Epic Photo Bomb

Today is one of those days that I want to write about everything and nothing at all,  all at the same time.
That's not an easy topic folks. So maybe, instead of trying to solve all the worlds problems, and tie it up pretty with a bow here on the bloggy poo, I think I will just share this... 

EPIC with a capital E
FRICKEN
FANTASTIC
PHOTO BOMB !!
Brought to you by yours truly from my niece Savanah's, Super Hero Themed , 7th birthday party. We were trying to capture the fact that everyone had on a super hero item of clothing.

Even Grandma and Grandpa Pellant were in full attire. Aren't they just the raddest super hero's ever? They are without a doubt my hero's!! Man I love those two!
Well, there we all were gathered for the perfect photo opt and out of nowhere ...
Was it a bird?
Was it a plane?
No it's a Flying Zed Head!!!

Just in case you didn't catch it the first time here's another one. I tried to be upset, but I gotta say it was pretty damn hard to be ruffled by this silly kid! 

Here's what the above photo should've looked like.  Such a great day celebrating my favorite 7 year old on the planet, Savanah !

Can you see why she's my favorite?
Oh but wait... The fun photo's don't stop there from this day. There was this one celebrity there his initials J.T.P
He's so cool
He's so hipster
He's Batman Jeremiah

What a Stud my bro is!! I'm so glad he decided to grace us with his presence that day. It's hard to catch a sighting of this Batman Jeremiah. He's my favorite 22 year old. Can you see why?
And since these photos have brought me so much joy I think I will end this blog with a quote about joy. It's gonna be a real simple quote. One I think you may have seen before.

"Don't you think daises are the friendliest flower." Meg Ryan- You've Got Mail
Ok maybe two quotes ;)

Traveling Well

Hello There Beloved Reader

Please give me a minute while I dust off the cobwebs from this here bloggy poo. 

We hit the ground running as the school year wrapped up for my Fab 4. There was the usual end of the school year fanfare with graduations, concerts, award ceremonies, birthday parties etc...blah blah blah

And then it was time for the long awaited trip to the PNW.

This trip was like the trophy after a long tiring marathon that my Fab 4 earned this year as they transitioned from living in Redmond, Washington to Reno, Nevada.

We all couldn't wait to see sights like this...

Sigh.

The above photograph was taken at Cannon Beach where the classic 80's movie The Goonies was filmed.

So we of course had to take our own Goonies epic photograph.

Aren't my Goonies, I mean my Fab 4 so cute?

I read this quote shortly after we arrived home from our trip, it says;

"It is better to travel well, than to arrive."

Buddha

It resonates with me because often times I can just be all about getting somewhere instead of just enjoying the ride.

As any parent I'm sure can attest, you really do just want to get there sometimes when you've been stuck in a car for umpteen hours with kids.

But, when we arrived here, my friend who lives in Astoria Oregon said to me, 

"Don't Rush!" 

Her comment stopped my vacation pace in it's fast paced tracks, and I thought to myself... yea Don't Rush man, Er... Yer on Vacation Dammit !!

Breathe deep this view.

That is one, of the many things I appreciate about driving old VW's, is that they cause you to slow down and enjoy the view.

And what a great view I have.

My view on this trip was not only filled with beautiful scenery that the PNW always provides, but it was overflowing with the people that make any and all places on this earth worth the trip.

Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma... that means YOU!!

From my oldest to my youngest...

To my middles in between ...

There was nothing but breath taking views on this trip.

We had a wonderful time in Portland, Astoria, and Medford Oregon, and then of course our old hometown of Redmond Washington and Seattle.  It was SO great to see family and friends and how life has changed over the course of this year in the PNW. There were memories made that I will treasure and I know my Fab 4 will too, as we head back into the busy months of the school year.
And I can't say thank you enough to all who made this trip so special; Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma.
We love you all so much.  You made the PNW view that much grander. 

Coming To A Close

Hello There Beloved Reader. As we are wrapping up the school year over here I'm doing that thing that I do when I get all sentimental and stuff.
Are there anymore participants that would like to join me on this little journey down sentimental lane? O.k. grab a box of kleenex and let's go!

When we began the school year this year my Fab 4 were the "new kids" as we had just moved back from Seattle WA, to Reno NV. We started the year with one in H.S. two in Middle School and one in Elementary school. That's three schools full of strangers. And just so we are clear,   that's three drop offs and three pick ups  everyday.
The first few days of school in August were quite emotional for them all because they headed into the unknown without each other, and without  a single, solitary friend. Not one single person who knew them. When we moved to WA almost 5 years ago they were all at the same elementary school.  I believe with all my heart that was a gift from God. Emma was in 6th grade, Chloe in 4th, Solomon in 2nd and Isaiah had just started Kindergarten.
I was SO grateful at that time that even though no one else knew them, they had each other.
To be known is a treasure that cannot be overrated.
Coming back here though they were all spread out, and seemingly alone. I remember the first week, needles to say, there were lots of tears shed as they came home to describe a school environment that was quite different than the one they had known in Washington. We managed to push through to the sunny side of the street, and they all are stronger for it, but as the momma bear, I'm not gonna lie,  it was hard to watch sometimes.
There were some mornings that I felt just like it did when they let go with their teeny tiny hand and headed off to the big bad world of kindergarten. You know that moment when you hold your breath and once again trust that this life won't break them? I relied heavily upon this scripture;
"Fear not for I am with you even to the end of the age."
Even to High School. Even to Middle School. Even to the 4th grade.
My two "middles" as I call them, tugged at my heart strings more than any other.  They were the ones that wanted to stay in Washington. They were the ones who LOVED where we lived. They are the ones who are a tad bit more on the introverted side. And  They are the ones who shed the most tears that first week. I can honestly say they are my heroes.  I can' t even imagine starting middle school as the newbies.
When I read the quote below the other day it made me think of them.

“Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.”  Mary Anne Radmacher
For that is exactly what they did.  They kept getting up day after day and making their way through halls where no one called out there name or greeted them at the door. I'm beyond proud of them as you can clearly hear in my writing, but more than pride I feel grateful. They are their own people. I can't take credit for the behavior that they exhibit or who God created them to be. So, more than pride I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude.
Gratitude for  who they have been, who they will become  and  who they are.
Also I'm a tad bit excited and grateful that  SCHOOLS OUT!!! Let the fun summer memories begin.  

On Looking Back and Choices I Made

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my greatest contribution to this planet is most assuredly my Fab 4 children. It was not for me to be a CEO of a fortune 500 company, or to go to Law School,  or to be a Missionary, but rather it was, to be a full time mom to 4 children.    I know some moms are able to do both,  (career and raising a family) I know some single mommas are forced to do both, but for this momma of 4,  both was simply not my choice.  I'm really grateful that I got the choice.  I have come to realize so much of life, really all of life is made up of choices we make. When I was a young person getting ready to go off to college I derailed from the University I had chosen, and where I had been accepted and had scholarships. I made this choice for the sake of saving a buck and decided to go instead to the community college where I lived.  I don't regret that choice because had I left I wouldn't have ended up with My Giant and then therefore we wouldn't have our 4 children. Would I recommend to all the up and coming graduates to walk in my foot steps? HECK NO!! There is one moment in time where you get to have the freedom to go anywhere and do anything.   IF you have been given the opportunity to do something grand, expensive, and far away ... TAKE IT!! The time for this in your life might not ever come again, so GO FOR IT!! If however you choose to take the safe and practical route like I did, know that there is glory in that too. In this life we make choices, when we aren't honest about those choices we get into a state of being I like to call denial, and although denial is comfy some times, it's not healthy. So,  may I suggest to just be honest about your choices when looking back. I remember along the way making a conscience decision to choose my Fab 4 over career and other passions. It wasn't always easy, and still isn't financially, but I'm never going to regret this life choice. NEVER. EVER. And then something like this quote comes along and confirms your life choice.  "Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do but ... SOMEONE YOU RAISE."  Andy Stanley It's hard for me to even begin to imagine "The Kingdom of God" being changed or affected by my life choices, but somehow this quote resonates with me. This quote gives my life purpose beyond what any paycheck or title could ever do.  And it makes me think about my Fab 4 and how they have changed me as a person. They have given me a gift beyond any other earthly token. The gift of motherhood. Although it's a messy, sometimes thankless, and certainly penniless job, it's my favorite.

MoNoSco turns 19 years old

Today I get to celebrate a second birthday. Well, technically the world calls this day my anniversary, but to me it feels like a second birthday. It's MoNoSco's birthday today and I am 19 years old with this guy. We got married June 3, 1995.

I remember when I was a 19 year old girl who got engaged to a 21 year old young man. I told a young, 21 year old Moses, "Won't it be SO cool when we have been together longer than we were alive apart from each other?" And now this year marks that date for me.  We have been together 20 years. Married for 19 years. Known of each other for 22 years. That's A lotta years. If you are interested in those years, the beginning years of our LOVE STORY you can read about them here; MoNoSco Love Story Together our names make up Mo No Sco. Moses+Noël+Scofield= MoNoSco
That's what he's etching on the wall at the old Genoa Bar. MoNoSco... It's a pretty great name if you ask me. 

It seems only right that our name should be etched in stone at the place we got married 19 years ago.

We didn't get married at that bar, but we were in Genoa NV 19 years ago at this time.

19 years ago on this day I was only 20 years old. 

Now, I sit here as an almost 40 year old woman and I can remember that day like it was yesterday.

I wasn't nervous.

I didn't have cold feet.

I was 100% sure that my commitment, promise, and covenant to Moses was one life choice I would NEVER regret. 

And I can honestly say, that after all these years I am beyond thankful for this beautiful thing called marriage.

We have had SO much fun together traveling along life's highways and byways, and low-ways.

There is still no one else I'd rather spend my day with and as I sit here and think about us and all the years that have gone by it fills my heart to overflowing that I have been lucky in LOVE.

I have been so very fortunate to grow up beside this man named Moses. 

Being married to him has taught me more than I could ever possibly imagine it would have.

And I have yet, to find a way to fully express how much I love him.

Good thing I have the rest of my life to figure out a way to do just that, 

but for now,

I think I still like the way Billy Holiday sang it on our wedding day 

Oh Happy Happy Day MoNoSco!!

Sweet and 16

16 years ago I woke up very early and walked downstairs at 803 N. Minnesota St. in Carson City Nevada. I sat down in my rocking chair and I knew it was time.

What I didn't know at that time is how fast time would go from that point on. 

When your children are little you hear it from every veteran parent that has gone before you, but when you are in the trenches of changing diapers and wiping down walls from the markings of crayons, you think... 

Really, because just this day seems like an eternity??!!

But now, on this day, more than ever before I know that word "time" is of the essence. I didn't realize it then that 16 years would go by in the blink of an eye. I didn't know then as I looked into the face of my first born child that her life would forever fill my own with SO much joy. 

I couldn't even begin to imagine a sweet, yet ever so sassy Emma Faith. 

And as I sit here and think about these past 16 years with this amazing young lady my heart is filled with so many emotions that it's hard to pin point just one. 

I suppose the one I'm going to focus on is that I'm beyond thankful. 

Thankful for 16 years.

Looking forward to many more years.

And happy that of all the human beings on this planet I get to be that girls momma. 

Happy Happy Day Emmers! 

50 dollar cash giveaway

Hey There Beloved Reader would you like to win $50 paypal cash and a embroidered hoop from yours truly?

I'm a part of an awesome giveaway happening over here; 

Hey Hollywod Blog

Head on over and enter to win.
Good Luck!


Oh and ...

I'm A Hacking, Pinning , Sickie Girl

What's a girl to do when she's stuck at home, sick in bed, and not a drop of energy or motivation to do anything, all weekend?
Well, in between blowing my nose and hacking up a lung, I wasted a pretty good amount of time on, Pinterest, I re-read the book The Help, and I caught up on all my favorite shows. I'm really enjoying the series on Netflix called, Call The Midwife. Have you heard of it? It's keeping me preoccupied while we all wait for the next season of Downton Abbey. Sigh. I miss you Downton Abbey.
I thought I would do some blogging while I'm on such a roll here, but my head is fuzzy and congested so I fear the only thing I have worth sharing with you are my recent pins.  This sounded like a good idea at the time, but if it all comes out mumbo jumbo-ed then please forgive me.
Oh, did I also mention my phone is on the fritz, and I'm not receiving text messages right now. It's so sad and strange that my lil buddy is so quiet all of a sudden. I thought that nobody loved me until I talked to a bestie today and found out that in fact they really DO love me and that they thought I was just being aloof ... Psh... imagine me being ALOOF!!
So shall we get this pinning party started?

 It all started with the idea that I should go on Pinterest for some embroidery ideas, and then of course run off right away and embroider, but alas I'm sick and so I forgot that last part of actually doing something besides lying in bed and pinning.

I found these two beauties while looking up embroidery. The top one is something I can and WILL re-create but the bottom one well.. that lil clutch purse is a masterpiece of not only embroidery but sewing as well. Those little purses are not as easy as they look to make. I have tried and failed miserably at making a clutch purse.

I may or may not have sewn the zipper on inside out. 

I'm not sure why I'm admitting that to you Beloved Reader... Oh that's right, I'm sick and would probably admit anything to you right about now.

I think I started to get hungry right about then, and that's how I ended up on this pin.

Have I told you that I dream of making my own pasta someday? Yep, that is the next attachment for the ole' Kitchen Aid. It has always been a dream of mine because my mom told me of how her Italian grandmother used to have the pasta hanging from coat hangers all over her kitchen. I want to me that Italian grandma someday. This is a Zucchini Pasta with Avocado cream sauce, and it's literally making my mouth water right now. If only I had the energy to go downstairs and whip it right up. MOSES!!! Oh that's right, I can't even yell cause I sound like a dying frog right now.
I then found a few funnies on my quest of Pins and this one with Lionel Richie ...

   Bah HA HA HA HA!! I just can't stop laughing.  Maybe it's not even that funny, but to this stuffy headed sicky girl... that is some fun-nay shit right there!!
Well, and then my Pinning took a turn for the worst. I started going down that road that is so easy to do on Pinterest. Ya know, the road of NEVER GONNA HAPPEN BUT IT SURE IS NICE TO DREAM?
I started looking at items like this

This ring right here probably cost the same amount as my firstborn's college tuition(for one year at Udub) that is right around the corner.  It probably cost the same amount as raising 4 kids has cost all these 16 years. No joke. It costs way more than all the money I will ever have alloted for jewels in a lifetime and yet...
It had me at Yellow. Cheesy line, I know but it's just so purty. Sigh.
I of course started thinking more realistically with my pins and immediately pinned something more attainable like this...

Just looking at this scene makes me feel better. I wonder what must it be like to live in a cottage so beautifully surrounded by a garden so green and lush?
Then I remembered my little slice of something like that in Redmond, Washington. 
And I was brought back to earth by this quote from C.S. Lewis

He was a wise man that Mr. C.S. Lewis.

May Babies

*Warning there might be some Blaggin and heavy sentimental Sighing ahead.

Blaggin- The combo of bragging and blogging.

These are my May babies.

The one on the left is my oldest Emma who will be sweet 16 on the 28th of this month,

and 

The one on the right is Chloe who will be 14 tomorrow.

Beloved reader please ...

A heavy, sentimental  

S I G H 

is needed 

from us all right now.

Sometimes I look at these girls and I can hardly believe that almost 16 years ago I became a mother for the first time. It seems like only yesterday they were babies.  Emma wasn't even quite 2 yet when I gave birth to Chloe. At her second birthday party she was given the greatest gift in her life, a sister, a best friend, and the role of being the oldest. She has astounded me ever since as a first born child. She is beyond responsible and at times I forget who is the parent in this household.  (Not really, I just said that for dramatic affect.) And Chloe has always had a soft spot with me because we are both second born children.  She has never complained about having hand me down clothes and she looks up to her sister like I looked up to mine. She is generous and so soft spoken that at times I have to drag it out of her what she really wants out of life.  For instance, this whole month even though her birthday comes before Emma's she has been scheming and planning her sisters birthday party, with no regard for her own.  S I G H.... I can't even begin to put into words what joy they both give me. From the moment Emma was born my role in life changed as well. I was no longer just wife, sister, daughter, cousin, teacher, friend... I was now a Mother. The role of motherhood has been one that I have felt privileged, honored and completely blown away that I have been given for 16 YEARS now.  Believe it or don't... I'm kinda still in shock that I birthed 4 human beings.  I know, I should probably be used to this role, being that it has been 16 years but, every now and then I catch a glimpse of my children who are so grown up, so mature, so not babies anymore, and I think how the H E double Hockey Sticks did that happen? I have told both my girls before that they have made my first years of Motherhood so easy. And I tell them, on the regular, they make me look good! Actually, I say it more like  "D A M N girls you are making me look so good right now!!" Knowing full well, that I can't take credit for their choices and who God made them to be.

 These two young women, My May Babies (who are not babies anymore) woke up early on Mother's Day and cleaned my house, made breakfast, and wrote me love notes that would make a stone cold hearted Robot come to tears. I could brag about them til the cows come home(I don't have any cows but I think they must come home kinda late in the day) because they are just THAT amazing, but let me just share the essentials with you Beloved Reader. These two young ladies, on a regular basis make me laugh and remind me that life is full of excitement, new adventure, and tremendous beauty. These two May Babes, both love Jesus with all their hearts and to me well... that is everything. I'm excited to see how they will enter into young adult years.  As they begin to spread their wings and fly I pray I know when to open up that bird cage. And I hope that they will continue to include me in their everyday lives. I take great comfort in knowing that my own Mom is one of my very best friends, and I hope that tradish continues. 

Would you be so kind as to wish these two lovelies a Happy Birthday and to pray for this momma because my sentimental heart is on overload. 

My Momma, Momma T, and My After Thoughts on Mother's Day

"Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her."

 Proverbs 31:28

This is my momma.

She is the heart and soul of my family. 

Ask anyone who knows her and they will tell you she is a human being unlike any other.

Her heart is above all generous and kind.

She has a love for Christ that is compelling.

And the woman, is funny as all get out!!

She has raised 5 children, myself included.

5 grown children.

3 girls, and 2 boys stand and called her blessed.

Take that in for a moment.

5 grown adults looked to her yesterday with their hearts full of gratitude for all the years of love and devotion she gave us, and we all called her blessed.

But as I was hanging out with my awesome Momma whom I love so much I got to thinking ...

Is that the goal of this thing called motherhood?

That at the end of all the hard work and investment you pour into your children, they will stand (or write,text,sing) and call you blessed, loved, cherished, amazing, wonderful, awesome? 

Maybe, they love you so much they want to get this tattooed on their body just to tell the world how much they really do love you.

Maybe not cause they are only 2 still!

 I dunno?

The point is

That kind of adoration is what we all long for, but I'm not sure that is the goal? 

Sure it's nice to have a day that we get thanked for our hard work, love and devotion, but it shouldn't be the day that defines us as mom's. 

What happens when our children don't stand (or even text) to call us blessed?

Or even worse, our husband doesn't praise us for all the hard work we do?

I feel like mother's day can be quite the set up for unmet expectations.

Would if you didn't get breakfast in bed?

Would if they don't call you at all let alone, to say they love you?

Would if you don't get that perfume you really wanted, just as a fragrant reminder of the sacrifice you make on a daily basis?

Or even worse would if you don't have your momma here to tell these things to anymore?

Would if God forbid,  your children, they aren't even here anymore?

Would if one of your children tragically went home to be with Jesus way too young?

These were some of my questions and thoughts that I pondered yesterday as I had one of THE best Mother's Days a girl could ever hope for.

I remember though, when my kids were little, Mothers Day was just like any other day. I still had to change poopy diapers, I still had to do laundry and clean up 4 lils messes. I remember the discontentment, bitterness, and bitchy, bratty attitude I would have because I thought... THIS IS MY DAY!! 

I shouldn't have to do this chore or wipe that butt.

Rather than thinking, I get to do this as an honor and privilege, I would spend the whole day bemoaning the things that didn't happen, and the stuff that went wrong.

I realize now that I totally missed out on what a blessing that day really was.

  Now that my kids are grown and pretty much did all the cooking and cleaning yesterday and spoiled me so much so, that I didn't even lift a finger... not EVEN a thumb ... ALL DAY... (don't even get me started on the love notes) I can look back and remember what it was like being in the trenches with the littles.

I remember so well, many a Mother's day that I had the wrong heart attitude. 

I was also reminded by so many momma's yesterday that this day might bring some sorrow instead of joy.

 When I went up to one of the mommas at church to say Happy Mothers Day, she told me she had lost her daughter 2 years ago and sat with only her son and I'm sure a HUGE hole in heart where her daughter used to sit.

Then I was reminded by another momma while walking out the door of church that her oldest son didn't even call.

And even still another friend text to say her child had ran away on mothers day.

It broke my heart and at the same time brought a whole lotta perspective to my sometimes selfish outlook on life.

Not all momma's have joy on this day.

Not all children can call their mom at all, or just wouldn't call her because she is THE one person who they blame all of their sadness in life upon.

The joys and sorrows of this life are so strange to me.

It's just such a mystery to me still why some have SO much joy, while others have SO much sadness.

Why some cups are filled to overflowing, while others have never even been given a drop of joy.

And the only thing I can come back to is perspective.

Our heart's attitude in this life is crucial to our well-being. 

For the momma who sat without her daughter, she was happy to have her son there and talked of the relaxing day they would share.

For the momma whose oldest didn't call, she was thankful for the ones that were still there with her celebrating her day. 

And for my friend whose teen ran away she chose to laugh with her other kids and new friends. 

That's an amazing gift, to see the brighter side of life.

For my friend who didn't have his momma here to say Happy Mother's day to, he called or texted the other Momma's in his life.

And for the one's that didn't have their child with them ... well they looked forward to the day when they would be reunited again.

Jesus, help me to keep a good perspective, a humble perspective in regards to this life. Guard my heart from becoming selfish on all the future Mothers Days I have ahead of me. 

SO often I can let little things rob me of my joy, and yesterday I was reminded that in this life there will be joy and sorrow, good days and bad.

THE only anchor I have in the midst of the highs and lows is the love of Christ, and HIS love flowing through me.

The only glory I can give for my Fab 4 is to their Creator.

And of all the things my momma has given me her love for her Savior was/is the greatest gift because when she is called home someday, and I can't call her up to bless her, Jesus will still be here with me to comfort and help me carry on.

And now to take a cue from Momma T. at the end of the day it isn't all the great things we have done in this life that we will be judged by, it is about the simple sacrifices we make when no one is watching.