sick on a saturday

Cant get much crummier than being sick on a sunny Saturday. The weather is finally wonderful and warm, it's the weekend, and my head feels like it might explode. Went to the doctor and I have a full blown sinus/ear infection. Chills. Fever. The whole enchilada... mmm. enchiladas.

 I guess God is using "creative" means to get me to slow down. Its my tendency to stay busy ALL the time. Cleaning, cooking, shopping, meal planning, picking up toys and clutter, laundry. I am a compulsive list maker, love the accomplished feeling of checking off lists. That's just the house work. We stay busy in general on the weekends. Hiking, home projects, gardening, church, we try and go on a date 2 times a month.... the list goes on. Anyone else thinking of 20 projects at once? Multi-tasking. I consider myself crazy a master at it.

Well, since I'm bed-ridden might as well jot some things down. With Summer sneaking up, I have been thinking about all the plans we have made already. Summer fills up quick! This upcoming year has so much excitement. My E will start pre-school this fall. We have decided to home school him for pre-school with plans and intentions to continue if it goes well. This has been heavy on my mind. I desire to home school my kids. But I have found that I am my own biggest barrier. Kinda scares the crap out of me, thinking of trying to home school. Its quite overwhelming, wouldn't you agree? I know it isn't for everyone, but from a very young age I began to see some characteristics and personality traits in my oldest son that pointed me towards homeschooling. I was home schooled for many years.. I have a lot of good memories of our numerous "field trips" and school projects. More on that another time... Praying for discernment and wisdom in that area of our lives.

Today is the first day of June. We have so many fun things planned this summer. In 2 weeks we are going to Sunriver with several other families. We rented 2 houses. Im really looking forward to it! Water parks, hiking, BBQ's, board games, friends, family. Sounds like a party.

I have my garden planted. Once the sun stays for more than 24 hours straight, Im sure it will take off. Trying some new things this year, watermelon and a variety of peppers. Hopefully they yield a lot! I want to make my own salsa again this year!

 My friend Carley is coming over this next week to spend some time helping me make the landscape look less like a jungle. We have lived here a year and a half and I haven't even touched my yard. Who has time for that? Take a gander at it. Hopefully it wont be so painful to look at next week.

Strawberry season is here. I am hoping to pick in the next week or 2. Probably more than once. Freezer jam or smoothies anyone? We like to pick on Sauvie Island. Hoping to do blueberries, peaches, raspberries, and pumpkins u-pick this summer/fall also. Last year we got the CSA produce bin, and would get a box of fresh produce once a week for 20 weeks. E absolutely LOVED it, the fun and excitement of seeing the contents of each weeks' bin. This year, instead of going the CSA route, Ive decided to make it our first pre-school lesson of the year. I am going to take the kids every other week to the Pumpkin Patch to start picking out their OWN produce. I figure its a great chance to learn the different names of different fruits and veggies, and he will be more excited to eat them, if he picks them out.

E is old enough to officially participate in VBS this year. I think he will LOVE it. I plan to take photos again this year.

Speaking of photography..I am booked to photograph 2 different weddings this summer. I also have a few kiddos and a family or 2 that I plan to catch up with before the kids get too big. =) I recently updated my photography website. I had gotten so behind. busy busy busy.

Well wow, welcome to some of the tangled inner workings of my brain.

Here's a few photos from the week. Enjoy.



 These boys.. =)

 decorating Daddy

 Helping me at Costco

 Learning how to eat with a spoon.