For a Day or a Lifetime

Mud Glorious Mud

2010-04-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like being a boy (so I have heard). As a mom of two very adventurous little boys I can attest to their creativity and imagination to make anything a lot of fun, including and not limited to MUD.

It was 80 degrees out today and we busted out the swim trunks and were waiting for dad to return with a sprinkler. This is how these two passed the time. Natalie, well she was eating of course (what else do you think she would be doing, geez).

Liam's 7th Birthday

2010-02-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome Home

2010-02-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

Moving day has come and gone and boy did we hit the ground running. After a small birthday party Friday the 12th for Liam's 7th (small as in 11 boys and a few siblings) we packed up the moving vans and headed east of the mountains to our new home in Selah, WA.

As I drove away Saturday morning with a truck load of stuff I could not help but think of all the memories the BD house had; Liam calling it "home" when we first drove into the driveway 5 yrs ago, potty training the boys (LOL), building a play set when I was 9 months and 3 weeks pregnant in hopes of going into labor, long summer nights by the camp fire, Cavanaugh Clan Annual Camp out, roasting smellos, dirt stained kids in underwear, lots of laughter, my first "real" garden, our chickens, the boys learning to ride bikes, birthday parties, small group gatherings, Bunco, our neighbors and so many more fun times.

I was also reminded of all the "trials" we have endured in that house; marriage struggles, job loss, a house falling apart all the time, floods, trees falling down, chopping firewood (my favorite, NOT), the city and so much more.

Telling the "whole" story would take up a lot and actually require me writing a book which those that know me, know I am not good at spelling or grammar for that matter so that is out of the question. There are so many reasons to be sad, yet I find it pure joy that God has brought us this far.

I drove away and yes, I cried. In fact I sobbed out to God (and thank goodness I was by myself) then a song came on the radio "I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain, I will rise on eagles wings before my God I'm on my knees...victory has won". I found myself sobbing tears of pure joy as I praised Jesus for all that He has won for bringing us out of the sorrow and pain and drawing us closer to Him.

Selah is no heaven (at least I picture heaven a lot different), but the victory has been won. We are stronger in our faith, marriage and knowledge of Him. We stand firm on His foundation and we know that this move would not have been done with out his provision in our lives.

As I came over the mountain and into Selah a grin from ear to ear appeared. The sun was shining so beautifully over the valley (and has been ever since). I drove the stretch of road to our new home and pulled into the driveway and there in front of me stood my sister in law and family with a "welcome home sign". I cried as I realized we were home. This is not the home that I envisioned 5 years ago when we purchased our home in BD, but it is the home that God envisioned and for that I am grateful. A home really is where the heart is. As long as we have eachother we are home no matter where God takes us.

I am sure we will have new trials as God's word states it is through our trials that we grow in wisdom and in strength. It is a daily sometimes hourly challenge to walk in Christ Jesus, but it is a challenge I am up for.

Welcome Home.

Our New Home

2010-02-02T08:18:00.001-08:00

We are Moving

2010-01-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

Our testimony goes back so many years it would be hard to describe or write ALL that God is doing in our lives.

Jason has a new position in Yakima with Frito-Lay and we have a new home. Our family is super excited to move closer to our extended family. The move is sudden and overwhelming yet met with anticipation on where God will lead us once we get there. It is because of our foundation in Him and oiur faith that we stand here today knowing full well this is our path.

I am so sad because I will miss those that have touch our lives and stood by us in support as we struggled through marriage and life. I know that each person who has touched our lives it was known by the Lord and was for "such a time as this". We have been inpsired, loved, cared for, prayed with, prayed over, by all of you. Our children have been invited into your homes and we have made long lasting relationships. Friendships that we will hold dear in our hearts forever.

This new chapter offers us a "new beginning" in our marriage and family. We step out in faith and know that the foundation that guides us will "never leave nor forsake us". We are on fire for the Lord and know that we will once again meet new people, explore a new city and enjoy being near our family.

Thank you to all of you and God Bless!

2009-12-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

Santa Photos

2009-12-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

My Birthday Weekend

2009-11-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

The weekend was filled with fun and my birthday is not even until tomorrow. We went to the Seattle Aquarium with a dear friend from the past and her 2 kiddos on Friday and then Natalie and I got to go see Disney on Ice with my mom who spoiled us with dinner and lots of fun things from the show. I got 2 cards today from my very silly aunt Angie with $ for retail therapy that made me laugh so hard I almost pee'd my pants (which as I get older is becoming more of a problem...you know?).

I am so blessed. My friends and family are amazing and I am so thankful for the love I feel.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T16:24:00.001-08:00

My SIL and I took the kids and headed to Yak this year to be with our other SIL and cousins. We had a lot of fun minus me being really sick. I got some good drugs from the pharmacy and managed my way through the weekend. The kids had fun visiting Mema and Papka Boobs and seeing all of their cousins. It was beautiful in Yakima and we enjoyed a very sunny days with temps in the 60's.

Being 3

2009-10-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

I took these series of pictures of Natalie yesterday afternoon. It shows how fast a 3yr old can change from one expression, attitude to another in a matter of seconds.

LOL! My favorite is the mad look and I did not prompt her for any of these they just came naturally!

October

2009-10-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

It is hard to imagine we are half way through October. I have been homeschooling for 6 weeks now! Kids are great growing fast.

We have been busy this month with all sorts of fun activities from celebrating Columbus Day, baking cookies (my favorite), making playdoh, harvest parties and carving pumpkins and we are only 1/2 way through the month.

This is my all time favorite time of year. I love the Fall!

We did the Puyallup!

2009-10-08T23:49:00.000-07:00

Oh we did it alright...7 1/2 hrs at the fair. Yes, you read that right. $100 later we were broke, tired and hungry. We did not intend to stay that long, but my car was getting new tires on it. We dropped it off in the am, but they did not start until 3:30pm so I had to drag out the time. My camera ran out of batteries 15 min after we were there, fun! The kids had a lot of fun and they all loved rides. We met a girlfriend and her kids for part of the day. The favorite of course was the scrambler (even Natalie rode it). We found the John Deer store and that was fun. Reilly found a Gator which he loved. He wanted to know if we could "trade" his tractor for it. We love the 4H Dog Obedience Show, and just watching all the people and animals. The day ended by Natalie running (in flip flops) and vering off into the spa place, tripping, flying into the stairs and hitting her nose so hard she screamed a terrible scream. The entire fair seemed to go silent as everyone watch me. She is fine, but it was tramatic. It was such a long day topped off by daddie taking us to dinner at our favorite place, Red Robin.

Arts & Crafts

2009-10-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

The kids love doing arts & crafts. Today we learned about South & Central America. We got to learn about all sorts of animals and cut & paste them on to our map. We learned about the Andes mountains, the rainforest, the grassland and the Amazon. The kids are like sponges with this stuff. They love looking at maps and trying to figure out where we are and how many miles away the rainforests are. Reilly even knew what a Scarlet McCaw was from Diego. Just proves my point that TV is not all bad, right?

Thommason Family Farm

2009-10-08T23:24:00.000-07:00

We went to a new pumpkin patch this year just 4 mi from our house. It was great and cheap. I would highly recommend it as they had so much fun stuff for kids and decked out in John Deer so Reilly was thrilled. It was another great day!

Fall

2009-10-08T23:20:00.001-07:00

It is my favorite time of year. The leaves turn beautiful colors orange, yellow, purples. The kids and I love to explore so we went on a nature hike around the neighborhood. It was so much fun! Natalie was napping so we did not go to far, but we did pick pumpkins right out of our own backyard. The boys thought this was fantastic.

A Beautiful Butterfly

2009-09-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today at Stroller Strides Liam, Reilly and Zane found a few caterpillars. While teaching class I was happy they were entertaining themselves and loving finding new things. After class I realized that Liam had used my Stroller Strides water bottle as his new caterpillars home.

Oh well boys will be boys, right. Little did I know that Caterpillar would go into hibernation in there. I went upstairs tonight, saw my water bottle, grabbed it and heard "it is going to be a beautiful butterfly, yeah! yeah!". I laughed and thought how am I going to explain to him there will be no butterfly. Then I looked inside the water bottle and low and behold a cocoon.

I immediately did what every parent would do and I googled "raising caterpillars" and found out we have a Wolly Bear Tiger Moth Caterpillar in our hands. It will hibernate now until Spring when we will need to relocate it to a new house and watch it turn into a butterfly.

Are you kidding me. I have to try and explain to the boys that the Caterpillar will not be a butterfly until March or April. Then I have to make sure I do not throw it out, kill it or loose it in the mean time. Yikes!

I love the excitement in their eyes and for my boys ~ we are now happy owners of one caterpillar.

Supernanny has nothing on me...

2009-09-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Okay so Jo never made it to our house. I guess we just were not "bad" enough for her or something. I decided to take it upon myself to roll out the reward charts and get this house under control (well with A LOT OF HELP FROM GOD, less control and more peace!)

Anyway, we put up our Supernanny Reward Charts (from her own website) and off we went. It only took Reilly a week to fill his up. Liam is half way there and loving all this reward stuff. Natalie has been up and down the chart twice so far but has never actually made it to "10". She is working hard though and I have seen so much improvement from her despite her 3yr old tantrums.

The best part is Reilly now gets to do something fun and he asked he basically told Liam he would do whatever Liam wanted to do. LOL!

Liam is almost to Book 18 on his reading chart which is HUGE and he is so excited because it is the halfway marker. I started high with him and told him he could get a DS game. It takes major motivation to move this kid and guess what in one week he has read most of these. Crazy!

Science is Messy and Fun!

2009-09-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Ode to Natalie

2009-09-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

Never stops talking
Always eating
Terrible 3's
Adventurous
Loves her family
Is adorably funny
Experiences life

Arts & Crafts

2009-09-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

It is great to see how creative our kids are. All three of the kids love to paint. 2 are very abstract and one is a perfectionist. I love to see how they create, think and experience art.

I read a little today about how art has evolved over the years. These boys remembered the "painted" rock in Yakima the Indians made and were able to associate that with cave paintings. I love it!

We learned all about Primary Colors and how these colors when blended can make other colors. We experimented with colors and made up our own. Liam won with Indian Brown. Reilly had Meteor Black and Natalie had Dinosaur Pee Green.

Now we are off to the library to explore the world through books, DVDs and our new favorite Books on CD for the car ride.

Home School 2009-2010

2009-09-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time.

We are off to a great home school year so far. It was rough the first week or so, but we are getting the hang of things and a good routine down. I love teaching my kids! It is a challenge at times, but it is so much fun. Reilly has a hunger to learn, Liam needs motivation and Natalie just wants to do it all herself.

We love Science and I am finding the kids are learning so much just by helping cooking, baking and just being in the kitchen. Liam misses his school friends and recess on the playground and his favorite teacher Mrs. Evans. Reilly loves being home, but yet wants to go to school. We will home school this year and re-evaluate next year. I guess the proof will be when we test them to see how they are doing.

Liam is now reading and well on his way to getting his new DS game if he keeps it up. He is also counting to 100, counting by 5's and 2's and we are moving on to learning addition and subtraction, fractions and more. He likes math more then I did at his age. Reilly is almost got all his letters and sounds down. He loves writing and copy work. He can write his entire alphabet and his numbers if I have it in front of him. He still has a hard time with a few letters. He is counting to 20 on his own. I am teaching both boys Science and History. We have learned about carbon dioxide (base + acid = gas). The boys love learning about magnets and how they can separate steel and aluminum. We have also learned about all kinds of animals. Reilly loves all the carnivores. The boys are into sharks and whales so we are studying those as well reading lots of books, watching movies and talking about them. We are on to the force of gravity this week. I would say that Science is by far their favorite even Natalie is into it. The History is a bit slow as it is a lot of reading, but they are enjoying learning about other places of the world.

Of course we do arts and crafts and have fun field trips. We have been to the Woodland Park Zoo to see animals and to the IMAX theater to see our favorite book on film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Next week we head to the Puyallup Fair.

We are off to a good start and I hope to keep the momentum going. I feel like it requires a lot of prep work and organization to stay on track, but that is my personality anyway. I am loving it even when I am dealing with sibling rivalry all day (most days). :O)

Just Like Mommie

2009-05-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

2009-05-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

We got up early as the sun was out again (can you beleive it). The kids and I headed to the trail to ride bikes with our friends the Conley's. We walked and the kids rode 4mi that is a long way for the littler guys but they were having a blast. Then we hit the Extrememe Cheer car wash for a wash up for James the Big Red Suburban. We headed home for a shower and quick change before we met Pop-Pop for lunch at Red Robin. It was so much fun...but the fun still kept coming. After lunch we took the kids to the Lego store and they were so excited. We discovered you guy buy the little Star Wars characters as magnets that the people come off of instead of buying an entire set to get the one guys (like Yoda or some guy I can not even pronounce). Liam got some new set, Reilly got new characters and showed us what he wants for his birthday in July. Natalie just ran around talking to everyone (what a suprise). Then it was off to the play area which all the kids really enjoyed. A car ride home and a little lego playing time and now the boys are off to a movie with dad (using up a gift card) and Natalie is resting from a long day of fun. These are the days I cherish making memories and having fun as a family.

Pretty Pink Princess in Tutu's

2009-05-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

First I can say that I was not the pretty pink tutu type as a little girl. I was more into dirt bike riding and playing outside looking for poly wogs. Natalie however got the cute little girl gene and I LOVE IT! It is so adorable to watch her play dress up, barbies, princesses, and just be a girl. It usually means being dirty, but still a little sweet adorable girl. Natalie has proven to have a lot of spunk and fiestiness about her. I have no idea where she gets that. LOL! We are so enjoying (and crying) over watching her grow, learn and explore who she is as a little person. She loves her family and all animals, but most of all she loves just being a girl, oh and food!

The ABC's of me

2009-05-05T10:58:00.001-07:00

A is for allergies and trying to learn all about them
B is for breakfast in bed, BUNCO, and boys
C is for character it is what defines you and chickens with personalities...who would have thought?
D is for dirty dishes, dirty floors and dirty laundry....job security.
E is for ear plugs when the kids are screaming, wrestling and being loud
F is for family and feeling sexy sometimes
G is for God, good food and girlfriends
H is for Home it truley is in the Heart
I is for integrity, it means so much
J is for Jason and Jessica...12 years and counting
K is for kisses from my babies and hubby
L is for laughter, love and living
M is for Music and the mysteries of life
O is for learning all about being organic...what a lot of work.
P is for planting my garden and the peace it brings me
Q is for questions I have a million of them
R is for reality I am fully living in it
S is for Salvation I am grateful for it
T is for Tickles, tackles, and three yr old tantrums
U is for the umbrella I need to stay out of all this rain
V is for victories they come one day at a time
W is for words they are powerful
X is for xerox paper my kids love it
Y is for yelling it just comes out and then you are left cleaning up the mess
Z is for the zzzzzzzzzzzz's I get at night

For Sale

2009-04-16T07:19:00.001-07:00

Bad economic times, lose of jobs, lose of money, lose of pride, lose of security.

The "for Sale" sign sits in the yard and I wonder God has in store for us. I mean who can sell a house in the economic downfall we are in.

I am reflecting on where this all began. April 2008 is my first recollection of the journey God started us on. Our ears were closed and our eyes were not open to His greater plan. A challenge from God to be faithful and trust in the unknown.

Did we fail? We might have in some areas, but I think over all God has broken down walls within each of our hearts and drawn us closer as a family. He literally has striped us from everything that "makes" us who we "perceive" to be.

What is left? Like Adam and Eve we feel naked in a sea of people yearning for something greater. We struggle like everyone to read our bibles, to hear and discern God's word. We struggle in our marriage, in our parenting and in our relationships. We have processed all that has happened as though they are symptoms to a greater problem.

One thing I think God is telling me is that "no matter where you are or what conditions and trials you may endure I am standing right next to you". So I have let go of the control (which was never mine to begin with). Without a plan, without knowledge of what is coming tomorrow I feel as though I am content. I may not like it and I may growl out my irritation that this is happening, but in my heart I know God is grooming us both for something so much greater then we could imagine.

Isaiah 51:6 "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail"

Little Ballerina

2009-02-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

Natalie just started Ballet at the community center this past week. She is so adorable!

Happy 6th Birthday Liam!

2009-02-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you have 12 Boys 7 and under at your house?

Total fun!

We had 11 of Liam's friends over for his 6th birthday. We have chicken nuggets, applesauce and chocolate milk per Liam's request. He also wanted to have ice cream sundae's. It was so easy to put together which I just loved!

I have to say it was a lot calmer then I expected. The noise level did get loud at one point, but then we had lego stations, DS and Wii stations and the boys just loved it. They all stayed up until midnight and the best part is Grant fell asleep first so we froze his underwear and the boys thought that was a HOOT!

It was a great few days celebrating the big boys day!

A New Year

2009-01-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

It is a new year and 2 3/4 of a year since our last baby (and final). 2009 will be a year of new beginnings for the Cavanaugh Family.

With so much of our life uncertain we wait patiently for God's guidance and just pray we know where to go.

The city makes their final decision on the SAO (Sensitive Area Ordinance) on January 15th. We have done all that we can short of hiring an attorney that we can not afford.

Liam will turn six in less then a month and he is so excited. Reilly, is becoming bored with being home with Natalie and I and can not wait to go to school. Natalie is busy, busy just like her mom. She is always talking (hmmmm?) and running around.

Jason is still working 3 jobs, although the auto business is less and less as time moves on. He is busy working and trying to get some free time here and there.

I am trying to plan out my new diet and fitness regime for the new year. I want to get back into shape and doing runs and hikes. I hope to run a 1/2 marathon this summer and possibly do one of the sprint triathlons again.

I am having fun catching up with friends on Facebook, which is proving to be very addicting. It has been fun to reconnect and all the reminders of the fun memories are worth it.

I am teaching Stroller Strides now 1 day per week. I love it! We are involved in our church and in the community. It should be a fun year!

I am reminded of the peace that comes from knowing the Lord. In the midst of the craziness I know that God's plans are greater then we could have imagined. We may not like the journey but in the end his peace and love will be worth it!

God Bless and I will try and keep up with the blog.

Love,
Jess

Merry Christmas

2008-12-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow.

We had a white Christmas this year. It is unbelievable the amount of snow we got. I laugh because in years past Jason as waited like an anxious child for the snow to fall (more then 1/2 in). He stays up half the night watching and waiting, and now he can not wait for it to melt.

While beautiful outside the cold weather has once again caused us some problems. We had a pipe burst in the kitchen (a faucet that was behind a cupboard) and flood the kitchen and the basement. We caught it fairly early but there is damage. We have dried out the basement and so far it looks good. Our neighbors came to help (Steve & Dwayne) and that was so nice. It was pretty crazy around here!

We have spent the week hanging with friends and enjoying the snow. I tried to make an igloo, but that took forever and I gave up after one round and a door. Reilly loves being in the snow. Liam would rather play the Wii and Natalie is wherever I am at.

Christmas was fun. We drove to Scapoose, OR and stayed at my Uncle Phil and Aunt Kim's house. The snow was crazy down there almost 2 feet. The funniest part is they lost power the morning we arrived and it was out when we left on Friday afternoon still. My aunt and family cooked dinner in the dark for 22 people. We had ham, scalloped potatoes and uncle Fred beans. It was so much fun. We played Phase 10 in the dark (by candlelight) and had a huge bon fire burning all the wrapping paper. It was so much fun visiting and see everyone. The kids got spoiled with all sorts of presents. Reilly made out with a lot of John Deere stuff, Natalie got some princess shoes she loves and Liam got a lot of Lego's.

We are now home nestled in the cold again with the fire burning and trying to stay warm. We plan to head to Yakima for the New Year.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. God Bless you all!

Love, Jess & Family

Snowmobiling in our back yard & a bon fire...sweet!

2008-12-19T09:27:00.001-08:00

This snow is pretty amazing. We had about 6 inches as of last night and the neighbors Jenni & Steve brought out the snowmobiles and built a bon fire. We rode around our neighborhood and back yard. It was a blast! I wish every winter was like this. The kids played outside until about 8pm.

Love the snow!

Snow Day

2008-12-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

We have been blessed with snow! Yahoo!

Getting Festive...

2008-11-25T15:30:00.001-08:00

Reilly & Natalie & I hit Starbucks for a little Christmas Cheer...hot cocoas & the Eggnog Latte. This is an annual thing. It was fun, but to much sugar can drive a mom crazy.

Bathtime Fun!

2008-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

It has been a while...

2008-11-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have posted anything and due to an overwhelming amount of trials and tribulations we have not been online.

Jason and I have been busy. I can hardly believe we are almost in December. Yikes!
Jason is working at his new job with Triamp Group and really enjoying it. Cavanaugh Auto is still going, but more part time. He also continues to work at our Church leading the Truck team (the church) on Sundays.

Liam is loving Kindergarten. He is learning to read and doing such a great job. He just had his first parent/teacher conference and had a great review. He loves to write and draw (no idea where he gets that, i.e., mom) and he loves to sing in choir (hmmmm...dad). He is growing so fast and learning so much.

Reilly is active and all boy. He loves John Deere trackers (hence the Christmas photos) and camo. He wants to hunt and be with his dad at all times. Yet, he is my snuggle bug and loves to be with me. He is learning to read and writing his name and learning the alphabet and sounds.

Natalie is funny and sassy. She loves to be with me at all times. "MOM where aur you?" (yelling of course). She loves to change her clothes about 10x a day. One drop of anything and a new shirt or pants go on. She is loving the library and we are doing gymnastics together and she loves that. She has fun hanging with her brothers. She still eats a ton!

I have been busy being a wife and mother. What more does there need to be! Well lets see. Besides those two jobs (most important)...I trained in Oct. to be a Stroller Strides Instructor and will start teaching January. I am taking on a babysitting job 4 days a week because it brings in the extra money we need to get out of debt. I am a neighborhood advocate for our property rights. I am researching, meeting with city officials, attending city council meetings, and reading piles and piles of RCW codes in order to save our home from being taken by the city. Oh did I mention that I also do MOPs on Thursday twice a month (for me) and that I teach Sunday School second service on Sundays.

It all sounds crazy, but honestly my life would feel weird with out so much stuff. See until the house stuff came along I was feeling pretty good about the family calendar. Now I am not overwhelmed. I have a lot of friends who have been helping out. I also realize I am one person and can only do so much. So there you have it!

December 2nd is the next meeting with the City. Basically in a nut shell we live on Category I wetland (the highest protected due to wildlife habitat and aquatic). This means that the city wants to protect this wetland from being endangered by noise, light, and other strange factors. So they have a created a Sensitive Areas Ordinance that includes a CORE Complex (that would be us) and a 225ft buffer onto our property (our property is like 325ft or something like that). The SAO has strict guidelines for use of property within this buffer. The city does not pay us for our property, they just take it. Well tell us what we can and can not do on it. We pay for it, we own it, we pay the taxes on it, but we have little rights to it. That is it in a nutshell. Sounds fun...it gets better, really!

The county (King) has presented us with presentation showing what they would like to do to upgrade the sewage treatment facility in this area to accomadate the growth that will be happening in the next 5-20 years. One example includes 2 12ft pipes (where a current 9ft pipe, underground exists), a county workers access road (where our easement is) and a odor/pump house on the back side of the property. We told them no. However, it is in writing and they are doing the research and going to sit on it for a year thanks to the budget cuts.

What this means to us? First, if we put our house on the market we have to disclose all of this information to the buyer under section 17. Second, the property value of our home may/may not go down (most like it will). Then we will be backwards in our loan and well you know the rest of the story.

Fun times. OK so what I have failed to mention in all of this. Jason is working three jobs, I am busy with all I am doing, the kids are busy. BUT we have a home, food on the table, we are happy, we have a good marriage. We have the LORD! He is sustaining us and making us laugh. We are wondering and waiting in anticipation to see what the outcome of it all might be.

Jason says we should walk away move to Africa and teach. Funny I probably would do it. I would miss my family like crazy, but I would do it for the experience for something much simpler.

Through all of this we stay true to the fact the Lord has us here for a reason. He loves us and he will protect us. As Reilly says "Mom, Hes in our hearts, do not be afraid". Childlike faith, it's priceless!

Happy Thanksgiving and remember what you are Thankful for this year. May God Bless you!

Going back to Cali...

2008-10-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

We are back...what an amazing trip!

First of all my mom is amazing as she came and watched all three kids for us while I was gone. Since Jason is working 3 jobs he was not around to much. He did help carve pumpkins one night with the kids.

I went to San Diego to attent the Stroller Strides Instructor Training on Wed & Thur (Oct 15-16) and then I flew from SD to San Jose to meet Jason, Ken and his wife Dana and we drove to Carmel, CA (about 1 1/2hr towards the coast). We attended Dave & Kristen's wedding. It was fabulous, fun and just beautiful.

San Diego was warm and the people were all so nice. We stayed at a hotel just 5 min from Sea World. We did a lot of excercising and meet lots of new people from all over. Our fav girls from Lake Charles, LA Jenni (pronounced Jenna) and Courtney. We got to know them and hang out. We had yummy sushi right on Pacific Beach.

Our trip to Carmel was fabulous. We stayed at a little bed & breakfast kind of hotel just a block from the beach and about 5 mi from Pebble Beach. Jason was so excited we had to take a picture of it from the beach. Jason and Ken were both in the wedding and Jason sang at the wedding in the middle of a vineyard - breathe taking. The weekend was fast and busy, but we had a very relaxing and much needed time together.

We got to fly home on Sunday because one of Dave's pilot friends works for Alaska Airlines and gave us some buddy passes. It sure beat the 14 1/2 hr drive home that Ken & Dana got to do (sorry guys) :O). We wanted to get home as mom was pretty tired and Natalie was really sick. It ends up the kids all got sick by Monday with some sort of form of Tonsilitis with blisters on there throats. FUN to come home too, but everyone is on the mends now and feeling a lot better.

(click the little speaker button to hear the music for this slide)

2008-10-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Star Wars, Battle of the Siblings Coming to a Theater Near You

2008-10-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

Our Mission Statement

2008-10-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Cavanaugh Family mission is to be a healthy and happy Christian family while preserving a fun family atmosphere.

We will accomplish this by applying God's truths to our lives, being faithful, loving, kind, and compassionate to one another and having a lot of laughs.

We will consistently strive to improve the way we walk in our Christian faith through personal spiritual growth and studies, fellowship with others and by being in God's word and prayer. Also, by being silly, forgiving, and finding time to just be ourselves.

Our goal is to be the best family we can be and show God's love in our community in which we live and to be a "World Class" Christian John Deere Family.

By accomplishing our goals, we will be able to support the activities that we love the most, like riding our John Deere tracker, visiting the John Deere store, wearing our John Deere attire all the while making ourselves fit right into our small town community of BD.

This is our Mission Statement.

Be who you want to be...

2008-10-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

We got this table off of Craiglist for FREE. Yes, that is right FREE. I wanted something more country for our kitchen and this was a price I could not pass up. I figured the kids would trash it over the years and then one day I would sand and repaint it and recover the seats.

That one day just came. I was so tired of looking at the stains on the chairs it grossed me out and I am sure our guests. I was trying to decide what to do when my mom suggested we recover them. In order to save money on fabric we went to Goodwill. I decided to let each of the kids pick out fabric for their own chair. Reilly of course got the "camo" or "hunting" fabric "jus like my dad". Liam went with the Transformers (his new favorite, it changes every week) and Natalie went with Dora. I used some fabric I had gotten over a year ago to make aprons out of and the kids decorated a chair for Mema with hand prints. Dad's is not done just yet because I want some Oregon Duck fabric for it.

This was such a fun project. I even got vinyl. Yes,vinyl. I swore I would never get it, but I figured this way I could just wipe them down and then one day I could replace them with something more grown up.

The kids LOVED this idea and think their chairs are the "cooles".

Just another crafty day at the Cavanaugh house.

What is new...

2008-10-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Liam ~ loving school and having so much fun learning. He loves his teacher Mrs. Evans. He misses soccer and being with us during the day. He loves to be creative and do all sorts of arts and crafts (hmmmm who does that sound like?). He also loves to read and write. He has made lots of new friends and is growing like crazy. He has grown 2 in since August 13th.

Reilly ~ Is back from his trip to Oregon with Mema and is settling in nicely. He had so much fun and did much better then I expected. I guess he loved all that attention from the ladies in the family. He loved hanging with Grandpa Chucker and I LOVED that he got a chance to spend time with him and grandma. He will remember this trip for a long time. He is learning to write a lot and loves to pretend and tell stories. He is really into John Deere trackers right now and anything John Deere. He has one t-shirt that we have to wash daily!

Natalie ~ Loves to be naked still and changes her clothes like 9x a day. She is potty trained and loving being a big girl. She is a mama's girl although she really likes to hang with dad while he is working outside. She is always on the move. I think it is another Grandma Joyce, Mema and me. She never sits for more then a minute before she is off to another task or into something else. She loves her friend Will. She is so happy and hilarious. It is hard to capture it all and she is growing sooooo incredibly fast.

Jason ~ Starts a new job on Monday. He will be working as a Project Manager for Triamp Group . He will be working Cavanaugh Automotive on the side and he has a guy coming to work for him at the shop. The doors are not closing as of now. Business has been really slow the past two summers and he had to make a change. We have been so fortunate to own our own business and to be able to afford to live on one income. God has continued to bless us and will continue in the future. He is trying to find time to hunt and watch football but it is hard to fit in with all the work he is doing. He heads to Oregon for a game on the 11th. He also lead worship at church last Sunday. It was so great to see the Jason I married 11 1/2 yrs ago up there singing away. I hope God allows him to do it again soon.

Me ~ As always busy, busy, busy. I am finding time to workout - yahoo! I take a Stroller Strides class three times a week with Reilly and Natalie. It is a one hour class with circuit and strength training with the kids in the stroller. It is so much fun and the kids love it. I am busy scrapbooking, doing MOPs, playgroups with friends and just hanging out. It has been an interesting start to Fall. I enjoy the time I have with Reilly and Natalie but I miss Liam. I am heading to San Diego in Oct to train to be a fitness instructor with Stroller Strides. My neighbor & friend Jenni bought a franchisee and I am helping her get going. I am so excited and hope to make it a business of my own one day.

Mema ~ I could not get away without mentioning her since she has been at our house for the past 2-3 weeks (off & on). Lets just say I have not thrown any chicken nuggets at her, she has not yelled at me and cried, we have not had any major melt downs so far so good. Yes, she drives me crazy sometimes, BUT I love her and she is such a BIG help. She is heading home on Sunday after being here a week, in Oregon a week and back here a week. Goobs came over this past week and took her out on a date. I guess she loves being retired (semi).

Brown Bear Brown Bear by Liam Cavanaugh

2008-10-03T18:44:00.001-07:00

First Day of School

2008-09-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten Orientation

2008-09-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

Liam had his Kindergarten orientation. His teacher is Mrs. Evans and she is kind and very funny. We got to see the classroom and just kind of warm up to the idea. Liam was off and running while I sat back and tears welled up in my eyes. I was fine until we walked into the classroom and then I almost lost it. I gained my composure and I was the only one crying (is that weird).

Liam got to sit at his desk and there were about 10 kids there today. BD Elementary offers full day Kindergarten so half the class came this morning. They will come tomorrow for a full day (10 kids) and then Liam will go on Thursday full day with the other 10 kids. Friday, is his first full day with all 20 kids.

I took him and Reilly for a little treat at the Bakery. Liam is so excited he can hardly stand it. I am sure once he realizes that it is all day every day he may resist a bit, but for now he is ready to go!

The Apple of My Eye

2008-09-02T16:36:00.000-07:00

My big brother Liam loves to play with me. He always plays dolls with me and house. He showed me how to paint my baby dolls toes and fingers today with markers. Then we gave the babies green eyes and I colored all over the babies legs. It was a lot of fun and mom was not even mad, until she realized what we had done. I love my big brother...I hope Reilly will play dolls with me when Liam goes to school.

BD Labor Days

2008-09-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

It was a great Labor Day Weekend. We spent the weekend over at the Hood Canal with friends at their family cabin. We went claming and crabing and spent one day on the lake jet skiing and fishing. The kids had a blast! I forgot my camera so no pictures...ugh! We came home Sunday night to beat all the traffic.

The kids and I headed up today to the BD Labor Day Parade. They had so much fun getting a lot of candy and snow cones. Natalie mostly stayed in the stroller as she did not like all the noise. The boys loved the John Deere trackers and the cool cars. I of course, loved getting to meet and shake hands with Dino Rossi.

What we have been up too...

2008-08-27T12:24:00.001-07:00

Natalie is potty trained. Yahoo! It is so great and she has literally done it on her own. It is like the light clicked and she was ready.

Liam is getting ready for Kindergarten.

I am sad that the weather already feels like Fall.

Jason is working as usual to support us and pay all the bills. He might be going Dove hunting this next week and not sure on early season this year.

Reilly is learning to write his name and loving that he is like his big brother. Although, Liam always makes sure to mention HE knows more. :O)

I have been excersing FINALLY 4 days per week pretty consistently. Now if I could just stop eating so dang much. I start a supplement program next week in hopes to getting slim before our friends wedding in October.

Summer is ending fast. We have one last trip to Hood Canal with some friends over Labor Day weekend. The years are flying by...I can hardly beleive that summer is almost over. Ugh!

A Political Mission

2008-08-27T12:11:00.001-07:00

Mom, daughter, sister-in-law, friend, wife, grand daughter and now Political Activist. I have taken on the mission (because I need more to do) to advocate for our neighborhood against the rezoning of our property from R9600 (4 parcel per acre) to Urban (1 parcel per acre) as part of the City of Black Diamonds updates to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations mandated by the Growth Management Act by the State of Washington. That was a mouth full!

I have petitioned our neighbors and presenting this to the Planning Commission. Now the Planning Commission has moved forward to the City Council with the CP and DR. So I have sent e-mails to all City Council members and a copy of the petition and letter. The GMA of Washington does NOT require a city to have Urban Reserve in its CP and DR. The City of Black Diamond is just choosing to have it.

What it means for us as property owners is unclear. So far it takes away our rights to build on our property, subdivide, or use our land for anything we want. It will probably raise our property taxes and lower the market value of our homes.

Urban Reserve is a designated area that a city by definition zones for future use, but may not be limited to. This to me sounds like the city is planning on limiting us on our use so that they can use it for something. What that is no one will explain.

It is interesting to say the least that three months after we have been dealing with King County about the land use to test and possibly use our property to upgrade the sewage conveyance system (putting a pump house, a odor eliminator and a utilities access road on our property) that the city is now deeming our properties as Urban Reserve. The same property owners that are in the works with King County and the same property owners who are fighting King County.

Something fishy is going on...and well I am getting to the bottom of it.

That is my cause.

Oregon Coast

2008-08-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday Jason and I embarked on a 5 day trip to the Oregon Coast with our 5 1/2 yr old, 4 yr old, 2 yr old and our 2 dogs (8 and 3). Our trip down was beautiful and actually quit fun. The kids watch a movie and slept most of the way (Thank the Lord for portable DVD players).
We took a long way to the coast and ended up in Lincoln City around 5pm. Of course our first stop was MO's for some famous chowder and seafood. The kids had hot dogs as they have yet to acquire the fine taste for seafood.

Then it was off to Beverly Beach (7 miles north of Newport, OR). We love Beverly Beach and our camp site was really nice and private which was great for the dogs. We got all unpacked and the kids wanted to go to the beach immediately.

So the kids and I headed to the beach and enjoyed the Oregon sand (there is no comparison unless of course you are in the Caribbean). They rolled in the sand, covered themselves in the sand, ran in the water, and just had a blast.
Day Two, we enjoyed a day at the beach as it was sunny and warm. Then it was off to camp for some lunch and a drive into Newport for Mommies favorite coffee at Dutch Brothers. The kids had smoothies and I thoroughly enjoyed my favorite drink the "Almond Joy". Jason thinks I am crazy, but I just LOVE that place.

Day Three, another day at the beach and playing. We rode bikes, played football and chalk on the road. We headed into Newport again to Yaquina Light House and to check out the tide pools. This was a lot of fun! We ate lots of yummy food and of course we roasted Smore's. Uncle Mike came down and hung out with us.

Day Four we packed up early and headed to Florence to Haceta Beach where Reilly, Natalie, the dogs and I hung out for the late morning/afternoon and played on the beach and took naps. Uncle Mike, Liam and Jason got to go golfing at Sandpines. It was a fun day and we loved being right on the beach.

Then after golf we headed to Junction City to visit with Jason's Aunt Arlene and Uncle Bill. We also got to visit with his grandmother Betty. The kids had so much fun playing with Michael and Darrin (Rick (Jason's cousin) and Heidi's kids). They rode bikes, played the Wii and just chased each other around.
On our last day Uncle Bill make us a delicious breakfast. I have never had Sweet Potato Pancakes and they were amazing! Jason got to enjoy some hot cocoa and remember the days when he was a kid and had pancakes and hot cocoa with Uncle Bill.

After breakfast it was off to Grandma Betty's. We really enjoyed visiting her and Reilly just loves her. We helped pick up apples for her which was no easy task there are a lot. I left with 2 bags full and there were about 5 buckets full. We finally hit the road around 2:45pm and started our trek home.
We stopped in Tigard at our favorite place - Pizza Caboose for dinner. This is one of our stopping places on our trip to Oregon each year.

Maddie Turns 5!

2008-08-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

WOW! The years are just screaming by. Our niece Madeline (Maddie) celebrated her 5Th birthday yesterday. It was so much fun and a birthday I think she will remember.

We drove to the Yak to hang out and swim and just celebrate little Maddie. She made out like a bandit with the presents. Even Uncle Jason liked the pink guitar (LOL). We did a lot of swimming (loved it) and ate a lot of food (loved it). My two favorite things!

Maddie got a little "Groovy Girl" scooter and it was so fun to watch her ride around and all the kids follow her "can we have a turn...please". One girl even used guilt "am I your best friend?" to try and get Maddie to let her have a turn. It was cute! Eventually Maddie did let everyone who was under the 50lb weight limit have a turn.

It was a busy day and it went by way to fast. It was fun to see our youngest niece Maggie (4 months old). One day maybe we will be in the Yak!

Quality Time

2008-08-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

(FYI...we do feed Liam, love the ribs hanging out) :O)

I have been doing a bit of reading recently on how to nurture my relationship with each of the kids. It is about children's love languages. Liam was pretty easy to figure out, quality time. He loves it when I take time out to spend with just him. As you know with three that is not always easy, but I try.

This particular day I decided to take some time and show Liam how to play "hang man", a simply but fun game. I remember getting to play this as a kid and loving it. Little did I know this was the highlight of his day. I was smiling inside when I heard him tell his daddy all about it before bed with so much enthusiasm and excitement. Who would of thought 10 minutes playing hang man would be so fun and such a lasting memory.

I know one day I will look back and wish that he would sit and play hang man with me like the good ole days.

Puppies! Puppies! Oh Cute Little Puppies!

2008-08-07T13:41:00.001-07:00

Need I say more!

Early Morning Goodbyes...

2008-08-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 1:18am this morning about 10 minutes before my alarm was to sound. I went to bed at 9:30pm last night, but did not get much sleep as I was worried sick I would miss the alarm and have to pay to have Yulia fly home. I kept having these horrible dreams we missed the flight or got the time wrong. So needless to say I was not sleeping very hard last night.

I got up and had 2 cups of coffee and my body thought this was very strange. Yulia got up at 2am and got dressed (very slowly). She was very sad to go, but I think it started setting in that she was going to see her family at home. She got to make one last phone call to her mom and that put a big smile on her face.

It was a quiet ride to the airport and most of the morning. I tried to let it all settle in, but it has all gone by so fast. Faster then you can say "chicken scratch" she was off to security check and we were saying our goodbys at 4:30am. We both cried. She really was/is such a sweet little girl! I pray we will be able to bring her back again next year.

Thank you to all who helped us out to make her visit so special. She was sent home with lots of stuff for her family and for her. She got the best medical care while she was here and she felt so loved.

God Bless,
Jess

Our Trip to the Beach

2008-07-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well...sort of. This is really the closest Yulia will get to the beach. She wanted to go to the ocean, but time is running out on all this fun.

My neighbor Jenni and I took all the kids to Bremerton for the day. We went to the park and played down by the water. Liam and Reilly found sand crabs and everyone loved that. Yulia looked for shells and things to take home. Natalie and Will ran around like two crazy two year olds.

Then we went back to the ferry and played at the Fountain Park. This was Yulia's favorite and the boys.

It was a fun day!

Land of the Naked and Free

2008-07-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

Our home has become the land of the naked little girl who freely takes off her clothes and her diaper. She does not like clothes and I can not keep them on her. Our friends son asked "why is baby Natalie always naked?" This is how it will be for our little girl even underwear bug her.

One day...oh one day she will not be so happy about her nakedness when I show her all the photos I took of her naked and eating all the time. That was the other thing someone said "I have never seen a picture where Natalie does not have food in her hands or mouth". Yes, it is true she likes food and being naked.

Natalie while challenging in her over dramatic, feisty, and down right strong willed personality is still one of the funniest little kids I know. She has such a sense of humor. I try and capture the true Natalie in photos and well pictures are worth a thousand words. Some photos I can not show even though they show Natalie at her best...just think about it (naked...poop...me crying and saying "not again")

Enjoy!

Camping @ Lk. Mosquito Hostile Take Over...Seriously!

2008-07-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am not kidding...we took the kids this past Thursday and headed up to Lake Kachees (other side of Snoqualmie Pass near Hyak Lake) to go camping. I actually drove up with all the kids on Thursday to make sure we got one of the 9 unreserved spots that were left. This is how desperate camping is getting. Yikes!

I thought I was prepared...but I was was not. We got there around 11am and I was amazed at all the open spots since online they showed up reserved. We found the best spot near the water so the dogs could swim and the kids could play. We got out and instantly we were being eaten by Mosquitos.

I of course did not think to bring the bug repelent with me in the car...no it was in the trailer that Jason was bringin up later in the afternoon. So we took a little walk to the Host's camp and bummed some spray.

Nothing seemed to keep those things away...it was really bad! When Jason got there around 3pm we were at the boat launch were the Mosquitos were not with about 20 other people trying to escape the attack of the bugs.

This is about how the next two days went. Gone were the memories of us sitting around the camp fire roasting mellows and singing songs as a family. Thank the Lord we have a trailer because that is where we spent the first night...roasting the mellows over a gas propane stove. Hey...we can still make memories, just not the ones we thought.

We spent a lot of time down at the beach because the wind was blowing and the Mosquitos were no where to be found. Of course, so did all the other people staying at Lk. Kachees. It was nice and the kids had fun.

Yulia has decided that camping is not her thing..."to cold, to many bugs and my shoes are dirty". Those were her words. She loved the Smore's, but kept asking when we were going home.

Natalie loved being with the dogs and had fun throwing a few tantrums. Liam discovered that he likes Frisbees and torturing Yulia. Reilly practiced his poses for the new "young men in training" Fireman's Calendar 2009. Jason enjoyed sleeping in the tent with Reilly were he got to sleep in..whatever! I enjoyed watching the kids get dirty and have fun even when the Mosquito's were eating them alive.

All in all we had a fun family time. We will not be camping by a Mosquito invested lake anytime soon. It is off to the Oregon Coast in August and then to Hood Canal in September.

Sports Camp

2008-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Liam and Yulia got to participate in a Christian Sports Camp here in Maple Valley. Liam was on the Green Beans Green #4 team and Yulia was on the Red Hots Red #4 team. They got to learn karate, volleyball, basketball, and football and learn about God. We missed the last two nights because we were gone camping. They had a lot of fun and it was really well organized.

Pedicures

2008-07-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

After we left Yakima and the kids stayed with Mema and Papka Goobs Yulia and I went and got pedicures. It was so much fun! I think she loved the massage part the best. We had a great day just hanging out together. She is like every 8 year old girl I know and I am sure is loving all the attention being the middle child of five.

A Day in the Yak

2008-07-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

We got up early this morning and headed to Yakima to visit Mema and the rest of the family. I did not have Will and Leila so we thought we would take advantage of the day off.

I took the kids through Chinook Pass this time which I usually do not do because there is no cell service up there. However, it was beautiful. It was foggy on our side but once we reached the top it was sunny and blue sky.

Yakima was gorgeous and we spent the day with Mema at Nana's pool swimming and hanging with our cousins. We had dinner at Mema's and then Yulia and I headed home.

It was so sad leaving as Yulia, Mema and I started to cry. Yulia and I both cried for about the first 30 min of our trip home. I LOVE Yakima and being near our family. Yulia LOVES Mema and I think our family as well. It was so sad. We had a lot of fun though.

The kids (Liam, Reilly and Natalie) stayed behind with Mema & Papka Goobs for the weekend. So I am hoping that Yulia and I will get in some girlie time after her appt in the morning. It will be nice to be able to give her one on one attention.

One day I hope and pray the Lord moves us to Yakima. While it may not have a lot of attractions it has our family. It is either that or Medford, OR. Those are the two places I would move tomorrow. Jason of course is thinking otherwise....but you can trust that the Lord knows and He will lead the way.

Point Defiance Zoo

2008-07-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

We are trying to do it all while Yulia is here. Today we (Liam, Reilly, Natalie, Will, Leila and myself) to the Point Defiance Zoo for the day. My friend Jenny met us there with her three kids.

The trip started out great. The most stressful time is loading and loading all of the kids. Oh and the fact that I got lost on my way there.

The zoo was a blast and a lot of fun. The kids loved the new Musckrat and Lemur exhibit. But most of all we loved the monkeys relaxing in the sun. It was hilarious!

We stayed for about 4 hrs without meltdowns or tantrums now that is a good day.

Reasons why you should listen to mom...

2008-07-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

After a long exhausting and rather challenging day with the kids what better way to end the day then a trip to the urgent care.

The words were simple "do not jump in the bath tub or someone will get hurt."

Loud piercing screams came just a few minutes after this remark.

I was up stairs getting PJ's for the two in the bath. At first I thought it was the same old. Natalie spitting at Reilly or hitting him. Then something told me to run and I did. I came bounding down the stairs to find Reilly screaming in pain. I was not sure what happened but blood was coming from somewhere.

I got Natalie out of the bath and tried to gather information about the situation. In a strange and weird circumstance Reilly tore about a 1/2 in length laceration from his bum up the crack. How might one have done this you ask? You could also be cringing in pain as you read this. He was jumping (which I warned against as every good mother would do, right?) and he jumped and hit the spout on his way down and tore his bum (or as he prefers his pooper hole).

So in an awkward situation I loaded all the kids in the car all in their PJ's and we headed of to the urgent care. I figured we were dealing with an important part and my motherly intuition told me it was best to go in.

Jason, where was he? Working and was supposed to meet me at the Urgent Care to take over with Reilly. He showed up as we were leaving. Oh well such is life.

The diagnosis a severe laceration to the bum (pooper hole) that did not need stitches, just some TLC and a check up by the pediatrician in a few days. He was more then happy to share his back side with whomever would look as long as he, his brother, sister and Yulia got a sucker. This is the middle kid always looking out for the rest of the family.

So what I thought was going to be a relaxing night with the kids in bed early, a good book and a glass of wine turned into another night of craziness at the Cavanaugh household. It is Monday...what could the week ahead hold.

P.S. I am not wierd or anything I just happened to have my camera in my purse from Yulia's dental appt earlier in the day and thought a few pics would be funny!

A Birthday Weekend to Remember!

2008-07-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

It all started on Friday night. We had two of Yulia's friends over from Belarus from 6-9pm for a little Barbie Princess party to celebrate Yulia's birthday (Aug 20) while she is here in America. Karina and Anastia are both from her home town of Korma and are here with host families.

We went swimming, painted toe nails, listened to Britney Spears and did some dancing and picture taking. Oh and the girls got to eat Yulia's yummy cake and sing Happy Birthday! She got some cute presents from her friends and had a blast!

Saturday was Reilly's 4th Birthday party...

He had so much fun with our family. We had a Spiderman party and he loved every minute of it. The cake was amazing. He got lost of presents that he is enjoying playing with.

The American Girl

2008-07-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yulia has being asking me almost every day to get her ears pierced. Her friend Anastia got hers done and told Yulia how it was not painful. So with Yulia's mothers permission (yes, I made her call home) we headed to the Supermall.

She was so cute & excited! She loves them and keeps thanking me. She also loved the BIG glasses and we just had to take a pictures.

She is such a blessing to have and a fun little eight year old. She is just like every american girl. Girly!

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

What a relaxing day. Seriously! I had to force myself to relax but it worked. I even took an hour nap...now that is unheard of around here.

We took in a family movie at $34.50 (YIKES) for 6 to see a matinee of Wall-E. It was interesting, but actually a good movie to take Yuylia to since there was not much talking in English she actually understood it.

Then we came home for a little BBQ and off to our friends in Maple Valley. They live in a neighborhood that has tons of fireworks. It was a lot of fun and like I said relaxing. Now if all my days could be so calm.

Happy 4th of July!

Yuylia's Top 10

2008-07-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 weeks since Yuylia has been here has been here with us. Here are her top 10 things she loves the most about America.

10. Top Ramon (Raton in Russian)
9. Hot Dogs
8. Clothes
7. Pop Music
6. Ice Cream
5. Shoes
4. Friends Anastia (this is her 2nd cousin)
3. Learning English and teach me Belarussian
2. The weather (go figure)
1. The ocean...that is all she has asked us to do with her!

She seems to really enjoy it here. She told the interpreter that she did not want to go home. Although, I think she misses her family, but we are a perfect fit to make her feel just at home.

As much as I try to feed Yuylia healthy foods she will really only eat fruit. She most nights just wants ramon or hot dogs. I feel bad but I guess I would rather her eat then not eat or it is better then a bowl of cereal. She is so funny!

We took her to the Dentist and she has a lot of cavities, but lucky for her a lot of them are on baby teeth that will fall out within the next 6 months to a year. So she has 4 permanant teeth that will need fillings. This is not bad and we are excited it will only be 2 visits.

She did fantastic at the dentist after being so afraid because of her experience back home. Dr. Sharma was honest and I think Yuylia likes having a female doctor. She has been brushing and flossing everyday. It has motivated me to be better about it as well.

Well till next time.

Lk. Wilderness Park

2008-07-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

I took Yuylia and the kids to Lk. Wilderness park this past week. Despite the smell of Duck poop it was a beautiful day and the kids loved it.

Busy Weekend

2008-07-01T09:20:00.001-07:00

It was a busy weekend at the Cavanaugh household (really when is it NOT busy...seriously?)

Friday night we BBQ it up with some friends and Mema came over for the weekend.

Saturday it was Davis's 4th birthday so we went to his Spiderman party at the park and it was hot! We had a blast there and our Lighting Shoes were a hit.

Then it was off to a Housewarming/Baby Shower for some friends of our Josh & Kara in Kent. The kids decided they were partied out and stayed home with Mema while Jason and I went. It was a lot of fun and Dylan is adorable and the new house is great.

Then off to the final desitnation in Woodinville for a good friend and past co-worker's 40th birthday. Happy 40th Kat! It was great to catch up with old friends and see the kids.

Then it was back home to finish a project for the kick off of Memory Market at church.

Finally, at midnight I headed to bed.

Sunday I was up at 5am preparing the last minute details for the project then I got everyone feed and out the door by 9am. After church we picked up Ksyenia and headed home to have a little R&R (my version anyway) with some swimming and just hanging out.

Needless to say I am pooped and it is Tuesday.

Liam's First Time at Day Camp

2008-07-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

We made it through a week of Day Camp. Liam got to go to Day Camp at Camp Berachah with a friend of his all week from 9-4pm. After the first day he did not want to go back, but I convinced him to continue on and he loved it. His favorite part...canoeing, swimming and the snack shack. He did really good and seemed to have so much fun. He was happy to be home and with his brother and friends.

Update on Yuylia

2008-07-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yuylia has been with us for 2 weeks now and seems to be enjoying herself. We have taken her to the Medical Screening which she was so afraid of the dentist and getting her blood drawn. She had a bad experience at home so no wonder she is scared. She loved playing on the big jumpy toys with the boys and her 2nd cousin Anastia. Anastia is staying with a family in Covington not to far from us so we have her coming over today to play with Yuylia.

We had Ksenyia our interpreter come over on Sunday for dinner with the family and just to hang out. She is so sweet and it was neat to hear all about her and to ask questions about Yuylia. We learned that she wants to see the ocean. She loves it hear and does not want to go home. She loves our babushka Mema. She likes all the craziness of our house and is bored when we are not busy with kids, etc. She loves hot dogs, chicken and potatoes oh and ice cream. She would like to have a slumber party with her friends that are here for her birthday. She likes Barbies and wants to learn how to swim. She is not homesick. I can hardly beleive that one, but she has only called home once.

We are scheduled for a dental appt on Wed. and it looks like she will need some fillings, but a lot of the cavities are on teeth that are baby teeth and will fall out in the next 6mo to 2 yrs. I am hoping she will be able to handle seeing the dentist. She got to go with us last night when I took all the kids. I think it was great for her to see them and that they enjoyed it.

Besides playing, swimming and just hanging out we really have not done any tourist things yet. I am hoping to get to the zoo soon and of course camping at the beach.

Stay tuned for more...

Day Two w/Yuylia

2008-06-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

It has been two days so far. She went to bed last night without dinner at 6pm and she woke up at 8am. She obviously needed sleep. Even Liam, Reilly and Natalie slept until 8:45am which meant that I actually slept in as well...yahoo!

We made "bleeny" today which is pancakes and she liked them a lot. She did not use butter but tried the syrup and liked it. It is fun to watch her try new things and see what she likes and dislikes. Did you know she brought Lays potatoe chips from home that were Crab flavored. Seriously, I tried one and it tasted like crab and was disgusting. So I am sure she is thinking the same thing about things I am feeding her. She likes fruit a lot which is good to see, but she hardly eats.

We took Yuylia up to Samammish today to get some free clothes from a place called Kids Without Boarders which is a non profit organization that helps kids in need. It was fun and Yuylia got to see some of the other girls here. Natalie however, screamed and cried the entire 45min there and back. In Russian they call this "plakat". I actually had to stop and pull over to deal with Natalie and Yuylia just sat there. I wonder what she thinks of our little drama queen.

We then came home for lunch and quickly found out Yuylia does not like peanut butter and jelly. She got the opportunity to play the Wii with Liam who is actually getting good without words to show Yuylia how to work the remote and play with him. He is in heaven as she just does whatever he wants and does not complain, argue, or want to do anything different. She seems to enjoy his company. He of course loves being the boss!

We had roast tonight and she loved that but did not like Ranch, Italian or French dressing on her salad. She loves sweets, so I think she fits in well in this family.

We also got a chance to play with the neighbor kids and she enjoyed Saddie the neighbor girl who is almost 6. Oh and she does not like SNAKES! Seth has a garden snake he found and was carrying it around with them as the clan followed. They had fun outside jumping and swinging together.

Well to another day. What will tomorrow bring...

Love,
Jess

Go Ballplayers!

2008-06-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today was Reilly's last T-Ball game. It was a nice day and Reilly seemed to finally get into it on the last day. He had two great hits and even ran the bases with enthusiasum.

It was a lot of fun to watch and he was so thrilled in the end to get his metal just like his big brother. Coach Scott & John did a great job!

Till next year.

Check out the swing

and then the run

oh and the "golden" medal (why we played at all)

Yuylia & Me

The Ballplayers with Coach Scott & Coach John

Donations for Yuylia

2008-06-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of people ask how they can donate. Here is a list of what we are in need of.

Costco Card ~ to buy Multivitamin, toothpaste, soap, etc.
Size 5 1/2-6 womans shoes for summer & winter
Winter Coat - girls size 10-12
Winter clothes - girls/jr size 8-10 and 10-12
Underwear Size Med girls

She likes barbies, dolls and art stuff but we can only send her home with a 50lb suitcase and 25lb back pack home.

I can however, mail or ship a package through a Nazarene church in Kent for fairly inexpensive but it does take 2-3 months to get there. They are really reliable and it seems able to work with Russia on getting the packages to their destination.

If you make cash donations out to me I do have to claim with FTC but I can use to purchase items for Yuylia and family and for shipping costs. If you want to make a monatary donations please make it directly to FTC as mentioned in my previous blog.

Thank you to all of you who have already given so much. This is already one of the greatest experiences. Right now Liam is teaching her to play the Wii and he even let her win...which is saying a lot for Liam. This is good because she does not understand all his bossiness and telling her how to do it, so he can talk all he wants and she just smiles and plays. It is hilarious!

Have a blessed day...off to Reilly's last soccer game.

Love,
Jess

Welcome Yulyia

2008-06-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

We picked up Yulyia last at the airport around 8:15pm. She speaks a little English to our suprise. She is adorable! She says things like "WOW" and "thank you". She is already teaching us a lot. Natalie is so attached and the boys are showing her all the fun they can have. She should be worn out by tonight!

Tonight we try Tacos. So far I have found she like Bananas, apples, carrots, Life cereal, vanilla yogurt and chocolate. She does not like eggs.

I think she things Will & Leila are our kids. She is a bit confused why we picked them up at Jenni's this morning. She likes Jason and came in the room this morning to say "good morning" to us both.

She likes Shrek and watch the movie today in English. She loves dolls and played most of the morning with Liam and the doll house. They are somehow communicating really good together. I guess kids have their own language.

We Love our Daddy!

2008-06-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Each year on Father's Day we head to Yakima to enjoy family time...oh and a guarentee of SUN!

It is our nephews birthday on the 15th so we had a celebration on the 14th. We enjoyed yummy food, swimming, good conversation and a little music from Jason. It was a blast!

We came home that night as Jason was singing on Sunday at church for Father's Day. We love our daddy!

10 Reason we love daddy

1. He watches golf with us
2. He has the biggest hugs
3. He sings to us
4. He is funny
5. He wrestles & plays chase
6. He takes us camping
7. He is patient with us
8. He teaches us things
9. He snuggles with us
10. He is our daddy!

We love you!

A Summer Reflection of random thoughts

2008-06-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

It is another June and well what happened to this past year? As I reflect on how fast the kids are growing and life is passing us by I think to myself "what are we doing here? what is our purpose in life?" I think it is good to sometimes question yourself or as I like to say "check" yourself just to be aware of what it is all for. For me it is understanding that my life is so much greater then paycheck to paycheck, bills, traffic, gas prices, weather and so much more then this world has to offer.

In this world we live in it is easy to get bogged down by all we have to get done and all we want to accomplish. One thing I am wanting is a Simple Life. I want so much to just enjoy watching the kids grow. Love the way God has asked me to love without all the baggage and garbage that holds me down. Love is so simple and easy, but Pride, ego, hurts, emotions, feelings, past history all make it complicated.

I know it can not always be easy...like the "easy" button. We have to have trials to grow in wisdom and in faith. All things happen for a reason, but I still question if this is "it". I mean is this really the life God called me to live? I LOVE being a mother and a wife. It is the most challenging yet satisfying job I am sure I will ever have. I am not even sure what I am trying to say...I just have such a desire to serve the Lord and make a difference. I feel like right now I am just here and watching life pass by. The kids are getting older. We are getting older. The house is getting older (and needing more then I can handle).

What is our purpose?

Our newest Cavanaugh!

2008-06-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

Yulia with her mom and dad

Many of you got stuck on the "title". I know that Jason and I have made history with how fast we have babies, but not this time. We are only adopting for a month and she is 8! Although, I love babies and we are thrilled to be hosting Yulia and are excited for the new things we will learn. Here is the e-mail blurb I sent out.

As most of you might know we Jason, I and the kids will be hosting a little girl named Yulia Shemetava from Belarussia starting June 19th through August 3rd.
This is all part of a host program through For the Children of the World www.fortheworldschildren.org. Our home church New Community is sponsoring 10 children through our Bridge to Belarussia Mission Program. There are 79 children total being hosted through out the Pacific Northwest.

This is a program that brings over Belarusian children to the Pacific Northwest for a 6 week health respite with host families each summer. These children suffer effects from the continued radiation from the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster of 1986, including the development of what is known as Chernobyl Aids. The time spent here each summer in an uncontaminated environment can help flush out overwhelmed immune systems and potentially add 5-10 years to each child's life span.

As a host family we are responsible not only for supplying a place for Yulia to stay, but also for taking car of her health needs while she is here. We have been asked to take her to the dentist at least once and to the eye doctor for new glasses. We have been blessed as both our dentist and eye doctor have agreed to see Yulia for FREE and they are local in Maple Valley. This is a HUGE blessing to us!

We are THRILLED to have Yulia here. We have made her a room and made it all girlie for her. We are so excited for her to be a part of our family and to meet all of our friends and family. She does not speak any English - thank God we have the "First Thousand Words in Russian" book. It will be an adventure. We chose Yulia because she is adorable and because she has two younger brothers the same age as Liam and Reilly. I figured this way she will not be alarmed when Reilly runs around in his underwear and with all of the noise those boys make. Yulia is the pastor's daughter of the church we are supporting in Belarussia. This is her first trip to the US and she is a Christian..

Here is a little blurb from the website about Yulia and I attached a photo of her with her parents.

Born August 20, 1999
Age in Summer 2008 – 8

Yulia is in the 3rd grade. She lives with her father and mother, 1 sister and 3 brothers in a 3 room flat in Korma. Her father is the pastor of the church in Korma and has a second job as a watchman. The approximate monthly family income is $400. Her parents would like her to get a good rest in America.

Yulia is mildly cross-eyed and wears glasses. Her parents would like her to see an eye doctor to see if there is something that can be done for her. (Belarussian doctors say there isn’t.)

Yulia likes to draw and do arts and crafts. She also likes to sing. She is a happy child and interacts well with children. She is the middle child from a large family. She is described as a leader. Yulia cannot swim.

She is a good eater and likes potatoes, chicken, macaroni, hotdogs and, of course, candy. She has no fear or known allergies of dogs or cats.

We would love it if you had anything you would like to donate (tax exempt forms will be available to you just like the ones you get for donating at Goodwill) here is what we are looking for:

Suit case with wheels - DONATED alreay
Backpack - DONATED already
Vitamins - Multi & Vitamin C
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, hair things
Shoes (not sure of her size yet)
Clothing - Winter hats, gloves, coat for 8 year old (Medium)
School Supplies - Crayons, Pencils, Erasers, Notebooks, etc.

Anything you think an 8 year old girl would like! If you want to do a cash donation you can donate directly to FTC by mailing to:
For the Children of the World
PO Box 58694
Renton, WA 98058

A receipt will be generated by FTC and mailed off to you.

We hope that you each get a chance to meet her while she is here. Thank you for taking the time to read this and we love you all.

Jason, Jess, Liam, Reilly & Natalie

Oregon Trip

2008-06-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Each year we take a trip to Medford, Or and visit family along the way. This year we went in June instead of September. We drove straight through as all the family was going to be in Medford for my cousins graduation. It was a long 9 hrs down, but the kids were fantastic. Despite car troubles we made it and had a great week with family. I love sharing the love of my extended family with the kids. We are truly blessed! Here is just some of the fun we had. Oh and the weather was sunny and warm most day. So sad to come home to rain...ugh!

McDonald's...our first stop on the way down!

This is what us girls do when we are together. We read "smut" mags and hang out. Natalie seems to be catching on quickly!

This is the hot tub I grew up swimming in. The boys had a blast in it!

BMX'r Liam on the dirt track. He has some nasty scars on his knees from the accident he had on the track. We call them War wounds!

This is my animal lover Natalie. She loved Wiggies Grammie Greats doggie.

Our Cousban (Cousin's husband) Tony...Natalie LOVES her Tony.

Reilly Roo at the Science Works in Ashland, OR

The kids and I and Grandma Great.

The Graduate & Aunt Jannie

The Cousins

People wonder where I get all that goofiness from...hmmmm?

Reilly was so excited he got to drive all by himself this year.

Natalie and mommie playing games and getting "tickies"

My crazy aunts Jannie & Angie at Cosmo Bowl

Mema & Liam at Matt's graduation party

Natalie having "birthday cake"...she sang to Matt it was hilarious.

Till next year!

Potty Training

2008-05-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Natalie has started to take off her diaper all the time poopie or not. I am not really ready to potty train her, but she has left me no choice. So I asked myself what would motivate her. Hmmm....FOOD! Yes that has been the trick. A big jar of "chociemilk" (a.k.a. M&Ms). She has been doing a pretty good job. We pooped in the panties today, but we have been peeing the potty with 1 accident.

I took these pictures of her brothers encouraging her to go. It is a family affair!

MRAMA

2008-05-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

My dearest and sweetest great-grandmother passed away this past week. She was almost 98 yrs old (Aug 12th). She fell in late Oct/early November and it was discovered that she had severe dementia. She had hip surgery and was placed in a rehabilitation facility. She was stubborn as a mule and did not like being there. Of course, after living on your own since the late 70's I would feel the same. She made friends and soon became known for her fiesty yet warm hearted side. She remained at the rhab/nursing home until this past week when she took ill. We knew she probably would not make it much longer and tried to get to visit her when we could. We will dearly miss her!

She is survived by her daughter Carolyn and Carolyn's son John (grandson), her son Chucker (my grandpa) and all of the family which includes 4 grandchildren (my mom), 7great-granchildren(me)and 3 great-great grandchildren. I am so blessed that she got the opportunity to meet our kids. Liam and Reilly know who she is and will have a memory of her forever. She lived an amazing life and had so much to share. I loved to listen to her stories and hear all about the adventures her and Papa had. I am glad that she has finally passed as the past year has been really hard for her.

I know that we will miss her smile and her geniune heart full of love. She used to tell us how her heart would "jump" when she got to see us.

These photos are of our visit with the kids in September. We saw her again
in Nov and then in Feb.

2008-05-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

You might ask what have we been up to...well here is a daily schedule to show you.

5:00am - WAKE
5:30am - GYM
6:45am - Shower
7:15am - Quiet Time
7:30am - Kids wake up
8:00am - Breakfast
8:30am - Will & Leila arrive (Will 22months, Leila 4 months)
9:00am - Leila Naps, the other kids play
9:45am - Leila has a bottle, change diaper
10:45am - Leila Naps, try to get the kids to be quiet so she can sleep.
11:30am - Lunch time for all the kids
12:00pm - Change diapers, deal with screaming kids, time outs, all the norm.
12:30am - Leila has a bottle, change diaper
1:00pm - Will, Natalie & Leila go down for naps, Liam & Reilly play, I do laundry, dishes and whatever else I can get done. Sometimes I just sit and rest my eyes.
3:00-3:30pm - Kids wake up, Leila has a bottle & change diaper
3:30pm - kids have snack
4:00pm - Change diapers, deal with screaming kids, time out, all the norm.
5:00pm - I break down and let the kids watch TV, so I can make it through the last hour. I try to think about dinner. Will & Leila get picked up.
5:30pm - dinner with family
6:30pm - bath time & pj's
7:30pm - Brush teeth, story time
8:00pm - bedtime
8:30pm - I sit in front of the tv and zone out for about an hour and go to bed.

Then we start all over again the next day! In between all of this I seem to find time to start our garden, feed chickens, clean bathrooms, pay bills, hang out with our friends and have playdates.

One might say "that seems like a lot" and they would be right. It is never a dull moment in our house. BUT God never gives me anything I can not handle. I rise to the challenge, I cry, I laugh, I raise my voice,I sit in pure exhaustion, but I love every minute of it. One day I know I will look back and laugh about these days and hopefully remember the memories.

"I MADE" by Natalie Cavanaugh

2008-05-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in my crib one day, while all went outside to play. The sun was out and my room was hot, but this did not stop me from feeling distraught. I tried to nap, but the heat was intense and then I pooped so it all made perfect sense. I called for someone to help "MOM" and there just was no answer. So I took matters into my own hands and took off that stinky diaper. The smell was a lot, but it looked like brown finger paint, so I thought what the heck I could be here really late. I called out to "MOM" and yelled "I POOPY", but still no one noticed that I was in no mood for sleepy. So with that brown finger paint I painted my crib, the wall, and then my belly. It started to stink, but it worked really great and when I was done I had it all over the place. I was so proud I yelled "I PAINTED MY POOPY". I heard a faint cry and then they finally came. My Mema entered and I heard her exclaim "JESSICA COME HERE RIGHT NOW". I did not know what was all the fuss I was so happy that someone finally came in a rush. My mommie came running in quit a hurry and when she entered my room I could see she was in no flurry. She laughed so hard she fell on the floor. I laughed and said "I MADE" I smiled at her and yelled out her name. I got to take a bubble bath while pictures were taken of my fine art work and a memory I guess that will last a lifetime.

"I MADE"

"Seriously, I had no idea you could not paint with poop"

"OOPS"

Who wants to go for a swim?

2008-05-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hot! Hot! Hot!

2008-05-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well despite getting the HFM disease after 3 weeks of being exposed we are doing pretty good. We did not even know we had it, let alone that we were contagious. I guess that is the way it goes. We are on the mends and it seems that no one got it to bad. Natalie is the worst with them in her mouth. BUT thank the Lord she is finally sleeping good.

Today we decided to hit the water park for a little fun in the sun. We took a picnic and got there early. It was a blast and the older kids had a lot of fun.

I am loving the sun being out and the nice weather. I was feeling so down and out and moody with the rain and icky weather. It was refreshing to wake up to blue sky sunshine.

Have a great weekend,
Jess

Natalie 2 Yr Photo Shoot

2008-05-04T21:31:00.001-07:00

The Littlest Cavanaugh Turns Two!

2008-05-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today was a grand celebration. The sun came out which is a reason to celebrate in and of itself. It was a glorious day with friends and family. Natalie had a fabulous time with all her cousins and friends. She played in the sand box, ate cupcakes till she drew a blank stare and then played with all her new toys. Girls are so amazing. She was so into her party today and just knew the day was all about her. She got some great gifts. I have a feeling shopping for a little girl is just to much fun for most of us as she got spoiled. She now has a dolly buggy/carrier, baby swing (for her babies), princess shoes, purse, Dora toys, tea set, music, a pink laptop, and three new dolls.

The boys have already taken over or should I say Reilly. He loves playing with the dolls and making up stories and stuff. Thankfully Natalie likes to play with Reilly, but I can see the future filled with screaming tantrums of who had what first. Yikes!

The best part is that our little girl is two. She is so hilarious. It seems possible that I have never laughed so hard as I do watching our little rag-a-muffin waddle about in all her glory. So full of life and vigor. She keeps us on our toes and I am sure for many more years to come.

We are still here...

2008-04-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

Rain...rain...go away...come again another day! PLEASE!!!!

Besides trying to find as many things for us to do to stay dry and happy life has been busy as always.

Jason is working at the church and in his auto business. He has been working like crazy. He has been playing softball on Tuesday nights for a mens league and loving it. We are starting to date again which is really fun!

I am busy with the kids and my new babysitting job. I am watching Will (20 months) and Leila (2 months). They are my neighbors kids and so much fun to have around. Will and Natalie keep me busy and Leila well she is just adorable. I am all caught up in my scrapbooking so I have not been doing much of that. I am trying to get our garden started but it is hard to do with all this rain. I am pretty proud of myself for building a raised bed all by myself. Reilly can not wait for us to get the gardens started.

Liam is just finishing up Spring Soccer (more like Winter) and he really likes being on the 5/6 team this year. It is more challenging for him - especially since he is the littlest one out there. He is also learning to read. He read his first sentence "Fran can see the van". He is so proud of himself and loves growing up. He can recite movie lines just like his daddy which can be good and bad thing, if you know what I mean.

Reilly just starting T-Ball tonight and LOVES it. I think we found his nitch. He has his own bat, glove and ball. He was shy at first but then got right in there and played. This is far better then he did with soccer where he stood around sucking his shirt while the teams ran around him up and down the field. Reilly is starting to desire to learn to count, write, and is growing up so fast. He has an amazing sense of his surroundings and knowledge that amazes Jason and I. He is full of information and loves the outdoors.

Natalie is almost two and well acting like a two year old. Although, I am aware thatthe "threes" are and even harder year...two is starting off with a bang. We have a big party scheduled for her birthday with family & friends. She is into Dora the Explorer and pretty much anything her older brother is doing. She loves babies and helping mommie. She is a definite mama's girl. She loves being outside and helping with the chickens and gardening. She really is so cute and just a crack up to watch. Most days we laugh a lot at how silly she really is.

Life is happening so fast I am afraid to blink. It seems like these years are just racing by. Jason and I are trying to slow down a bit and take it all in before they are gone.

No real news with the house except that King County will make a decision in August on what plan they are going to take for phase one. This just means we are in limbo for the next 5 months waiting then there is no clear answer on if our house will be here or if they will build the sewage treatment plant. It is crazy!

We just decided while live in limbo. So we are just moving forward with the knowledge that Christ in in control. He knows the plans He has for us. All we have to do is believe and follow in faith.

Hope everyone is good. I will try and post more often.

Love,
Jess

s

Finally the sun is out...and the damage is done.

2008-03-31T16:54:00.000-07:00

I have my camera back! Yahoo! I left it at my MIL over Easter weekend and met up with her today to get it. I have missed my camera so much.

Anyhow, I was able to snap some more pictures of the house. Pretty amazing stuff. Thankfully we are all okay and moving on to other problems. Like...will we have a home in a few months, years, etc.

Check out http://www.dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/projects/blackdiamond/index.htm
This is the posting on the King County website. The green crossed off area is our home and the surrounding homes in our neighborhood.

So if some of you do not know. The City of Black Diamond and King County have decided that our property and the property surrounding us will be a good place to build a Waste Water Management Facility by 2010 (phase one, read website). This of course means we will not have a home. Compensation? You betcha! Hire and attorney, probably our best bet. Where will we go? who knows. How long? we meet with the group on April 14th at 6-8pm. PLEASE pray Gods will, will be done. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just sad and out of the blue. It could be an amazing opportunity to get out of debt and start over. Please pray!

We love you all and continue to live and enjoy life to the fullest with our 9 chickens, 2 dogs, and 3 kids. New additions Chicken Little, Chicken Joe and Cody Mack...named by the boys. Chicken little lays green eggs! Cool!

Love & God Bless,
Jess

Goodbye to the old Bay Leaf tree

2008-03-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today marks a sad day in the Cavanaugh household.

Our old Bay Leaf tree is being cut down. In a circumstances of strange events it fell on our house Wednesday night during the snow storm. So we are all safe and sound, but the tree has to go. I guess it had rotted from the roots and the weight of the 6 in of snow just made it fall down.

Now I look out my window with an open space. It is like being naked in a room full of people. We will have to replant something there I guess. It smells like fresh bay leafs right now.

To mark an even stranger week. We got a letter from King County that they are planning on building a Waste Water Management Facility on or near our property. We have to attend a meeting to see what this means. They are planning on completing Phase One by 2010.

Then we had a water pipe burst in our front yard and it took Jason all day yesterday to fix. Thankful we are blessed with great friends who came to help us out.

So today is Friday and I sit here amazed and God's grace and glory.

Did I mention that Wednesday (before the snow storm and tree falling) we got a card from someone from church that said "God if Faithful & Wonderful" with $200 in grocery gift cards in it.

Oh and I ran over a bird yesterday. It flew at my tire..

Then our 11 year anniversary is tomorrow.

Hmmmmm...this has been the strangest week ever.

Wonder what next week will bring.

March is almost over...

2008-03-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone. I can hardly believe we are in the last week of March. Where is the sun? It is already time to start planting the garden, work in the yard and enjoy the outdoors.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter. Jesus live indeed!

We had a fabulous time and I would love to show you the pictures, but I left my camera in the Yak (Yakima) and now I am with out. This is so hard as I think I take like 10 pictures a day of the kids.

We went to Yakima for Nana's annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and then we were home for Easter festivites at church. Jason did a lot of working over the weekend between Cavanaugh Auto and the church. He loves all the work as it is much needed and well an answer to prayer, but then he is away more and misses out on so much with us. Why is it this way? I do not know.

The kids are growing up so fast. Liam started Spring soccer last week and Reilly will be in T-Ball in April. Natalie is almost two going on 13. I am so busy with the kids and just think we are not even in the worst of it I am sure.

Well...love to all who are reading this. God bless, check back for pictures.

Jess

Did anybody notice the sun is out?

2008-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

One day last week we had a beautiful sunny day. When I say beautiful and sunny I really mean it was 58 degrees and no rain. I got Natalie down for a nap and the boys and I headed out side to do some much needed yard work and play.

While intent in my weeding...I heard the faint pitter patter of little feet. Thinking the kids must be thirsty and getting water I dove back into my never ending weeding. An hour must have past as I hear the kids playing down at the sand box and having a good old time. I holler at the boys to come up for a snack as I head in.

Quinched with thirst myself, I notice the door to the kitchen wide open. As I enter I see what I believe to be droppings of mud tracked about. I think nothing of it at first until I hear the boys screaming "a chicken is in our house". I begin to panic and turn the corner to find the white chicken named Lola pecking around the living room. Now this is the same chicken that sits on the ledge outside our kitchen window watching...waiting for her chance to enter what I am sure she thinks is the four seasons. Now she has made her move. As we begin to chase her she begins to poop on the carpet. Now I can handle kid poop and even dog poop, but chicken poop. Yikes!

Lola scared for her life sees Reilly with my tennis shoe and runs about unsure of her surroundings and where to go. I finally convince him the shoe tactic is not working. I gently pick her up and out she goes. I try to remain calm as I start to clean up the poop (she even pooped in the bathroom). I am thankful that Natalie is still asleep or I would be having to keep her out of all of this.

During this entire ordeal I do not even take notice of what my boys have been up too. I guess they assumed Summer was here. As I look up I reflect on there rather optimistic look. Liam and Reilly both had on their swim shorts, flip flops and sun glasses. I reminded them it was still Winter and 58 degrees out. This did not stop my little boys from asking "wheres our pool at mom". I had to put my foot down and say "no pool", but I did choose not to battle over the outfit. I gently reminded them it might be cold, but they went running outside with full enthusiasm ready to take on the rest of the afternoon. That is exactly what they did. Two hours later there they were in the sand box dirty and having the time of their lives.

I stood out on our deck watching them and my inner giggle had a good laugh and of course I had to capture this moment in photo.

A Tribute to a Great Man!

2008-02-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, February 12 Jason's grandpa Ray passed away. We know that he is in heaven right now smiling down upon us.

Liam was so cute praying last night. He said "thank you for Grandpa Ray dying on the cross for our sins". and Reilly would like to know when he will be coming back from heaven. I am so blessed our children got to know this beautiful person. We will deeply miss him and we can not wait till we meet again.

The service will be Monday the 18th. Please say a prayer for the family as we travel to be together. Pray for grandma Betty as she grieves such a great lose. Pray for strength and for fond memories to fill her heart & mind.

This is a letter Titled "Without Even Saying A Word" that was written by Jason's younger brother Eric on 2/10/08.

Grandpa,

Without even saying a word, instead, by working and providing for your family you taught us work ethic.

By being real and true with us you taught us honesty.

By living a life of health through diligence you taught us discipline.

By never uttering a single complaint you taught us resilience.

By loving and cherishing your wife you taught us passion.

By never compromising your morals you taught us integrity.

Grandpa, you've taught us so many values to live by, and you did it without even saying a word.

Copy of Eric's letter written 2/10/08.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T18:48:00.000-08:00

We had a great "love" day. The sun was out and the kids got to play outside until dinner. We had friends over to have lunch and bake cookies. My good friend Amber has two kids and watching 3 additional kids during the week. It was like running a daycare. The kids get along great!

Just a fun day!

They say its your birthday...

2008-02-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, 5 years ago today I was snuggling a little bundle of joy and kissing him and taking in this amazing thing called life. Ah yes besides the beauty of our new little bundle of joy I remember that I was freaking out about my room being filled with family, I was exhausted and Liam was being taken to be too "you know" and I could not go. I was a wreck! The nurse kicked everyone out and I did not want to go home. I mean seriously how would I take care of this baby all on our own. My how things have changed.

Year one we learned so much about Liam. He is very particular, so was mommy with her "lists". He liked things a certain way. I remember trying to lay him down at night (pregnant with Reilly) and having to stand on a stool to lay him in his crib as not to wake him. Any slight move and he would wake and I would have to start all over again. I remember being thrown up on after Liam sucked down a 10oz bottle and I began crying hysterically and calling out Jason's name. I remember the binki and how much Liam loved trains from his first set at 18 months. Oh I remember daycare in year one and chicken pox, roseola, the flu, and every cold you could imagine. We had a Blues Clues party that year!

Year two we learned that you were a linear thinker and had a certain way to do things. You loved your MEMA and boy oh boy we had to work on getting you not to scream when she left after the weekend. I remember watching you play with Reilly and running around. Liam could tell you all the names of Thomas and his friends. He loved "around the bend" and "couple up" his trains. He loved Boobahs, Teletubbies, Wiggles and Blues Clues. We had a Wiggles birthday party!

Year three...what a blur! We moved to our house in Black Diamond. Natalie was born. You were a bear to deal with. Whoever created "terrible twos" had not yet arrived at the "tazmanium threes". This was a trying year for us all with a new addition to the family. While still so sweet natured and loving Liam really started to seek independence and to test boundaries. He loved preschool and Mrs. Pitts. He loved camping, fishing, and anything to do with the out doors. Liam started to write his name, say ABC's and count. By three he was already writing my names, dad's name and working on Reilly and Natalie's name. Determined to get it right! We had a Thomas party this year.

Year four. Yes this was a fantastic year. Finally, Liam started to understand things better and communicated at a level we could all work with. Liam made friends, good friends. Liam is a lover. He is sensitive, yet reserved. He is loud, yet likes things quiet. He loves football & soccer. He loves his best friend Reilly and his dad. He loves his family. He loves camping and his cousins. Yes, this is his new passion. Oh and the Wii...he is way into the Wii. We had a Gordon (friend of Thomas the Tank Engine) party this year.

FIVE...we have arrived. Now what do cool kids do when they turn five. They have a party. NO GIRLS allowed. This is what I was told, but I already had invited our small group - so he let it slide.

Look closley and see how he is leaning on the table (this is a mini-Jason).

We will celebrate tonight as a family with cousin Nathan and his aunt & uncle. He will get to eat his BMX bike cake and have his requested meal of hot dogs, applesauce, and baked beans. Yum! He gets to play the Wii as long as he wants today because "its my birthday".

Happy 5th Birthday Liam!

Seastar Cottage

2008-02-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

We got the joy of spending 4 days in Seabrook, a cute little community near Pacific Beach, WA on the coast. Our friend Tricia and hubby bought a house out there as a beach rental. You can check it out online at http://get-outta-dodge-lodge.spaces.live.com. Let me tell you I had no idea how awesome this place was until we got there.

It was absolutley amazing and beautiful. I have always preferred the Oregon coast over the Washington coast, but this place is just so darn cute. A weekend away to a beach house with your three kids, a friend and her two kids probably is not the most relaxing of times, but we managed to have fun and enjoy the sun while it was out.

The side hail, rain and freezing cold weather did not keep us from the beach. We drove south until we found sun and played on the beach. The kids loved the sand and water. Liam found a sand dollar that stunk up the car to no end. Reilly loved to dig. Natalie loved the water. Ian just followed Liam wherever he went. Baby Ava stayed warm in the car.

It was nice to get away with my friend Tricia. We did get to sit in the hot tub one night for a little while and relax. We even got to watch a movie with no interruptions. So putting aside the whining, complaining, crying, screaming, lauging, crazy boys and a little girl who yelled "mom" all weekend it was a good time.

Cabin Fever

2008-01-30T13:54:00.000-08:00

We had to get out of the house this day it was 30 degrees this day...can you tell buy the red noses. It was a fun little walk.

Jess & Ambers Daycare

2008-01-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

Today we spent the day with 8 kids under the age of 5. Yes, I said 8! We played outside, jumped on the jumper, ate lunch, ate cookies and well just had a blast. It was a fun day. It makes me wonder if we should start our own daycare....hmmmmm!

SAVE

2008-01-24T18:01:00.000-08:00

I am so thrilled with this entire coupon thing. I have saved so much money. Today I bought about $400 in groceries but paid $180 (approx) for all of them. I am stock piling away. Check out my storage closet.

Think about it...today I bought 4 16oz jars of peanut butter for $2.50 which makes them .62 cents each. This is just crazy. Last week I bought Ragu Spaghetti sauce for $.25 cents a jar. I bought Goodnites (pullups) that the boys use at night. I usually pay $13.99 for a Jumbo pack. I paid $6.99 today. They were on sale for $8.99 at Albertson's and I had $2.00 off coupons.

The best deals are the BOGOF...Say you buy Diapers that are on sale for $8.00 for 36ct and if you buy one you get one free. Then you have a 8 Manufacture coupons for diapers you have saved up from online coupon printing, the Sunday paper, etc. So you buy 4 pks of diapers for $32.00 and you get 4 pks of diapers for FREE. Then you get an additional $8.00 (8 $1.00 Manfac. Coupons) from the $32.00, so now you pay $24.00 for 288 diapers (total of all 36ct pks. THAT is HUGE. Diapers are regularly 14.99 per pk. so you would have over time paid $119.92 for these diapers and you just paid $24.00. Give yourself a pat on the back.

Some stores even offer wipes for FREE when you purchase sale items like diapers. This is just an example of how to save and to stockpile.

TOP FOODS has buy one get two free...these are even better deals. It takes time to get this all down. I am on week three and really feel like I am getting the hang of it. I spent this afternoon from 1-4pm with my kids doing all my stockpiling shopping for the week. I spent 20 min this week putting together my lists and coupons for ea store so I was all prepared.

The best part is my hubby is raving about me and that makes me feel good. It is always good when you hubby appreciates the hard work you do to save money for the family.

If you want to know more here you go. Jen Leverton is who showed me how to do all this. A lady I just met at a restaurant who took the time to sit down and teach me how to save. Pay it forward!

Shopping Smart

Shopping Smart is an easy way to save hundreds of dollars on groceries each month. Shopping Smart is successful because it teaches two distinctive types of shopping. Shopping Smart is basically matching grocery and drug store super sale items with manufacturers' coupons for the best possible savings, then stockpiling to reduce weekly grocery spending.

“Stockpiling vs. Need Shopping”

Are you careful to limit your purchases to the bare necessities? Do you try to get only what you really need? Stop doing that! Shopping Smart is about buying a lot more than you need. If you are shopping each week for only what you will need or eat that week YOU ARE WASTING MONEY! That's what the grocery stores want you to do. It’s called Need Shopping.

The most exciting type of shopping, and the one that makes you successful at Shopping Smart, is Stockpiling. By stockpiling you are building your own store at home. You are buying more than you need while the sales trend is running. Then when the sales trend changes, we are not forced to buy at a premium price. A basic guideline for how much to stockpile is a 3-month supply. You will learn, over time, how much to stockpile for your family. Stockpiling is the key to Shopping Smart.

“12 WEEK RULE”

Because supermarkets run sales in categorical trends it takes approximately 12 WEEKS to get a well-rounded stockpile. Each week you will notice that you are stockpiling in different categories. Example, week one you are buying more than you need of toothpaste and dish soap. In this way, you are building your stockpile in those categories. Then your stockpile will carry you through to the next toothpaste and dish soap sales trend.

The “NEED” List

The need list is comprised of things you need to buy because you don't have them in your stockpile or they are perishable, such as produce. You will want to keep these purchases to a minimum. The longer you stockpile, the shorter your need list will become. By buying lots of super sale items, your stockpile will become so full (pantry, frig and freezer) that your need list will usually consists of only a few items each week. When getting started, and until your stockpile gets built up (the 12 WEEK RULE), you may want to do your need shopping at discount supermarkets.

The Manufacturers

As an incentive to buy their products, manufacturers publish coupons in a variety of places. The best place to get coupons is the Sunday paper. You will sometimes see manufacturer’s coupons in the Albertsons, Safeway, Fred Meyer and other store ads. They will read “Manufacturer’s Coupon” at the top and have a UPC bar code. Some coupons found in the store ads will state “Good only at (other store name)”. Keep these as Albertsons accepts coupons from other stores.

Albertsons

"Why shop at Albertsons?” In short, Albertsons has the best coupon policy, and they have great super sales. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of identical manufacturer’s coupons that Albertsons will accept. If you have 15 coupons for Pantene shampoo, Albertsons will accept all 15 coupons. Albertsons’ accepts up to 10 coupons per transaction from other grocery stores. Other stores include the Safeway, Fred Meyer, QFC, Top Foods or Thriftway coupons, *mega coupons, ticker tape coupons you get after checking out and the manufacturer's coupons that state "Good only at (other store name)." Not all of them are worth using as Albertsons may have an equal or better sale on the same product. If the coupon is for another store’s brand name product, Albertsons will substitute their brand and honor the coupon.

Note: Albertsons does not accept ad coupons from variety stores such as Rite Aid, Wal-Mart and Target. The ad coupons must be from other grocery chains.

*Mega Coupons – From time to time, most stores will issue what we call mega coupons. Usually, they are worth $5 off $50 in groceries, $10 off $75 or $20 off $100. Albertsons accepts any stores’ mega coupon.

Your Coupon File

When organizing your coupon filing system, you will want to file and store your coupons in a way that makes sense to you. I recommend using a small storage box filled with envelopes labeled with categories based on the aisles in your grocery store. You may use some of the manufacturer’s coupons the week they come out, but many will be filed and used weeks or months later. Remember less is more; there is no reason to keep coupons for products that your family will never use. It's about knowing what coupons are best, and when to use them. Start by getting your coupons from the Sunday paper. Also, as of this year, the Internet is now offering coupons of good value. This is due to new software that is in place that facilitates limits as to how many coupons may be printed. As a result, manufacturers are offering more coupon value.

The Daily and Sunday Newspaper

The manufacturer’s coupons and store ad coupons that you need will come from the daily and Sunday edition newspaper. I recommend purchasing the Sunday paper in even numbers. Two papers for a family of two, four papers for a family of three or four and six papers for a family of five or more. If you are in the first 12 weeks and are still building your stockpile, you may want to consider purchasing even more.

Getting Ready
Most grocery store ads come in the mail on Tuesday. Save all supermarket advertisements that come in the mail. Albertsons, Safeway, QFC and Top Foods come on Tuesday. The sales week begins on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. But since you get new coupons to go with the current week’s sales on Sunday, it is best to wait to shop until Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

Most Drug store ads come in the Sunday paper. The sales week begins on Sunday and end on Saturday, giving you even more time to shop. Fred Meyer, Target, Walgreen’s and Rite Aid come in the Sunday paper along with the manufactures coupon inserts. Most of the time you will find a Smart Source, Valassis and a P@G insert. Cut and file any manufacturer's coupons from these sections of the newspaper. Clip and file all manufacturers’ coupons. Cutting and filing coupons should take only about 15 minutes once you do it a few times.

Read through the ads and circle the items that you use and have a good sale price. Each major supermarket in your area will run most of the same sales on the same items; compare store sale prices to find the best value. Then check to see if you have coupons to match for further savings. Be careful to read everything on the coupon. You don’t want surprises at the check out. Also, look for words like “good on any…” especially when a specific item is featured in the picture. Often times, you may use the coupon on “any” of that manufacturer’s products, not just the pictured item. Just because an item is on sale and you have a coupon, doesn’t mean it is time to use the coupon. Nearly every item runs through several levels of sales before it reaches its lowest super sale price. This is where knowing when to stockpile with that coupon can save you a lot of money at check out. Once you have determined which items you wish to purchase make a list and pull these coupons from your file. Then list the number of items you wish to purchase based on the number of coupons you have next to the item description on your list. Take the coupons to the store in a separate envelope.

Shopping

When stockpiling, shop only from your list, bring your store card, and your coupons. Check expiration dates on all coupons before going to the store. Keep your need-shopping list separate from your stockpiling list. It is much easier to keep track of your savings.

Tips and Examples

Tip 1.
Make a weekly grocery budget if you do not already have one. Don’t expect to save money until you have stockpiled for a 12 week cycle. After 12 weeks you should save about 50% on your over all grocery budget.

Example 1.
If your budget is $200 a week, after the initial 12 weeks you should save $5200 a year. WOW!

Tip 2.
When looking thru the weekly advertisements, pay attention to the BOGO sales. You can save the most amount of money using 2 coupons on a buy one get one sale.

Example 2.
Dove shampoo and conditioner is on a buy one at $4.99 get one free sale at Rite Aid. You have 2 -$1.50 coupons making your final price $1.00 each, saving 80%.

Tip 3.
Use coupons that you have even on free items.

Example 3.
Albertsons has Yoplait yogurt on sale 20 for $10. If you buy 20 you get a free Pillsbury piecrust. You can use coupons for the yogurt and a coupon for the piecrust. If you had 10 –$1.00/2 yogurts and -$1.00 for pie crust your final price would be they owe you $1.00 that would come off your final bill.

Tip 4.
Share coupons with a friend. Their family probably doesn’t use all the same products as yours.

Example 4.
You will receive ticker tape coupons for competitors products at check out. When I buy Similac formula, I get a buy one get one coupon for Enfamil.

Tip 5. Watch ticker tape announcements for up coming promos from manufactures.

Example 5.
Gerber will give you back $5.00 for your next shopping trip when you spend $25.00 on any Gerber products between Dec 1st – Dec 31st in one transaction

Whose says you need a real drum set

2008-01-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

Boys seem to always find ways to make noise. I would die if someone ever bought us a drum set, but who really needs to do that when a few bowls do just fine. Put them on your head and band and it is a whole new sound!

"Tickens" "Tickens" "Bak" Bak"

2008-01-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

As I bundled up the troops to head outside on this clear, but freezing cold day Natalie and Will went screaming out the door yelling "tickens" "tickens" "Bak" "Bak". It was all I could do to get my shoes on and hat to head out. We had to feed the "tickens" then we let the "tickens" out and the kids went crazy. The idea of chasing a "ticken" must be so thrilling to them. The "tickens" were fine with this as long as they were getting food. We did not stay outside long before everyone started complaining about being cold so we headed back in for snack.

P.S. I am still missing my stuff and I have no idea where it is. I woke up 3 times last night thinking about it..."dis is serious" (in my best Wonder Pets Voice)what good is a good buy if I lose the stuff...geeeeezzzz!

I am loosing my mind

2008-01-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is official...I am losing my mind. I went downstairs tonight to organize my "stockpiling" closet only to be missing 3 Spritzers, 2 Wishbone dressings and 2 Progressive soups. I can not find them anywhere. They were on my counter earlier when I took the darn picture. Then I moved them downstairs before sitting down to eat lunch. I have looked everywhere. At first I thought maybe I put them in the freezer with the toaster struddels...that would be something stupid I would do. Then I thought they might be in the bag still so I sifted through the garbage. Then it started to bug me and I mean bug me. I started going up and down the stairs. I looked in the fridge, pantry, laundry basket, car (just in case in my other personality I took them there after bringing them in the house). I looked everywhere, seriously; everywhere. It is still bothering me...so here I sit venting about it. I do all this great shopping and save all this money only to lose the items...ugh!

Now I will go to bed and sometime in the middle of the night my brain will wake me and tell me where I left those darn things. That is if I can get to sleep. I have lost it! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!