If I could have lunch with anyone..

For the challenge on {From the Journal Jar} this week it is to do a blog or a scrapbook layout on who you would eat lunch with, if you could eat lunch with anyone. Most of this is my journaling from my scrapbook page with a few added edits.

If I could have lunch with anyone-past, present or future a lot of people come to mind. Spiritual leaders, (past and present prophets of our church, and even older ones, like Noah, Abraham and Moses-I mean how cool would that be to ask them questions about how they felt as they talked with God and angels?) passed on relatives,(my dad, my great grandma, my grandpa who I never met and probably most-Chad’s dad who passed away not long before we got married, I would LOVE to get to know him), celebrities (Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell and of course the entire staff of The Office), scrapbooking guru’s, (Elsie, Becky, Jeanette, Kelli, Cathy, Stacey, Ali-I mean how cool would that be to know them all personally and not just through their highly amusing, thought provoking and most of all inspiring blogs and articles-awesome!).

I think though if I could have lunch with ANYONE it would have to be with some girls that I never thought I would have to wish to have lunch with again. Girls who I used to eat lunch with practically every day for years, girls who went to TGI Fridays for every birthday, girls that I thought would always be such a big part of my life. The girls I am referring to are a group of friends that I hung out with in high school, Melissa, Sara, Monica, Annie “Duke”, and Linds. In high school I had lots of friends I could turn to, lots of friends that I still keep in contact with today that mean a lot to me. There was something different about these girls though-we were all so opposite, but we shared so much.
Linds is on top---->

The dance picture-all the girls (except Linds), From top left; Duke and Monica. From bottom left; Melissa, me and Sara. Birthday pic of me on my 20th b-day at TGI Fridays with Melissa next to me, and the last one is Melissa, me and Duke. I have more dance pics-but other than Melissa, I found I was sadly lacking in pictures of these girls!!!
Melissa is one of those special people that people are just drawn to, it might be her beautiful, contagious grin, or her playful teasing and hitting, but I think it’s because she makes everyone feel important and everyone feels like they are her best friend. Melissa and I still keep in touch, she is married, has an adorable little boy and is living in Florida thousands of miles away from Portland-but it just doesn’t seem that far, because I know we will always be close. Sara, ah Sara-I love this girl. Every time I get an email from her or a comment on my blog from her it just makes me ecstatic. She will give you a compliment, and for some reason it just means so much coming from her, maybe because she is just so sincere. She is one of the most beautiful people inside and out that you will ever meet. She is strong in her faith, stubborn as all get out and an amazing friend. Sara is in Arizona, married and has a cutie little boy too. Monica, just typing that name makes me smile. Monica always made me smile-she was always paranoid about something, very dramatic and very extreme. I always thought of her as the grown up in the group, she seemed to have an old soul. I haven’t talked to Monica in years; I don’t even know where to look for her. She married her high school sweetheart and last I talked to her, she had a little boy and a little girl that were simply beautiful. Annie, we called her “Duke”, she was younger than us, but still just as much a part of the group. She is hysterical, she is fun, she is athletic, (all these girls were by the way), she always had a great story to tell and this great laugh I can still hear. I haven’t talked to her in years either, but last I talked to her, she and her husband were buying their first home. Then there is Linds. Linds was a year older than us and so went off to college in Logan when we were seniors. This girl was a little granola, a little vintage, a little superman, a little funky and little. She was short (which we reminded her often) and full of adventure. Every time we hung out, we laughed till we cried. We lost touch about 5 years ago, and I really don’t know anything about what happened, if she got married or moved to China or what.
So if I could have lunch with anyone, it would be them. We would go to TGI Fridays and we would all eat breadsticks in Alfredo, share appetizers and meals and then all get Oreo Madness. I would make sure we got lots of pictures, because I don’t have any of all of us together, I’m sure some where taken, but I don’t have them. I would make them all promise to keep in touch. I would make sure all of them had blogs or at least working email addresses and we would sing Weezer’s “The good life”. We would give each other a high five before hugs and exclaim, “hi-five you’re in!” and we would be the only ones laughing. We wouldn’t need to bring a stick along, because we would all be there and at the end of the night we would say “Love your guts and rip your lips off” and everyone would wonder what that was all about-but we wouldn’t, because that’s what we do.

I could do a whole weeks worth of blogs on the inside stories from that last paragraph-and someday I might. If any of you girls read this-I love your guts!

Feeling all warm and fuzzy!

I hope all of your Thanksgivings were as satisfying as ours. The food of course was delicious, the family was great and the thankfulness that I felt for all I have been blessed with this year was overwhelming! What a great year it has been! Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday-and I think I finally pin-pointed it this year why that is.

First of all, just the thought of Thanksgiving, makes me think about so many things-like fall, my favorite season, delicious smells of homemade yumminess, getting together with family, and basically a kickoff to the holidays. For me, the anticipation of Christmas is so much better than the actual day itself. I love all the things leading up to Christmas, the lights, the smells, the tastes, the general excitement in the air, I even love Christmas shopping. Crowded stores and malls don't bother me. I like that knowing that despite some of the more grumpier attitudes in the store, that most of the people there are there to find that perfect gift that will make their loved ones faces light up. I love how people start helping others even more than usual, and how so many people start thinking about Christ more, and themselves less. I love all the nativity scenes, and what this season is really all about. I love all the traditions that everyone has, and the new traditions that we start. I love thinking about how excited my kids' faces will be when they see what Santa leaves for them, I love seeing their eyes reflect all the lights and glitter on the tree as they ooh and aah the first time it is lit up. I love going out and braving the cold to find that perfect tree and then drinking hot cocoa with a candy cane in it that night. I love the smell of snow in the air, I love the music that plays everywhere you go.

I think that even if you don't celebrate Christmas itself, it would still be hard not to be caught up in the magic of the season. It is beautiful. I always wondered why it is that I have always considered Thanksgiving the best of all the holidays, but I think that's why, it's just the beginning of the magic...

Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure of our Thanksgiving-no perfect shot-just perfect happiness.

The place cards that Chad, Bekah and I made this year. A tradition I started last year-to make placecards for everyone who will be at dinner, and on the back or the inside a place to write what you have been thankful for this year and a goal for next year that you would like to be thankful for. Example: Next year I will be thankful to be living in my new house!!!Bekah has turned into quite a flirt. Jim's 16 year old nephew Zach was there, and she never left his side-of course who doesn't love a guy who can play guitar this well! This kid can hear a song once and play it perfectly. We may have a little groupie on our hands! Yikes!Here is my niece Mckayla-she was lots of fun to have around this week. Tab-o and Charlie in his sweater-poor dog!Bekah's favorite part of Thanksgiving has always been the olives-this year was no different, this is pretty much all she ate for dinner-it was a holiday so I didn't fight it.Topher's fave part was the pumpkin pie and the home-made whip cream, he didn't eat much else, but once again, a holiday so I just let it be.After dinner Topher thought he would see if Grandma had any more room down there! For some reason he stuck his whole fist down her throat and I just happened to have my camera pointing at them to get this priceless shot. Ha Ha! Too funny.See that heavenly glow around Chad as he's washing dishes? I love a man with dishpan hands! What a sweetie-he did the whole lot of them!

Me and my sis, who better know how thankful I am for her-her husband will be home on the 4th, so she is heading back to Washington this weekend and I am going to miss her like crazy. I think she is the only person in the world that I fight with about something on an almost daily basis, and yet I still want to hang out with her all the time. It's just one of those things I guess! BFF!!!

Let the ANTICIPATION BEGIN!!! Here comes Christmas people!

29 days and counting! (Chad would say 30-but he can sometimes be a glass is half empty sort a fella! So I will go by my own calculations and say 29!! Less than a month!)

A cute little fall Hug for YOU!

I got some pictures of my kids taken at Flash Digital Portraits on Saturday at the mall in Clackamas. My mom has a portrait membership there and she wanted some grandkid pics of my kids and my baby niece who is in town this week-so while we were there and the kids were already in picture taking mode-I got some of just the two of them too. They turned out pretty cute-and if you want to see the rest of them go here-the password is bekah. I really like the one of her pouting and he's looking at her and I am still kicking myself for not getting it, but I don't know if I want to pay $25 for it ya know? Still, it is pretty cute...

Hear this....

...for those of you participating in the FTJJ challenge, a small announcement over there about this weeks prompt. And for those of you who aren't, WHY? Even if you don't scrapbook, it's something to blog about each week-and it would make me sooooo happy!!! And isn't that what's really important? :) Love ya!

Un-Forgettable!

I took this picture of Bekah this morning before school-because she just looked too darn cute! She has been such a champ about getting up so early and getting ready for school, she really has surprised me, I thought it would be a much bigger fight! She loves it though, so I'm glad we did this.
The title is meant to be a little teasing jab at Chad by the way. He was supposed to pick Bekah up from school today and he lost track of time and picked her up about 15 minutes late. The teacher called pretty peeved, which I don't blame her, just yesterday she sent home a letter telling the parents that they needed to be on time-which we always were...until today. I know it could happen to anyone, and it will probably happen to me at one point or another, so I will try to make this my last jab about him forgetting his daughter...Try! I love you babe! :)

This is why I will buy another year of OMSI....

It's always changing, there is always something new to see, or they bring back something that they have put away for awhile-they switch it up and my kids ALWAYS have a good time. It's something we can all do together and all find something we want to do. It's not just good for the little kids like the Children's Musuem either-my older two can spend all day there and not want to leave. Chad loves all the puzzles they have and would spend the whole day doing them if I would let him, but I always want him to come see what cute thing the kids are discovering and watch as they learn and play. We LOVE this place, and will purchase another membership next year, because it has been worth every penny!
This is in the live science room I believe-it's the one with all the yuckies! Rats, bugs, snakes, crabs-and Topher's personal favorite-the Gecko, I think it's because he could say it! He kept coming back to it with his little magnifying glass and saying "eko, eko, eko". Not my favorite things to look at, but the kids love this room! I loved how the kids put the magnifying glasses over thier faces-too cute!
These next ones are in the new exhibit The Ends of the Earth, this exhibit was pretty cool, and even though it had some fun things for the kids like this penguin slide, the penguin walk, and the polar bear den-I think it was more for adults-so much to see, learn and read about. It's a really cool one, and it's another one of those that is included in the entrance, you don't have to pay extra for it like you have to with some of these.This picture of Topher will always make me smile, he could not take his eyes off this bear, when he wasn't saying "whoa", "wow" or "bear" he was roaring at it. I tell you this kid has no fear, Bekah-wouldn't go near it, she was hiding out in the den, the whole time we were looking at it!Now this next thing-I don't know if it's new, or one of the old exhibits they brought back-but how cool is this? You stand in front of this green screen...
...and you see this! You do a whole weather forcast for Portland! The kids loved this, they did it about 4 times, before Topher started to lose interest...because he saw the dinosaur bones, which is also new, or old but new again-whatever-I hadn't seen it and the paleontology (spelling?) lab was really cool, with a bunch of triceratop bones and fossils and stuff. I don't have any pictures, but I have a feeling we will be going again soon enough!

Week 3 {From the Journal Jar}

Week 3 is up and happening over here.
This week it is on your favorite sounds. At first I didn't think this would be all that great-but I love the way my layout turned out!
I realize I have a lot of favorite sounds that all affect me in different ways. It's amazing to me, that some of the most simple sounds can mean so much to me. I just feel really blessed to be able to hear the things I hear each day, and then hear what that sound means to me. Anywhoo...here is what the journaling reads on my layout,

{A few of my favorite sounds}

I hear my children laughing...
And I hear they are healthy, safe and happy
I hear my husband say, "I love you"
And I hear my heart beat a little faster
I hear the rain outside my window
And I hear the reason I moved to Oregon
I hear the sounds of scissors, pens and paintbrushes
And I hear creativity, passion and calmness
I hear the phone ring of a friend calling
And I hear a smile, late night talks and fun
I hear the familiar tune of a favorite song
And I hear memories, dancing and joy
I heare the still small voice whispering comfort
And I hear that I never have reason to fear
I hear the sound of my breathing
And I hear happiness, gratefulness and life.

I love the music of life that is playing all around me. There is no sound more beautiful than the sounds that show me that I am loved and have people to love in my life.

6 years of Bliss...

Seriously?!? I don't know how I got so lucky to get such a great guy! All I know is that I love him so much more than I ever thought I could love anyone! I mean he's sweet, patient, understanding, helpful, and sexy as all get out! He is more than any woman deserves and he's all mine for eternity! I don't know how I could get any more blessed than I am at this moment. We celebrated 6 wonderful years on Saturday November 10, which was cool, because we were married on a Saturday. It was a perfect weekend at the coast. We stayed at the Inn at Otter Crest. Which was fun, the room was a little laughable, but just because it was in sore need of an update. We ate wonderful food, enjoyed perfect weather on the beach and found some great deals shopping. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
Some pics at the beach-we weren't expecting such a beautiful sunny day-but we got it! It was gorgeous! We barely needed to wear a sweatshirt! Perfect day for a long romantic walk, holding hands and just enjoying each others company.The view from our rooms balcony. It just doesn't get much prettier!Chad's favorite feature of the room was the lovely blue cabinets in the kitchen, he can't wait to have our own home, so he can incorporate some of the beautiful decorating ideas he got from this place! Don't you love the brown hood over the white stove? Us too.
I know you all wanted some good kissing pics-so I had to put this one in of me about to give my best guy an anniversary smooch-have you been working out babe?-your abs are hard as rock! Seriously this was outside the Christmas Cottage store, a whole store open 363 days a year, playing Christmas music and selling ornaments! We found a great ornament for each of the kids (a little tradition, I'll tell ya about later...). Great store, highly recommend it!
I love you punkin bum and am looking forward to eternity with you, because I wouldn't be me without you! Happy Anniversary!

Here is one for the books...

...and mostly for my dad readers! Chad laughed so hard he cried last night at Bekah. She and I were reading stories in bed and it started to smell...so I asked her if she 'tooted'-she looked at me completely serious and said, "No mom, my bum just bubbled."
Thought you'd like that.
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend-it's our 6th anniversary, so we are heading to the coast...Talk at ya later!

Winner announced and Second Challenge up!

Ok! Deep breath out....first week of our challenge site is complete and the second one has begun! We posted the new challenge for the week and announced last weeks winner! I had some completely unbiast judges look at the layouts and pick their favorite. The one who got the most votes though is....posted here, under this weeks challenge.
And of course it's one of my friends, but don't think it's because they're my friend that they won-it's not-it is because they totally rocked the page and it totally deserved the prize!
I had judges looking at the pages that didn't know any of the participants and they ALL loved this layout-it was super hard though, becuase they were all cute pages! Thanks everyone who played, and I hope even more of you will play this week! This weeks winner has got to have more luck than talent on their side-so everyone has a shot (and I won't have to stress so much!).
{From the Journal Jar}

Am I ready for this?

Okay-so a bit sudden, but I think it may be the answer to our prayers...we are moving. Now don't get too excited, we are moving just across a couple streets. A newer complex, Victoria Gardens on Stark opened up and needs a new manager that can get it filled up, and since my old bosses love me-they asked me to come do it. Now this is the last thing I wanted to do, I wanted to move into a house and get away from the apartment managing thing didn't I? Especially since this one has hours and an attached office, and one less bedroom than I have and no yard...What am I thinking? Well this one pays a LOT more-and I figure this way we can save even more for our house and if I can stick this out for 6 months, we will be able to get a better rate, have a better payment and maybe even a lower price the way the market is going. Can I do it? Of course I can, do I want to? That is a different question entirely. But it's not forever right?
We are moving in the next 2 weeks!!! (YIKES!), so I might need some help (more than the mental and emotional help that obviously I need). Especially when it comes closer to moving day, to get stuff over there and packing up...so if anyone is willing, I'm asking!

Last Day to enter our First Challenge!

Feeling creative? Make a layout today for our challenge blog and have the chance to win a whole LOT of goodies!!! I am going to make this impartial as possible since I know a lot of my buddies are going to play (right!?!?!) and have my mom, Tabitha and maybe another impartial judge pick the winner-so wow them alright! Post by midnight to the post on the blog-
{From the Journal Jar}

My food is smiling at me...

A little Halloween tradition we have is to make pumpkin pancakes for breakfast and make them have chocolate chip faces. The kids love it, and I LOVE pumpkin flavored anything, especially when chocolate is also involved, so it is just as much for me as for the kids! It's always a great sugary start to a very sugary day! hee hee!

A black tie Halloween party!

I LOVE the couples and kids that live in Tuxedo Park apartments! They had the funnest (I know, not a word) progressive Halloween party at the complex so all the kids got to play and go trick or treating together. It was such a fun and busy night, one we and the kids will not forget any time soon! I know the pictures aren't great, but you can tell how fun it was right?

It was a cake walk...

At the Youngs we had a cake walk, Bekah won first and was way excited about her cupcake! There was no time to sit and eat it though, because from the cake walk we went right to the professional portrait session by Jason. He had a spooky halloween backdrop all set up and took each of the kids' pictures. Bekah's turned out cute, but Topher looked drugged up-of course he was drugged up-he had a nasty cold! Poor kid! It didn't seem to affect his willingness to eat a cupcake and go trick or treating all night!
After the Youngs we went to the Goodmans-see post below, then the Johnston's for some pumpkin paintin fun, then we went out trick or treating around the neighborhood before heading over to the Perkes, see the other post below, then to the Mollenhauers for spoooooky stories from Lance. It was a fantastic night, and we want to thank all of you who planned and put this together for such a fun night for us and the kids! Loved it!

I want my mummy!

At the Goodmans-we played the mummy wrap and a candy corn relay. Bekah wrapped up Chad and I wrapped up Tabitha. Bekah actually won the competition for unrolling the toilet paper roll first of all the kids who were playing at the time and won a bag of gummy bears-she still thinks she is pretty much the coolest ever! I don't think any of the kids got the candy corn relay-about keeping the candy on the spoon anyway-but it was funny to watch them!

do-nut you want a donut?

At the Perkes place there was a donut eating contest and fishing game for the kids. The dads all got in on the fun which of course is always the most entertaining. Topher couldn't be bothered with eating it off the string, so he just picked it up and ate it-but Bekah gave it a valiant effort! Thanks everyone at Tuxedo Park for an awesome night and party! We loved it!

Smell these feet!

I love cowboys backsides-especially this ones!

We went trick or treating in my moms neighborhood after the fun Halloween bash at Tuxedo Park. My kids LOVED it, and did not want to come in. All in all-Halloween big success!