Living Life As Usual

 April 2020

Reading back on this day on my agenda, I couldn't help but laugh and get disgusted at the same time. I laughed because the way I expressed myself in detail using several expletives to describe our despicable reality at the time, all planned out by the left is still unbelievable ... and I am disgusted because what was done is nothing short of, well, disgusting. 

Jacob (like most office workers) had to go to his place of employment to pick up his special work chair and a keyboard. 

In Washington state about all citizens did what the government ordered them to do. The stay home order was utterly ridiculous and completely done out of pure manipulation to control people.

The government was successful in creating panic. Stores ran out of essential items. For example, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, water, frozen food, canned goods, flour and rice were gone off the shelves. Those people that liked to be told what to do were verbally attacking those that just wanted to be left alone.  I was in disbelief about what was happening to our beloved America. The ones behind all this clearly want(ed) to destroy her. All this manipulation, control and corruption makes me sad. 

God gave us Christians freedom. We weren't about to live in fear and stay indoors day after day. We continued to live our God-given freedoms and enjoy the life and creation He blessed us with.

Sydna's cat, Lila can be a sweet girl. She was inspecting our new sectional. April still brought forth chilly rainy days, which I love and enjoy.

Weather like this makes coloring a perfect pastime. I like adult coloring books with flowers. They just have to be simple drawings and not a bunch of multiple tight designs which makes the picture too busy and overwhelming.

Now that Jacob has been working from home and Riley's school year was cancelled (until further notice) we've been taking afternoon walks together, sometimes twice a day. We came across this cat that belonged to one of Riley's friends. He was a very sweet cat. I believe his name was Milo. 

Then we spotted this gray cat across the street who walked over to us when we called it. He was cute too. Rolled over and smiled at us ... at least that's what it seemed like, lol.  

I can't remember what this flowering shrub is called but I love it because it blooms all year long. And it's pretty too and it spreads which is a plus. 

There were several magnolia trees in the neighborhood next to ours.

After a few weeks since the lockdown began Riley's school finally sent an email stating that students were to pick up a laptop from school and that they would be having online classes. The excitement for this new venture didn't last. Riley became bored quickly therefore it was a challenge for him to stay engaged and up to speed. 

Meanwhile, all of us being home didn't face this girl. Just look how cozy and cute she looks. 

I love her toebeans.

And here, Lila's doing weird things. She decided to get cozy inside Riley's shorts.

Silly girl.

Jacob surprised me with a pretty tulip bouquet just because. How chivalrous. I love it!

Even during these tyrannical times, I am glad I have plenty of things to do at home (while Jacob works) to keep me busy, like choosing something to read from my home library. 

Here we are on another afternoon walk. I like this tree. Wish I knew the name of it. 

Look how pretty!

Hanging out with her owner. She definitely looks comfortable.

Natasha Crain is a great Christian Apologist. She's written four books. I've read her first two so far. Her books are mind opening. As a new Christian, things she writes about, I had never thought of before. I was hooked and honestly a bit overwhelmed but as I continued reading, I became fascinated about all these biblical truths she talks about in her books. And now I am able to pass this important information down to my kids.

I am thankful for a cozy home. I am glad that we enjoy being at home either playing games, reading or watching movies together. I am thankful that both Jacob and I get to make delicious home cooked meals that we all enjoy. 

I'm thankful and grateful for having a place to call home ... on the same token, being home day after day after day eventually becomes tiresome. There's only so much isolation from nature that one can take until we become restless. So, we continued to enjoy one of God's greatest gifts He made for humanity to enjoy, nature. Breathing the fresh clean air and stimulating our minds while hiking or going on a leisurely walk is a God-given right and we made sure that wasn't taken away from us. Besides, it's also healthy for our minds and bodies. 

Learn to see life with healthy optimism.

Riley's Kindergarten Graduation

Riley was so excited for graduation. We made sure to get there early so we could get front row seats and luckily we did. His class sat in front of us.
I didn't feel that the year came by too fast but at the same time I couldn't believe that he was graduating kindergarten and in a few months he would be in the first grade, now that is crazy! Crazy how time will just creep up ... even if one is intentional about taking life one day at a time. Because one thing I don't do (and I've said this before) is rush time. I don't ever wish for the weekend to get here or for a season to end or for a holiday to arrive.

He came walking down the isle and we immediately made eye contact. Jacob was seated on the end of our row so Riley gave his dad a big hug. Sydna also came along. I had told her about two weeks before the date to request this day off so she could be part of his graduation. Nathan was still in school.

Again, they sang several songs which Riley obviously was excited about singing. At one point he even started laughing with the little boy next to him and I told him to stop (he's good at reading momma's lips, lol).

But then, when they were singing the last song which was quite touching he just lost it (again). He's very sensitive to meaningful songs/music. It gets him sad because it reminds him of the saddest experience in his very young life which has been losing baby Reagan. Even if the song says nothing about brothers or family he'll cry ... when songs touch his little heart he cannot contain himself.  Of course, seeing him cry always makes me want to cry too.

Thankfully once the song was over he calmed down and composed himself. By the time it was his turn to receive his certificate he was all smiles.

He's got such a sweet cute face ... and his heart is also in the right place.

He's learned so much in nine months. I do appreciate those hard working teachers out there. The teachers that treat their students as their own children. A teacher who wants every child to succeed and is not only concerned about the academic part but of the emotional part as well and especially when it comes to how subjects are being taught because every child learns differently. Riley's teacher was stern but she knew how each child learned best. I believe she was fair and loving.


Once home I had Sydna and Nathan take pictures with the graduate. Seeing Sydna standing next to Riley on his graduation is something I remember talking to them about when we first found out I was pregnant with him. I remember telling them that they would make an effort to be part of his life, of his scholar accomplishments. It was exciting for us as parents to be able to do this all over with Riley. The feeling of excitement hasn't diminished. It's really quite fun and special because there are many times when the older siblings are busy with school and work and friends and it's just Jacob, me and Riley. Totally feels like if it's just the three of us and I quite enjoy that. It's bittersweet of course because we would have loved to have been sharing these special moments/life with Reagan.

And these two roughhouse like if they're only a few years apart. That is stressful! but Riley loves big brother so much. He looks up to him ... sometimes that's good and other times not so much.

I wanted to make sure I got Riley a picture with his teacher, Mrs. Anderson.

Riley loves school. He loves to play at recess. He is very outgoing and always finds someone to play with. He enjoyed p.e., doing crafts and going to the library but wasn't too fond of writing, lol.

All in all he had a good school year. Praying God will put Riley with the best 1st grade teacher where he will flourish and soar.

June Days

We're almost through July and this summer has been very pleasant thus far. June felt more like Spring than a Summer month. Still, we've done some summery things.

We visited a spray park at the end of May. We had not been to this one before. The location isn't very favorable but the park itself is nice. Riley enjoyed himself. He always treats each outing as the best one ever.

Got him in mid air. He cracks me up.

Sophie's the cutest. We love to cuddle our cats. Sydna has been home more lately and we like that. Nathan continues to keep on growing it's just crazy! I think he's passed me up by now. I haven't really checked.

You know, we haven't visited our town's farmers market but the Des Moines farmer's market (which is about 15-20 minutes away) has begun and I'm super thrilled because the Mexican food stand that sets up there is my favorite. Their chicken nachos are super delicious! and the drink is very refreshing. So naturally I had to visit and enjoy some for lunch.

We favor this farmers market because it's right on the Puget and you know I love being by the water. It's relaxing and romantic!

Given that my love for books overrides my other hobbies and interests I haven't had the chance to indulge in some adult coloring ... but several weeks ago I did after I had read several pages on the current book I'm reading. It felt good to get back to coloring.

You know I like to read but do you know how happy it makes me when I find new books at good prices and add them to my to read list. I love how many books are out there just for my reading pleasure. I love how one author's mention of another author's name ripples down to finding more excellent books. That's how I learn about new author's out there.

School here didn't let out until the middle of June and during those last few weeks Riley had a blast because they had field trip visit to a pie store where they got to make their very own personal pies. Riley was so excited about that. He especially loved riding on the school bus. He told me, "mommy guess what? The buses don't have seat belts!" I didn't tell him I didn't like that fact. All I said was they don't? I just allowed him to tell me all about his day. It's so sweet hearing him talk.

They also had Pirates Day. Several days before we went to party city in hopes on finding a costume or some pirate effects. I wasn't holding my breath though but thankfully we found a pirate costume kit that came with the shirt/jacket, eye patch, hat, and hook. We were both very excited we found something cool for him to wear.
He makes a very handsome Captain.

It was cool seeing his teacher smile big when she saw some of her students dress up in pirate gear.

This picture was taken by someone at school, his teacher shared it. He looks perfect to play captain.

We got some very cool moody skies in mid June. Ominous clouds covered the sky making it look awesome! Seriously, I wonder how many people look up at the sky and admire the clouds. They are so pretty. Well on this day after taking Riley to school, my home felt so cozy. It game me the feeling of Fall which contributed to create my home environment even cozier by making myself a hot cup of peppermint tea and by putting on Halloween while I blogged. I have a friend who enjoys cloudy skies as much as I do and I know she would just love these PNW cloudy skies.

Riley has been on the frisbee kick ever since our Colorado trip in April. He catches it more times than he misses so I guess he's pretty good.
We had a picnic lunch. Riley enjoys it and I can tell it gives him that fuzzy feeling, I can see it on his face. Once we're in the car or just before bed he'll say, "it was fun today at the park huh?" or whatever it is that we did. He's a very grateful little boy.

I believe I shared in a previous post that Riley suffers from allergies. We took him to an ENT and he prescribed Riley steroidal nose spray. It seems to be working.
It seems that his allergies began around January/February out of nowhere. His nose gets really stuffy, poor thing would get broken sleep because of it. But now, thankfully he breathes better, that is if he's not sick with a cold.

Another cloudy June sky and no filter.

An unexpected cool thing happen to Riley.

We are so proud of Riley for showing such kindness to all even the mean kids. He's always on a mission to make new friends.

We haven't found THE best bbq restaurant here yet. We've eaten bbq ribs, pulled pork, and brisket and some of those places have been decent but nothing extraordinary so we'll continue our search until we find THE best one. Anyway, in June we went to a restaurant in the SODO district (about ten minutes South from the Seattle waterfront) The owner is from TX but I didn't like his style of bbq and I definitely didn't like his baked beans, totally lacked bbq sauce plus it had cumin, yuck! However, the hush puppies were so good. I had never had them before. That's right! They had jalapeno in them and boy, I couldn't stop eating them. So next time I'm craving some I know where to get them.

After our meal we hung out by the waterfront. I sure do like walking around there, taking in all the views. There was a light sprinkle, but it wasn't cold. We enjoyed some ice cream while we hung out by the ferris wheel. Every time I look at it it's always stopped. I wonder how long it takes to get off it. I haven't gotten on it because it just looks scary. I wont get on it (at least not any time soon) but I would love to zip line.

He he! She looks so goofy!!

Jacob and Riley made a phone out of play-doh and pretended to talk. Jacob couldn't keep from laughing. He thought it was the funniest (and silliest) thing ever.

There's lots of silly moments in our family. Riley is always wanting to be doing something and sometimes I'm like, "we're gonna sit here and just rest while I read to you". At first he's not too thrilled about it but after the third page I can tell he's interested in the story and gets closer to me wanting to see the pictures (if there's any) and cuddle beside me.

There was one more school event before school was let out. I'll work on that next.

Take a minute to be thankful for all the little things

that add up to make life a lot of fun.

Day-to-day Blessings

These pictures are from late February and during that time we were all healthy and we were just thankful that we were able to enjoy life without any worries hanging over our heads. Weather here is still pretty much cloudy with rain on most days. The sun sometimes comes out but it doesn't last, we only feel its warmth for a couple of hours but, still we make the best of things and concentrate on what's important.

Cats are connoiseeurs of comfort  - James Herriot

Sophie loves to lay either beside me or on the foot of the bed. She is so sweet. Sydna had just gotten home from work and Sophie greeted her all lovingly. I love having a cat ... they are the cutest! I especially love it when Sophie makes herself comfortable on my lap or right next to me but she always has to have body contact.

Sydna and I have our mother daughter talks mostly at night. I like having her tell me about her day at work and school and talk about life in general. 

Our little angel got mail. I love it.

Riley's class had spirit week mid February. I usually forget about these things but he made sure to remind me about crazy hair day. He really liked his faux mohawk.

They also celebrated 100 days of school.

Seeing him concentrate on school work makes me so proud. I love his cheeks. So cute!

The funnest part for him was making his very own cape. He wanted a big R right in the center. I took him to a craft store and we got several animal patches and one of them was a cute red fox {for Reagan} that we placed right on top of the R.

He's learned so much already. It's so exciting for all of us to see him smile when he reiterates all he's learned and we praise him for it. Proud of all the teachers that are passionate about teaching and are helping my son succeed.

From little acorns, large trees grow.