Juliet

The boys picked these roses for me out of our yard and after I thanked them profusely, I tucked one behind my ear. As soon as the baby saw this, she insisted I do the same to her. So cute!!

Clothesline.

This particular spot of our yard is where I have spent many hours this summer, surprising myself with how therapeutic it has become to take a few quite moments (or noisy ones as the kids play under my feet) and hang clothes and just think. Think about books, conversations, people, prayers, or just bask in the amazing sun. I have to say that hanging clothes mostly makes me think of the pioneer women that spent the bulk of their lives without the conveniences we have today. And perhaps, just perhaps, they were calmer than we are - having more time to reflect while they would wring clothes, hang them, knead dough, repair clothes, etc.. It's amazing where you can find the quiet moments, isn't it?

Happy Valley Park.

What I didn't expect when taking my kids to the park was that the baby was the one that could have stayed all day and the boys were the ones whining and ready to come home. Juliet is such a water baby! It was great to get these moments in pictures so I can always remember these sweet summer days of hanging with the kiddos. I had a few minutes of thinking about how I will later in life so miss the days of having small children around... This may have been the only time Sissy took to sit.
I love that she wears hats now! It gives me an excuse to sew some up.

My sweet Ju-Ju Bean.

Blueberry Picking.

We decided to have a family morning today and head out to Estacada to pick blueberries. It was a bit late (towards naps and lunch) and a bit hot, but the kids made it about an hour and we managed to get about six pounds of berries (all of which I should be washing, freezing and syruping right now!).

Jude wanted to show me his loot.

Samuel got hot, tired and thirsty about half way through and decided to sit and relax.
Juliet ate her fill of berries - the owner of the farm threatened to weigh our kids before and after picking...
Juliet also likes to clap for herself randomly - she's so proud.

A Dress for Juliet

With all boys gone from the house for about a day and a half, I had a bit of time to sew this cute little dress/shorts combo for Juliet. I love making girl clothes!

I used this pattern (which is labeled "easy", which does not equate to "fast"):I took some hasty pictures tonight during Juliet's overtired mode, so I apologize for the blurry action shots.
I love the pants!
The back was interesting - I'm not sure I would have ever made a pattern with a swoop back that doesn't meet up, but it turned out alright.

Scared?

I took these pictures upon my children's waking one morning. Their alter egos come out when they are allowed to sleep in their unders (our house was like eleventyhundred degrees one night). Wow. Check out that bed head.

Inspiration

Just like other areas of sewing, quilting has taken a fresh, trendy turn in the last few years. I admire them from afar, treating quilting like an insurmountable mountain that I may never summit. But, this quilting book may just be the ticket for a season of self-taught quilting skills. Or it may just be a wonderful book for inspiration. Either way, I'm sure it will find it's way to my library sooner than later =).

Juliet.

As it turns out, a husband on vacation and beautiful weather don't do much for my blogging habits. Just a few quick pics tonight (as we are starting a movie promptly!).

Juliet decided to sneak off to get into my makeup (as she does just about daily): She also now has lengthy play conversations on cell phones.
And today I found her wearing this tie thing (she surely scavenged it out of my sewing stuff):
She seems to be entering into her terrible two's already, even though she's only 18 months. That means we'll get them over with sooner, right? Right?!

MRI Results

I just got a call from the neurologist's office this afternoon and Jude's brain scan was completely normal!! Praise the Lord!

So, we will be giving Jude a break from testing and let Jude just be Jude. Yes, he has low muscle tone and low carnatine levels, but I think we will just watch him and see how he grows into his little body for awhile...

Jude's MRI at OHSU

Jude's neurologist recommended we get a picture of his brain (MRI) after spotting a deficit on one side of his body while running. So Colin, Jude and I headed up to OHSU yesterday, landing in Pediatric Sedation around 12 noon.

I have to say what I didn't expect is that this would be one of the most nerve racking things I've ever been through. And after Colin and I witnessed them hooking up an IV and knocking Jude out instantly with that magical white fluid, we waited impatiently, wandering the halls, fidgeting in our chairs, leafing mindlessly through magazines, etc.. I found myself staring at the luminary bags they had placed in the waiting room - bags that one could buy for $5 in memory or honor of someone. Bags that said things like "Karen, who fought hard" or "Jaime, a survivor". And while waiting the two hours to get Jude back, praying that he wouldn't be allergic to anesthesia, I realized that having children is like having pieces of yourself constantly outside your body. But the weird thing is, it's more than pieces of yourself, because you care so much more about them than about yourself. You would take that IV poke, that sedation, that blood draw, in an instant for them. You would take away every moment of pain, so they wouldn't have to go through that. I also realized my intense protective instinct I have for my children. And my intense love. And finally I realized, as I held my sweet boy, that this is how God feel about us - protective, loving, would lay down His life. Really, everyone should have these waiting room moments =).

Of course I took pictures (Jude loves looking at pictures of himself).

Here we are waiting for the numbing cream to take effect (so the IV stick wouldn't be felt):More waiting.
Jude playing before his sedation.
And recovery - they had to give him more medicine in the middle of the MRI because he's "strong" as the nurse put it.
The nurses were amazing up there - falling in love immediately with Jude and informing us that they give a 50% discount to the cute kids =).

Yes, we survived yesterday and Jude did great. I just hope we don't have to go up there again for a long time.

Swimming Lessons.

I snapped some pictures this morning of the boys' second day of swimming lessons. Samuel has been talking about these lessons since I signed them up and goes to bed excited for the next morning. Jude, on the other hand, loathes going to them and takes a bit to warm up to the water. Jude did take full advantage of the water slide today.
And Jude was prancing by the end of the lesson.

Isn't he starting to look so grown up?

My two little "seals" are on the end.

Saveur $5 Subscription!!

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Also, Hearst magazine is having a $5 magazine sale on subscriptions like Food Network magazines, Elle, Country Living, etc.

Enjoy!