Great Mommy moments

Lately I have had such beautiful moments intermingled with the every day, ordinary moments. Those seconds of hearing your child say something so profound that you thought they could only say it after at least a half of a lifetime of living. It's those special nighttime moments when you talk about faith, compassion, or religious beliefs and just hope that a fraction of it might make some sense.  

A few weeks ago as I lay in bed with Luke at night.  This is the time that we talk about everything for a good 30 minutes to an hour every night just one on one.  He said, "Mr. Walter's was talking about math, and I think that "adding" looks like a cross that Jesus had and you can add any number... It all works.  But multiplying looks like an "x" and it does things like skip counting.... And that is not good."  I think I paused in awe at his ability to think so deeply.

Yesterday, We all went to our school district "Great Pumpkin Race."  Ava, for some reason has always been so scared to compete and we reassured her that she will do well and of course all we care about is her trying her best.  So this was a big deal for her!  We were all so ecstatic when she placed 5th in the race of about 50 girls especially when she said if she would of used the bathroom before she ran, she could of run faster.  Of course I was so proud that she finished

5th! But My heart warmed when I saw Luke's excitement as he saw his sister round the corner and finish so close to first!  He was Soooooooo happy for her and then he said "I prayed for this to happen..  I prayed for Ava to win a pumpkin!"  And then Ava was so cute and humble when she won!  I told her that her buddy Ben from school was running and she wanted to go meet him after the race and give him her candy she had won and tell him what a great job he did! Just all on her own! 

Then Luke ran and did so well!  Such a hard worker and he ran so fast!  Tonight He said to me out of nowhere that he doesn't understand why his mind reads so much faster and better than when he reads out loud.  How insightful!  To be able to know yourself and articulate like that at the age of 8 just astonishes me.   Yea, Luke may have to spend more time practicing and learning than other 8 year old boys but he knows himself so well and is so loved by all the kids in his class that he will have no problems with his social emotional skills when he is an adult. I reassure him all the time that he doesn't have to make the best grades in school to have a happy life!  He just needs to continue to work well with others, try his best and focus on what he enjoys and is good at... That will ensure he is successful and happy in life!  It's about balance! 

Lastly,  Sydney is officially walking everywhere!  No more "mommy, carry me."  Just incredible... For me and my back!  

Field trip pictures!

Sydney and I had such a great time at her fieldtrip! Just her and I with her best buddies and some of my mommy best buddies!

Pumpkin patch week

This week we visited 2 pumpkin patches.  Sydney and I had our annual field trip at the Farm.  The Ostrander's and I met at a different pumpkin patch we have never been to named Thimas Family Farm.  The kids loved it!  Luke, Daddy and Stdney ride on a monster truck!  The kids got to shoot paintballs and apples.  We also got to uncover gems in a sifter!  It was a lot of fun!

Views from the plane

Cuba...

Miami

Sunrise in Miami...

Happy 15 year anniversary to us!

Steve and I decided to take a mommy/daddy only vacation to Aruba.  We honeymooned here 15 years ago.  This time around we were a lot more adventurous as we took an off-road jeep ride off the rugged northern coast of the island.  We drove by the the California Lighthouse, the gold ruins, natural bridge, and then swam at the natural pool.  At one point, as we were off roading through the volcanic rock I thought we may never see our children again.  Alas, we made it through sweaty palms and all.  It was a lot of fun but poor Steve wasn't feeling too hot.  

It is really hot here.  95 as a high, 83 as a low.  The trade winds do a great job of cooling us off.  We ate dinner on Tuesday night, at Simply Fish, with our feet in the sand watching the sunset.  The food was delicious!  Afterwards, we hit the casino and Steve doubled our money!  I think we have plans to return tonight. 

 Our flight back to Miami and then Seattle leaves on Sunday afternoon. We miss the kids a lot!  This is the first time we have both been on vacation away from them for a week.  Nana has done an amazing job keeping up with a busy schedule of a 8, 6, and 5 year old! She truley is a selfless, energetic and loving grandma! We can't thank her enough for her bravery! 

As I reflect on our last 15 years together, I feel so blessed to have such an amazing husband, 3 kids that make our lives so fun and rewarding and an amazing life in Seattle, Washington.  I could not of married into such a wonderful family. I miss our sweet doggy too! 

The palapa' see enjoy reading under!

The rocky northern coast...

The gold ruins...

Our view from 6715

The incredible conch shells I found on the beach, up North away from the hotels. 

One of the many iguana's we see lurking around!