Looking Back....

As the year winds to a close the word "gratefulness" is coming to my mind a lot! I have to admit, the written journal only made it about the half of the year, but overall I think I would chalk up the year in the success column here. Part of the reason for that failure is my own slight case of OCD and my stubbornness which would NOT allow me to repeat an entry. On days it would become difficult, then I would fall behind and then the snowball effect took over:)

I see two key lessons that I feel I have learned about myself as I focused on this word throughout the year almost on a daily basis....

The first is that when situations arose that were not ideal I was much more inclined to lean toward the half full side. I found myself even trying to do this for other people as I heard about things arise in their lives too. I wanted to offer encouraging words to others and help them when I could to focus on the good things as I wanted to do that in my own life.

The second is to be more aware and thankful of the little every day things that I can so often take for granted as the day, the week, and the months move forward at such a fast pace. I want to cherish more the everyday obvious blessings that I am surrounded by.

I know that this experience will help me in the year 2010 as I focus on a new word that God has continuously laid on my heart......contentment. I look forward to all that I have to learn here and what God will show me on my new journey.

Gators and a Kroc

No, we don't have any new animals moving into Oregon that I know of....BUT we did have 3 very happy Doeren boys on Saturday when the Florida Gators got stomped by some elephants in red and white uniforms known as the Crimson Tide! I by default am an Alabama fan, I'm pretty sure if go back and listen it was in the wedding vows. I can go against Dallas and get away with it, but I don't mess with Bama! With dad home on Saturdays they have watched more college football than the NFL this year.

Now for the Kroc news...on Friday we went with Grandma Louise to the new Salem Kroc Community Center to take the boys swimming. It was her last day here after a great visit and more than anything the boys wanted to swim, so we headed out to check it out. It is a real beautiful place and after seeing the indoor water park complete with a slide, lazy river, hot tub, and swimming area; I went ahead and splurged on a punch card with 12 visits knowing the boys would want to go back!

After building up some confidence and getting to use Connor's mask, Brody started swimming for the first time! He was so sweet when he told me..."Mom, swimming is just wiggling through the water." That is exactly what he was doing and it was fantastic! Connor was SO proud telling me that the lessons he has been giving Brody in the jacuzzi tub have really paid off!

After 2 hours of swimming we got dressed and headed to the line for the rock wall! Connor and Brody had been hearing about this from some friends and I have to admit I was shocked that they both wanted to try it after seeing the size of it. Neither one of them are known to be big risk takers but they put the gear right on and got in line. As they moved forward I started to see Brody get nervous but Connor seemed excited and I was happy for him. When it was his turn, he walked right up to that wall, climbed over half way and then grabbed the rope and let the helper bring him down just like he watched the other kids do. He never wavered for a moment...he had a goal and he made it! I have to admit I was a little nervous seeing him up that high since I am slightly fearful of heights myself, but I was also proud to see him tackle something like this!

Brody went up some too and was definitely out of his comfort zone, but did great! It was a big day and a memorable one so, we decided a celebration was in order....Costco ice cream was what they asked for and a pizza which we took home!

Here are some more fun pictures. They aren't tall enough to go on the big slide....but one day I know they will! For now, they were happy here!

The lazy river was fun for both and Brody felt so independent! After a few times around with him, I let him go off on his own but kept a close eye. He wasn't going to let that inner tube get away from him!

The Number 8

This morning I was thinking a lot about the number 8. Sometimes it seems so small....

8 cents in your pocket can't buy you anything

8 dollars in your pocket can't buy you much

8 seconds goes by like the blink of an eye

8 minutes isn't much time at all

8 hours used to be a typical work day

However right now it seems so big realizing that I have been a mom for 8 years now! My baby, my first born is 8 and it is hard to beleive.

He seems to have matured overnight and 8 seems so much older than 7. I'm sure I will feel this way every year...each one seems sentimental.

We had some great birthday celebrations. This year his birthday fell the day after Thanksgiving but that is also the day that we were eating Thanksgiving dinner so we could enjoy it with Grandma Louise who is visiting from St. Louis. So, once again Connor was flexible and we had his pizza dinner wish along with a cake and ice cream celebration on Saturday. Daddy did the cake again and made Connor a football cake which he loved!

On his birthday morning I of course had to make him his favorite breakfast..."special" Bisquick pancakes and we let him open his presents. So, really he got to celebrate over a few days! Aunt Machelle went all out and created a zoo where the animals were each turned into wrapped presents and he had one to open each day for 8 days before his birthday! It was very creative and he had as much fun as Brody did with his!

He also got a Webkinz from his brother, a lot of books, a pillow pet and raked in the dough too!

It was a special time celebrating a special day for a special boy who is loved by so many!

Everyone should have one of these...

The other day the boys set up a trash store and chute in their room. Connor explained that he needed one in case he had something to throw away he didn't have to go all the way down the ladder to the trash can.

Brody spent his time setting up the "store", making trash bundles that would not fall through the slots of the slinkie such as 4 or 5 markers taped together. He also ran a cash register at the door that they used to charge me to drop off the trash that they made, which they carried up the ladder and then put down the chute. I think the original plan got sidetracked, but boy did they have fun!

I wish my picture was better, but I thought later to take one. The slinkie was used to dump directly into the trash can before they redesigned it. I was a fan of the original, but this is all I have!

The Birthday Express

Last week we took our much anticipated road trip up to Hood River for the ride on The Polar Express! We bought the tickets for a "combo" birthday present for Connor and Brody! The drive was a little over 2 hours and not that bad. We ended up taking our dog on the road trip so he wasn't left alone to long and he was so excited to go with us and the boys loved having him.

The dome car was worth the extra money and the hot chocolate was fantastic! We got to enjoy ONE gingerbread cookie per person but it was good too:) It wasn't crowded at all and that was nice. We were told they really pick up in December, but it worked for us!

We were all so happy to have daddy with us, that I think that was the best part for all of us. I have to say that we have struggled with the whole "Santa" concept and what to do about that. Of course, we want our boys to have the REAL meaning of Christmas in their hearts and lives but thought the "idea" of Santa is a fun one for little kids. One year we decided that we would have some fun and tell the boys that Santa filled their stockings, but I have to say they didn't buy a bit of it. They are both (mostly Connor leading the way) way to logical for that so and we have been honest with them and they don't believe in Santa. Of course we caution them about talking about this in front of any other children. At the station they had a sign on the door that said "North Pole this way" and Connor worked out in his head that there was no way in the train that we could get to the north pole. It was SO Connor!

So, when Santa and the elves came around on the train, my boys weren't really impressed or excited but they were polite. They actually talked to him a little but didn't want to have anything to do with sitting on his lap. They both shared their passions of sheep and football when he asked them what they wanted for Christmas, but they had nothing specific in mind!

I did get this picture that I really like (their first picture with Santa) and it was a great memory and a special time together as a family!

November News

Well, a lot has been happening around here, so I will update on a few things!

November has been busy and is literally flying by! The time came for the annual dentist visit with the boys and I was nervous this year, but they had 0 cavities and I am so grateful! I wonder why our appointment is always right after Halloween?? MMMMM..... Anyway, Connor is missing a tooth on the bottom but Dr. Martin is optimistic that it will "work out" good for him and give him plenty of space so that is good news. He said when looking at Brody's teeth...."these are exactly what you would want to see when you open a textbook." That was real encouraging, except for the fact that nothing has fallen out yet, so we will see how those come in. So far....so good! The kids got new pencils and loved the fluoride treatment, which by the way is down to only 1 minute in their mouths! They don't know how good they have it! This could be one of our walk in the snow up hill both ways stories. We had to hold that stuff in forever until we were gagging!

We also got together with some families from our homeschool group and had a shoebox packing party for Operation Christmas Child. It was a fun time and the kids were more excited than ever to do this as a group project. They also had more fun shopping for them this year and were more involved in what went in and even paid for the "fun" items and toys with their own money. We watched a video about the program, shared packing supplies and prayed for the kids receiving our boxes, and the ministry. It was a special time.

We went to the library this past week which was a real fun time. The library here is really incredible and we don't utilize it as much as we should. I tend to request books, pick them up in front and hit the used bookstore on our way out. But this week, we went upstairs to the children's floor and had a real good time. The boys got their own cards and I have to say that Brody was especially "proud" to find the wall of easy readers and check out 7 books on his own. I can't believe how well he is doing and the books he is making his way through already amaze me! He checked out a book on Farm Animals (big shocker) and came running to me later that night saying this.....

"Mom, Mom....DID YOU KNOW THAT PIG MEAT IS A REAL THING AND IT IS CALLED PORK?" It is also called bacon, ham and sausage.....(long pause)...that's just weird".

Me...trying not to laugh...." I did know that honey...and what a great job you are doing reading and telling back what you are learning. I'm so proud of you!"

That kid always makes me laugh!

Life's Simple Pleasures

There is so many things I adore about my kids but I absolutely love the way they can make little things SO fun. It just makes me happy when they can have fun with simple things and appreciate small gifts and privileges. Today was two great examples...


I got distracted this morning with the pleasure of talking on the phone to my dear friend Marianne and boy did we catch up! Anyway, while we were gabbing, I told the boys to try and get some school work going and this is what I walked into a few minutes later!





They had turned the love seat into a tent and had taken in some of the schoolbooks, their planners, and a basket of pencils and supplies. They were having so much fun doing their school work in there and felt so adventurous! (they said the lighter stripes provided the light)

This afternoon we had a marathon errand day before and after piano lessons to earn the privilege of another at home day tomorrow and while in Wal Mart, I grabbed a simple little thing called a Pet Net. It was really a selfish purchase because I was hoping that it would provide a home for some of Brody's animal collection. I literally dread the day we wash sheets because it is such a process with his bed and I thought this would be a great tool to organize them. I was actually worried that he would not like them being off his bed and would resist my brilliant idea. However, you would like we installed a full on amusement park ride in their room this afternoon! They were in there for hours making "displays" and even turned down cuddling up with me by the wood stove for a few chapters of Trumpet of the Swan! Now, that shocked me! Brody has now set up a "cave" in the back behind the net and is reading library books he got today, the cutest thing!

So, boys....if you are ever mad at me for not letting you watch TV, just remember...you still had lots of fun!