Can't tame this crazy!

So earlier this week we thought this was hilarious...to watch Silas crawl up into our side table and play in there and it was really cute.Now we know true hilarity...tonight Thadd was like, "uh...mare?!" And we both just burst out laughing! I knew Si was pulling himself up on the chair rails, but he was on top of the center rails, crawling and balancing along them, through the next chair and out the other side no problem! Of course he thought it was awesome as well. He was just beaming!

He is getting so good at his crawling and cannot be trusted with anything. He is also getting more and more of a personality...definitely the class clown around here! Always laughing, so precious! Yelping, dancing, bouncing, and literally freaking out with joy!
I love this joy!
I love this boy.

Ode to Medina Beach!

Why do we love this beach so , Silas?Because we meet cool friends there and I get to play in the sand...

Cuz Daddy teaches me about the waves and we can wear matching sunglasses...

Cuz I look DANG good in my sun hat and shades...

The view is amazing and mom is always soooo fun...:)

Cuz I can prove my bravery in the cold water...

And I get to eat food and people watch!

What could be more fun?! Can we go back to the beach now?!

Requested art...

Okay, girls, I love you, trust you, and this is me being vulnerable for you...enjoy!

These were a gift for a girlfriend's baby's room! It was so fun to do this for you, Jen! They were a set of three, all being a little unique inside the oval and hung by beautiful sage satin bows!

This is the painting I gave Thaddeaus for Father's Day. Can you believe I was able to keep this hidden from him in our tiny apartment?! I know it is not so masculine, but he loves it anyways! It looks great in our bedroom. Biggest canvas I could find! I want to do more this size for sure.

I just can't get this painting out of my mind. Ever since I had the idea for it I have thought about it daily. The giant raindrop could easily be mistaken for a "modern moon" or something, but to me it is so special. I wanted the roots to stand out because they mean everything to the grass...as long as they receive the rain. As I've spent so much time thinking about this piece, I've been asking God what gets me so about it. I think His answer is simple, and super complex.....provision.
I don't know what I need. I sure know my wants and whine and worry over them often, but I don't fully understand my needs. I only know that they aren't fully met. I know that I long for so much more, that I need more. Do I just need more sunshine and blessing? Do I just need trial by storm to prove my strength? Do I just need rain so my roots can grow to a deeper understanding of Him and finally "get it"?
God knows what to give me.
But I still wonder at His provision. And as I do, I will thank Him for the sunshine, the storms and the rain. And pray that he will water the deepest part of me and bring life to these roots he created.

two years.....I've LOVED 'EM!!!

July 22nd, 2006 we said our vows regarding forever and always. Two years, one baby and thousands of fights and make-up sessions later, we are standing strong! How I LOVE this man! I am so blessed to be married and to have met my soulmate at such a young age. Father God we praise you for the grace you have showered into this union so consistently! A strand of 3 cords is not easily broken...though we are stubborn as hell. Thank you for your goodness despite our foolish ways. Amen...and cheers to hundreds more!!!

Happy Anniversary Love of my life!

Where the stars and stipes and the eagles soar...

4th of July was a riot at the Hood! Silas braved the canal waters with us and was a trooper in his life jacket...his complaining was minimal and our giggles hysterical. Lots of fun. We also had a major upgrade in the housing department and got to use my dad's great new-ish tent that is actually waterproof instead of the ancient green poop tent. Lavish living...we were thrilled! Spacious and dry...I could go on and on.

I love America..... and fireworks! My bro-in-laws brought quite a stash and spent a while lighting fuses as we ooood and awwwwwd at their brilliance or for some, the lack there of. Thadd astounded a 10000 mile radius with the explosion of his m80- that was fun! But Silas would have none of it. I woke him up so that he could enjoy the show...to no avail. Despite the brightness and the constant cracks and booms, he limped out in my arms and snoozed on through. Maybe
next year?!

Bocce ball tournaments were held throughout the weekend, with Luke taking home victory in the singles round (I was a close second...uncle Dave was keepin it real in the cellar, and Thadd and Jeff kindof got pwned-too cocky perhaps?) Thadd and Dave prevailed, however, in team doubles, whooping up on the other boys. Yay baby!

Jill the Birthday Queen's 17 years were celebrated with cake and festivities and a fine series of name game to finish the evening after Hoodsport showed their stuff in a spectacular grand finale of fireworks. Still couldn't pass up JDVerde and his prize winner. I frequented the puzzle table with sisters-of course, Thadd frequented the fishing boat-of course, and Silas was content to watch and admire all his cousins being cool while he crawled around like a crazy pants. It was a blast chilling with the kids. I am so proud of all of them.

Praise Jesus for a free country bursting with LIFE, LIBERTY and the pursuit of SO MUCH HAPPINESS! God bless America, land that I love.

Life should be a beach.

We got to spend a whole week down in Cannon Beach, Oregon, with my whole family. Such a good time! We studied The Revelation at the conference center there and did all sorts of amazing things. We played tennis, baseball, mini-golf, foosball, pool tournaments, ping-pong, basketball, a carnival, puzzles, sand sculpture contest, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, carosel, skim boarding, kite-flying, beach bumming, we did it all! And to top it off, a run on the beach with Thadd. We celebrated Tim Myre, my awesome dad, for his Birthday on the 21st, and his RETIREMENT from teaching Elementary school PE for the past 30 years. We are so proud of him. All in all, it was a fantastic time bonding with all three of my sisters, my parents, my brother-in-laws, my niece, my nephews, my husband, my son, and Erica! It was the best time and we are so thankful we got to go.

A big highlight for me was the 2008 Passat we rented for the drive down. I'm not that embarrassed to admit that I thought I was THE coolest mom/wife/hot babe ever in my sexy car. No offence to Turbo, my ancient dying volvo, but driving that VW was something else, a little like heaven. I felt like a celebrity getting into the car with my sweet new sunglasses and my handsome hubby in the driver's seat. And...maybe I pretended I really was a celebrity...if not the Queen.

Anyhow, there is nothing I love more than the beach. The sand between my toes, the smell of sunscreen, the white crash of the waves disrupting the deep blue of the ocean, abandoned flip-flops, scorching sun, warm coastal breeze.....But I just found something even better...... those big blue eyes under his sun hat, wide and amazed, enjoying the great Pacific, the wonder of the waves, and the sand between his toes.

Welcome Silas! Thank you God for the beach!

The Myre Clan- I love these peeps too much.