Strike a Pose

From one day to the next I just don't know what I am going to get with Chelsea. This past weekend I borrowed a camera to try out and went to the river to take some shots. Chelsea asked if she could go and if I would take some pictures of her.

Gee, let me think about that...............okay, I would love to (guess how long that thought process was?)
I had a hard time with the settings on the camera, but not with my royal subject. She was more than eager to run from one spot to another and strike a pose for me. The only problem with this was I wanted a natural unposed look. I will take what I can get though and I will be happy! Did I just say that? I must be tired...

Chelsea is back in the mode that she wants me to take pictures of her, so now I get pictures of her face and not just the back of her head as she is running away from me. She really enjoyed this photo shoot also because we got to go on a field trip to the river to explore. She is fearless, and yes, although I told her 100 times not to get too close to the river so she wouldn't fall in, she was able to slip and get her shoes wet.

Instantly she says, "But I am sorry Grandma!" Well hey, that makes it okay then doesn't it? Heck they are only shoes, they can be washed and dried again, or they can become river shoes and we get her new good shoes. What a change in outlook from my kids. I am however very gratefull that she didn't fall in. I wasn't too excited about going in after her, who would of taken pictures of that moment?

Yummy Blackberry Jam

As you know, My little Princess loves the help out in any way she can. When Chelsea heard Papa and Grandma were going to pick blackberries she jumped right up in her car seat and away we went. She grabbed her own bucket and stayed right with us the entire time. Of course, her routine was to pick one berry and then eat one. I must say, I was surprized at how well she did. Watch out fellow berry pickers, I think she is going to be a die hard picker like her Grandma.
Now, I took a vote, with myself of course, decided that it is much more fun to go pick the berries than it is to clean them when you get home and do something with them. For blackberries I pretty much just make jam, not sure they would freeze up as nice as the huckleberries.
As soon as Chelsea saw what I was doing when I was making the jam she was right there in the middle of it all. I was a little nervous believe it or not, with her in there helping me. I had berries cooking, and they get very HOT, and I had the water boiling to cook the jars in once they were filled with jam. I have one arm that can barely lift the jars into the hot water, and as you can see I now have a chair in the middle of my workspace with a helper standing on it.
Well, what is a Grandma to do? I stripped her down so we wouldn't ruin her clothes if we got berries on them, which was very good thinking if you could of seen the mess we had when we were done.

Chelsea's job was to measure the berries into the processor, wait for Grandma to put the lid on it and then push the "pulse" button three times. My job was to try and stay one step ahead of her while I was stirring the boiling jam, washing then filling jars, processing them and transporting them from the boiling water to the table across the kitchen.

I am happy to report no one was injured (okay, I did burn my hand in a few places from boiling jam splattering), no one left in tears, just very exhausted but happy to have created one more memory together.

Together we canned 62-8oz jars of jam. I have no idea what in the world we are going to do with all that jam, and I haven't even started the huckleberries yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Photo Shoot?

We are entering a new stage that I think I am going to like. I was able to bribe Chelsea into a photo shoot. As most of you know we have gone through quite a time where she wasn't having anything to do with me taking her picture, so you can imagine my surprise when she said we could go outside and take some pictures.
Here she is sitting on one the chairs that Papa just made, she loves this chair and thinks it is hers. I certainly am not going to tell her any different. Especially if she will sit in it while I take pictures.

Some days it is hard to believe she is only 4 years old, she looks so much older. And other times I wonder where the time has gone, wasn't it just yesterday I was watching her make her entrance into this world?

Notice we have several different poses in our photo shoot. I got kisses, smiles, and cheesey grins.

I even got her to wear a new outfit I bought for her. It is nearly impossible to get her to wear anything but her dresses so to see her in shorts is rare. Isn't it the cutest outfit? She especially loved the diamondy sparkly buttons, I think they sealed the deal.

Precious Moments

"Papa, will you read to me?" Chelsea half asked and half assumed the answer before it was given, as she jumped up on the bed with a pile of her books.
Papa looks to Grandma for help which gets him no where since she is running for camera. So Papa sets his own book aside, scoots over making room for the Princess to climb up and says to her, "Okay, get up here and lets read a story."

Together they set out on an adventure, Chelsea listens so intently but loves to help Papa narrate the story. It doesn't matter to her that Grandma had just read her the same story a few minutes earlier. That fact just makes it easier for her to help Papa out while he is reading.

Time stands still for no one. One day we won't be able to get her to stop long enough to read to her. I pray these moments kindle in her a love of books, of reading, of exploring new places.

Thank you Lord, for moments like this.

Jungle Gym

Which battles should I choose?
Which ones really matter?
It is very apparent I will answer these questions differently now than I would of when my children were growing up.
Some days it is just easier to enjoy the moment and write it on my heart than it is to battle it.
I don't know what I would of done with my own children if they had decided to turn my bed into their own personal jungle gym. I am sure they would all like to answer that question, but I am not asking them.

We have had this bed set for a few years now, and from the day we got it Chelsea has loved it. I don't know what made her think she could climb on it, swing from it, jump from it, bounce on it..I think you get the picture, but she loves it. She is fearless.

For some reason, it has just never bothered Mark or I when she begins her play time, which I might add is usually at bed time or when I am trying to make the bed. I have been given the opportunity to re-make my bed on more than one occasion. Oh well, in the big picture of this life we live, I don't mind.

It dawned on me that I hadn't really captured this in pictures yet. I almost need to get it on video as you wouldn't believe how fast she gets around, the sound effects that come with the playing, the body slams on the bed...it cracks me up. I can't even get mad at her, she is having so much fun.

She insisted she needed my pink cowboy had for her acrobatic routine and was happy to have Papa wear it for awhile too. He is a good sport. I am not sure how much he really got out of the book he was reading, but hey, he can read it another time.
I wasted a lot of precious moments when my children were growing up by stressing out over moments just like this. When they all have kids of their own I think they will forgive me but in the mean time, I am just going to capture as many moments as I can.
By the way, NO! she isn't spoiled...she is just loved beyond measure. I want to be as big of a blessing to her life as she is to mine. I want to teach her boundaries, while at the same time encourage her to sparkle, to dream, to make life an adventure.

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.

Wildflowers

"In the corner of my garden,
Where the wildflowers grow,
I sit and I admire,
How God has graced us so.

Special Friends

"To Imagine is Everything"
Since Chelsea was big enough to stand up in the bathroom she has loved to close the two mirrors around her like this. She jabbered and jabbered, and the whole time I thought she was just enjoying looking at herself.

Well, now that she talks clearly I am understanding this facination a little better. For the past year or so she tells us these are her friends. Well, duh, how silly of us to not know that. Friends is plural although I am not sure how many friends she has in those mirrors but I do know it is the cutest thing in the world to witness her talking and playing with them.

And the older she gets she learns more tricks to play with her friends. Here you can see she is dancing with them. I think she likes the friendship she has with these friends because if she wants them to dance, all she has to do is dance and they follow suit.

Her friends have names but I haven't got them all down yet but you can bet I will be listening close to find out.

The mirrors always need cleaned when she is done visiting with her friends, but such a small price to pay for the total enjoyment I get watching and she gets from her "playtime" Don't you just wonder what she is telling them here in these pictures? Does it get any better than this?