Hats and Congrats!!

I've been switching "hats" at a crazy speed lately.

Sometimes forgetting what "hat" I'm supposed to be wearing.

So forgive me if I start launching into something that has absolutely nothing to do with you.

A week ago Jason wore this hat and we couldn't be PROUDER of him!!

The whole family (all six of us and our parents) went out to Portland, Oregon to celebrate.

It was amazing and meaningful beyond words.

Four years of hard work, little sleep, lots of balancing and deep introspection was made complete with this weekend!!

Thanks Dad for introducing us to George Fox!!!  

You were right - it shaped us!

It was so awesome to have both our parents there, we could not have done this without these past four years without them!

 

We finally got to meet many of his classmates. 

These guys have been on this journey with him in deep ways and I'm grateful to each of them!!

Everything is better in community!

My favorite part was the hooding ceremony. (Their were two ceremonies. A typical graduation and a hooding ceremony.) It was just so meaningful and intimate for the seminary students.  It was so obvious each person being honored had a story and had gone through a unique season to accomplish this type of an education.

We are proud of you Jason!!

I'll post more pics of the fun we had on that weekend in another post. 

Organizational girl on Speed

Today I was like an organizational girl on speed.
Lists and piles and crossing stuff off - and rewriting the list - how I love that!
I think we are ready ....

The kids all have their TWO bags to be in charge of. I may have told them that it's the airlines rules - each person gets two bags (which is true) so I won't be able to carry their bag because I already have two bags. So everyone has to be incharge of their own two bags.
Thank you airlines for taking one for the team.
I also no longer have to carry the days worth of snacks!
Everyone was thrilled to have their daily supply of snacks in their own bags.
Crazy how much easier this should go compared to the days of flying with a double stroller with two toddlers, a baby, and a preschooler.
Oh I wish those days someone could have followed us with a video camera through the airport.
I should dig up some old pics of that someday ... not tonight though.
Now if everyone's attitudes can just stay on the up and up it will be an amazing day!
Ready to celebrate.

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,
I promise I have not forgotten you.
I think of you so often.
I want to sit and write.
I want to sit and share the thoughts in my mind.
I want to share pictures of normal days and great days.
I miss you.
I never planned to leave you for so long.
I actually never planned to leave at all.
I am shocked it's been almost 2 and a half months since we've shared a moment together.
I promise I'll be back.
I promise it will be soon.
I promise I won't wait till I have everything done and in order or else we both know I'll never return.
I still like you blog.
I still want you in my life.
Until I return I'll leave you with pics from a major event in our house .... the LAST "First Tooth" to lose.
See you soon my sweet blog,
Love,
Nic

A Valentine Card

I received a Valentine from my oldest this week that he made in Sunday School.

All gifts from my kids are special

but this one made me cry.

I opened it and had instant tears and thought "wow".

I actually had to sit and just think a bit after reading it.

To you it might just be good words but to me it said, "I am watching, I do notice."

These are the exact words I wrote on a little white board I have in the kids bathroom. 

 They have been there for well over a month now I'd say.

I never read it to them.

I never mentioned it them.

I just randomly put things on it that I think of and hope they'll read.

I sort of forgot about it until I opened his card.

Thanks for noticing Ian.

Thanks for reminding me.

Happy Valentine's.

God IS Love.   ( 1 John 4:8)

Show Love.

Show God.

Be encouraged Moms; they notice.

Tickets go on Sale!

TICKETS go on SALE TODAY for 

this event.

$25 per ticket - luncheon included.

If you are local get them at supporting churches.

The local churches will be selling them on Sunday too.

I'll have some on hand most of the time too so if you see me and want one let me know!

You can also get them by emailing jenhatmakerevent@gmail.com

Details on facebook ! 

New Sound

For the last couple weeks I've been loving me a new (well new to me)

 Christian music artist thanks to my guy.
He listens to a great variety of music while he studies.
Josh Garrels is the artist.

The lyrics are beautiful and I just love the style.

Love his Pandora Station!!! 

Check him out.

Josh Garrels - here's one I really like called "Zion and Babylon"

(You may have to mute my blog music down on the side.)

Basketball

I love watching my kids develop athletically.

I love watching them get better each season.

I love watching them learn what it means to push themselves.

I love watching them learn how to be a good sport (win or lose).

I love watching them learn how to be a team player.

I love watching them learn how to be the same person on and off the court.

I love watching them fall in love with the game.

Thank you sports for giving us ample opportunities to teach life skills.

Thank you sports for keeping my kid active.

Thank you for each memory with my kids and family!