celebrating Num Num

We all had a fun time getting ready for Num Num's birthday celebration last Thursday. 

July and August seem to be the crazy birthday months in our family! 

I took off with a yellow and green theme.... and my table seemed to quickly come together.

I've never been one to be very good at party decorating.... but the idea of improving

has appealed to me as of late.

I'm not so creative off the top of my head, but

there sure is so much inspiration in the "blogosphere!"

My table-runner was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers 

at  "Under the Sycamore" 

and the cucumber jars were inspired from

one of my pinterest pins....

I made Num Num a shutterfly photo book of our 

first year in the Northwest....

and sweet Ellie made her the beautiful candle...

which was also inspired from a DIY project at "Under the Sycamore." 

And of course the pastor found the perfect yellow and green
Dairy Queen cake for Num Num!!
:: The whole evening could not have been sweeter ::

"The Glory of His Name"

We sang this song, in church yesterday, by Nathan Partain....

I loved the words.

Let my whole soul bloom like a morning flower,

spread out my arms to sing my Maker's praise;

and let that sound, a flock of birds, come pouring.

The rivers rise and flood their rocky banks;

the flute o'erflows, the drum o'erflows, the voice o'erflows 

the glory of his name

 Then breaks my soul, a mighty clap of thunder;

the pillars shake, the heav'ns begin to fall;

the mountains split, a world of fear and wonder.

 The dark is day, the forest stripped and bare;

the wise laid low, all might laid low, all thoughts made known

the glory of his name.

Yet in my soul his calm is ever speaking,

through every hour, against the violence there.

He is the King, though all I see is dying;

when all has passed, his word will still be there.

The earth rejoice, the sea rejoice, his saints rejoice

the glory of his name.

camping at the beach

Of course, I have to share some instagrams taken, from the pastor's i-phone,

during our camping trip at Deception Pass....

It was so fun to be camping close to beautiful beaches.

So very different than the San Diego beaches that we are use to,

but so much to appreciate and marvel at. 

We are indeed growing to love this area! 

Collecting drift wood, cool rocks, and crab shells

is becoming a favorite activity.

The kids always come away with "treasures"

after these beach-combing jaunts! 

And you can see that our pup Jessie joined us on this trip.

She did so well and is quite the watch dog....even at our camp-site. 

It was reassuring, though somewhat annoying,

when she would bark in the middle of the night

at a noise she heard close by. 

The pastor said if someone came milling around in the middle

of the night, he would have just let her out the tent to scare the prowler away!

She sure is a nippy little thing, but she is O so very loved :)

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A

simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Inspired by Soule Mama

our first camping trip

For Toby's birthday we decided to go camping for a couple of nights.

Vacationing with a family of 7 can get a bit tricky and expensive,

so the pastor and I have been hoping that this might be a tradition

that our family would enjoy doing....

We have just been waiting for the right time,

....you know, no diapers or crawling little ones. 

There were a number of families at the campground with babies,

but we have never been brave enough until now :)

It was a wonderful first experience, though it was quite a learning curve for us.

We took notes the whole trip, about what we needed for next time! 

I never camped much growing up, but the pastor has sweet memories of it.

We went to a campground near Deception Pass,

and it was just LOVELY! Definitely a place we want to return to.

Hiking opportunities were in every direction, as well as beaches

and areas to swim....if it were warm enough! 

The first night it was raining as we set up camp.

We did okay though, got our picnic table somewhat covered

and had a nice meal together. 

 I brought cupcakes for Toby's birthday which the children got to decorate. 

Trader Joe's box mix and icing mix is DELICIOUS!! 

 Got through the night, and were up bright and early Monday morning.

Toby had received some Legos for his b-day,

so of course that is the first thing he begged to do upon waking.

Eggs, bacon, cinnamon bread,

coffee, and orange juice 

were on the breakfast menu. 

Loved, loved, loved the opportunity to un-plug,

be still, talk, do nothing, read,

hike and play... 

I will NOT say I came home rested physically, 

BUT, I do believe mentally it was a great rest! 

The Lord blessed us with a BEAUTIFUL, sunny day on Monday,

and I have some sweet beach pictures that I will be sharing soon

...so stay tuned!!

the pastor can still ollie

So, guess what Toby asked to get for his 7th birthday?

You got it.....a skateboard! 

Of course, since the pastor was quite the skater back in the day,

he was thrilled that his son wanted one....

and loved showing his sweet boy some of the basics

....and not so basics, of skating!

And off he goes....I pray that the Lord will keep him safe :)

instagrams

I think I want an i-phone simply for this app.....

that justifies buying one, doesn't it??

I know, I know.... it doesn't.

But hey, I can alway post pictures the pastor takes

from time to time, CAN'T I! 

Aren't they cool?!