poor thing

My poor, little blog...such neglect! I promise to get back to business soon. We've been busy trying to make the most of the summer...

*Many a weekend spent at the lake.
*Playing in the backyard.
*Venturing out to parks.
*Trips here and there.
*Swimming at the (family) pool.
*House hunting.
*Spending waaaaaaay too much time thinking about house crap. Yep, crap. I'm sick of it. Ready to get back to real life. Soon, I hope!

Enough of that...in other news, my sister is moving to Louisiana tomorrow for a great job. But I'm still trying to get over the fact that she's not just going on a trip this time...she's moving. But I'm so excited for her. It really is going to be great...just different.

Also...how in the heck is it already August? Really, after the winter that lasted 8 months or so, you'd think that we could have 8 months of summer...right? Oh, I'm just not ready to give it up. Slow down!

I promise to be back here more often...lots of stuff to be thankful for and to record!

ten years

I have my ten year high school reunion this weekend! I'm looking forward to seeing everybody and hearing how they've spent the last ten years. I am finding that I like people more once they are grown up:) We were asked to write a few paragraphs about our years since graduation...thought it would be fun to post here. I was really resistant to start it, but then once I got going, I actually enjoyed reflecting a bit...

I can't believe so many things have been packed into just ten years!

After graduation I attended Eastern Washington University. I loved my time at Eastern! I met some amazing friends and was challenged in some really good ways. Once I settled on my major, Communication Studies, I was so glad that I did…it was a perfect match for my interests and skills set. Campus Crusade for Christ was a big part of my life at Eastern...it changed my life in ways I didn't expect! On the first night I went, I saw this guy that I couldn't stop thinking about. He was leading the music and had some amazing talent. I ended up being a stalker :) I followed him all over the place and conveniently showed up in the biology department at all hours (and I had no classes there at that time). It took about five months of effort, but Joel finally noticed me and we started dating. We were married in September of 2001, a year after Joel graduated, on Whidbey Island. I didn't expect to meet my future husband within a month of starting college, but it is all part of the story.

Joel took a job after graduation in Seattle as a vascular technologist and I transferred to Seattle Pacific University to finish my degree. Before graduation in 2002, I started an internship at Imagio J. Walter Thompson, a public relations firm in downtown Seattle. After my internship, I was hired on to stay at Imagio and later transitioned into a role with the Thomas C. Wales Foundation – a Seattle-based civic engagement non-profit in honor of the late Tom Wales. Later, I moved into another role at LATCH, a non-profit supporting affordable housing in the Seattle area.

During this time of early marriage, Joel and I were able to travel around the US and in Europe. We are so thankful we took the time to travel early on, before children and more education. The timing of our trip to Europe ended up being perfect, as Joel was accepted into Physician Assistant School UW Medex. This would prove to be such a challenging, but good time in our lives! Within the span of the 2 ½ years of graduate school, we lived in a church, paid HUGE bills to UW, got pregnant with our first child, quit my job to stay at home, had a baby in April of 2005, lived with family, moved across the state to Spokane, bought our first house, got pregnant with our second child, and then...finally Joel graduated in August of 2006 and quickly started his first job as a PA with Spokane Respiratory Consultants. Whew! What a jam-packed few years. I’m so thankful that all happened, but also so relieved it is over!

Parker David was born on April 17th, 2005. He weighed 7 lbs and was 21 inches long…perfect in every way, of course J Parker is sweet, sensitive, active, smart, and now we've noticed he's a really good swimmer. He looks just like me as a kid, right down to the white hair. We tell Parker that he's the one that made us want to have more! And so, Griffin Jacob was born on February 7th, 2007. He weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 21 inches long, also perfect in every way! Griffin is funny, talkative, strong-willed, sweet, adventurous, and athletic, and he...looks exactly like his daddy! Sometimes I wonder how I gave birth to my husband! I stay home with my two boys now and love it almost all of the time! I enjoy having boys and experiencing childhood from a brand-new angle. Joel and I have been together almost the entire time I've been out of high school...and we'll celebrate eight years of marriage in September.

Let's keep in touch...Facebook or my blog: http://amy-ohmy.blogspot.com/

out and about

Sometimes I wish I was Canadian so that I could say "out and about" like they do...

But I guess I'll just stick to writing it out and thinking it in my head... :)

Anyway...I took the boys out today to see some big, wild cats at Cat Tales and then took them up to Greenbluff to pick strawberries. The boys, of course, didn't put any in the box...they just stuffed them in their mouths and tried to look innocent!

There are some really great things about having two kids at these specific ages. It is so much more simple now to try to go somewhere. I actually don't even pack a change of clothes or more than one diaper anymore...so great. And they actually listen to what I ask them to do about 50% of the time...okay sometimes less with Griff but we're getting there.

Here are some pictures from our day...

taking notice

Life has gotten the better of me lately. It is so true...I really see it. I'm working on it:) My mom suggested I take notice of the little things that I do enjoy. It did help. Turns out...life really isn't that bad!

To the best daddy around...WE LOVE YOU!
Parker & Griffin:)

my family

This was our first attempt at a whole family picture in...who know how long. We almost have everyone looking at the camera! I love it!

all day everyday

This is what we do pretty much all day, everyday. It is really wonderful. There is something about watching my kids play gleefully outside that makes me feel good... deep down. Good for the soul, I tell ya!

imminent domain

I've written before about how much I love our house...how much work we've put into it...how it feels perfect for our family right now. But we had the rug pulled out from under us last Friday and now we're staring and these walls and wondering what our future will look like...

The purchasing director from Spokane School District came for a drop in visit on Friday evening to inform us that there are plans to demolish our home and the two next to us to make room for staff parking lots. Parking lots. Legally, they have every right to purchase our home for market value and we don't really have a say in the matter. They actually have the right to condemn the property, however she says that this is something they try to avoid.

We have so many questions and hardly any answers. We have no idea this was even a possibility. Never crossed our mind. We're oblivious to the time-line...to how the negotiations work. All we know is that we've been reminded that this place really never belonged to us anyway. I think I may have been holding on too tight. Maybe to attached to something that is just a building?

We're sad. I feel a bit violated to be honest, even though I know these things are legal. Even though we weren't likely going to stay in this house forever, I had hoped that someone else could enjoy this home like we have and that our renovations would pay off for resale. It will be so sad to drive by here and see a parking lot instead of our first house...the place we started our family.

But I know that we will be taken care of...that God will clear my head and continue to give peace. I trust that God knows my concerns and that we will continue to be blessed beyond what we can imagine. I know how God works...He does that sort of thing.

adults only

I've not really been present here on the blog...and not at my house either. I stepped out for a little while.

You know how it is...the never ending cycle of feeding, cleaning, changing, calming, disciplining, teaching....sleep and do it all over again thing? And of course you know the.... who am I anymore and what the he** am I doing here, this is more than I bargained for feelings? Yup. Been there. So it was time to step off the cycle for a bit and take a vacation!!

Joel's parents took all of their kids and their spouses on a five day vacation to Bend, OR...sans children! They rented us a house in Sun River for all . We had so much fun being just us again. Not being responsible for anything was a good feeling...and so was sleeping in until 11:) Biking, kayaking, horseback riding, pedicures, oh my! So fun. And so fun to remember what it was like to play without kids...and how we have so much fun as a family. Joel and his sister, Lyndzie, even had a dance-off. And Randalls do not mess around...it was pants-off dance-off...use your imagination. Holy Moly. A little taste of what we experienced...and the pictures don't even come close to capturing what really happened!

just two

I only have my two boys today and we're having a splendid day. I'm not going to say it is *easy*....but there seems to be enough room in my head for two. And that is a nice feeling!

Here they are this morning working on some projects out on our new picnic table...my super gift from Joely!

Oh, and by the way...this is my 400th post. I can't believe I have only posted 400. Better get cracking:)

capturing connection

How do you capture the connection of friendship with a camera? Especially if you do it like I tried to...the minute before I hopped out of the car to board the airplane home...:) In a word (or few), I will try to capture what my visit with Jenn looked like...

*hello*connect*laugh*refresh*love*goodbye*

and we must do this again soon
A little side note: that sweet baby of hers completely gave me baby fever! Uh oh.

i miss them already...

It may seem strange to fly to another state to visit a friend I met online. Not strange to me...at this point, Jenn is no longer an online friend...she's a lifelong one. I am so excited to get off that plane today and give her a big hug. SO EXCITED!

But this is my first trip away from my family, by myself, since before Parker was born. Now this is what feels strange. I know it is a good, healthy thing....but it is so strange to be packing just for one. I have no need to remember the diapers, wipes, meds, billions of clothes, boredom toys, bibs, snacks, pacifiers, blankies, teddy bears, baby wash, baby lotion, crayons, dvds, music, sippy cups, pack n play, oh....and the list goes on and on. I can't even remeber all of it. Good thing I don't have to! All I have to pack is a few outfits, shoes, makeup....and this little book:)

But I miss them already. As much as I need this trip away, I can't stand the thought of being so far away from my boys.

Joely, Park, & Griff...I love you so much! You three are my life...my loves. I'll miss you every minute.

Have a great boys weekend... and remember to clean up your messes;)

pd's b*day!

Parker's special party turned out to be a beautiful day. Great friends and family joined us in our backyard and I think Parker loved it all!

Mobile blogger?

4 Parker

Four years ago today...

I laughed and cried in the very same moment.

I had worked harder than I ever had before....and I learned of a love much greater than I had ever imagined.

You are so many things, Parker. Sweet, sensitive, smart, strong....splendid.

But most of all, you are a blessing. When I think "Parker", I think "blessing". There is absolutely no better word to describe your spirit. I prayed that you would be a blessing to those around you...but I never expected God to exceed all of my expectations.

And just think...you are only four. FOUR! Four years of laughing and crying at the same time...and hoping for many, many more...

Love you so much. Lots and lots. Forever and ever. Amen. Love, Mama

Wheel Of Fortune!

Watch my sis tonight on Wheel of Fortune!! Kelsey Asbjornsen is her name and I promise she'll be dazzling and smart....and totally not annoying:)

too old for this...

Okay, so forget what I said about coming out of hibernation...apparently not happening yet. I'm freezing. I've been walking around with a rice bag on my neck all day, just to warm up!

I'm not even 28 yet and I already feel too old for some of this....stuff. Here is my current list of things I am just too old for....

*Waking up to 4 inches of snow. I can't take it! I hate the teasing. It is gone now, but still...
*Reading this darned Twilight series. I am totally, completely sucked in and I cannot stop. But that is the problem!!! I have four kids here during the day....I seriously don't have time for this. I should be doing more mature things like wiping noses and bums;)
*Lady Gaga on American Idol last night. My goodness...was that supposed to be cool? If so, then I am hopeless. Totally too old for that stuff. Ridiculous!
*And while we're on the subject of Idol...we kicked off the right girl last night, America! Was I the only one who heard the squawking? That was weird. But I love Idol anyway.....Kris, Adam and Danny are my top three!

out of hibernation

We are slowly emerging. It is just 50 degrees, but we are soaking it up. As the snow has melted, I've become aware of all of the filth left over from the hard winter. We have a lot of clean up to do but the boys think it is just awesome! More dirt to spread all over themselves and pour over their heads. It was a delightful time outdoors. Looking forward to so much more of this...

have you?

So I'm just going to say it...I read it. Yep. I read Twilight. Okay, so I was slightly embarrassed that I was reading "young adult" fiction...about vampires...but I'm over it and I'm coming clean. I've only read the first one and I haven't yet seen the movie, but I have to admit, I'm hooked. It was surprisingly good and sort of interesting to read a story based in Washington state. So I'm just wondering...have YOU read it? Go ahead...come clean. Give it a little try. Don't knock it till you've tried it:)

happenings...

I feel as though everyone around me has exciting things in their lives and I'm a spectator right now. That sounds bad. Okay, what I mean is....it is kind of nice to not have lots of stuff going on right now. I like being a spectator at the moment. That still sounds bad....but you know what I mean. Please?

Okay, first off...BIG news...my little sister is ENGAGED to Bryant. We secretly call him Saint Bryant of Kelsey:) He is such a good guy....we love him! I would love to tell you their engagement story but it really isn't my story to tell....and it quite possibly would take too long to write. Like a week. But anyway, we're so happy and check out this ring....

I must add...I helped pick it out, thank you very much. But even more importantly, check out this couple!

This one I can't take any credit for! Look at them...are they not beautiful or what? Geesh...

As for my life...here is what is making news:

*Spring is official and it is slowly looking like it here...have I mentioned how much I'm looking forward to warmth and sun?
*We're getting a backyard fence as we speak and I'm giddy about it.
*My brother and his family are moving right down the street and I'm even more giddy about that.
*Griffin has a shiner....a really ugly one. He fell out of a chair. Really, he did.
*March Madness at our house and the Zags are in the Sweet Sixteen!
*Parker is going to turn four next month and that sorta makes me want to throw up. Aaaaahhh.

See, I told you. Not a lot going on...but we're having fun!

my happy place

Some days....I run around the house like a chicken with her head cut off....just trying to keep the peace. It isn't pretty. Definitely is something to be expected with four hooligans running around. Who is the boss here??!

But my favorite part of the day is when I get to sit down and read to them. While I'm reading, I remember why I absolutely love these kids...love this whole gig. I feel creative, alive! Sometimes I wonder who is having more fun...

It is my happy place.

rain today with a touch of coziness

Today it is rainy and I sort of like it. It means spring is around the corner...

So....today......we indulged in a bit of comfort, fun, coziness, and maybe a little optimism...

*wearing some spring shoes without socks! {optimism}
*brewing some chai tea {so cozy}
*enjoying our bounty from Trader Joe's {comfort food}
*playing "I Spy" while watching the snow melt {good old fashioned fun}

Hope of spring is in the air! In the meantime, I'm staying cozy...

lucky girl!!

I am so darn excited...I get to go visit Jenn again!! This time I get to see that beautiful state in April!

the days...

Griffin is into making messes...what's new? Loud messes. He's two and I think he is going through baby puberty. He's happy...he's mad...he's happy he's sad....blah, blah, blah!!

I'm sick and tired of looking at my blog and seeing nothing new...sooooo boring!! It isn't like nothing is going on....it is just that I don't have full thoughts these days! My brain works in 3 second cycles, which are often interrupted by the sound of needy children. But life is chugging along. It is good and crazy and frustrating and joyful and tiring and funny....and did I mention tiring?? So I'm going to be posting mostly pictures for a while because these insane days MUST BE DOCUMENTED. Because these are the days...

little big town

Joel and I got to go to a Little Big Town Concert on Wednesday. Amazing!! They make you fall in love with music all over again...and their energy, harmony, song writing...WOW! Plus it was fun to go out on a date with my husband. We stopped at Aqua beforehand...

So my sister and I had planned on going to this concert together, but she canceled at the last minute to go film Wheel of Fortune. Geesh...priorities!! Watch Wheel on April 15th to see my little sis!

p.s. The photo of Joel and I above deserved some serious photo editing...have to be honest! I wanted to remember our night without looking at a picture that made us look run down, tired, and like we'd been taking care of little ones all day:) Plus, the concert started late. Well, like 8pm, but whatever...

my little valentines:)

Aren't they lovely?

Happy 2nd Birthday Griffin!! (yesterday:)

Happy Birthday, Griff! You make me laugh and cry at the same time! I have no idea which planet you come from...and I think you're perfect! I love you with all of my heart! Your incessant jibber-jabber, boundless energy, and sense of humor or going to treat you well in life...just give your mama a break once in a while, okay? Love you little boy:)

Vacation in AZ
*sun*family*love*grandparents*activity*food*
*bliss*