Happy Easter 2014

I've given up on trying to take 'normal' pictures of this child.

And these teeth!

Ally wanted to hold my hand.  Maybe she was nervous like me that the dye was going to spill.

Public Service Announcement

Do ya hula?

We didn't see it,

But this guy did. With a few of my favorite things. Tulips!

Oh Ally

This is how you know she's a happy dog. 

She plays dead. 

Happy Birthday to me!

 That's a whole lotta fire.

Bring it 38!

Your thoughts create your reality.

Deep, right?  Don't worry.  That's as deep as I'm gonna go.  But, it brings me to something very important.  I met my biological dad last week!  This is something that has been on my mind and in my heart forrrrr-eeeevvvvv-eeeerrrrrr.  Not because I don't have a great dad.  I do.   And, now I have two!  I have two dads that love me as their own.  Because I am.   I may not have lived a long life yet, but the life that I have lived has taught me that I will regret the chances I don't take.  This was one of those chances I wasn't going to not take.  It just took time.  It took the exact moment in time that I needed to realize this is something that I have wanted and deserved for my 37 years on this earth.   And I did it.  All by myself.  Truly no one knew about it.  Nope, not even Craig.  I was worried that if it went the wrong way I would be pitied.  I don't do pity.  I was worried that people would say don't do it.  I didn't want any doubters.  I just wanted to do it.  And I did.  I found him.  His name is John Austin, and ready for this........he lives about 15 minutes from where Craig and our family lived for 12 years.  Yup.   Although that stings a bit, I have comfort in knowing that this didn't happen while we lived there for some reason.  Maybe it wasn't a good time for my mom to hear about it.  Maybe it wouldn't have gone so unbelievably well when I told my dad that I found him.  Maybe my kids would have freaked out with questions and uncertainty thinking that I had been lying to them about my family all this time.  Maybe Craig would have thought that I was just going kookoo.  It was meant to happen now. And it did.  I finally know what his voice sounds like.  I finally know what his laugh sounds like.  How tall he is.  What he looks like.  That he is left handed.  What his favorite sports are.  What he does for a living.  His favorite food.  Vacation.  Pastime.  How awesome is that?!  I KNOW MY DAD!  

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover." - Mark Twain

I did.

Love when the trees bloom, but......

Don't love it when these little petals fall to the ground. Those of us, with maybe a little vacuum OCD, fill the need to suck them all up. It makes the grass look like dirty carpet. Who's ok with that?!

Boy in a tree

Griffens idea of yard work. 

At least he's out of the way.

I've learned that if I pretend to enjoy it, they'll want to be the ones who do it.

It's like they don't want me to have any fun or something. I've even thrown out a 'no, it's my turn this time' to keep them wanting more. Good parenting, huh?!

Soccer is nonstop in this house

Indoor is in full effect!

Softball season has begun

So, I'm not going to say she likes it.  In fact, she doesn't like it.  But, I know why.  She's still not to sure how to play.  She is intimidated by the other girls on her team that have been playing for a couple years.  But, she's getting it.  She's starting to figure it out.  Every time we go to batting practice, after school practice or a game she goes with a smile.  Her coach is great and spends a good chunk of time with her. 

 Now that's a determined third baseman.  

It must be spring

Longer days mean more front yard soccer.

Once in a lifetime chance to see this....

Saw these beauties on the ferry last year.  Just realized the entry never went through.  My bad.
Better late than never.

I'mmmmmm Baaaacccckkkkkk

So, truth be told......someone broke off my spacebar. Ithoughtitwouldbebettertowaituntilthatissuewassolvedorelsemyblogwouldlookalotlikethis.Notveryeasytoread,right?

But never fret, we are back in business!

Mud ball

Part of playing soccer in the fall, in the PNW, is getting rained on. I mean dumped on. This was one of those games. Not sure I've ever been out in weather like we had that day. The girls LOVED every minute of it. By the end of the game,

the skies cleared and the mud appeared!

Just another amazing sunset.

Never gets old. 

Love this and had to share

http://funniestvideoalbum.blogspot.com/2014/03/what-if-nothing-is-impossible.html?m=1

Hey, I know them!

We had dinner at the clubhouse last week. Like usual, the kids sat at the lobby tables, because of the iPads available to play with, while Craig and I enjoyed the bar.  Avary turned hers on and look what she saw!  Her and her little friend, Haidyn, who was here last month visiting.  Such a fun surprise!

Sounders 4 - Timbers 4

We were able to go to Portland to watch the Timbers/Seattle game!  So exciting. Ended up being 4-4. 

New Years 2014!

This year we went and stayed with our friends on Vashon Island. To celebrate we all lit lanterns, made a wish and sent them off. Pretty magical. And no, we didn't make it until midnight. 

Science Fair

All of his supplies!

Griffen entered the science fair at school this year. He made a Density Tower. Looked it up, researched it and did it all on his own!

Thumbs UP!

School auction!

Craig and I went to Griffen and Avary's school auction. It's the #1 fundraiser they do every other year. This years them was HATS. Helping All To Succeed. And that, they did!  Over $92K raised. And, we walked away with Griffens class project.