Our latest project

So this is our new house! Isn't it a beauty?
Well ok, not our new house, but our latest
project.
Rob is turning trash into treasure.
In just 5 days it looks completely transformed from
these photos.

I can't wait to see the end result.
We have gutted the entire thing.
New cabinets, new hardwood, carpet
paint, granite, and a little of my style :)
I love seeing things transform from
ugly to beautiful.

Stay tuned for updates.

Where does the time go?

So our camera is still on the fritz. We have a really old one that we are using and it actually works fine other than the fact that it takes 5 seconds to take a photo.

Life has been busy around here. I just got back from a women's retreat in Deer Lake Washington. WOW! That was quite the experience. It certainly took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to be aware of the things that I need to change about myself yet enhance the things that I like. One of the things that we participated in was a sweat lodge. 17 of us squished into a tent covered in blankets the size of a 3-4 man tent. Can you say sardine?! It was pitch black until the glow of red hot lava rocks were placed inside a hole that was inside the tent, Through out the process water was placed upon the rocks in order to create steam. It was exactly like a sauna only smaller, darker and incredibly spiritual. We all prayed for people in our lives and just let the moment be experienced. This experience lasted 4 whole, hot and challenging hours! We took 3 breaks of a few minutes each which was quite welcomed. The fresh air was a gift. We were soaking wet as if we had just stepped out of a pool. I could feel the toxins release and it felt great. Except for the fact the I neglected to drink water the entire 4 hours, resulting in serious dizziness and low blood sugar. Duh right? What was I thinking? Getting out actually felt like I just got out of the ocean from all of the salt left behind on my skin. The hardest thing about it was the constant feeling like I could not get any air. I could breath fine but because it was so hot in there it felt as though I was suffocating. It was a great test of patience of which I have little, and perserverance which I am proud to say I do have. I was proud of myself that I didn't freak out and actually remained calm the entire time. It was a great mental test! When we finished I downed about a gallon of water and quickly ate to feel normal again. I think I lost a couple of pounds that night...wooohoo :), and gained an experinence I shall never forget.

Thankfully, Rob has been busy with work and we are very thankful and grateful! We also bought a house that was bank owned and are flipping it if they ever let us close the darn thing. They keep pushing it out and we are so ready to remodel and sell it! There are so many deals out there right now that it is hard to pass them up as a great opportunity.

I am looking at preschools for my little Koen. I can't believe that he is already close to being in school! I have actually tried not to think about it but know that if I wait any longer he will not get a spot in the fall. They fill up fast around here! Seriously, where does the time go?

On April fools day we had to decide to put our
dog Nutka to sleep. His life was long and definitely
full of life!

We took him to our favorite park (Camel's Back)
and went on a hike. I felt so bad because other than
the tumor in his mouth he was perfectly fine.

He had arthritis and that was it. On our hike
he was pulling me! It was a hard decision to make
to let him go. But after looking at all of the options
sending him on was the best choice.

The stories we have about Nutka will last a lifetime
The thousands of dollars in fines and fix ups,
the sleepless nights I would have after he ran
away for days on end, the daily jaunts through our
neighborhood because we just couldn't keep him
in and the list goes on.

Everywhere we took Nutka there was always a
interested on looker. Kids would call out
snowdog! And we were always asked
if he was nice.

For almost 8 years Nutka lived with Rob & I
and it seems it went by in a blink.

His life was good and he added value to ours.

We buried him on my in laws farm, next to their
dog Star.

Roam the valleys of heaven and enjoy your new
found freedom!
Nutka you will be missed!

March Madness!

March was a mad dash to the end with family birthdays and dinners and just hanging out!

Here is miss Bella rooski (my nick name for her)

New Endeavors

Today I am watching my 2 nieces, Bella and Taylor and my nephew Gabe plus my two kidlets. I have to say it has been quite uneventful except that it is a constant state of wild energy! It is fun and I appreciate my time with them while they are little because I know they grow too fast. I just wish my camera worked so I can capture some seriously cute moments!

I have decided to involve myself in new endeavors this year. I am training to become certified in RET (Rapid Eye Technology) which is a tool or medium to help heal the mind, body and spirit of emotional trauma on all levels. It is an interesting and engaging form of education and I love it! I have had the privileged of having some RET sessions myself and it has blessed my life in immeasurable ways. I feel the need to give back somehow and if I can help others the way it has helped me then my mission will be accomplished! Go to www.rapideyetechnology.com to learn more about it.

I am also seriously considering going back to school in nursing. Or at least attempt to :). It will be a sacrifice but one well worth it! I have 4 classes I need to take before applying but after that the program is 5 semesters and I could be done! I love staying at home with my kids and am grateful we have made that a priority, however, I also feel that one cannot be too prepared, especially now. Rob's business is picking up again as well so are extremely grateful for that! With all of that said my chef skills are needed I have 5 starving kids at my feet!

Lipstick Disaster or Picasso on the rise!

So I must apologize for the blurriness! Something is wrong with our camera, AGAIN...this is our 3rd one of the same kind so needless to say we will not be purchasing another like it despite how much we love it.

Miss Brooklan, my sweet baby girl, is also the most mischievous mess maker in this family! I think it is my mother's revenge...no laughing mom. I was busy paying bills and could not hear a peep out of Brooklan anywhere. That means BIG trouble. So I went searching and when I got to our bedroom and saw the bathroom door opened I thought "OH NO" and "OH NO" was and understated phrase. Little missy had got into my makeup and conveniently found my only red lipstick and went to town. My counters, makeup bag, eye shadows, Brooklan's face, hands, hair and Ralph Lauren sweater mind you were all covered in the red stuff. You can see for your self the joys I had cleaning this baby attractive activity up! I had to scrub and scrub to get this mess off of her. She is still stained red and later that day I found a big smudge in her ear! What next?


She just laughed the entire time!


























At least she enjoyed herself!

New Experience

In April I am going to a women's retreat with some wonderful friends that recommended this new experience to me. They have described it as life changing and immediately I was attracted. I am so excited to bond with other women, learn a little more about myself and step outside of my comfort zone. One of my new year's resolutions is to make a consistent effort to step out of my box and challenge myself because each time I have done this I grow just a little bit more. Life's perspective is always changing and I want to be prepared for its teachings! Staying in my comfort zone, I have learned, does not prepare me for anything except that of the same. It was fun for a while but now its time for a change!!! If anyone is interested in going please register and let me know...I would love to experience this with you!


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