Happy 35th, Old Man!

For the first time since Chris was 24, I was able to surprise him for his birthday. My parents (who are AMAZING) offered to watch the kids so I could take Chris out to happy hour. He was surprised by that. While we were eating, friends walked in...shocker.

We teamed up against 7 other teams for a "Pub Quiz."
The theme of the trivia this week was USA. I even brought Chris clothes for the theme...surprise!
Our teams both came in last place...but the ladies did beat the men!
...bragging rights.

My darling husband is 35 today!

When we met, he was 22. I thought he was okay. He was friendly, nice looking, and pretty amusing.

Now, I think he is a dream! He is so much more handsome than he has ever been. In the last few months, he finally got the first few gray hairs he's been hoping for for years. He is strong, healthy, diligent, devoted, talented, hard working, and passionate. He points me back to Christ when I am trying to handle situations on my own. He jumps in to help complete a task (with the kids, the yard, the house...) whenever I need it. He has an amazing way with people. He would give all he had away if God directed him to. He makes the most moist BBQ chicken I have ever tasted. He encourages me so much and is quick to be thankful. He works hard to make me feel beautiful. He adores us (the kids and me) and enjoys his days off. He loves to read and really remembers the details of Bible stories that I forget shortly after reading. His humility humbles me! He is slow to pick battles and covers over so much with loving grace. He is tenderhearted. He loves to serve our neighbors. Though I tease him about being over-protective, I appreciate how he is so protective over our family. He is a thespian. He is Mr. Frugal (again, something I tease him about...but is something I really appreciate about him). His humor hasn't changed, but I understand it more now. He makes me laugh so much (even when others don't get his humor at all). He is willing to go along with things that I like to do...even when they are the last thing in the world that he would choose to do. He helps me to relax and knows how to rest. He loves to stop and smell the roses (well, smell the coffee...but you get the point).He is a good friend, love, husband, father, son, brother...All who really know him are blessed. God gave me a precious gift 35 years ago today...one that gets even better with each passing year.

I love you, Chris!

Happy Birthday!

Chris Met Amber

For our 10th Anniversary, Chris made me a story book.
I love it, and the kids love us reading it to them.

Chris Met Amber
Written By:
Christopher William

Chris saw this beautiful woman named Amber at his favorite coffee house. She was a bit sad, and Chris couldn't cheer her up; he even told his best lama story.

Later, Chris saw Amber worshipping the Lord in church. When church was over, he ran to meet her at the door to talk to her. Wen he caught up with her, Chris asked Amber to have an iced tea at TGI Fridays.

All night, when they were drinking iced tea, Chris couldn't stop thinking how wonderful this girl was. He thought that this is a woman that he can see himself with; Amber just thought he would make a good friend.

Weeks later Chris drove Amber Home. When they were in his car, Chris asked, "Can I court you?" There was a long pause and Amber said, "No, it's just me and God, and I like it that way." Chris was sad, but he courted her anyway.

After months of courting her, Chris finally wooed her, and they started dating. One day, they took a walk at the mall where they held hands for the first time. Chris was so nervous.

After four months of knowing Amber, Chris knew he wanted to marry her. So, they had a ring made. Amber gave it to Chris and said, "I get this ring back. Either you say 'good-bye' or you ask me to be your wife." Well, Amber got it back and she became his wife.

Chris and Amber enjoyed married life a lot, maybe too much. They went our to a lot of great restaurants and even had a nice dinner in NY at Rock Cafe.

After living in California all their lives, God directed them to Oregon where they would really start living. After many years of trying for a baby, one came. His name was Isaac.

One year after Isaac was born, Abigail was growing in Amber's tummy. Nine months later, Abigail came. She was really big!

Now here they are, 2 kids, 3 homes and 10 years of marriage. Life couldn't be better. Chris is more in love with his bride than when he first married her.
He is a truly blessed man!

Lydia's First Birthday

Birthday girl, Lydia

Abigail and Daddy, the twins

"Look at this stick, Mom! I can carry it myself. Will you build a fort with me?"

Garden Railroad 2010

You know you love your son when you spend 7+ hours driving him around town looking at G guage garden railroads in the private yards of local Oregonians. It was exhausting...but worth it. All I kept thinking was, "Wow, this is pretty cool...but there is NO WAY I would ever spend this kind on money on these trains." It was cute, though, Isaac personally thanked each owner/host for sharing their trains with us and told then what he liked best about their trains and/or layouts. They told him how he should start working on a train in his yard.

After the second garden, Abigail kept begging to go on the swings, slides or pools that were in the yards. :) She liked the house the best that provided lemonade and crackers.

We had a fun break in the middle of the day. Our friends, the Dorans, happened to be around the corner of one of the homes we were stopping at. Abigail took a power nap there while Isaac played with the boys and Mr. Doran even let him drive the tractor.

What a day!
***These are pics Isaac took. I let him have the camera for the first time and said, "Take pictures of whatever you want."

It is easy to get in a rut!

So I, Amber, have been in and out of a rut for a few months. I have been looking for reasons. Sure, some may be hormones (trying to balance out my PCOS and newly starting estrogen), some might be the extra rain, some might be busyness, tiredness, stress over Chris' job...

All I can say is that no matter what the reason/cause (legitimate excuse or not), my view of life, the Lord and myself have remained unchanged. I can look at despair in the face and say, "I know that God is bigger!" In the midst of trials, my confidence rests in my God who is unchanging. Because if Him, I can claim joy in a trail (even if it feels painful and unhappy). I can come to Him with tears, worry, confusion, exasperation, hopeless feelings, doubts, anxiousness and weakness and He meets me where I am at. He is the one who can bring me out of the pit; I don't have to try and climb out in order to meet Him. Even when I am not feeling it, I trust all that He has promised in His word because God does not lie. He promises a future and a hope, sanctification, to work all things out for good, joy, strength, forgiveness, love, and the ability to overcome any temptation (because I am a believer in Christ and have the Holy Spirit at work in me). Even when I pray and it feels like it's in vain...it's not. When I read the Bible and it feels like it is not doing anything...it does. His Word will not return void. He directs my prayers when I don't even know what to pray. It is comforting.

God is so faithful, He even sends friends to the door, unexpectedly, to come sit and chat at just the right time. When the burden seems to tough to carry, He eases it somehow. He has promised that He will not give us beyond what we can handle.

All this to say, I am amazed that anyone can live this life, with all its pressures & pains without the strength of the Lord. It also amazes me that when all the blessings are given in this life (health, family friends, children, nature, a beautiful sunny day), most people have no one to thank or praise. I know they are "thankful," but to whom? Even if one were to make it their whole life on their own merit, building themselves up, accomplishing all worldly goals, desires and even making a "mark on history" by setting a record, inventing something, or raising kids that do...what does it all add up to in the end?

I know is that I am weak, sinful, selfish, controlling, short-sighted, indulging and prideful (among other things). And God, by no merit of my own, has shown me grace and turns all my faults into strengths when I rely on Him. He brings me joy, hope, peace and a firm foundation (one that does not depart when the waves come crashing down). If you do not know Him, I pray that one day you will. If you ever are in a rut that you cannot get out of, call me. If you achieve all the goals you set out to accomplish in this life and still find out that there is a huge void in your heart, I can tell you who can fill it. Christ is the way, truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Him. He loves so much that He sent His Son to the cross on our behalf. There are many different theories of who Jesus. I know I had some that were not at all true. I never read the Book, I just made up what I figured to be true. His Word is true and clear. He is who He says He is. All that He promises is true. Just read it (if you are not sure where to start, try the book of John).

"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" John 2:25

Dad, Happy Father's Day!

When Father's Day rolls around, I think of Chris and what I can help the kids do, say, or make to let him know what a great dad he is. At the same time, he's not my dad. This day I want to thank my dad.


Dear Dad,

I love you. I know that it took years for me to appreciate you (truly, maybe not even until I had kids). You had it hard because we did not meet until I was already 9. I was used to not having a father around and I didn't know how to handle it. I had high expectations and those did not include you making any rules...just treating me like a princess. You endured the teenage years, the rebellion, and all my reluctance to you taking the father roll.

I am so thankful for you stepping up and loving me (not based on my actions, but because you purposely chose to). I am thankful that you gave me a curfew that you made me follow, called my friends parents to make sure I was really there, grounded me for crazy amount of time to ensure I would not make the same foolish choices, didn't allow boys in my room, made me use table manners (though I have regressed and still use my fingers while eating), made me work hard and not just hand me money, and protected me as much as you could. The things I most resented at the time, I most appreciate now. You did treat me like a princess...in all the right ways.

I also think is is sweet how cute your face was on our wedding video when you were praying just before you gave me away. Your smile was priceless!

For too many years, I called you "Tom." I don't know when I started calling you Dad, but I know you earned that place in my heart long before I ever said it! I thank God for the perfect plan for my life and the dad that who has been used to shape the person I am today.

I love you more than words.

Your Daughter,
Amber

10 Years!

The grandparents are watching the kids while we celebrate 10 years of marriage! 10 years seems so long, but it has flown by! We spent the first of two days just doing what we would have done, pre-kids. We worked out together in the morning, had a wonderful breakfast at home and spent the day strolling around Portland (with no plans, strollers, emergency potty stops or need for naps). It was so great! We talked to strangers, people watched, listened to street musicians, window shopped, went into funky little stores, admired old buildings, stopped at all the places tourists go, rode the Portland Street Car all around, and enjoyed happy hour at Oba (which was fabulous)...followed by freshly made local icecream.
It was fun to come home, too, and rent a movie, cuddle by the fire (yes, Tiffany, Chris let me splurge in honor of our anniversary and actually turn on the fire)...and not anticipate one of the kids coming to say they had a bad dream or had to go potty for the 5th time.
It has been so great! Thanks Gramma & Papa!

Day 2 was nice. We went to sushi (something that used to be a regular lunch when we lived in Cali with no kids), which is now a big treat. It was raining and cold so we adjusted plans, played pool, had happy hour at a western bar and went swing dancing.

Chris is THE LOVE of my life! We are perfectly made for each other by our loving God who knows what we need. It is a joy to be married to my beloved. He is truly a gift to me.

Here is a video of us over our years together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh-0GlYCeKs

Dinosaur Back

Can we put our boy in bubble wrap, please! He injures himself so much. He fell on his bed and scratched his spine all the way down. We iced it and comforted him for a long while. Then, after we said he looked like he had a dinosaur back, he thought it was awesome and begged us to take a picture!
The thing about kids is that injuries don't stop them from fun. It reached 70 (yes, a cold June day for all of you in Cali) so the kids INSISTED to run in the sprinklers because it was "hot" outside.

The kids' first time fishing

There was free kids' fishing event, so we went with the Springers to go catch some trout. None if the kids was more excited than Isaac! After visiting stations that educated the kids on fish, water safety, recycling, and other things, they were able to really fish. The little kiddos fished from big tanks with bamboo poles and hooks with live bate. Alora caught 2 fish in the first 5 minutes. Isaac's excitement started to diminish as all the other children caught fish while he waited. "Why don't the fish like me?!?" he kept asking. I assured him that he was not trying to make friends with these fish...he was planning to catch them, kill them and eating them...40 minutes later (after lessons on patience and perseverance, switching tanks, bate and poles several times) Uncle Steve finally helped Isaac pull in a 10 inch trout. We sent the fish to Gramma and Papa's to be cleaned, gutted and eaten. :)

Springer Sleep Over

Since Chris works weekends and Uncle Steve was out of town, Christina and I decided to have a sleep over together in Hood River. It was really fun to be together. We have been friends since we were kids so it is extra special to have these moments with our children.
Highlights included:
*Playing & being silly
*Sleeping all together in one room
*Helping Aunt Christina plant her garden
*Flying a kite and chasing its shadow*Riding bikes
*Going to the campground to roast hot dogs and marshmallows
*Throwing rocks in the big river
*The boys pretending to be beavers and building a beaver dam
*Going to the Hood River beach, playing at the park and digging in the sand