Shhh... She's Off to High School!

 

How did this even happen? 

My Mama heart is still walking our oldest to preschool with her hand tightly laced between mine. 

Her voice not yet confident then to share with others, yet friendships grew, play dates existed and then Addison's first graduation from preschool. From there we began our journey with Meridian Parent Partnership School (Mp3) as we home schooled for seven years before entering Ebenezer Christian School in grade seven. 

Jeff Caraco was our SLPC (Student Learning Plan Coordinator) for all but six months of our time at Mp3. We started as an off campus student where each week Teacher Jeff would call and check in with Addison. The first year was rough - usually the call was Jeff talking and myself in the background encouraging any conversation. Over the course of years having weekly phone calls, Addison eventually started to share more about her week at home telling Teacher Jeff what she had learned and answering any other questions he asked. We spent countless hours with Explode the Code, Spelling Workout, Daily Grams and Math-U-See along with many other text books that spread across our dining table and homeschool corner at home. 

Launching Success knew us by first name as we often came in for more supplies. 

For the last couple years of homeschooling, Addison (and Charlie too) transferred into campus students attending the Mp3 campus twice a week. A brief break for me but also a challenge for the kids to interact with other students and teachers. This is when we began to see the incredible change burst from our sweet Addi as one of her favorite memories from mp3 was giving her TED Talk. 

From not speaking a word in two years of preschool to giving class speeches, we as parents could not have been more proud of the many accomplishments. 

#ncctkjustusmarriagegetaway ... Just Us

{ Always my Hubs. Always his Wife. }

 

{ May 3-5, 2019 }

The Just Us Couples were welcomed back in La Conner, WA, this year with lots of sunshine and hospitality as almost 50 couples connected with each other, learned about their personalities and focused on marriage while playing, laughing and relaxing with others. We are incredibly blessed to be apart of a church that supports marriage between man and woman AND makes an effort to invest into marriage. I heard multiple times how peoples cheeks hurt from laughing all throughout the weekend. 

My only request of the couples this year as volunteered MC, was to set aside the hard stuff - the parts of marriage that had them stressed, fearful, nose deep in self-help books or buried deep in counseling. To remind their marriage how to laugh, connect with others and remember to have fun. Marriage is HARD WORK! 

The Just Us Getaways are to bring the fellowship and connection back into marriage, as well as connecting with other church couples. It's always fun to see the hands go up according to what service they attend since many sit on opposite sides of the church. Numerous times over the weekend we heard of new budding friendships and connections being made. 

The Just Us Team saw that as a win!

And to give you insight into who attends, we had the youngest couple being married just under two years, to the oldest couple just celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! 

To best explain the weekend, I thought I'd just show you the belly laughs that were had and highlights from our 2nd Annual Just us Couples Getaway!

{ Follow #ncctkjustusmarriagegetaway to see more of the fun! }

{ Mark Warren hit it out of the park once again speaking into our 

personalities and how they affect our relationships. }

{ The Mix & Mingle B-I-N-G-O game proved success again resulting in peeps learning new things about each other, but also winning sweet prizes too! }

Our community once again blessed our couples with many donations for door prizes, game prizes and the coveted 1st place Amazing Race prize of a two-night stay at Semiahmoo Resort! Thank you to every business that greatly blessed so many couples. 

Shout out to Wood's Coffee for providing the caffeine all weekend long as well! 

{ Amy and her sweet tooth talents gave couples a punch of energy before the Just Us Amazing Race. }

 

 

 { We asked couples to dress up as noticeable couples... these were a few but clearly Joseph, Mary and sweet Baby Jesus won the Best Dressed prize to Jo Fish & Creativity! }

{ That's right. Shower caps, shaving cream and Cheese Puffs were just one of the Race Detours couples had to participate in. Blindfolded rubber band guns were another entertaining Race Challenge. }

 { Grooms had to locate their anniversary date while the brides sat in silence. Not sure which was harder! They later had to find their brides birthday while brides blew a bubble to connect the two dates. We had 29 couples participate in the Amazing Race! }

{ My Love & I on our Channel Lodge balcony before live streaming church and sharing in worship with all the couples. The Just Us Team debriefed at Whitey's BBQ making it now tradition to 

end our time together before heading home. }

Cupcakes & Cider

Today was a good day. 

The kind of day that allowed Myriam to play hooky from school and do all things Auntie's favorite with Papa and Nana. From hiking at Lake Whatcom to dingy rides in Bellingham Harbor, playing at parks and lunches at the Web Locker... all things that brought joy to Auntie Traci. 

Today would have been my sister's 40th birthday. 

And as crazy as it may be, I wanted to remember and celebrate the day my mother gave birth to the oldest daughter; my big sister. 

A day that no mother will forget. 

So, we did just that. My parents played, the kids sang the birthday song, we ate cupcakes and gathered as family to remember, laugh, catch up and have reason to toast the life we all loved so much. I imagine my sister beaming with pride seeing family join together with reason to party. 

I caught myself smiling randomly throughout the day reminiscing over childhood birthday parties and all things celebratory. My sister was the best when it came to birthdays and honoring people. Gifts for no reason, confetti in cards and every gift having reason or connection to what that person adored. 

She never was without thought or concern for others. 

A gift she gave to all that had the blessing of meeting her. 

Happy 40th birthday sister. 

{ There are decades of memories on the water. }

{ Cupcakes & Cider }

 { Mom & Dad... they celebrated well. }

{ Even our flower girl came to celebrate today! }

Ah Chew... Bless You

The symphony of sneezes are in full swing in our home. The itchy nose where you just can't seem to reach, watery eyes and repeat sneezes are the first indicator things are ready to burst into color and sounds of lawn mowers becoming the normal outside back ground noises. 

It appears all of us, to some extent, have been fighting seasonal allergies and getting 

worse with every year passing. 

Even with the annoying symptoms of allergies, we still find time to play. 

The ladies have had a few days of fun together exploring Boulevard Park, feeding the ducks at Whatcom Falls, catching up on homework while the younger two burn energy off at Perch & Play, rolling down hills at the "Red Park" and meeting the needs of our taste buds with gelato and bread sticks. There's also been fitting room fashion shows which is quite comical I may add. One of those years where Addison has shot up resulting in nothing working for summer attire, Myriam not quite tall enough to fit Addi's hand-me-downs and Baylee on her own needing a few fill-in items to prepare these princesses for summer. Thank goodness not all will be teenagers at one time or we'd need to find some money tree seeds somewhere. I love watching each relationship grow, challenge and inspire the other. 

A while back, the ladies were playing together and one made the remark, "Hey, we all have a different Tummy Mommy." Hearing that made my heart stumble a bit, but also soar, knowing God knew our family dynamics long before I was ready to step into this role as Mom to all three. There are frustrations, struggles, joys and lots of laughter with each one. Each daughter has something special about themselves making them unique in their own way. Having these special girl dates makes them that much more special simply because God saw each of them needing one another. 

{ Fairhaven Explorations }

 

{ Whatcom Falls & Cornwall Neighborhood Red Park}

{ Morning running buddy. }

Research & Play

{ LaConner Town Tour March 23, 2019}

My partners in crime. Researchers with a sweet tooth. 

While Charlie was playing basketball at the Tulip Tournament in a tight gym with limited seating, the little girls and I went west to complete the final details for the Just Us Amazing Race coming up in May with NCCTK. 

As part of the Couples Getaway, the team and I reconstruct a mini version of the TV show game throughout LaConner, WA, while executing Route Info, Race Challenges and Road Blocks all to get to the final Pit Stop. 

Myriam & Baylee were my assistants tasting treats, taking lots of pictures, posing in front of statues and taking in all the sunshine on this Saturday covering over three miles of ground. 

We even managed to take in some glorious daffodil fields as the "joy" spread across multiple fields. 

My heart was full. 

Some days can be extremely challenging, stressing, and trauma driven, but this day had

laughter, connection, sweet words and play. 

My sweet ladies and I all needed the research party and play!

{ The girls were loving the selfies. }

{ Spring sass soaking up the sun. }

Be Gone Iceland

When all the leaves have fallen and the air turns cold, we wish and pray for a white Christmas to come and stay around to play long enough for Olaf to entertain our front yards. 

Winter didn't arrive until February this year and then thought to overstay it's welcome. 

Our snow has finally melted, but if the wet blanket Myriam and I laid on Sunday was any indication, the ground certainly has not dried out yet from the gallons of precipitation. 

Now begins the massive clean up our beautiful trees dispersed throughout our yard. Thankfully, we only had one large branch come down and it was away from the house. Our home may not be perfect shape, but it kept us warm and secure during winter's storms. 

Here are some other winter updates from our home...

{ Kids got skills. Playing his favorite... Michale Jackson. Yes, he knows worship songs too. }

 

 { Busted out to Uncle Jason's place to sled & tailgate with family. }

{ Sisters on snow days. }

{ Papa turned 70 & we surprised him at dinner...although, somehow he dodged the group selfie. }

Mama's Man Cub Turns 11

It's really hard to believe that our Charlie is eleven. 

In my eyes, he's still the chunky, blue-eyed baby that beamed with smiles when given any attention. The little man that adored snuggles and won the immediate affection from his big sister who quickly dressed him up, stuck him in baby doll strollers and became Mom's best helper. 

As he grew, so did his heart. Charlie has the biggest, most tender, compassionate, kind, servant-minded, thoughtful heart a mother could pray for. I've seen this on display many times before making me beam with pride. Opening the door for his Grandma, holding her hand to steady her feet, rubbing Nana's back to soothe her broken heart, protecting his Mama when needed and crying in the arms of his sister during the most traumatic moments of his little life. I've also seen his sportsmanship present on the court in earlier years making sure every player had a chance to touch the basketball during a game. Charlie's ability to be sensitive to others emotions is well beyond his years. 

As parents, yes, we have our moments of wondering what the little Man Cub was thinking, but with an overwhelming amount of love, we stand proud of who Charlie is and is becoming. 

 We have years to train our gentleman on how to close the kitchen cupboards, put his shoes in the bin and how to flip a sock right side out. Time to teach him how to properly put clean clothes away and pick up his room, so that, when the dreaded time comes for him to leave the nest he has life skills to impress his college friends or future bride to be. 

For now, we sit in awe of the responsibility God gave us to raise Charlie and thank God for every minute of laughter, snuggles, bedtime prayers and beaming smiles that bless this Mama's heart daily. 

Charlie, Mom and Dad are incredibly proud of you and love you. 

Happy eleventh Birthday!

{ Full of life. }

{ Surrounded by sisters. }

{ Best brother ever. }