A Bit Random...

Ok... this post is far from my normal topics...but I honestly just can't help myself!!

We recently just got the BEST pillows I think I have ever slept on!  I know...I cannot believe I'm posting on pillows, either!  What has this world come to?

In December, Gage and I stayed at an upper-end hotel in Portland (The Benson) through the use of a Groupon.  **side note...if you have never heard of Groupon...this is another bit of awesomeness you should look into!!  If Groupon is supported in your area...it offers discounts and prices on services and various local activities that are unparalleled!  WE LOVE GROUPON (www.groupon.com)!!

Ok...back to the pillows.  SO, we stayed at The Benson, and the pillows we slept on were so amazing I had to undress them before we left to find out what they were.  Sobella (a gel fiber pillow) by Sobel-Westex.  I looked them up online and was pleasantly surprised to find they were really not all that expensive (definitely more than the cheapie foam things we've been sleeping on...but not as bad as I had thought they might be)!  A couple weeks ago we finally placed our order, and for the past three nights, we've been sleeping on clouds!!

What makes this more remarkable to me is that Gage and I have always sought different support out of our pillows.  For much of my life, I've slept on two pillows.  I like a lot of fluff and loft.  Gage has always preferred more of a feather pillow that will smash down nice n' low...flat and narrow.   For us to agree on one type of pillow seems impossible...and yet we both loved these!  With the gel-fiber of these pillows, they can be eastily mushed and smashed into whatever you like, and fully support your head at the same time.  Sounds crazy, I know!!

Now, I cannot attest to how well they will hold up over time.  For that, only time will tell :)
What I CAN attest to is there is definitely one problem associated with them...it is now even harder to get out of bed in the morning!!

Love...

"Have I mentioned lately that I love you?

Do you know how many times during the day I think of you?

Well, I just wanted you to know...

that I think our life together is wonderful...

Sometimes I'm afraid we get a little too busy,

and it may seem like I'm not quite tuned in to you...to us.

So I just want to say that you and your love are the energy underneath it all...

That you are the heart of my life that makes everything else hum along...

That everything I do each day is all about loving you."

This year I was surprised when I came home on Friday (Feb. 11th) to find a dozen red roses carefully placed in a special vase, a bottle of wine that I love (for special occasions), a little bit of chocolate (the perfect amount), and the most heartfelt card.  I wrote what the card read above, however I'm keeping the wonderful paragraph that Gage wrote to me, to myself.  Serious bonus points!!! :)

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and get to celebrate it in your own special way with someone you love.

Updates...

CHRISTMAS:
Well, so much for getting my "Christmas" update on here in a timely fashion!! :)

We had a wonderful Christmas...the "usual" activities, but we always really look forward to it and have a great time.  Christmas Eve was spent reconnecting with family and friends we hadn't seen in a while.  The boys got to open one package that night...matching Christmas jammies.  Ryan has always been into "matching" with his brother.  I know that this won't last long, soon they'll be fighting if we even "coordinate" their clothes for a family photo or something...but for now, we enjoy it.  Christmas morning the boys woke up, and Santa had enjoyed his traditional crackers and root beer.  For those who may not remember...we failed to save a few cookies for Santa last year, so we "improvised" and let Ryan pick something he liked.  It has stuck, and thankfully we had crackers and root beer when we got home from the Christmas Eve party to match Ryan's expectations.  Presents were opened, and we enjoyed more time with family throughout the day.

DARNDEST THINGS:

The last weekend of January we went on our annual ski trip to Mt. Bachelor with some friends.  Since the beginning of January (and perhaps even earlier), Ryan has been begging to go skiing again, so while there we enrolled him in another ski lesson.  The following week, he was at Grammie & Papa's house after school and was explaining the finer art of the "snow plow" to Papa.  This is his rendition of how its done:

"You leave the back door open…make a volcano in front...and it will slow you down.  Once I even stopped!"

WHAT A SIGHT:

This happened just this past week.  Ryan and I were in the car heading towards Hwy 14 on Brady Road.  We were approaching the section of Brady Rd. that heads more steeply downhill, is curvy, and passes under the canopy of trees that line the street.  I saw in front of me a very large bird, the sun filtering through his wings, backlighting him such that I could make out each feather.  He was literally in front of me...not above me.  I pointed the bird out to Ryan...assuming it to be a large blue heron given its size and it appeared to have long legs hanging below his body.  As we got closer to each other, the bird flapped his wings even more deliberately in an attempt to gain altitude.  He was flying uphill, and I was driving downhill...so he not only had to rise up to go up the hill, but now had to adjust so as to avoid hitting me.  Suddenly, what I thought were legs dropped, and I watched as what I now knew to be a rabbit carcas hit the yellow line of the pavement.  As we passed each other, at eye level with him in the oncoming lane...I came to the sudden realization that this was actually a large, mature bald eagle...and I had just ruined his lunch!  I swear we made eye contact as he swooped into the trees beside the road...I'm sure cursing me the whole way.

I had my point and shoot camera in my purse beside me, but even if it had been in my hand and on...I don't believe I could have gotten that shot.  Even though I can still see each image in slow motion, in my head...in reality it was a matter of seconds.  It was an amazing sight, and one that I will keep with me...the snapshot ingrained in my head.

More Darndest Things

I know its been a bit since my last post...and I'll definitely be updating everyone on our holidays (I have posted some pics)...but before I forget what was said by Ryan (and how)...I figured I'd best get on here and post them.

Marriage:
Over New Years, our family and some friends of ours (Brent and Michelle) went up to Seattle to visit some other friends (K.C. and Amy).  Michelle and I were pregnant at the same time with both kids.  Grace and Ryan were born 6 weeks apart, and Evan and Spencer were born 3 weeks apart.  Lately, Grace and Ryan have decided that they are going to get married someday.  While in Seattle, they would run around holding hands, sit by each other during meals, etc.  One night we went out to dinner and I handed Ryan a glass of milk to finish off.  He put his straw in, and then Gracie put her straw in and they shared the milk.  Spencer asked for some and Ryan informed him that he couldn't have any because "you have to be married to share milk...sorry."

We had several conversations with Ryan about it being ok to pretend, but that there was a certain order to things.  I was happy to hear that this set in when he was recounting his plans with Grammie & Papa a few days later.  "I"m going to marry Gracie."  he informed them.  "but first I have to go to college and get a job...then I can marry her."

Football:
Today we are watching some of the playoff (wildcard) football games (WAHOOO SEAHAWKS!!!  and GO PACKERS!!!!).  Currently the Kansas City and Baltimore game is on, and Ryan has decided he wants to root for KC.  Baltimore is up by 3.  Ryan is frustrated about this and just commented to me.... "If I could get inside the TV, I'd RIP that 3 off the score for the Bullets (evidently how he translated "Baltimore") and give them a 0!"
For some reason this hit my funnybone pretty hard.  Might have been in part due to the seriousness with which it was said.

Check out the Hymas Photos for a couple new albums...  "Boys - Nov/Dec 2010" and "Christmas".

Darndest Things - Jesus Edition

I'm not sure if its the season or what, but Ryan has been bringing up Jesus in the most spontaneous conversations lately.

We were driving into town, and a big storm was passing.  I saw a bolt of lightning crack across the sky in front of us and out of surprise and awe said "WOW!  I just saw lightning!".  Now, Ryan has always been rather sensitive to loud noises.  I'm not entirely sure if they hurt his ears, or if he just doesn't like the feeling of being surprised...but he REALLY doesn't like loud noises.  When I mentioned the lightning, he became very nervous about the forthcoming thunder and started asking questions with a very concerned tone.  One of his questions (quickly followed by a statement) was "Is it going to do it again?  I don't want it to do that again!"  I told him that I could not answer that as I don't have control over it.  He said "Ohh yeah.... God makes the weather."  I replied that yes, he is the one who gives us whatever weather we need.  Immediately Ryan came back with, "Well,  maybe I could ask Jesus to tell God to stop doing that".
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The boys were at Grammie's house and Papa was home for lunch.  They have a little thing they do that is based on a popular children's book....Grammie says "Do you know how much I love you?"  Ryan answers "To the moon and back".  This particular day, they continued with a few more of these and then Ryan piped up with a big grin.."Hey Papa...I love you to Mars and clear past where Jesus lives!"
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For this one, you need to know who Tanner was.  Tanner was Gage's folks' awesome dog.  Tanner was a big part of this family and blessed us with his presence until earlier this year.  My boys love dogs, and Tanner was a big part of that... especially since they spent a considerable amount of time at their house twice a week while I work.  We all dearly miss him!!

Ryan and I were discussing the Christmas cookies we were going to make (he was VERY excited about making and decorating Christmas cookies this year!).  Ryan asked who all we were going to give some to.  I listed off a few people and Ryan thought for a minute.  His face started to beam with pure joy, then he shared his idea with hope ringing in his words..."Maybe we could give one to Jesus so he can send it to Tanner."
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This last one brought tears to my eyes.  I am continuously in awe of what kids DO remember (we all hear about "oh...they're young...they won't remember that), what the DO know and understand, and of their HUGE capacity to love without strings, without boundaries, and without a complete understanding of the complexities of it.  They just simply love...with complete faith.

May your Christmas preparations slow down enough for you to enjoy the love and faith that is so abundant!

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Luke 18:17 & Mark 10:15

Darndest Things - Christmas Edition

The boys and I decided to be brave and were doing a little shopping at Costco.  For those who haven't been to a Costco, it is a very large warehouse-style store with displayed merchandise surrounded by towering stacks of product (I think its kinda like a Sam's Club??).

I was looking at some Christmas decorations and the glistening diamonds in the brightly lit jewelry case across the aisle caught Ryan's eye.  He "wow"-ed at the shiny rocks and excitedly called for me with a "MOM!!  LOOK!!!".  I turned around and faced him...he lovingly looked me in the eye and said "MOM...maybe I'll buy you a ring for Christmas...."  I felt my heart melt and a smile start to come across my face when he finished his thought with a heartfelt sincerity and a bit too much enthusiasm "...then you and dad can get MARRIED!!!"

I think the look of shock set those standing around us straight...or it could be the fact that I quickly reminded him that daddy and I already WERE married.

A Beachy Thanksgiving

This year we decided to head to the beach for the long Thanksgiving weekend with Gage's folks and his sister & brother-in-law.  Earlier in the week, wintery weather conditions threatened to make any trip a challenge, but we forged ahead...taking some comfort in the fact that we have 4-wheel drive and studded tires.  We headed west Wednesday morning, and with no new precipitation having fallen in the past 24 hours, made the trip with only a few nervous moments (roads had been pretty much cleared, but there were definitely some tricky spots going over the coastal mountain passes).

Thanksgiving morning was spent with us ladies primarily doing some preparations in the kitchen for the feast...but we did get out of the house for a while to enjoy the cold yet clear and beautiful day on the beach (see Hymas Photos for pics of the day).  We always have a great time at the beach...the boys love having the big open space to just play and explore.  There are also countless rocks that need to be thrown back to the waves...endless fun for an almost 3 year old.  We were even visited by a curious sea lion who was playing in the surf (and perhaps feeding??) where a small tributary named the "D" River  enters the great Pacific.

 For me, this was a great place to just be in the moment, breathing in the cool, salty ocean air and watching my healthy and happy boys at play, feeling my heart fill to the point I thought it might burst.  I am thankful each and every day for all the blessings in my life, but 3 of the most important are all my boys, and watching them laugh and play and enjoy life is one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive.

We returned to the beach house, finished up the last preparations, and enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

Over the course of the next few days (which flew by much too quickly), we played games, visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium, did a little shopping, and just enjoyed being in the company of family.