The Least That We Could Do

Whats going on with the Oso mud slide is just devastating.  I find that I have to turn the channel now because I just cant watch it anymore.  I saw when they pulled that 4 year old boy out of the mud in his underwear and shirt, and all I could do was picture that being Blake.  How scared that little boy must be and how devastating to also lose your dad and 3 siblings.  Brings me to tears every time I think about it.  I cant imagine losing Blake or Luke, but this horrible thing helped remind me about how precious our time with our family is.

We wanted to help, and I donated what we could, which wasn't much, but I felt like I needed it to be a personal connection.  If I didn't have kids, I would be down there, digging, feeding people, doing whatever I could to help, but since that's not feasible, and I think they are turning away volunteers at this point, we thought we would send a little love.  I saw on the news that there are victims in serious and critical condition at Harbor View, and that you could send them cards and flowers.  I thought it would be a good way for the kiddos to help out and also send some happy thoughts to those who are recovering.

We made some cards this morning, and hopefully we can do more :)  I talked to Blake about it in a way that would be appropriate for him, and he already knew something was going on since thats all he has been seeing on the news.  He asked if the people that went to Heaven were with Aunt Dawn and Grandpa Howard...and Lucy...and Otto (too many deaths lately) and I told him that I am sure that they are all friends up there now, and that they are all smiling together.  He was sad...Blake has a huge heart with so much empathy.  Hopefully these will make some people smile...

decided to keep it short and sweet... maybe when they start interviewing people that survived then I will make it a bit more personal.

I cant think of anything that makes me smile more then a homemade card from a child 

Harborview Medical Center

OSO Landslide Patient

 325 Ninth Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98104

Happy Birthday Monty and Dad!!

We sure had a BUSY birthday weekend!!  Monty turned the big 5-0 on Thursday and my Dad hit 52 on Sunday!  We had lots of festevities.  Each one of our dads wanted to celebrate with a bon-fire... must be a guy thing, but I just basically wore the same clothes all week because everything already smelled like smoke, so what was the point in changing?  We had a loot of fun though!!

We decorated Monty's office for his big 5-0!!

Hope he didnt have any meeting scheduled first thing!!!

My dad has this thing that he likes to do every year... he wants to go into the mountains and play by the river and build a fire, so that's what we did... although there was a little snow on the ground, it was still very warm and the kids and dogs had a lot of fun!  I collected some flat river rocks for my garden too... I am going to have the kids paint them :)

Kona saying ''Happy Birthday"

My kids got everything that they had on completely wet... I had brought extra of everything, except socks, so here I am drying Blakes socks on a stick over the fire... whatever works right??

Kyle built an Olof from Frozen :)

A Man Of Honor

Saying goodbye to someone is always hard... yesterday, I said goodbye to my Grandpa Howard.  He had 77 good years of life and will be truly missed.  As we sat in the room and listened to everyone talk about my grandpa, I was amazed at how many people spoke about his honor and integrity.  Many people spoke about how much he had taught them over the years, and how he was always so willing to help them.  My grandpa was a simple man... a very good man, but simple in the way that he lived his life.  I always knew that he held his family and friends in the utmost value, but there were so many people that his life touched that I had no idea just how far his goodwill traveled.

I have too learned a lot from him.  He has taught me about clam digging and fishing.  He taught me how to shingle a house and how to wear a survival suit in the water.  I learned that ice cream is better when you put cookies, jam, peanut butter and chocolate syrup on it, and that peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches are good to eat any time of the day.

Something else that I learned yesterday was that I missed out.  I should have made it a priority to learn more...to do more with him.  I just realized that I no longer have any grandpas... grandpas are the strong men in a family...the head of the family.  The people that teach you and that you learn skills and devotion from.  I have some strong women in my family, there is no doubt about that... but there is something comforting about the love of a grandpa...especially to a granddaughter.  Luckily, Kyle still has a grandpa, and he has taught me and my family many things already, but poor Grandpa Ray is going to be a little sick of me soon.  He isn't going to know what hit him!  I see the value and importance of sharing and learning traditions.  Building...cooking...growing...providing... things that I believe my generation doesn't find appealing.   If we don't learn them... they will be gone.  Although, no one will ever be able to make a pie as good as Grandpa Ray... I am determined to get pretty darn close!!

 

Fisherman's Prayer 

God grant that I may live to fish 

For another shining day, 

But when my final cast is made 

I then most humbly pray, 

When nestled in your landing net 

As I lay peacefully asleep, 

You'll smile at me and judge 

That I'm "good enough to keep." 

Good Riddance February!!

February was a really hard month for my family.  We had many different issues going on on my side of the family and we also lost my Grandpa Howard.  I am looking forward to March treating us much better, but I know that whatever life throws at me...at us... we are strong enough to take on the world.  Thank you, honey...for reminding me that I am not alone :)

A simple card from a wonderful husband.

You don't get to read all the mushy stuff!!!  HAHA