Brookings

Last week we joined our church for Family Camp in Brookings Oregon. I will spare you the long post and give you the highlights. Kacia loves the waves! She can run in and from them for hours. She also loves to explore the tide-pools with her dad. Rylin on the other hand is still scared of the waves, but loves to walk along the shoreline with a hand, and enjoys playing in the sand and looking for shells. Lincoln did not consume as much sand this year, which was awesome! He pretty much loved all of it- the waves, the sand, the shells, the sea creatures, and the ability to just run and run! He was so funny when we were first driving there and he woke up from a nap and we were driving along the 101. He looked out and saw the sea and starting clapping and pointing. Then when our view was obstructed with trees, he pointed his finger and told them angrily "no, no!" Then clapped again when he could once again see the Pacific. It made me wonder, what exactly was he excited about? He had no clue yet what fun was awaiting him there, he just loved what he saw!

Silliness

My 1 picture from the 4th of July before the camera battery died :)

The rest of these are from when the fam came to visit in June to meet Reid, and of course, hang out with the rest of us too! My kids love it when company comes, and it somehow brings out a little bit of extra silliness!

(Olive we all miss you!!)

Thanks for making the long drive James, Tim, Sabrina & Olive! We had so much fun being with you and miss you already!

8

Friday marked 8 years since my mom went home to be with the Lord. Eight. Eight years since I have held her hand or stroked her hair. Eight.

There are days when 8 seems so long, and I think "How can it be 8 years already?" But mostly I think, "Only 8? Really? Because it seems like forever!"

Think about how much has changed since she passed away. I went from being a young bride, to a mother of three. Kaitlin & James were the ages then of Michael & Allie now. Michael & Allie were a little bit younger than my oldest daughter is now. Breanna went from being the mom of toddlers, to teenagers. Tim went from being a college student to, oops- still a student! (Just kidding Tim :) I couldn't resist!) He is married, has not only his degree, but his masters and is working on his phd. James went from a small, quiet boy, to a strong, confident, young man. And Kaitlin, my mom's baby, is now taking care of her own baby! Life does anything but stand still!

I found it quite fitting that I was able to be in one of my mom's favorite places over the weekend- the Oregon coast. How she loved the ocean! Each time we go, Kevin knows that I like to escape by myself and go and sit in the sand, reflect & pray. So my opportunity arose when Lincoln fell asleep in the car at a difficult time. I dropped the rest of the family off at our friends' campsite, and I went and parked in front of the sea. I sat in my car, staring at God's incredible portrait of power, might, creativity, beauty and control, and I cried. It has been years since I have cried over the loss of my mom, but staring out there, the tears started to fall. I looked at that beach, and I could pick the exact spot that she would've parked her chair. I could see her sitting there in her visor, burying her feet in the sand and laughing at Lincoln as he ran from the waves to the sand with such determination and enthusiasm. I could see her playing in the waves with Kacia, and looking for shells with Rylin. Sometimes I wish so much that she could know my kids, experience life with them, and even more- that they could know her. But I know that my God is good. I know that He is perfect, I know that He has His reasons for taking her home, and most days that is enough. But looking at the waves, remembering so many vacations and memories I shared there with her, I simply missed her. I know that I will always miss her, but I also know that I can always rest in the fact that she is enjoying eternity in Heaven with her Lord, and someday, because of the blood of Christ, and the grace He has shown to me, so will I. So thankful to God for the mom that He gave me, and so incredibly thankful for the Son that He gave for us!

A Sinner Saved

"Behold the Man upon a cross, My guilt upon His shoulders,

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there, Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished"

-How Deep the Father's Love for Us

I love this song. I love it because it always gets me thinking! Thinking that I know I take the cross of Christ for granted. Thoughts that I am too callous regarding His love for me. I have always believed in the Lord. I cannot remember a single day of my life that I have not been aware of the fact that God created the world. Man is born a sinner. Sinner needs salvation to reconcile oneself to God. Sinner cannot do this on his own. Sinner needs a Savior. Jesus is that Savior. Jesus bore my sin on the cross, died that I might live. I have always believed these truths. But I think one thing that I miss is true passion. Passion of what I have been saved from. Yes, knowing Christ my whole life has "saved" me from various sins. I have never been drunk or high, I respected my parents, I don't cuss, I wore a white dress on my wedding day in every way, I have been faithful to my husband, etc..... I was in many ways a very ideal baptist. The sins we see as "major" in our finite minds- these sins I was saved from committing and have also been saved from the guilt that they carry.

But I think one of the big truths that I have missed lately- is that I wasn't just saved from doing those things- I have been saved and forgiven by the sins I commit daily, hourly, multiple times in a minute. I am a sinner, and I need a Savior. My sin is just as detestable to God's holiness as any other's. The sins of discontentment, fear, pride, worldliness, greed, selfishness, impatience, anger.... The sins that the Savior hung on the cross for, the sins that I need to hate. These sins, I wash over, I disregard, I ignore. I don't hate them enough to realize how big His love is. I don't appreciate the cross the way I need to.

I have been reading a book by CJ Mahaney entitled "Living the Cross Centered Life" and wanted to share something that may encourage you as it did me (that is- if you've made it through this very long post)

"As we watch Jesus pray in agony in Gethsemane, He has every right to turn His tearful eyes toward you and me and shout, "This is your cup. You're responsible for this. It's your sin! You drink it." This cup should rightfully be thrust into my hand and yours. Instead, Jesus freely takes it Himself... so that from the cross He can look down at you and me, whisper our names, and say "I drain this cup for you- for you have lived in defiance of Me, who have hated Me, who have opposed Me. I drink it all... for you." This is what our sin makes necessary. This is what's required by your pride, by your selfishness and my selfishness, by your disobedience and my disobedience. Behold Him... behold His suffering... and recognize His love."

Praying for a deeper hate of my sin, and a greater, more passionate love and appreciation for my Savior!

2 Silly & 2 Cute

Here's a few pictures that capture Lincoln at age 2. He is busy, fun, silly, and loves to play!

This face says it all! "I'm cute and I know it!"

Playing dress-up with the sisters, and constantly taking his diapers off. I later found him trying to put on Rylin's princess underwear :) Sorry, buddy you have to talk more before I'll even think about potty training you!

Posing with his fantastic Hair Stylist!

Lincoln loves Reid! He always wants to hold him, so we offered one of the girls' dolls. He was thrilled to hold it, tried to swaddle it in a blanket, and offered a pacifier- but when the doll would not "keep" it in it's mouth, it ended up in Lincoln's!

My boy is one happy little monkey! We're are so blessed to have him in our family and we are loving age 2, even with the challenges it brings :)

Lincoln Turns 2!

I'm a little behind on posting! June was absolutely crazy with the end of school, Baby Reid, VBS, birthdays, and lots of fun visitors! But here's a few pictures of Lincoln on his birthday. We did a zoo party since he is fascinated with animals. Can't believe my baby is 2!!!!

"Golden" Medal Graduates

The Golden Five

All of the cousins minus Reid, who was eating, & somehow to a newborn, that was way more important than posing for my camera! :)

Michael receiving his medal for Male Athlete of the Year!

Allie receiving her medal for maintaining a perfect 4.0!

This last week we celebrated the twins' 8th Grade Graduation! (Man, if my kids grow up as fast as these two, I'm in trouble!!) I'm so proud of them! Not really for the graduation part, although that's nice and all, it's really the young adults that they are growing up to be that I am proud of. They love the Lord, love others, are fun yet responsible, smart yet not know-it-alls, leaders in their school, and genuinely fun teenagers to be around. They are shining lights, radiating the fruits of the Spirit to those they come in contact with. We love you Michael & Allie!!!!

Baby Reid

Leaving for the hospital...

This is what we've been up to lately- loving on Reid Avery Watkins! We just can't get enough of this little cutie! I'm so proud of my baby sister who has taken on the role of a mother with great grace, strength and selfless love! And we praise our Lord for Reid's safe arrival and for allowing all the details to work so that Ian could be here for it all! Congrats Ian & Kaitlin!

Balls, Bathing Suits, Bikes, Bugs & Baby

This is Lincoln's new "bat bag". Since he never wants to be without a ball or bat right now, we got this out yesterday and you can't tell, but there are 5 different balls underneath the glove.

He was so happy to be able to carry everything all together!

He actually wakes up from naps saying "b- ball" and insists on kissing them all good night. Obsessed?

He came running down the hallway the other day attempting to wear Kacia's swimsuit. She did not like that too much, but he was quite proud of himself!

Rylin on her new bike! It was raining on the first day, so since the tires were still clean, she was able to master her new skill indoors.

No, she never made it to 30 stars, but that is different story for a different post. But this is one super excited & grateful 4 year old!!

Kacia's 1st grade class performed Going Buggy for us. It was a cute show, and quite funny to watch how embarrassed she can get up front! :)

She wasn't thrilled to be a "damsel fly" - I suppose she was hoping for something a little more glamorous. But I think she's the cutest fly I've ever seen!

Here's my kids with Auntie K K and their baby cousin. He will be making his arrival any day now so we had to document the belly that greatly intrigues Lincoln. He tries very hard to "find" the baby we tell him is in there! Can't wait to meet him!

A Conversation With Rylin

Being that this is primarily a tool I use to remember my kids at various stages and the silly things they do- here is a fairly typical conversation with Rylin in the car (my car is NEVER quiet!!!)...

R: "Mom, when I grow up I want to be a pi... " (didn't hear the rest of it clearly- she is after all, all the way in the back of the van talking over the music and Lincoln's chattering)

So thinking she said 'pilot' I respond "Oh, you want to fly planes?"

R: "No, I want to be a pirate!"

M: "Oh, and what will you do as a pirate?"

R: "I will drive ships- pirate ships, and look for lost treasure."

M: "Okay, that sounds fun."

- She moves on to another topic, sings part of a song, and I think we are done with the pirate conversation. At least 5 minutes pass-

R: "Mom, do you know what pirate treasure is called- BOOTY!!!!" At which point she erupts into her contagious giggling, then Lincoln joins in laughing (although he is entirely clueless as to why he is laughing).

So thank you to the Berenstein Bears and their book about looking for "pirate booty" on their vacation trip to the beach- my daughter now has quite high and rather unusual aspirations!

Flip

I got a Flip for Mother's Day! Here's our first attempt at a video. It's a few of the highlights from our weekend: cotton candy, the final out of Braden's perfect game (complete with screaming by Kevin) and a sample of car rides with Lincoln (that average hearing the words "mama" and "dada" a minimum of 50 times a minute). Enjoy!

Mother's Day Weekend

This past weekend we joined Kevin's parents and took the kids to San Francisco. On Friday we did the SF Zoo, followed by Fisherman's Wharf and of course Ghiradelli Square. Saturday, we met up with Kevin's Grandpa for breakfast, then all went to an A's game. This was our first attempt at all going to an MLB game and the kids did great! Being that this is one of Kevin and my very favorite things to do, we were happy to see that our family is getting to the stage of being able to enjoy it with us. On Sunday, I made the decision to just let Kevin and his dad go to the game, knowing that my son was pretty much done with the crazy schedule and no-nap thing. This later proved to be a bad decision since Braden made history and threw a perfect game! But after throwing myself a pity party, I was able to be happy that my husband was able to witness something that has only been done a total of 19 times in all of baseball!! (We were even able to spot them on tv multiple times when they re-aired the game.) All in all, a very fun weekend, beautiful weather, fun city, and great memories with our kiddos! (They even slept in the hotel- which is HUGE for our family!!)

The girls were so excited to each get their own bobblehead!

What am I supposed to do with 5 bobbleheads??

It was all about the cotton candy!

Look Dad!

The kids had seen cotton candy at the zoo and pier 39, but we told them to wait just one day and we would get it from one of the vendors yelling "cotton candy! get your cotton candy!" They made it all the way till the 7th inning stretch on the snacks we brought, then it was all about that sugary fluffy stuff!

My 3 monkeys!

Lincoln is at the stage where he totally LOVES animals! This was such a fun day for our little guy! He was so excited to get so close to those big bears! "ROAR, "ROAR"- in his words

The girls don't remember previously going to any zoos. I think the last one we went to was the San Diego Zoo when Rylin was 1 month and Kacia nearly 2 1/2. They found it just about as cool as Lincoln did!

The cute baby gorilla...

Lincoln pointing at the cute baby gorilla :)