back seat conversation

I hate McDonald's.

I rarely take my children there. But Tuesday night means a kid's meal for a buck twenty-five, and my husband is out of town, so there was nothing more appealing to me tonight than the golden arches.

We were waiting in the drive through line when I overheard this quick exchange from the back seat...

Michael: If you eat at McDonald's too much, fur will grow on your tongue.
Ryan: Yeah, just like a duck.

right-e-o. Makes sense to me.

quick getaway

On Monday afternoon, Carey called me and told me he had to head over to Seaside for a couple of days for work. It was very last minute- he had to leave within 30 minutes. Then he said the words that made my day:

Do you and the boys want to come with me?

um... yes.

So we packed up really fast and hit the road.

I had been needing to get away,

so this business trip of his was heaven sent.

The beach is where I feel the most content. The lists in my mind stop, I'm not worried about what's going on at home, and for a time I am completely at ease.

We swam at the hotel pool for hours, and enjoyed the hot tub after being out in the cold.

Of course we had to pick up some salt water taffy- a Seaside tradition in our family. But mostly, being together and carefree made for a great, spontaneous little trip.

ps- thank you, Kelly, for making this possible!

catching up...

Wow- we've had a lot going on in the last week and a half. Instead of writing a long, drawn-out posting for each event, I'll just post some pictures... allot of pictures:

Michael's 4th Grade Music Concert

Steven's 8th Birthday

Steven's Baptism

Photo Op at the TempleRaccoons

Camping at Ft. Stevens

My battery was dead by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, but it was a lovely day!

8

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Steven!

Honest Blog

Here are the rules... we'll see how well I follow them:

1) Must thank the person who gave the award and list their blog and link it.
2) Share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

I was nominated by A Day in Our Life. Machelle, that was very sweet what you said about me. I wish we lived closer to each other.

So here are 10 honest things about me:

1. I have been putting off writing this post because I'm not sure exactly how honest I want to be.

2. I am ridiculously shy. I dread going in to public situations. I hate being the center of attention. I fear being put on the spot. And I feel like I never say the right thing.

3. I'm training for a half marathon, and I worry that I'm too lazy to pull it off.

4. I have always wanted to be a rock star. To have my own band, sing lead vocals, play the guitar... That would rule. So far, I sing only in the shower, or as the backup singer to my kiddos, I'm alright at the guitar, but my fingers won't move fast enough to really rock out, and I definitely don't have the right haircut.

5. I hate school. I have done some college- have an A.A. Even graduated with honors with three kids. But I dread the thought of going back for more. I barely went to high school, and I sometimes worry that I will rub off onto my kids, and they'll prefer a spontaneous road trip over a day at school. I hope they'll get their father's love for learning. He would be a professional student if he could.

6. I can't watch the TV if it isn't straight. I can't sit still if a picture if crooked. Life is almost unbearable if a couch isn't set properly. And don't get me started on cupboard doors! Also, if I do something with my right hand, I need to do the same with my left.. have to keep it all fair. Same thing with my legs.

7. I love shoes, but hate wearing them. I would wear flip-flops 365 days a year if I could. My feet are happiest when they are naked.

8. I live for the beach. My soul screams for it. Doesn't matter the weather, I would rather be there than anywhere else. It relaxes me, calms me, re-energizes me. I think I have saltwater running through my veins.

9. I am madly in love with my husband, and feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have him. I feel like I got the better deal in our relationship.

10. I write music. Lots of stuff on the piano, even a couple on the guitar. But I am too shy to share any of it. I wish I could write lyrics so that I could maybe someday figure out how to express myself.

There you have it. I now nominate:
Stephanie, Katie, Kathy, Kelly, Alli, Candice, and Jamie

31

I'm 31 now. My birthday was on Friday... 2 weeks ago, Michael rushed home from school to tell me that his class was going on a field trip on my birthday to see a play, and it would be a great way to spend my birthday. But I had to hurry and contact his teacher because only 4 chaperones could come. I thought it was so sweet how he thought of me, and he REALLY wanted me to go.

So I started my birthday off on a school bus with 50 4th graders. We saw the Portland Children's Theater production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was glad to spend a few extra hours with my son. He is such a sweetheart. Then, it was off to lunch with this guy... Check out our mad chopstick skills. The plan was to drop the kiddos off at a friend's house in Vancouver overnight. Carey and I were going to go to Portobello, a nice little romantic vegan restaurant in Portland, then a show. I was sooooo looking forward to this, but then I got a call from the kids' school- Ryan had a 101 temperature and needed to come home.

All the way to the school I prayed that I would not be disappointed, that I could still enjoy my day. The boys were mad a me at first cause they were really looking forward to their sleepover, but I couldn't send a sick child to someone else's house.

So we made the most of it and we all went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner... endless salad bar= heaven for me. The boys love it there too, cause they get as much dessert as they can eat. We had a great time.

Speaking of dessert...YUMMY!

Not your traditional birthday cake, but this beautiful vegantastic cupcake caught my eye at Whole Foods, and I just had to take it home. But the best part of having a birthday... shoes! Check out my new pair...

my month

I LOVE NOVEMBER!

Here's why: MY BIRTHDAY crisp cool air the fireplace gets turned on family cranberry sauce GETTING IN ONE LAST CAMPOUT sweet smells cuddling under a warm blanket THANKSGIVING egg (soy) nog seeing your breath in the air BLACK FRIDAY ...

and a new playlist with my top ten favorite bands!

(in no particular order)

weezer fleet foxes u2 the killers muse matchbox 20 coldplay

red hot chilli peppers ccr the wallflowers