Simple Pleasures

August 2019 

I'm drawn to the water. To the solace it provides. 

On those weekends where nothing has been planned we usually decide to hang out somewhere near water. I rarely like to stay home on weekends since I am home the entire week. For me, weekends are to venture out, explore and enjoy ... even if we visit the same places from time to time. 

We packed a light lunch and had a picnic by the water. 

Making sure I take a picture of myself every now and then, for memories sake. Embracing the grays and wondering if and when I'll dye my hair. 

This guy right here, the patriarch and my love.

I sometimes procrastinate on getting things done but we finally tackled a small project that I've been wanting to do, to put up a couple of shelves. 

I wanted the wood to be thick and worn looking. I grabbed the hammer and several gardening tools and started banging them on the wood to have the wood appear aged. Then I applied a white coat of paint and once it dried I gave it a rough sanding for a faded look.

I have since rearranged and added more books on these two shelves. Obviously, I have more books than shelving but that's going to have to get done some time in the near future. 

My sister Claudia would send my kids fun packages. She sent Riley several fun activities for him to stay engaged in during his summer break. 

One of the things she mailed was a gator/hoorag for him to wear when he's playing with his Nerf guns. Little did we know he would need it the following March to be in compliance with the Governor's tyrannical face mask mandate.  

August had been a hot one for the PNW. Mostly sunny days and in the mid 80's and hotter. We would spend several days in a row at home comfortable with our portable a/c unit on. But, staying home day after day becomes a bore no matter what different activities you try to engage in. So, when the cloudy days appeared once again (and over the weekend) we got take-out and went on a hike at Discovery Park. It's another nice trail/park that we like to frequent but it does tend to get crowded so we usually visit during cold or cloudy weather when the crowds are less. 

This trail is not very long, about fifteen minutes, walking downhill that is. It's shady which are the best kind of trails. It's on the way up that I have to stop and rest in the middle of it because my heart is pounding out of my chest. 

It was cool to see it was low tide. We like low tides, it gives one the opportunity to explore and spot interesting sea creatures. I like to collect small white rocks. I've found many during our Puget Sound outings. 

Re-fueling

It was fun walking on wet sand. Riley is always looking for baby crabs but he doesn't really like to pick them up. I do. He will pick up seaweed though. I think seaweed is gross, it's breeding ground for bugs plus it feels slimy. Ew.

Can't believe how far out we were.

I have two dahlia plants that I planted two years ago. I believe this particular dahlia is called rothesay reveller. I like the subtle color of this flower. It goes well with the earth tones I've implemented in my home. 

Prior to moving to WA I didn't own rain boots. Although we did get a good amount of rain in TX and Tucson (during the monsoon season) I just didn't care for them. But, since moving to the PNW it's wise to own a pair. I'm on my third pair of rain boots, not because I wear them out but because they somehow end up getting cracked on the inside where the toe meets the foot, and water gets in leaving my sock wet. I don't know why this happens, it's so odd. So I decided to spend a bit more on a good quality pair of rain boots. I loved the box my rain boots came in, it's so pretty that I kept it. Fast forward a year later and these boots are still in excellent shape!

This was in late August. We woke up to a wonderful cloudy morning so I said to Riley, "let's go walk along the water then grab something to eat". It is such a relief to get a break from the sun. I find so much joy being out in this environment.

This house has a nice garden out front. Sometimes I walk across the street so I can admire the flowers up close.

I love how cloudy weather keeps people indoors, but not people who appreciate this type of weather, like us. Walks are way more enjoyable this way. See, I was even social distancing way before we were urged to do so. Ha!  

Found a small patch of rocky beach where we stopped at so Riley could throw/skip rocks.

After our walk we went to Shari's Cafe, they have really good pies. However, Riley ordered the cinnama-sation French toast.

I got a pie. I saw a commercial for the marionberry cheesecake and I was sold. Oh man! It was delicious!!! 

I enjoyed this story about a journalist who has an obsession about sharks and decides to tag along with some scientist who are doing research and live on Farallon Island which is only twenty-seven miles off the coast of San Francisco where there's too many alpha great white's to count. It's quite an interesting story.

On days that we stay home because it's too warm for me to be out (and to avoid getting a headache) I play lego's and gormiti's with Riley. He sometimes laughs when I don't know the rules of the game and end up making up my own rules as I go, but then he corrects me.

This was our 24th year anniversary. Grateful for God's blessing on our marriage. I love flowers, all kinds really.

This day also marks our baby Reagan's death anniversary. One day I'm hoping to know the why's to my questions.

There are so many reasons to enjoy this beautiful life.

A Celebration and A Remembrance

2018

The end of August marked twenty two years of marriage for us. There's no one else to thank for our marriage than God. It's because of Him that we both have grown and learned to be selfless throughout the years. We have our off days and during those days I know I have a choice to either choose to move forward or stay stuck in my displeasure. I have to remember to just take baby steps forward with unwavering faith. It happens on my own time, sometimes it takes longer than I would have liked to get over something, it is hard but what other choice is there if I want to stay on the right path?

I love flowers and I am grateful that Jacob gifts me beautiful bouquets.

Jacob has a sweet tooth, always has so we planned a nice day trip to Poulsbo and since that town sits right on the water I was more than happy to oblige.

I like soft cookies while Jacob likes crunchy ones. It's hard to only pick one pastry so we usually leave with a box full of yummy treats.

There are several nice stores that I like to visit. During this visit I got myself a pink wallet with a zipper. I've been wanting something like that for a while now that way cash, discount cards, and change have their own compartment ... all three in one space.

We walked along the park that's right on the water. The marina is small but cute.

I thought this small boat turned tugboat was the cutest thing. Just had to share it.

Hi.
Waiting in line to drive onto the Bainbridge/Seattle ferry.

After the ferry ride we had dinner at our favorite rib place. Jacob used to make ribs at home and they were decent but since we discovered BBQ Pete's Jacob doesn't make them anymore. This place has the best ribs we have ever had and they have four BBQ sauces to choose from. The quality of these smoked ribs is superb. Honestly!

It is often the little things, the small revelations, that make a great

deal of difference in handling disappointment, frustration and loss. They

help us celebrate the moments of joy by enabling us to unearth

the underlying goodness of things.

And of course. This day, our anniversary day will forever mark Reagan's death day as well. As sad as this is I am fine with this fact because it's an important day for us. Our anniversary used to mean a fun enjoyable day out and now it's also marked with sadness. We make sure to pause in the evening in remembrance of Reagan. Talking about God keeping us humble.
This day also marked Reagan's 2nd death day anniversary.

My sweet baby boy

Grief is just love with no place to go.

Twenty One

Our wedding anniversary was at the end of August. Twenty one years of marriage. It has felt about ten years instead even with disagreements and arguments along the way.

We're just two imperfect people being intentional in our relationship. Forgiving one another when we get on each other's nerves. We're a work in progress but then again we all are ... ultimately, we're on the same team with God at our center.

Flowers. Such a lovely gesture and a way to my heart.

This year we spent our anniversary along the Oregon coast. The Oregon coast is so beautiful that we love to visit whenever we can.
We had lunch at Bridgewater Bistro in Astoria. We just can't drive past without stopping for some fish and chips, their tartar sauce is delicious!

After we ate we drove the twenty minutes to Cannon Beach. As you know, it's a favorite place to hang out at. And given that we're in the PNW one has to get all the vitamin D as one can get before the cloudy skies return.

Jacob is everything a best friend should be and I am very grateful and thankful for his love and support. He's been my rock during the most painful times in my life. I thank God for sending this man to be my husband. I pray God continues His work in me so that I can be the best person/wife/mother that I was destined to be ... so I can continue to serve and minister to my loved ones with wisdom and compassion.

Our anniversary also marks the day that Reagan's tiny little heart stopped beating (8-26-16). This day was and will forever be bittersweet. It's been one year since we heard those two awful words, no heartbeat. Reagan is very much loved and thought of every single day (along with baby Lincoln). Riley still brings him up often and during his nighttime prayers, they pray for both Reagan and Lincoln. 

I am thankful for these twenty one years of marriage that God has blessed us with. I'm thankful for the life that I have. I'm thankful for my blessings and the thorn that keeps me close to Christ. I can see how having suffered anxiety and depression has changed my life for the better but I can't see the good from losing Reagan and Lincoln ... not yet at least.
All I can do is trust in His plan for my life and hope that this oppression that I sometimes feel will begin to dissipate.

And the God of all grace, who called you to His

eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little

while, will Himself restore you and make you 

strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10 niv

Countless Reasons to Rejoice

August 26th marked our 19th year anniversary.
It's sure been one heck of a ride. In our nineteen years together we've lived in four different states. Lived away from family for a long time. Had quite a bit of health scares. Been blessed at work. Of all the problems that a marriage can go through I am so very thankful that our love for each other has not been one of them. Yes, we've had our highs and lows but we have worked through them and stuck together ... however, it wasn't until my awakening that our marriage, our love for one another took a major turn for the better. My relationship with Jacob became that much more deeper, a lot more selfless and loving. This wouldn't have happened without God's Grace. Sometimes it takes one going through trials to allow change to happen. I am thankful for what I went through ... it has blessed me, my husband, our marriage, and our family.

For this year's anniversary we decided to treat ourselves to a nice breakfast {than the usual anniversary dinner}. Sydna and Nathan watched Riley while we headed over to Seattle to eat at Lowell's at Pike Place.

We had a great view of Puget Sound's Elliott Bay.

This is what Jacob got. He wanted just one pancake and they brought out this, lol. He really liked the gravy.

I got this. After eating my eggs, bacon and hash browns I ate two french toast. I thought my breakfast was yummy!

After we were done eating we walked through the market. Jacob bought me a gorgeous dahlia bouquet. As part of my anniversary gift, Jacob also got me a new perfume {new to me that is}. I like the way the perfume Guilty from Gucci smells so he got that for me. Haven't put any on yet but I hope it stays on me all day long.

He's such a great guy!

We have been wanting to go canoeing for some time so we went for it!
Cloudy skies and slightly breezy. Perfect outdoor weather! Of all the places one can do water activities we chose Montlake. I believe this area to have the calmest water with no risk of encountering large sea life or fast moving boats. Great place for beginners like us especially since we brought Riley along.

He was happy to wear a life jacket and to have his own oar ... and he couldn't wait to get in the canoe.

I've got to admit that I was very nervous at first. The feeling of being inside an unsteady vessel kinda freaked me out a little but as we began to move the nervous feeling went away. I got the hang of it super fast. One can glide through the water so fast and any movement from your oar will change the canoe's direction fast. We were able to maneuver the canoe quite easily. I loved it and felt like a pro, lol.

I wanted to get close to the water lilies but Jacob didn't want me to because he was afraid that we would get stuck and tangled up on the reeds. I wasn't scared but I moved us away from them anyways, shucks!

Riley had a blast. He wasn't nervous or scared at all. At one point he tried to lean over to get a water lily but Jacob quickly told him to sit still. He could have tipped us over. Geez!

I wanted to get as close to the houses by the water as we possibly could without intruding too much. Gosh, these people are so blessed to live right on the lake. Such beautiful views and so calming.

We would stop and admire the houses, the ducks and geese that were floating close by and enjoying the feeling of just being out on the water. I was telling Jacob how I have been wanting to do this for years and how happy I was that we were finally experiencing it. I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the fact that I live here! He was also happy about being out here and thought it was a lot of fun.

As we were making our way back, Jacob accidentally bumped Riley's head with his oar. It wasn't a hard hit but he felt sorry for the little guy anyway. I couldn't help but laugh because honestly, it was funny. When it happened Riley looked back at Jacob with a mean look and said, "why you do that for!!". Jacob told him it was an accident and said he was sorry.

Once Riley realized that we were getting closer to the dock he began to cry. He wanted to stay out on the water. Poor thing.

We left Montlake feeling happy, relaxed and with some experience under our belt. It was a lot of fun and very enjoyable. This is something we hope we get to do often in our lives. Next time we want to bring Sydna and Nathan, they'll love it too!


This anniversary sure was different and we truly enjoyed ourselves. Thanking God for His many blessings and thanking Him in advance for the many more happy fun loving years He is going to bless us with.


Father,
I thank You for today. I thank You for our lives and for our family. I thank You for the love we share. I ask that my character and my husbands character reflect Your character. Please guard our marriage from the snare of the enemy. Thank You for all of it. The whole package deal of good and bad, and highs and lows. Thank You for being the One who helps us, counsels us, and encourages us. May Your power lift us up, may Your Holy Spirit guide us. Fill our days with peace and joy regardless of our circumstances. I pray that our love continues to grow, mature and deepen as we continue to remain passionate to each other. I pray that I would be an encouraging wife. That every day I would take the time to affirm my husband through my words, body language, and attitude.
Thank You Lord for our marriage. In Jesus' name, Amen!