Refinance

Okay, so normally I don't post about stuff like this. In fact, I hate talking money matters at all, with anyone, ever. But I'm so excited I can't help it. We signed the papers to refinance our house this morning. We lowered our interest rate by 2.5%, and will make back the money we paid in closing costs in one year, and it was by far the easiest house stuff I've ever had to do. We weren't even looking-they called us. No appraisals, no bank statements or pay stubs. Seriously, simple. A very nice gentleman who also happened to be a notary, came to our house, checked our drivers licenses, and watched us sign. It almost felt illegal it was so easy. Sigh. Wish my kids could make life that easy...

Should Have Known Better

Things have been a little hectic. Family visits, while wonderful, tend to leave us needing some time to catch our breath. Of course, that hasn't really been happening. Chase started Camp Lane yesterday. Although it's similar to Scout Camp, it's probably more like Girl's Camp for boys. A little more spiritual, although with a big group of boys that sounds completely contradictory. Anyway, we noticed last night that our phone wasn't working right and so we called the phone company, but they couldn't send anyone out until tomorrow. I didn't think it was too big of a deal until we noticed all the calls we were getting. I kept seeing one come in from Lane Coun-that's all the caller ID would show. We tried calling the number back with our cell phone (the emergency one) but couldn't get through. So I just plodded on housekeeping and gripping my sanity while all the work I was doing was simultaneously being undone by the little ones. Well, the calls started up again and Denver finally managed to get them on the line only he couldn't really understand them. Rather than explain that he's having a hard time hearing them, he says "You should talk to my wife, she handles this sort of thing," and passes me the phone while whispering, "Something about Chase and his eye-I don't know." Fabulous. Turns out, Chase hurt his eye and the medic at camp felt it should be checked by a doctor and they have somone headed back to town after lunch so they'll just send Chase back with him. Fortunately, Chase's doctor had an opening that afternoon and so we were off to the doctor. This visit reminded me of why I love Dr. Hemsley so much. When he came in the room to check on Chase, he asked how Chase hurt his eye and listened patiently while Chase explained how he and another boy were sword fighting with some sticks and the other boy hit his stick against a tree, breaking it and sending a fragment flying into Chase's eye. Dr. Hemsley kept a straight face through the entire story and then said, "So, it's kind of a you-deserved-it sort of thing because really, you should have known better." We all laughed then, and the doctor proceeded to check his eye. I was really wishing I had remembered my camera because the doctor put a solution in his eye that glows bright green under a black light, making Chase look really creepy, but also letting us see the giant scratch that started about the middle of Chase's pupil and went to the end of his eye. It was a pretty wicked looking scratch. The doctor started him on antibiotic eye drops and made me promise to bring him back the next day if there was no improvement. Fortunately, by the next morning Chase's eye looked and felt much better and Chase was able to catch a ride back to camp. And I have a feeling that Chase will be a little more cautious because really, he should have known better.

Daddy Rabbit

I love my Daddy Rabbit. I have a feeling some people think I call him Daddy Rabbit because we seem to breed like them, but that's not the case. I got the name from Cars. It's what Mrs. The King calls her husband. The first time I heard the line in the movie I absolutely loved it. Partly because it makes absolutely no sense to me, but also because you can sense the years of love and commitment behind the words. Since having children I rarely call my husband by name, but by adding the Rabbit to Daddy, it makes him mine.

For Father's Day this year, we had company. Muriel and her family were still here in the morning. We made a giant batch of biscuits and gravy for everyone and I tried my best to let Daddy Rabbit sleep in. I didn't succeed. Too many noisy little ones in this house and I think he wanted to make sure he was up to see his sister and spend a few more minutes with her. After breakfast and good-byes, The Greshams were off to Washington for the rest of their vacation and it was time for Daddy Rabbit to open his present. I'd wanted to make a card to go with it, but just never got to it with everyone here. I had planned on explaining how grateful we all are that he spends so much time with us. He gives and gives and we take up so much of his limited time, yet he never complains. He is the ultimate father and loves his children dearly. So when we gave him his watch we were giving some "time" back to him. It was a lovely card in my head, made for the man that is the best father my children could ever have.

Making faces just to make us laugh.

She loves to snuggle with Daddy. Would do it all day if she could get away with it.

He takes the kids fishing as often as he can-they love it.

Daddy found the bike at a garage sale because he's always thinking of his family and trying to find ways to make us happy.

Mia's favorite perch.

Daddy Rabbit, we are so lucky to have you. Thank you for all you do, and Happy Father's Day!

Muriel's Beach

It seems that I have forgotten how to take pictures. Well, not really how, more like to. Fortunately, Megan let me get a bunch of pictures that she took before she left, so I actually have some to share from our trip to the beach. I thought Megan was brave for taking four teenagers in her car, but I gotta give the brave, crazy medal to Muriel and Chance for taking Corbin and Mia. Maybe they'd just forgotten what it was like to have toddlers. Maybe they felt sorry for me and Denver and recognized that harried look in our eyes. Maybe they're just suckers for those cute little voices begging to ride with them in their truck. Whatever it was, I'm glad they did. I had no problem taking Karli-almost felt like it was just me and Denver again. That's probably why we drove straight to Devil's Churn-no kids in the backseat whining for something or other.

On the way to the beach.

Chillin' in the backseat.

Apparently, it was a long drive.

On the hike down to The Churn.

A lovely couple overlooking The Churn.

Little Miss in heaven.

Muriel with her beauties.

Handsome, handsome cousins.

Another group of beauties.

Where's Waldo/Uncle Chance/Aunt Muriel/Megan/Chandler/Sunni/Chasidie/Jo/Chase/Corbin/Mia? Good luck!
P.S. Waldo's not really in the picture.

Gotta watch out for that spray.

Little Man holding up the sky.

Our first family beach picture with the newest addition.

I pretend that Corbin and Mia are going to grow up and love each other like these two do.

After we visited Devil's Churn for a bit, we headed into town for gas and supplies. On the way back towards Florence we were able to stop and get the picture I've been waiting five years for. Ever since we moved and I discovered a beach named after Muriel I've wanted to get her here and get a picture of her with this sign.

Dream come true. She looks great with her sign.

We thought we'd keep this for Muriel's Funeral Services. Blow it up nice and big with the cute siblings. We could just photoshop the extra words out.

After fueling up and grabbing some munchies we headed on back to Heceta/Dalton Beach. What a fantastic day it turned out to be. I was a little worried since there were major foggy patches but our beach was perfect.

 Heceta beach. Plenty of sun and sand.

Somebody has to hold up the walls, right?

I think everyone had an amazing time. The kids, young and older, played in the sand for hours. Most of the teens even braved the cold Oregon Ocean and went under. Mia fell in love with Chandler and refused to leave his side. And even though the lighthouse was out of commission, we got to see something equally cool.

Chase managed to get some video of our little friend which I thought I'd put at the end. However, after several attempts to dowload, I gave up. So here's the link to watch it on YouTube if you'd like:Baby Seal. What a wonderful trip and I was thrilled to get to spend some time with family. I am still impressed by how well the Gresham teens behaved. What a fantastic group. Next time, we'll have to convince them to stay for a lot longer. Megan, too.