Hagg Lake

Yesterday, we drove out to Hagg Lake, near Forest Grove, Oregon. You can go hiking, boating and swimming there. We'd never been there before, so we primarily went to check it out. It was really nice and Gabe had playing and wetting his feet in the water.















On the way back, we wanted to check out downtown Forest Grove, but by the time we got there the kids were asleep. So we headed home. But when we were about 5 miles from our house, Zach started crying and we had to stop like three times on Ore.-8. I now loathe this road, because there are too many stop lights and with a crying baby, every second seems like an hour. The next time we go, I think we will take Rt. 26 there instead.

Yup, I'm 34 today

Today is my birthday, yay! But I'm not doing anything today. Although I did have some Nutella on toast with coffee for breakfast. I'm actually getting addicted to Nutella; I've been tempted many times to take a spoonful and eat it. Craig is taking off Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow, I think I'll just get a small treat like a milkshake.

Have a great week!

Visiting Friends

The weekend before last some good friends of ours, John and Erin, that we met while living in Walla Walla visited us.



At the end of the year, they will be embarking on a long-term missions commitment to Indonesia. We had a lot of fun catching up and talking about their plans. Their main focus is Bible translation into indigenous languages (provided the people group is interested in learning about Christianity). If anyone is interested in giving them support, just let me know.

Here is Gabe with their oldest, Caedmon (he will be three in August). They also have a seven month old, Whitman.



My article on unschooling for Portland Family Magazine is due September 1. I've got five families of unschoolers from Oregon, Wa. State and Pennsylvania that will be getting back to me through email. Plus, I've spoken with Jan Hunt who has written many articles on unschooling, gentle discipline, attachment parenting, etc.

This weekend, one of Craig's friends, along with her daughter, from Poulsbo is coming for a visit (she now lives in Utah, but she comes to Oregon every summer). We might go to the Oregon Berry Festival or OMSI and a park to play.

Hope you guys on the East coast are braving the heat ok!

Pics of Zach today

Chicken marinade, dentist and Zach pic

Mango Lime Ginger Marinade

1 Mango, skinned and cubed
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. pepper
1 tbls. lime juice
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce

Mix in a blender or food processor. I marinated 1.5 pounds of chicken thighs for 8 hours and that was more than enough time for all the flavors to infuse. Try this recipe, it was really good and easy.

Gabe had a good dental appt. The two problem teeth have not gotten worse. Here is a recent pic of Zach and Craig, but it was about two weeks ago, so he has gotten bigger since then.

Oh, another thing...

I have started writing more on my other blog, whose name I changed. If any of you don't know, I am pathologically obsessed with books. I can't afford to do this just now, but I have many times looked up from reading and wondered where the last 3 hours went. So, on my blog I started a book discussion on one of my favorite children's books, The Neverending Story. I am going to write a few posts on the themes I found in the story. How regular I will be with that is completely up for debate. :) But I will try.

Holiday weekend

This holiday weekend we spent as much time as possible outside. Saturday and Sunday, lots of time in the backyard and a trip to the park. Monday, we went to the zoo. One of the polar bears kept swinging his head left and right, while moving backwards and forwards (really, what the heck???). One of the chimps was either asleep or depressed. Philosophically, I don't like zoos. But as one person with no clout, I can't change anything, so I deal. Plus, part of your Oregon Zoo admission goes to conservation so that sort of makes me feel good.

Sort of.

This week, Gabe has a dental appointment and next week, I'm going to start taking the boys to these weekly events at a local amphitheater, very close to where we used to live. The first show we'll be seeing is Presto the Magician.

Today, I sent another query to Portland Family Magazine. I'm proposing an article about "unschooling". It's a style of homeschooling where there is never any kind of formal curriculum and kids learn everything through pursuing their own interests. They're interested in the article and I'm waiting to hear from them about timelines.

Speaking of writing, I realize I will be navigating the waters of juggling the care of two small children and doing the work related to freelance (emails, research, writing, interviewing, etc.). I breastfeed on demand, meaning, I do not time feedings (in fact, you're not supposed to time feedings, as it will decrease your milk supply). When they are hungry, you have stop what you're doing to nurse and you may be stuck nursing for 30 minutes or more since the only way to know they are getting enough is to allow them to drink until they are done. And since breastmilk is digested much quicker than formula, they could be hungry in two hours or less (from the time you started the feed).

So, it gets better as they get older. Then once they start solids, the weaning process begins!

Here are some pics today of Gabe. Have a great week, y'all!