Can never be a more BEAUTIFUL you

When I was pregnant with a Grace (before knowing she was a she) there was a song that was just coming out on the Christian radio station. 

It is by Jonny Diaz

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight, her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well, little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but He's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well, little girl twenty one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And He'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late, you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear, they can all be washed away

By the one who's strong, can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry, all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light, He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

I prayed that if we were having a girl  that I would be able to teach her that no matter what the world says she is Beautiful. 

A few months ago I saw some canvas wall art that I wanted to purchase but it was to expensive. It was simple and spoke to what I wanted to remind Grace of. 

Fast forward to now.

My friend informed me that her daughter (who is currently a junior in high school) wanted me to take her senior pics next year. I said yes, but only if her daughter would paint me something for Grace's room. 

Her daughter is a gifted artist. She just won a rosette at the fair.

I talked with her daughter today and told her I would and what I would like in return.

She agreed.

Now I can't find the stuff I wanted to buy! ARGH!

So I am looking through lyrics and trying to find something I like and just letting her design it all.

Here are what I am thinking, if you like one more than the others or have another idea I would love to hear it!

There could never be a more beautiful you. 

You're covered with the fingerprints of God

Fashioned by God's hand 

and perfectly planned 

to be just who you are

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

This next one is just for fun and I would love to do something with it eventually

I am a Princess, my Father is the King of Kings

Foto Friday

Labor Day Weekend

 

Brian ended up with a 4 day weekend on Labor day weekend. 

He has been itching to go camping. 

After some planning with his parents to meet us out in the islands with their sailboat (and dinghy)

we were off!

We left Friday morning and did a little fishing before heading to the island and unloading our stuff on the beach. 

Brian then headed to the mooring buoy with the boat to await his dinghy service back to the island. 

See why we needed his parents :o)

The kids had a great time playing on the beach. 

Collecting rocks and helping gather firewood. 

Grace spent a lot of time snuggled up under blankets. 

The first few days there was pretty good wind a blowing and it was COLD!

Michael and Casey even slept in their own tent!

 Casey got sick the first night but was feeling much better by lunch time the next day.

 Our view from the island. It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was great.

 Our boat.

Love these two pictures of my Peyton. he is such a little goof ball. 

He had so much fun and kept asking us if we could stay and camp some more as we were 

packing up Sunday morning. 

Didn't get a lot of pictures because I didn't have my camera out a lot. 

Brian got some pictures on his iPhone that I will have upload soon.

Grace's quilt and matching pillow case

I made the quilt when Grace was born 2 years ago and just recently used left
over fabric to make a matching pillowcase.

Grace is 2

Grace had a great day celebrating being 2 with her cousins.
Auntie, Uncle, Isa and Kai gave her this pretty skirt.

I took these pictures below today.

I had lots of fun playing in photoshop today!

Grace Elizabeth

Two years ago today I was a week overdue with our 4th kiddo.
That's not a big surprise as my midwife tells me I am a 41 weeker.
This kiddo did however come quickly.
My shortest labor, 8 hours.
Born in the wee hours of the morning on August 20!

Grace you are such a blessing.
A feisty little red head.
Independent.
The one your brothers protect and would do anything for.
You love to sing and dance.
You like to do what the boys are doing.
But you also LOVE to play with your babies.
You love animals.
You love when you get to see Baby Westyn.

Happy 2nd Birthday little girl.

Weekend Getaway

I have been asking Brian to take me out on the boat, without kids, to Friday Harbor for awhile now. But, we can't go on the boat without fishing.
We found places for all the kids, reserved a slip for the boat at Rosario Resort.
It helps that we can sleep on the boat, so we didn't have to find a hotel and it saved a lot of money.
Headed out Saturday morning.
Fished for a few hours and then headed to Friday Harbor to play tourist. We had fun walking around and then we headed to the resort.
Rosario was great. They have three pools, a hot tub and deer.
That's right, three deer that are so use to people you can walk up and pet them.
I will have to post those photos later as they are on Brian's phone.
We enjoyed exploring the resort. Then we headed off to dinner. We had reservations at the mansion restaurant and had a spectacular food.
We spent all of Sunday fishing.
Ended up with three fish (2 kings and 1 pink) and only 3 crab.

My 14 lb king

My pink

My 8 lb king

beautiful sunrise Sunday morning.

Point lawn at Rosario

Stained glass windows in the organ room at the mansion

rod in the water waiting for a nibble

I loved being out in the islands

Our view at dinner. It was spectacular.

I had a wonderful time and the kids did too! So thankful for my sister and her family for taking Michael. Our friends Kevin and Alice for taking Casey. The Edmonds for staying at the house with Peyton and Grace. All the kids had great stories to tell and seemed to be trying to outdo each other with what they got to do while we were gone.