Family Beach Trip

Must Haves:

1. Bare Feet

2. Swings on the Sand
3. Snuggling

4. Exploration

5. Great finds

6. Lessons on Starfish by Daddy

7. Hikes

8. Alone Time

We had so much fun at the beach this weekend as a family. It was good to get away and be together. We have gorgeous weather and fun times!! I just love family get-a-ways!!

My Favorite Actress

We attend a wonderful play last night. I was so excited to go see it because my all time favorite actress was in it. And let me tell you, she did not disappoint. She sang, she danced, and she spoke so clearly...I just love her!

Miss Jayden was Ladybug #8 in the 2nd grade paly BUGZ! and did a smashing job. She said her part clearly and with confidence. Her famous lines were:

"Having good manners is important you know,

To be a Welcomed Guest,

You must learn to present yourself

Your very, very best!"

Defiantly, Oscar worthy if you ask me! Good job Jayden! You are one cute lady bug.

Weekend Madness

We here at the Widing house seem to pack most of our family fun into our weekends. This past weekend was no different. What we thought was going to be a relaxing weekend turned into a whirlwind of activities.

Friday. The kids took their first ride in a limo. Do I even have to tell you how much they loved it? Jayden realized this is the kind of car Hannah Montana takes everywhere and about died (...You get the limo out front, for all you Hannah Fannas). Braley suggested we get a limo "cause then we wouldn't have to ride with seat belts." Mr. Ansen wasn't sure what the fuss was all about but he was happy to be there.

Saturday the kids had their pictures taken and they did really well. Next, we had lunch with Jalen and his family at a great divey (and super cheap) Taco joint. The kids got a hold of the camera while we waited. After sifting through about 45 pics., taken in about 1 minute, these are my favorite.
And last but not least, Sunday morning Ansen and I headed over to the weekend doctor. He had this funny rash on the back of his thighs and it was starting to spread down his legs and was totally itchy. I was starting to worry he was contagious but with one look at it the doctor said it was Eczema. So now he is on some steroid creme and today his legs look great. I am afraid that he is a bit of a narcissist and this is what he did the whole time we waited for the doctor.

On top of everything else, the weather this weekend was insane. We have had rain, heavy snow, sleet, HAIL ( and Lots of it), thunder-storms, and bright sun all in the span of 2 1/2 days. I am not sure what is going on with the weather here but it sure doesn't feel anything like mid-April.

Peaceful Car Ride

I LOVE

Car rides

That look and sound like this!

When Cousins Come To Stay....

We will PLAY!!!! The cousins had spring break last week so they took the trek from tri-cities to come play with us. Of course we had to Rollar Skate (again) and swim (again) and eat food that is neither healthy or nutrious (again) and (gasp!)take in the beautiful weekend weather by going to the Woodburn Tulips Festival.

We skated our hearts out at Oaks Park in Portland and I am pretty sure Jayden has found her calling as a Roller Durby Skater. The child starts skating lessons next Saturday....you may all start praying for her safety now. Next up was SWIMMING!! We had a blast and lucky for you I will spare you all of pictures of me in a swimsuit!

How many ways can you go down a slide? Give my kids 10 minutes and they will figure them all out!

Rock Climbing and inflatable mazes were our next stop. Jayden, M.J. and Emily all made it to the very top of the rock wall in no time flat. Way to go you guys! Braley and Ansen opted for more sliding and crawling through the mazes...Angie chased them through which meant I didn't have to go myself. You are the best Angie!

Finally, we enjoyed beautiful flowers and warm sunshine while we walked the tulip fields. The flowers were so serene and calming, people were strolling down the paths hand in hand and then we came through with 6 kids and pretty much made it look like the circus had come to town. But we enjoyed our selves and love going to see the Tulips every year!

Standing For Something

I don't know if this is the right title for this post but I couldn't think of anything else. In the past week I have had the chance to explain my "position" on certain current events to some people I see pretty regularly. They were taken back by how black and white my world is. Here are a few of the situations I came across.

#1
Yesterday I made a quick run to Costco before I dropped Ansen at preschool. As we drove out of the parking lot, there was a man standing on the side of the road holding a sign that said: I have a FAMILY. We are going through a hard time. Food, gas, clothes, money...anything would help. God bless. I watched him as I sat at the light. He looked embarrassed and uncomfortable. The light turned green and I drove away. As I drove away I felt like a coward. Clearly I was supposed to help and I had just driven away. The closer I got to Ansen's school the worse I felt. So I turned around and got back to the man as fast as I could. I gave him all the cash I had and few items from my Costco trip. Nothing grand but it was something.
The boys spent the afternoon playing "give away". They would take turns needing something and the other would give it to them and say "I hope everything works out." They told a friend what I had done. My friend got mildly angry and told me the man was only looking for money for drinking and other bad things. My friend told me I had put the boys in danger by letting him near us. (I see that point, but I assure you there were at least 30 other cars around and he was NO WHERE near the Ansen and Jalen). My friend told me I should never give to people like that.
People like what? I was shocked that my friend was upset that I helped someone. If it was me or Jason asking for help for our family I would hope someone would have compassion. If that man uses the money for something his sign did not indicate then that is his situation to answer for. I gave when he asked and I think that shows the boys to have sympathy for others, to not judge, and to give even when you won't know the outcome.

#2
Have you heard about the pregnant "man?" I was talking to a friend who wondered how to explain this to her kids. My response was to simply say that's not a man. She is a woman who looks like a man who is having a baby. My friend agreed but said that she didn't want her kids to think that she was prejudice or intolerant of other people by saying that this pregnant person was not a man. If we are scared to tell our children what we believe or how we feel about what is going on in the world around us then how are they going to know how to feel? I believe we need to be prepared to talk about anything openly but also be able to say "this is not okay", "this is right because....", "the truth is..." If you are scared to tell your children your position on something they may go to someone else and adopt their position which may conflict with your own feelings.

#3
Waiting for Jalen to come out of preschool the other day I was standing with another mom who is lds and we were chatting. Another mom turned to us and said "you two are Mormon right?" We said yes. "So do you know any of these Mormons in Texas that are being taken from their compound?" We said no and tried to explain that our religions may bear a similar name but we are not associated at all. Her response, "I don't know. I hear all Mormons are the same." Ummmmm, not really. It's funny to me that this woman could look at photos of these poor women and children being taken from the only home they know in their simple dress and long hair and think that we, looking very different and yes, most days in sweats and hoodies, are practising the same religion. It reminded me to also be mindful of how we as a family come across to people.

So in conclsion I am grateful for my blessing and the brains to seek knowledge and do good. I have been feeling a bit picked upon lately which isn't like me and I am thankful for the reminders of how great I really do have it. So now that I am done rambling you may continue on with your day! Love you all!

For Sale

My parents are selling their house. We are so excited for them because it has only been on the market for 2 days and they already have an awesome offer. It is also kinda sad to think I won't go "home" again. I know, I am a big cry baby. But it is my house. I love that house. Over the past few years Mom and Dad have really done a great job re-ding the place and and making the house transform from a "young" family house (kids rooms, toys,...) to a great house for empty nesters or a young couple just staring out (awesome new kitchen, new carpet and wood floors,....) So while I am sad to say goodbye to 49 Mallowhill Road I am excited that at a time when the housing market is going down the tubes things are working out great for my two favorite home sellers. Congrats Mom and Dad! Now get crackin' on finding me a great guest bedroom!

Want to see where I grew up? Click below! There is a great little slide show to take you down memory lane. Ladies and Gentlemen: My house.

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?zp=01129&mnp=20&mxp=19&typ=1&sid=16608740aab6415bb746d45ab088a7bb&lid=1097728232&lsn=6&srcnt=7#Detail