My Grandma went to Uganda and all I got was this Pocahontas outfit

Miles away & some gushing

It's funny how a short term change of scenery can be so good for the soul. Maybe it was all the cousin love or the infectious giggles of five kids under five. It was probably the daily intake of Cinnabons but I'm not going to think about that. My mind said that because they were mini it wasn't going to count but then my belly volunteered some counter arguments...and won. Ian even nicknamed it, "fawt towmy" and laughs to high heaven. But I digress.

This weekend we high-tailed it out of dodge for a weekend celebrating my amazing mother in law. I should and one day will, write an entire 10 page blog post on how crazy lucky I am to have her in my life, single spaced. With extra points because she doesn't even know about my little space here in cyber world.

Simply put, Jeanette Hsieh is an inspiration. She not only showers me with thoughtful gifts but with wise counsel and heart filled gestures. She's single-handedly responsible for some major good things in my life. She was a professor at Wheaton when I started school there. In our first conversation more than 17 years ago she convinced me to go into teaching. She said it was because she saw something. In our second conversation she introduced me to my future husband. Pretty impressive so far right? Oh, there's more. She bought me my first strand of pearls. She called me one month after I had Ava, while I was wandering our neighborhood pushing a stroller and crying and told me she was on her way to pick me up and take me shopping. I got an outfit from Nordstrom and Ava got a wardrobe from Janie and Jack. You get the picture. She is superwoman.

We were invited by Trinity University to come and recognize her for her achievements at the school. From being a dean to being it's President she had served with grace and integrity and this year she will be retiring. I hope she writes a book. A legacy of her role as a woman of high ranking in the evangelical community. Whatever she chooses to do I will be so proud of her and always in awe of her inhuman abilities and awe-inspiring achievements. And mostly, I hope that someday I can emulate even a small portion of her awesome mother-in-law-ness.

First time flying with four seats!

Cousins posing for their album cover

Does it get any cuter then this? Guess who bought their matching outfits? Nai Nai!

Yeh Yeh gets a little pre party love

Telling secrets

Mischievious Amarie gets her hands on a big girl glass

Ladies in waiting

The program

Ben and Matt get a turn to bring some lighthearted humor to the occasion

Celebrating the next morning at our favorite breakfast spot with the guest of honor!

Easter fancy

happy hostages

Today was a beautiful day. I'm happy to report that although we haven't seen it in awhile, the sky is still blue. Birds do exist and spring flowers are all around us even if we can't hear or see them every day. (Or every 20 or 30 days.) So instead of our usual routine we let the spring day take us where it would.

We chose walks over playroom trains

and friends over quiet reading

and twirling over tv

and love notes over laundry

And in the captivity of spring all was right with the world again

spring break snapshots

I'm clinging to the delusions that although there's only five hours of spring break left I'm still going to finish two more books, take a dozen afternoon naps, browse Nordstrom Rack, write my first novel, and scrapbook the first two years of Ian's life. It's been a good run. Even though there's never enough time to do everything I imagine in my head, we've made the most of our staycation and logged a few more miles in the family memory bank.

Our favorite slice of Portland. Train. Toy Store. Bunk. Ice Cream.

Then we road-tripped it South for a day.

My hot chauffeur

I had high expectations for this trip

My little companions were happy to run and play

The plan to wear them out...

Worked like a charm

Family hike

This guy moved a little quicker then the Hsieh clan

The first thing every trip had in common...peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

little diva

The wind really cooperated with this dramatic pose

Then we decided to join the other 200,000 children that live in the area and visit the Children's Museum

We made the most of it

Until we didn't

Which led to this...the other thing every adventure had in common.

Eggtopia tradition at Hope Fellowship

Basketball with Uncle Stan

Little sugar cheeks

And lastly...we went to Wheel of Fortune with our lovely neighbors

SO...MUCH...FUN!

First of all. Pat is hilarious. I tried to sweet talk the security guard into letting me spin the wheel but I'm afraid I would have had to agree to more than I was prepared for. So I said my goodbye's and left. My dreams of being pulled out of the crowd and replacing Vanna because she came down with a sudden case of whooping cough were not realized. But I did get a flashing wheel pin as a parting gift. Just as good.

labor of love...

2 hours + 180 inches of counterspace + a stay at home mom with little creative outlet =

buttermilk carrot cake cupcakes with toasted coconut and candied pecans

It's so cute, I'm not sure if I should eat it or swaddle it up and take it out for a stroll in the pram.

spring break adventure #1

Ben was nice enough to let me take the first couple days of his spring break to get away with the lovely ladies of our small group. When your first thought after putting your bag down is whether you should take a nap, eat a bowl of chocolate covered pretzels, or go sit in the hot tub, you know it's going to be time well spent. It was the perfect 48 hours of chatting, shopping, eating, walking, and relaxing. A great start to a wonderful week.

Enjoying the beautiful view from our deck

Early morning stroll

Movie soulmates

And I found an outfit for easter Sunday!

Good times were had by all and made it all the sweeter to be back in the arms of my littles and my honey.