Too Cute

Isaac was soooo done with being out on the soccer field watching Chris play...

But isn't he just too cute???

One LONG (but fun) Day

Saturday started off with a early soccer game in the fog...

#27 is Christian

...off to G&G's (who weren't home) for a little rest...

then another soccer game at noon in the bright and shining sun!

That's Jake on the far left about to throw the ball in!Isaac taking pictures:

Then to G&G's campsite at Champoeg State Park where we fed the squirrels tortilla chips right out of our fingers
the boys rode scooters and bikes around for a bit then we packed it in and went for a hike down by Willamette River
waving at a passing boat...
hiking along a beautiful path
and taking pictures in a tree that gave a fabulous backdrop for my boys (more of these later!)

Ending the day eating corn on the cob, yummy sandwiches, and veggies - all topped off with Mom's Cream Filled Cupcakes... Then a drive home with 3 sleeping boys in the back!

It WAS a long day. But it was filled with fun and memories.......

I can't wait to do it again!

It's been one week...

I don't think that I have been able to wipe the massive grin off my face all week! I have been able to wear a PAIR of shoes! Not just any shoes, but tennis shoes, boots and other shoes that cover my WHOLE foot! This might not seem like that big of a deal, but to me it is! I haven't done that in over 4 years! .... and socks! I have discovered that I need to get new socks! I can wear pairs now and I only have a few left! Oh, the "simple" joys...

My wonderful, amazing God has blessed me beyond measure.

I have learned (even more so now than ever) that everything has a purpose. We rarely understand at the time, especially when it is something that throws us so much out of our "comfort zone"... But He knows. He knew long before.

Oh, yeah... and I can wrestle with my boys, chase them around, ride bikes with them and just generally play with them - and I don't have to worry about getting hurt or protecting my foot!

{sigh} Life is good.

Things go in pockets NOT your ears...

This is a story about 2 little (and big) boys who put things in their ears. Several years ago, Christian stuffed (yes, I mean stuffed) Floam into BOTH ears. He says that is was because he didn't want to listen. It took an ENT (ear, nose & throat) Dr. and 2 nurses to get it out - not a fun process.

Jakob also tried it, but not nearly as much and it didn't take as much to get it out... Last week, Christian had something else in his ear. It was the second week of school and he was complaining of it hurting. When I looked in is ear, I saw something pinkish deep inside his ear. [sigh] I tried to get it out, but Chris wouldn't have anything to do with it. So off to the Dr's. He tried but Chris kept squirming, so the Dr sent us to the ENT. Luckily the ENT was right there in the building (one good thing about Kaiser) so down the hall we went. Easy as pie, he pulled out part of a pencil cap eraser! Chris denies having put anything in his ear and claims he has "no idea how it got in there!". Yeah. Right. When we were all done, the Dr. commented that we all have pockets for a reason - HOW TRUE!!!This week Jakob decided that it was his turn. [another big sigh]

C & J both took showers yesterday morning and as I went to clean out Jakob's ears he lept back in pain when I touched the right one. Curious, I took the flashlight and look in. It wasn't blatantly obvious that there was something in his ear - it looked like either a serious infection or something wedged in there. I decided, especially with last weeks events, that it was better safe than sorry and made an appointment for later that afternoon.

Just like with Chris, the Dr. tried to get it out, the nurse tried to flush it out, with no avail. Jakob was hurting and crying, saying that they were done. So off to the ENT again for us. After sitting in the waiting room for a bit, we went into the room and with very little effort the Dr pulled a half a PEANUT out of my childs ear... Yes, a peanut. A disgusting, wax-covered peanut (evidence that it probably had been in there for a while). One more quote about how we have pockets for a reason and off we went, all with clear ears!

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Hopefully this concludes the story about the OwingsMonsters putting things in their ears... Let's all pray that there isn't an unexpected sequel!

GOD IS GOOD!!!

God is so good.

I woke up this morning,

not knowing what God had in store for me.

It is an awesome day...

It has been over 4 years since I have seen both of my feet in shoes and socks...

GOD ROCKS!!!

Oh, Isaac

In the few seconds that it took me to go to my room and get something, I return to the living room this morning to Isaac sitting on the couch with a large jar of peanut butter and a spoon.

He grins up at me, eyes twinkling, and says, "Want some, Mama?"

Last day of summer celebration... part 2

The plan was to go to Grandma & Grandpa Lowen's for a little bit then go into Salem to the park by the carosel to ride bikes over the bridge. Then sit in the park somewhere and eat our picnic lunch. Well, it didn't exactly work out that way.

As we started pulling bikes out of the back of my parents' truck, we discovered that Christian's bike tire was flat. Dad had patched it that morning, so we weren't sure what was going on. SO. Dad and Chris went to get a pump or a tube or something. In the meantime, Mom, Jakob, Isaac and I decided to ride around the park and wait for them... not so much. My bike tires were flat. UG.

I had Isaac on the back of my bike and he didn't want to get out, so we just walked. Played at the playground for a while.

Dad came back, pumped up all the tires and Christian's tire exploded.

Needless to say, we played at the park and had our lunch earlier than we thought because Dad had to go get a tire and stuff to fix the tire, again.

After over and hour and a half, we finally were on our way!

Mom and I both decided that dispite the tire issues that we had, we would definately do that again! The park and the bridge were easy rides - little hills and wide lanes so you weren't afraid of running anyone over... A must if you like to ride bikes!

Last day of summer celebration - Part 1

For the first part of our day, we had a short visit with my Grandma and Grandpa Lowen...

Some bird-watching: Boys taking pictures:Trying to firgure out Grandpa's wood puzzles: loves and cuddles of course

and then we were off for the main event of the day.... part 2 to come!

First week of school... survived, kinda.

We started off the week celebrating the last day of summer by visiting Great Grandparents and taking a bike ride (a post to come on that later, hopefully)

7 & 9 years old, 2nd & 4th Grades...

can you tell which one is happier?
There is at least a 1/4 inch if not a 1/2 inch difference!

Tuesday morning, actually getting to school EARLY!

Taking the obligatory 'First Day of School' pictures:

and of course Isaac had to get in on the action! Christian and Jakob both are enjoying their teachers... so far I have loved what I have seen in their classes, only minor conflicts... I am sure that we will have a great year!

{UG} Only one more year of Christian in Grade school... then it is on to middle school! YIKES!

40 years... Celebrated

On August 14th, 2010, my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary...To celebrate we took them out to a nice dinner at Portland City Grill

7 adults, out to a nice dinner without our 10 kids...

At dinner, we gave our parents a canvas print of us 3 girls...This is what the picture was:

Then a nice stroll on the waterfront

And a beautiful moon and sunset to finish off the day.

We love you, Mom and Dad. You are a wonderful example of the love and respect that we all want for ourselves...

Wordless Wednesday

Early Mornin' Cuddles

Isaac and his big 'B', 3 books and my laundry basket filled with blankets...

It all equals one happy boy!!!

Fun in the water!

2 Mommas + 5 kids + 3.5 hours in a new, fun Aquatic Center...

Yup. That pretty much sums it up!

The youngest seemed to get the idea...

the older 4, however, not so much!

(see the background?)

Dallas Aquatic Center was worth the drive and the extra $ - 4 pools, one with a "river" to float down again and again, one with MASSIVE slide, a diving board and a rope swing, one that was only 1 foot deep (perfect for the little ones!) and one that was nice and warm - oh, yeah, and a HOT TUB in the middle of it all for watching the action!

DEFINATELY going back there again!