zoo x 2

Granny Annie treated us to Zoo Boise passes while we were in Idaho. We had such a fun morning exploring the new exhibits in this growing zoo. All the boys had a chance to feed the giraffe, pretty cool to get that close.

We have used the passes at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo as well. Funny, in such an impressive place, that our boys are drawn to iron statues, baby turtles, & their littlest brother's antics.

Inspired by Rio, one of the dollar flicks we caught with Bumpa Ken & Grammy Annie in our short visit.

Are you ok? Is there anything I can do to help make things better? If nothing else know that I am thinking about you and your wonderful family. I know that everything just works itself out. With every down there is an up. You will be able to brave this storm. Worse things have happened. Take a deep breath, get a huge bowl of ice cream, and then just take one day at a time. Remember that there are people here who love you and believe in you. We are your cheerleaders cheering you on in this new adventure. I am sending you a HUGE HUG from this email. Make one of your wonderful boys hug you and pretend it is me. I am thinking of you and know that the most challenging road makes the end just that much better. LOVE YOU!!!!!! Since I am not there to make you bake to forget your troubles, I am sending some quotes instead that make me happy. Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow. - Alice M.Swain If you don't learn to laugh at troubles, you won't have anything to laugh at when you grow old. - Ed Howe If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough. - Mario Andrette There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and leaving it behind them when they go. - Frederick Faber (This is you!) A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. - George Bernard Shaw It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis. -Margaret Bonnano The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. -Albert Einstein Choice, not chance, determines destiny. -unknown Live. A lot. Unleash yourself upon the world! Go now! And fly free in the frowning face of convention. Giggle. No, laugh. No, howl as if you've never grown up. Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal, this is it! Take it all in. Yes, every last rose and every single breath. And by all means, whatever you do, drive a real cool car. It's a dangerous business going out your front door. -J.R.R. Tokein

 That is an email sweet Andrea sent me after my last blog plea/whine. Just the thing to make me feel so loved & supported. Thank you all for your kind words. I really try not to take advantage & just rant all the time. At the same time, I do not want to be fake about how freakin' hard & terrifying this all is.


 So another day, another book down, & another really timely read about feelings of doubt & overcoming fear. 

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

—	Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets

Thank you for continuing to pray & send good thoughts our way. Not sure how it ends for Harry, I think he dies...

Potter's hands

I just finished the 1st Harry Potter book. I have long been a fan of the films but was too lazy to read the books. Throw in 10 weeks of unemployment, well there you go. The first book took me just a day & I loved every bit. Especially Dumbledore, wicked smart, that one.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."

"Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing that Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign...to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."

" to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."

Dumbledore

We have had without question, one of the hardest weeks of our lives. It was part of why I jumped into Harry's tortured world, to soothe myself. If you are a pray-er, we'll take some please. Double order, heavy on the grace.

double digits

Our sweet Kaleb is 10 today. Hip Hip Hooray! He brings joy & sunshine to our family just as he did that first day. My heart leapt when I saw that plump, red-head baby boy. I couldn't  believe I was lucky enough to call him mine. I think every mom should be so fortunate as to have a tender-hearted, redhead child, there really is something special there!

We will celebrating in the usual Archuleta way, with good food. Pancakes, donuts, & a seafood feast.

snips & snails

& puppy dog tails... that's what Bumpa Ken's house is made of. Our second stop in Idaho was another backyard retreat. Granny Annie had build your own sundae supplies & weinie roasts & cartoon network aplenty. The boys instantly felt loved & spoiled. Grandpa spent Saturday crafting weapons for each of the boys while they caught toads & played basketball. It was pretty much every young boy's dream come true.

the un-plan

"That did not go as planned." Aden

I am delighting in this little comment Aden made a few weeks ago. This summer I am mastering the art the un-plan. It is mostly good, maddening for sure but a good skill to be seasoned in.

summer bliss

 We headed back to Idaho for a quick visit a couple weeks ago. Our first stop was Grandma Ellen's patio paradise. She has created such a fun space for us to relax in the Idaho sunshine.

 And the photographer for most of the afternoon?

Yep, Collin has a new interest.

the 4th

Here is a happy little photo dump from our Independence Day adventure.

Pirate's landing at Alki Beach

more on this event here.