Mother's Day and Daddy's Birthday

Brent often finds himself having to share his birthday with me, as it often falls on/around Mother's Day. He doesn't seem to mind, but it makes me feel bad some years. Like this year, when he had to work on his birthday (in Corvallis) so we didn't even get to see him on his birthday :(

Skype just isn't the same as birthday hugs and kisses...

I mean here I am blessed with these wonderful boys and an amazing husband and on top of that I get completely spoiled by them, when we should be focusing on Daddy's birthday...at least in my mind. He really deserves some special recognition on his birthday...

So we decided to plan a yours and mine kind of day.

For Me (Mom) we went on a mini hike at Tryon Creek State Park with Max, Becca, and the boys...

For Dad we went to Oaks Park and rode rides and roller skated.

For me, Brent made breakfast!

It was super awesome.

We went to my FAVORITE salsa place of all time for lunch, El Tapatio

and then for Dad, we went to Five Guys for dinner...

It was a great day all around.

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Being a mother is a reward in and of itself. After the joys of being pregnant you watch this amazing person start to form a personality. These little individuals with pieces of your heart surrounding you.

Each stage, each step so precious and exciting...

there really is nothing better.
It is funny to think that when they were babies I would just sit and stare at them.
I have hours of video of my limp little guys just looking at things.
The fact I had no idea what was going on in their little heads intrigued me so.
I made it a point to try and interpret every little wince and sound they made.
Now although they are 13, 9, and 4 I do the same thing.
I wonder what is going on in their little minds.
I am amazed that I had a part in creating these amazing guys.

August's preschool made these hanging tapestry type things...
So stinking cute!

I am one lucky Mama...

 My Mom had the boys make me a wonderful wall display.
3 picture frames and some flowers.

They painted them all, and those arranged flowers are made out of toilet paper rolls and brads.
 Cool huh?!

Thanks Mom...I love them.
(this pic doesn't do them justice. They are orange, green, blue, and gold/yellow)

 Bray's 4th grade class made bracelets for the Mom's.

Bray picked my favorite color...ORANGE.

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Back to the Mother's/Daddy day shenanigans....

This is a little video of my Mother's/Daddy's Day Meal experience.

After breakfast we headed to Portland.

We met at Max and Becca's at 9am to do some hiking.

We headed to Tryon. It is super close to their house and we  I used to hike there a lot when Mitch and Bray were younger. August has only been there a handful of times...still.
A nice place with trails the kids can run on and get their wiggles out.
It's always so GREEN.

There are some fun bridges and we had fun finding lots of slugs and snails.

After our little walk Max and Becca had to go take care of their boys, Charlie needed to nap before soccer and Miles needed to eat.
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We had an indoor and outdoor activity planned. Our indoor idea was to go to a nickel arcade that also had a mini discount theater in it (SE Portland) and our outdoor idea was Oaks Park. We were excited that contrary to the weather man's statement it had not rained all morning...we decided to head to Oaks Park. As we started over the Sellwood bridge it started raining. 

We went to lunch hoping that the clouds would pass and they did.

We posed the question to the boys explaining that if we choose to go to Oaks Park it may rain, but we would stick it out and be committed. 

Of course they still wanted to go ride some rides!

We headed back over to Oaks and it ended up being nice the rest of the day.
A little drizzle here and there, but hey it is Portland, Oregon!
I left the camera in the car so I only had my phone to document our experience...

Brayden and Brent rode the bigger roller coaster almost 15 times. August and I rode the small roller coaster a ton. Both of them loved the rides.

 It makes me so excited to go back to Disneyland with August. He loves crazy rides.

After a fun filled day of rides we left at 7pm and headed back to Salem. 

In the car we ordered the Five Guys so it was ready when we got there.

We picked up a couple movies and enjoyed a night of snuggling.

I got several presents from my guys but ultimately the best was sitting with them, my arms around them, the whole world in my hands.

So happy you were born...

 It's hard growing up when you do not believe in love.

Watching the cycle of poor choices and impulses play out leaving everyone around you broken.

To look at the world with jaded eyes and a closed heart.

But then I saw you...

and I gave you my love, my life, and my all

 I am not going to pretend it has been all rainbows and butterflies.

We have had our own mountains to climb and struggles to overcome.

You show me every day what love looks like.

In your smile and persistance.

In your gentle way of leading our children.

In your faith.

I am so happy you were born.

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I just naturally have so much passion about so many things in life I would still be running in circles .

You help center and ground me.

You believe in me as I believe in you.

It is funny to think of how we were so many years ago...

So clueless.

But eager...

I had so much respect for you. You were so driven and focused.

We just clicked. As clique as it sounds.

 I never laughed so hard in my life than when I was around you.

You were sincere and awkward...

Our goals have shifted and flexed with time and age, but there were certain things we both wanted.

We both wanted a lot of kids. (We've come close to this goal)

We wanted a "home" nothing fancy, but accommodating. (Done!)

They never tell you growing up that every choice you make somehow contributes to the outcome of your life.

Everything, no matter how small and insignificant, pushes you in certain directions.

My life lead me to you.

I am so happy you were born.

So we could make the decision to add to our family and have this little guy...

You have worked so hard to be a provider.

I remember when you started a second job the day after Brayden was born.

And somehow you managed to still take care of me.

You were often so tired, but so excited about your two boys.

 You make those around you better.

You make me a better person.

You are my rock, soundboard, and other half.

 One of the things I love the most in our life is this feeling of constant adventure.

We both love new experiences and our traditions.

You are strong and energetic.

You put 100% effort in everything you do.

I have a balance of planning and spontaneity that compliments your drive.

When we want we get a lot accomplished.

I am so glad you were born. You made is possible for me to be able to swim in rivers...

 When I get down and loosen my faith you bring me back up and help me regain trust and purpose.

You calm my nerves and reassure me.

You respect my choices and you are able to help me find better ways of handling things.

We were able to have another wonderful experience for the birth of our third child.

Did I mention how happy I am that you were born?!

Because, when I am scared you take my hand and have my back.

You are a constant supporter of your family.

 I am in constant awe of how deeply you can love.

I know that we have expanded our capacity to adore each other and our children.

There is such beauty in the chaos.

We embrace the obstacles and challenges in our lives, knowing now they will soon pass.

There is nothing better than family.

Nothing better than waking up next to you.

I am so thankful you were born.

That we were lucky enough to find each other.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Your Family

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But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

Happy Birthday Mom

I wanted to do a little something special for my Mom on her actual birthday..

.but, I have class Monday nights. 

So I collaborated with Papa and we decided to do a bbq for her the following weekend. 

It was fun prepping a bunch of stuff with the boys. 

Of course it always feels good to do something for someone.

 I always feel like I am at a deficit when it comes to that...

We tried to make the house a little festive.

 I made a table arrangement from our trees and bushes outside....

August helped me make the cupcakes.

Brayden made deviled eggs.

Papa brought over his grill and steak.

Did I mention this was so nice?

 I made Kale chips for the boys, since they love them...

 It was a nice celebration.

We were able to focus on Grandma and all her contributions to our family.