no words...just eyes

Just another day...

So we've been staying home quite a bit lately. Matt and I have decided to try the 'envelope' system to keep ourselves on a tight budget and it's been a fun challenge to see how little money we can spend. I love challenges...I haven't had Starbucks in almost 2 weeks! Seriously how proud of me are you?!!
Anyways here's a few pics of our week!
Marshall snug in bed with his, BASKETBALL, how did that get there? Well before he went to sleep the little rascal got out of bed, got his basketball, got back in bed and tucked it under his little arm! So funny, I couldn't help but take a picture...

Chris and Reagan! She's a red-head!

Marshall helped me bake cookies the other day. He was very helpful! He's wanted to bake cookies everyday since then, go figure:)

Time for another hair-cut to get rid of that comb-over!

And last but not least I picked these gorgeous hydrangeas fresh from my backyard! Love fresh flowers!

Proof that I exist

I'm a list person. Sometimes when I make a list and forget to write something on it, I go back and write it on the list even if I've already accomplished it. I write it on there and cross it off right away! I like to see all that I've taken care of.
My world as a mom, while I'm definitely prone to listmaking, is chalk full of things I cannot cross off my list. I am never done with laundry, dishes, diapers, cleaning up spills, cleaning up Marshall, putting kids down for naps, consoling crying kids...you get the point. I am so thankful that I get to stay home with my kiddos and take care of all the things that go on in our household, but there is something about creating something and finishing it that makes me feel like there is proof that I exist! I started and finished something! For example...I just finished making a blanket for Marshall's big boy bed and I love it! I made a smaller version for Reagan before she was born but haven't put a picture of it up until now. I can't tell you how much satisfaction it brings me to know that my kids are using something that I made. Maybe I'm weird, I don't know, I don't really care I'm just happy to have finished my project and can't wait to start another one!

Reagan's first blanket!
Marshall's blanket...

Marshall enjoying his new special blanket!
My sweet Reagan girl...

"Bear bears"....also known as blueberries

It's blueberry season again and I LOVE fresh blueberries! Marshall's translation of blueberries is "bear bears".:) I love toddler language...
I had been a little nervous to take him because I wasn't sure how he would do. However, he did great and I think he might have picked a decent blueberry or two. He tried scooping them out of my bucket into his, little rascal, and I'm sure he ate several but who wouldn't expect a two-year-old to consume a few! Here a few pics of our time!
I think he was just being silly before a meal!

Marshall and daddy reading a Saturday morning story. Have any of you ever heard of the book "Skippy John Jones"? I can't read the book because it has the cat talking in a funny accent and I feel completely embarassed just trying to read it out loud to my child. Matt, however, thinks it's hilarious and did great! Also please note Marshall's doggie slippers...pretty sure it was 100 degrees that day!

And last but not least, Matt teaching Marshall about the construction of a block house:)

A vacation...kind of:)

My parents had been on a little trip to Hawaii this past week and so we decided to go and stay at their house for a couple days! We had been wanting to get away as a family for a bit and it was the perfect place to go. We got up there Tuesday afternoon and just spent most of the day hanging out. Marshall built with blocks (which he is enamored with currently), Reagan took a nap, not sure what Matt did:) and I made cookies. My parents came home late Wednesday night so I thought my dad would like a little chocolate chip cookie homecoming...I was right:)
On Wednesday we got up and headed downtown Portland to OMSI. We had never taken Marshall there and I can't even remember the last time I was there. Anyways they have this great area for kids 2-6 and Marshall had a blast. He play in the sandbox, built more blocks, and played in this stream type thing with boats. Check out his little water cape!
It wasn't a super long time but it was definitely quality time both for Matt and I and our family. I'm so thankful for my parents...they are so generous!
Things continue to be busy for us mostly with the church. Can't remember if I posted about out new building?! Anyways, the first of June we moved into a new building in Salem. The old place just wasn't meeting our needs any longer. We got more square footage, full time use and cheaper rent with the new building! It's been a TON of work as we've had to remodel several things on the place but people have really stepped up and helped out. We are LOVING the new place. God has definitely moved mountains to make this all become a reality. I think there are some pics on our website. www.outwardchurch.com
Okay until next time...enjoy the 100 + degree weather!

I love my job...

...as a mom! Some days being a mom is tiresome and draining...other days are refreshing. Today was one of the refreshing ones. We all slept in after a late night last night at the Haynes for a BBQ. I took the kids to Target and Costco to grab a few things today while Matt was working on his message. Then it was home for naps. Marshall just started taking naps in his "big boy" bed. He's gone down without a peep and hasn't even gotten out of his bed, he goes right to sleep. Honestly I cannot believe it. I've been dreading the whole transition to a toddler bed but he's done so great. I'm not ready to switch to nightime yet...I like knowing he won't get out while I'm sleeping:)
Anyways both the kiddos slept for a while this afternoon and I got to sit down and read a magazine! I did the dishes and laundry too, but a magazine...it was wonderful!
Then our wonderful babysitter Britney came over (Marshall calls her Britey) and Matt and I went on a date! Best Little Roadhouse, coffee and a walk...perfect date night! And here I sit, both kids in bed, just finishing up Law and Order, drinking my water and about to start working on a blanket I'm making for Marshall. Life is good...

I snuck in to check on him and I found him hanging off the bed! But sleeping none the less...

Ah my sweet little girl, she's smiling and talking all the time now.

Can't believe those blues!

Marshall at the Haynes house with his "weerbear". (That's his interpretation of wheelbarrow)

And lastly Marshall is sitting "just like daddy" on the couch with his keyboard. My dad fried his keyboard during a coffee spilling so he gave it to us so we can practice Marshall's letters. Marshall loves it. Thanks papa:)

I love Saturday mornings...

My husband is an incredible breakfast maker! We love Saturdays especially because we normally have a great family breakfast! Here are a few pics of our morning.


Matt's famous egg, ham and cheese scramble...yummy!

Marshall is ready to eat...he loves eggs!
Mommy needs a quick picture!

Matt also has this things for grits. I think they're disgusting but Marshall loves them as well:(I have been making these iced Irish Cream lattes as of late so I whipped a couple of them up for our breakfast. They're a healthier version of Dutch bros. "Kicker". (But I still drink a 'kicker' now and then:)

Matt was getting ready to head to the office this morning to study when Marshall told me he wanted to go to work with daddy. Without thinking I said okay. Uh bad move. Marshall ran to get his shoes and starting telling me how he was going to go with daddy in his 'big truck.' Marshall loves to ride in the truck with Matt. I started to tell him that he had to stay here with mommy and he starting crying and repeating, "Marshall go in big truck with daddy", over and over again. My sweet husband decided to go to the office a little later and took Marshall on a ride. They are out right now and I have no idea where. I love watching my men spend quality time together...it makes my heart want to burst seeing how much fun Marshall has with his daddy. I'm so thankful for Matt. Anyways...I look forward to hear about all the fun that was had without me!

Our new way to travel!

Ah my favorite time of the evening! Both kiddos are sleeping soundly and I have a few minutes to myself to blog!
My parents ordered us a double jogging stroller last week and it was scheduled to be here today. So of course I spent most of my morning anxiously awaiting the Fed Ex truck. Finally about one o'clock it arrived and thankfully both kids were sleeping when it got here so I had a minute to put the thing together without Marshall's help:)
We LOVE our stroller! We took it on a maiden voyage this afternoon to Starbucks and then to Riverfront Park where they just put in a new fountain for kids. The fountain is awesome and I'm sure this will be a place we will be frequenting this summer! I think we will be living out of that stroller as it's so nice not to have to put Reagan it the front pack. She's definitely over 10 pounds now and it's so HOT to carry her! Thanks mom and dad!
Also here's a cute pic of Reagan from the other day. I don't know why it loaded onto the page sideways so sorry that you'll have to turn your head a little bit!

July!

I can't believe it's already July! We've definitely had a lot going on these past couple weeks. Most recently my brother in law got married this past Saturday! It was a beautiful wedding and hopefully I'll have some pics on my next post! These are just a couple pics of me and Matt and then also me and my new sis in law Holly at the rehearsal dinner! I am so glad to have another girl in the family! Marshall was the ring bearer and he had a rough time and didn't make it down the aisle! He did great in rehearsal but I think he got a little overwhelmed with all the people plus he was in a suit and it was so hot out!
I actually coordinated the wedding so I was exhaused Saturday night and have spent the last couple days catching up on laundry and cleaning! Life goes on...
Reagan is doing great! I have a couple new pics but of course my camera battery died before I could get them on the computer. Another thing to add to my to do list...
Well I'm off to finish a little laundry before bed!