Muir Woods

This past weekend was our last with Flat Stanley. I've been working on a hardback photo book of all Stanley's adventures {since Shutterfly so kindly offered me a free one.} But I still needed a few more pictures to finish off the book before finally sending it back to Indiana. W has been aching to go hiking for awhile now and we've both been talking about Muir Woods since we moved up here. 

So, we were up by 7:30; out the door with a good breakfast in our tummies, lunches packed, and on our way to coffee by 9am. Very rare for us on a Saturday morning! But it was so worth it. Little traffic and the mist only turned to a light rain when we were leaving the park...but it was so refreshing! 

I wanted to share some of my favorite things from the day. The first: At the start of our hike, we saw some saplings. I loved it. This will eventually become a Giant Sequoia. Something so small will become something so grand and enormous. Unbelievable potential. 

Reminds me that my thinking and perspective are so limited compared to God's.  And that eternal perspective is what encourages me when I can only see the sapling in a situation, but God knows all about that Giant Sequoia in the future. Just thought it was a sweet analogy...

Stanley learned about tree rings. 

 The second: this tree had beautiful fern plants growing up the trunk and every branch. It was gorgeous to see in person with the sunlight making the ferns look glowing green.

Giant redwoods

We took the Fern Creek trail and the longest loop on the boardwalks. So we hiked about 3.6 miles total. Did I mention the ferns were beautiful?! All the greenery and giant trees were breath-taking.

The third: the creek that we hiked along. Perfect white noise. It was so peaceful.

 Lastly: the cool bridges we had to cross while on our adventure... 

And the few obstacles we faced along the way.

So wonderful to be outdoors! Even if I am still so out of shape!

It's Done!

Well, ok. Almost. I'm one quick step away, but I wanted to post anyway. :)

Here's the outside of the tote bag:

 I embroidered around the L to outline it.

Here's the inside:

So, our local fabric store is moving...in April to a location nearby. But I discovered this week that they are no longer receiving any shipments. Ugh. I was forced to pick another fabric and tried to find one that remotely went with my shark print. It was a Tim-Gunn-make-it-work-moment. 

I tried a few new things with this project. One being the ric-rak trim. Started out as a really cute idea. But that stuff is dang hard to sew as a first-timer. I called it heart attack by ric-rak. Somehow it turned out...if you don't look too hard at it. I also used fusible webbing with the monogram letter. It made the fabric stick without sewing it on. Super easy steps to follow. I'd definitely use it again. 

I used this adorable tutorial for the tote. And may just have to use it again. Could be my new gift bag for presents. Now, time for the last sewing step and then finding some fun stuff to fill it with!

{Finally} In Progress

Finally sat down tonight to get working on a gift: a book tote bag.

I'm using my left over materials from Ezra's stocking since it's for another little boy. But now I'm at a stand-still until I get some more supplies. Hoping to be complete by next week. 

Park Days

We pretty much spent all last week at the park..well, at various ones around us. The sun has been delightful and the Vitamin D is just asking to be absorbed. Our town has 25 play-structure parks and I'm thinking we should try each one out. Most of them have been updated since I was a kid, but a few still hold some memories. Last week, we spent time at the three closest to us.

 

Recently, Ezra has been brave enough to go down slides by himself. He's also crossed the threshold of not looking back. You know, when the kid just takes off running to go explore and be adventurous, and doesn't even take a second to look back at his safety net. Yeah, we're there. Didn't think it was possible, because he normally stays so close to us. Starting to spread those wings, I suppose...

Thankfully, he still allows for the occasional Mama snuggle time throughout playtime, if I'm sneaky enough.

On the weekend, Papa got to join in on the park fun.

 Static-Boy Hair!

{photo credit: K.Jenkins}

Gettin' Crafty {But Not Me}

Well, Kirsten did at least while visiting. We saw some cute burlap pillows over at dear lillie and K wanted to make her own. We made a quick run to the fabric store for burlap and ribbon. I helped set her up with the sewing machine and other supplies, and off she went.

I wish I could have mustered up the motivation to join her in the craftiness, but I just haven't been feelin' it this month. Bummer, but I'm sure I'll be at it again in no time. I did grab some fabric while we were out in the hopes of making some tote bags. 

Meet the Fam

Swenson siblings; rehersal dinner for our wedding

Oldie. That's W in the front row, sporting his fanny pack wrist band, next to Dof.

A few months ago, I was chatting with a girlfriend about a few of my awesome in-laws when she suggested that I make her a family tree with pictures. That way she would once and for all put faces to the many names that I throw her way when updating her on life. I confessed to her that W  had made a family tree for me on a word document right when we first started dating so I could keep everyone straight. It was my first big test to see if I could handle his giant family!

I've included W's nicknames for people as well, although with most of them I can't remember the back story. Laying this out has really helped me to see why I always respond to the question, "How many kids do you want to have?" with "At least three." Well, clearly that's a Swenson sibling average that we also need to uphold. So here you go, Nat!

{Mama} Judy

who was married to Donald until he passed away in 2006. She lives in the house that everyone grew up in, in Orange County.

Swenson Siblings in Chronicial Order...

Ellen

who's married to Tim. Both have been in the Regal Cinemna Theaters management for a long time. Which we are so thankful for...movie nights are free date nights for the Swensons. They live in Orange County.

Ruth {Suferus}

a stay-at-home mom and homeschool teacher who's married to Michael {Michael-Michael-Motorcycle}. Ruth is also the family historian and of whom I'm eternally grateful for the THREE baby pictures I have of W. They have three kids: Alyson, Shane {StarWars Officioando}, and Wyatt {born just four days after E}.  They also make residence in OC.

Frank

lives and works at a Young Life camp near Sac town with wife, Kaycie, and their two boys, Alex and Zach. The boys are brothers and were adopted from the Ukrine many years ago.

John {Jackass}

is married to Kelly and is father to Amy Linnea {the sender of Flat Stanley}, Samantha, and Daniel Jack {the sender of awesome hand-me-downs}. They moved to Indiana right around the time W and I started dating. But we went out for a visit {with a pit stop in Chicago} the summer I was pregnant with E and loved getting to know them better.

Wesley {Captain or Wes-a-lee-Poo-Poo}

a high-school math teacher who spent his whole courtship with now wife, Carolyn, long-distance. They currently live in Orange County, too, but are making every effort to get back to Massachusetts, where C grew up. We affectionately refer to them as the REI poster family. Carolyn is an artist by trade but really a full time Mom. They are parents to Josiah, Charis, and Grandbaby #15 due in June.

Dorothy {Dof}

has three beautiful kiddos: Tristan {Buiscuit}, Emily, and Ashaya. They live in the OC with Mama.

Lastly and finally is William and his little family. They reside in...well, you know the story... ;)



Happenings

*Was reminded just how much I love 4/5th graders! They are so responsible and still so sweet. A 4th grader played with E for almost an hour at the park. She was so great and he was completely worn out for nap time. I miss being around that age!

*Swenson Boys Camp-out: W left us for the first time for a male-bonding winter camping weekend. I sure hope they still do this when E is old enough to join the fun. Frank and his two boys picked up W then drove down to the OC to meet up with Wesley, his three-year-old, and cousin Tristan. Brother-in-law, Michael, and Shane joined them on Saturday for the day. Lots of boys and lots of fun. But, I sure missed him! The lonely kind of missing where you have to keep your layers on because the bed is still cold after the 5 minute warm-up.

*E's is really getting the sign language thing down. He knows "all done" and "more" and is using them in all different contexts. It's been fun to really start communicating. He's also saying "night-night" when he's ready for a nap which is blowing us away. Perhaps we don't give his sleeping ability as much credit as we should. ;)

*I love the Vine, a boutique theatre in a nearby town. I had heard about it awhile ago, but finally went with my girlfriend, Erin, and her sister for a girls night. Dinner and a chick flick all at the same place! Their sofas and chairs are super comfy as is their lounge area. Wine and beer is also served. Can't wait to go back for a date night with W.  

*W's first training day at his new job. I, as his nerdy wife, took a picture in front of our door. Of course, this isn't the first time that I've put him through it. {here and here.} Until E's old enough for school, I have to keep the Arterburn tradition going somehow. 

*The Jenkins are here for their last visit before heading back to Spain as missionaries with Avant. It's definitely been a longer than expected journey getting back there with all the paperwork, time for visa applications, and support raising for a now family of three. But we loved the extended time that we've gotten with them and that E has been able to have so much playtime with Ethan. We're sad to see them go next month, but hey, maybe we'll be crazy adventurous people and go out for a visit!

What I Wore Wednesdays

So I totally can't take any credit for this idea, but I thought I'd try it out. It's fun! Perhaps it will help me get more creative and also to learn what lurks in the dark corners of my closet. Remember my New Year's goals? I figure actually looking at all my closet may help me clean it out.

Others have done a week worth of outfits, but I'm not going to commit to that just yet. I'll start with date night outfits because they're always fun for me. I really like to dress up for W, and for me too. If you see me during the week, I tend to keep with the comfy but typical jeans, flats, t-shirt combo. Anyway, this was a date night outfit one night while we were in Sonoma a few weeks ago!

{Worst ever taking a pic of myself but W was preoccupied}

Glitter Bow-tie Cardigan: Target

Print Dress: Anthro

Skinny Belt: H&M

Tights: DKNY, Nordies

Boots: Vintage, Paris Flea Market

Bracelet: The Wilma, Twisted Silver

Cleaning

Perhaps I don't have to worry about that cleaning lady after all!

Yeah, we're still working on the cleaning part. 

Only One Dress?

Could you wear the exact same dress every day for 365 days of your life?

I'm pretty intrigued by this girl's commitment to!

Check out the "One Dress Protest" here.

It is Cold. It is Dreary. And My Heart Hurts.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

My heart is aching. It is basically torn to bits. I have been crying off and on throughout this week. Earlier in the week I got a call from Kevin, Kyle's dad. Kyle is the student I basically home-school, now that he's no longer at Foothill. I've mentioned the two boys here. Kyle's older brother was the one who earlier this fall was checked into drug rehab and had been out since Thanksgiving. 

Well, I learned from Kevin that Kelin passed away last week from a drug overdose. I was utterly floored. I spent the next few moments crying with his dad and ended the call. We went over earlier in the week to spend time mourning with the family. It is partly strange to me because I don't necessarily feel very close to the family. I don't completely understand why I'm so torn up by it. But I am with this family on a very regular basis. Both boys have played with Ezra. Kyle comes over on a weekly basis to cook for his culinary requirement. And I am privy to many details about the boys and what the mom has been going through for the last year and a half. She shares a lot with me. I guess when you rub shoulders so often, you end up living life together.

Today was his memorial service and I think I'll be going back to work with Kyle next week. It's just so hard to see the depth of this family's pain. That's when I break down the most. The hopelessness, fear, guilt, shame, what-ifs and if-onlys run deep. And they miss their boy. Their sweet sweet boy with his infectious humor. Perhaps that's another reason I'm so sad: he was once a little one year old boy too.

Or maybe because I too know what it's like to once be stuck in something so deep that it is affects your whole life and is easy to believe the lies of hopelessness with no healing or escape in sight. That kind of healing takes years with the help of God's beautiful grace and friends you can bare your soul to safely. Years that Kelin will never have. I'm at a lost for words to give the mom, so I just listen. Other than that and praying, I don't know what else I can offer. I wish I had more.

Anyway, I'm still processing through the whole mess. W has been such a help with letting me talk and giving me perspective so I don't get too swallowed by emotion. I'm somewhere on the spectrum of sad and depressed. Neither of those words really fit and I can't think of a better one to describe how I feel. Maybe sorrowful? Devastated?

So, if you are the praying type, please pray for this family and their deep wound. I don't know how a family gets over something like this. I've been praying for comfort, peace, and especially that they would allow the Lord into the deepest parts of their being to receive His healing. The kind of healing that takes many many years.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, 

   because the Lord has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners, 

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
   and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair. 
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3

{emphasis mine}

Five Things I'm Loving Right Now

My Anthro MRS series "S" cup

{I've been drinking 3-4 cups of hot tea a day...I often go through tea seasons and this makes me feel remotely proper!}

One of the newest books E and I have been reading.

Another really cool kid's purchase. One to be sent with Flat Stanley all the way back home to Indiana and one for us too. 

This super simple DIY silhouette tutorial I'm going to try so I can add one to my almost complete wall gallery.

This other super simple DIY project: Under-the-bed-train-table. We have storage issues and this would be perfectly hide-able.