rejoining the land of the living

No, I was not a zombie for halloween, but maybe I should have been. Per Liam's request, we were a family of super heros - which is perhaps equally as fitting. My husband in particular was pretty super the past couple of months.

I am finally coming out of the fall fog and feeling like a member of my own family again after working a crazy number of hours the past two months. I had three events in the month of October and was working full time or more - all after the kids went to bed. I not-so-jokingly posted that my “office hours” were 8pm-4am. Unfortunately, this was pretty much true most nights. It was rough on all of us but at the same time I really enjoyed the work I was doing and the people I got to work with.

where I sat at the airport for 3 days greeting incoming conference attendees

the conference set-up

I had a nice view from my room - which I hardly spent any time in

renting out the Seattle Aquarium for a dinner one night

after the conference was over I dove straight into my next event

Now I am back to my normal part-time work I feel like I have so much extra time in comparison. It seems like after being in the habit of functioning at such a high capacity I am now much more efficient when faced with just a “normal” amount of tasks each day. We have enjoyed some sweet low-key family dates and I am finally catching up on my personal to-do list, which got shoved to the side for several months.

In this season of Thanksgiving I am realizing a new appreciation for all the blessings we have and truly enjoying the “simple things”…like showering, sleeping, eating, and talking to my husband.

I am also thankful that she waited until I came home to to this...

Happy 4th Birthday Liam!

Dear Liam,

Happy 4^th birthday little man! I say it every year but I really can’t believe how big you are and how fast you are growing! We have actually been celebrating all week. The night before your birthday you were so excited you couldn’t get to sleep. You kept saying, “When I wake up I will be four!” When you woke up you were thrilled to see the streamers and balloons your dad and I had put up. I love that you appreciate the little things so much.

I thought it would be fun to take you out to breakfast because you love going to restaurants. Daddy had to work so it was just you, Vivian and me. You put on your cape, crown, and birthday pin and we went to Denny’s to get your free “grand slam” breakfast – two eggs, two sausages, two pancakes, and hash browns – and you ate the whole thing! (Well, Vivian helped a little).

After that we went to the park and played for a long time. I planned not to work that day so we could just spend the whole day together. Later, when your dad got home, we let you open your presents. You were most excited about your new bike helmet and pads and also your “new phone.” It is just your dad’s old iphone and the phone part is broken but you love that you can use it to take pictures and play games. You admired the shiny green case we put on it and said sincerely, “Thank you so much for giving this to me.”

After presents we dropped Vivian off at John & Tash’s house and took you out to dinner all by yourself. We went to Red Robin and you loved it when the staff came to sing to you and bring you ice cream. Then we took you to see the movie “Planes”. You were a little bit scared at some parts (you usually are at movies) so I held you in my lap and whispered, “Look! It’s going to be ok!” I’m glad that in some ways you are still my little boy.

The next day we had a party to celebrate all the family July/August birthdays. You had fun playing with your cousins Isla and Emma and Canon. Then on Sunday afternoon we had your own party with all of your friends. You have been talking for months about how you wanted a “Fire Rescue Party” and you had very specific ideas of how the cake should look and what we should do.  Your dad did a great job with the cake and piñata. We also made a firefighter training obstacle course that everyone enjoyed.

You are becoming such a fun kid. Every day you surprise me with your new ideas and your sense of humor. You love to perform and make people laugh. You are a good leader and a hard worker. It is so much fun watching the person you are becoming. We love you so much Liam!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mama

Happy 1st Birthday Vivian!

July 20, 2013

Dear Vivian,

Hello Sweets! Look at you…one year old! I just can’t comprehend how a whole year has gone by already. And, at the same time, I can hardly remember my life without you. You are my girl. My miracle girl. The little girl I never thought I would have, and then for a moment feared I wouldn’t get to keep. But here you are, my wonderful joyful spunky hilarious tough-as-nails girl. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you this past year. I can’t wait to see what your future holds.

You are doing a lot these days. You have 6 teeth (4 top, 2 bottom). You eat any and every food we will give you. You crawl fast and can even get up and down the step, although sometimes you land on your face (sorry!). You love music and you like to bounce and clap when you hear it. You love your brother and when the two of you see each other you both start squawking and get right in each other’s faces until you are both giggling with delight. He carries you around when I’m not paying attention and sometimes you don’t even mind. He wants you to do everything with him, and mostly you comply. You love your dad too, when he comes home from work you greet him with a joyful “hi dada!” You like to talk and babble a lot, you always want to be part of our conversations. You repeat a lot of words but the words I have heard you say on your own so far are: “Dada”, “Mama”, “Bubba” or almost “Brother”, “Hi”, “Nana” (for banana) and “Doggy”. I can already tell you will be quite a talker!

You then...

...You now!

For your first birthday we spent the weekend in Shelton at Grandma & Grandpa’s house. On Saturday, your actual birthday, we went out on Grandpa’s boat on Puget Sound and kayaked around between the islands. It was a beautiful warm day. Uncle Tim had to work so he and Auntie Anne got there around dinnertime with Ari and Kaia. We had turkey burgers for dinner and then had a campfire.

on the boat with Grandma

Sunday morning we went to their church and then you took a nap while we all got things ready for your party. Weeks ago I asked Liam what kind of birthday party he though you would like and he decided you should have a “purple party.” So, that’s what we did. We went all out. The menu was: Blackberry glazed salmon, purple potato salad, roasted beets & carrots, purple sesame coleslaw, purple fruit salad, purple (blue) corn chips and berry lemonade.

Daddy did the decorations for you

with Great Uncle Bruce 

with Great Aunt Michelle

Just for fun I re-created the birthday cake Grandma had made for me when I turned one. It was shaped like a bunny. For you I made the cake inside purple, it was blueberry-coconut flavored. You loved it. You ate the entire tail, which was made from an extra-large cupcake covered in coconut.

You got lots of nice presents, but mostly you cared about the tissue paper. It was a great party and you wore yourself out. We drove home late that night and you and Liam slept the whole way. Neither of you like to sleep in the car so this was completely amazing. At home we carried you both inside and tucked you into bed without even waking you up (again, something that has never ever happened before). 

Birthday dresses made for you by Grandma Patty (left)
and Auntie Anne (right)

I know you won’t remember you first birthday but I always will. I love you baby girl. Don’t grow up too fast ok. Take this next year a little slower?

Love always,

Mama

making more memories

In the midst of summer craziness, we planned ahead and declared that yesterday would be a “family day”, with the intent of sharing memories and building new ones. Our day started early and was jam-packed with much-anticipated and much-needed family time. We’ve been telling Liam for weeks that we would be taking him to a ‘big surprise” that day. He tried his best at twenty-questions to guess what we were doing and the closest he got was find out that it was “something with wheels.” 

Our first stop was Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Issaquah for “breakfast” (if you can call it that). Awful parenting, I know. But again, the day’s theme was sharing family history with our kids. So, we told the story of how shortly after Phil and I first met in college, one of the first things we did together was camp out with a group of our friends overnight for the grand opening of the first Krispy Kreme in Washington. What can I say, we were in college and it was something to do. We pointed out the spot in the parking lot where we had pitched tents and told of the news crews who interview us.

Next it was on to the “big surprise”. Liam is obsessed with trains (and planes, and motorcycles and boats…) so he was thrilled when we pulled up to the Snoqualmie Train Depot and saw not only a train, but Thomas The Tank Engine! It was the annual “Day out with Thomas” event where the railway museum puts on a festival and kids can ride a life-sized Thomas train and enjoy several train-related activities. We had wanted to take him for a while but were debating whether to spend the money. I’m glad we did. He was so happy and thrilled to examine the antique engines, drive modal trains, listen to train music, and of course, the ride. Vivian even enjoyed it more than I thought she would.

Next we visited the Snoqualmie Falls, since it was just down the road. We walked around and appreciated the cool spray from the water in the already hot morning sun. Liam was intrigued with the hydro turbine displays and wanted to know all about them. Vivian just liked being outside.

Another reason that yesterday was a good time to share family memories was that it would have been Phil’s Grandpa Paul’s 93^rd birthday. He passed away six years ago, before he had the chance to meet any of his great-grandchildren. Liam’s middle name is Paul, so we tell stories about him a lot. He loved to eat at the Issaquah XXX Burger Restaurant so much that they still have his pictures on the wall, right by the door. So, we had lunch there and smiled remembering him and what an amazing legacy of family and faith that he left us.

even the kids' plain milk came with sprinkles on top 

Liam Paul next to the photos of Grandpa Paul
(photos of him in giant sunglasses celebrating his birthday there;
and the program from his memorial service)

Next we headed south to Yelm for our first time attending the annual BBQ with the extended-extended Blomberg family (Phil’s dad’s cousins and families). We don’t really know most of them but they invite us every year so it was nice to be able to attend this time and get to know them better.

It was a long day and we were all exhausted by the time we returned home. I am continually humbled and amazed at how blessed we are to have such a wonderful family and rich history to share.