Mountain Top Dreaming

I have a dream.....of one day owning a home in the mountains that has a view like this one. Mark and I took a day and went for a drive up Tolgate. No plans, no time limit, just "Us" time. I was in heaven. It's funny, the things I loved about going to the ocean are the same things I love about the mountains, although I would never dream to live so close to the ocean. I love the fresh air, and the smells so unique to the mountains. I love the peace I feel when we leave the city and head up the mountain. I love the sounds, the sound of the wind as it comes up the canyon and blows through the trees, God speaking in a different way to our spirit.
We walked on trails, I took pictures of flowers, but the best part was just sitting on the mountain side and enjoying the view, the peace we both felt, just us, sitting, listening, enjoying our "us" time.

Now, don't get me wrong...I don't love the mountains so much that I want to grab a sleeping bag and a tent and set up camp. That tent would have to have a very large air mattress in it, not to mention a few other luxuries from home. No, my dream is of a log home, big and open with windows open to a view like we had. Mark's dreams aren't quite a "big" as mine are, he thinks a little home will do..........huh...where would I put all my stuff?
For today, I dream. I plot, I plan, I take a nap.

Building Memories

This isn't the first time I have walked out to the garage and had to run back in to get my camera. Chelsea just loves to help her Grandpa, and it amazes me how patient he can be with her. As you see, the only stitch of clothing she has on is her panties, no shoes.
Yet she climbs up on the table, grabs the tools and gets to work. She is fearless and up to doing anything her Papa is doing.

It takes very strong muscles to fit the pieces together, and Chelsea has climbed right over the top of everything to assist.

I love this picture of Chelsea with Papa's Hand...the picture says it all.

A good carpenter must know how to use a tape measure with ease. Check out all the wood chips and rough barn wood she walks over with no shoes on. Like I said, if you are going to be a carpenter you better be tough.

The patience here is incredible. Papa got to hold the drill in place but Chelsea got to pull the trigger to make it go. She wasn't content doing it just a few times either, she had to do it everytime the drill was needed.
I hope these days are as treasured for her as they are for us. With our own kids we were too busy being parents to really savor these moments. They were there but did we really take the time to realize how precious they were.
Being a Grandparent has changed my outlook on life, I want to cherish every moment and hold every memory close to my heart to carry me through. To make the little things count, to worry less and live more.
To build memories in our everyday life.

World Travelers

Okay, so maybe we didn't see the world but anytime we get to get out of Pendleton it is a treat. Mark and I once again headed to Lincoln City for a little vacation. Five nights and six days of doing nothing. I loved it. I waited about ten minutes before I started in asking him if we were there yet and how much longer. I couldn't resist! I think he was grateful that I nodded off for an hour or so.

At times I felt like a child again, I felt the anticipation growing the closer we got. You know the signs by the scenery around you. You leave the desert, you go through the Gorge, you pray you will find your way through Portland and not miss the turn off (which we did), through the Willamette Valley and into the beautiful forest of trees that lead you to the ocean. In every turn I felt more and more excited, wondering if the next turn would be the one that opened up to the view of the ocean. And then..................it happens! You smell it, you hear it, and finally, you can see ocean for as far and you can see.

I spent two hours one day by myself walking the beach, no camera, no shoes (flip flops fit perfect in my back pockets) just me, myself and I. It took me most of that time to just make my mind stop racing, it tends to go on tangents most of the time.

In everything I saw and heard I just couldn't help but sing to myself,

"Our God is an Awesome God".... I think he went on that walk with me, side by side, just me and my God. As my mind would wander he seemed to gently tap me on my shoulder and turn back to him. It was a journey we took together, where I think He showed me just how awesome, how big, and how wonderful He really is.

In every wave, He was there.

In every rock, pebble, and seashell, He was there.

In every grain of sand, yep, there He was.

He warmed me with His sunshine,

He energized me in the breeze of the ocean air.

He caused my heart to praise Him as I walked along. Something I haven't done in too long.

I really can't recall ever walking the beach by myself before like that. It was good for me, I learned a little bit more about myself on that walk. Even when my body isn't moving, my mind is going...it is plotting and planning, it is making lists, it is creating and working. It gets side tracked very easy and gets a lot of things going at one time. Imagine that...you know what, when you are praising God your mind can't be doing all those things. It focuses on Him alone. I loved the gentle nudges that brought me back to the praising.

Mark and I got a lot of rest, we went for short drives, we walked through shops and galleries. We walked the beach, we found our "special rocks and seashells", we ate when we got around to it, we napped when we felt like it, and enjoyed our time alone together. (His phone didn't ring once while we were there)

So, here we are, heading to the beach. Believe it or not I got very few pictures while we were there. Thought you would enjoy this one though.....LOL!

This was taken our last night at the coast, you really had to see it in person, it was beautiful. Just another reminder of how AWESOME our God really is.

Now you see it...now you don't

I am almost over the shock of Sarah calling me and telling me she cut off Chelsea's hair. I believe I was a bit sick to my stomach actually. Chelsea has never had her hair cut, and she has such beautiful hair. I think I was just as sad that I couldn't be there when she did it to capture the moment in pictures. I guess I can't be there for everything, but this was a big moment and I am sorry I couldn't be a part of it. Chin up, smile, and be glad for the moments I am there for....

So, here is a glimpse of the new hair cut. She loves it and it is so much easier to manage, even though I never complained over having to fix her hair. When you ask her about her hair she says, "My mommy cut it....and she cried" It really is cute and I am almost over the shock of it, but not totally. Lovin' her to pieces.

You Color My World

Chelsea's Sidewalk: Where she rides her bikes, inspects the flowers (and is now pruning them by herself) and she even decorates her sidewalk. Of course she wants everyone to come play with her, so down on my knees I go and we color away. After all, how can I say "NO"

Papa came home and she insisted he help out too. I knew immediatly what he was going to draw, since they are the only two things he ever draws, his cowboy and horse.

Papa surprised us and drew a game of Hop Scotch for Chelsea too. Notice how she inspects his work? She doesn't miss a thing.

I could never of planned to capture this picture of her in mid air. What a fun day.

Princess Goes to the Country

Do I even need to tell you how excited Chelsea was to get to go see the horses and donkey at Aunt Helens house? Notice she chose to wear her crown for the occasion. Everyday is an adventure and it is so much fun to be a part of these moments. I must say I was a little nervous with her being so close to them, especially when Helen had to make sure the one on the left didn't get too close since it isn't very friendly.

These last two pictures crack me up. The tiara is gone, the coat is gone and I think she is having a heart to heart talk with the horse. She wanted to ride it but as soon as Helen lifted her up there she wasn't having anything to do with that.

Wouldn't you just love to know what she is saying to the horse. I will have to ask her next time she comes to visit, I am sure it will be an interesting tale.