tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55189311933878620832024-03-04T23:10:11.572-05:00Consider LiliesLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.comBlogger277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-69996432262565543202014-08-29T11:58:00.002-04:002014-08-29T18:31:04.402-04:00Five.Today, my boy is five.
I get melty at the thought of it.
I have murmured around the house this week, wondering how all his baby-days could fly away and be gone forever so quickly. Dave tells me he's taking Levi from me:)….and all of the sudden it feels like a rite of passage to 'become dad's son' more than 'mama's baby'.
When Levi was born, I was as weak as I've ever been physically Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-74170439374263509782014-08-14T13:01:00.001-04:002014-08-14T13:01:11.143-04:00Scenes of Summer.
Summer, glorious summer. You have my heart.
It's truly been marvelous….just spending continuous strings of days being together, making memories. We've travelled four states, spent time with all our extended families, and enjoyed many days at home with no agenda.
And amidst the joy, there is Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-36894317902381487992014-06-17T19:32:00.000-04:002014-06-17T19:35:14.436-04:00Father's Day Camping.
In line with last year (let's call it an official tradition!), we spent a couple of nights camping this weekend. It was a good 'ole time of togetherness, campfires, celebrating, resting,
and exploring:). Nothing can beat watching these kids light up around their dad…..they love to be with him so much!
This Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-74861689375183409292014-05-27T19:01:00.000-04:002014-05-29T19:46:40.900-04:00Eleven Years + Eastern Oregon
Last month, Dave and I celebrated eleven years…..we spent a couple of nights in Bend, OR. I took in my first sights of eastern Oregon, rugged and magnificent.
These little moments away, making a memory, taking a break to just be together….they are life-giving. Being married to Dave is such a deep delight; I wouldn't even try to put Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-197944867681631662014-04-28T13:13:00.001-04:002014-04-28T13:14:46.751-04:00Three.
This weekend marked three whole years with you, little June-June. My, how you have changed in one year. You speak in full sentences, one after another….chattering, dancing, singing (er, shouting:) around the house daily. You are full to the brim of life, curiosity. I love to watch you….making your brother laugh hysterically, braving new feats, figuringLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-43064205608894299362014-03-31T16:39:00.001-04:002014-03-31T16:49:34.864-04:00Spring Beauty.
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” ― C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces
“Death Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-79240959610120622202014-03-26T19:08:00.000-04:002014-03-26T19:27:40.141-04:00Two Years at Home.It's a little hard to believe, but as of yesterday, we have lived in our home for two years. Time moves slowly while you meander through it and many times this 'settling in' process has felt like walking upstream. There's so many little paint jobs left, little things that have broken before the newness even wore off….and yet memories are being made, the walls are filling up, and the Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-60466921986708553262014-02-10T12:34:00.000-05:002014-02-10T18:00:39.964-05:00SNOW.
I haven't left the house for days, and this magical little wonderland of a neighborhood, covered in white, has been the sweetest wintry respite.
I was *more than a little nervous* for Dave's long & late commute home Thursday. This blizzard-display can only make you feel your small-ness and His great-ness. I am so much more dependent than Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-73865379690751496532014-01-21T12:05:00.000-05:002014-01-21T12:05:06.552-05:00January.
I have been fearful of January for months. I schemed a plan to fight January blues with fresh flowers, no Facebook, a knitting project, healthier(-ish;) eating, and plenty of good reads on hand. This weekend we got some fresh air with a night away and a walk in the woods. As it turns out, this has been a pretty refreshing month. I love January for the way it Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-75774807405551722702014-01-07T00:40:00.004-05:002014-01-21T12:05:29.326-05:00Moments.
After a wonderful, wonderful holiday, our little family has been creeping into the new year at a sheepish pace….think: medicine galore, doctor visits, sleepless nights, & lots of family time.
I found some moments to put together a little look into our 2013 and thought I would share. Chaff and grain abound, but these photos help me remember that there are things that will pass away Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-56739417302121938562013-11-07T18:56:00.003-05:002013-11-07T18:58:30.298-05:00Autumn Burned Brightly.
"Autumn burned brightly,
a running flame through the mountains,
a torch flung to the trees"
-Faith Baldwin
Although the rain has picked up and the leaves are all half-fallen, autumn has taken its sweet time here lately, rekindling my trust that it truly is the most gorgeous times of year….
The sun has started to hide its face more than not, but today I finally Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-67518148955494614082013-10-15T12:23:00.001-04:002013-10-15T12:29:09.712-04:00Four + Thirty-Three + SixHello, and welcome to this catch-up-i've-been-elsewhere post.
In the last few weeks, we've celebrated three of my favorite people!
Fiiiiiirst up was Levi. Mr. Four. We had a little 'camping' party for him. I think the longest stretch my kids go playing on their own is setting up elaborate 'campouts' upstairs. I think he had a good time being celebrated and having some friends Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-31327274185367505642013-09-03T18:57:00.002-04:002013-09-03T18:57:26.887-04:00The End of an Era.
The feeling has been creeping in quickly for weeks now. That reminicent realization that a whole era is beginning to end. An era that will never return.
The era of days that bleed into one another wonderfully with no obligations...but to be together.
...To navigate life's most basics feats of learning to eat, to walk, to speak, to grow....to befriend, to love, to give....to sin, Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-52091871813441064242013-08-29T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-29T09:37:47.542-04:00Four.
Levi James Everett, today you are four.
These pictures capture you so well, buddy.
....an almost-constant state of motion. Somehow, the past couple of months have ushered out my ever-cautious boy and replaced him with something all-together-different. I'm loving it.
Kisses have become 'gross.' (though I find my way around that one).
All sticks are weapons.
Beds Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-19425035695391403522013-08-21T18:08:00.004-04:002014-01-21T12:05:52.311-05:00To Please the Child, To Paint the Rose.
.....a few pics from our 'lately'....
.....attempts to enjoy these last few days of summer's slow schedule....
Summer Sun
Great is the sun, and wide he goesThrough empty heaven with repose;And in the blue and glowing daysMore thick than rain he showers his rays.Though closer still the blinds we pullTo keep the shady parlour cool,Yet he will find a Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-41891542735093526642013-08-15T11:33:00.001-04:002014-01-21T12:06:10.596-05:00Maui, Part Two.
In no particular order, here a some photos from our anniversary trip.....
I have the preface them by saying that being alone with my husband in Hawaii was as amazing as it sounds.....but that the whole time we were there we kept listening to this and reflecting on what it's like to enjoy creation and beauty and fellowship and romance as children brought into God's family by Christ's blood. &Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-26652905059064241602013-07-09T13:41:00.000-04:002014-01-21T12:06:58.814-05:00Hellooooo July.
The past couple of months have brought with them a huge urge for me to be out of the city. When I stop to think about how little I ever see a two lane road shaded by trees in my daily life.....it feels a little crazy. I am loooonging to give my kids a place to run without boundary and with no need to 'be quiet'.
Thankfully, Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-24924958038712253362013-06-28T15:20:00.002-04:002014-01-21T12:06:29.220-05:00Maui, Part One.
Well, this is a little late comin'...
but I finally put together a video to remember these sweet days Dave & I spent away together in April.
We got to board a jet plane....all the way to Maui....for one whole week.
No agenda, just time.
It wasn't 'real life' in so many ways....
but that space and time together was rich.
Bearing good fruit even now, months later.
Conversation, good foodLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-81617314764024427192013-06-17T18:07:00.003-04:002013-06-17T18:08:52.718-04:00Father's Day.
Father's Day.
Lost Lake Camping.
Log-climbing. Coffee-drinking. Present-giving. Lake-hiking. Fire-building. Sun-shining. Smore-eating. Nap-taking. Woods-exploring. Memory-making.
Filled-up-with-thankfullness-feeling for my kids having this man as their daddy.
Hoping-praying that he knows how much we love him.
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-23709980282145868572013-06-12T20:47:00.000-04:002014-01-21T12:07:43.297-05:00Glimpses In.
Right now, rest time is about to end. The rain clouds just piled in thick and are emptying out while I give a listen to the newest Hem album. For a moment, it is quiet...and then doors will open and kids will give sleepy cuddles for brief moments before the chasing and cooking and waiting-for-daddy routine ensues. These days are filled with dollhouses, Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-51590615576246600152013-05-13T17:40:00.000-04:002013-05-13T17:43:17.021-04:00Mother's Day. (Picture Overload).
For Mother's day, I asked Dave if he could snap a few pictures of me with the kids. He took us on a walk to Silver Falls and then we all sat down in this little grassy spot for a while. It seems so strange to have to my arms free in some of these pictures....just watching them all able to run around together....
....making daisy Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-377904573882182482013-05-08T12:45:00.005-04:002013-05-13T17:45:17.040-04:00Two.
Two years ago, one stormy night in Tennessee, precious 'lil June peacefully entered our family....
Being her mom is one of my greatest joys, and watching her grow this year has been so amazing.
June-June, you are spunky, fearless, cuddly, sweet....you love to sing & wrestle & leap & laugh.
Lately, you are trying to learn a million words and are saying 'Hi' to everyoneLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-29056066859217751182013-05-03T12:18:00.003-04:002013-05-13T17:45:43.433-04:00Life + Levi's Room TourLife rolls on quickly. The seasons are really changing here (fin.all.y.)....and a fresh sense of life abounds as the trees keep blooming and the sun makes more of an appearance from the looming Oregon sky. Anniversary, vacation, visits with family, June's exit from babyhood (i.e. she turned 2....ancient, I tell you). (More on that later).
We are all learning, growing, changing....living in Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-52048251033156853832013-04-12T10:05:00.005-04:002013-05-13T17:46:05.609-04:00Ten.
What a wonderful, wonderful whirlwind.
Grace upon grace....upon grace upon grace.
You know what I love about these photos, babe (old, unedited, and flawed)?
That our eyes look happy.
Because we are.
Infinitely undeserved, but so true.
Tainted by our sin, our shortcomings.....
but redeemed and lavished in boundless grace.
Thank you for making me belly-laugh everyday I can remember.
And, Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518931193387862083.post-83509248896810346862013-04-10T17:48:00.001-04:002013-04-10T17:53:12.251-04:00April, June.
We're well into April, and spring has arrived in Portland for sure. During a recent visit from my dad & grandmother, we got to visit the Japanese Garden for the first time. It was really so beautiful.
The whole family got to go, but June got the most attention from the camera that day. The other two were very busy documenting Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03524284720109965752noreply@blogger.com0