Summer Days...

I would like to say that I have pictures of this past week, but I do not. The kids and I went to Yakima last Monday to attend VBS at First Pres. with their cousins. I brought everything we owned except the camera. I can not beleive it! I guess you will have to just take my word for it that we had fun.

VBS was awesome. They had 367 kids and 208 volunteers it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen and brought me to tears. Once again I cried at the thought of wanting to move to Yakima again and be close to family. It is so hard to go there and then come home. I love it here but there is something to be said about being close to family. It is probably because I grew up around my extended family and we were all very close that I desire this for my kids.

Besides VBS...which Liam and Reilly loved. We had a sleep over 2 nights in a row with our cousing Jack, Grant and Maddie. Then we went swimming and played outside. We rode bikes and just hung out. The kids had so much fun together. This trip we stayed at Nana's condo since she was gone which worked out nicely for Natalie and sleeping arrangements with the kids. We got to visit Mema and Papka Goobs on Wednesday. The kids and I made dinner for them and we just hung out. Then Friday we jetted back home so that I could do a TS party.

I closed out June with the biggest month so far...I had $2338.00 in retail sales for the month. Crazy! July is no where near that, but I am amazed at how well I did in June. Saturday daddy hung out with the boys and they went to sportsmans warehouse and then to see Ratatouille. I had some girlfriends over for a Southern Living party. It was a lot of fun.

Sunday it was church and then home to be together. We went to a friends for a BBQ last night and that was it.

I am still out a washer due to Sears not showing up last week and then getting here today and telling me they had to order a part and because of the holiday it will not be here till Thursday and they can not install till Friday. Ugh....my good neighbor Jenni has been letting me use her washer and dryer today to wash clothes. Bless her!!!!!!! Ten fold...the laundry was piling to a astronomical amount.

Alright, I must go to bed. Love to all,
Jess

A Day at Lake Nolte

Well summer is finally here. We had beautiful weather today - finally! It marks the beginning of summer for us. I am watching my good friend Kileen's kids Jacob (13), Amanda (10) and Hannah (7) for the summer on Tue & Wed. Tuesday we spent the day at Lk. Wilderness and had a picnic lunch and then yesterday I picked the kids up and we headed to Nolte State Park. It was a lot of fun. I bet Amanda $5 she could not swim to the buoy and back - she tried but it was too cold. We got to watch a bald Eagle swoop down and take a baby duck that was swimming across the lake with its Mommy and brothers and sisters. It was very sad and we tried to get it to fly away by yelling at it, but it was determined. Even a flock of Crows tried to detour it. It was amazing to watch as I have never seen anything like it and it was up close, but sad at the same time.

We spent the rest of the day napping and reading then playing outside at there house. It was a fun day and my kids were worn out.

This brings us to Mid June...

Then the following weekend we went to Yakima on the 14th for my cousin's wedding. It was a whirlwind trip. We arrived Thursday afternoon and left Sunday morning. Thursday night Natalie decided she should be up most of the night. She was not happy and I think it was because I feed her pork chops and we do not normally eat that. She was really mad and the only ones that got to sleep that night were Liam and Reilly we even woke Papka Goobs up. No sleep for the weary...

The next day we got a chance to go to our nephew Gran't 6th birthday party. It was supposed to be a pool party can you beleive we brought the rain with us to Yakima. Plan B was put into motion and we at lunch at Grannie Ruth's with all Grant's friends. Can I say bologna sandwhiches are the bomb! Then we headed off to the arcade by my moms house. We had mud pie - yummy thanks to my SIL friend Shannon whose son Jaden was having a double party with Grant. What fun we had with 13 little rugrats. I of course was playing freeze tag, red-rover red rover, and other games with the kids while the moms watch - ha! You know me the crazy one. My SIL friends always ask her to invite me to entertain the kids (j/k). It was fun and Liam and Reilly loved hanging with all the kids.

After the party we headed back to Mema's for naps. Then up for dinner and rehearsal. Jason arrived that night and we went out to Morgan's SIL to the rehearsal dinner. It was fun and we watched a movie Morgan made for Tony. Then home to sleep!

Saturday started early. I went to the Cascade Gardens to help set up the wedding and then mom took care of the kids. We were back by 11:30 to feed everyone, nap and get ready for pictures. The wedding was at 5:30pm. It went well and Morgan and Tony looked great. The kids did awesome. I took my camera but was running around so much I never snapped a single photo at the wedding. I will get some of the ones Morgan's friend from school took. My kids were stinking cute!

After the wedding we headed home to Mema's around 9:30pm and we all crashed. We were up and out of the house by 8:30am to head home to hear Jason sing at church. We got there around 10:45am. By the time we got home everyone was hungry and tired. Reilly, Natalie and I napped for about 3 hrs while Jason and Liam watched the US Open golf tournament. Then Jason napped. We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Mam's dinner house here in BD and a movie rental.

There you have it we are all caught up.

June...where has it gone?

In early June Natalie and I went to my cousin Morgan's bachelorette party at my Aunt Angie's house in Government Camp, OR. The boys got to stay home with dad and Nana. We missed out on the Maple Valley Days, but I guess it rained a lot that weekend here.

It was rainy and wet in Government Camp too, but we still had fun. We hiked a 2mi hike around Trillium (not sure if that is how you spell it) lake and my Aunt Angie and mom got lost - now that was not funny but the story of how they got lost is...It all started with a ring of a cell phone which was my cousin Ryan calling my Aunt. So us girls kept hiking figuring that they would catch up. We walked around and then sat by the cars talking. Finally, when the conversation turned quiet and we realized no Angie and Liz were in sight we decided to go look for them. After a few of us ran around the lake to find them and some of us drove around they finally surfaced. Come to find out Angie got them lost. You may ask how someone who runs that trail and lives up there would get lost and that is a good question. All we can say it that we think altitude had something to do with her disorientation. The story goes that they were walking and Angie decided that it did not look right so they walked in a different direction and after a while they got lost. Mom started setting out things so they could keep track of where they were. Mom had to go potty so bad by the time she went well us women know what happened. When we found them they were cold, tired, disorientated and hungry oh and laughing hysterically. It was not long that they were lost, but long enough.

The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch. We played games, watched Morgan open gifts and dressed up in our tacky prom dresses. It was a lot of fun!

Finally an update...

So here is the deal...I ruined my camera over Memorial Day weekend. I left it outside by the campfire and it rained. It has been a very tramatic week and half without a camera. I have missed so much on film. But today I got a new camera in the mail...you might ask who sent it but those of you that know her will know...my mama. She misses my blogs so much that she bought me a new camera and it is awesome. Some diff. features from the other one, but great pictures.

Okay enough about all that. Here is what is new...

Liam is done with his first year of preschool and we will be homeschooling in the fall (kindergarten). He wants to learn to swim this summer and loves to ride his bike and play with his good friend Shane.

Reilly turns 3 next month and is growing up so fast. He is enjoying the summer and being outside with all the worms and bugs.

Natalie is walking or should I say running and into just about everything. She is trying so hard to keep up with her brothers. She is finally sleeping from 8pm to 5am - again after the ear infections.

Jason is busy with work as always. He is getting more involved with church as part of the production team and now getting into worship team again. He is going to sing a song on Father's Day by Rodney Adkins (country singer). He has been taking the boys golfing which they love and spending a lot of time with the kids while I work (Tastefully Simple).

I as always am ending out the year with MOPs and MOMs Club. Glad preschool is done and looking forward to the fall and homeschooling. Busy with daily life at home, but finding the time to do things that I love like scrapbooking, hanging with friends, and well talking - ha! ha!

We have a lot on our schedule for this summer. Up next...Morgans Bachelorette party on the 8-11 and then the wedding on the 16th and then some TS Parties. I have 5 parties booked for this month my best month yet. We will be doing some camping hopefully when our camper gets fixed. Jason is golfing when he can. We hope to visit family in OR sometime this summer and as always head to Yakima a few times.

Well I will now be able to post pics with my new camera. Oh yeah and here is my new kitchen table - thanks Jodi for the great FREE find.

Hope you all have a blessed day,

Love,

Jess

Gone Fishin

This is the cutest thing ever! Seriously, I was in stitches. Liam and Jason went .

fishing last night at a friends house. He lives on a local lake here in Black Diamond.

They fished at dusk until it was dark out.

When Liam got home he had this fish in a bag and told me that dad's friend told him he could not sleep

with the fish. Liam wanted to take the fish to bed with him.

I laughed so hard...he was so excited and could hardly stand it.

He was very concerned because he did not catch a fish and what was I going to do with the fish.

We had to put him in the fridge and Liam was not sure that would be okay with the fish.

Just the pure innocents is adorable!

Seaside, OR

We had such a great time this past weekend in Seaside. Our trip with our friends was so much fun. We stayed at this little place called Columbia Cottage owned by Red Door Properties (Pete in our groups mom). It was perfect for the kids and only two blocks away from the beach.

We had great weather the day we arrived and tehn pretty much rain. We had some breaks and tried to get to the beach when we could. It was really windy but the kids had plenty of time to play. We also took them to the Carosel and they loved that! It was challenging with all the kids and nap and bedtime, but we made it and the kids had so much fun together. Before we left Olivia was saying she wanted to go to our house to play. The boys were saying the same thing.

Minus the rainy drive home we had a ton of fun. Scott & Olivia stayed in a house behind us and Pete stayed in the condo next to us. Shaun & Anne shared a house with us. Hope you enjoy the pictures - I have so much more.

Jess

Hot! Hot! Hot!

WOW...it was 83 today! We had to break out the "land of fun" at the Cavanaugh house with the jumper, pool, t-pee, and all of the toys. It was a lot of fun today. We went for a walk on the trail today in MV with our friends Jenny, Shane and Ben. It was a great walk about 3 mi. The boys road there bikes (Reilly was in the stroller). Then we came home for lunch and naps. Then we have been playing like crazy!

Liam and Natalie got stung by a wasp which was not fun, but they are all over here. It was in the grass and Liam steped on it. So we had to have a popsicle and then another. Natalie loves them and loves sharing with her brother.

Have a good day,

Jess

Sunny...I love this weather!

What a great day!

I am waiting for Reilly to get up from his nap so that we can go for a walk. Liam and Natalie are outside munching on frozen blueberries.

I just thought since I was sitting here I would post a few pictures from this weekend. We had a really fun time this weekend. My mom (a.k.a. Mema) came over for the weekend and we hung out and shopped (our favorite thing to do).

We did take the kids to get pictures at Yien Lui and they turned out really cute. We did some shopping and then Sunday went to church and Jason made us breakfast at home.

My mom is the best it was a lot of fun to hang out with her this weekend and the kids. The boys are finally not crying when she leaves and we just really enjoy when she comes and just hangs with us doing nothing. We love the plant tomatoes, work in the yard, play in the playground, go to DQ and on walks.

It was a great Mothers Day. The boys sang at church which was hilarious. Reilly stood with his hands in his pockets the entire time. Liam sang a few songs, but picked at his finger nails. When we picked them up they were all excited. Then Jason took me and the kids to Mexican for dinner last night which was nice - I had the entire day off from cooking! Yahoo!...messes were another story.

Here are some pics.

Love,

Jess

Just another Thursday...yeah right!

Today started off great...we had MOPs at Wabash today and it was our Mother's Day Banquet. My SIL came over and spoke to our group and it was a great talk. She had so much to say about self identity, repentance, sin, God's love and hope for us, His forgiveness and mercy in our lives. It was so great to see her and know all that she has walked through with God. I am so blessed to have a sister and one who can be such a great mentor to me.

On our way to take Liam to preschool we stopped off at the house to drop Laura of and go to the bathroom. As we do almost every Thursday I opened Liam's door and unbuckled him and headed in the house to use the bathroom. Then I heard a scream and if you know Liam this could be about various things. I had figured he was mad because of his brother, his sock being crinkled...who knows. BUT that was not the case...the poor kid somehow fell out of the car on his head and had a big slit in his head. It was big but not bleeding a whole lot. I took him to the Urgent care as it looked like it needed stitches. He actually had to get a staple in his head. WOW he did not even cry - can you believe it? It was amazing how brave he was - I was very proud of him. I told the gals at the office to leave an open spot for me on the schedule since I seem to be in there so much. They know me by first name and all my kids. This is funny!

Liam will have the staple in his head for 10 days and then we can have it removed. Well I felt horrible about leaving him and then thinking he was crying because he was irritated at something. It is a good thing I have God's amazing grace when it comes to mothering- otherwise I would live in constant fear and anxiety. I am in no way perfect - THAT IS FOR SURE!

Well enough said. Tomorrow is another day...

Love,

Jess

80 Degrees...WHAT the Heck!

We had the most beautiful day today. The boys were dressed and outside playing by 8am. We packed a pic-a-nic lunch and headed to Lk. Wilderness to ride bikes, play on the playground, swim in the lake and eat.

We had a blast! Natalie got to have her first PB&J and she loved it - oh and I let her have some Cheetos and those were a hit - what a sucker I am! She like the PB&J so much she tried to eat Liam and Reilly's lunch as well. She is not lacking in the eating department that is for sure!

We then headed home to take naps. While everyone was napping Liam helped me mow the lawn and lay bark. The house is looking so good. This really is my favorite time of year. It used to be the fall but this years rain was pretty depressing for even me. I am loving the weather. I am sure I will pay for not being inside and doing laundry, but oh well!

There is a picture of Natalie holding the flower and it reminds me so much of a photo of me as a little girl. Check out Liam posing for the camera. It was hilarious. He was moving around saying "take a picture of me like this" "oh how about this".

Love, Jess

Reilly Roo The House Little Butterball

Cutie Pie Little Poser Little Miss Piggy

Okay...Blessing number 2

Seriously God is amazing. Tonight we sold the suburban we got gifted to us from the church. We were able to replace our emergency fund, put money in our car fund (for blessing #1, just in case) and pay off one of our credit cards!

Our quest to get out of debt is on its way! Be praying for us as we continue to honor God and be faithful with our finances and trust in Him. He obviously knows what He is doing...geez!

PTL!!!!!

Blessings...Blessings

When talking about counting our blessings we usually think of the small things, but Jason and I had a HUGE blessing this weekend. We are like any other young family with kids struggling to run a small business and live off one income. We do not have much money and are trying to be faithful with our money to God and wise about our spending. This is a true story of how God honors and hears our prayers. On Thursday I finally decided to surrender my anxiety and fear over our finances and how we are going to make it. I released it to God. Friday I did not think about it once which it has been running in my mind all day everyday for months now. Then Friday night God brought us a blessing through my step-dad.



Friday night my step-dad showed up at our house and handed us the keys to a 1999 Chev Suburban. It is gorgeous and I love it! I was so shocked I was speechless for about an hour and those of you that know me know I am rarely speechless. :O) After getting over the initial shock of it all we were filled with excitement and took it out for a spin with the kids. It is so great and such and answer to prayer. I have a radio & CD player now and can listen to music with the kids. I have A/C and so much more.



So how do you say "thank you" for such a gift I do not know words just can not express how thankful we really are. I Thank God for such a great step-dad that he would think of us and our needs and be willing to do something like this for us.




Thank you Mom & Goobs!





Here is our new ride...Liam calls him "James" ~ imagine that!

More Birthday Pics!