Boys and Summer

What I wouldn't give to be a boy in Summer time. They walk around the yard shirt less, filling up ice chests and storage bins with water to bob for apples, jump on the trampoline with their J's on, or with the sprinkler underneath. Flooding a empty flower bed or building a fort, the possibilities are endless. They are blessed with an abundance of raspberries from Grandma's yard and the neighbors to fill up those tummies that never get filled. I watch them to see what catches their attention. Snails were the topic this morning. As they gathered as many as they could find, three of them would compete in their race. So they attempted to have them race and then when that didn't go as planned they made a shelter for them. Oh what those snails must have been thinking. And the boys thinking they can actually contain them in a uncovered bucket. I am amazed (actually grossed out), when Jonah shows me the slime from them on his hands. They marvel at these gross pests in our yard. What will they find next?
We spend money on toys and gadgets to keep them occupied and all the while the things in our backyard are enough. The things that capture them are the very things that the Lord has created for us and I can help but be blessed to see them enjoy also. Even if it is a snail, beattle, worm, stick (which becomes a sword), climbing a tree, picking grandma's apples to bob for them, I love to see the things they will find. Being a mom of a boy is what makes me smile, I see things through their eyes, and they show me things I never would have seen. Thank you Lord for blessing me with boys!!!

10 YEARS

Dinner Celebration

Kayaking with my man

We started off as young 22 year olds, really not knowing what it took to be married. We have gone through so much these last 10 years. We started off in Northridge, then Spokane, back to California, Pendleton, Redmond and our final stop Spokane. On our extended stops we were blessed with 3 amazing children all being born in 3 different states. Aren't we good. We have been taught so much in these last 10 years. How to be a parent, spouse, confidant and friend. Although we haven't mastered them all I can say we have come so far. He has seen me at my worst and still loves me unconditionally.  He challenges me to be a better wife, mother and friend. Always doing it with love, never without having my best interest at heart, amazing. I am amazed at the man, father and spouse Patrick has become, I had no idea. I love how the Lord works, and how he holds back just enough, and then we must trust him for the rest. Patrick is more than I expected and I am so honored to be his wife and blown away by what he is to me.I am excited to see what else the Lord will reveal to me, through my husband, in the next 50 years. I hope that I have been to him what he has to me, a true blessing. How awesome it is when you find the one the Lord had picked out for you!!!! What a BLESSED girl I am.

Congratulations Patrick

The Boys and I pinning Patrick's badge

Proud Officer

Spokane Class

Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory with everyone

Dear Patrick,

I wonder what it is like everyday when you go through all the physical, mental and educational training that it takes to be in law enforcement.  When you have gone through all the physical training and I can't be there for you at the end of the day.  Or when you are unable to vent after being drilled with all the tests, quizzes or things that drain your mind.  Or what it means to go to bed alone after long days of work.  I am amazed at your strength you have shown these last few weeks.  Not only as being an Officer, but a man, father and husband.  The things you have gone through to make our life better.  I am encouraged by the strength and endurance you have to withstand what it takes to be in law enforcement.  You have proven yourself to me, your children, your family, and all those you touched in the Academy.  It is no wonder that you received the second highest scores overall, the HIGHEST mock scene, and a Co-Leader of your class.  You are a natural leader and an example to all that follow. I am honored to be you wife, and your sons are honored to call you Dad. We are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to the many more accomplishments you will have in your career.

Love,

Your Family

Looking At the Good

Since my last post was a little bit of a downer I thought I should talk about the fun things we have done in the last few weeks. We have made two trips to Seattle. The first one was our tourist vacation. We took the boys to the zoo, Rainforest Cafe, Crab Pot and Pike's Place. The next trip we went hiking and spent time at Uncle Kevin's relaxing and enjoying one another. We were very fortunate to have Patrick's brother to stay with, what a blessing he has been through this all. Thank You Kevin. So we make our final trip to Seattle today. Patrick has completed the Academy, we are so proud of him. I am so glad to have my husband home, he is such an amazing husband and father.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well life has been extremely busy these days and blogging has not been on the top of my list. Patrick has been away at the Police Academy in Seattle for the last 3 weeks, and we're coming up on the final week. Meanwhile why he has been gone I have had double duty and any of you moms that know what that looks like will understand what I mean. We are pushed beyond our limits, tired and tattered at the end of each day, but we look at those precious children of our and realize it is all worth it, and we keep going. So hear it goes...

To make things interesting these last few weeks someone thought it might be neat to see what my limits could be in this life of mine that I am living. We have had two of our cars breakdown(one of them while I was visiting Patrick in Seattle), and the other one a week later. Then a child of mine who will remain nameless hit a rock through Patrick's truck window shattering it. It was a total accident and bless his heart he chipped in $20.00 dollars for it. I love my husband's wisdom.

The cars however were not even the issues, it was larger than that. For all of you who may know we have been trying to purchase a house for about 2 months. Not just any house but a house in foreclosure. I do not advise this, unless the banks are nice and they aren't. So while I jumped through hoops these last few months with the banks and I say banks because we have dealt with three for this transaction. Aren't I lucky. Always doing what they asked of us immediately, but of course they were not so willing to help us out in areas I won't get into. I mean why would they provide good customer service. So four weddings and a funeral later, a few car problems, husband being gone through it all, we have survived.

I was reminded through all of this I am unequipped to do what I have done these last few weeks without the Lord's grace and mercy. I realize just how much I need and rely on HIS direction and strength. I laugh now but there were days in this I thought what disobedience do I have in my life to create all this. I was amazed by the love and grace my children show me in those moments, when I may not have given them my best that day. I love that the Lord gives me glimpses of Him through my children.

Time and time again the Lord reminded me HE was in control, HE would handle the stress, HE would give me my heart's desire, HE would be my comforter, HE would be my refuge, HE would be my strength. HE would wash me clean each new day. I love the things HE teaches me in those times of need. I realize that without Him involved in everything I do my life would be so much more difficult, pointless. So we must lay down those things that we can't carry, so that HE may pick them up. I love the God I serve, HE is amazing.

So with overjoy, thankfulness, and excitement we are homeowners, the cars are all running well and my husband is graduating from the Academy Friday. I am blessed by those who have prayed for us and have sacrificed for our family. We are blessed by amazing family and friends and once again the Lord has carried us through. I am humbled by the amazing power of Jesus!!!

New Life

The snow and storms have all gone away and now the new life can begin.  The plants and flowers that have been trampeled on and destroyed by the winter weather make there way through the fresh soil.  We walk and marvel at the new buds on the trees, wild onions growing, all the vibrant colors of wildflowers.  We wondered if this time would ever come.  After such a long winter and many storms we come out of it and finally breathe the fresh Spring air.  
Just as a father watches his children play and the joy it brings, I can only imagine what Jesus must think when we enjoy the beauty of what Spring brings.  New Life.
We step outside the hustle and bustle of our every day life and everything just fades away.  We feel the warm sun and smell the scents that Spring brings.  You can't help but wonder how, how did He know it would bring so much joy.
We forget for a moment that life has worn us down and then there it is, that smile He has been waiting to see.  We push farther and are able to see so much more.  He knows it won't be long before all that was destroyed will be back to life and we forget the storms we have weathered.  I wonder if you have ever been there.
With every step The Father makes us stronger , we are able to help one another and we see things in a new life. The Lord is so gracious in showing us new life. He never holds back His blessings.  Even if it takes some time.
He sits back and watches how we explore and how we deal with the things that surround us.  Do you see his beauty or do you remember how bad things were.  
And when we need a hand along the way He's there to lend a hand, never taking over, just helping enough. Always being patient and understanding.  The perfect teacher.  He waits and wonders when you will call on Him.  Oh and the smile it must bringto him when we include Him in everything we say and do.

I don't think we ever will grasp how amazing, gentle, powerful and gracious He is with his people.  I do know we experience so much more with Him in our lives than without. We enjoy the simple things in life, the things that He has made for us.  Just as he brings new life to plants and flowers in the Spring, He does the same for His children. He is absolutely amazing in all he does, I wonder if you have experienced what I have.

Blessings from Our Father

With eyes closed as we do our daily devotions Jeshua prays "Lord please let us get the red house so Jonah can make downstairs into a lab, and so we can have a beautiful house, and after we pick up the trash it will be beautiful."  That afternoon we get a call that we are one step closer to having an accepted offer.  So bedtime devotions all the boys decided we are going to pray for it again.  The following morning we get a call that the house is ours.  Thank you Jesus for showing my boys the power of prayer and boldly asking for what You want to bless us with. We teach them, and share with them your power but for them to experience it for themselves is what blesses me. You show yourself to us so clearly, but when my children get glimpses of you I am blown away by your power. Thank you Jesus for strengthening my boys' faith in You. 

So with that we are overjoyed by the blessing of our new home and a place where you will be praised.  We thank you for being so faithful to us.