Soccer Tourney

RJ is # 21...notice you only really ever see pictures of him running

Before Game One

The Champions!

GO BLUE SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!

RJ was in his first soccer tournament this weekend. He played two games on his birthday. One at 10:30a and another at 4:30p. They won both games, playing really well. The final game was today at 4:30 and it was a hard game. The boys played well and were very aggressive with the ball. Their team won and took first place!

RJ played defender all weekend and loved it! He is now called the Brick Wall by the parents for not letting anything by him. He used his whole body and charged every ball that came his way. He has found his place on the team for his big kicks. He was awesome. I am so proud! He was really anxious for the game but settled down and played hard. He just wants to play his position well and knows that is what helps the team. He isn't about how many goals he scores, he doesn't care if he scores at all, he is cheering on his team as hard as the parents.

He is such a great kid! What an amazing thing to witness. I just love my guy!

Eskimos

Pop used to tell a story about 2 grizzled hunters who met in a bar in the arctic. After a few drinks theconversation turned to the existence of God. They started to argue. One man insisted that there was a God while the other was just as sure there was not.
“Yes there is!”
“No, there isn’t!”
“God exists!”
“No, He doesn’t, and I can prove it.” The non-believer said, “I was out hunting when a snow storm caught me. The snow came down hard and obliterated the trail. I was lost. I didn’t know what to do, so I got down on my knees and prayed.”
“That proves that God exists,” said the believer.
“No it doesn’t,” said his opponent. . . . “Some darn Eskimo came along and showed me the way back to town.”

We all have Eskimos who come into our lives and show us the way. A quick word, a chance meeting.
I have met with one of mine recently and wanted to help prepare your heart to meet one of yours.

Dog days of summer...

Ahh August! It has been a great summer. Here are some photos of one late afternoon...the boys enjoyed a sprinkler, squirt guns and popsicles. The days I most enjoy being a mom.

A moments respit

So I cleaned the kitchen and even swept the floor so I am taking a moment to upload (or is it download) some new tunes to my ipod.

When the mind has a moment it is amazing where it wanders...

Why is the perfect apron so elusive? When did it become an desire? I have one that I love the color and it has pockets but doesn't cover the girls. The other one I just got covers, is great color and yet, has no pockets.

I need to get a Brita and stop the water bottle madness. I realized this point when I drank three half bottles out of the fridge while rearranging and putting things in their place. Yes I have a labeled fridge...I have three boys...they know where the mustard is because it has a spot and I never get asked.

I recylce and try to buy local (organic is out of the budget of a single income family most of the time) but am I green enough? I like the idea of a garden but can't keep a simple African violet alive w/out Phillips help. I love the recycling bin- one big one and I now have a half full garbage can each week and overflowing recycling bin. I lament though what I do toss.

My blog is green right? No wasted trees for paper for letters. Or is something lost by not having the personal touch of a letter. That I believe is another issue all together.

It really sucks that Avatar is over!

Well, time to get back at the mess...ipod is now synced up.

The summer blahs

there are dishes clean but still in the sink, going on a week I think.
There is laundry in the dryer and wash, not moving themselves. Clothes to iron piling up.
Half the house is prepped for painting, furniture is in no mans land, pictures are down.
The beds are not made, the bathrooms need cleaned, and there is more clutter then even I can handle.
Yet, here I am sitting in front of this computer, putting it all off.
Not sure if it is the summer blah, a slump or just really not motivated. God I hope I stay the path and finish something.

Maybe if I list the things I have finished?
-Grauer back to school is done and was a huge success! Yes I was the lady in charge, but only for the day. 663 kids this year were served! I am so thrilled! It has been something I have been working on as a board member all year.
-The last big grant went out yesterday, I have been working on this one for about a month. Yeah!
-Uh, my calendar is full.
-I have made it to the gym this week.
-Vet apts, dr apts, summer camps, getting Phillip ready to head out of town, dog sitting, painting.

Okay, I feel a little better, but not much.

I will finish something today, that will not be undone by the time the kids wake up from a rest...that means the bathrooms will wait!

Air Show

Took in the Hillsboro International Airshow today. Went with some friends of ours. They won tickets and we got to tag along:) It was great! Lots of fast planes and helicopters, the boys even got to climb into a Blackhawk (I think that was one of them). Only able to take a few snaps as the planes were fast. Did I mention that? Lots of jets so lots of noise!

Week with the cousins

Playing Avatar...Connor, Kate, Jack, Lexi, RJ
Izzy, Max and Jack resting...hard day for them.
RJ, Connor and Jack climbing a gravel pit, out of the center of the earth!
Snow at Timberline. Izzy, Jack, Eli, Max, Connor and RJ.
Izzy Max, Lexi, Jack, Eli, RJ and Connor at Timberline.


The boys and I spent a week at Mt. Hood with my sister, our cousins and all the kids. It was a blast! We spent the week swimming and letting the kids run around and yell really loud! We took them up to Timberline one day and they went to Skibowl another. Great times:) We were so busy having fun and the camera was never within reach so you are only privy to a fraction of the memorable moments.