Birthdays

I am back, and I am 30, plus a couple days. It started sinking in today. Normally I don't get upset about getting older, but I'm realizing a gap between the reality of who I am, and the picture I used to have of myself when I would be 30. I don't have it all together, and I am not very wise.... I remember in my early 20s getting asked why I wasn't in school. I looked like a high schooler for so long, and now I never get such comments. Strange huh? Just a little dose of reality.

Keith took me to a cute little (I really mean little) cabin near Mt Ranier. We drove through some of Mt Ranier National park, visited the museums, went on a few short hikes (most of the trails are still under snow), took lots of pictures, got to see some wildlife, relaxed and read a book, and spent some time in a hot tub on a creek. It was nice to get away and relax, but Koen is sure punishing us for leaving him behind. He had a great time with his Grammi, but is out of sorts know that we're back. Little "Mr. Tantrum Royale" visited today - it's the maddest I've seen him. He cried so long and so hard that his face got little red polka-dots. Nothing makes you feel more like a mean parent!

As part of the Child's Right Campaign, Keith called our senators today, and left messages with both of them. The goal is to continue to encourage them to sign a letter to Condoleezza Rice, urging her to act to keep Vietnam open. Our state rep had already replied to our email that he had signed the letter. We are very thankful to him for that.

Please continue to pray for this campaign, and for the rights of the children in Vietnam. Every child has a right to a loving family.

Here's pics from our getaway:

A friendly coyote (or is it a fox?) that wasn't at all afraid of us.

Standing on the short of a lake - that's the most of the mountain we saw in the background

Posing atop a waterfall

Great shot, huh? :) (That is a dear rear)

A friendly dear in the park - very interested in the camera

Our little cabin

Climbing that Hill

I'm 30 today. Weird. Well, I'm actually not 30 until tonight. I'll stay 29 as long as I can. People say the 30s are great. I hope they're right.

Keith is taking me somewhere in a few minutes. All I know is that we'll be gone two nights, and to bring a variety of clothing. He is planning to make breakfasts, so it must have a little kitchen or something. I'll let you know.

Next time I blog, I'll officially be 30:)

My Big Boy

Koen is 2! He turned two at 4:39 this evening, and I'm so disappointed I forgot to look at the clock and be sentimental about the time. I was too busy preparing for our little family party tonight. We celebrated with a monkey theme. I didn't go too over the top this year, but did do a cute little monkey cake (banana flavor, of course) from Martha Stewart. Koen's eyes lit up when he saw it. He loves cake - and rarely gets to eat it! Grammi, Great-Grammi, Grampa, Aunt Laurie, and Great-Aunt Carrie joined us for burgers and fries. We were also celebrating Keith's birthday that is later this week - so the menu was his choice.

Although this was a little party, our little place seemed very small tonight. We squeezed around the table and enjoyed the food (all except Koen who had already filled up on olives, and was saving space for monkey cake). Koen enjoyed opening the gifts (family spoiled him!!!), but when I decided to get one out of the box, he only wanted to play with it and not open the rest of the gifts (oops- Mom error!). So, we stopped for cake. He and Papa enjoyed blowing out their candles. We had to relight them for more photo ops :). Koen had a few bites, and seemed to enjoy the cake (especially the chocolate frosting), but he quickly decided he wanted to go back to playing with his new toy. He enjoyed playing with Grampa while the rest of us finished our cake, and then finished opening his gifts.

I was really amazed at how well Koen related to everyone tonight. With our prompting, he would say thank you to everyone, and give them a hug. I think he did a really good job at making everyone feel loved. He is such a social boy! And I am so thankful for our family, that loves him so much.

After everyone left, Koen immediately climbed back up to the table and finished his cake. That's a lot of sugar for a little boy to eat after bed time! We brushed his teeth well tonight, and put him down. He actually fell asleep quickly. I think all the stimulation exhausted him!

I have been so blessed to be Koen's Mama. He is a joy, and it's fun to see more and more of his personality come out. Here are some pictures of the festivities:

Playing with Grampa and the favorite toy of the evening

Thanking G-Aunt Carrie

Koen with Aunt Laurie and Grammi

A new pillow from Grammi - Koen trying it out

Monkey cake before

Monkey cake after (not so happy about losing that ear!)