30 and loving it....

I turned the big 30 last week. The incomparably beautiful I-Shuan made me Korean B-day soup...you turn a year older when you eat it, which I did. It was the greatest way to celebrate my birthday with the sweetest people!

Inspired by my friend Bethany, I am writing 20 things that I learned in my 20's.

This post took me forever to write, and finally I had to break down and ask for Kentito's help. It disturbed me not because of my age but rather because it took me so FREAKING long to think of 20 things I've learned, and that bugged me. I mean really, I couldn't think of 20 measlely things in my life from the last decade? Not being able to quantify it made me wonder, Was it a wasted decade? Which of course the answer to that is HELL NO! Let's begin shall we....
In no particular order...

1. A grateful heart is the secret to a successful day. Noticing the small things and offering a silent prayer of thanks.
2.I like to learn. 13 years in the public school system and I thought I hated it. I left that behind and my real education began....and I love it.
3.I have to excercise everyday in some form or other. Like a giant cosmic checkmark I have to check everyday or else I am grumpy. I've learned that as I get older I work out twice as hard and look half as good.
4.I LOVE and feel blessed to have the calling of "mother" in this life. LOVE my job.
5. I have a thirsty and conversely absorbent mind. I flit over an emotional political or criminal article and I can recall the party's last name 4 years later. I have to be careful what I watch, read and especially think about.
6. I love to read.
7. I am fiercely defensive. Try and cross someone I love and we'll see what's left of you when were done. It's not a good quality but I acknowledge that it's there.
8. You can have 3 PhD's and not know a thing. Unless the spirit of truth is there in education it's not education, I don't think.
9. I've learned alot about the Word of Wisdom and nutrition. Still learning and loving the depth found there.
10. I value differences in opinion. I might not agree with you but I can respect the point of view. I like hearing different ideas. I value a similar respectful point of view, you might not like what I think but don't tell me I'm an idiot. Narrow minded people bug me.
11. Happiness is a choice, a state of mind rather than a state of circumstances.
12. I'm indecisive.
13. No I'm not.
14. I struggle with fear. The Lord has helped in not letting it control me. "Perfect love casteth out all fear.

15. Friendship is important to me.
16. I'm not a cry-er and wish that I were one. I always feel so much better after a good, hardy cry. That is also when I feel the most beautiful too. The morning after a cry, puffy eyes and all. But in reality I only cry maybe twice a year. And the things that make me cry are random, a work of art, a perfect moment. etc.
17. I learned that I love to dance like a hyper idiot....but only when no one is looking. Does this mean I care what people think, or that I care about people enough that I don't want to frighten them (I AM REALLY SPAZZY!)? Hmmm..food for thought.
18. I learned that I like to think of myself as an AMAZING TRAVELER but I'm not. Carsick, Airsick...landing in Hawaii last year was my once a year in tears experience. Maybe it's because I was prego?
19. I learned I hate heights. Jumping from them is not an option. I love the ocean, it puts me in a state of awe. I have no desire to see under it's deeps it freaks me out.
and
20. I learned I have ALOT to learn.

I was trying to think of 20 things I'd accomplished in my 20's. I can't. When I look back on my 20's I will think of it as the decade I became a mom and wife. I hope that quantifies it enough.

Evelyn's Blessing....

What is light?

When you recognize her beauty, the eye applaudes

The heart stands in an ovation

and the tongue, when she is near, is on it's best behavior

It speaks more like light.

"What does light talk about?"

I asked a plant that once

It said, "I am not sure,

but it makes me grow."

-St. Thomas Aquines


Kent gave Ever the most beautiful blessing. The spirit was so strong. Ever's spirit fills my whole being with song. I love being a mother to my precious children. We are so blessed.

Grandm and Grandpa Gardner were able to come for the blessing and for Thanksgiving. It wouldn't have felt like home without them. Thank you so much for coming! We love you guys so very much!

"Are you a princess?" I asked

And she said, "I am much more than a princess,

but you don't have a name for it here on earth."

-Author Unknown

A Christmas tree story....

Kent woke up this morning and decided that we were going to get a REAL Christmas tree this year. Not just that, but that we were going to get our first REAl christmas tree across the street and fireman carry our tree home with Grandpa. I did inform Grandpa of his rights to refusal at being volunteered for the job. But luckily and happily Grandpa is Grandpa and loved the idea. Vests were not optional, Northwest attire required.

I have learned alot about myself while living here in Portland. Today I learned that I should not be allowed to go Christmas tree shopping. Reason #1: I am the most indecisive person in existance. Reason #2: I had this completely irrational, unfounded and ridiculous feeling that finding the Christmas Tree of 2011 would be a spiritual experience rivaling that of locating the Holy Grail...... lights, hallelujah chorus, warm fuzzies and all. So after we found THE ONE (which was actually the 7th ONE but the first we couldn't find any deficincies with) Grandpa held the ground while I went back to confirm that I DID NOT indeed want a Noble fir. I did want one, the circumference interference of my living room did not. So I returned to Grandpa convinced that we had made a choice (Halle -freakin' -lujah indeed...a different chorus then anticipated but what-ev!)

Here are Kent and Grandpa pretending to cut down our tree.



Here is TEAM JACOB (Kent named him...not me) REALLY cutting down the tree.

Anyone else here want to break out in the HI HO song?

Coming up the driveway.

And because we live in Oregon, we hug our tree.

The end result is the most glorious Christmas tree in creation. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

A homebirth poem....

‘Twas the night before birthday, 2 weeks in a row
And Momma felt all breakables, across the room she would throw

Baby should have been here, what’s with the delay?
“Respect the process and have patience” is all the acupuncturist and Dr. Jen would say

I had tried everything, just so we’re clear
Walking for miles, herbs, food, inducements bold and dear

So Friday October 14th I woke up and said “I’m done”
This baby is coming TODAY, before the setting sun.”

The breast pump got contractions going enough,
That the Doctors could help get the process going, and stuff

And what to my wondering eyes should appear but my small birthing crew
They came with their gloves, oxygen, boxes, bags, prepared for "what ifs" and "I'm throughs!"

At an irregular six minutes apart, I made them break my water
Knowing with my other 2, this is the REAL labor starter

Glorious I-Shuan came and picked up the kids
Wished us “Good Luck!” and “Good Bye” did bid

I was most comfortable in the bath and spent most labor there
Or on my hands and knees, with Kent nearby in a chair

My doctors came in to my bedroom once in awhile
But left us alone early in labor to deal w/ this trial

The 3rd doctor arrived with 10 minutes to spare
As I was demanding the vacuum, I was a real bear

“Who’s idea was this?” was my impatient demand
This was way more intense then I remember or planned

But 3 pushes later and we found out why
9 lbs 12 oz cacoon to butterfly

A perfectly beautiful baby girl of our dreams
And her name dear “Eve”, Evelyn Josephine

A bustle of activity followed the birth as the midwives scoured and cleaned
And left us to snuggle a while in bed while the Warrs our children did bring

The midwives scrubbed my bathrooms, showers, did laundry, got food
Respected and joyfully lifted spirits and the mood.

And laying a finger aside of their smiling mouth
Slowly backed out of our house

6 hours in all, 4 years in the waiting, 2 parents thrilled up to the sky
2 siblings completed, 3 grandparent elated, an angel from heaven, a sigh

The beautiful red hair....

A little perspective...

Summer and Utah....

Last summer we took Bella to the coast to a day camp that she LOVED! Complete with the tacky camp songs usually reserved for later in life and always recalled with profanities, art work, dirt, swimming, friends, soccer, boating, rowing etc. She has literally begged all year to go back. And go back we did. I like going when my friends kids are going so she has friends and members of the church there.






This year we stayed with my friend at her house out there. It was so much fun. We loved and relished every minute.



Then we literally left camp and did the annual drive to Utah.
Uncle Aaron had knee surgery right before we got there. Poor guy. He totally took it in stride though thanks to the love of his life. (Marry her, Marry her now. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth).This is one of my favorite people. We got to have a wonderful visit with Kent's Grandpa Gardner. He is 95 years old. I know he is anxious to go home to his Father in Heaven, but unfortunately for him he is completely with it, sense of humor in-tact too. We got to hear about his mission, and about how the Lord literally spared him from going over seas in WWII. The Lord had other plans for this man. I love him so very very much. I have such a respect for him and we cherish every moment we can spend with him. The kids tore apart his basement, but he takes that is stride too (they cleaned up after much coercion). What...Kristin eating....again?! Thanks for capturing that sweetheart!

Good Times!

Harry was all into Kung Fu while we were there. Can you feel it? The only thing he wanted to do while we were there was see Kung Fu panda 2 in the Theatres, which did not happen because mommy is seriously out of the loop and didn't realize it came out 2 months before. Try explaining the "no-man's land" of movies between when it is in theatres and it's on it's way to DVD to a very focused 4 year old....it's a practice in repetition and NOT FUN.




We went to the fun park at Thanksgiving point with my SIL Lindsey. It was so much fun.

It's the leg pop that makes the picture and completely defines the girl.

This is one of my kids favorite people. I don't know how he takes #1 in everyone of his grandkids hearts but he does and does it well. Reading with them is one of his favorite things.

Playing piano with Grandpa is one thing Bella looks forward too most.

On this version of Utah Excursion, we also went to the cabin and played and played and played. The cabin is such a beautiful and restful place for us. We cherish being there. Unfortunately this is where we will stop for now because I don't have pictures of the rest of the visit. Thank you mom for all you did in hosting us and carting us around. We love you so. 'Til we meet again....

Bella's Birthday....

Bella is a girlie with many-a "nick" (that's what Harry calls Nick names.) To us she is "Tooth" (short for Snoggle Tooth), Snigs, Snarla, Snigity Snarla, Bellisima the list goes on and on. She turned a beautiful 7 this year and had a party with her nearest and dearest at Papa's Pizza.

This is "ariel doll" that Grandma Jill gave Bella for her birthday.


This is the "Whole Foods" cake that she insisted on. I tried not to pretend how proud I was that she was opting for health over color. Harry asked if it was Organic. What have I created?

How is she seven? The years go so fast. I love being with my kids. They are my all-time favorite people.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Your sense of humor, love, laughter, light, brillance and sensitive nature are such a great example to us. Love you TOOTH!

Silver Falls....

Beware several posts to follow. My internet is fast enough to upload today so be prepared to be bomarded.

Our summer started with a wonderful camping trip to Silver Falls. One of our new favorite places in Oregon. Of course we begged the I-Shuan's to come because MY girl scout motto is never go camping without an I-shuan.

The kids loved Hiking. We lost Kent and Ryan on a 5 mile hike but found them at the free Hotdogs after happily partaking.

I am five months pregnant here. 'Nuf said.

Such a great way to begin the summer.