Gratitude Friday

I have so much to be thankful for.
This week here are some things where the volume is really loud in my heart.

• The many drawings that are made just for me this week.
• Finding small surprises and treasures at the park...like the best-est walking stick, ever! crazy big pine cones, and a gum smile on the tree:)
• Enjoying the chaos at work and the growth in myself...thankful for a conversation with my husband as I work through my humanity.
• The burst of pink outside my window on one beautiful tree and daffodils along the sidewalks.
• Hearing about "stone soup" Wednesdays at Maxx's school...and who got the stone and got to make a wish this week...what a sweet weekly celebration.
• Enjoying a new work relationship with a very talented and beautiful woman who wears the title of assistant...when really she is a Co-.
• Maxx just added: he is thankful for oatmeal at school with honey, cinnamon, and butter...mmm

Now for an amazing weekend.

What are you grateful for?

Gratitude Friday

This is an idea taken from a friend and a blog I love to follow.

I have so much to be thankful for.

This week here are some things where the volume is really loud in my heart.

• The beautiful days here in Portland and the signs of Spring.
• A sweet new babysitter, who is just getting to know us.
• Kurt's new job...which has re-opened a door to something he loves to do.
• Maxx's songs when he does not know anyone is listening.

My Spring Come Back!

Oh my... how long has it been?

I am going to take some of the other Mama's ideas that I have seen in blog land and post some thoughts and or pictures at least 2 times per week. I can do this!!!

My blog come back!!!

A little update...moved across country again...

this time to the magical Portland, Oregon. We really really really really really really really really really love it here!

Personally I feel at home for once. More comfortable with me and who I am. I am okay with where I am at... and am soooo excited about my future. My senses have been so heightened since we have moved here...

Examples are:

1. Meeting someone I work with, who met their spouse at the very same place I met Kurt...and we both got married on the same day same year. We have lots of things in common...I must know her from another life. I feel very comfortable talking to her, like a sister.
2. I see a friend all over town from behind and walk up to see their face... it is not them, in fact they live in another state...to find out that they are looking to move her.
3. Some of my favorite blogs I have followed for a couple of years...these mothers live in Portland, other parts of the Pacific Northwest.
4. Some of my favorite artists like Nikki McClure are here in the Pacific Northwest.
5. Lots of things in common with lots of beautiful people here.

The Little Bad Wolf

The costume this year...was back and forth.
This year he wanted to make the decision.
It was very hard for Maxx to decide...too many beasts and things he wanted to be.

I wanna be a squirrel with a biiiig nut.
I wanna be a fire truck, a police man, a bull dozer, a race car...
No, No, No the whale with the minnow Moma I wanna be the whale.
I was geared up to create an Orca Whale costume with a large minnow for him to carry.
...and then he changed his mind.

In circle at school they have been acting out The Three Little Pigs.
Maxx was inspired, and he finally decided to be...

The wolf.

"Little pig little pig let me come in!"
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!"
"Then I'll HUFFF and I'll PUFFF and I'll blow your house innn!"
" So he HUFFED and he PUFFED..."





...and went Trick or Treating with friends.




Like always Mom and Dad joined in and were 2 of the 3 pigs (Maxx carried #3)



It was so much fun and Maxx worked hard to gather as much as possible for the baby pumpkins.
Maxx picked out a few favorite pieces and left the rest for the Pumpkin Fairy.
In the middle of the night, while we were all sleeping, her fairy magic came for all the candy treats that he had gathered. She left a reward for the job well done.
...and a glittery fairy note saying:

Maxx,

The baby pumpkins will be so thrilled to receive all of these sweet candy treats. You worked really hard and now they have everything to grow bigger and rounder for next year.

They will be the most spectacular pumpkins EVER, thanks to you.

See you next year!
Sincerely,
The Pumpkin Fairy

Our magical autumn tradition.

Autumn Harvest Festival

Our harvest festival this year was at a beautiful persimmon orchard on some beautiful land. 10/16/2009

Fresh air, open space, play, itchy hay, buzzing bees, crazy red ants, dirt roads, hay ride, story and a little history, picnic, harvesting our own persimmons, swirly tire swings, dressing scare crows, yummy picnic with schoolmates and new friends, father sun's beaming rays, sun burn, beautiful trees, wonder, games, local pumpkins, natural fun!









A perfect autumn celebration!

If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun. -Katharine Hepburn

We are taking the leap...and moving to Portland, OR. I got the job...now to prepare for the move.

Meeting Family

Marcus, Faith, & Maxx, meet for the first time. It was so good to see a cousin I haven't seen in years! What joy to watch the fun. Crazy how the orange shirts were not planned.





Like we have know each other...we play.


We splash in the heat.




Needless to say it was a fun filled day with school and a play hard time at the park with new family.


Maxx was out like a light after bath.
Here's to Davie and the computer...to make it all happen.