The Unc

The week before last my dear Uncle Marv passed away. My uncle was special to me in that when I was a teenager - and in need of a home and safe place to go to high school, he opened up his home and heart to me. 

My Aunt Gale and Uncle Marv didn't have to do such a sacrificial thing, taking in a teenager - when they were both nearing retirement age, but I'm glad they did. It started the domino affect of a better life for me. I was able to focus more in school, thus graduating with my class. If it had not been for their kindness - I have no idea where I might be today in life. I will forever be grateful to them both. They helped change my world. I finally knew what stability felt like, what it meant to really be a student - no longer concerned about surviving whatever situation I was in. 

Uncle Marv wasn't only a kind hearted man, but he was pretty funny too. Many times - I could be found laughing hysterically over his antics. Even now, while remembering - I feel a smile on my lips. He was a good man - and he will be missed. I came to endearingly call him 'The Unc', and even in my adult years - I would always get a Christmas card signed "The Unc", and of course, in his estimation it was no card at all, unless it was a 'Leaning Tree' card.

I love you Uncle Marv 

My memories of you will include things like: Tennessee, liquid smoke in my tacos, big boxes full of rocks, barking at strangers, telling me to wash my hair - with soap, your teasing me when I always came back in because I forgot something, yorkies, cowboy movies, big belt buckles, stealing your white t-shirts and driving you crazy, licking your glasses, first car shopping, fixing first car, teasing Aunt Gale together, and giving you sloppy kisses on your big ole' forehead.

Photo Bomb

So. 

In true Charrissa fashion, here I am again - taking a whole month's of picture taking (via cell phone) and cramming it into one post.

aka: photo bomb

Enjoy!

Some have descriptions. Some do not. 

Some need explaining. Some - are well, obvious. ;)

Asher, so sweet & cuddly. In the bottom picture I am the chubster on the left and he is the chunkalicious on the right. Similar, right?

Goofing off being mommy & son.

A Virginian sky. Pretty.

No explanation needed. Just cute baby bunnies.

Need a bowl clean? Justus has that covered.

Currently this elliptical is my own personal device of torture. Actually, it was a huge blessing. A family member gave this to us! I was so happy, because the move here obliterated my treadmill. I have lost nearly 30 pounds since moving here!

(unfortunately this doesn't mean I'm skinny)

The next pics are from Gabe's 12th birthday. We spent it downtown, and went to the Aquarium as well as the very first Starbuck's. We also stopped off on the way home to pick up some pretty amazing Thai food.

Sometimes you just need to ... be ... crazy.

I love when my niece Rudi comes for a visit. Here she and Asher are sharing my lap.

Grouchy pants above was caught red handed stealing green beans out of my pan.

Our pastor from Port Orchard came with his family for a visit and of course, Justus had to snuggle up. Justus has a thing for Pastors and Assistant Pastors. He LOVES them - and hunts them down and hounds them for affection! It's really kinda cute! We miss everyone in Port Orchard!

 Grateful for the ministry there as well!

Here we are out to dinner with our new pastor and his wife. We adore our new church and are so grateful that God places our family in good churches wherever we seem to land.  God is doing some great things at Everett BBC. In just the short time being there we have seen a mighty prayer answered in the most amazing way, that it was no doubt the hand of God. Spectacular are the wonderments of Christ!

Cute as a button.

Oh goodness. We are currently in the midst of Chicken Pox. Max is finally over them, but Chloe and Asher have just begun ...

 Man Down!!! Or more like, TENT DOWN ON MAN! ;)

Trophy Cupcakes in the U Village are PHENOMENAL! 

That with a cup of coffee - and it's bliss ...

That's the last few weeks ... in a nutshell:  Birthday, some goofiness, some coffee & some chicken pox. 

Now you are all caught up!

February ... stuff

It's so hard to believe that February 2013 is just about to come to a close. I literally feel as though time is slipping through my fingers like sand. 

So. What did February bring for you? Any new adventures or happenings?

For us, there were some ups and downs - more ups, thankfully.

We are settling into our life living in the midst of the city. I am pleased to tell you that our family is thoroughly enjoying living here in Seattle. Everything is just so convenient and close by. We live about three minutes away from the Children's hospital, which works out nicely seeing that I am running to and fro for the Littles appointments and labs. We also live within walking distance of the grocery store, barber shop, Top Pot Doughnuts, library, bank, dry cleaners, bakery, park, PCC (natural food market), and .... STARBUCK'S. I seriously love being able to allow my three older boys the ability to exercise some independence, while knowing it's just a short walk. I think they are really enjoying it as well. 

There is so much more though. With Phillip getting home at a much earlier time - it affords us more family time, more time to socialize or visit others, and more time to just enjoy life ... together.

I do ask that you pray along with our family for our home in Port Orchard to rent. Many have shown an interest, but not until May - when the next ship pulls into dock. (Navy town). So, we are patiently (or not so patiently depending on my spirit) awaiting for God to work that all out. I do miss my home and the eagles flying above while looking out the window at the passing ferry, but ... I am enjoying the blessings of being here in the city as well.

Asher is a very clingy baby. Some days, I adore it - knowing that this baby could just be my last one. However, there are other days that make it difficult to maneuver and get things done. The picture above was just a snuggly kind of morning. 

We just recently took a trip to a spot I visited a lot as a child. My father would often take me to a place called Rockaway Beach. It's just south of Cannon Beach in Oregon. It's a tiny little blip of a place, but it holds HUGE memories for me. For awhile, my Dad owned a cabin there. We often went there on the weekends. Phillip took me there with the kids to honor the memory of my Dad. It was a short trip, but it was a good trip.

To get there we went through Astoria. This is only part of a ginormous bridge there.

Blurry picture, but look at my boys! They are getting SO big!!!

Do you see what happens when you stay at a place in a tiny little town? The Sea Haven went all out and welcomed us via their sign. This made me chuckle.

A couple of cute Brownings.

Dad had a thing for sunsets. I remember as a kid, it was ALWAYS a big deal to run out to the beach and watch the sun set. He loved it. He just loved the ocean and everything related to it. I think Phillip and I are doing a good job of instilling that same love for God's handiwork in our children. I'm grateful for all those sunsets with Dad.

Phillip and I being goofy.

 Rockaway is just north of Tillamook. Tillamook is the place where all that lovely cheese is made! So ... we took the kids to the cheese factory!

I taught myself how to crochet during the drive there and back.

Love this yarn!

Oh goodness. This kid is sheer joy. 

All. The. Time.

 Ha, Ha. I love this guy!

A few of us hopped out on the drive up there so we could 'smell' the ocean air! Someone snapped a picture for us. That was sweet of him, right? 

(I was totally thinking the whole time: if this guy runs with my phone - I can take him)

Ivanna got a glow worm for Christmas. (PS - BEST sensory toy EVER - it has a 10 minute button where the music plays long term, so no annoying restarts, etc)

Anyhow. I digress.

Asher LOVES it too! So, when Ivanna is away, he plays with her toy.

What kid doesn't like the washer, right?

I was also able to fly to Virginia with Asher in tow - to visit my Aunt and Uncle. They both took me in as a teenager, and made one of the biggest differences in my life that I can think of aside from my salvation and marriage. If it had not been for them - I can't think of how different things would have been. My uncle's health has taken a turn, and so Phillip purchased me a ticket so I could visit. It was good to see them both, for I am so grateful for how they impacted my life.

February has also been filled with new appointments for Ivanna that I will talk about over on An Extra Leaf soon.  

God is so good to this family of crazies.

 I love how He cares for us in every detail of our lives, our hopes, our deepest desires. God knows every thought we have, every burden we carry, and every whisper of want we may ponder.

He not only knows, but He cares. Like no other ... He cares.

Grateful for that. 

Have a beautiful rest of your February ...