Simple.

Our life is FULL of pure and simple happiness. 

One of the simple things is our life that has added happiness to Daunika is having TOE SHOES! She is thrilled to match mommy now. REI garage sales rock. We both got toe shoes at the last one :) 

Throwing a blanket over a table is simple but it produces AMAZING hours of fun!

And of course... plain white paper and paint does wonders for all of us. 

Who doesn't think pie is fabulous? This is 100% whole wheat homemade crust, with fresh mulberries we picked ourselves. The filling is so amazing - 4c mulberries, 1/4c flour, 1/2c sugar. That's it - simple goodness!

Declan is often entertained by strange items (like playing pick up sticks with pencils!)

While jumping on the trampoline, suddenly a hard summer rain hit us. It didn't slow them down a bit. They were soaked head to toe and happy!

Kalani has two tiny teeth on the bottom now :) And in the same week, Daunika lost her second tooth too!

The kids are having an amazing time lately spending our days at Eagle Island. Super fun, super cheap, all day fun. The first time they were THRILLED Daddy came with us even! I love his dedication to us!

Life really is just mellow from day to day. In the simplicity I find the most fun and enjoyment all around. We're setting up our school supplies and office to get ready for a new (home)school year. We're slowing down and honing in on what we need to really do. We're reviving our business. We're taking it one day at a time committed to being the best versions of ourselves. It really is lovely!!

But with kids like these, who wouldn't think their lives were anything short of amazing?

Oh so blessed. 

Gratitude in adversity

Things have been better. No really, I do believe things have been much better in our lives before. For whatever reason, our possessions keep breaking in massive ways. It has been a rough month indeed, yet recounting it seems so humbling. It all started with a call I got, "I'm coming home, the truck is broken, the guys will have to finish the initial without it"... Well, big truck = big tools needed, new lessons learned, new experiences. And of course, Betty, our suburban could tow the trailer and get the job done. No biggie.

Truck fixed in time for Hester, our awesome 600$ car, decided to break. Several repairs and two weeks later, oil and coolant/water are mixing together rendering the darn car useless. But, what else happen during those two weeks you ask? Let's see... our riding lawn mower broke. 2 of our 3 push mowers broke. Our trailer broke.

As if the work stuff wasn't enough, our dryer began acting up. Then our washing machine completely died, and to top it off - our WELL to the house began spewing sandy water at us. Oh yes, and as of last weekend, the A/C unit is pouring water in the mechanical room downstairs. Great.

I have taken each day one at a time while reflecting that I have the choice to let it get to me, or not. It's actually amazing. While it seems terribly stressful, I honestly don't give a shit. It is just possessions. I've been through a heart breaking major loss this year - who the heck cares about the STUFF you fill your life with. It is about the people, the connections, the community.

So, here we are, about 4 weeks since everything began falling apart and I've learned a ton!

Damon has amazing skills mechanically

Stuff breaking meant we saw each other a bit more

We have an amazing community of friends 

Our chickens perch on the wheel hub if the tires are off

Tools = self sufficiency and we are willing to share these tools with others

People matter a million times more than our things

Our kids think washing clothes by hand in the bathtub is fun

Sharing car can be stressful

We need another ten trailers, well, maybe two more would suffice

Our crew is awesome 

Working from home means tasty meals from the wife according to Damon

Our kids saw collaboration and team work through this time

People in our lives are reliable

Laughter is better than tears through stress

Nothing is good or bad until you assign it that way - so why pick negativity?!

We are so blessed to have a community of people who love and support us. From the calls offering to bring us a meal, to the borrowed washing machine, to the crew pulling extra weight and dealing with less while we worked as hard as we could to bring back the tools to them. People gave us advice, support and love through the process and most importantly, we had each other. As a husband and a wife, we relied deeply on our connection, love, support and sincere and complete faith.

While it's been stressful, I love our life. It's just stuff - but the people who have prayed for us, helped us, and simply listened to us and held a space - Thank you. You matter.

Discover, again.

I love living in Boise. In case you didn't know - I think it is one of the best places on earth to raise children. While I have nothing to compare it to - I do really feel that the resources here are simply amazing. Great libraries, museums, a zoo, a million parks, great families, and one of our favorites - the Discovery Center!

Here's a peak into our day with friends at DCI

Looking into forever...

Playing with shadows.

This was GREAT to watch! Daunika is trying to grab the spring she can 'see'..... It's all an illusion. This is what she sees...

This is what I can see from the side....... I tried really hard not to giggle.... much

Then we headed to 'play' with some more hands-on items that Declan adores.

Serious concentration!

And of course - who doesn't love giant bubbles?

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Can you hear that? That 'wheeeeeeeeeeee' will probably be heard forever from here on forward. In fact, I'm sure my neighbors are repeating it in their brains over and over again just like I am. What could cause our children to scream this at the top of their lungs in our yard? I mean, we are seriously budgeted here... with our limited resources, could it be possible to create such amazing fun?

Well... you judge for yourself.

Doesn't every girl get out in 103* heat in her pink cowboy boots and swing to her hearts screams 'Whee!'

And what do you do when you have some extra rope? Take some more scrap wood from the firewood and drill a hole :)

Really, these girls are just fabulous to watch be so happy.

Declan is absolutely and completely terrified of swinging. Both of our girls went through an irrational fear of swinging too about 2. It's obviously no longer an issue for them, but for now Moose won't be doing any swinging.

But I think these two will make up for him missing out.

If you have a large tree, RUN, don't walk, to the hardware store for thick rope 

Then add some scrap wood, tie some knots. Viola!!!

Enjoy

Happy Independence Day :)

Every Independence Day for the last 5 years we have held the same tradition - our family packs a cooler full of food and then we hang out at the Boise Depot for a few hours while we wait for our amazing view of the city fireworks! Our kids love it, and I think both Damon and I share the appreciation for the beautiful explosions and their symbolism.

This is the view from where we were hanging out that I captured while we waited as the sun set slowly.

And while we waited... of course we had to explore!

There are huge fish to see!

Our family is growing up so quickly. Damon and I sat and watched people play and have fun with their frisbees and footballs - and once again, I was struck with the amazing fact that our kids are old enough to be crazy running frisbee throwing kids too. Darn. At home we have the trampoline, hula hoops, and sprinklers to be crazy with - but we don't yet have anything that travels to play outside with. We're going to put that on the agenda of things we MUST get.

But we had a stellar good time any way! We all stayed close to Damon. Sometimes it's hard when we see him so little but we are really dedicated to staying a strong close knit family. It was so great to be together for hours (in day light even!!) as a family. The kids crawled all over Daddy while they could..

Now, Damon being there was a special surprise to the kids. I had prepared them for his potential absence and I think they understood because he did get up and head out with the crew bright and early in the morning of the 4th. We hit a BBQ with our great friends and then we all celebrated when he showed up to join us before we left our home. It really felt awesome!!

And of course, Kalani and me stayed close too!

Our awesome 6 year old snapped this one of us together! Can you believe it's been 12 years together?

Some nearby families shared a huge glow stick with Declan, which was a lifesaver for him. By 10 pm he was exhausted but the fireworks didn't start until 1030. So... He had fun with a glow stick!

And as the sun finally went down, the sky lit up and we all marveled at the explosions and our deep gratitude for our lives.

I'm so thankful for our lives, really. It's incredibly hard to describe the intense gratitude I feel when I sit and really think of it. I know we're on the path of happiness and living it daily. The commitment it takes to hold ourselves up through adversity, struggle, and unexpected turns in the road are seemingly easy. We have so much to learn in life, but I know we are on the right path for us. These traditions are just small moments in the daily grind of our lives together. How awesome.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Independence Day!!

Good things

Life around here is chugging along. There isn't a moment in my life where someone doesn't need me and sometimes that's a big responsibility that threatens to crush out the ability to stop and enjoy. It's interesting to reflect the moments when I am the busiest are usually the exact moments life tells me to look around and take a deep breathe.

Sunsets around here are stunning. It's amazing to wonder at the glorious world around us and know that it's too beautiful to not marvel at - and it doesn't take a hike, a long car ride, or a trip anywhere to see the beauty. It simply surrounds us here! That is my yard... Yep, it needs mowed. Yes, I would do it if I didn't have to borrow the lawn mower from my other half.... but hey, while it's long, might as well enjoy the pretty gleaming light from it while sitting in the yard :)

This past week I had to mourn the death of the motor in our Kitchen Aid standing mixer. The story of this lovely piece of equipment is fabulous - my mother in law gifted it to us and we have used it at least 3 times a week for 2 years now! Sadly, it does need fixed. But I am crazy and attempting bread by hand. It's a wrist work out for sure!!! I just don't think I can justify organic good fresh bread purchased when I know I can make it myself (and CHEAP). Really.... honey oat whole wheat bread made lovingly by me just warms my soul and I love the patter of little feet as they race to the kitchen screaming "can I have some!?!?"

And our chickens.... I remember as a child visiting Idaho. I would arrive at our great grandparents home and wonder "who the heck would live like this"... Ya know, 4 acres, 25 or so chickens, cattle, a big garden, huge family... Ha. Funny how growing up changed my "wants". My great grandmother loved her chickens, and as a child I was baffled by the idea. I mean, they are just unintelligent strange looking birds that poop, a lot, right? Yes and no. I'm finding every single day I feel more and more like my grandmother Ilene. I wish I could ask her so many questions from day to day. But every once in a while, I feel her presence, or a glimpse of enjoyment in watching our own chickens and I wonder if she was just like me - trying to live the good life and stay present in the moment with her busy happy life.

Yesterday I enjoyed stumbling on a mulberry tree where my husband was working! I have had mulberry jam and pies as a kid, but had actually never seen them growing in the wild before. We busted out the ladder and well.... my hands look a bit painted despite a lot of washing....

But those lovely painted hands picked all these! The kids love the taste of mulberries and to my surprise quickly asked for fresh berry pie. Sounds like our project for after church together tomorrow....

It's actually been a relaxed week. Damon and I saw each other a lot compared to 'typical' weeks these days. Our crew members each took an extra day off this week and we had some stellar times hula hooping, pizza munching, and kicking back together with each other around the fire pit... The kids and I accomplished a great deal of school work and also managed to not kill each other as the daylight keeps them up so late and they get tired or grumpy toward the end.

Happy weekend dear friends!

Summer begins

It's heating up outside! Summer is full swing into fun around here, and summer nights just call to me to be outside, swinging a baby, watching the animals, chasing the kiddos. We've been walking often, though I admit that I completely shy away from the heat! I feel like the evil witch in the Wizard of Oz screaming "I'm melting!!". We're enjoying popsicles, ice cubes, unlimited well water to play in, and walking distance parks! We're blessed to have spent some time with Damon recently even.. due to a broken truck AND on the same day, a broken car - he was 'stuck' with us. It rocked. (well, both roger and hester being broke sucks but I uuber miss my husband and I'll take any time I can get damnit!)

Around here lately there is a lot of Moose v. Moose wrestling! Either way, Moose wins :) I love this giant stuffed moose from Costco. It was a surprise 'just to make you smile' gift for my husband but honestly the kids LOVE the huge thing. It usually sits in the corner just in front of the toy room and he gets read to a lot. He's been re-named about a million times in the last 2 months and if all else fails, TACKLE HIM!

I seem to have produced kids that love to love on each other too! All of our children have enjoyed rolling around together, giggles, belly tickles, and lots of time together. It's been nice to focus on one another for awhile.

Our spunky child is working hard at learning how to crochet right now. It has proved difficult and she gets frustrated when she cannot produce a sweater, hat, or pants for her baby instantly. She is very dedicated to learning this fiber arts skill.

Aurora is hysterical. No really, it is impossible to be near her and not have a great laugh at her wild spirit, goofy faces and constant singing. She is so FUN!

In our lives, it's completely and totally normal to photograph the outside and capture a cat, chicken and rabbit together. Huh, what a life!!

Daunika has spent at least 2 hours every day reading. She is such an amazing little soul that is so full of wonder and thirst for the precious words and excitement that books can bring. She has joined a book club that meets every Wednesday through the whole summer to read together and discuss the Rebecca series of the American Girl series.

Kalani is so fun. She is full of laughter, beaming from ear to ear as she sits happily and tries to rock forward on her bum to reach anything new. I am beginning to see two little white bumps on her bottom gums.. before we know it, she'll have teeth there! 

Declan is exactly like what I imagine my husband was like as a child. If he has a problem, he invents a solution. His brain is so amazing... to watch him interact with the world, to find a way around any obstacle is quite inspiring honestly! This picture exactly captures what I mean... He couldn't find a drinking glass, he understands we drink out of mason jars... so.... (that's a 2 quart mason jar. the ones used for iced coffee and kombucha in this house!)

This picture summed life up nicely.....