Big News

Yes, big news!  No- I'm not pregnant.  We made an offer on a house and are planning on moving!  We will be staying in Hermiston,  which I'm not to excited about.  But moving to a little better house to make Hermiston a little more fun.  Take a look. These are the listing photos.

At this point you may be wondering why we bought the house.  Yeah, the decorating is not my style, the house is outdated, but take a look at this....

The pool and outside of the house is amazing.  It has a sweet pool, Jacuzzi, BBQ, outdoor entertaining area.  It's in a great neighborhood and right across the street from a park.   It's been on the market about 7 months, so we are getting a great deal on it.  I looked at this house 4 times before we made an offer on it.  I looked at it when I was pregnant with Luke-6 months ago!  There are a couple of things I really don't like about it- like the kitchen, and the stove top right in the island.  It also only has 1 bathroom for my 5 kids.  And it's outdated.  After racking my brain for months I think I have come up with solutions and I can fix those problems. I have lots of ideas for this house. I like to fix up houses, and this one we can have a lot of fun living in while we fix it up.  We plan on closing next month. Wish us luck!

Sacrifice

The other day a friend asked me to send her a picture of me climbing.  I got out my old pictures and thought deeply as I saw this.  Climbing used to be my life.  I was on a strict eating and climbing schedule.  l think I went 3 years without a french fry I was so strict about my eating.  I competed and got 1st or 2nd in every climbing competition I was in.  I had professional climbers training me.  I was good. Then, I figured it wasn't the life I wanted. Sure I climbed for fun, and still do.  But I didn't want it to be my life.
  I think about what I have given up to be a mom.  My body doesn't quite look the same.  My kids saw this picture and were like- "Mom, you had a 6 pack!!"  Lol.  yup, I did.  But do I ever look back with regrets?  Do I wish I had become a professional rock climber?  Or a jockey? Or artist?  Or designer?  Never.  Not for a second.  There is nothing in the world more rewarding than being a mother.  I love it.  I feel completely satisfied with my life. In fact, I feel elated about my life. 

Having children is a sacrifice.  You sacrifice your body, time, money, etc.  But I love it.  I love the following quote-
I promise you that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make. 
- Gordon B. Hinkley
 
It could not be said better.   There is nothing, NOTHING better in the world than the love of my family.  No matter what I sacrificed for my kids, I would do it a thousand times again. 

“You are the trip I did not take, you are the pearls I could not buy,
you are my blue Italian lake, you are my piece of foreign sky.

You are my Honolulu moon, you are the book I did not write,
you are my heart's unuttered tune, you are a candle in my night.

You are the flower beneath the snow, in my dark sky a bit of blue,
answering disappointment's blow with "I am happy! I have you!”

― Anne Campbell

 

2016

Well, I'm done with 2015.  What a year.  The event that stands out for me in 2015 is Luke's birth.  We love that little guy.  He has been such a fun addition to our family.  We didn't do any resolutions this year.  I think resolutions are something that should be done on a weekly or daily basis.  A year is just too long!  Anyways- Here's to 2016! It's gonna be a great year! 

A Ray of Sunshine

Gabriel Teancum Ernst.  He's our little ray of sunshine.  He is the most positive, cute, loving, fun, little boy.  He spreads happiness and joy everywhere he goes.  He loves everything and everyone.  Except zombies. Which he believes in thanks to Minecraft.  Regardless, our whole family just adores him! And he just turned 4 yesterday.  I think 4 is the cutest age.  Especially Gabe being 4.  He is so happy and loves everything.  I frequently hear him say things like, "Mom, I love your shirt! Mom, I love your hair! I love Luke so much! I love Luke infinity!  I love everybody so much.  Except zombies, I don't love zombies, except nice ones, I love nice ones."   The other day he said, "I love Luke more than Minecraft, I love Luke more than computers and TV.   I love Luke more than a room full of TV's."  We love you too Gabe, more than a room full of TV's!

New Years in Boise

Mark and Malinda just bought a beautiful new house.  So it was the perfect excuse to go visit them for New Years.  We drove straight from Leavenworth to Boise and made it there about 7 pm. Just in time to party! Malinda had gone to a lot of work marinating chicken and preparing all sorts of food for fondue.  We had Martinelli's and treats galore.  I brought a bunch of fun cheeses from the Cheesemongers shop in Leavenworth.  We put on fun music and partied the night away. 

 It's our family tradition to go outside at midnight and bang pots and pans.  So that's what we did!  It's always freezing so it's a quick trip!

 Too much kissing? Not for me! The next day the kids did these gingerbread houses.  Mark and Malinda told us about Dillard's New Years day sale- where all their clearance stuff is 50% off.  We went to the mall together and I shopped like crazy for Darren. He was in need of some nice shirts and I can never get the guy to take the time to buy any clothes for himself.  We got him some great stuff for great prices!

 The next day we headed to the local YMCA for some rock climbing.  My favorite.  Then some indoor swimming.  that night Darren and me and Mark went to a serious indoor climbing gym.  We had to try out those climbing shoes Darren bought us for Christmas.  They were great and we had so much fun!

 We drove home Sunday after church.  We had a great time. Thanks for letting us come Mark and Malinda!

Grandma Rita

While Darren and I were in Hawaii last year my mom did a bunch of projects for me.  I'll have to take more pictures of things she did.  But for now I just want to say "thank you" to my sweet mom.   She was so kind and thoughtful to watch my kids and fix up my house for me.  When Darren and I got home I asked my older kids what they learned about Grandma Rita from her babysitting.  This is what they said..
Kyle
1. All she likes to do is work!
2. She has late dinners.
3. She is kind and helps you clean your room.

Ellie
1. She like to do projects.
2. She's a bad driver.  (lol, sorry mom!)
3. She is so nice and you can just feel the love from her.

Little does Kyle and Ellie know that "work"  and "projects" are pretty much the same thing and my mom loves it.  Thank you so much mom.   My mom is the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful, artistic person.  If you know my mom you know what I am talking about.  It is a pleasure knowing her and to even be in her presence. The best way to describe her is in this quote.   I saw it and instantly thought of my mom.

“You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald