Funky July weather

We have had a terribly mild summer for some reason. With the exception of a few stray days here and there, we haven't had any of those 90-100+ degree days. It's been in the 70's and low 80's. Even so, yesterday's weather was just plain funky and not at all funny ... it was in the high 60's and RAINING of all things.

Not good timing at all considering the fact that the 30's - 40's age range at church had a BBQ last night. I felt so bad for the hosts who had, of course, planned for many outside activities.

There were easily 30 or more people there and I don't do well at functions where I'm with a lot of people I don't know. I feel extremely uncomfortable and filled with anxiety (except in professional settings, for some reason -- then I have no problems at all being outgoing; go figure.). Michael & I are two peas in a pod in that sense, so don't ever put us in a situation where neither of us knows anyone. Ay Carumba!

Anyway, looking back on it (now that I'm not seeing through anxiety-filled vision), it was fun. And I know that those types of situations are a necessary evil for me to meet and get to know new friends in the church. (Did I ever tell you that a few months ago Michael & I made a joint decision to start attending Family Life Church? We needed to choose one church or the other so the four of us would have a church home instead of bouncing back and forth between both churches.)

Vickie babysat for us last night and then we all spent the night there. Michael & I watched "The Pursuit of Happyness" for the first time. It hit a little too close to home. But I was re-inspired to work even harder at making a success of my business. I believe in it, I love it, and I believe that God clearly led me in this direction last summer. Not to mention the fact that I am still getting every single door slammed in my face when I apply for jobs.

I have another little job ad sitting right here in front of my computer for a p/t job as the Community Resource Coordinator for Yamhill County. The pay is decent, the hours are perfect, and I'm qualified. So let me ask you this: do I apply for it? Past experience says I'll never even hear from them (or I'll make it to the final interview and get passed over for someone else). Is it because God is reminding me that He sent me in a direction and He will make my Wedding Planner business succeed? Or, do I apply for it in case I'm totally off base on that assumption and God is just wanting me to keep doing everything I know to do until He opens the right door?

So much running through my brain. Too much to ramble about on here. This morning my brain was filled with the thought that tomorrow is the deadline for that advertising I want to do and now I'm going to have to wait another year to do it. Michael reminded me that if God is going to make my business succeed, it is going to be His way, not mine.

On another note, the boys and I have anxiously been watching as the elementary school across the street is having a brand new play structure erected. It is bigger and grander than any of our favorite parks in town and we are salivating at the thought of being the first ones to run over and play on it as soon as it is completed! I promised Drew we will call his two preschool friends to join us as soon as that happens.



Drew is extra excited because he believes they are constructing the new play area just for the new kindergarteners ... of which he will soon be one!

Although the boys have been sleeping together in Drew's bunkbed the last month, they still have been getting scared because they can't see each other. So on Monday Michael & I moved Nick's bed into Drew's room. They are so much happier.

As for Nick's old room, it is now the boys' reading room. Do my boys sound spoiled or what? They have a large bedroom, a huge backyard, a big playroom and now a reading room.

Kind of ironic, considering our situation. God's funny that way. I think it's 'cause He loves kids.

P.S.
I am going to apply for that job, by the way. I have to continue doing that until God clearly shows me otherwise.

Wonderful Weekend

After celebrating Vickie's birthday with the whole fam Friday night, the boys & I spent the night at Craig & Vickie's. It was nice; Michael & I got some couple time after putting the boys to bed while the other adults went to a movie.

And the next morning we all (nine of us) went to the Newberg Old-Fashioned Days parade together.






It was hot, HOT, HOT (it is oh-so-hard to feel very feminine with sweat running down your back, down your front, everywhere!). The boys loved the parade ... especially since they raked in an entire bag full of candy from what was thrown their way by the parade entries. And Nick spent the first several minutes waving at every single entry that went by. He was enthralled.

We then walked down to the park, ate lunch while listening to a jazz band, meandered through the booths, and took the boys to the carnival area for a couple of rides.

The remainder of Saturday was very relaxing. The boys had their first water balloon fight with Michael. It was hilarious.

After church on Sunday, we went out to lunch and then enjoyed just goofing around at Michael's shop and then up at Craig & Vickie's. Craig volunteered to stay back with the boys that evening so that Vickie, Michael & I could enjoy our church's worship service out at the new amphitheater at George Fox University. I wish I had pictures from last night ... it was so perfect. The amphitheater is set among trees right on a creek. You have no idea you're in the middle of town; it feels like you're out in the forest. The weather was great, the music was awesome ... it was a wonderful time of worship together. And as I watched other parents who were distracted from worship because their kids were doing somersaults up the hill, or initiating tag in the rows, or yelling out, "I'm bored! Is there anything to eat?", I was so, so grateful for Craig who was at home doing water balloon fights, basketball and baseball with the boys. And even more grateful after Vickie checked in with him and told us -- as soon as she could quit laughing -- that Nick had graced Craig with a poopy Pull-Up.

Networking

Still haven't heard a peep from Tuesday evening's prospective clients.

But this afternoon I met here, at Olive You in Mac, with the owners/chefs and with the owner of one of the local wedding venues, Navarra Gardens (see my blog post about Navarra Gardens on The "I Do" Rendezvous). There are some people who I network with that I develop a sort of friendship with. These are some of those people. We all met today to begin a discussion of how to better market our businesses to the brides. We didn't get real far, but we did get some brainstorming going and plan to meet weekly for the time being.

I see this as something that has the potential to grow. I envision other local vendors joining us. I think I will throw that idea out there next week.

Got a call last night that my house was to be shown today. Thankfully I didn't go all out to clean. Michael has rubbed off on me and I know that stressing over the things I can't do isn't going to do any good. As he says, when the house sells it will be a God-thing and it won't matter what is or isn't done when the buyers come to look. Anyway, I got a call this morning that the showing had been cancelled ... and then a call this evening that another realtor scheduled a showing for tomorrow morning. I hate this whole process of having people traipse through my house. It feels like a violation of sorts. I know it's a necessary evil, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Wednesday Update

I have no real news yet to report ... last night's appointment went great and I loved the couple. They were very impressed with the research I had done for them and with what I could offer them in terms of services. I would be very surprised if they didn't hire me. However, I haven't yet heard back from them, so those little worries are starting to creep in ...

It's all up to God though, right? So I shouldn't worry.

One more prayer request for you ... and this one's a doozy. It would require a total miracle. One of my biggest challenges has been in getting directly to the brides (getting to the vendors has been easy and fun). There is a publication/website here called Bravo! that is the #1 Wedding resource for the Pacific Northwest. The publication itself is handed out at every Bridal show (it goes to thousands and thousands of brides) and their website gets a plethera of hits every day. Advertising with them is my dream because it would accomplish my goal and no doubt bring me much business. However, it is close to $1200 for 1 1/2 years worth of advertising (a full page ad in the book, and advertising on the website). It's a great deal, but out of my league right now. Well, I just found out that the deadline for this year is July 31st ... next Thursday. (Their 2009 book comes out this October at their Trade Show.) If I can't make the deadline, I have to wait a whole year to try again.

Sooo, I am praying BIG for a miracle. I'm praying for God to drop $1200 in my lap that can be used for advertising.

Hey, He's a big God, right?

So will you pray with me?

Back to the Real World

Camping was a blast ... in spite of the mosquitos (we all came home looking like we have the measles) and the dirt (can anyone say PigPen?), we had a ball. Unfortunately it wasn't very relaxing (that just goes with being a parent of small boys), but that's okay. For 3 1/2 days, the real world went away.

Our campsites were directly across from the reservoir, so this was our view. We went out in the canoes & kayaks, we fished, we went to a swimming hole one afternoon, we played games, we swatted mosquitoes, and we visited. It was hard to say goodbye, especially to my sisters.






Here are the boys fishing with their new poles.

My dad decided to have each couple take a turn being in charge of devotions by the campfire. So here we are preparing for our turn. We used the passage from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. It seemed fitting for each of us siblings and our families.

Here are all nine of the grandkids. You can tell they're related!!

And here are all of us "grownups" ... my dad, my mom, Darin & Deb, Gary & Khonda, Brenda & Miles (and their current foster baby, Grace) and me & Michael.

Deb & Darin and their kids followed us back on Wednesday and stayed with me until Friday morning. Many tears were shed when we had to say goodbye. That was in spite of the fact that Deb talked us into renting and watching "The Count of Monte Cristo" Thursday evening... :) Michael & I "endured" the movie. OK, Bren & Miles, is that honestly your favorite movie?? Seriously?? I guess Michael & I just have different tastes.

It seems to be like clockwork that everytime I have out-of-town company, Bella Casa calls to say that someone wants to see the house. This was no exception. I got the call Friday night and Michael & I and the boys worked hard Saturday morning to get the house presentable. I haven't yet heard any feedback on the showing.

In closing, I have two prayer requests for you. The first is an exciting one: tomorrow evening I have an appointment with a potential client. Yay!! Please pray that a contract is signed and I come home with a check in my hands. Tonight Drew prayed again for my 101 clients. I'm hoping that God is in the process of answering that prayer. I've applied for 3 jobs in the last 2 weeks, all of which I was well-qualified for. I haven't heard back from even one of them. God continues to slam shut every door on jobs I'm applying for, so I'm hoping it's because He is working behind the scenes to bring me those clients and cause my business to really take off.

My second request has to do with the boys. Matt is currently prohibited from seeing the boys until he has proof he has obtained a new psychiatrist and is in ongoing treatment. He is allowed to call the boys between 6-7 p.m. every night; Drew answers the phone so that there is no conflict with the restraining order I have.

However, all of this is but a temporary fix that is buying us time to try and get a permanent fix in place. I feel very strongly that it is not safe for the boys to be with Matt in an unsupervised setting. I get fearful just thinking about it. My attorney agrees with me and is trying to enlist suggestions from the legal community on how to present this to a judge so that he understands this is the real thing. She has not yet returned my messages since I returned from camping, so I'm not sure where she is in the process. Please pray for wisdom for her, for wisdom and a soft heart for the judge, and for ultimate safety for my boys.

That is my prayer request beyond all else.

The Lighter & Brighter Colors of My World

I want to concentrate tonight on the good, the light and the funny. However, for those of you praying for us, I will give you a couple of quick prayer requests ... for continued safety for the boys & me (the restraining order was served Wednesday, and tomorrow Matt will receive a certified letter informing him that his visitation rights are temporarily suspended), for wisdom for my attorney as she seeks a way to permanently protect the boys, for wisdom for the judge, for emotional healing for my boys, and for peace for me (I don't like getting so jumpy at night).

So now onward and forward with the lighter things of life ...


Yesterday was my Grandma's 89th birthday. She was all dressed up and ready to "party". The boys love going to see her because there's always free ice cream at her Assisted Living Facility.







And, yes, although my boys look all sweet and innocent in these pictures, their devious and ornery Eckdahl sides do manifest themselves quite often.

Take today, for example. My cousin Tammy and her son Jordan stopped by for a few minutes this evening. The boys were playing out in the backyard. Or so we thought ... until Tammy went out to get Jordan and we noticed red cherry drippings on the boys' clothes. Initially I thought they had simply disobeyed and climbed the ladders to eat the cherries. Then Nick turned around ...

... and it became evident that they had in fact been having CHERRY WARS!! And Nick was sporting the vast majority of the "injuries". No kidding ... that cherry juice looked so much like blood it was eerie.

The boys thought it was quite humorous; I didn't. All I could see was that Nick was wearing some of the best, most priceless, Rainier cherries that we only get to enjoy straight off our tree for about 2 weeks out of the year.

AAHHHHHH!!!!!

One night last week while the boys were still in CA, Michael & I went for dinner at the casino. Afterward, we each took one dollar to try to "hit it big" at Video Poker. We completely ignored the strange looks we got from the "regulars" as we scoped out the best machine, holding our one dollar bills as though we were flashing $1000 bills. Michael was quick to lose his money. I, on the other hand, got on quite a little roll. Once I hit 55 credits ($13.75 to you novices), we got so excited that we both were yelling, "Cash out! Cash out!!" People were looking around, thinking we had won the jackpot. Well, to us it was. $13.75 ... pretty sad, huh? :) But hey, it paid for part of dinner and we had a blast. We were pretty happy campers. See, it doesn't take much for us to have a good time!

Sunday we leave to go camping. A couple months ago Michael took the boys shopping and they found some $10 fishing poles they wanted to take on our trip. We told them they would have to earn the money. It was a little slow-going, so last month when we had a "multi-family" yard sale here ("multi-family" being Craig & Vickie, Michael, and us), I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies for the boys to sell.

I made this sign to sit at their little table. And I made two batches of cookies. I was fearful we wouldn't be able to sell them all. I shouldn't have feared anything ...









... The boys were so excited and they completely sold out in less than an hour. Between the cookies and a few toys they sold, they made $36!! (Next time, I'm making WAY more cookies.) Of course, they had to give the first $12 of their earnings to me. You see, just two days prior, they decided to have fun with scissors. As I was loading the dishwasher, Nick cut the toes out of his brand new socks. And Drew ... well, he decided to play barber. And Nick ended up with a huge bald spot on top of his head. I made him wear a hat for the garage sale. The following day I buzzed his hair off in an attempt even things out a bit.

Yep, that's my boys!

As for me, I went last week to get a haircut. It was supposed to be just a trim since I'm growing it out. However, my hairstylist and I mutually agreed that I needed to grow out some layers. And in order to keep me from looking like too much of a freak during that "growing out" period, we needed to take about 2 inches off my hair so that the layers could grow out more evenly with the rest of my hair.

I'm sad, so sad. :(

And why is it that a woman's hair grows so much slower than a man's?? Anyone have any tips on getting my hair to grow faster?

I'll check back in with you at the end of next week with some great camping stories!!

Fireworks of Two Kinds

4th of July was so nice. We spent much of the day working and then planned a very low-key celebration at dark (which isn't until 10:00 or later around here). One of Michael's neighbors (owners of one of the wineries) puts on a party for their friends every year that includes a complete fireworks display. So all we had to do was drive around the corner, sit on the truck's tailgate and then listen to the live music until the fireworks started at 10:30. It was a brilliant display. The best part was that there were absolutely no crowds. Just us and about 5 other cars. How much better can you get?

We had no way to know that there would be fireworks of another kind less than 24 hours later ... early Saturday evening we excitedly drove to Sherwood to pick up the boys from Matt's apartment where they had arrived just minutes before from the airport. Matt showed signs of agitation early on and it quickly escalated into anger. I'm too emotionally and mentally exhausted to relay the details, so you get the short version. His anger turned to rage and he began threatening me as the boys were being put in the car. He then turned on Michael - completely unprovoked (Michael hadn't even made eye contact with him, much less spoken to him) - and started screaming curses at him. He then lunged at him and began pursuing him through the parking lot. The boys were screaming hysterically and we were all terrified. As Matt shoved Michael very hard in the chest several times, I grabbed the phone and called 911. Matt ceased as soon as he knew what I was doing, but he began mocking me. I believe his intention was to beat Michael up and then come after me ... all in public and in front of witnesses. Not to mention the boys who were scared to death.

Needless to say, we had Matt arrested. Because Michael had not sustained any injuries, the charge was Misdemeanor Physical Harrassment instead of Felony Assault. The neighbor very willingly gave the police a statement.

The boys have slept together since that night; they are too afraid to sleep alone. I have been very open and honest with them, keeping our communication open on a level they can understand.

The 3 of us stayed at Craig & Vickie's Sunday night so that we could feel safe. On Monday I was able to get ahold of my attorney. She was wonderful.

Today Michael & I were in court where I was granted a restraining order against Matt. Unfortunately the judge did not grant the restraining order for the boys. He stated I would have to have custody rights changed to protect them. I was very upset about that because I fear for my boys' safety. As we waited for my copies of the restraining order, I prayed that God would send my attorney. No joke ... about 30 seconds later she came walking down the hall from a hearing she had just attended. She gave me a big hug and promised to help protect the boys. She asked Michael & I to come by her office to make an appointment (she is technically on vacation this week). Well, my papers got brought out to me seconds later, so we were able to walk to her office immediately ... and she pulled us in to a conference room and spent a good half an hour developing a plan with us. I don't want to divulge it yet until I am able to enact it, but suffice it to say that my boys will be safe from visiting Matt for the next couple of weeks at least. That will buy us some time to get into court.

Was God right there with us orchestrating today's events or what?

So then Michael & I set off for the Hillsboro Sheriff's Station to deliver the copies of the papers that they will serve to Matt, hopefully tomorrow. We are very fearful for my safety once he is served, but even more fearful once he is notified soon that he will not be able to see the boys. I've been advised not to be at the house for the first 36 hours or so after Matt's been served. We may be headed back to Craig & Vickie's, but I haven't decided yet.

We left the Sheriff's Station in search of a gun shop where we could purchase some protection for me. We had no idea where to find one as we idly drove through Hillsboro and Beaverton. But I told Michael that God has obviously been in this day and I knew He would guide us in the right direction. Just like that, we spotted a surplus store in Aloha. The employee was extremely helpful with all kinds of information. We walked out with the strongest form of Pepper Spray ... a large can for home, as well as a small one for my purse.

I'm also going to find and sign up for a Self-Defense course.

And now my body and mind are mush.

Next week we go camping with my entire family ... all 20 of us. It couldn't have come at a better time for the four of us. It is the perfect "medicine" ... being in nature with no stressors, no fears, no worries ... just family, fun and relaxation. A refreshing for our souls.

Thanks, God!!

Tuesday Roadtrip!

So, because of the truck canopy Michael found on Craigslist Monday night, the two of us left early Tuesday morning on an all-day roadtrip up to Everett, WA.

After 4 or so hours on the road, we got the canopy and then the real fun started.

First it was a DELICIOUS lunch at a little restaurant we found near the port in Everett called Bobby's Hawaiian Style Restaurant. It was an authentic restaurant with authentic food. I sat there a little teary-eyed at first because it's been so long since I've been able to go "home".

After that, we headed beyond the early Seattle traffic to Tacoma. Neither of us had any clue just how much fun that city could be. There is so much architectural history, so much beauty, so many fun things to see and do. And the weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and about 80 degrees.

The first place we went was this old Union Station that has been turned into a Federal Courthouse.


Inside were amazing sculptures made of glass.

They were everywhere. And so beautiful.

The pieces were on loan from this Museum of Glass across the freeway. We decided to go across the "Bridge of Glass" (seen in this picture with the tall, blue funky pillars) to get to the river.

Not only were those "funky blue pillars" made of glass, but the walls of the bridge were lined with these unique glass pieces. So was the ceiling of the small tunnel we went through.

We left Tacoma with the promise to return. On the way home, I had Michael snap this shot of these 3 Monuments we had passed on the way. I wish there had been a place to stop and take a close-up photo of each copper monument, and of the sign which proudly proclaimed that these monuments were tributes: one for Mother Theresa, one for the Native Americans and one for the survivors of the Holocaust. It was so random and so funny.

I had a video of each of the boys that I wanted to post on here: one from Drew's graduation dance performance of "Walking on Sunshine", and one of Nick "golfing" when Michael took the boys & I miniature golfing after church a couple weeks ago.

The videos wouldn't fully load for some reason, so here are still shots instead...

of Drew the Graduate ...

and of Nick the Golfer (who preferred the water to the game).

I've talked to the boys every day, but still miss them. Just three more days.