Date Hike

We had an overnight date planned last month, and we had made a reservation at a cool downtown Portland hotel. But honestly... as it was approaching, I think both of us were just not in a city-date sort of mood. I mean, I LOVE THE CITY, but it had been a hard month, Kyle's job situation had been over-the-top stressful - he had been overseas for most of it, then the Intel layoffs hit the press... a lot of stress all around - so when you are frazzled and emotionally wiped out, you sometimes just need peace and quiet, not more action.

So... we changed our plans, cancelled our reservation... And instead spent the day on a hike, followed by an afternoon exploring Hood River. Honestly, it was so therapeutic being outdoors, just the two of us. We hiked Eagle Creek in the light rain, and then enjoyed walking around Hood River with a dinner out. There is really something special about having the entire day to decompress. Our kids are our biggest joys, but it is a round-the-clock adventure and taking a break from this adventure once in awhile is such a good thing. So thankful for our families who are so willing to give us these breaks.

Madeline the Brave

Maddie's pastor always tells the kids "God transforms you when you step outside your comfort zone".

She has really had to keep that in the forefront of her mind, as there have been a couple big things for her to overcome. For some kids, these things are no big deal, but for her it was a very big deal. Two big things within a few days of each other - first was a blood draw - little darlin' has been so sick in the last few months, just a whole host of infections, viruses, it has gone on and on and she has literally missed weeks of school if you accumulate it all. So we decided to do some blood tests, to just put our mind at ease. But trying to convince her that letting someone stick a needle in her arm was a GOOD IDEA was not going to be easy. (Results came back totally normal, thank goodness)

The other event was a big dentist appointment, getting a tooth pulled and a cavity filled. I personally know what physical anxiety at the dentist feels like when you are laying back in the chair, and anticipating it - that is hard for even a person who doesn't spook easily.

Here's the cool, amazing thing... God wants to free Madeline from her anxiety. This is happening day by day by walking with her through scary things. She is gaining self confidence and learning she is an OVERCOMER, each time she gets through something hard.

They say self esteem cannot be gifted to your child by way of flattery. Self esteem truly only appears when a person actually does something meaningful, and then as a result they get the gift of confidence because they actually DID IT. It is not going to work for me to just tell Maddie she is brave, that she is an overcomer. I can totally encourage her in that truth, but she has to walk in it herself to truly be transformed. And she did.

Remember those necklaces from the baptism? Well, as luck (nope, not luck) would have it, her amazing teacher presented her this necklace the week of her two big appointments, and I will tell you that little girl clutched her necklace through it all, as a tangible reminder of the verse printed there. Psalm 32:7 ~ "You are my hiding place, you keep me safe from trouble".

We pray for each other so that BIG things like this will happen in the lives of our kids. Thank you God for inviting us to pray, to lean on Your power and be transformed.

The face of victory

Her rewards: self confidence, and milkshakes :)

Graduation season

The first of the cousins has graduated high school! Happy graduation to my nephew Jake. He has been through a lot, and I feel so proud of him for persevering and accomplishing this goal. We celebrated at one of his favorite spots in downtown Portland.

The ladies

The dudes

Motherwise & Prayer Group

One of the biggest, most surprising blessing of the last couple years has been my Motherwise bible study at church. I go to soak in the teaching, the fellowship, the coffee, the treats, the encouragement of 8 women who sit at my table. I work to be vulnerable, to allow the experience to be authentic for myself and the other women there. These women are working to do that as well, and as a result we have been able to pray for each other, share our highs and lows, and be a source of edification during these mothering years. I love these women so much! God is doing amazing things, and it makes me so thankful we don't go through life alone.

The second big, big blessing of my year has been my prayer group. I don't even have a picture of the five of us women! All we do is pray! We are so spiritual (ha ha). But our awesome babysitter Meredith took this photo of most of our wild children (who she manages ON HER OWN, give this woman a medal, this picture is missing like five more kids). We have shared our deepest joys, our deepest hurts, our most ridiculous parenting stories, and our funniest moments with each other. I cannot thank you, Jesus, enough for the gift of my prayer warrior mama's. I think I understand that phrase "prayer warrior" a LOT better, after being in community with these women. Fighting for God's presence and fighting for joy, those are truly the right words to describe praying over each other, and carrying each other when one of us feels weak and depleted. Such a privilege.

Muffins with Mom

Our annual "Muffins with Mom" celebration where I get to accompany my three big kids to a special sunrise muffin party just for school kids and their Moms. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was the only one who brought sunglasses (ha ha ha!). I love my precious kids, and the fact that they still enjoy coming to these sorts of things with me. Being a Mommy is the best.

True to form, Marin's teacher volunteered her class to do
cleanup after the big event. Proud of them!

Marcus and Daddy fishing in the boat

Marcus got to experience a rite of passage in the Corrigan household - going out on the boat with Dad for his first fishing trip. A day at Lost Lake, complete with bait, sunscreen, hat, gummy worms, fishy crackers and (his favorite thing...) - Daddy. Marcus was in heaven, and (despite being a bit spooked when his first fish squirted him with blood), he was casting and reeling them in like a little pro. This is all according to Kyle that is... (I was clearly not invited)! This is special father-son time.

Sadly, this would be the last voyage for our little blow-up boat. We bought it in California so we could take our dog Ivy out on the lake. Even that wild dog could not destroy this sturdy thing. But let loose four little Corrigan kids with too much curiosity and energy for their own good - the boat did not survive past this last outing. Never fear, Dad already got a replacement! The fishing outings shall go on!

Victory!

Coyotes on the Run

My Quatama kids worked hard making phone calls to raise money for the school jog-a-thon. They each earned $75 from all the generous people who supported. Even Marin the Brave, who broke her big toe the week before the race. EVEN THEN, this fierce and fabulous girl hobbled around the field with her friend who also had an injury, They were not going to miss collecting pledges by sitting out! She gets her walking boot off next week, just in time for the girls' dance recital :) The excitement never ends.

Way to go Marin, Maddie and Max for working hard and supporting your school. (Exciting side note - the school is using part of the funds to put in a running track! So exciting to have this new resource to enhance their PE experience!)

Still smiling even with a boot cast.

Always stylin, even on race day ;)

Max's class cheering on their "big buddies" (Marin's class)
Complete with cowbells!

Shosh is pooped. He spent the entire day at the field cheering
and finding big, boisterous kids to play with.

Madeline gets baptized

Our precious Madeline Marie approached us a few months ago, saying that she really wanted to get baptized. Her big sister Marin did this in the fall, and back then her feeling was "no way I'm doing that anytime soon! that's too many people to get up in front of!" - but her feelings were starting to change, and she wanted to take this big brave step herself. I say it's a big, brave step because she does not like being the center of attention, or have all eyes on her. The size of our big church means that nothing is a small event, so she was remembering the hundreds of people at Marin's baptism. Thankfully, our church takes this process seriously with the kids by doing a 6 week class/workbook, and they give lots and lots of time to explore the subject, help the child examine their hearts, consider if they feel ready, and empower them to overcome fears (like stage fright) in order to publicly declare personal faith in Jesus.

It was really special and important that Maddie's journey be unique, it is her personal faith story after all. In life, she is going to see Marin do lots of new things, and perhaps just want to follow in them as habit. I was very pleased and proud of her, that she didn't just automatically do what big sister did. Her story is very different, her approach is different, and at the tender age of 8 years old, she really can articulate what a relationship with Jesus means to her. I love that. It makes my heart sing, actually!!!

So, she invited me to come in the baptism tank with her and her pastor, as our friends and family joined in witness to the AWESOME things God is doing in Madeline's life. This is not the end of her story, but just the beginning! I am so thankful for all that God is doing in the hearts of my children.



Psalm 32:7 (Maddie's favorite verse)

You are my hiding place.

You will keep me safe from trouble.

You will surround me with songs sung by those who praise you because you save your people.

The girls' teacher Ms Angal gave them these custom necklaces
with their personal verses printed. What an indescribable gift.

God's precious daughter

Family time

Also during my parents' visit in April, we added a bunch of memories to our time together.

Marin has been dying to take her "bread kit" she received from school, and learn how to make cinnamon rolls. My mom is the exact person to do this with her as she enjoys the process, and has the patience for learning new things. (I wish I had more of this quality! I'm task oriented and just want it done, ha ha)

 We had my cousin's family over too, which was SO nice to see all four of them... My cousin Lesley and I are three months apart and were best friends growing up, and now we get to see our kids (some of whom resemble us a LOT, ahem... EVA!) ... play and become the new generation of friends! I love my family!

Looking for an adventure, we took my parents to the park and hiked along the trails. (If you say "hiked" it feels like more exercise). We discovered ducks, snails, lily pads, and silly faces.

Only my kids could bring out this level
of silliness in my parents! :)

Celebrating Mom

Since I rarely get to see my own mom on Mother's Day, the kids and I decided to plan a special outing with her when my parents were here for a visit in April. We surprised her with tickets for all of us to see the children's theater performance of Snow White. It was so much fun! Kyle was out of town on business, and we left Marcus at home napping with Grandpa. The mommy, the nana, the girls and boy all enjoyed the modern twist on the fairy tale. Have I mentioned how much I love taking the kids to children's theater!?!? So.much.fun. Happy mothers day to my wonderful mom!

Getting autographs