blessed.

Today has been a blessed day.  Last night, I was so tired.  I was ready for bed by 8pm.  But we stayed up a little bit.  Drank some tea.  Played some Munchkin.  Then got in bed, I think before 10.  And I rested and got some good sleep.  Sure, I had to wake up a few times because of Hailey and the morning still came too soon, but I felt much more refreshed than I had been for a few days.  

I decided to write the girl who we gave Kaia to.  I just said that I was glad she had a good home, that things were working out, and if she had any questions about her history at all, she was welcome to ask me.  She responded by saying they had no problems and all love Kaia, "thanks for the wonderful gift".  So.  I guess at least I feel some closure.  And I tired my best to extend kindness, even when I wanted to justify myself.  I am thankful that I didn't waste energy by being unkind or saying things passive-aggressively about what I read on her Facebook, as I might have done in the past.  I am grateful for my husband's wisdom when it comes to me responding in emotion.  Part of me really wanted to write her and justify the care we gave Kaia, but that really would not have accomplished anything, other than possibly being a terrible example of Christ's love.    They will be good owners.  I just wish I had been a little more proactive in helping them understand where she came from and the importance of that connection, whether or not they would've still chosen to see it the way they do.  I'm fairly certain this woman has no idea I saw any of what she said on Facebook.  Jeremy just kept reminding me to bless those who curse you and pray for those who persecute you.

Anyway.  On another note.  I have received so many blessings today, it is unbelievable.  I have felt very inspired by the "buy nothing" group, that I have been trying to focus more on giving things that I like, but definitely don't need, in order to bless others.  Not just throw away stuff I have no desire to own anymore, but the things that I still feel tied to.  It has been a hard discipline with some things, but I don't regret giving away a single thing. I posted several things, met some wonderfully nice people, and am beyond joyful to see how it impacts others when you share and give.  One mommy friend in the area messaged me the other day that she wanted to bless me with her daughter's clothes for Hailey.  Oh my goodness.  She gave me a huge bin with absolutely everything Hailey needs for fall and winter!  I cannot believe it.  And they are amazingly cute clothes which I would never be able to afford or probably even find at a thrift store or consignment store I would visit.  I will not have to buy Hailey a single pair of clothes this year.  God always provides what we need.  

Not to mention, our life is so blessed in so many other ways.  I have so much leisure time now that I only will be planning preschool once a week and don't have any other extra commitments right now, I have been able to slow down our day considerably and just enjoy my children.  Spending time has made many of the issues I was having diminish completely or become much easier to handle, considering that usually the reason I get impatient is that I simply feel the need to rush.  Even after two years in a very slow paced community, I am still learning to slow down.

Anyway.  I had my phone uploading these pictures most of the day, because our internet is so slow.   I have so many pictures to share.  Some of these are in a weird order, but there is no way I'm going to try and rearrange them, ha ha.  I don't know if my pictures will ever be as well organized as Angela's!  I'll put them after a "jump" so you don't have to load all of them and they won't take up the entire page of posts if you don't want to look at them!

Last week we went for a day trip to Port Townsend.  We stopped in Chimicum (sp?) on the way at this fun big park (except that there was no shade) and we played a round of disc golf.  There happened to be a end of the year library party where they were handing out ice cream, so Shea and Jeremy shared one before we left.

This is Shea just being silly.  He was trying so hard to not smile and look serious - I don't think it is possible for this child not to smile!  He bounces out of bed in the morning full of joy and energy, and even when he does get upset, a smile doesn't leave his face for long.

I think this is the best picture I have of Shea and Hailey.  This is on a dock at Port Townsend.  Hailey was having so much fun walking and climbing every where!

Last week, Jeremy was trying to make shoes out of tires.  Yeah, we worked on it for like half n hour before giving up because we do not have the right tools.  Tires are hard to cut!

Shea posing in his glasses and necklace he made at the children's garden.

Hailey walking in Port Townsend.

This was from Sunday morning a couple of weeks ago.  Hailey finally fit in this cute dress and shoes I have been saving.  She was having fun with Shea's "rockstar" glasses.

Me being annoying taking pictures of us on our drive.

I don't remember if I wrote about this or not before, but I constantly repeat stories (right, Amber?), so I don't care, ha.  This picture was because I asked for some sheets for Shea's bed on the buy nothing group.  All I asked for was something simple; they didn't have to match or anything. I was just tired of using full sheets on his twin bed and having to tuck them in everywhere.  The person ended up giving us an entire set with pillow case and comforter.  Shea was so super excited that as soon as we got home he snuggled up to read books for half an hour in his bed and had me take a picture of him.  I posted it for her to see and she said that his hug made her day and she had never seen a boy with so much gratitude at a young age (he said "thank you" probably 30 times to her in person).  I love how much joy my son spreads to people he doesn't even know.

My girl waking up from her nap.

I look dreadfully serious in this picture.  These are my new earrings.  They were an early birthday gift.  They are fake, I do not really have gauges, but I love these.  I wear them every day.  I only took this picture because if you submit a picture of you wearing them and they use it, you can get a free pair of earrings.  Then I noticed the baby monitor in the background.  yeah, classy.  Maybe they can use it to appeal to moms?

Just a random picture I found of me with my long hair still.  I miss it a little.  But short is so easy!

At the beach last week.  We have been down there a lot lately, trying to squeeze in as much beach time before summer is over as we can!  Love it now that Hailey can sit and play and amuse herself (other than having to make sure she doesn't eat rocks).

Shea wanted to dress up as a pirate the other day.

I don't think I ever shared pictures of the classroom!  I made this board for our circle time area.

We have been buying our produce mainly from the farmer's market every week.  I love our new ritual of going every Saturday.  I brought all this organic fresh goodness home for 20 dollars.  I will be so sad when farmer market season is over!

My big girl eating.  She is such a good eater, I am amazed.  She cleans her plate and rarely complains about any of the food I give her.  My happy veggie baby!

This is from day camp.  Shea and his cousin, John, looking cool with their satchels.

I think this is on the way to the drive-in.  We went a couple of weeks ago and the kids slept (or were supposed to) while we watched.  Always fun, but always a super late night.

me posing with blackberries?  Why do I have this picture on my phone?  weird.

The last picture I took of Kaia.  I couldn't get a very good picture though, the lighting was awful.

Went on a fro-yo date with the kids last week!  Although, we got sorbet since I'm not doing dairy right now.  It was delicious and a much needed break.  Jeremy had a work party with the guys, so he was out late.

Messy kids playing in the dirt! 

Some of the clothes I received today for Hailey.  She is obsessed with shoes and hats, so she immediately wanted the shoes on and got very upset when they fell off (they are a tad bit too big)

Wow what a crazy long post.