He's Stuck With Me Forever

Over the years I've made no secret that our marriage has gone through some rough times.  Next month N and I celebrate 5 years of marriage.  We both say without reservation that our marriage feels stronger than it ever has.  While we both realize it takes God and much work to keep our marriage at this place, we're confident that these last 5 years have been the foundation we needed for the long haul. 

I'm not sure what has done it other than God working in us that has brought us both to this place at the same time, but I love it.  N and I both have certain habits that aren't healthy for our marriage.  As we both work through those issues and hold each other accountable, we thought we each needed a reminder.

N's first thought was to get his tongue pierced.  His belief was that he'd always be aware to deal with his issue because every time he ate or talked, he'd have that reminder.  While I want to encourage him to take whatever steps he feels necessary, the thought of kissing a guy with a tongue ring really didn't excite me.  It totally freaked me out.  I wanted to find something that would serve as a reminder for him that didn't freak me out.  That's when I came across the Japanese calligraphy symbol for soul mates (tamashii no tomo).  I thought it would be cool if we both got tattoos of this symbol. 

N was all for it, thank the Lord.  That means new ink, not new tongue ring.  I actually shutter thinking about it.  We went to the local All American tattoo parlor and the awesome Jeremy Youngman drew up some ideas.  N wanted a phoenix to go along with his symbol because a phoenix means eternal.  Plus he just really likes them and is basically a walking wikipedia when it comes to things like mythical creatures and comic characters.

The design for N was MUCH bigger than we thought, but he loved it and I loved it, so he got it.  On his forearm.  His entire forearm.

Within the symbol are our names in Japanese.

Mine without the huge, mythical bird.  Not just because I'm a pain wuss.  Okay, totally because I'm a pain wuss.  I honestly didn't think I would have this excitement over it that I do.  It was a fun bonding experience to get a permanent reminder of N put on my body.  I realize it's not for everyone, but it really meant something to us. 

When we got home and Zoe saw daddy's arm, she wanted a picture too.  I got out my Sharpie marker and put an ichthus on her foot just like I have on mine.

She loves it!  She takes off her shoe to show everyone her new Jesus fish.

Tonight we're going to play tattoo shop.  I'll get out the paints and do my best to drawn a princess on her arm.  I may just stop and pick up some temporary tattoos on my way home!

The Whoopie

Last night I had a meeting at church and I called my sister to see if one of my nephews would be able to be in the nursery with Zoe for an hour.  I bribed them by saying this was a paying gig. 

Apparently my nephews have a social calendar that rivals Zoe because they were all busy.  However my sister offered to come to church and play with her for a bit.  We went out to dinner beforehand to have some time to catch-up.  That's when my sister showed Zoe her plan.  She pulled out a pink, round balloon looking thing that everyone instantly recognizes as a Whoopie Cushion.

Nicole made some comment that her youngest son Connor had put that in there, but I know Nicole better than that.

That's exactly what they did.  She taught Zoe how to blow it up and how to make it toot.  It was at that moment an unbreakable bond between aunt and niece developed.  My meeting was often interrupted by loud laughter from Zoe as she let another one rip!

As we were leaving church Zoe ran up to her Aunt Nicole with a big hug and a kiss.  I couldn't be more excited to see a bond between them grow.  My sister has been a role model and friend to me throughout my life and Zoe would be very blessed to have the same with her.

Actually I think it's safe to say that Aunt Nicole has made herself a place in Zoe's heart as this was her prayer last night:
Dear Jesus, thank you for today.  Thank you for the time with the tooting thing and my Aunt Nicole.  I love her so much with my whole heart.  Amen.

My prayer was exactly the same.

Christmas Came Early

When we bought our very first house, we bought it new.  The carpet wasn't at great quality.  Every time I vacuumed balls of carpet with appear and eventually it killed our vacuum.  You still have to vacuum and it started to clog up a second one.  We only lived in the house for 6 months.

When we moved into our current house, we still had vacuum #2 from the carpet balling days.  It sucks up things that are on the floor, but I never felt it was really sucking up the things I couldn't see.  To my sheer delight the vacuum went to vacuum heaven last night.  I'd like to think all the little gigantic carpet balls in its system are gone and it is now able to perform like I'd always hoped it would.

I don't think I even had the old vacuum totally put away when I announced to Zoe we were going to buy a new vacuum.  Since she's always up for shopping, she had a list of stores she was willing to go to in search of the perfect vacuum.

When she learned that we also had to put it together with tools and screws, I think her night was the best night ever!

As you can tell she's totally excited about our new vacuum and all it's cleaning power.

My favorite thing is it's bagless and has the name Turbo Power.  I could vacuum all night with that kind of machine!

That is until I empty the container. 

We are a houes of filth no more! 

A Little Splashing

This weekend Zoe's social calendar kept us busy.  She had a birthday party for her friend Lincoln.  He's 6 and one of the cutest boys I've ever known.  He and Zoe share a love for pretend play and dressing up like super heroes. 

He had his party at a local park with a splash pad.  This is how we spent most of our time.

We stayed dry despite the serious amounts of water coming down.  A girl can't get her hair wet when cute boys are around!

Zoe - 0, Palette Truck of Doom - 1

Yesterday was a day that I'm not too thrilled to ever relive.  You know it's bad when your mom calls and says "how's your day?"  When you ask her the same she says, "we've had a little incident." 

Zoe and Grandma went to Fred Meyer to do some grocery shopping.  Ever since Zoe has been in tap class she likes to dance in the aisles of the grocery store.  It's her personal stage.  Grandma happened to be looking at something while Zoe was dancing in the aisle.  Out of the corner of her eye, Grandma noticed a palette hand truck stacked with frozen food coming down the aisle.  The kid with the palette was pushing it rather than pulling it and couldn't see in front of him because of the size of the stack of frozen food.

Grandma turned around, screamed bloody murder and watched in slow motion as the palette ran into Zoe, knocking her to the ground.  Frozen food fell off the palette, but fortunately landed on the other side of Zoe missing her head and and torso completely.  A couple other frozen items fell off landing on her legs.

She immediately started crying and asking Grandma to leave the store.  They left and Zoe seems to be fine.  Fortunately nothing landed on her in places that would be a critical injury.  Her legs are fine, only some small bruises.  Her elbow is the sorest part because she landed on it.  We had it checked out and it is not broken, however it is severely bruised on the inside. 

Last night as I was tucking her into bed she said, "I'm sorry I ran into frozen food.  I'm a little scared of frozen food now." 

Of course you're scared of frozen food.  How often does someone get run over by it.

Our Hearts Belong to a Swamp Dog

This weekend was Settler Days in Deer Park.  There's a huge park in town with many trees, so for a festival on one of the hottest days of the year, this is a beautiful thing.  A few weeks ago N was asked by a fellow worship team member to play in his band at Settler Days.

Denny has a bluegrass band called Denny and the Swamp Dogs.  It took N all of 2 seconds to say, "I'll be your swamp dog" and had his bass ready to go.  Zoe and I lathered up in sunscreen, packed a cooler with water and Gatorade and loaded up our chairs with built-in umbrellas. 

As N was getting set up, Zoe and I scouted out the festival.  We saw people dressed as actual settlers.  I've never felt so sorry for people in all my life.  It was mid-90s and the ladies were in corsets.  I think we should take a moment of silence for that kind of dedication to authenticity. 

Zoe on the other hand was more interested in snow cones and face painting.  She sat totally still and absolutely emotionless as this kind lady painted a ladybug on her cheek.  This picture doesn't adequately convey the perma-smile she wore for the rest of the day.

Then it was time to head to the concert.  As you can see, N dressed the part of a swamp dog with his boots, jeans and cowboy hat.  I think, with the exception of those poor settlers, he was on the only one in long pants.

This smile was captured early on in the concert.  Prior to any sweat dripping down his face from his outfit of choice.

Here's the rest of the band.  All in much cooler, albeit less authentic swamp dog attire.

Thank you Denny for asking N to play with you.  It was a highlight of his bass playing career.  It was also a highlight to see him on that stage playing. 

Next year Zoe and I are getting "I'm with a swamp dog" shirts.

She's Only Missing An Eye Patch

During the week Grandma Kathy and Zoe usually do all kinds of fun things together than make Zoe not so happy to see me after work.  She loves having me come to Grandma's house, but it is so I can play with them, not take her home.  They have a bond that makes my heart sing.

Yesterday Grandma took Zoe to lunch.  As they were eating, this was the conversation:

Zoe, isn't this lunch delicious?

Squinting one eye, looking at Grandma out of her good eye and in a gravely voice: It sure is Matey!

Apparently it was pirate day at Camp Grandma.