BREEZY FIELDS

The other day I had to research some dates on the blog. Again I came to the realization that not blogging for our family was going to be a heartbreaking regret later in life.  So I am starting again, hopefully.  I don't think I will try to play catch up, but I might.  Here's the weekend Friday Mike left for a week in Australia.  He will be in Brisbane all week.  He arrived yesterday and was sending beautiful pictures all of yesterday evening.  Ellyn has my phone now but maybe I'll get some on here. Friday night Sawyer had his first soccer practice of the Spring season.  His friend Braden is on his team and he has the same coach he had this fall so he is super happy.  Sadie had a birthday party up on post at the skating rink.  Sadie has skated twice in her life.  She was falling all over the place and having a great time.  She did come home with monkey bumps on her elbow and knee and a couple dozen bruises everywhere else.  ...

Sometimes I wonder what I have done in life to deserve this... and this- Really. I am dreading having to wake Sadie for seminary! Sadie is a cheerful little sweetheart the rest of the day. Mike and Jane are more hit and miss;-) Besides school and soccer and tutoring for Boo, this year I have been attempting to make our life a little less scheduled and have more time for fun family activities during the week and more availability for service on my part during the day. Last year was too chaotic. Having another driver has been helpful. Jane just taking herself to her own activities has been huge, not to mention dropping off Sadie for soccer or running a quick errand or two. Jane is working really hard at school and is finally learning that being patient and accepting of mom and dad's decisions allows for a greater degree of independence and fun. This is not a look we are going to see too soon. Jane was thrilled to hear that she can go on a mission at 19 and has new plans for w...

Four kids in our neighborhood/ward have birthdays in the same week. We decided to do a group bday party with a circus theme. We divided up duties and had a stress free, fun party. We hosted which meant I had to do almost nothing. Perfect. Mike on the grill. Have I mentioned how much Mike loves social gatherings? He doesn't. Carrie put together a darling fishing game. Decorations that we have used at multiple events this year (by we I mean the 4 moms in our preschool co-op). Amanda went over the "top" with the cake. The kids loved it! Claire, Sadie, Kyle, and Annie had an awesome birthday (okay, Annie did not, she got grounded from coming but that is another story). - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sadie and I had our second trip into the E.R. in little over a month. This time a fever spike while taking Tylenol. Five hours later we were on our way home with a positive strep culture, a shot of antibiotics in Sadie's booty, and our E.R. nurse's phone number. She said if we really wanted to see her again we could just call. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mike's parents bought tickets for 8 of us to go see Pink Floyd in Portland. We figured it might be a good thing if we were there for Jane's first exposure to marijuana and concert goers (no, she did not smoke it). At least that was our rationale. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

When Jane was a little girl and we were so poor I did everything I could to make sure Jane always looked well groomed, well dressed, and clean. Her hair was always done, everything matched, she was darling at all times. Sawyer, number 4, I can actually afford to make sure the boy is dressed properly. Yet this is how we shopped at Costco the other day. You can't tell but those pants are bright purple with bright orange stripes and under that jacket is a shark tank top. We had just gone through the hand me downs box from his cousin and our friends from Germany/Monterey and these were the articles of clothing he had to wear right away, with his boots of course. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Discovery Dental (Dave and Tom's practice) sponsors The Stride every year for the Washougal School District. This year we were able to join in the school/ Stinchfield family event. Janie ran her first 5k. Good job Bear! Mike ran as well and came in strong. We have no idea what his time was but I could tell he was speedy. Sadie, Morgan, and Hayden ran a mile in the 4th grade category. Cute or what? Sawyer was so ready to go, hours before his event. Sawyer warms up for his lap around the track, he was one of the first to finish. Speedy. Ellyn and I did a lap as well. She was very excited at the beginning, laughing and clapping. By the end she was not as thrilled that I was dragging her along at a hurried pace. She finished though and was compensated with a popsicle. Meags was an angel and met me at 4:45 for 9 miles. It was my first run over 7 miles since I hurt my foot. I love that sister of mine. The run was awesome. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad