First Communion

Reagan 2010

Grace 2009

Taryn 2006

All three of my beautiful daughters have now received their First Communion. I bought a dress for Taryn 5 years ago, thinking at the time, it would be the first of 3 dresses I would buy. It worked out that all my girls were able to wear it. I loved that. I am a ~touch~ sentimental. The pictures of all three girls in the same dress melts my heart.

I'm counting my blessings now, as I'm guessing, that won't fly when it comes to the wedding gown(s).

PS- I know I was overzealous with a post a day... I've already posted more this month than the entire year. Summer will get me caught up, right?

RE: Header

#1. Is it summer yet?
#2. How is it that they have grown up so fast?
#3. When will we ever get to the beach again?

Photo: July 2006 (Taryn 9, Grace 6, Reagan 4.5) Netarts, OR

Phil 4:4-7

Today, maybe because I had read of a single mother who is raising 4 children on her own, three of which are autistic; maybe, I had a moment today because it is Christmas. For what ever reason, the second reading today spoke to me. It could be that this verse spoke to me so clearly because right now life is really great. It isn't picture perfect, but it is pretty amazing. So I really wanted to write this down for those days when things are not all in order. I am getting much better at letting go of things that I can not control. This verse needs to be my verse. I need to let it speak to me when my imagination of 'what-if's' gets the best of me. I hope to be able to live this verse, through the good times and through times of struggle.

Phil 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice in kindness, without fear and anxiety.

Merry Christmas to my friends & family ~ near and far!

My favorite....

from Beth!

She rocks!

Photoshop Elements #1 & #2

THANK YOU BETH!

This one is going to be framed! Grace was so tickled to see herself...Taryn wanted to know why she didn't have a 'fancy' picture. I may be digging out the old digital files to see if I (read:Beth) can work magic on any of Taryn's pictures from three years ago. (That may require a miracle...who knows where those are safely stored!)

I actually surprised myself and was able to 'cut-out' Grace and do a few layers myself. This is what I came up with ... fun times!

Sunday Sacrament...

Grace received her First Communion this weekend. She has been learning and practicing and asking questions and waiting for this day. Being that I am such a sentimental sap, I was tickled pink when I discovered that she would fit into the same dress that Taryn wore for her First Communion three years ago. I ordered Grace a flower halo to wear, just like Taryn wore. I took too many pictures, just like I did of Taryn.

Grace is usually not the most patient girlie when I have my camera out. If I am letting her make faces she will tolerate about 4 shots. Sunday I took more than 100. Relax, I'm not going to make you look at all of them. -I have even deleted some of them already. I think I have narrowed it down to 70 or so.

I e-mailed Beth, (my bloggy friend that Marc swears I don't know just because I have never met her in real life - HA, what does he know) and asked her to do some of her Photoshop Element magic with some of the pictures. I can't wait to see what she surprises me with. (No pressure, right?)

Here are just a few of my favorites. Rest assured...more will follow, eventually...

Mixed Bag...

This week was a mixed bag for me. It is really hard for me to wrap my brain around everything. A list is about all I can do for now.

+beautiful flowers
-terrible allergies...

-sweaters, clouds, wind to bring in the week
+sun, sunscreen, flip-flops to close the week

+Tractor Bob (our wonderful neighbor) tilled a huge garden for me
-rocks, rocks, and more rocks are taunting me from where seeds should be

+An $8,000 grant was awarded to a team of teachers at our school to purchase Promethean Boards for next year. Yeah!
-I realized I was $100 short of grant money to pay for the District Art Show that I will be setting up tomorrow. Oops.

-Saturday morning we got the news that Walt Johnson had passed away. No matter how prepared you think you are...grief takes hold and won't let go.
+Prayers were answered to end the 2 year courageous battle. Our faith helps comfort us in knowing that this faithful man is rejoicing with Our Savior.

+My dad had to check on cattle that he has at a feedlot in Boardman, so we got a wonderful two-day visit. He even went and spoke at both first grades at Washington about raising cattle. Reagan proudly introduced her Grandpa as Uncle Jason. (You didn't know I came from one of 'those' family trees did you?)
-My mom didn't make the trip because she is in Portland watching my niece and nephew while my sister is in Boston to run the marathon tomorrow. Run hard Jilly! I am proud of you.

+About 6 hours after my dad left, Marc's parents rolled in from Eastern Montana. Marc, his dad, and Tractor Bob dug post holes for our fence. Vera (mostly) and I whipped out another 'Recess' quilt. Many hands make for light work!
-24 short hours later they loaded up to head to Yakima to see Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa. The trip was too short, but we made the most of every minute.

The week ahead looks like another busy-mixed-bag sort of week. The weather is all over the charts, my allergies will be too. I will delight in hanging all the incredible art for the 5th Annual Pendleton School District Art Show on Monday and then tear down on Thursday in time to help set up for the memorial service for our dear friend.

May comfort and peace shake the grip that grief holds on us...
May friends and family know how to reach out and ease those hurting...
May the words come to help me explain to my girls that death is a time to rejoice and not fear, even though we feel such sadness and loss.
May we all cherish in love and life the gifts we have been given.

47 days...

Lent: 47 days of:

• no Facebook


• no Blogging...or blog surfing


• no Diet Coke


• no coffee
  
• (almost) no Chocolate*

*Does accidental ingestion count? I mean, I didn't accidentally eat the chocolate donut gems, but I just did it without thinking. As far as I can tell, it was my only slip.

While I was 'out' I kept myself plenty busy. I wasn't sure what would be the worst of my sacrifices. The computer withdrawal was pretty tough, but I think it helped me the most. The Diet Coke was only really bad one time...that was at the movie theater. Gatorade simply does not wash down movie theater popcorn adequately. The chocolate was bad! No coffee was the worst! I really missed my morning cup of java. I think it is just so routine in the way I start the day. It is also impossible to isolate yourself from the tempting 'fresh coffee smell' in the staff room. Tea just didn't quite cut it.

Here is a quick recap of events around here:

Baby bummer lambs - two - Flower & Rose - adopted from people who quickly realized that the 'cute' takes a lot of work. Luckily, by the time we got them they were only needing 2-3 bottles a day...and they are now completely weaned.

Puppies - two - You saw Griz as a little ball of fur...he now looks HUGE compared to our new addition 'Basil'. They are only 2 months apart in age, but right now Griz looks enormous next to her. We think Griz is 1/2 poodle & 1/2 terrier. Basil is 1/2 Shih Tzu & 1/2 Schnauzer. We love them LOTS.

4H Lambs -two - Buck (who jumps very high) & Storm (who escaped his pen one very windy afternoon) are growing and thriving.

Sewing - lots -

• 4H outfits:

Reagan: Olivia PJ bottoms & T-Shirt

Grace: Marco Polo Monkey swim pants & T-Shirt

Taryn: Flower tank top & demin capri's

• Anne: Bird quilt as a house warming gift for the Nelson's

Phew... there was more... but I'm getting sleepy. Did I mention that by stepping away from the computer that I got at least one or two extra hours of sleep each night?

See you later...

written by: Bruce Tomaso

Today is Fat Tuesday.


Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent the 40-day period of sacrifice and reflection observed by many Christians (especially, but not exclusively, Catholics) as a way to prepare for the Easter celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Traditionally in the Catholic Church, Lent was a time of fasting -- defined as abstaining from meat and limiting oneself to one full meal a day, usually around noon. The Lenten fast is intended to recall Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his Lenten message this year, called for a renewed commitment to fasting, saying the practice "is a great help to avoid sin," a way to combat "disordered attachment to ourselves" and a daily reminder that many around the world live in poverty and hunger.

The tradition of fasting led, in modern times, to a broader (if less rigorous) notion of "giving something up" for Lent -- if not food, then at least ice cream; if not meat, then at least pepperoni pizza.

And the season is not just about sacrifice -- it's also a time of prayer and reflection, of learning and discernment. So in addition to "giving something up," people often commit to doing something positive -- to praying every day, or attending Mass daily, or treating everyone with kindness and patience.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a cradle catholic I have been observing the Lenten season for my entire life. When I was really young I mostly remember 'Fish Fridays.' Growing up on a cattle ranch it was a rare exception when beef wasn't for dinner so fish sticks were pretty exciting.

As I entered Jr. High and High School I would routinely practice giving up something for Lent. Some years I did better than others with the sacrifice. This practice has continued on though my adult life.

My two youngest girls are at the age where 'Fish Friday' is about all they 'get'. They talk a big game when it comes to giving up things, but the flesh is weak. My oldest has made a list this year of sacrifices she is going to make during Lent. It was suggested to her by her CCD teacher that it is easier to be committed to a sacrifice if you write it down.

Some people suggest that it isn't as meaningful if you tell people what you are going to sacrifice for Lent. I'm guessing they believe that if you are whining or bragging about it, then the sacrifice is somehow less. I don't completely disagree. I do like the idea of writing down the sacrifice.

For me...it is easier to stay committed if I know others know and are keeping a mindful eye on me. I wish I was the type that felt strong enough to go cold turkey on all the really unimportant things in life that I value so much. But, the flesh is weak.

So this year, rather that do one really big ~ grand ~ cold-turkey approach, I have decided on three sacrifices:

#1. Coffee & Cola. A kinder and more gentle approach to the 'no-caffeine' approach I have taken in the past. I have left caffeinated tea available to jump start me in the mornings or an ice tea in the afternoon if it looks like it's going to be a long night.

#2. Chocolate. A kinder and more gentle approach to the 'no-sweets' approach that I have NEVER been able to accomplish. But those who know me well will recognize that my most craved and preferred sweet in the world is chocolate. This eliminates brownies, candy bars, and the 4 boxes of girl scout cookies that were delivered this week. This leaves me with Hot Tamales, gum, pop corn, and some other treats that will get me through but won't 'hit-the-spot'.

#3 Social networking. A kinder and more gentle approach to the 'no-technology' approach, similar to the 'no tv' approach that many sacrifice during Lent. What this means is...no facebook...no blog posting...no blog reading...no generic-mindless-web surfing. This leaves me with recipes, research, e-mail and work related computer use.

I know that each time I am craving my coffee or chocolate or facebook, that I will be reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made. I will be more reflective on what I am able to do when I am not 'doing' the computer. I am guessing that the 'need' for these will grow smaller over the days... I am guessing I will be anxious to 'get-back' the things I have decided to let go of, for this Lent season.

I will miss these 'things' in my life, but I hope that they will be replaced with Faith - Hope -Peace - Love - & - Blessings.

My Artist

Taryn has had quite a wealth of attention on her art this spring. She won a contest through the Yellowhawk Health Clinic at the tribe. Her art was about making good choices and not using drugs and alcohol.

Her next winning entry was her bookmark for the Pendleton Public Library. Her bookmark will be one of 7 that will be available for anyone to pick up when they check out books this year.

Her 'largest' win was her Right to Life entry at our church. Her picture won her age category and was selected to be made into a billboard. She has wanted to win this contest for three years. She has known many of the past winners, and this year it is her name on the billboard. We hope she will always be able to stand up for her faith and for what she believes, even if it isn't widely accepted by her peers or society.

Our Friend in Need

When Marc and I first moved to Pendleton, we were newlyweds, we were pregnant, and we were starting our life as we now know it. We moved here in the middle of a huge ice storm in the gorge.


Marc was stepping into a similar position with his job at Farmer's Insurance. I was beginning a job that I hated from day one as a telephone-long distance-Internet sales person. We had no friends.


Spring came and we joined the Round Up Athletic Club as well as the Pendleton Country Club. Right away Marc started making connections on the golf course and at the noon basketball game at the RAC.


He came home one day and told me he had invited a couple and their 2 year-old son to dinner that weekend. He'd made a Montana connection...and I was thrilled to have someone coming to dinner that had a small child. I was getting so excited about becoming a mom. Before the weekend arrived I met a wonderful girl, (I still consider us girls, too...women makes us sound old), named Stacey. As we were visiting we made an immediate connection. She was an OSU grad...a mom...and as it turns out...was the same girl that already had a dinner date at my house for the weekend.


Marc met Walt...I met Stacey...and a lifetime friendship began. Their son Connor was adorable and charmed his way into our hearts immediately. When his baby sister Caitlin was born, we were honored to stand as her Godparents at her baptism.


We've shared holidays, birthdays, OSU wins, OSU losses, Round-Up's, Rainbow adventures, etc. Now we are ready to stand up and share another experience with our friends! We are uniting with their family, other friends and the community. The Johnson's have a fight on their hands.


About a year ago Walt was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (malignant skin cancer) on his ankle. He had surgery and was ready to close that chapter when complications arose. After months of having pain and swelling with no medical answers the doctors have again found cancer. He has currently been at OHSU for over two weeks. Chemotherapy begins tomorrow.


Walt has a link on the Caring Bridge site that Stacey updates frequently. It is inspirational to read the guestbook. So many people love this family as much as we do. The prayers that are being sent out on their behalf will make a difference, we all believe that. The Johnson's are strong in their faith. They know they are not alone on this journey. They are ready, and so are we!

Coach Johnson:Photo by Rob Bynam EOSPN.Com

There will be a fundraiser this weekend. A Tailgate BBQ lunch with all proceeds benefiting the family. Another fundraiser will be held on Friday, May 30th. This will also be a BBQ dinner with an added silent and live auction. Donation of items are welcome. If you are hungry Saturday, come by and grab a hot dog or hamburger. If you or anyone you know would like to make a donation of an item or cash, please let me know and I will send you in the right direction.