Dorena Ride 2012

Three years ago my parents took the kids down to Dorena lake and rode bikes up to and around the lake.  Dylan got in a terrible bike wreck ending their ride early and sending them to the emergency room.  Dylan healed up just fine after a week or two and got back on his bicycle, but had never went to back to that riding trail until today.  It was my first time riding the trails down there, and let me tell you that it was a blast.  The bike path was really incredible.  They have paved all these miles of Train Track basically from the town all the way up to and around the lake.  We didn't ride the whole 28 or whatever miles, but we were able to ride up about 6 1/2 miles to the lake, then had a picnic and rode back down to where we had parked.  Dylan & Brooklyn both did a great job on their bikes and really enjoyed the whole experience.  We had talked about swimming in the lake but I knew that we would be riding quite a bit and didn't want them to be cold  and tiered from swimming and then have to ride all the way back to the car.  I am so happy we passed on the swimming because on the news tonight they said Dorena lake has an algae outbreak and are saying to not touch, swim, or drink the water!  I'm so glad I went with my mommy instinct.  What a great day, beautiful weather, spent time with my brother, his two kids and mom, and amazing scenery.

Mason & Georgia

Brooklyn 1/2 way done, getting ready to ride back.

Taking a look at the lake

Whats been keeping us busy

What we have been up to this last week:

Air & Space Museum

More horseback riding

Day at the coast, playing in the lake

Swimming (lots of this!)

Hiking Mt. Pisgah

This hike took a lot of effort for Brooklyn.  This was her "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" pose!

Following Through

OK, so I do realize people have bigger problems than this and its not the end of the world.  But right now it is driving me NUTS!  This is the basically how it goes and then it keeps going around, around, and around.  Recently (In the last 2 days) I found 2 jackets of of Brooklyn's in the car and ask her to put them away.  Next I find them in the living room on the floor, will you please put these jackets away where they belong?  I'm pretty sure I wasn't clear where they needed to go, but now she knows right.  Nope because they are in the laundry room on the floor, please put these away, do you know where they go, yes in your closet hanging up.  Later I'm "helping" her put away something and where do you suppose I find those two jackets, no where but in her closet on the floor. I could pick them up and it would take like less then 2 seconds or follow through, teaching her the "lesson".  I decide on the later and asked her for the 4th time to hang them in her closet.
Yes, it would be so much simpler to do the job myself!  But I know that this is teaching her something bigger, and I have a feeling I'm learning some things too;

First it's important to finish a job, following through for her and myself.  If I ask her to do something and she doesn't so I do........ yep I'm setting her up to not finish, she will learn that I will always cover for her. 

Second the value of your word, when you say yes to someone you are making a commitment.  That commitment is yes she will do what is at hand.  If I am asking her to do something she is not capable of doing she needs to be able to say no and then we can compromise and/ or work out a solution. 

Third responsibility, taking care of her personal property.  These are her things and she needs to learn to take care of them.

Forth and finally Self confidence, I think she will feel accomplished finishing a job, doing what she says she will do, and talking responsibility for herself.

Brooklyn you are 8 and I don't think I have unrealistic expectations for you.  You take care of the things you want to do, and are only showing this attention deficit when its something you don't  particularly want to do.  Some of the time I think You might go out of your way and do extra work to NOT do whatever it is I have asked you to do.  I don't think its a defiance thing, your just testing ME.  So I think on my part I need to act with love, consistency,  forgiveness and a teaching heart.  Yes I will be watching you, I love you and want the very best for you!

No it's probably not going to make a difference in if she gets into college, or who she marries, where she will work, and I don't know what else.   Or maybe it will, something to think about?!?!?! 

Full disclosure, This is not Brooklyn, her room, or her stuff, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be a picture of me when I was say about 8, kidding, although that does look a lot like my dresser growing up.

End of Baseball Season

Normally at end of season all the players & coaches go for pizza, well this year a few of us moms got to talking and thought it would be fun to do the Field of Dreams at our minor league Baseball Park. It was a blast and a great way to end the season. The boys got to take the field with the players for the national anthem, and then we all got box seats together and watched the baseball game.  All of the boys were given got hot dogs, chips, pops and Field of Dreams Tee shirts. We had great seats up in the shade, what a blessing on an 85 degree day. Although Eugene lost the game we had a fun time!

Before the game coach's gave the boys medals to celebrate a great season



Dylan (15) on the right next to River Stevens (26) 3rd baseman

Ice cream in a baseball hat yummy!

Riding Lesson Have Started!

This all started with Brooklyn saying she wanted to ride her Grandma Sues horses. Grandma soon after started shopping for a youth saddle, and found a really great one! We were then off to get her boot and a riding helmet. Monday she had her first ride on Grace, who is grandmas quarter horse. Grace had a mellow temperament and is a really sweet horse. Brooklyn and Grace got acquainted quickly and were off with Grandma walking them around the arena. Grandma taught her how to sit and hold on to the reigns in correct form. Brooklyn looked really comfortable and natural up on Grace. She is going to ride every night this week, I am guessing she will be off on her own by the end of the week. Way to go Brooklyn and thanks Grandma!