An Afternoon In The Gardens

This afternoon we spent a little family time at Rozengardens in Skagit Valley, as the sun beat down on our winter white skin. The flip flops came out and sunscreen was applied…off we go to view the tulips on the last day of the tulip tours. The fields were already clipped back as the color was gone, but inside the gardens, there was still plenty to see. 
It used to be easier when the kids had no opinions and weren't as vocal about the big event. When you're little it's fun to see the color, the windmill, and go for a road trip. When you're older and have done this field trip a few times, it gets a little "boring" as we were reminded of today. Last time we made the trip was when Grandpa Haak was in his wheelchair as we pushed him along the bumpy paths. He was not forgotten today. 
I on the other hand, never grow tired of seeing the tulips! 
Here's a few pictures to capture our afternoon...
{ Dual sisters smelling the pretty flowers. }


 { My favorite. Simply gorgeous. }

 { Ice cream was welcomed with temperatures in the high 70's. }

 { Classic sit-on-the-frog photo. }

 { Thanks to our daughter for getting a pic of dad & mom together. }


 { For being the last day of tulip tour season, there was still beautiful colors displayed. }


 { Our Fab Five }




59 Miles of E2 Spirit Fingers

I have the nicest friends. 
(enter sarcasm)
So nice, they volunteered me to run the Mt. Si Relay to fill the void of one team member. I had to rearrange a few things in order to meet their demands, but managed to follow through and be a nice friend in return. I had less than four weeks to train for a possible 13 miles total to be ran during the 10 leg relay. (5 members on a team, 2 legs ran per teammate) E2 Fitness Center in Lynden, had 19 members sign up and I rounded it off making it four teams total that represented the gym with one AMAZING cheerleader who clapped all day long for us. (Thanks Mandi!) We ranged from road-runner to turtle speed and all completed the 59 mile challenge without injury. I ran a total of 13.3 miles and in the end, after bickering and complaining, honestly enjoyed myself! 
We headed south Saturday late afternoon for a group dinner then tucked ourselves in bed after a competitive game of Catch Phrase. (Some of us need to learn to not throw things and others need to learn to share the shared seat as couples. )
The morning started dry, but as the day progressed the weather went from clouds, to rain, to sunshine, and downpours. The wind trailed behind us all day, but overall the beauty of the surrounding landscape out shined the northwest weather. No real surprise to us! 
All four teams did awesome! This wasn't a chipped timed race (although awards for top teams were given) and had a very relaxed feeling throughout the day which gave all the runners no-pressure as they splashed along the trails. There was a since of nerves as some moments you were the ONLY one on the trails besides some "puma" eyes watching and waiting. Thank you Jesus for protecting us all in the wild west!
After my fingers thawed out and wet clothes were peeled off, I was able to refuel and head home. Thank you E2 for orchestrating a fabulous relay and joining forces with other members! 
High fives and spirit fingers to all 20 runners!

{ Carbs consumed and friendships made with a table of almost 20 team mates. }

{ Thanks to a friend of the Duque's, we had a beautiful home to sleep at the night before. Yes, Jackie and I may have gotten the giggles before bed, but we gathered ourselves to get a bit of rest before the race. Dressed and ready loading up the cars to make our first stop at Starbucks! }



{ E2 Fitness Represents }

 { The boss bringing it in strong at exchange 3 passing the hand shake to Kelly. }

 There was a moment of emotion that overwhelmed me pre-exchange as I run for My Hero but, I pulled it together to knock out a turbo 6.2 mile race…almost lost my tummy at the end, but kept it together to spare those in the cheering crowds. Managed to maintain a 8:30 minute average with the last mile pacing at 7:40! Helps to have the man in orange to motivate you to bring your A-game. 
It was a pleasure catching up to you Brian P.!

 { Julie M. & Melissa waiting to take off on leg 6 }


{ Jackie looking strong as she nursed an achilles injury. Run like the wind Melissa! }

 The sites on this 59 mile stretch were stunning! There were waterfalls, rivers, bridges, old grown trees covered in moss and magnificent cliffs with snow topped peaks. Yes, there was also sudden down pours which drenched you to the core but, they were followed with patches of blue sky and sunshine.  

{ "Vision in Blue" had the opposite reaction at exchange point 10 handing off the final leg to Jackie. }

{ Brandi and her groupies rocking a 7 hour 14 minute relay.
Awesome work David, Erik, Kyle, Adam & Brandi! }

{ Team Emmanuel Endurance completes. }
Check out www.e2fitnesscenter.com to join or participate in these awesome team races.

{ Who knew that chocolate milk was one of the best recovery drinks? Downed it in just a few sips! This was the drink tab for just three of us…we found ourselves a little thirsty. }

A day later, our faithful friends dry out as I recover in the sunshine thinking of other races to sign my nice friends to participate in…who's ready to run?



My Hero's Cheer Squad

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1


When you are forced on a seven year sprint, you must have a team of cheerleaders at every rest stop. My Hero has had cheerleaders show support in the thousands from family to friends, co-workers and kids, and far off strangers running their own race in honor of Traci. Thousands of dollars has been raised, donated, and graciously handed over to cover the extreme cost of medical treatments. It all started with a lump, surgery and the beginning of chemotherapy. Our kids have only known Auntie to be sick as Addison was only two when My Hero was diagnosed. It's normal in their eyes to see Auntie with scars and a bald head. It's normal for them to be gentle and cautious around Auntie as she's sore, sick or recovering from her special medicine. Visits to the doctors and oncologists are seen as special dates with Nana and Auntie.
Nana, our mom, has been the Head Cheerleader for all seven years. From the initial appointment and diagnoses to the first surgery and many since then, my Mom has been a saint. My Hero's church allowed Traci to recover from her first surgery at their Mission House where Mom stayed all seven weeks helping Traci adjust to the new normal. Meals were brought almost daily and we could have opened up a floral shop with the amounts of gorgeous flowers on all the shelves. The preschool walked next door on May Day to surprise Teacher Traci with flowers, cards and encouraging smiles. They left birthday notes on the sidewalk in chalk and made art work for the Mission House walls.


Three weeks post surgery, My Hero had her first chemotherapy treatment and shortly after started to loose her hair which resulted in some fun with the clippers and emotional haircuts. There were three of Traci's friends that came to shave their hair in support as well! Those friends have supplied so much joy and humor in this race which is medicine itself. My Hero's "kids" have given so much in a child-like way of support as they sported bandanas, hat days and offered grace when Teacher Traci wasn't feeling very well. This is just the start of the cheerleading squad...

"But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."  1 Peter 5:7




{ boobie barf bag humor }


As believers we pray for God's will to be done. We pray for earthly healing as we long to see our loved ones healthy. And when we have a brother or sister in Christ struggle, we team up, join forces and do what we can to help out. So many in our local community, Portland area and on the East Coast have done just that to show My Hero that she's not alone. Locally, we've had silent auctions, benefit evenings in corporate worship, sports events, soup dinners, garage sales, bake sales, and sunny car washes raising well into the five-digits. Traci's past roommate organized a 5k run/walk and bake sale over on the East Coast raising funds that have saved stress and worry when sent a medical bill. Most of those who gave didn't even know who My Hero was and those who do know her have met an angel. The team behind this fighter has been phenomenal, humbling, and Jesus in action.
My mom has never missed a chemo treatment besides possibly one or two. My dad who received treatment at the same time in the beginning, has been just as supportive. Charlie has started his own track record of being at Auntie's special medicine dates too!
Some may not know the extent of My Hero's pain currently because there has been very few times she's seen without a smile on her face. I rarely hear of complaints or grumbling about the marathon she's been running. Of course there are frustrations from insurance battles to prescriptions not being ordered properly. The irritation of bone pain from sitting too long, bending down to get in the car, making the bed, sleep interruptions and doing laundry gets old and creates a mess. The strong recommendation of NOT paddling is disappointing as the team of Pinks are some of the best cheerleaders and the sport has become a passion of Traci's.
But still…she smiles.

{ Kim & Traci at the Praise and Worship Benefit Auction }

{ Grandma Van Dyken joining Pink Phoenix during paddle practice. }

{ Three baldies at dinner after completion of the 3-day breast cancer walk. }



My Hero has a purpose. God has her will in His hands. And when Doctor says forget doing scans, we're being pro-aggressive and changing things immediately, we agree and charge forward with hope. My Hero is not alone as she tries new drugs and seeks better pain management. My Hero has not lost her faith but rather grown stronger clinging to the Words in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." 


 There is so much more fight in this sister in Christ. My Hero is only regaining strength to kick cancers a** and prove that nothing is too big, too hard, or too painful that God can't overcome. God has not left us in our anguish over this long race. Our cheerleaders have not walked away and I'm confident in knowing they will only cheer louder as the time is now to show how much this Hero means to us all.
Our kids don't know anything but, an Auntie who, in the face of fear, hardships and extreme pain, seeks more of Jesus and praises His name with every poke, treatment and pill taken. The example she leads is one I can only hope for and I'm forever grateful she's the one we cheer for everyday.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. I am making everything new!"
Revelation 21:4,5


Happy Easter!



We have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate this Resurrection Day! We have each other, our supportive families, our amazing friends, and live in a beautiful community. I was looking at old pictures from Easter's past and what a difference a year makes!!!

{ Easter 2012 }

These days I'm not greeted with smiles when I want the girls to be matching. I'm met with sighs and google searches of personal choices of dresses rather then mommy's first pick. As adorable as what Addison looks, it came with a high price. We compromised; Addi gets her first choice dress if she lets mommy cut her hair. Agreed! It put smiles on both of our faces! Charlie was excited to have shoes like daddy as his have holes in them from so much play…we'll see how long the new shoes last! Myriam…well she was proud of her jean jacket and was still cute as a button like she was in 2012. 

Today the sun made an appearance, the dinner was served with ham, potatoes, and sweet dessert and time was spent with family. God has blessed us with so much GOOD in our life and we are grateful for every ounce of JOY God has rewarded us with in our home. Praying we never forget the beauty on the cross and the freedom we have because HE IS RISEN INDEED! 
Happy Easter to our family & friends!


SPRINGin' Forward

It's SPRING and the kids are loving the sunshine, short sleeved shirts and smells of the season. The cherry trees are in full bloom as the daffodils bring color to the barren areas of the yard. The ferns are cut back, the grass has been mowed once, we've had our first grass stain appear this week and the project list is half a page long already! The swings have been already worn in and been put to great heights by all the neighbor kids. Tim is now official with his motorcycle license which makes me thankful for his respect for life, but also thinking I may be finding myself driving behind him going places as he is IN LOVE with the hobby finding every use possible for two wheels. 
Today Addison was studying the Pig War on Orcas Island, so I'm pretty certain that means it's time for a field trip to Roche Harbor and have a Northwest afternoon island hopping and exploring. Our trip to the tulip fields is planned for mid week in attempts to beat big crowds and everything but new spring shoes are ready for Easter Sunday. I'm just amazed how opinionated kids get at such young ages in regards to what's cute, uncomfortable and in style. Feet never stop growing and the gap between one daughter to the next has many years of storage ahead of us. Charlie is much more content to holes in the knees, muddy shoes, and hair going every direction but the same. I'm very thankful for my mom who is sewing too short leggings and soft pants into shorts for the kids! 
Myriam's list of rules is growing as she continues to be two and challenges us as parents to find new ways to really make her understand what 'NO' means. The list of rules began as she was kicked out of the nursery a few weeks ago due to punching kids. (sorry to the kids who were on the receiving end of this gesture. my apologies to the kids and parents. completely embarrassed about that one.) The list went like this:
  • no punching
  • no kicking
  • no pull hair
  • no biting
  • keep diaper on
As of this past Sunday, we have added "no spitting" as said child drank water and attempted toddler baptism during class. Again, my apologies to Teacher Roxy and those children in the spray zone. Myriam finds discipline entertaining. She feels no pain; has no fear. I'm open to suggestions from parents who have walked this challenging road before!
This morning my brother came over for a haircut and stayed after to let the kids play. Once the rain started we came inside, but some children snuck outside and found themselves content to play IN THE BUNNY CAGE!!!  AGAIN!!! I found her two hands full of bunny goodness as she went straight to the bathtub after locking the cage and making sure Sandy was okay. 
Next on the list of rules: no bunny cage

The rest of the week looks promising with limited clouds and sunshine so we look forward to afternoons outside and maybe picnics at the park. I'm always leery to get my car washed as it seems the next day it rains so whats one more day with a dirty car? Think of it as saving you a day inside to face the cleaning that always seems to be patiently waiting it's date with Mr. Clean and Mrs. Windex.
Here's a little of what we've been up to this spring so far…

{ The kids ask to visit Grandpa Haak's grave weekly. Their favorite memory is Grandpa chasing them in his wheelchair! Addi asked to bring flowers and got yellow as she remembers Grandpa telling her it was his favorite color. He mentioned to her that the Easter dress she had on before he died was his favorite. She'll never forget. } 

 { Better known as 'the Grandpa with the blue hat'. }


{ Climbing trees and climbing on Uncle Jason as he sits with his little ladies. }

 { As fun as it may be for the kids to watch our deer friends explore our yard, they are also a reminder for me to get my Irish Spring out so they don't eat all the flowers! }

{ Pinterest encouraged me to build a cross out of twigs, so I did and I love it! What a great reminder as we near the Resurrection. }