Sweet Sixteen

Together for nineteen years; married for sixteen.

We love nothing more than to disgust our kids with a kiss.

We know very well what makes the other one tick.

We finish each others thoughts and sentences.

As much as a night away sounds enjoyable, we both would rather fall asleep in our bed that has a permanent crease from holding each other all night long. 

We're blessed with memories filled with air miles and suitcases and never would imagined that we'd have the amazing tribe we're responsible for in our home. 

There have been days where liking the other was harder than loving, but at the end of the day, I would want nothing other than just us.

You and me.

Happy Anniversary to Us.

A Mother's Day Road Trip

Road trips. Not my favorite. 

If planned well, they can be tolerable.
Making sure you have ample car snacks is key to any road trip... that, and not scratched DVDs if possible! We loaded up on Starbucks and headed south on I-5 after the kids got home from school, managing to avoid most traffic, where we finally made it to our destination of Seaside, OR. Our heads hit the pillow just a little before midnight. It's a parenting success when you can transfer multiple sleeping kids to their own beds. Win. 

With full bellies from the nothing special breakfast at the Pig 'N' Pancake, our tribe made our way to feed the seals and play on the beach. Two must do's when visiting the ocean side town; breakfast special and the Aquarium. The seals are hilarious to watch as they show off for snacks, slapping their tummies and barking for attention. Always entertaining no matter your age.
From there the kids spun in circles on the carousel followed by time with the big kid (Daddy) in the arcade. Later that day we headed a little further south to Depoe Bay...things have changed slightly since we were there last...some had hair, others had shorter hair and no ring grazed my finger. We look like babies.

{ Notice I caught the bigger fish. }

Kryptos Hedera

My original plan was to just trim the ivy as it quickly crept into my view of the back yard sprouting across the window; the roots permanently attaching to whatever surface it came into contact with. It may be pretty to look at and provides a great ground cover, but this plant can also be extremely invasive.
As I methodically begin the task of trimming this vine and that one, I noticed the extensive damage it had done to our window trim, exterior walls and even the window itself. Without pausing, I quickly decided to rip the entire plant off the wall and out of the ground.
It became immediately apparent that I was not the only one upset about this vine being ripped out and angered by the decay it had done to our home. Massive black spiders with bodies the size of my thumb nail scampered out from the displaced vines; up the walls and every direction on the ground setting off alarm to the mild arachnophobia this bug hating gardener has.
I had never been so thankful to have the bottle of Home Defense than at this moment, turning the situation into a battle of spider vs. bug melter with a quick trigger finger ready to spray until death. I turned into a human spider killer that refused to let anything flinching move a single one of their eight legs.

The parallel of the ivy plant to sin is almost identical.
Did you know that ivy is originally referred to as hedera? There are about fifteen different species of the climbing or ground-creeping plant.
At a distance, the ivy climbing on a brick wall creates a variegated green garden or a ground foliage that covers the forest floor. When you step closer, what you see is the ivy choking out the tree it's taken hostage by the thick, invading vines or roots that have taken hold to the outside walls, in some cases, vines that have grown into attic spaces under siding ruining the integrity of a home.
Every time I attempted to rip the brown, sunlight-starved vines off our exterior walls, pieces of paint would be tore off as well.

"And the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
1 Corinthians 14:25

Trifecta of Celebrations

Death. Marriage. Birthdays.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

"...a time to be born and a time to die..."

April 17th, 2018.
Grandpa Broersma (a.k.a Cookie Grandpa) passed away after a failing mind for the past few years and a brief battle with congested heart failure. Grandpa was a stubborn man which is why he fought so hard in the end. I had the honor of visiting with Grandpa in the hospital the day he passed.
Nothing was more touching than witnessing forever love having to say goodbye. Watching Grandma's silent tears stream down her face, knowing those hours were her last with Grandpa, spoke of such tenderness that grew in their relationship.
Being married into the family, I can't divulge any family secrets or stories growing up together. The few years I did have with Grandpa Broersma were profound.
Grandpa guided Tim and I financially giving advice into budgeting and even carrying a small loan for us in the beginning of our marriage. There was never a moment that wasn't teachable. Even when Tim would borrow a garden tool, there was a lesson in how to return it cleaned and put in the exact spot it was found. If I were to list two things that I learned from Grandpa they would be stewardship and wisdom.
How Grandpa lived his life, from taking care of his home and "stuff" he owned to how he managed his life, stewardship and wisdom would cover it all. A straight forward, no fluff, called it as he saw it type of guy. One that loved his cookies in the cabinet by the TV (which all the grandkids know about) to lunch at just the right time in his private office downstairs; Grandpa was precise, scheduled, predictable and yet, in the last few years soft and gentle, sweet and romantic.
You could, and still can, see Grandma glow when she talks about her marriage.
What an incredible gift that is to all the family and a gift to all the grandson's to witness.
Tim grew up across the street from Grandma and Grandpa so you can imagine all the stories he has from his earlier years. One of his favorite pictures is of Grandpa just letting go of his bike without training wheels while Tim takes off pedaling. All that you see is pride on Grandpa's face; excitement and joy on Tim's.
Grandpa, our kids miss you already and Tim has lost a legacy in your journey Home.