So Happy Together

How do I begin to sum up a week-long family vacation to the Pacific Northwest?

The reunion of all 13 members of my family too long apart?
How do I narrow down more than 500 pictures to a select few that tell the story and  give a snapshot of God's grace stamped all over the place?

How do I adequately express the beauty experienced, the wonder beheld, the deep heart connections made?

Throughout the week, I found myself repeatedly saying, "This is crazy!"

Never before had I seen sea lions, seals, and whales in the wild!

Yaquina Head

My husband, brother, and dad.

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this!  We enjoyed a completely delicious and memorable meal here---the crab cakes were delish (and I hear the crab po'boys were fabulous, as well)!

Visiting the tide pools and discovering (and touching) starfish and sea anemones!

Haystack Rock ~ Cannon Beach

A magical night:  so fun to be together!

No trip to Portland would be complete without a visit to a Farmer's Market.

Multnomah Falls ~ breathtaking!

Several members of our family hiked to the top of the falls.  

It was a tough hike in flip flops and record-breaking heat, but--- 

we made it!

I treasured time with my beautiful nieces.

This was an incredibly sweet day filled with repeated reminders of God's faithfulness.  He provided and cared for us in so many miraculous ways!

We celebrated my niece's 13th birthday at the family fun center.  Here are the go-karters!

We took advantage of ready-access to cherry limeades and shakes at Sonic.  Sweet memories!

My brother and sister-in-love

Enjoying downtown Portland food trucks

Coffee is a shared interest obsession.  We drank a lot of it.

My heart is filled with so many sweet memories.

I'm beyond thankful for our shared moments,  laughter, stories, and  lives.  

A Little R and R...

We're in the midst of what is traditionally a very busy time around our house...and I'm guessing around your house, too. Between all the end of the school year festivities, graduations, and celebrations, it seems we're constantly on the move.

It was with eager anticipation, then, that we greeted a week-long vacation during this first week of May...an opportunity to run away as a family and enjoy some welcome rest and refreshment. We biked, hiked, swam, read, watched movies, slept-in, and ate. And we laughed a lot! My husband even ran a half marathon while we were there, so the boys and I got to cheer him on! God truly blessed our time together, re-filling and re-fueling each of our hearts.

Upon our return home yesterday, we set about completing final details for our annual Prom Alternative. Each May, Youth Ministries provides an elegant evening for our Sr. High kids; an opportunity to dress up, make memories with friends, enjoy a delicious meal...all in a way that brings honor and glory to God.

Here are some of the highlights of the past week:

Washington D.C. ~ The Last Two Days

I'm finally winding down my remembrances of Washington D.C...so if you've been bored by my entries over the past couple weeks, take heart! There's a new day coming!

Sunday, November 4



The Jefferson Memorial




The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Our second son is a huge animal enthusiast, his favorite animal being the panda. We had told him all along that it was highly unlikely that we would get to the National Zoo this trip, but my husband and I finally had a change of heart. We realized that this was a rare opportunity to see our son's beloved pandas. Even as we rode the Metro to the zoo, we didn't let our son in on our secret. As we walked down the street, we didn't reveal to him our destination. But as we got closer and closer, he got this hopeful, knowing grin on his face. I'll forever cherish the memory of his face...how it lit up and how he tried to repress a smile as it dawned on him where we were actually going. We arrived at the zoo and went directly to the pandas. What a sweet moment as another of our son's dreams came true!



Monday, November 5

We were eager to take a tour of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, and while we weren't permitted to take any "behind the scenes" pictures of the making of millions of dollars, it was truly amazing! Here's one of the few photos we were able to take in the gift shop area:

How tall are you in $100 notes?




The Library of Congress was truly impressive. We just stared in awe and wonder at the gorgeous architecture. We were further pleased to see a Gutenburg Bible on display.

Perhaps the memory most etched in my mind from our visit to this magnificent building was my tumble down the stairs. In fact, looking at these pictures now, I'm pretty sure it was the staircase pictured directly above! Anyhow, amidst the elegance, grandeur, and history of this building, I'll now always have a humble, klutzy, personal memory, as well!

On this final day of our vacation, we made our way over to Union Station. First we toured the National Postal Museum which was highly interactive and interesting. We then went into Union Station to watch all the various comings and goings. What a fascinating place!

And believe it or not, that is the condensed version of our Washington D.C. vacation. We are so thankful for the history that came alive to us during our stay. We enjoyed multiple opportunities to learn about our past and grow in our understanding of it. Our boys learned more about heroes...some from the distant past, some from the present...some from within their very own family. I'm so very thankful that God used this trip to make lifelong impressions on each one of us. I can say without reservation that we'll never be the same.

Teenager In the House

We left for Washington D.C. in October; we returned home and it was November.

We left home with a 12-year-old; we returned home with a teenager.

Yes, our oldest son turned 13 while we were in Washington D.C. I find myself staring at him often...so amazed that this handsome young man could possibly be my son.

Prior to our son's birthday, my husband and I had written to several of the men in our son's life, asking them to write letters in honor of this milestone birthday. We wanted to compile a scrapbook of letters from men our son looks up to and respects; letters that would challenge and encourage our son to honor God with his life; letters that would spur him on in his walk with Christ.

I was overwhelmed by the response. We received letters from grandpas and uncles; pastors, former Sunday School teachers, & AWANA leaders; dads of his friends; current high school and college friends who are just a bit ahead of him in life.


We presented him with his scrapbook on November 3. I'm fully aware that at 13, this book likely will not mean as much now as it will a few years down the road. But regardless, I'm thankful that our son has these wise words from men he respects: men who are committed to God and to leading their families; men who have learned through their struggles; men who are daily being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful that our son has the examples of these men in his life; that he regularly sees what it means to live with passion and purpose; that through these men, he sees not "perfection," but a humility and a hunger to follow after God.

In celebration of his birthday, we went to a morning matinee of "The Bee Movie," followed by a visit to the International Spy Museum. This was right up his alley! We further celebrated with a visit to The Cheesecake Factory, where our son got the royal treatment with a birthday serenade from the wait-staff. Long story short...this is one memory that will always make us laugh!




And so, my son, I close this vacation remembrance by saying that your dad and I love you so much. Nothing you could ever do will cause us to love you any more or any less. You're growing and maturing and spreading your wings so quickly. So often I wish I could stop time....or just make it slow down. But still, I'm overjoyed to watch you becoming such an incredible young man. God has gifted you with so many amazing talents...among them, leadership. But as you've heard your dad say, a man leads by following...following passionately after Jesus Christ. It's our delight to watch as you learn what it means to walk with Him. We're learning, too, my son. And we are here to pray with you and for you; to disciple, to train, to model; to walk with you as God's plan unfolds in your life.