Thankful Thursday 2

So, technically this post is a little late, as it is not really Thursday anymore.. but thanks to blogspot letting me date it when ever I like, you all will never know the difference, right?

This Thankful Thursday I am thankful for my extended family... on both sides... or, on all sides.... :) At our last MOPS meeting (Mothers of Preschoolers, a moms group I am part of) the topic we discussed was family, specifically extended family. We talked about how our relationships with members of our family change as we become parents and they become parents or grandparents/aunts/uncles.

In preparation for this meeting and then during and after, I have thought a lot about family recently. We moved back to Oregon to be closer to family, as we wanted our little one (only one at the time), to know her family... especially grandparents. We are blessed to be "near" many family members (both kyles brothers and his parents are really a drive away.. plus my dad and one of my sisters). I look forward to the kiddos growing up knowing each other and having memories of playing with their cousins.

In terms of my relationships with my family and Kyle's family, they have changed a lot through the years... as a result of many things- time, children, etc. I do think having kids has brought me even closer to my sisters, though i think time has really been the factor there. My outlook on their parenting has certainly changed as I navigated this road... it is harder than it looks, and many times I have had to sheepishly eat my words or thoughts for what I had said or thought before I had kids. I also think I have grown closer to my sister in law since she had a baby.. not sure if it is because we both are moms as much as our schedules more align so chatting on the phone is easier. plus, she is just such an easy person to talk to and be around...

My MIL and FIL are great. They are caring, loving people who will do anything for you. There are times when living closer has challenged me, but I am so very thankful to be a part of this family. they are so such good people, and have raised amazing children who are now inspiring adults. I love Kyle.. I love the man he is, and I know this is because of how his parents raised him. I love that my children adore their grandparents. and they are adored.

as for my parents. you know, time has healed a lot of wounds.... forgiveness is key. but the reality is this, there was a lot of time missed and you cannot get that back. while forgiveness is possible, forgetting is not. and thus, there will always be that missing in my relationship with my parents. I do not carry anger any more, rather choose to look forward. There are moments when I think about what could have been, and I do feel cheated. In the end, though, this is true: i am proud of the person I am ... the life I am living, the family we have built. And I would not change my past, as it has help guide me to where I am now. And I am so very blessed.

Thankful Thursday 1

Since it is November, and this is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving... and it is right before Advent begins.. I wanted to focus more this month on the blessings in my life and what I have to be thankful for... and let me tell you it is a lot.

For the first thankful thursday, I thought of God. Yes, God. You know, if you knew me back in high school.. or even college, this may surprise you. I didn't grow up religious, and even at one point questioned His existence..not in a passing, angry way.. but in a serious, searching way. I was at a point in my life where I was searching. I came to a true crossroad in my heart... I new something was missing in my life, and I wanted to believe and let my faith lead me... yet I was afraid. Afraid to relinquish the control that I thought I had.. afraid that if I let my faith lead me, as it should, I could no longer control my future.... but then I had the amazing realization that faith does not make you lose control, it rather shows you who is really in control, and that you are not losing anything.. rather gaining Him. Gaining the Father we all need.

I am thankful that He led me to join the church, led me to open my heart and begin living the life He had planned for me. God also led me to let go of anger, hurt, and other feelings that were hardening my heart and keeping me from living the life I was supposed to and from being the person I wanted and should be.

I still struggle daily with issues of control.... and with growing my faith. I worry about raising children who will truly know God, love God and be a blessing to Him and all those they meet. Again, this worrying is not necessary...but like all people, I am a sinful being and continually fall short... but then I get back up and keep trying, as He wants us to.

I am thankful God is the center of our family (though again, sometimes I forget and think I am.. :) ), and that with Him, all things are possible.

Hippie Chicks here we come

So, I did it.. I signed up for the Hippie Chick Half Marathon. It is mothers day weekend 2010... so, i have plenty of time to get ready for the 13 miles. The race is in Champoeg Park, which is near our house... we will probably camp there for the weekend.. as it is a great place. I am so excited to do this, and have quite a few wonderful women I know racing too!! Should be a fun event for us, regardless of how long we take to finish!!! :)

From the vine to the bottle!!!

Friends from Sejourne Winery called... they were getting a lot of their grapes delivered at one time, and were in need of help sorting. Harvest is a busy time for all the wineries around here... and we were only too excited to help out.




Our job was sorting the grapes... They arrive in these large bins, and we go through.. pull out the debris (leaves, etc), then pull the nice grapes...


and put them in this....

Then.. magically (or by some genius of engineering), the grapes get removed from the stems and put into a large container... where they, depending on variety, they may stay up to a month to ferment. These are Pino Noir that have been fermenting for a month.

Then, the above grapes are put into the press... and look!! unaged wine coming out, ready to go into the barrell!!!

It was amazing to watch (and be part of) the production process of a product we have come to enjoy so much! Thank you to the Howard family!!

Locks of Love

So, I went in for a hair cut yesterday... nothing extraordinary about that.... I told my hairdresser I wanted to cut off some length, get a little more style that is easy to maintain, etc. I told her I was up for most anything. She then told me if I went "This" short... I would have 10 inches- enough to donate my pony tail to make wigs for children and women affected by cancer!!! Now, this was only a couple inches shorter than I had thought..so, why not? It is only hair, and grows back!! So, now I have this new do.... :) It IS a little shorter than I wanted, but will grow to the perfect length in no time!!



Thinking about cutting your hair? Look into having yours donated!! What a great cause.. especially during October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!!

Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day

Today is a special day for many women and families.... it is a day for those who have suffered a loss of pregnancy or stillbirth. While I have been blessed to have never suffered this loss directly, I know a lot of friends and family who have. I know that I will never fully understand the impact this loss has on a woman or her family, but I do know my heart aches for them... Tonight I lit a candle for all of you.. a candle that represents the little one that left before you really got to know him/her... the little one waiting with God to embrace you when you enter His kingdom. Until then, may these candles bring you a little closer to healing and peace.

Be Pink!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most women know this. Most women have been touched by this disease either directly or indirectly. My great grandmother had breast cancer. She got it when she was pretty old, and had her breast removed... to her it was no big deal. It was late in life, she expected to be ill as an old lady, she had no side effects, no chemo, no cancer. Just no left breast. She used to joke that they were saggy anyway, so it was one less thing for her to worry about.

Then about 5 years ago, one of my best friends from high school called me. She was crying. She told me she had breast cancer, and she thought she was going to have to have surgery immediately to remove her breast as the tumor was growing fast. She called me on a Monday, and thought the surgery was going to be on a Friday. My heart dropped. We were not even 30... she was too young, too beautiful, too sweet for this to be happening to her.

In the end, she did not have the surgery that week.. instead she began a long, windy road to becoming a survivor that began with chemo and along the way included stops at radiation, mastectomy on one breast, then on the other breast, and reconstruction. All along the way, she was a role model of strength and love. She met each struggle with conviction, faith and and unfailing sense that she would survive!! She did. She became cancer free, and has been for a while now.

Her journey with breast cancer did not end there, though, as she began working as a volunteer with others who were diagnosed with this disease. Her journey took to her conferences and mission trips in places like India and Australia!!! A few weeks ago she wrote about her most recent stop on this journey, and a realization that she wanted to do more than survive... she wanted to thrive. In her words...


"After having breast cancer 5 years ago, I thought I knew what it meant to survive and I think I had the right idea: you look the odds against you straight in the eyes and walk forward never giving in. The dictionary says “to endure or live though.” Check- did that and doing it every day... I also thought I knew what it means to thrive: “to grow or develop vigorously; to flourish.” I feel strong, happy and blessed. I feel that I’m continuously working toward being a better person as well as seeking fulfilling experiences by taking the time to truly appreciate all that life has to offer. ...and though I know the definition of thrive; I really felt it in my core being. I am actively participating in the joyful journey to succeed in my survival. The world can throw its curveballs, fast balls, ticking time-bombs…you name it and I can take it! If I don’t feel like I can sometimes, I know there is an amazing wealth of support and energy that I have just discovered and it is infinite and beautiful. When I look at the pictures, I see all the amazing and beautiful eyes that revealed souls of gold and I start to smile and tear-up. The world will never be the same and I’m all the happier for it. Thank you for helping me survive to thrive!"

Shelley has just started a new job in Alaska, working to provide additional support and resources to other women who have breast cancer.. I wish you luck in this new job, and know that many women will be greatly impacted by the work you do!

Thank you Shelley... for being you... for being someone who shows us all how to go beyond surviving.. to thrive!!! I love you.