Finally! A Perfect Granola Recipe.

Here it is, folks. The perfect granola recipe. Believe me - I've been trying for years to find it. For awhile, I was using the granola recipe out of this book and it's a great recipe. Everyone loved it. But the bad part about granola is the near constant stirring you have to do near a hot stove and with small kids around, well, it's just plain dangerous. And annoying. One day I did a quick search for a no-stir granola recipe and found this one. It turned out wonderful - with beautiful chunks of granola that you can either crumble or just sit there in their lovely chunkiness. I did a couple of tweaks to her recipe (I use coconut oil, added unsweetened flaked coconut and swapped the orange extract for almond extract) and wallah! We have a winner.

Here is my version of the recipe (I double this and divide between 2 cookie sheets):

• 4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• ½ cup hulled sunflower seeds
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• a little less than a 1/3 cup maple syrup
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ T cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Set the oven to 325. Mix all the dry stuff together in a big bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Stir everything together very thoroughly - it'll take some time.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and then pour the granola on top. Press the granola down firmly into one giant block with wet hands, making sure it's pretty even and spreading into all the corners. Bake (and don't stir!) for 40-50 minutes, or until brown and still a little soft. Let it cool to room temp, and it'll harden into giant pieces. Break into chunks as desired.

My 33rd Birthday and A Suprise Beach Trip.

The week leading up to this birthday has been one of reflection. Last year at this time I was a mama of a newborn, a mama who had drenching night sweats, crippling fatigue, neurological issues caused by what would later be discovered as large tumors, weight loss, no appetite and life altering itching. I was on the cusp of a shocking diagnosis, but for the moment was treated like I was crazy and sleep deprived by medical staff. Oh, what a difference a year makes. This year, I celebrated turning 33; I made it to 33. This age was never one I thought I would struggle to get to. Now, each moment is so precious, so beautiful, and I spent a few days reflecting on what has changed with cancer. I no longer accept less than the best on the big things in life. My marriage will be the best, and I will die on that battlefield. My children will be exposed to Jesus, and I will die on that battlefield. I will love my children fiercely and lavishly, not because I could relapse at any moment, but because even if I live to be 110, I want my children to know they were incredibly special. I am more quick to speak that compliment that scurries through my head, one that used to go unsaid. I notice people's pain, suffering, hurts and have much more empathy. While lounging on the beach watching my children play happily, I didn't have to fight for my health, and I don't take that for granted. All that said, yesterday was a biggie for me. I was surprised by Colin with a trip to the beach and later, a lighthouse. My boys also surprised me with this necklace, which I not only cherish for its unique beauty, but also for the proceeds going to help a woman fighting cancer. It's a constant reminder to be still and know He is God.

I snapped pictures like crazy yesterday as I took in all the awes of nature that left me speechless (and once again proved how big my God is) - the ocean, the cliffs, the fog and mist and grains of sand... all things I felt I truly never saw before last year.

Here are some pictures - we went to Cape Mears and Cape Lookout. 

 God's thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand in the world - isn't that amazing?!

 Cape Mears lighthouse.

 Abe doesn't care how dirty a piece of fruit may be - he will eat it anyway.

 We obviously gave up trying to keep Abe clean.

 I took this while laying in the sand next to Sissy - her curls to one side, Samuel running on the other. I love it!

 Sissy loved this ladybug.

Juliet's First Day of School and Ear Piercing.

Yesterday was a big day for Sissy! She had her first day of preschool and also got her ears pierced.

Do note that she has been talking wistfully about preschool for 6 months, wondering when the day would come that she could be dropped off at Miss Susie's house, to collect chicken eggs, paint pictures, and most of all EAT GUMMY BEARS! Yep, that's really why she wants to attend this preschool - the snacks.

This was her attitude before going in - the door wasn't unlocked yet (gasp, we were early), and she wasn't happy. After I let her know that I wouldn't drop her off at school with that attitude, she changed it promptly.

Look how happy she was!

This is Miss Susie.

And here she is getting her ears pierced - she chose sparkly pink flower earrings. Do you know it costs $50 to get your ears pierced these days. Let me back up. It is free to get your ears pierced when you buy $50 earrings. Hmm. At least I got my earrings for half off - yes, I got my ears pierced as well.

Here are the earrings - she didn't even cry during the piercing!

I let her pop into the Disney store after to look around.

Here we are showing off our newly pierced ears.

This is before as we pick out the earrings.

Samuel's Baptism

 Yesterday was truly one of those very moving moments as a parent - Samuel decided he wanted to get baptized. Our church baptizes a few times a year and for this one they decided to meet up at George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego. We all gathered at the river's edge and began by singing worship songs. Slowly people filed into the water to pray with one of the three pastors before being baptized.

Here Samuel waits his turn:

 Still waiting....

 Jeff prayed with Samuel before he went in.

 Pastor Brett and a couple of guys led worship.

The crowd gathering for the baptism.

Brynn talked to Samuel about how Jesus was baptized.

They prayed together.

The old self is gone...

Family photo of Wes, Samuel, Jude, Sissy, Colin, myself, Susan and Andrew.

Right after the baptism.

Sissy played in the water and the sand the entire time.

Abe at 11 1/2 Months

Abe, at 11 1/2 months finally started crawling and walking, simultaneously. He took his first consecutive steps on 7/27, last Friday. Technically, he began crawling a couple days before that. This comes as a great relief since I have been dealing with a super fussy baby for many months now - his frustration due to lack of mobility. Here are some pictures of him:

He's playing ball with Jude here - it truly is this kid's key to happiness - any sort of ball.

In the morning and after nap, I find Abe yelling angrily at the door from the foot of his crib.

Can you tell he just woke up here?

This is his crawl:

The kid can eat. All the time. And it's messy. When I'm not cleaning up Abe's food mess, I'm prepping for his next meal.

He's mildly entertained by the camera here. And you can see Jude playing ball in the corner.

Look at that drool! He has six teeth - many more than any of my other kids before a year old.

This was the picture I took the first day he started walking. Look at his little toes curling toward the floor to keep balance.

And here he just threw the ball.