How Bazaar, How Bazaar...

I don't know why, but that dumb 90's song popped into my head this morning.

I'm off to the First Church of God (King's Way) Christmas Bazaar this morning. My mom and I will be sitting at the "EK Inspired" table all day, selling my little treasures for our adoption fund. Tutu's, nursing covers, burp cloths, and of course, the handstamped jewelry!

I'd love to see any of you who want to stop by! Eryn

easy breezy

My latest senior shoot with the sweetest girl with sparkley eyes and easy smile, she was SO EASY. I had a great time! I met her and her mom at the south park blocks and there were some great little places we found!

Holiday Ideas...

So, in light our our current desire to save moolah, I'm naturally thinking, how can I save money at Christmas?

I'm thinking that I'm mostly making gifts this year. I LOVE to make gifts, and I have no idea what it will be yet, but I'm excited to start thinking about it.

I saw this cool link about not using wrapping paper here and it had a list of other creative ways to wrap gifts without spending money on it. I think I'm going to go the paper bag route and have my kiddos decorate it.

I can't believe it's almost NOVEMBER!!

I got tagged

read it here!

now that's a cute belly laugh!

Can you tell I kinda have bloggers block? check this out..

Seriously, this is awesome

I just saw this online through another blog, it's the coolest bible ever! It's illustrated completely with pictures made with LEGOS!! How cool is that? Here is Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus int the stable...seriously, you gotta look at it!

A fun purse giveaway! Ends Sunday 12pm!

stumbled upon this fun blog giveaway...I love this gals Etsy shop, too! check it out!

more senior pics

Here is some of my faves from another senior picture shoot...

75lbs of tomatoes+25 lbs apples +50lbs peaches=What was I thinking?!

Today i went to my local farm store, Kunze Farms (which I love). I went seeking tomatoes. I got a little giddy when I saw all the fruit, too. I thought, I'll do tomatoes today, peaches tomorrow, and applesauce friday. Well, being the newbie canner that I am, I thought, I'll wait til after dinner to get going...I forgot that tomatoes take longer than other water bath canning....so, I only got half way through tonight (although I have a couple hours of water bathing my jars before bed)...And, I kinda forgot that I have an eye appt in the morning, and company coming for dinner...and plans on friday morning. OOPS. Well, a few late nights and I should be good to go, and have yummy deliciousness in my pantry and freezer to make it allllll worth it! Oh...and I baked some bread in there too. Supermom, I am not...you should see the mess! (Sorry, Delores, it's not the orderly system you properly taught me...it started that way, my kitchen was spotless when I started!!I'll get it down someday).

And, Mom...for the record, it's way more fun doing this together! I was lonely skinning my juicy red friends! :( Praying you have a smooth weekend! I love you!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Dear Hayden,

I know I say this every year, but I can't believe you are 4 years old already. It seems like just last week that you came into our life. From the start you were such a sweet boy. You were such an easy baby, you fit right in to our life seamlessly. You were happy to be anywhere. You slept great, were always happy. The news that you were coming even came at the perfect time...Grammy was battling cancer, and we all really needed some hope and something to be joyful about...and ever since you've brough so much love and joy to our lives.

You are always full of smiles and silliness...you have a wonderful sense of humor and love to tease. Your preschool teacher told me that at the end of the year, this year, that your sense of humor was great for a preschooler! You are always cracking us up! You are always laughing and play well with other kids.

I love that you want to snuggle with me before bed, EVERY night. I know that before long, you won't want that, so I savor it now.

You are a learner. You take in a ton of information, and I can watch your face and see that your thinking hard about what you're hearing. I think you're alot like your Daddy, like that. You observe before you jump into things...you are careful and look out for others.

You are so full of love and are loved by many friends...we saw that today, with all of our wonderful friends and buddies who came to celebrate how special you are to us today.

My prayer is that you will grow into a boy and man, who keeps those same qualities that make you special. I know others will appreciate your sense of humor. I pray that your learning attitude and cautious observation will develop into good judgement and wise decisions. I hope that you always are comfortable being affectionate with us and others. All of these things make you so special to me.

We had a fun day today...started out with your first swimming lessons with your buddy Sam. You were mostly serious, and I could see that you were taking it all in. You did great and had so much fun jumping into the water with your teacher.

Then, we had the big party! We celebrated in "Camping" style...with a tent, campfire and all! We roasted s'mores and you played with your buddies in the backyard. You even got your Big Wheel that you have been wanting! You are so brave and fast on that thing, you surprise me! You and your cousin Sterling have so much fun playing together...Even when it's been awile since you've seen eachother, you always pick up right where you left off...laughing together and having a great time!

We love you so much, and are so thankful to the Lord for blessing us with such a special boy.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

highlights of my day

I made smoothies for breakfast this morning. I really enjoy my smoothie in the morning. Today, I gave the boys theirs, and set mine aside while we made some yummy raspberry muffins. We made the muffins, although Jack couldn't reach to help us, so I gave him and empty bowl and wooden spoon to play with.

i took a little potty break, and when I came around the corner, I could hear this slurping sound...like someone slurping soup. And giggling.

I saw that my smoothie (strawberry) was in the bowl and the two trouble makers, were slurping MY SMOOTHIE out of the bowl. Oh well. I didn't look so appetizing now, smeared all over thier faces.

#2 Jack said "yuv you" aka LOVE YOU for the first time today! To me, on my way out the door...I said, I love you! and he just replied "yuv you!" Matt and I looked at eachother and I said...."He's never said that before!!" It made my day!

#3 I got 5 minutes to take a shower today. 4 of the 5 minutes, my darling little boys were zooming thier choo-choo's all over the glass of the shower door. Seriously...I only get ONE MINUTE of peace and quiet to my self? Really, I need more than that.

#4-I did get to go out with some really fun gals tonight for "Mom's Night Out"...that's always a good time and I think we had a record breaking turnout
! My friend has the blessing of having access to a fun condo down in the pearl district of portland, and apparently a big night in the city was appealing to some mommies! We had a great time...That gave me a little sanity break that I needed. Thanks ladies!

DONE

We are home from ANOTHER weekend away and we are finally DONE travelling for the summer. Somehow, all of our summer adventures ended up in August...we've been gone EVERY WEEKEND, and I'm tired.

This weekend, we went to some friends of our family's mountain cabin and really, we just relaxed. It was my dad's side of the family's annual campout (if you call renting expensive little cabins at a mountain resort with a pool and workout room "camping"). It was fun, and chilly! We really spent only one evening with the large family and most of it with just my parents and brother, sister in law, and baby abby. It was so nice to snuggle up with cozy blankets and coffee, and watch old movies. The boys played outside and we did venture out to Timberine Lodge for lunch, where it was SNOWING!! Hello...it's august! It was so cold!

This was the most relaxing trip we've had, and it was nice to just BE. Matt is back to work today, and school starts tomorrow! I cant' believe it's time already. I am looking forward to fall...it's my favorite time of year. I love crisp cool mornings, fall colors, and getting back to some routine in my life. I'm not a super structured gal, but I do like predictable routine in my life. It helps me be more organized. And if you know me...like my hubby says "you need an orgazational life coach"...at least at home. :)

senior pics

I shot some senior pics this week for a friend of a friend's son. "A" was a shy and sweet guy, and lots of fun to shoot!

We went to Portland to shoot, Jamison Square (so many fun things there) and the South Park blocks/PSU Campus.

Here's some of my faves!

Yummy easy treat!

Peanut Butter Honey Popcorn


So so easy! My mom used to always make peanut butter popcorn for a camping treat when I was a little girl and since we're getting ready to go camp for a week, I decided to hunt down the recipe. It's so good, OOPS, we ate most of it, and now I need to make another batch for camping!

2 quarts (I did about 4 and it worked well) of POPPED pop corn
1/2 Cup Honey (can substitute light corn syrup)
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Bring Honey and Sugar to a rolling boil. Remove from Heat and add peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well blended (but don't let it cool to much). Then, pour over the popcorn and stir until all coated. Spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet or 2 to cool and set up (until not sticky, it will still be kind of chewy). Takes about 15 minutes and is sooooo good.

Enjoy a yummy snack! Eryn

New Adoption Blog

Attn: all blog buddies!

I have started a new blog to chronicle our journey of adoption and family life, where I imagine I'll do most of my posting for now. I can't keep up with multiple blogs very often! I hope you will follow along and pray for us!

The new blog address is http://5byfaith.blogspot.com/

New EK Inspired fundraiser for American Cancer Society/Jensens

I am excited to show you 2 new ek inspired necklaces inspired by some dear friends...the Jensen family. Many of you have heard their story, about thier son Luke (7) who has battled AML Leukemia this past year (and had victory! Praise God!).

The Jensens have a team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this August, and in support of that cause, I am donating 20% of the proceeds of these 2 necklaces to thier team (all money raised goes to the American Cancer Society). The American Cancer Society does great things for cancer, and raises a ton of money each and every year to support further research and support for families facing cancer. My own family (and I'm sure many of yours) have recieved the benefits of ACS, when my mom went through radiation treatment 4 years ago for her cancer. God is so good, and she has been healed! So, needless to say, this is a cause near and dear to me for many great reasons! If you know and love someone who is facing/survived cancer, you could wear this to show them your love and support!!

Hope $20- Sterling Silver 3/4 inch disc, handstamped with the word HOPE and the cancer awareness ribbon.

Big Hope $30- 1 1/4 inch Copper disc and 3/4 inch sterling silver disc. Handstamped with the word HOPE and the cancer awareness ribbon. (the small disc could also be personalized with the words "in memory of ______" or "in honor of______" if you'd like, just let me know!




To place an order, just email me at ekinspired@gmail.com
(tax not included in prices listed above)

Mission Completion! (in the words of Little Einsteins)

Finally! Some Pics!!

God is funny sometimes...about 2 weeks ago, I asked him, "Lord, should I keep putting time, energy, money, into this little jewelry business? Please show me." One day later. I got an order. the day after that, I got an order. "Ok, Lord, this is good". Then, the day after that I got a call, for THIRTY personalized bracelets. "OK, OK, Lord! I hear ya!" God is good!

And...all this, right after we felt confirmation from the Lord to move into the adoption process, but with no idea where all the finances will come from! God will provide where he leads...no doubt about that! So, I'm thinking that my proceeds from ek inspired will go to the adoption fund.

So, Tuesday, I met with some friends to discuss their design ideas. Then I dove in, with a deadline of 7/23(today). That gave me 8 days, to design, order supplies and create 30 bracelets! Holy smokes...

But, thanks to my mom and sister in law pitching in, (Thanks girls!) We cranked them out. Here they are, right before I delivered the finished project last night.

Thank You, Julie for the referral!

For some reason, my pics won't upload, I'll have to try again later!

oh my (deep breath)

So, if you've known me for long at all, you've probably heard me mention that "someday, we want to adopt". Well...I think "someday" has arrived!

My hubby told me today, that he's always had a desire to adopt, for as long as he can remember. For me...it was when we went to Nepal in 2001 that God put it into our hearts that someday, we were to bring a child into our world through adoption, and ever since, it's been a given. Now, in my little dream world plan, we'd have our few babies (biologically) and then adopt the last one. More and more, it's making sense that we'd take the adoption step sooner, rather than later.

So, after some inspiration to look into it, and the more we're learning, it's making more and more sense to get the ball rolling. We attended and seminar tonight, which was our first step in saying we're ready to go down this road. We went to All God's Children International, and learned about the process, asked loads of questions, and met a family who adopted a little guy from Ethiopia. He was so stinking adorable, I had wet eyes hearing about their journey and seeing how much they loved that little man. We both felt a big peace about the whole thing, and I think we're ready to dive into this thing. We have lots of praying to do, thinking, talking...my head is swimming with what if's. We have no idea how it will all come together, or what it will look like in the end, but are so excited to see God's plan for our family move into the next chapter. HOLY MOLY. How the heck am I supposed to go to sleep, now? I just watched a DVD full of little orphan faces. Should've saved that for the morning! There will definitely be more to come on this topic...

First Egg!

Yahoo! We were out putzing around the yard tonight (harvested my first radishes!), and I decided to check and see if we got an egg from our chickens yet...and we did!! I couldn't believe it! Here is the first one...pretty small, but a nice hard egg (I've heard that the first ones can be kinda soft). I was so excited, that I tossed my fresh radishes into the coop, thinking they were the dandelions I meant to toss in for a snack for the girls. Dang! Then, I didn't really want them back :(. Not sure which gal gave up the egg, but Myrtle, Agnes, and Gladys were all 3 happy little cluckers tonight. Gladys, the black one, is definitely the boss of the flock...she's got the other doing what she says. It's pretty funny!

In other news...I'm so happy that Michelle and I went in on a grain mill together this week! I whipped up my first batch of freshly ground whole wheat flour and baked up some bread... and it was delicious! I know, some of you, including my own mom, think I've gone off the deep end. First the cloth diapers, then the chickens, making my own granola bars and bread, and now, with my little grain mill. But, I am loving it! I always wanted to be like Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie (which I still watch, occasionally on the Hallmark channel). I am feeling great about the food I'm giving my family...I also picked up several boxes of canning jars for a great deal at the same sale, and am so looking forward to canning tomatoes, applesauce and pears again this year!

I kind of had a little melt down this morning. I got all weepy on my way to church...I realized that just flat out did too much this week, and my hubby was gone all week...my allergies are making me seriously miserable, I was wiped. So, my sweet hubby dropped me off on the way to church at my moms, which always makes me feel better (going to mom's, not skipping church). I sat and chatted with her and after lunch I took like a 3-4 hour nap! It was awesome! I felt so much better. My allergies really wipe me out...I can't wait for fall! This week, I will be better at staying balanced with my commitments.

Life is just a bowl of cherries

So, yesterday was interesting. I went to a newer Goodwill store, where you literally buy clothes by the pound. I found some terrific kids stuff, after a TON of digging. You sift through these gigantic bins of clothing, no organization whatsoever. Mens, Womens, all styles, kids, babies, all mixed in gigantic bins. I found some terrific finds, and I walked out with 43 items for $31. That's pretty stinking good. I bought a bunch to bring home, wash, iron, and I'll try to resell them at a local resale shop. We'll see what happens, I'd be happy if I make back enough to pay for what I want to keep. It was fun! Kind of like a garage sale...

Then, I took my haul to my car, unlocked the trunk on my van and put in my goods. Then I closed it. With my purse, phone, and keys inside. It was still locked. It was hot, my kids, thankfully were standing outside the car still. My hubs is out of town for the rest of the week. Super! Just how I like to spend a hot afternoon! I called my mom, and she came to our rescue with a cool car and a phone and the yellow pages. $49.95 later....we were back in.

Then we went to my mom and dad's and picked these yummy cherries from the cherry tree in their back yard. It was fun! My boys ate more than they picked, which reminded me of when i was a little girl doing the same thing. This pic is of the fruits of our labor!









I also have some new designs in my etsy shop! I'm having so much fun making these, and hoping to sell enough to keep my habit going.

Three Large initials, in copper and silver accented with a freshwater pearl (although, I like it without the pearl, too). Hand hammered to give a little more of a textured look. Each of these discs is about the size of a penny and they hang down about 2.5 inches down from the chain. So fun! I used my hubby, and my 2 kiddos names.





These are 3 silver pea sized initials in a row. Again, my hubby and kiddos are the initials.











I call these, Big Fat Initials. I love them! Again with the penny size discs and a large stamped initials.










Can't remember if I've posted these before...but I love love these little squares! they are little 1/2 inch squares with little names hand stamped into them, accented with the freshwater pearl. So pretty! Could also do any word or number, whatever!







have a great night! we're off to spend some time with friends for dinner (who are graciously rescuing us from our Hot Hot house!!

24 jars of heaven in my freezer

My day looked like this. Woke up at 8:30- AWESOME! Kids slept all stinking night, in thier own beds, without waking us up...Hallelujah! Cleaned my hubby's shower, put away laundry that been lurking for a week or so, vacummed, tidied up the laundry room, did dishes. (yes! that felt good to be productive for an hour or so)

Went to Kunze Farms for my fresh strawberries...oh baby, de-lish! Yesterday and today I've been on my maiden freezer jam voyage, and I must say, thanks to Mere's freezer jam, I'll never buy the store stuff again! mmmm. My boy was a happy helper (because he ate more than he helped) PB &J with this stuff is HEAVEN.











picked up some fun fabrics today for Nursing Covers...Can I just say that I could spend HOURS looking at fabric? The colors, textures...mmm. They inspire me to be creative. BUT...with two grouchy kids in tow...not so much. They totally wrecked my fun. This is why, when I picked a color for my wonderful pedicure on Sunday...I picked OPI's "More time for Me" just cuz I liked the name. :)


Here's one to entice you to check out my e.k. inspired blog...
It's a sassy spunky lavender, plum, olive, and chocolate SO cool.

Then, I bought a new phone for home (apparently I talk to much. I used 1700+ minutes last month on my cell. Vonage, here I come!) Then, we stopped on the side of the road so Preschooler could pee in a water bottle.

then we raced home so I could change out of my sweats and burn some Brauts, then off we went to church for a meeting. whew. I'm tired.

New designs in my etsy shop!

Bun in the Oven Pregnancy/Maternity Necklace

Two hammered sterling silver discs hand stamped "Bun in the Oven" and the small disc is personalized with baby's due date. They are hand molded into a little bit of a bowl shape and embellished with a pretty fresh water pearl. This is a sweet gift for mommy to be (this would also be a fun way to make the announcement)




Pea in the Pod Pregnancy/Maternity Necklace

Two sterling silver discs hand stamped "Pea in the Pod" and the small disc is personalized with baby's due date. These 2 discs and hand hammered and embellished with a pretty pea-sized glass green bead. This is a sweet gift for mommy to be (this would also be a fun way to make the announcement)



I also made this one for the kids "Nana" for her birthday.




It is a 7/8 inch Silver disc, slightly hammered with the words "Hayden & Jack love Nana on it, and it's embellished with a sweet red heart glass bead.

I am having so much fun making these, and I am thrilled at how well they are selling. Those pea size initial ones have been going "like hotcakes"! And, not even people I know! (so, I know they are not just being nice to me :) Yahoo!

New baby pics!

I got the privelege of shooting my new neice yesterday! What a sweet girl, I wanted to bring her home with me.

I love the one of mommy holding her and the up close one of her sparkley eyes...Love that little girl!

Drumroll, please....

The winner is...DysFunctionalmom! I used www.random.org to pick a random number (between all of you commenters) and it picked her! Thanks everyone for stopping by! It was awesome to see all the new faces! I will continue to put up my new designs on my etsy shop here for all of you to see! :) Thanks again...sorry to all my friends who didn't win...You're still winners to me! :)

Giveaway! My Etsy Shop is up and running!

EDITED: I will accept entries until 3pm today!

I am so excited to finally launch my Etsy shop, EK Inspired! I am now selling my personalized hand stamped silver jewelry.

To celebrate my kickoff, I'm having a giveaway! Yahoo, my first giveaway! I will be giving away one of my hand stamped pea sized initial necklaces, customized to your kiddos (or whomever you want). The big drawing will be held on Wednesday, June 18th. I'll randomly select a winner and post the winner by 10pm on Wednesday.

Here's what you have to do:
Post a link on your blog back to this post, and leave me a comment telling me you did so (with your email address). Can't wait to see who the big winner is!

Get your tissue

And then read this Letter to my Daughter.
Disclaimer: It's a mommy's letter to her baby that she lost just after birth (she knew baby had fatal problems). It'a beautiful letter and picture of what God taught her through her experience.

Seriously, get a hankie. Isn't it interesting the vulnerable things we will put on our blog? It's such an outlet, for me, too. We can broadcast our most embarrassing, our most spiritual, our most significant moments that would not be able to express sometimes in a face to face conversation.

For instance...today, my kids dumped out the humidifier in thier room (water everywhere). Then they filled it up in the bathroom and Hayden dumped it on Jack's head.


Then, later today, Hayden snuck an half a loaf of bread into thier room, where they shredded it and happily spread the crumbs around the room. Then went back to the bathroom and pumped my delicious B & B foamy handsoap all over the counter with water. Then he pooped on the little potty seat and smeared junk all over it. I was so mad, all I could do was put him to bed (it was 7). I knew if I spanked him, it would be too hard because i was so ticked. It's amazing the damage that can be done in 5 minutes, of what I thought, was finally a moment of peace and quiet! I should know better.

Several times in the past 2 days, I've just been praying, Lord, help me to show them grace when they dont' deserve it. Help me not to completely loose it. Thankfully, I've got my moment of peace and quiet now, and the dudes are ASLEEP. Tomorrow, is a fresh start. Thank goodness for the Grace the Lord extends to me, that he has not abandoned me, but walks with me as I figure this mommy thing out.

My fave verse of the day, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins are like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Praise God for that! Please sweep my junk away like a cloud! Not only does he do that, but He invites me to come back to him and refuel. He embraces me and reminds me that He's already taken care of my garbage. I get to reconnect, know that I'm loved, and that He's redeemed me! And, the truth is, He's redeemed my little monsters, too. I pray that someday, they'll get that because of the kind of mommy I am to them. Lord, help me be a good picture of you to my babies!

For you SNL fans...

This is so funny! Hubby and I laughed so hard when we saw this on SNL...

Por Que No? Post #100!

Wow, I feel like I should have a party for my 100th post! (you know, like the 100th episode of your favorite sitcom...)

Anyhow...Tonight my hubby and I had a much needed and long awaited date night! We decided to swap date nights with some friends of ours with kiddos the same ages as ours, and they live pretty close (Thanks Jeff and Jennifer!). So, we had 3 fabulous hours all to ourselves!

We went to portland and went to Por Que No? (it's supposed to have an upside down question mark at the beginning, but my mac doesn't have that) and had the stinking tastiest tacos ever! Seriously, I wanted to lick the paper in my little taco basket! I had pork carnitas...matt had chopped steak. We had delicious rice and beans...they were not your average beans and rice. They were so flavorful and yummmmy. We talked, and ate, and walked around Mississippi Ave window shopping and then to our fave coffee shop, Albina Press. It was so nice...Ah, date nights should really happen more often!

Love you honey! Looking forward to next time!

I'm a Winner!!

I just found out that a won a $50 Gift Certificate to Christa-Taylor.com! yahoo!

It's a cool site, a local christian family started a clothing boutique online, with fashion trends and modesty in mind. Check it out! I won it from her sister's blog, www.passionatehomemaking.com. Thanks Lindsey!

He still needs a mommy

The preschooler has been working on his getting dressed skills, and although his taste and mine differ greatly on what makes a suitable outfit, I am loving that he will get dressed on his own (see photo in my banner above!). I was complimenting him on his awesome skills "getting his dressed on" (as he calls it). I said what a big boy he was becoming, and he said, "Yah, but I still need a mommy." I said I was glad, and he said, "For a little while"-as in, don't get too attached to the idea lady. Stinkin' big boy, that one.


My littlest man, on the other hand is mama's boy. He wants to touch me all the time. He's had a nasty diaper rash the past few days (I think from Orange Juice)...seriously, blisters, peeling skin...yuck. Diaper changes have become a 2 man job, and my job is to be super close to his face. He is so comforted by my cheek touching his. He just puts is little weepy face next to mine and squeezes my neck. In the morning when he wakes up and we're snuggling in bed, he literally lays on me and rubs his chunky cheeks against mine. Sweet, but slightly annoying at 7am :). I do love that he loves me.

FInally!!

Abigail Hope finally arrived at 12:20am this morning! What a day.

She weighed in at 6 lb 1 oz and 18.5 inches. My sister in law labored like a champ! (Tamara...maybe you'll see her this week!) It was a stinkin' long day, but she rocked it and she and Abby are doing just great!

I was able to be in the room for her birth, and I've gotta say, each time I see a baby brought into the world...I'm absolutely astounded at the wonder of God's amazing creation. It blows my mind to see a baby, and have such a tangible picture of God's amazing love for us. I can't wrap my head around the fact that he loves us so much more that we love that tiny baby! Thank you Lord, for a wonderful day, safe delivery, and for blessing our family again!