Spring Break 2012

We had a wonderful spring break this year. Spent time in Poulsbo WA on the bay, exploring Seattle more, hanging out in Bellavue and lounging at home. Here are some pics we got.

Collecting Sea Shells and digging for clams.

The ferry to Seattle. The wind was trying to throw us overboard. My hair as always making a scene.

The kids having seen the Space Needle before, but got to go to the top for the first time. 

Windy at the top as usual.

Lounging with my man.

Played at the museum. Started with the dung. Ha! 

Loved the butterfly room. Healthy little buggers.

Now he's ready to rule the world.

These two could have sat in this craft and forgot the rest of the museum. 

The rain poured in Seattle and at home for days before and after our trip. The only sunny days were while we were having fun. Thank you Mother Nature!
We hope everyone had a wonderful spring break as well and now we are looking forward to summer activities and trips!

Feb 2012 update

NOW THAT'S MY KIND OF A DOG!!!

(This is NOT a picture I took myself, but had I seen a dog doing this, I would have gladly taken a hundred pictures... and posted them all!)

So life is just moving right along these days. The busy-ness of it all is somewhat crazy, but until we get a regular, steady flow going with our business, that's just the way it's gonna be. A couple days ago I was wondering if I am valid in my feelings and expression to others about current times being almost over-the-top busy and according to my inventory... I think I am. I have been over and over apologizing to people for the fact that I can't add more to my social schedule. I have to say "no" and as far as me reaching out, it has been rare. My guilt gets to me almost daily, but then I remind myself that my priorities just take a lot of time and effort, and I feel that there will be a day when I'll be able to slow down and let all my ground work carry me so I can add more social time to life.

I do see progress being made so that helps. Some days I feel like giving up till I remember that there is purpose in what I am trying to accomplish. Also, I want to give something to this life. I want to create change and that's something that takes work. A lot of hard work. So priority #1 is making sure that I'm staying in touch with my source of inspiration so that I can best take care of my other priorities. Taking time out for me is very hard and there is improvement to be made in this area. We all know that taking care of ourselves takes a certain amount of time.

Priority #2 is my family. Thankfully the Mr. and I work pretty good together when it comes to supporting each other in our jobs and with the children. Supporting our children is the bigger job. High school studies and drama. Weekly scouting events. Tri-weekly basketball. "Did you take your vitamins?" Lots of driving. One on one time. Teaching life lessons. Setting goals. "No you can't have $400.00 to buy that toy." Check ups. Lots of hugs and kisses. Meltdowns and pickups. Haircuts. Baths. Laundry. Etc. etc. etc. (If you're a parent, you know.)

Priority #3 is business because it provides for my family and is an expression of who I am individually. Hours of the actual services I provide. Time for research of the four services. I hate marketing. (Ugh!) Phone calls. Bookwork. Lots of kinks to get out. Always feeling like I can be more efficient. When's vacation???

I miss my siblings. Pass the chocolate.

We got SNOW!

We were trying to get a flying snowball, but it was hard.

Then finally we got it and it looks like a ball of snow sitting on the railing. It's the clump to the right of the little light pole next to his head. It's actually flying through the air. Sounds like we will have plenty of opportunities to get the perfect shot this winter.

This one is for all the yogis out there.

Today I got frustrated (But Courtney! Yogis don't get frustrated!) when I noticed a big dark mark on the wall. I noticed it because it's eye level. My eye. So as I was having a little verbal rant to my honey about WHO made the mark on the wall and HOW did it get there, and WHY what it so high up, when I realized... it was me. I put it there. OOPS! You know how after you have been doing yoga for so long, you just have those times where you want to do a stretch or pose on or against something to get a little deeper into the stretch, or pose? Well that was me yesterday... between these two walls... in dancer... with my SHOES on. Shame on me! However I did have to laugh at the fact that I wouldn't have guessed that it was my foot that made the mark had I not done the deed. It was a good stretch, but next time... NO SHOES!

PlayTime!

If there was anything you did as a kid that you would love to do right now...

DO IT!!!

(Just don't hurt yourself. TeeHee!)

The Will to have "Will"

I always love the little messages I get, and this one I particularly liked because it's an "invite".

"WHY THANK YOU! I THINK I WILL!"

For some years now there has been a tender recognition of our ability to survive this amazing human experience, and today after working with an incredible survivor, I am all the more AMAZED. One of the fulfilling aspects of my career is that people are comfortable to open up about their challenges, hurts, sorrows and beliefs that others struggle with or choose to not understand. The incredible suffering that a child experiences and somehow has the tenacity to endure is mind blowing to me. I'm sure the stories in this world go so far beyond my comprehension and I truly believe that I could not endure what many have. For those survivors, I wish I could wrap a blanket of warm love around them and give them a sweet kiss of compassion to possibly, even slightly, plant or nurture a seed of self worth.

I am in wonderment that my life has brought me to this place of offering tools to the worn, heart-broken, shattered and sometimes even buried souls. At times it's as though we are moving the dirt, and brushing them off. Some just need a little sprinkle of truth to create a sparkle. Others it can be hard work, chipping away until finally they see some light. The thoughts and ideas start coming in and the molding begins. They start to reshape their lives and over a period of time, I watch a transformation. It is truly a pure joy!

Keep taking steps. Seasons come and seasons go, and the deeper we reflect on our current moment, the better of an outcome we have for that season. Every season provides opportunity for growth and change. Some choose to stay and hang on to the pain and don't recognize the end of one and beginning of another... so it continues to be an endless season, and we all know that extra long winters are no fun. Plant, actively nurture, and grow. Your personal harvest will be full of beauty and wisdom beyond your expectation... I promise!

With Love,

Courtney

Harvest Time 2011

Mid summer

Spent two weekends in a row at Dad's. That's unheard of, but I'm so glad it worked out.

The pics from the first weekend are in someone else's camera so I don't have those yet. We had all 6 of us sisters together for a bit so that was fun. The second weekend I brought the kids and we played and enjoyed all the family that was there... great aunts and uncle, a few cousins and several siblings.

Bradey jumping onto the "Relaxation Station".

Whitney, Lana Mom, Baby Edie, Dad and Mom

Me and my babes swimming back at home.

Can't go to the beach and not dig in the sand.

He loves to swim in the deep with me. Giggles the whole time.

There's no place like home.

Date night out. Grandma brings dinner and a movie for the kids and we go play.

(The sun has a pretty smile in this pic.)

(Not the best backdrop, but I insisted.)

It feels like the summer weather just got here and we are already getting school supplies and clothes. I hope everyone has a good end to summer!

Love, Courtney

P.S. My heart goes out to the families of those who died in the war this past week. May you find an extraordinary healing and peace to put your hearts back together again. There is greater love being sent to you from around the world than you have any idea.