Just Another Day at the Park!

Sunday Evening Thoughts

So I usually don't use our blog as a venue for expressing my deeper thoughts. I seem to use it more as a photo journal instead. But, the house is quiet (Justin is camping with the girls this weekend) and the baby is sleeping and I am contemplating a few things. I seem to keep coming back to the same thought lately and I want to see if anyone can shed some light on it for me. Or maybe by writing it down, I can shed some light on it myself. Why do we insist on finding the negative aspects of each other and focusing on them. Why do we speak unkindly about others to our friends? Why is it easier to do that than to find nice things to say? Why are we intolerant of each other's flaws or actions? Why do we care? Why can't we just let people be? This sounds so negative. I know that there is much kindness and love in the world. But I am thinking right now about this "syndrome" of "speaking unkindly". I've noticed that it seems to start at an early age (I didn't know the "mean girl" syndrome hit as early as first grade, but apparently it does) and seems to continue throughout our lives. I've been really feeling a push lately to focus on kindness and tolerance. I think because my kids are at an age where I really am pushing this with them and I'm realizing that every thing I say in their presence affects the way they see the world. When they hear me being intolerant of flaws I seem to find in others, this gives them license to do the same. I want so much to be able to dismiss the negative and focus on the positive in my relationships with others. I want others to do this with me too because I know I have much to work on. Tell me how you do this, I want your thoughts!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

9 years of marriage! (How embarrassing, my mom just reminded me that it's actually only been 8 years of marriage - ha ha, sorry honey) I just can't believe how much we have packed into these short 9 (really 8) years that we have been married. This October I will have known Justin for 13 (really it has been 13) years. So much has happened in those 13 years. We had no idea how life would turn out for us but we couldn't be happier about where we are and what we are doing with our lives. There's so much more in store, we can't wait to see how life continues to unroll for our family. So far we've had (in no particular order): 3 kids, 3 graduations, 3 states of residence, 3 foreign countries visited, and countless wonderful memories. I love you JT - you are such a light in my life. Thank you for your amazing positive outlook, tireless work ethic, and for being the anchor and joy in my life. Happy Anniversary and here's to many more to come!

Pictures are from our bike ride (without children - thanks Marissa) last weekend along the Willamette River that runs right through downtown Portland. It was beautiful and we were reminded yet again how lucky we are to live in such a fabulous city!

Happy Spring!

Every year (okay, just the last 2 years since we've lived in Portland) we've gone to the Woodburn Tulip Festival. I love it! What could be better than acres and acres of beautiful tulips of every color you can imagine. This year I got to go with my mom which made it even better. Thanks for being a great date Mom! There's nothing like beautiful flowers to make everything seem new and beautiful and good in the world.

(This tractor one is for you Dad!)