An early morning.

If I haven't mentioned it here before, Makena is not really what you may call "a morning person". Sometimes, she's just plain scary in the mornings.

But, I still love her and try to reason with her...and sometimes that works.

Other times, not so much.

If there is one thing Makena likes even less that getting up at 6am, it's getting braces on her teeth at 7:30am.

But...isn't she cute!?!

PS: Makena will have to get up at 6am every morning next year as high school starts at 8am. Oh boy...

Valentine-A-Grams are back!

Each Valentine-A-Gram includes:

• Two Fresh Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Rolls
• A Jamba Juice Cold Drink Tumbler
• Sun Orchards Orange Juice
• Ready to Brew Seattle's Best Coffee
• Gift Certificate for a Slice of Pie from Shari's Restaurant
• Gift Certificate for a Jamba Juice
• Special Message from You!

Each Valentine-A-Gram is just $29.95 and includes delivery throughout the Portland-Vancouver area on February 14.Orders must be placed by February 10.100% of the purchase price goes toward feeding seniors. The purchase of one Valentine-A-Gram provides eight meals for a senior. NEW!! For an additional $10 you can send a special Valentine's treat to a homebound senior. Simply add the amount when you checkout at http://www.valentine-a-gram.org/

I've already ordered a Valentine-A-Gram for a secret someone(s) and Jamie and I will be delivering that morning as well. Still contimplating on ordering one for myself...it, for some reason, doesn't fit in to the P09X Nutrition Plan. hmmm...???

Persevere Update

I'm still having fun organizing my kitchen. So many new and fun gadgets out there to help!

One thing I did, was get some new lunch stuff for Makena. I cleaned out a drawer in the kitchen* and put all of her lunch items in there so that it would all be in one place from now on.

We don't really use plastic tupperware type things anymore, especially for things we microwave, so I've slowing been replacing that with glass items for the house or reusable items for her lunch. She's had this lunch bag since entering 6th grade, and it's been great! It's a bit small now though. She doesn't really eat more than she did before, it's just that the reusable items are a bit bigger than plastic bags and such.

And I didn't have enough containers for everything I wanted to pack sometimes and often ended up with this.

Which often leads to some broken Goldfish or squished grapes.

But now she has new goodies to carry her lunch in! The bag is like a small messenger type bag that can fold up into a little carrying pouch. And, it's insulated with a pocket and adjustable strap. The containers are stainless steel - safer for her and the Goldfish. She had the Kleen Kanteen water bottle, but now it fits nicely in a little pouch on the side.

I think she's going to like the thermos best. Makena loves (loves) soup and will now be able to enjoy that at school. I know, I know, I should have thought of a thermos before...but, she only really started wanting to take a lunch more often since becoming a vegetarian.

And now she has a variety of things to use for her lunch every day. Better for her and the environment too!

*The drawer that I cleaned out usually holds small, baby/toddler items. Things like toddler cups with lids, small bowls for baby food, small non-breakable plates, bibs, tiny wash clothes, etc. These are things I used when I did daycare (yes, over 3 years ago) but when the kids come over now they still know where to go for these things. And, to be honest, it was difficult to get rid of most of this stuff. (I'll never get rid of the 'I love my Aunt' bib tho!)

Jamie asked me why I was cleaning it out and when I told him he says "Well what are Kylah and Kallie going to eat with then?" I showed him that I did save a few items for them, but that I didn't really need all of it. The kids can use our dishes now, and all of the stuff just didn't fit in with my organizing of the kitchen anymore.

It's all in the definition.

I've settled on my "word" for 2011. It's taken me 17 days, but I really think it's a good one!

......................

per·se·vere  [pur-suh-veer] verb, -vered, -ver·ing.

–verb (used without object)
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

2. to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.


-verb (used with object)
3. to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

.........................

1. My word of 2010 was Transformation. Another good word and one I enjoyed working on. So this year, I'm going to persevere in my transformation. And, oh boy, are there some difficulties and obstacles with persevering. I'm pretty good with the discouragement part of that definition too, but hopefully Jamie will help me to persevere. (See what I'm doing here?)

1.2 I'd also like to continue steadfastly in my organizational skills. I am an organized person. I like being an organized person. I only function well as an organized person. I will persevere where more organization in my life is needed though!

-I recently spent quite a bit of time at Bed, Bath & Beyond looking for things to help me organize around the house. Lots of new goodies have found their way into the house.

-I also need to organize my recipe folders/books/binders and focus on making healthy meals again for my family on a regular basis. I have also enlisted in the help of a chef to help with dinner a few nights a month. Can't wait to see how that's going to work out! And, I love using Evernote on my iPad to pull up recipes and keep things handy while in the kitchen.

2. I think I've got the part down about persevering during an argument. Or at least I do in my mind...

3. Do you bolster someone or ?? hmmm...I'll have to look in to that one a bit more.

..........................

I think things will go well in 2011 as long as I keep the word persevere in my daily thoughts.

Visiting Sunshine Pantry

My Girl Scout troop decided to donate food to a local pantry. I took Makena and Hailee to Winco with me one day in December to do some shopping. They enjoyed grocery shopping at Winco about as much as I do. (Let me just say that I went to Winco ONE time in 2010.)


The girls bagged all of the food in two bags. After realizing how heavy a bag of cans and food boxes can be, that turned in to four bags.

Yesterday, we brought the food donations to the Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton. I began delivering food to this pantry in 2009 through the Beaverton School District, and thought this would be a great place for the girls to donate to in their community. Sharon Straus, the director/owner, is an amazing woman! She started this pantry in her garage almost 30 years ago and moved into a warehouse about 4 years ago.

The girls each had a bag or two of food to bring in to the warehouse.

Then Sharon showed them around. Our first stop was the cooler. Sunshine Pantry asks for perishable foods as well; Sharon believes that families should also receive fruits, veggies, condiments, etc to enjoy healthy meals.

There is also a freezer for additional items, but the girls didn't want to go in there. (I should also mention that it was about 30 degrees outside and in the warehouse.)

Then Sharon took us in to the other side of the warehouse, where additional food is stored. There are about 15 refrigerator/freezers in here; for more wonderful foods. Sharon also has a supply of vegetarian options, gluten free foods, ethnic and Kosher foods in addition to meets, birthday cakes and other goodies. (TWO freezers hold birthday cakes for families that can't afford them.)

There are also boxes of bread and pastries available for families. Along with canned foods, boxed foods, infant/toddler foods, toiletries and hygiene items.

McKenzie's little brothers, Connor & Alex, came along with us to the pantry. (So sweet.)

Sharon also hands out "Sniffle Bags". She has gathered items for sick children; tissues, soup, water, coloring books, crayons, etc. The kids love to leave with their little bag of goodies to help them get better. (I'm thinking this is going to be something GS Troop 41054 wants to do in 2011!)

I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful Sharon is for the Beaverton Community. I'm happy that my girls were able to help and hope that we can do more in the future.

Why I Smiled

Two reasons today!

#1 - our 2011 Relay Committee shirts have arrived!! I asked to have the CPS3 info added to our shirts this year and was happy to see the final outcome.

#2 - I'm not a Simpsons fan, but this envelope came in the mail today with A LOT of Simpsons and I couldn't help but smile! There are 40 Simpsons stamps on this envelope...someone was very busy yesterday. : )

Walden Island on New Years Day

Our neighbor, Stephen, sent these pictures to us that he took around the island on New Year's Day.

Beautiful sunrise. Ice on the water. Snow on the ground.

Entering 2011

It's sometimes crazy how fast a day can fly by.

Even more amazing...that another year is almost over! Today is the last day of 2010 and I'll admit that I'm not as excited about the New Year as I have been in the past. Although I'm looking forward to life in 2011, I think I'll miss 2010.

It was a difficult year. I cried. I had bad days. I had worse days. I lost someone very important to me. I lost my cat. I felt pain. I was hurt. I missed people.

But I also celebrated my 35th birthday, and celebrated birthdays with others. I visited family and friends near and far. I laughed. I lost weight and got in to better shape. I traveled. I took tons more pictures. I smiled. I read some great books. I went on a road trip with Makena. Our business finally did well. I was hugged and kissed. I loved.

So although I look forward to the wonderful things that 2011 has to offer, I hope to continue much of 2010.

Thoughts of Tami

Several weeks ago, my mom pointed out to me that Tami is with us everywhere. Tami was always giving us thoughtful little gifts and we have them with us in each of our homes. She is in our daily lives, somewhere. I didn't realize how right she was until I walked around my house...

• Tami gave me a pink elephant watering can - he sits on the bookshelf by my desk. The funniest part of this is that she bought him thinking that he was a pig - "he's pink!" she says. My Uncle Kent laughed at her and asked why the pig had a long nose/truck. She told me that she saw pink elephants all the time after a few beers and that he may someday turn in to a pig if we drank enough.
  
• Tami gave me a When Pigs Fly Stone - a little flying pig is encased in a clear rock. He is to help my dreams come true. He sits on my desk.
  
• Tami sent me text messages a lot and I have several saved on my cell phone. I've gone back and read them several times; they always make me smile.


• Tami thought it was funny to text me pictures of herself drinking on warm, sunny beaches. I have a picture of her saved; she sent it to me from Hawaii a few years ago. I returned the favor when I could. She especially liked the one I sent her from Vegas last summer - I had a 32oz drink mug in my hand and was in the pool. I did have Jamie take a picture of me in Cancun, in October, and I mentally sent it to her.
  
• Tami gave me a pen that has Amber engraved on it. It is always in my purse.


• Tami gave me several pair of her favorite jeans. Tami liked to shop (oh boy did she!) and I now have so many pair of jeans that I'll probably never have to buy them again. I didn't think I would fit in them, but happily lost enough weight to try them on again a few months ago. (She was almost as happy as I was about me losing the weight!) I wear theses jeans all the time. I honestly didn't want to wash them originally, because they smelled like her. She reminded me that I'd eventually stink, and that that was weird.


• Tami gave me a few bottles of fingernail polish after she could no longer wear it. I've worn the same pinkish/purple color now for months. It makes me feel like I'm taking her with me places - like when I went to Cancun. It makes me smile just looking at my toes.


• Tami gave me a little plaque that says one of my favorite quotes "Be the change you wish to see in the world". It is the first thing I see when I walk in my front door.


• Tami gave me incense - I think she bought every one that she found called Amber.


• Tami gave me bath salts in cute little envelopes that had clever quotes on them. They are almost all lavender scented. They are waiting for me every time I take a bath.


• Tami gave me a bookmark that reads; Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. It's almost always in the book that I'm reading.


• Tami gave me lavender scented lotions. I think of her every night when I put it on. I'll be devastated when the bottles are empty.
  
• Tami gave me a plaque that says Family. It sits on my fireplace mantle.


• Tami also gave me 35 years of love, laughs and wonderful memories.

Happy Birthday Tami

This post has taken me much longer than I thought it would to write. I started with just simple words, but that didn't feel like enough. I've added and removed pictures. I've smiled and I've cried. I can honestly say that my heart still hurts and that I miss my Aunt Tami very much. She was a special person and a very large part of my life. She is still in my thoughts daily.

One thing Tami taught me was to be brave. And, I thought I was, until the minute I walked in to the funeral home...


I had a little break down and left to compose myself for a minute.


And then I saw my cousin Tonya and how she was taking care of others. How brave she was being. And my Uncle Kent, how he was also comforting others. I knew I could be there for them too.

I received a text from my Aunt Juli around midnight on Sept. 25 - it read Bye Bye Butterfly. I knew that meant that my Aunt Tami was finally in peace. 'Bye Bye Butterfly' was something that she always said, it was her heartfelt goodbye. She told us that she wasn't ready to go; her family was surrounding her and comforting her, and her body was so tired, it was just time... She had bravely fought an almost 10 year battle with cancer. I never saw her cry, even when I cried. I never saw her give up, never. She wanted to live, love and be loved.

I had butterflies delivered to the funeral home so that we could release them after the service. It was something that I wanted to do for my family and for Tami. I will always think of Tami when I see a butterfly now - so beautiful and peaceful.

They came in an individual boxes so that we could each release a butterfly.


The morning started out cold and foggy, but was sunny and gorgeous for our release.


Uncle Rick, Gram and Aunt Renee


Tonya

And wouldn't you know that my butterfly flew from my hand on to my shirt.


My Uncle Kent tried to release it again and it flew down to my feet.


I held it for a while, letting it warm in the sunshine.


Until it flew away, but only for a short time and landed back on the ground.


We all followed the butterflies around for a while, just watching them. They just weren't ready to leave us yet.

And then I went inside to take a few pictures.

My Uncle Kent has the large urn, my cousin Shawn has the smaller version, and my cousin Tonya has the heart urn.


And I was given the red carnations.


This is my sister and Makena sitting inside the room while everyone else is still outside.


A beautiful basket of flowers was sent by our friends The Castillas. Butterflies and all...


My mom, Uncle Rick, Aunt Juli, Aunt Cinda, Gram, Aunt Kim and Aunt Renee. My Aunt Kari was with us by phone for the service.


My Cousin Shawn, Uncle Kent and Cousin Tonya


Tonya and I are 3 months apart in age and were close growing up. We have all kinds of good stories to tell (and some that we keep to ourselves).


Tami loved this phrase. This sign was given to her by Tonya at her 50th surprise party a few years ago.


The service was beautiful. People were there to share stories of Tami, to cry, to talk and to comfort. Trust me, there was a lot of laughing. If you knew Tami at all, you knew she loved to laugh and to make people laugh. She lived. She smiled. She will be missed.

TAMI SUE ROSS ~ DECEMBER 31, 1957 - SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

It was difficult for me to leave the funeral home because I felt that I was actually leaving Tami behind. But I know that she is in my heart and with me every day. She made me part of who I am today. I am thankful for all of the memories that I have of her.

This picture below is one that I look at quite often. This was taken the last weekend in August that my family all spent together at my Mom's house in Garibaldi. (You can read that post here.) Another wonderful weekend spent with family. Memories...

Happy Birthday Tam, I love you.

sneaky Santa

I was doing a little more work at my computer last night, and Moxie was playing with her Santa toy in the room.

This usually means that I'm listening to the (stupid) squeaky thing inside Santa's head over and over and over again.

Instead, I was hearing bells. Like jingle bells.

I turned around to see Moxie's head in the Christmas tree. And when I told her to get out of the tree, she backed away but just kept looking at it. And then she started whining.

And that's when I spotted the sneaky Santa. (I believe he was trying to escape.)

I took Santa from the tree and gave him back to her. She went back to playing.

She was innocent in this you know...

Then all I heard was the (stupid) squeaking thing in Santa's head over and over and over again.

Merry Christmas 2010

I picked up Makena on Christmas morning. After 10 days, I was very excited to have her back home.

Especially since it was Christmas!

Jamie made us breakfast and she went straight for her stocking.

She had asked Santa for a dinosaur.

Next is always her Santa Bag...

which had a new laptop in it. She got a little side-tracked.

Makena is currently obsessed with Batman - Adam West as Batman that is.

I made Makena a scrapbook of our road trip to Forks.

And found some really cute mittens on Etsy.

After gifts, the kids headed upstairs to play on the new laptop. Jamie found some Nintendo 64 games that Makena had been asking for.

While I played with some of the new camera gear that Jamie and Makena got for me.

Jamie played too... (reallly, thanks Honey)

We did head over to help out at the Senior Center again this year, but when they got there it was pretty much just clean up. I'll have to remember that for next year - it's much more fun to be involved with the actual Breakfast and Gift Giving.

Then we came home, hit the couch and watched movies all day. It was a perfect day!

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!