We laughed, rarely argued (we saved that for inside), and let that fresh mountain air fill our lungs for as long as we could hold mom off.

The sunsets I remember. When their beauty was breathtaking (which was often), you could look out the front window and see dad just standing there. Taking it all in. Enjoying the amazing moment that was created for, what seemed like, just us.




In my heart, though, are those treasured, early morning moments spent playing outside. Digging massive caverns in the mountainside for our fortress. Fully equipped with bathroom and all. Dad may never know where all of his tools are, but one day, some great archeologist may find them and rejoice with his link to the past. History. That's what we made on those mornings.




I often tell people, I never lived in the city until I was married and moved away. The city is convenient in ways, with grocery stores and shopping centers only moments away. But mountain living runs through my veins and deep in my roots. I will forever treasure my time with them.



My precious memories are a mere glimpse at the beauty of what is to come beyond this life. Thank you, Lord, for the sneak peek.

My little poser.

When mom and dad were here in early December, the kids couldn't wait to decorate the tree with them. As they waited anxiously for Paula and mom to finesse the tree with ribbon and lights, Ashlynn spent her time choreographing where each child's "place" was to be once the decorating began. Needless to say, it brought mom a great deal of entertainment to listen in on Ashlynn's directing and I, ofcourse, was at the ready with my camera....director's orders.






*Ashlynn's hair and wardrobe courtesy of Ashlynn. The pearls are courtesy Auntie Lisa!*

Because you have to see Ryder.

Unfortunately, I grabbed my camera after the sun had set on Halloween, so these shots are not fantabulous. Actually, they are the perfect example of why I hate using the flash and avoid it whenever possible. But I thought you would enjoy how Ryder stayed in character for each shot and remained so for the rest of the night.....until he arrived home with the candy bag that is.

Look closely behind Ashlynn and the dude is still posing.

Ashlynn was a rock star/princess, Gage was, ofcourse, Darth Vader, and Addie was a princess, which really isn't dressing up since we call her "princess Addie" every single day. And here we are in December and several pieces remain in their candy bags.....kind of hoping they just forget about the rest....

Thankful 2010

We have so much to be thankful for this year! Here are a few shots of our big day last week.

Dale giving Randy lessons on how to carve the turkey:

Randy taking the reins all by himself:

I think someone was excitedly thinking about cherry pie....

So very thankful Ashlynn decided to take pictures, all of the above are courtesy of Ashlynnie herself! You can see one of her decorations here.