Weekend Visitors

When we moved out to The Dalles, Or, we left everyone we knew back in Clark County, Washington State: about 90 miles away. That's a long trek for someone to just come over for a visit. Praise God that we bought a house that, one: has an extra bedroom, and two: a garage we converted into a comfortable bonus room. This last weekend we gained  several visitors for those reasons!
Dale's best buddy, Justin, got hired to work at Google and was already looking for a new place to stay, so we were able to move him into our garage for a bit till he finds a place in town! Ya, that's right, we scored ourselves a permanent visitor (at least in town!).

The trouble is now I'll never get my hubby out of the garage.

This is where I found him tonight. PS: He's on drums. Justin is on the guitar. They locked me out b/c they're recording another song. But their music's pretty darn cool and they have so much fun together...

Our second set of visitors this weekend were the Youm family: I have known Amy from our church in Vancouver for years now. She and her husband: Hyn Su (sorry Amy, I'm thinking I'm miss-spelling but I feel I'm close.) have two sons that are only months, or less, apart in age from my two daughters. They also have a sweet little girl who turned two! When Amy mentioned visiting, I jumped at the chance to see a familiar face as well as giving a very hospitable family a well earned mini vacation.
Here are the highlights:

We went to the river and let the kiddos "swim" around.

We went to the Dam's visitor's center where I got to learn more about this new city I'm now part of.

 My friend Amy and I hanging in the shade taking in the view at the Dam's picnic area

We walked to the school play ground after dinner and caught the sunset.

(we visited three different parks this weekend! The Dalles has a good selection.)

Couldn't resist capturing the happy couple and the sunset.

The next day after an easy breakfast casserole, we headed to Hood River and the Fruit Loop. We had a picnic lunch at Lavender Valley where both the eyes and nose were tantalized with deliciousness.

 

It was tough for these two to say good bye after teaming up to pick a bucket of blueberries at our last stop.They really are (as my mom would say) two peas in a pod!

I'll leave you with one more photo to just entice anyone else I know that might have a hankering to come out and visit: I have a guest room, my hubby has a garage to hide in, so come on over and I'll be happy share our new found treasure with you!

 

Why I Garage Sale: Shabby to shic couch

Why do I love garage sales? Grandma!

Mary Lyne Till, my hip and happening Grandma, is just now retiring from her career as an owner of Shady Lady Antiques in Whidbey Island. She is a garage sale picker and taught me everything I know. She has been dubbed the garage sale goddess of the island.

Have you ever seen that show: American Pickers? Ya. I love it, and have been watching episodes the last few evenings while in the garage taking my garage sale find and turning it into something fashionable.

Funny thing: my Grandpapa is an upholsterer. So I'm dedicating this post to the both of them.

 

Now down to business. We had been looking for a couch since we left our stinky, ugly old ones behind in the move. This is when we realized how expensive furniture is. The Dalles has alot less selection as well, everyone wanted over $100 for their ugly outdated couches at the consignment stores and Craigslist. So I went garage saleing and picked up this shabby, but comfy and smell free sofa for $15 (including delivery). 

I told myself: it just needs a cover! So I went to the thrift stores for ideas: nothing big enough to cover this beast. So I went garage sailing where if found 11 1/2 yards of soft black fabric with a hidden paisley design: $5.

I watched some youtube how to videos and got to work.

Snug covers for the seat cushions were made.

 I draped the fabric on the couch and did what sewing I could with a regular needle. (my fingers took a beating. If you do this: pick up an upholstery needle and thimble.)

Then I added these tacks that I picked up for $1.40 to give it a finished look.

I ran out of fabric for the top cushins and had a tiny panic attack, then I remembered our shower curtain! The fabric gave it a nice layer of texture and blended nicely!
To finish it off,  added some color with this button I picked up: $1.25.

 2 episodes of Pawn Stars. 3 American Pickers and 4 Food Network Star shows later:

We have a couch I can put in our house.
Total cost: $29.04

The Church Thing

The last few Sunday's I've been visiting different churches.


I have to admit, my attitude has not been as positive about this "church shopping" adventure because I am still morning the loss of an amazing church family back in Vancouver. Compass is an amazing work of God and we miss all of our friends there! It is sad to say that it is a rare thing to find a group of believers who avoid contention, love and accept unconditionally, and have a passion for the lost that does not end with words and tears on Sunday, but is lived. Over the years I've been in Compass, I have grown as a disciple of Christ, I have been compelled by love to live differently. To live missionally. Compass is not your typical church.

Now visiting a strange church is a very different experience. I get so nervous going in. I know no one. I wonder...will this be a waste of time? I have to find someone to ask where the kids go and when. I have to find a seat somewhere which can be difficult because I'm usually late. When I get through the worship which is different then what I'm used to and the sermon which is also different, I get one, maybe two smiles, handshakes and exchanges of names. One Sunday I went to pick up the kids, and the classroom was empty. I had no idea where my little girls were. Trying to hold back tears, I had to find a mom and ask her. They took all the kids up to a different building for kids worship and pick up. That Sunday experience left me feeling anxious and alone.  Because of what God has been stiring in my heart, it's saddening, even frustrating  for me to see churches filled with people who seem excited about God's love and even shout amen while the preacher talks of sharing that love, but then put on their blinder's and head straight to their friends or cars and right past lost lil me.

The same church wants to raise money for a very nice remodel of their facility so they can "grow". I thought their building was very nice and they were not crowed at all. Maybe it's me, but I don't think having a cafe and bookstore will be what attracts lost souls.
These are the things that annoy me and make me want to give up searching for a church...just a little bit.

However, this morning was a pleasant surprise. I had to do some talking with God and leave my cynicism at home. The church we went to was smaller and the building was simple, but I could tell they valued people and most of all: Christ and the Word He left us. It was nice to hear simple teaching from the Word.  I got to meet and have conversations with many people who hung around in a little coffee area including a Google couple and the pastor, who sat down at our table and picked my brain. He was very encouraging.  I was invited to two women's groups, and even got my pew mate's number (she's a mom of little girls like me!). There seems to be a lot of opportunity for ministry in both the music and children's department.
So they will at least get on the "call back" list for my church search.
Ultimately, I have peace because I know God has a place for us here, and He has a purpose. Once again, it's just my impatience that's getting me down. I have to remember too, that every Sunday morning is an adventure that I end up leaning from, weather it's a fun experience or not. It's growing me, so I guess I'm good.

Being Mom

Why am I posting at 2 something in the morning? Because after being awake for a good 1/2 hr calming two screaming little girls (one still curled up next to me half asleep) it seemed like the thing to do.

I like to keep busy with projects; finding ways to feel like I've accomplished something. I take my kids places and do things. However, with the changes of moving and with my mood being a tad off this week, I had to stop and realize my kids needed me more right now. At 3 and 5 they are still waking up once a night crying and needing comfort since we moved even though they always say they love our new home. So I will be trying to devote a little more one-on-one time with them. Yesterday I had hot coco with Hannah since she got up b/f Karis. Then in the evening I had Karis help me clean up the garage and took her out on a "date". We got dressed up. She was allowed body spray and some lipstick to make it special. Her destination request was the Clocktower (a local family friendly pub) because she had seen some cool arcade games in the back. However when we got there we found ourselves in the middle of a scene straight from American Graffiti. The local car show was in town and Clocktower was PACKED.

 

We played a few arcade games and then chose to head across the busy street to Burgerville for Sundays and fries.

There we danced to Karis's favorite Disney songs played on the jukebox and watched the fancy cars roll by.

 

Karis took a pic of Hannah and I once we got home. We watched an episode of The original X men cartoon. (isn't Netflix great?) Then headed to bed.

After all the hugs, kisses, and time spent, I woke to inconsolable crying from first Karis, then Hannah. Being a mom is hard. No matter how much I try to love them, it may never satisfy. The best part about being a mommy today was seeing my children calm down while I prayed over them. Felling God's peace as we cried out to Him together. God has been teaching me how much I have yet to love Him. Tonight was one of the crisp clear glimpses of what it means to follow after Christ; to live in His love. I am sad that it took a wake up call at 2am to get me to pray with my girls. But the wake up call has now been documented online, so I cant forget it. It's my reminder to what really matters in my life. THIS: pointing my children to the only one who can give them peace, holding and loving them in their moment of fear and giving it to God together. THIS is what I'm here for. Being Mom is a challenge, being a lover and disciple of Christ gives it worth.

Home Ownership

I share what's on my mind, and what's consuming my time and thoughts right now are home improvements. Do you remember the show with Tim Allen? Well, no, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about having just bought our first home and it being summer. I am very grateful that we bought a turn key home with air conditioning. I don't know what we would do if we had bought the 100 yr old "fixer upper" we had looked at. Let me tell, you we've been busy with our turn key home. I wanted so desperately to make it HOME. So I have become an amateur interior designer and painter as well as assistant to the chief handy man.We have been doing two major projects: my project is color and decor (paint paint paint!). Dale's (my hubby): is the garage: his "man cave". He's helped me a little with mine and I've been his girl Friday on his. It's been work, but I'm enjoying it too! I think I will break up our "adventures" in the land of Home Ownership into a few separate posts so as not to overwhelm you. (Also so I can get up and start breakfast as these last strokes are made with two yawning girls climbing on me and asking about food.)

 In the garage wearing my lucky painting pants. I'm smiling cuz Aretha Franklin's in my ears.

Running away from home

So, today was a blah day for me. In fact, this week has been a blah week for me. I'm sure you know the feeling. You don't want to leave the refuge of your covering in the morning. You're practically dragged out of your bed. Then by the end of the day, if you are a stay at home mom like me, perhaps you just want to run away from home! Well, that's what I did tonight. I was counting on getting my jog in this evening, then my hubby reminded me that Wednesday was guys night out. Bleh! Thankfully I have a secret weapon: the double jogging stroller. Right after dinner, I packed the girls in and ran away! At least for a couple of miles.

First we jogged down our hill to the local farmer's market held every Wednesday night and Saturday morning.

I found this gargantuan zuc that doubled as a weapon, and got an assortment of basil. (recipes anyone?)
I also discovered that if you have any agracultural questions, the people at the farmers market are happy to share their wealth of information when it's slow (like at 6:45 on a Wednesday night).

next we crossed the railroad tracks and headed to the riverfront trail.

I love the murals that are scattered through the town!

(oh and that's fluffy, Karis's beloved dog. He follows her everywhere.)
Oh and I just noticed Karis is showing off her snack: frozen strawberries on a stick.
Super idea right?! I got them from the farmers market.

just through the overpass you hit the waterfront!

the marina

We all agreed this boat is our favorite. 

After I let the kids play at the riverfront park and I ran around in circles to the amusement of other patrons and their dogs, (no pics b/c my camera died )

We headed back home super thirsty and realizing that we did not pack any water. 

Enter: Clock Tower Ales! They are kid friendly, and have the best local brews on tap.

They were kind enough to give us some water.

Then it was on our way home with only 200ft in elevation change and 10 blocks between us. 

It was worth it. My attitude is so much better, and the kids are ready for bed.

Well, here I am

Week after week I am experiencing more and more life here in our new home town: The Dalles, Or. We've been here for a little over a month now. Between a stalker, proselytizers, a lemonade stand,  a drunken biker, new neighbors, a trampoline, home depot, and SO many home projects: I've been collecting the stories and thoughts behind them. I know not whether anyone will want to read about them, but I don't have friends here to talk to really. My poor husband's ears and brain can only take so much of a female's jabber. Phone conversations are nice but less concise and my kids mischief and volume level goes up for every minute I'm on my cellular device. So I thought I'd try this out. One more thing before you finish reading my introductory entry: You may have noticed that I gave myself the title "Saint". I do not mean the Catholic version of being incredibly virtuous and a hero or something, but rather in the first century church version where everyone who claimed to follow Christ (and back then if you claimed Christ you were serious about it) was called a Saint. Tacking it onto a common name like Liz also helps make it available to claim on blogger. ;)