Summer's End

Why, hello! It seems as though I've dropped off the face of the blog world for the past 3 months. I think it's funny how I post about wanting to blog more often and then take a huge hiatus. I must be jinxing myself...

Since there are people out there (hi mom and maybe one other person!) that like to keep up with the Mendels I thought I might give a broad update since I'll probably disappear for another 3 months, but I guess I'll have a better reason like having a baby.

Vacations/Summer
Starting in May our summer basically went in 3 week incrememnts. We had stuff planned for three weekends/weeks in a row and then three weekends "off" where we got to spend time at home. Although everything we did was fun, by the end of the summer it got to be a bit much. It did, however, make the summer fly by. I really can't believe it's mid-September. I'll throw some pictures at you by way of "summer in pictures" style to save you from all the tiny details.

Our annual River House trip near Chelan. It's always a great time!

Our annual trip to Lake Pearrygin in Winthrop. This year it was cut short due to the forest fires. We planned to stay from Wednesday to Sunday but after watching the fire and smoke only grow and the helicopter refill his bucket in the lake to contain the fire to no avail, the park was shut down on Friday morning. We got in a full day at the lake on Thursday where Grant learned to swim on his own. It was a great day and a half but we really don't have any pictures to show for it but this and a few blurry ones of the kids playing on the beach. We didn't want to cut the vacation short so we went over to my parents' house to finish out the weekend.

Patrick's grandparents, Tom and Carole, came over from Michigan. We hadn't seen them since we got married almost 5 years ago. It was so great to visit with them for a weekend and share some memories with them and the boys whom they had never met.

After our visit with Patrick's granparents we went out to his parents' property in Wenatchee. The boys *loved* it. It's total boy world out there. They especially like the wood chopping and stacking.

Miles adopted a log and used it as an ax.

They helped grandpa build a fire for dinner.

Miles liked driving the remote control cars but Grant was very scared of them because of Miles' rogue car almost ran him over. Grant was convinced the car was a robot trained to get him.

 

Mitch and Erica came back from Nashville to celebrate the baptism and baby shower for their first baby, Jackson. He's so cute! We were all very excited to meet and cuddle him.

There's about 15 of these beauties and 2 came out somewhat presentable. Aren't they cute!?

Around the House
Our weeks spent at home during the summer included evening trips to the local lake to cool off, refinishing our dining table, and catching up on the previous vacation's laundry.

Baby
I have 5 weeks until my due date! *dancing with joy* I'm ready for him to be here for all of the above reasons but mostly so I can meet him and have my full mobility back. I keep wondering what another version of Patrick and I will look like and I have so many more questions waiting to be answered: will he have hair? will it be dark or light or red? will he be 10lbs or more? will he come early or late? (fingers crossed for early).

The pregnancy has been smooth like my other two and it's gone very quick until the past couple weeks. Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel time has significantly slowed down. I mean, it could potentially be 7 weeks until he's here if he doesn't want to come and my OB won't induce me until week 42. I don't think that'll happen unless I request it but it sure takes the wind out of my sails when I think how long 7 weeks is. But then again it could only be 3 weeks... who knows?

At this point I feel like he'll be almost right on the due date. Miles was a week early and Grant was induced a week late. My only natural sign that he'll on his way (eventually) is that I'm starting to nest a teensy bit and have stronger Braxton Hicks.

Lately, he moves a lot. He's been laying with his back to the left and kicking my right side pretty hard or running his feet along my ribs. What a weird feeling! He's been in this position for the last 5 weeks, flipped over once for a day and clearly didn't like it because he's since flipped back and continues kicking away at my right side.

Send some prayers up for the baby and I, that everything goes smoothly and we're both healthy before, during, and after the delivery. Thanks!! Here's to a quiet Fall and lots of baby snuggling.

Boys, Boys, Boys: a June Daybook

Some big news: Our third little one is a boy! That makes three boys and one busy momma.

Feelings about the big news: I had a feeling it would be a boy because I felt exactly the same as I did with my other two pregnancies and as the ultrasound approached I had a stronger and stronger feeling that is was a boy. With that said, I wasn't surprised at all when the technician said boy. Of course, a piece of me wants a girl but apparently it will not be this time around. Patrick was hoping for a girl way more than I was. Ultimately, he's very excited to have a bunch of boys. The more the merrier, right?

Additionally: since I prepared myself that we'd have another boy I feel like I can fully enjoy this little one instead of being disappointed about it's gender. I don't feel bad or sad or anxious to have more children just to get a girl. I'd like to have more kids but not so I can "get my girl." I have never felt like I needed to have a girl but it's even stronger now. I want a girl and pray for her but know that who God gives us is who He intends us to have and raise and love. Especially seeing my brother and sister-in-law with their five blessings, all boys, it helped me to see a piece of how He loves and trusts them to raise those boys and feels they are best, at this point, to raise boys. Reflecting on Patrick and I and the children in which God entrusts us I have realized the same thing I realized about by brother and his family. We're so very blessed and I feel special knowing He trusts us with three boys!

On being pregnant, again: having planned this baby I've been able to enjoy most of the pregnancy. I'm not scared or worried about what's to come when he's born and we have three kids. 20 weeks have flown by! I hope the last 20 does the same. I feel great and love feeling baby move a ton!

Names: We're at a loss. We have some girl names but no boy names. With 8 boys on my side and two more on Patrick's I think all the good names have been taken! Any suggestions are welcome!

Brothers' reaction: Well you all probably saw the video when we told them about the baby. Mile has said ever since that he wants a sister and Grant doesn't understand. I told them they're having a brother and Grant still doesn't get it but Miles is slowly understanding. He gives my belly hugs and kisses and call him brother now.

In other news: we're loving that the weather is acting like summer so we've been outside a lot. The boys have been really into the pool and hose and I've had time to relax and work on my tan while I read.

What I'm reading: I've just finished a few books and technically I'm between books at the moment. Two that I'd highly recommend is 33 Days to Morning Glory and My Sisters the Saints. Both books are amazing and changed my life and gave me a ton of inspiration to read more about saints. I also finished up Divergent. It's very similar to The Hunger Games so I'm trying to decide if I'll read the next book since I feel like I've read this series already. I think I will because I'd like to know what happens but I'm told the third book isn't worth reading. I also have a few books from my mom that I'm anxious to read: Rediscover Catholicism, and another one that I'm forgetting the name of at the moment.

Vacations: I've been invited to go to a three day Lifeteen Leadership Training Convention in Scottsdale, AZ in a couple days. I'm very excited to attend this not only because one of my favorite authors, Scott Hahn, will be a key note speaker and there is a plethora of interesting classes to attend but also because Patrick and I have felt called to be involved in the church possibly in a different way this coming year. We've been confirmation small group leaders for three years and it has blessed our lives in many ways but our enthusiasm and energy is waning. I'm hoping that this will re-inspire me/us and help us to discern our commitment to confirmation again next year or get involved in something new. Prayers on this would be much appreciated!

What Patrick is up to: Shaving! I know, lots of guys do it but he hasn't shaved his goatee since we started dating, about 7 years ago. What do you think?

Just kidding! He had to have a little fun along the way...

I think I'm finally getting used to it.

The boys were a little shy around him at first but warmed up to him eventually. It looks good and he looks a lot younger! Ah to be married to 20 year old Patrick :)

Camping Weekend

Over my birthday weekend we went camping with our good friends and Miles' godparents at Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon. It's located near the coast. I didn't realize there was so much to do at this park until we arrived and started talking about what we would do the next day. Off the top of my head I can name a few: visit the forts that were in service from the beginning of the Civil War to the end of WWII, 9 miles of paved bike trails, hiking trails, a lake for swimming and fishing, and the beach with silky sand and an awesome ship wreck. On top of all that they have war reenactments at one of the forts and shoot off cannons as well. It's now added to my list of favorite places to camp.

We arrived Friday evening and finishing setting up just after it got dark out. The only downside were the mosquitoes. They were everywhere and relentless about eating us. Bug spray and a campfire helped a lot. The boys were in heaven exploring the campsite and checking out the tents. Saturday morning brought a little rain so we were slow to get started. But all at once the clouds disappeared and the sun came out in full force. It was gorgeous by 10am. That was our que to go on an adventure to the first fort.

We were surprised by how much graffiti was all over the forts. It was sad how some people couldn't appreciate the history in those forts.

We explored this fort for a couple hours. It was very interesting to look at and fun to imagine soldiers walking the steps we were. Most of the time we had no clue what we were looking at. I wish they had brochures to follow along the way. I think one could go online and check out the fort beforehand. The boys enjoyed checking it out, even the dark spaces in the back of the fort where light hadn't shown for over 60 years.

Afterwards we headed back to camp for lunch and naps. Patrick and I and Grant (when he woke up) were able to sneak off for a 20 minute bike ride. Tuan and Sara were kind enough to stay back while Miles and their boys finished napping. I forgot how fun biking is! The trails were beautiful and very easy to ride, or should be for people who are more in shape than I. There was two teensy hills (I don't even think I can call it that, maybe more like an incline) that by the time I got to the top by legs were burning. I suppose it didn't help that I couldn't figure out how to change gears...

When everyone woke up from naps we made the 3 minute trek out to the beach. It was gorgeous! The sand was so silky, the sun was warm, and the water was ice cold.

Miles somehow got into his mind that because we were at the beach he needed to swim so after a few belly flops with his coat on we finally gave in and let him "swim." He absolutely loved it. I couldn't believe how fun can overpower the pain of ice water.

He was so happy.

This was the neat ship wreck on the beach.

He finally got cold. Then spaced out for a good 5 minutes.

That night we had campfire dinners, put the kids down and played Ticket To Ride. It's a fun board game that Tuan and Sara brought. They always have neat games to play!

The next morning it rained again. Poured. The boys were soaking wet and had no dry shoes or coats (I packed three of each for them). So, we decided to pack up early and head to another fort on our way out of town. With sack lunches in tow, and after a very wet campsite cleanup we pulled out of the park right as the sun came out. Go figure.

It was sunny up until the time we were ready to head home from the fort so it ended up being good timing for us to be out there walking around. This fort had a beautiful view and a small army museum.

The boys and I slept almost the entire two hours home. It was so much fun camping with Tuan and Sara and their boys at a new place. I told Patrick I'd really like to go back again. I recommend this campsite to everyone!

Storage Project

Our home has been in dire need of a real storage solution for quite some time. We've hit our 4 year mark in this house and accumulated enough baby stuff and other stuff that the closets and shed and garage were much to be desired. As a new home, there wasn't anything along the lines of shelving in the garage, the closets only had one rack, and the attic doesn't have any walking space so that was off limits.

A while ago Patrick made a doorway in the coat closet to get underneath the stairs for extra storage. It's truely amazing what goes into the projects we decide to do. Even after planning and research there is always something we hadn't thought about. For instance, during this project we realized in order to stay up to fire code we had to make a door for the hole we cut, tacking on a few more hours of extra work. Even though it's in the closet there still needed to be an air tight door. So, now we have a tiny hobbit door under our stairs.

Another surprise was all the garbage we found under the stairs. The houses in this neighborhood were built quickly and it's becoming more and more clear the corners that were cut in order to save time. It must have been quicker to wall in construction garbage and pop cans than to take 5 minutes to pick it up.

The boys loved "helping."

Anyway! Patrick did a great job on these cabinets. Even though there were a few hiccups with getting the correct lumber and improvising when we had forgotten the measurements would be different with said lumber it all turned out as we planned.

With cabinets in the garage we were able to better organize our car maintenance stuff, camping things, holiday decorations, and baby clothes and more. Now the garage makes sense. Everything has it's place. We were even able to make room next to some food shelving storage for a future freezer. That's the part I'm most excited about because it's basically an extension of our kitchen storage.

To the right is the food storage and an open space for the freezer. And, notice the shoe shelf. That was Patrick's first solo wood DIY project. To the far right is the treadmill followed by a table saw and chop saw (not pictured) and weight bench. It's truly amazing what can fit in such a small space when it's contents are well thought out and organized.

It was a beautiful weekend so the boys were happy clams playing with the hose and sprinkler.