Happy 9th Birthday Marcus

 Marcus turned 9 years old! The caboose of the family is still our pride and joy. He is still so utterly full of joy, generosity, enthusiasm, adventure, action and an overall zest for life. I've been telling him lately how much I love his zest for life. His response was, "True, I am very zesty" :) He has been counting down the days for a long time, and was very much looking forward to some action around here. I can't wait for the day I can give him an enormous birthday party with all his friends!

His was the first of the repeat pandemic family birthdays, so this means we still are on hiatus from parties and normal celebrations. Instead, we rented a private movie theater! Yes, that is a thing. We watched Croods: A New Age (super funny movie), and ran circles around the empty auditorium, threw popcorn everywhere (just kidding, we didn't do that, but just knowing we could have was very exciting) and hooted at the top of our lungs whenever anything interesting happened during the movie! It was so fun :) We made his favorite food (bacon cheeseburgers and homemade pizza), played games with him all day, and told him our favorite things about him around the table during "birthday affirmation" time. Everyone knows he is the most generous, and loves to pass out surprises. So part of his pile of gifts, were bags of treats he can pass out whenever he wants. Baby Santa was pretty happy with that!

Marcus is still a fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch for his birthday cereal, and Donut Mountains for his birthday "cake". He loves Legos, remote control everything, books and soccer! Happy birthday, buddy!

Happy 4th of July

The opportunities for reinvention continue... Our plans to spend the 4th of July with my parents at Camano - our yearly, most favorite tradition - screeched to a halt this year. With all our precautions with the pandemic, and against all odds, we were exposed to Covid the week before our trip. We consulted our doctors and the health department, and were advised not to travel. I prayed a lot. Honestly, I was devastated. For the risks my family was under, for the cancellations. After working so hard, and this being possibly my favorite tradition all year long, it was excruciating to make the hard, but right decision to stay home. However, my incredible family knows how to do the right thing, even if it is exceptionally disappointing. I am so proud of the six of us. I know we will look back years from now, and know we did everything we could to take care of each other, and even those we don't know in our community who could be affected by our decisions in a worldwide pandemic. I wish more people cared about that last part, but I can only focus on what I can do. My own obedience to God is what I'm here for, and the rest is off my shoulders. Who knew the beginning of my "4th of July" entry, would be a little min-sermon ;)

So, we celebrated at home. Kyle had six days off work (he decided to keep the vacation days, because work is stressful and even a vacation at home is better than going to work sometimes!)... we did our best to plan outings with the kids, that would safely work with all the Covid madness. That meant airsoft gun battles in the woods, early morning disc golf,  hikes to the creek, backyard s'mores, water balloon baseball, driveway fireworks, a home-made feast, mixed in with some Covid testing (NEGATIVE, WOO HOO! Relief!). The holiday is redeemed! Fun was had by all!

Thankful to live in a country that I love, with so many freedoms, and so much beauty. Completely imperfect and broken, as all places are. But still a gift, and beautiful in so many ways. Utterly thankful to God for good health, and my resilient and positive family.

Scared of firecrackers

Summer Dayz

We hold all our summer plans loosely. The pandemic, along with a high risk household, continues to keep us in a "TBD" mode as the days roll forward towards the gift of vaccination when Max turns 12. Some days, I really lose my steam. I can't continue to reinvent everything all the time, and I need to let go of my own expectations. I pray daily for energy and inspiration for these days we are in, and let God show me one day at a time how to make memories, and have wisdom for the risks/rewards of all situations. It requires "spiritual strategy"... a phrase someone said recently and now I use it all the time to express what I need, or what I am praying for others. A strategy from God for everyday life, emotions, decision-making, attitude, resting, working and planning. I guess this is just a description of normal daily life with God, but lately it has helped me immensely to know my Creator God is helping with the nitty gritty of everything. Emmanuel, God with us...

So far this summer, we had an inferno heat wave (115 degrees in Portland - yes we fried an egg in that sun), some refreshing time by the icy river, walks in the woods, homemade Bingo game (with prizes!),  naps on the couch, new puzzles, toilet pranks (Mom! Come quick! The toilet is smoking!) precious time with cousins we haven't seen in a very long time, and lots of learning how to be thankful for the little things.