This Mothers Day I took my Mother's advice...

and "got the heck out of Dodge!" And thanks to the incredible generosity of a couple of other fabulous mothers, I was able to throw the kids and a few sleeping bags into the van and head off on a spontaneous trip into the mountains in search of bluer skies beyond. A little bit of a leap of faith with the husband not joining us for a few days...

My mother is so smart. We really should listen to our mothers, you know. They really do...know. Oh where oh where would we be without them? I love you Mom. You're the best.
Hope through the trees.

Oh yes.

Yesh.

Don't try to make sense of it, people... don't fight it... just listen to a good song...Lake Chelan was so low the kids could wade out to a fun little island and had tons of beach to explore...blissBossom friends
Life's Popsicles~ Sometimes we are just trying to stay on our feet. And we fall...or maybe the little plastic lawn chair just tips right out from under us with no warning...
and we hit face first, very hard, and get a very fat lip. And we cry. And cry some more. And we feel sad, and mad...and all we can feel is pain. Until...We get a taste of comfort. And realize anew...
"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted"

(I'm just sure that's what Juliet was thinking when we gave her this Popsicle to "ice" her fat lip. She was thinking of the great mysteries of life.) No, all Juliet was thinking was how good that Popsicle tasted. But after all is said and done, I'll bet if she had it to do over again, she'll remember the taste of that Popsicle more than the pain that proceeded it.

FAITH always rolling in ready to party... such A GIFT from the Lord!

Happy Mothers Day to one of my lovely role models...

~and my dear friend~

Does this face exude angel to anyone else...
And does this face exude...rascal to anyone else???Ah Rene~ (What's not to love?) I know I will suffer much more than brownie heart burn and increasingly hostile phone stalking for posting this picture...but you know...When you love someone, a bloody nose is a small thing to overlook... and kick boxing turned out to be a pretty cool thing, so just hang in there Rene. But please... " You must chill....you must chill...."

And then... our Daddy drove over the mountains to join us!smokin
I know Juliet, my thoughts exactly. Essie & Abby
Owen & Ronan
And a lovely stop at Gustav's in Leavenworth for my Reuben Yes, my mother was right again. All I needed was to get away from the hustle and bustle, enjoy my wonderful friends and family in the beauty of God's creation, and get a fresh look at all of us through His eyes again.

and all my instincts,they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

In Your eyes

the resolution of all the fruitless searches

In Your Eyes

the light, the heat

I am complete

~Peter Gabriel