A Day at Bellingham Bay

Today was our last day together as a family in Bellingham before we are temporarily apart.......we went to see the Zodiac ...as well as other beautiful Sail boats....one called the Spike Afica...that R.D.and I saw 10 yrs ago in California when first meeting. We had a great lunch....Noah and R.D. built a small sailboat....and we toured the boats. I had a wonderful day..but I can't say I thought of how sad it will be when R.D. leaves for Alaska on May 3rd. I love our family.

Moving soon....

Everything seems to be happening sooooo fast right now...and yet so slow...things I want to get done...can't be done til later...and things I can get done...I don't want to ..because it reminds me that we are leaving soon. At the begining of this idea...it all seemed so great...but now as the days are getting closer....I feel tears start to well up. The idea of spending the spring/summer/fall with my parents and family....seems like heaven...but when I am reminded that the most important person in my life won't be there....it makes me real sad. Noah even mentioned that when he misses his Daddy...he will just pretend that his Daddy is knocking on Grammy and Papa's front door. OK...that brought tears to my eyes....when he said that line....This is one of those times...you just have to hang on ...hold tight and trust JESUS for everything.....HE never lets us down....and although it will feel like a lifetime apart.....I know we will all make it and appreciate each other more than we already do....so this post has no pictures.......just some thoughts.

GARBAGE MAN #66

So today while we were out I bought Noah a huge M&M cookies. He was so inspired by it.....he thought we should also make some at home. He thought is was time to make the garbage man more cookies. I love how my sons heros are not just the men who rescue people from burning buildings or leap from tall buildings...but in fact the average joe garbage man who stops the truck at our house almost EVERY Friday...shuts the engine off and yells out "Hey NOAH...hey little buddy," then goes on with his day. Seriously....makes Noah's day....his face beams and even goes red sometimes.....these are the little moments in a moms day that make us feel blessed..... to see these small...yet huge events to our kids. So thanks TRUCK #66 for making my kid smile.

I asked Noah to draw a picture for the garbage mom and he said Mom I don't know how to draw. I told him to think of a picture in his head and try to draw it. This is what he came up with....thought it was pretty good....and he was so proud of the big wheels, the driver and the of course the lights at the front.

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME.....

These are the natural hotsprings that flow right in to the lake on campus. We had such a great time. This was the first time I have left my kids for more than 24hrs. Since Noah will be 4 this Nov and Emily 2 in January I thought it was time. Tammy and I went down to the Calvary Bible college to meet up with her sister Shelley. We were able to stay at the college with our own room and 6 beds....so in perfect sleepover style...we pushed all the beds together. Did I mention it only cost $15 ea per night.....which included the natural hot springs and the Roman Spa. A great friend of ours Kelly also met up with us which brought back all kinds of great memories from when we both attended there as well as wonderful insight of where and what Jesus has for me now...let's just say several yrs ago. Of course we shopped....relaxed at the beach...ate yummy Sushi and relaxed in the hot springs. I am thankful to have such a wonderful sister inlaw....and blessed to be a part of her family as well...which gives me more brothers and sisters.

Tam and I in our tin car which we figured would save us money...but we definetly..felt the bumps on the freeway

Awwww Encintias

Shelley and I enjoying the beach

coffee at the campus coffee shop

campus pool

and finally the Roman Spa and hotsprings....it just doesn't get much better...sometimes you just need a little tiny break to be fresh again when you get home.

Last Day with Jenaya, Jesse and Ethan

Jenaya and Jesse fishing for dinner



Noah serving up icecream

Jesse extracting one of Jenaya's teeth

Jesse losing many teeth

life size lincoln logs

Emily pitching in

Noah's dinosaur

paint and art room

indoor sandbox

the crew on the tugboat

1st mate

BIG RIG E

For the past 11 days we have enjoyed spending time with Jenaya, Jesse and Ethan....each one of them has a special personality....and we love each one. We had fun doing so many different things. Today was the last day with them before their parents come back so we went to the Skagit Museum ....we will miss them but looking forward to spending the summer with them.

Odds and Ends of our 11 Day Adventure

the guys...trying to get this thing going

Hmmmm I think we almost got it

homemade sugar pretzels

playdough mania

outdoor inside mayham

Mmmmm blueberry smoothie

the restaurant

the nurse

the doctor and patient

awwww the chef

finally getting out after the snow in

Jess wood burning

SNOW IS MELTING

The kids are so excited that the snow is melting.....RD got a chance to take them to the pool, we went to see Gnomeo and Juliette in 3D last night and going for all you can eat pasta tonight at a local favorite TINO's. I love having all 5 kids.....and thankful for this time we have together.