nature

Becoming a mother means entering a new phase of life that is punctuated
by a steep learning curve. Over the last three odd years I have grown
in so many ways and when I come to, out of this sleep deprived state,
I'll be able to recognize that growth. For now, it's survival. How to
pass the day, making sure the kids are clothed, fed nutritiously (an
area I am constantly researching, experimenting with and worrying
about), educated and loved is nothing short of mothering science. When
Nora was born, the challenges somehow tripled. But I can say I have
come a long way; the house is in a general state of order, the kids eat
well, they are learning new things all the time and enlightening me as
well (I am now very knowledgeable on ALL the different types of firetrucks
out there, and their individual parts), AND I even take time for myself
to be me...it would be easy to lose yourself in your kids. One thing I
have learned is when the day starts to waver, once I start to feel the
scales tipping from a peaceful situation to all out anarchy, it is time
to LEAVE! Get the kids in the car and drive like the wind! (a process
that takes at least 30 minutes in itself). Of course, the best place to
go is to nature.


Ft Harrison State Park is one of our
favorite places to go. It used to be a large army base that they have
turned into a small park. We love to hike, play on the playground,
throw sticks for Kizzy in the creek and basically hang out in nature. As
much as I miss the mountains and rivers of Oregon, this outing is
surprisingly refreshing. Drew loves being outside and if he was cranky
or whiny at home, he leaves it behind the minute we hit the woods. Nora
also is a nature lover and is completely content riding in her pack. We
have spotted bears, tigers, mountain lions and even mountains
themselves right here in the heartland...