Swimming

Today I took my little guy to a swimming pool for the first time. As you can see by these photos and the video, he had the time of his life. This kid loves the water and was on top of the world today. The excitement on his face was priceless. I will never forget this day.

Down in the River to Pray

We truly are blessed!

Jason's Graduation

Five years ago, Jason joined the IBEW Local Union 112 Electrical Apprenticeship Program. Last Friday he graduated. We could not be more proud of this guy! There were 9 guys in his class. Special awards were given to the top 2 graduates who maintained the highest GPA throughout the 5 year program. Jason received one of these awards. He maintained a 93.9% GPA! He received a gold watch and some other special gifts for his hard work.

One of the many things I admire and love about my husband is his drive. He sets out with a goal and follows through completely. I have watched him work hours, and hours, and hours, and hours on homework. We are talking stacks of books and workbooks that are 5-6 inches thick. Books filled with pages and pages of math and words that are foreign to me. He was required to have all of his work done before each week of class. So basically he taught himself the work and then had it checked and worked through it when he went to class. Each year, he had 5 weeks of class total.

Jason always found a way to make sure he was prepared for his schooling. Even when Christian was born early and I had to live away from home for 5 months. He has worked jobs where he was away from home for weeks on end. He has worked 13 hour days for 3 months straight without a day off. His determination and drive were what made him stay the course and get his work done no-matter-what. I am so proud of him.

Jason is, hands down, the smartest person I know. It was no surprise to me that he graduated 2nd in his class.

Jason is now a licensed journeyman in the state of Oregon and Washington. He had to take extensive exams to receive these. Not only did he pass (on his first try!) but he passed with flying colors!!!

Here are a few more pics of the evening:

Congratulations on your accomplishment honey! You have worked so hard and we are all so proud of you!

Christian is 20 months

It is hard to believe that our {baby} has turned into a {little boy}.



When did this happen?

He has grown by leaps and bounds.

He weighed in last week at 19 pounds 12 ounces.

My Heart beats: slow....down....time.

My Head knows: this is an unrealistic request

BUT.......

You can't blame a girl {mom} for trying.

I am all too aware that we will NEVER get this day back.

My Ears hear a whisper:

"Treasure this Crystal, take it ALL in, Embrace the Day, Remember the moment, LIVE it."

My Heart: Listens.

My Head Knows: I will never get this day back.

And when it is GONE, I will miss it, but I will remember that it was a GREAT one.

I Wanna Be Like You Dad

"A young boy doesn't come with instructions. He just comes with boundless love and an adventurous spirit. But the journey to manhood begins very early...the first time he looks at his dad and thinks, 'I want to be just like him.' "

~Father to Son: Life Lessons on Raising a Boy by Harry H. Harrison, Jr.

Mustang Mama

Last weekend my mom entered her car, a 66 Mustang, in the local car show at Nookies. The money raised from the event was being donated to Doernbecher Children's Hospital. We liked that idea a lot!

Friday night was "cruise night." Everyone met in their fancy cars at Nookies and then cruised a loop around town. At one end of the loop we were given a ticket that we exchanged at the other end of the loop for envelopes. The envelopes had cash ranging from $1 dollars to $100 dollars in them. Some envelopes had pink tickets that said to "try again". It was so much fun! I think mom went home with about $45! One envelope we opened had a $20 dollar bill in it. :)

Here we are before heading out on the cruise. We dressed up in the style of the 60's.

This is a candid photo of my mom driving her mustang down the strip. Isn't she cute?

Here is my mom's car at the car show the next day.

Here is my Mustang Mama!