I love Miller Woods!!!

Fun, tiring day for all these kids!  

On the go with messes behind.

The pace we live in this season ....

Gives me tummy aches and makes me cross.

Go go go -  especially lately.

Waiting for the school bus to arrive here at the field trip destination.

Hard to leave the dishes, laundry,  beds,  and piles of chaos behind.

If only I'd gotten up at 4am with Mike-  but I couldn't even open eyes at 630am--

I could have been paying a sitter for this whole day for Henry to catch up completely at home.  But instead I'm paying a sitter all day to spend in Gods creation...probably what I need much more!!!!!

Don't wanna miss this beautiful sunny day and holding Maisies hand on the trails at Miller woods.

Good choice mama.

Someday I'll have all day to do the dishes or maybe I won't -  maybe I'll be back at work.  But either way I recognize that 

These days are fleeting.

The days of their youth and them wanting me here.

So cobwebs and dirt just stick around a little longer.  You ain't no thang!

Precious life is....

(There's always after they go to bed,  right?)

What Maisie is like at TEN!

Maisie has been all about Paris for way over a year now.  I'm not sure when this all began...or how she somehow convinced her grandparents to take her to Paris sometime in 2016.  I feel like she has art or baking fabulous treats in her future.  

Maisie is a really good soccer player but she likes gymnastics even more at present.  I love watching her do both.  She has a strong lean muscular build- I don't know where she comes from.

She moves the furniture around in her room about every month-  which I know she gets from me.  It's annoying and cute at the same time.  

She loves to read but I wouldn't quite call her a bookworm because she likes to do a lot of other things as well-  like drawings and creating and constantly MOVING  so her nose isn't in a book much more than her homework requires.  

She attempts to wear makeup more than daphne ever does.  I'll catch her with mascara on every once in awhile and have to remind her to ask!   

She shares a room with Henry and they do fairly well together... Although he's way too messy for her liking.

She likes routines like being the first one up every morning,  having cold lunch everyday,  making sure all homework is perfect and a prayer and kiss from mom every single night.

I miss this baby,  but we've come so far in our relationship I'm choosing to sit in the present and be blessed.

Happy 65th birthday mama...

Happy Birthday Mommy---

Trusting God that He knew what he was doing when he took away these things from your future,  but because candles are wishes and wishes are dreams,  here are what I had wished for you:

1) a big retirement party,  where all your old students came and many other respected educators cheered your career-  because in a season you were the best teacher in Newberg!

2) your first trip to Hawaii, Europe,  and wherever your heart wanted to travel.

3) Rainy days where all you had to do was snuggle up and read one of your beloved books or Bible by a fire eating caramels and sipping coffee!

4)  beach trips with your sisters...

5) days where you came and watched Henry so I could volunteer in the kids classrooms and your help on days like today when I have to clean my house for Maisies party...

6) cheering on max in his amazing football Saturday's 

7). Listening to Cole  play the piano -he's amazing mama!

And more and more days with your quick wit,  funny jokes and selfishly, your servant heart that saved me a million times from the hard days of mommyhood!

All my love, just rest and eat cookies and candy...we are making you a cake today! 

Stefaroonie a loonie toonie

Throw back Thursday....

I only took belly pics with Maisie's pregnancy.... Prob because I gained the least with her and felt okay with Becca taking these for the records.

As we approach her 10th birthday,  I'm so glad I have these.

I just wanna pee

Today I hid away in the bathroom to -  ahem,  pee....alone.  And yes,  I was on my phone looking for something.

Henry started to cry and open my door - doorlock is broken.  So I let him come in. 

While I finished my business on my phone I looked away for just a second. And when I looked up.... Bam!

Man- he's fast! (He's crying because I told him I was going to show this to his daddy)

I just wanted to pee....

Dear Kelley....

Last night at a prayer gathering in town, for a dear woman in our community,  I almost got up the courage to take the mic and share.  The tears were flowing and my voice wasn't able.  So I vowed right then and there I'd write instead.  It goes like this.

Around eight years ago,  I had a four year old,  a two year old and was very pregnant with my 3rd baby.  Mike was working a lot of hours and I found myself tired and craving---NO, needing, some alone time.  So I did some asking around about young girls who would be able to babysit once a week for just a few hours.

Someone said,  call Kelley Humlie.  So I did and she said that her then 14 year old was indeed very busy with sports,  music and her first year of high school,  but she really would like her to get some experience caring for children.  Kelley said she believed this would be valuable for her girl,  sweet Bethany!

And so began our relationship with the Humlies. Bethany babysat for us a lot those high school years.  We adored her and her family!    Since then our paths have been intertwined...All the Humlie kids and even some of their dear friends have taken turns being in our home,  caring for our babies.  We've  been at the weddings and have partaken in their music lessons as well.  

There isn't much I wouldn't do for this family.  They are all so special to me!  And it all started with another mom,  letting her little girl come into my home to serve.

Not at all a coincidence that I use this word.  Because the Humlies are all servants.  My prayer is that they allow us to serve them mightily through this tough season -  Kelley may you feel peace and love!  

From Me to You ---  you make me want to be a better mom!!!!

Love Stefanie 

Honeymoon is over.

The first 5 days of school I got up uber early and got a ton done each day.

Yesterday I hit the wall and felt like hibernating for a few days.

Today feels the same.  Stuffed up.  Sleepy.  Not really wanting to wake these tired kids up. 

The clothes lay unfolded again.  Moms can't afford a day of unproductivity -  

I need my mojo back.  What the heck is mojo anyway?!

Today I'm starting with a cup of JOE and some prayer.  Somebody light a fire under me again.  

First week of school 2015-16

The first week of school always is emotional for me.  Some years are harder than others.  Last week was a doozy with daphne starting middle school and Henry preschool.... 

I'm pretty sure this week is gonna be much much easier for everyone!  

Here's some pics documenting our week!  

My goals this year are JOY for everyone especially me and my organizational skills!  But joy first.  

If you are reading this and you are a mom in the trenches with me "God speed" and if you have passed this season of child rearing and survived .. Man,  you have my respect and adoration.  It never ends tho-  does it?!?!  

Daphne turns 12!!!

Twelve years ago today this little girl made her appearance in our world and changed our hearts forever.  I can honestly say she's a better person than me in all ways...and that makes me smile.

Her eleventh year of life was blessed with a couple more plays,  tumbling classes,  guitar lessons,  spelling bees and growth spurts!  

I didn't blog before she turned 4 so here are a couple oldies but goodies from her early years.  I love to see some faces at her 1st bday party that are no longer here with us in the same way as they used to be....

Sometimes I wish she was still the carefree giggly little girl because time goes to fast and there are growing pains..but I would never wish to take away her bright future either.  So bring on this next season of middle school!!!!  Love you daphne rose!!!

A fair day....

We had the best time at the fair yesterday-  here are my five favorite photos of the day and a little caption for each for my own memory!

These two go hand in hand-- Henry Wayne and Michael Wayne-  so special!

There's something so special about those 4H kids and their relationships with their animals. It's not my thing but I can still adore this picture and all it captures!

All summer there was fighting but when it comes down to it-  they love each other!

Tall fast rides and giggles!  Carefree young tummies that don't get sick!  

Ruby gets left out a lot but she takes it all in stride and flips it into a huge smile!

This girl and her hair-  so much curl!  And we had so much fun watching her be just a kid yesterday with her friends paivi and maddy!  

Spelling Bee Bound

I miss Facebook in these moments -  not to brag but to honestly share excitment.  Proud that Daphne has figured out one of her "things"-  WORDS!!!!  

She's been all about talking since she was a tiny one.  She could sing her abcs before she was 2.... And that later evolved into a love for reading, spelling and writing!

Now,  today we are headed to the state spelling bee and her two buddies are along to support,  cheer and enjoy a day at the fair with us!

It's a great morning!

Henry bday continued

Daphne made this-  so cute!