Summer Days

 

Bath time is so much joy!

 

At the Park

 

 

If it involves a tractor, it's gold to Colson.

My Birthday Present

This is what was waiting for me when I came home from Oregon. KC has bought me the most perfect bike to ride all over Moscow on. Colson attaches to a hand-me-down trailer, and we both couldn't be happier. I have been riding almost daily running errands or simply breathing in the landscape and wild flowers along the route. This is probably the best birthday gift I have ever received in my entire life. KC is wonderful and knows me so well.

 

"Mama, I'm rolling." -"Yes, Colson, I can see that. Roll away child."

 

Photos of our trip

 
 
 
 

Guess who loved the Oregon Coast? Colson couldn't have been more pleased to play in the vast sand box.

Oregon Landscape

I love how small I feel with my feet in the sand and my eyes towards the vast ocean, the inescapable hum of the rolling waves whispers and demands all at the same time, beckoning me to a quiet humility.

I love these reflections from creation to the Creator.

(And of course, it's worth clicking on the picture to enlarge it.)

Glorious Oregon

 

...More to follow.

Tractor 'Jammies: Simple Pleasures

The boy was so pleased I let him exchange his jeans for these super cool tractor pajamas.

KeriAnn's Dark Side

Ok, do you really want me to confess to you the darkness in my life that I long for and even regularly enjoy?

Yes, people, I like the dark side of life:



The rumours are true: I do occasionally and unashamedly enjoy dark beer. (in factodum fashion: the first beer I ever had was a Black Butte Porter at Timberline Lodge accompanied by my loving husband [blame him for the beer] and pizza).

Forget about that milk chocolate stuff, it's for amatures. :) That goes for the beer too....and heck, it even goes for you frappachino drinkers out there as well!!! It would be really really hard, but I could possibly live without the dark chocolate....for me however, it's all or nothing, Dark chocolate or bust! The Darker the Better!

And last, but most certainly not least to my heart and taste buds, is the cup of java. At this point in my daily life, I would have a very difficult time going without my cup of frothy coffee. I could unwillingly prohibit the beer and the chocolate, but the coffee, that would be like asking me to shave an eyebrow.

Nancy's Blog

Our Pastor's wife, Nancy Wilson, has recently started blogging. I am currently blogging about her blog because of the steady encouragement and biblical admonishment I receive whenever I happen to visit her site. She is a woman that exuberates practical wisdom for women such as myself, which I so constantly need. It's been edifying and challenging for me as a wife, as a mama, as a woman, to learn from her and be encouraged by her. If you reading, happen to need encouragement in beautifying your life and home and serving God, please, don't be a stranger to her site: www.femina.reformedblogs.com.

My Mall

Mrs. (Mama) Christy Camp tagged me to come up with a mall that would suite my fancy....we'll, here goes: requirements included 6 stores and 2 restaurants (one being dine in and one being fast food). Baja counts as fast food right? GAP is all around a good choice for me, and Ann Taylor has the most wonderful dresses. Target needs no explanation, and the go-getter in me would love to browse through REI often. This would also be a wonderful store to accomodate my little mountain boy. The Borders Books and Music would have to include a good cafe for some frothy java (of course). and P.F. Chang's: when I was prego with Colson I would dream about eating their lettuce wrap appetizer. and Crate & Barrel has that timeless, tasteful fashion that could inspire and rejuvenate any home.

Christy, sorry it took me so long to get to this. :) And I tag Charissa! ha! wow, I really want to go shopping now at my mall. Good thing I live in Moscow, Idaho. haha, because it limits our options. and Walmart doens't sound fun, it only reminds me of diapers.

Wild truck

He must have learned to dance from his Daddy.

Leithart on Theological Imagination

http://www.leithart.com/archives/003019.php

check this out.

Lovely Gifts

Look at my fantastic gifts KC & Colson got me for Mother's Day.



The table cloth is so lovely and is summer itself on our dining table.



The apron makes me a fashionable homemaker while cooking up some delicious meals!


Yay for new and fun gifts! I love them.

Itching

I'm currently plagued with two constant itches:

First, is my subjective itch: to be more creatively crafty. I have no idea where to begin with this. I would like to try it all.....painting, drawing, sewing, soapmaking, baking beautiful cupcakes and fancy truffles for parties. I feel some internal potential in this area and a great desire to jump in, but have no idea which direction to dive.

Secondly, is my objective itch: I somehow got myself into poison oak (or at least it's exactly like it). The only place I can think of getting it must have been from the cemetery KC and I and Colson walked through the other night. Of course, instead of walking to a normal entrance, like normal people, we jumped over a ditch, climbed up a steep bank, and tossled ourselves through some bushes, all this for the benefits of a short cut. We'd do it again, and will, I'm sure of it.

We did however get to see a huge owl flying cautiously in the treetops of the old trees living in the cemetary. It was a great evening walk with owls overhead and dusk approaching. I'd say it was worth the poison oak.

Speaking of birds, two swallows swooped down and flew right into my apartment last week, side by side, as I opened the front door. I ran outside in a flutter shouting to my neighbor and she saved the day and helped me get them out. Luckily, they must have been too shocked to do their dirty business all over my apartment. I didn't see any droppings, which is a major plus. I have to say I was more worried about that than having them flying about my apartment.

Ok, now I have no idea what this post was all about.

Baptism

Hidden Treasures

There is nothing quite like finding hidden treasures (like a rock on top of the canned corn in the pantry) to remind me that i'm the momma to a wonderful, curious, and adventurous little boy.

It's things like this during the day that make me smile my way through.

Church Shoes

Wow, ebay pulled through for me on these Bass shoes for Colson. They were under 2 Bucks and they retail for about $50. (not to mention they look great)

Today we live the Resurrection of Tomorrow.

Today I can't stop thinking about Spring! ... and therefore I can't stop thinking about NEW LIFE...and thus I can't stop thinking about Jesus' Resurrection...and moreover, I can't stop thinking about our own future hope of resurrection: into a body more human, more real, more whole than we can even imagine.

"Where O Death is your victory? Where O Death is your sting?"

Dear Saints, we have the Resurrection! We have EVERYTHING to live for, for all things new are before us today! May this remind us to actively pursue beauty in our lives, in our homes, in our jobs, in our relationships. And may this garden of life be fruitful and glorifying and blazing bright before the world to testify that Christ is King, and He is reigning to bring all things under His redeeming power. What a glory! What a hope!

Blessed are we.

Every day, from here to there,

FUNNY THINGS

are everywhere.

-Dr Seuss

He's truly all boy!

*please click on the turtle so you can get a good idea of how colorful and cool he really is. (Sorry I'm so obsessed.) did you know they can live up to 70 years?! and also, the tempertature of their nests when they are born determines whether it will be male or female! crazy! also, i found out that this particular turtle is the only turtle native to Idaho. It's called a painted turtle. ok, ok, i'm done with the turtle lesson.

I'm Actually Embarassed

Iced-Double-Tall-Macchiato-style-latte with Caramel Drizzel.

I'm such a hopeless, coffee snob.

Parenting Boot Camp

This last weekend, KC and I had the pleasure of watching some friends' children while they were out of town.
Our future flashed before our eyes as we went from our one child to four! It was a lot of work, and I have realized just how selfish I can be only having to care for Colson. It was good training and provided excitement for little Rumreys to come, Lord willing.

A Walk on the Wild Side

(www.unc.edu/~sstaff/images/cturtle.jpg)

Colson and I were adventuring through our wetland-backyard when we stumbled into this cool turtle. It's called a Western Pond Turtle, and it's cute. God is very cool! Colson of course can't decide if it's a turtle or a dinosaur, and he was much more interested in throwing rocks in the pond rather than looking long at it.

I love our mommy & boy outings!

Kitchen Woes, part 2

Last Night, as I thought I was heating up frozen peas on my stove-top, I heard a loud cracking noise. The dish that holds my butter was on a burner close to the peas; it had broken into 3 pieces, and was now smoking as the butter was obviously melted and oozing out onto the burner from underneath. I had turned on the wrong burner, and the butter dish paid the price. Next thing I know the butter caught on fire and smoke and flames were blazing out of my stove! Good thing KC was there as I was all in a flutter. He calmly got off the phone, grabbed a heavy dish towel and put the fire out! Praise God for objective men!

***Unfortunately, I was unable to capture the fire event on camera. In retospect, I suppose I could have taken a picture of of the broken butter dish, but what can you do? It's in the trash now. ***

Chesterton on Babies

"When we look upon lives so human and yet so small...we feel the same kind of obligation to these creatures that God might feel...



But it is the humerous look of children that is perhaps the most endearing of all the bonds that holds the cosmos together...They give us the most perfect hint of humor that awaits us in the Kingdom of Heaven"

-G.K. Chesterton-

He will Swallow up Death in Victory!

Isn't it perfect that we celebrate Christ's Resurrection in the Spring? When life emerges from below, birthing and bearing forth vine and fruit. In this we are pointed so clearly to Jesus, who is life, who did die, and was buried, and indeed rose again from the dead! Creation orchestrates the life of Christ and the blessed hope we have of sharing in his death, and therefore, his life!

Happy Spring

The following passage is from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, after Frodo and
Sam were rescued from Mount Doom and the ring was destroyed:

"'A great shadow departed,' said Gandalf, and then he laughed, and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known. But he himself burst into tears. Then, as a sweet rain will pass down a wind of spring and the sun will shine out the clearer, his tears ceased, and his laughter willed up, and laughing he sprang from his bed.

'How do I feel?' he cried. 'Well, I don't know how to say it. I feel, I feel'--he waved his arms in the air--"I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!'"