The Mother's Day Blog

I had every intention to write a deeply meaningful blog about motherhood this week. It was going to be about all of the sacrifice, love, and special moments of just being mom. I would have written about the lifestyle, devotion, commitment, and insanity of it all. Motherhood really is one of the greatest joys of my life. From making hair bows and setting them in freshly braided hair, to kids moving from hitting off the “T” in baseball to coach pitch, to the monotony of making yet another pizza dinner; I would have reminisced.

Me and My Mom

I would have reflected on the grace of my own mother and my immeasurable gratitude for her. She is such a dear friend, confidant, amazing cook, pursuer of God’s best, and sincerely devoted Grandma. I am so grateful for my mom. She would have been a central figure in my blog. I love her!

But, alas, I am so busy this week being a mom that I don’t have time to write my inspiring mom blog: Too much driving, cheering the kids on, attending a dance parent/student conference, cooking, cleaning the kitchen, working my jobs, helping with homework, washing that softball uniform, piano and drum lessons, sports, crafts, backyard play, staying connected to my spouse, paying bills, almost running out of gas, reading to the littles, managing my kids’ internet use and video games, and so forth. As a result, I regret my inability to blog about motherhood. I guess I will just put it off till next year. I am sure life as a working mom and wife will be simpler then! – right?

Once I get around to writing that blog I will close it with a hug to all moms out there. Moms are shaping the world day-by-day, moment-by-moment, and heart-by-heart, and I hope they are celebrated and loved this Mother’s Day.

Lost on Queen Anne Hill

The other day I had a few extra hours in an unexpected place. I had only my starving fit bit and walking shoes. This particular day I was free as a bee on Queen Anne Hill. I quickly got lost. Lost as a bee in a bloomin-garden. I found that there is nothing bad about getting lost on Queen Anne because it is likely that it’s charm will make you feel at home away from home!

Queen Anne Hill towers north of the Space Needle. It is an old historic community at the heart of everything that is happening in Seattle. Living on the hill you can walk just about everywhere in Seattle, it seems. Yet, at the same time when you are there you feel miles away from the hustle and blustle of the city. It is an Urban Oasis. Here are a few of my takes on this place:

*The homes are nestled in tight and everyone has a front porch of some kind. Since all of the houses were built in the early to mid 20^th century the front porch was an important place for the community to gather. Homes look cozier nestled close together behind big porches with comfy chairs. Just being here takes you back in time!

*I have seen house reviews on Queen Anne homes over the years. Nothing prepared me for how lovely the craftsman architecture is. It is the most inviting neighborhood in all of Seattle. Yet, one odd thing was the three enormous television towers that stand on top of the hill! To me they seem reminiscent of the grand Parisian Eiffel tower. Yet, they are far from a landmark. They just always have been there. For anyone who is cautious about living under high voltage this may not be the best place for you!

*As I walked, the neighborhood was all hustle and bustle in the midst of their gardening projects. Many families are so thoughtful and creative with their yard space. Most homes have fancy hedges and intentional plants and bushes. People are very serious about their “stay green year round” landscaping. I have never seen so much green!

*Spectacular views! The views of the city are laid-out before me as I walk the hill. From three directions you can see to the North the Ballard locks, the East with Lake Union, and the South with the Seattle Skyline and of course the Space Needle. The best view of all is of Elliott Bay with the ferry boats and the merchant marine ships are coming and going.

*Looking back in time the streets were paved with cobblestone and many of the streets on Queen Anne Hill have been preserved. The entire neighborhood speaks to another era where people didn’t commute long distances but lived a comfortable life in the city right here on Queen Anne in the heart of Seattle. Beautiful sidewalks and cobblestone streets are a classic touch on the hill. Queen Anne is the highest hill in the city of Seattle and is now home to 28,000 people. Those are some fortunate folks that perch themselves on historic Queen Anne Hill!

Personally, I would love to live on Queen Anne! It is rich in cultural heritage with it’s proximity to the Seattle Center and it is full of "old world charm" that calls you home. But for now, I will just have to get lost as a bee in a bloomin-garden, every once-in-a-while, to remind myself of the sweet nature of this historic and quaint space in the vast Urbanity of Seattle.

Meet Super Girl, Tiffany Larson!

Tiffany and Her Mom at Seattle Children's Hospital

Who ever knew that so much fight could come from this sweet face and this gentle heart? Tiffany Larson’s life was full of horseback rides, whimsical crafts, and playing endlessly with her three sisters Alexis, Olivia, and Katrina. Her little life knew nothing of the pricks of a nurses’ needle, the burns of radiation, the nausea of chemo, and the nerve damage of just too much cancer treatment. Until, that is, her startling diagnosis with Medulla Blastoma (brain cancer) at age 6 in January of 2015.

The diagnosis came after she kept telling her mother that she was hearing something. She said that the only time that she couldn’t hear it was on the bus. It was so loud on the bus! Her parents Nathan and Malia Larson worried, as it didn’t go away. With her doctor’s help her mother arranged for an MRI scan.

That was when the doctors found it! This little 6 year old had a brain tumor.

Seahawks, Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, Visit Tiffany at Seattle Children's Hospital

After an emergency 10 hour brain surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital she soon began 6 weeks of daily radiation plus chemo. One week into the chemo/radiation treatment she was admitted to Children's Hospital for severe nausea. This severe nausea had her throwing up every 20-60 minutes 24 hours a day for three months straight in addition to the piercing nerve pain. The nerve pain was in her extremities and her intestines. At that particular time, Tiffany stayed at the hospitalized for three months.

After a short break from the chemo and radiation, she began strict chemo cycles (8 six-week cycles of three different types of chemo). 

This would bring her 40 infusions in 11 months. 

Two cycles into it she was hospitalized again for another month for the same symptoms as before. 

Needless to say, this has been quite a mountain to climb for such a tiny and fragile little girl and her family.

In our community on the Eastside of Seattle hearts and prayers rallied. It seemed hard to believe that this once healthy child was now so sick. The kids and their families at her elementary school were so worried. They started wearing “Tiffany Strong” bracelets and t-shirts. Love poured out…

Through it all, Tiffany showed her strength and endurance as she fought her personal battle. This was a daily battle and sometimes even a moment-by-moment battle. She faced unbelievable obstacles. Even so, her parents say that she did not lose heart because of the hope within her. With the middle name of Faith, she was well grounded. She knew that God was present with her, sustaining her, and had a plan for her life.

The Larson Family in their Tiffany Strong Shirts

With cause for great joy, Tiffany made a huge stride on March 16, when she completed her last chemo! 

Fifteen months of relentless fighting had passed – a celebration. She is currently in remission but still in medical treatment. Although the road to recovery is not yet complete, Tiffany has reached this new milestone. Family and friends are so excited for her new chemo-free stage with their sister, daughter, and friend: Tiffany!

She has fought a good fight and finished this leg of the race. Her hospital nurse recently said, “She came into this as a fragile flower and has come out of this a force to be reckoned with.” 

This fragile flower, little miss Tiffany, has become so strong!

When life seems impossible Faith arises. She does not lose hope. She conquers with strength that can only come from the mercy of God in the middle of great pain. The nurses’ pricks came, the burns of radiation, the nausea, damaged nerves, and relentless infection. Yet, in the midst of it all Tiffany showed the strength and endurance of one who was trained for this battle! She has truly become Tiffany Strong, demonstrating the heart of a valiant ‘Super Girl.’

The Day of Tiffany's Last Chemo!!!! #TiffanyStrong

Share Moments. Share Life. Adopt.

When I said yes to adoption, I saw in the end that it is not always clear who is the one who gets adopted...

I spent this weekend with 1,400 adoptive and foster parents at the Refresh Conference. It was fun to be with of those crazy and happy people in one place. No kids allowed… One of my takeaways was: foster parenting and adopting are amazing ways to profoundly change a life. And in the middle of it all, we are all blessed. It’s a lesson I’ve learned in my own life, as well.

There is a great need for fostering and adoption, with kids all over the world in need of loving homes. But let me tell you that the one who fosters or adopts will never be the same.

It seems that the gifts that we receive will far outweigh the cost…

Adoption is living beyond the high-maintenance nature of our daily lives. It is seeing the world on a different playing field. This comes through welcoming a child and inviting their life to flourish through our nourishing love and restorative favor. Adopting is choosing to live for a greater good. It is so scary to take that step and seek to bless a child in need of adoption. I know - I have been there. I have waffled and fretted. My husband and I have walked away and jumped in head first.

When I said yes to adoption, I saw in the end that it is not always clear who is the one who gets adopted.

I would like to propose to you that we all do. When we adopt we think that we are doing something great for someone else. We believe that we are bettering the world and changing a life. And it’s true: that happens. But in addition to the one being adopted, everyone reaps so much benefit, too. 

We find the gritty, organic nature of ourselves as we reach out; we find out what we’re really made of. We sacrifice. We get our comfort zones pushed and stretched: We learn, we grow, we find to what extent can we share what we have. To what measure can we better a life and the world? You tell me...

When we give we also receive.

The joy of parenting a little one is almost unquenchable. Entering into foster parenting or adoption we may feel like we are doing such a great favor to the child, yet I have seen and experienced that the gifts we give come back multiplied time and again. I can say that I have great fulfillment because of it.

So, I ask others to ponder this: Is this mutually life-giving lifestyle possible for you? It is through sacrifice, faith, love, and hope unleashed – both given and received – that we truly live.

Me and two of my adoption heroes that I met at Refresh: MaryBeth Chapman and Emily Richards!!!

When I said yes to adoption, I saw in the end that it is not always clear who is the one who gets adopted...

The Trouble with Parking

The other day I thought I was going skiing with the family but the Steven’s Pass parking lot was full - now what? Not knowing what to do, I dropped the family off and drove down to the Nordic center for my own adventure – the parking necessitated a “divide and conquer” kind of day, and my man is the ski instructor and best ski-parent around. 

I had no idea what to expect when I got to the Nordic Center. My snowshoes and snow crampons were tucked away on the shelf happily at home to boot. Fortunately, I had my hearty Keen winter boots on my feet. They seemed fine enough to me, after all. 

I took a moment to talk to the Nordic Park Ranger about the terrain, then I took off up the trail. It was really steep but fortunately it was well used and packed out. The park ranger told me not to pass the river so I felt knowledgeable. I asked him to look for me at the end of the day if I didn't return and check in with him. 

My boots tracked better than I could have hoped for. It was a challenging workout going up a mountain. I hiked about three hours round trip and saw some really spectacular views and enjoyed the quiet. The constant noise of my life was nowhere to be found out there. Clearly, just me and the snow-covered hill made for a great day. 

After checking back-in with the park ranger, I went to pick up the family at our arranged meeting time, they looked at me sheepishly knowing that I had given up my day of skiing because of parking. They had a great day with fun stories to tell. They assumed that I didn’t. However, I was so thankful for my solo snow-hiking day in the woods. I loved sharing my adventure with them. 

It was delightful, beautiful, and not too eventful. 

Though it all, I learned that when life gives me lemons, to make lemonade (or go climb a mountain).

My Valentines Day Plans

Valentine's day is the best opportunity to celebrate LOVE!

Celebrating love is just plain fun and “simply irresistible.” I have listed a few of my Valentine's Day ideas for this year. I hope to get to all of them. :) But if not, any of these things would be great to do with my man. (Hint, hint...)

Pike Place Market: I just love going to a good farmers market. The flowers, the food, and all that emerge from the raw earth. This particular market also has some great Seattle culture (flying fish!) and the original Starbucks. Love ya a latte!

The beach, the lake, or the river: Water is a great place for some couples' conversational time! It is so calming and just bubbles with love. On a nice day I thoroughly enjoy hanging around at the water’s edge with my man.

The Space Needle: I have wanted to go here for a while and Valentine's day would be perfect. 

The Ballet: Most ballet companies have romantically themed ballets this time of the year - including on Valentine's Day. A modern Romeo and Juliet is a great choice and happens to be in Seattle this Valentine's Day.

Scenic Drive and Country Café: Moo! Yes, stepping out into the country is a great place to slow the pace, smell the flowers, (and the cows) and just plain be happy. The country often boasts the cutest little diners, too.

Skiing: Chasing my man down the slopes is a lot of fun. Although, I rarely can catch Lightning McQueen! The mountains, exercise and the speed are great!

Let Groupon make the pick: They have a Valentine's button for their web browser. So my man and I can hop on Groupon and let the good deals make the plans. Good deals are fun! I like the idea of doing a couple’s painting trip, followed up by a movie, and a pizza.

Hiking with a Picnic: Getting out for a mountain walk is conducive for great talks and exercise! A carefully packed picnic is a great reward for a hike well done at mountain’s edge. 

Stay at Home: Yes, there is no place like home on Valentine's Day! I would love to stay home with my man in my clean home and enjoy quality and meaningful time - not cleaning and working.

I look forward to Valentine's Day with my husband! I know it will start with church because it is on a Sunday and he is the preacher-man (or is that, "he is the preacher, man"?). But other than that, only the sky is the limit! Maybe we will celebrate all week long!