*GASP* Lani has ANOTHER day off!

This time, we went to the coast. We haven't been ALL Summer. Isn't that pathetic??? Sheeeeze. But, here we are! We had fun, ate good food, bought yummy treats, played in the sand, walked along the water and came home ready to crash out. Yay!

Bell Ranch!

We didn't camp but we still had fun! The kids played in the dirt and (sort of but not really) swam in the river and we hung out with lots of people! So fun!
Mark and Tori hanging out in the sunshine

Mark and Andrew eating some dinner

Me and Andrew hanging out

Madre and Tori at the Luau

Tinker, Stacy, Madre & George

Andrew and his big buddy TJ


Andrew thought he wanted to go in the river...but then opted out when he realized how cold it was

DIRT!

MORE DIRT!

These boots are made for walkin'!!

Tori got new boots from Nana. We had them stored in our room for a while because they were too big but this morning Tori found them and INSISTED on wearing them to daycare. Then she came home and Mark managed to get them off for a while. And then it was bath time and time for pj's. Again, she INSISTED on wearing them...

Part time job? What?

Okay, so Mark and I ran away to Las Vegas for four days and when we came back, it was my turn to cover Misty's vacation time at work. She was gone Monday through Saturday and we were open all six of those days. I am BEAT. I did the math and, if it was done correctly, I hit 59.75 hours this week. And then went to work at the church last night and will teach again this morning.

I miss my family! I can't wait to have Monday morning and Wednesday morning at home with my kiddos before heading into the new "late summer schedule" we have going at the clinic. I will be working Monday 12-close, Tuesday 6:45 AM to close, Wednesday 12 to close, Thursday 8:00 AM to close and every other Saturday 8:45 AM to about 3:30 PM. That schedule will last through September 1st when Mark heads back into the classroom and I go back to Tuesday, Thursday, every other Saturday.

I really can't complain when it comes to my crazy hours. We can always use the money and get our debt paid off faster. Plus, it gives my hubby good one on one time with his kiddos. And, the kicker: I love what I do and the people I work with. No matter what, this past week was FUN. We were all tired and we were all stressed (some more than others) and we were all just trying to manage. But we DID manage--because we all love being there. And that's the best part!

Okay--time to get my act together so we're not late for church!

Introducing Max Ethan

Before I introduce Max, I feel like I should introduce his momma.

Miriam is one of the most amazing people a person could come into contact with. She is one of those few people I consider truly beautiful inside and out. She is gracious to EVERYONE and she is kind and an amazing wife to her husband and the most amazing mom I have ever seen. She comes from a difficult childhood & past and continues to deal with family issues on a regular basis. But, no matter what, she is ALWAYS positive and she always looks for what God has for her family over everything else going on around them.

Miriam and her husband, also a Max, moved to Las Vegas last year as we were moving back to the valley. I was so sad to see them move just when we were going to be close enough to spend time with them again. But God had plans for them and He continues to bless them.

In October 2006 Miriam had Julia.

Julia is a mini-Miriam and an incredible joy to be around.

Wednesday, July 16 at 2:09 AM, Miriam had Max Ethan Doner at home (a water birth). We arrived in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon and we were hoping to see the Doner family Thursday morning. When we made these plans, we thought she would have had the baby (she went into early labor and landed on bed-rest several weeks prior to our visit) and would be ready to be social again. I received a text message as I was arriving at the Portland airport saying, "He's here! 6 pounds, 11 ounces, 19 inches long!" I was ecstatic for them and started calling friends and family and announcing the new addition. And then I realized I might not get to see them and kind of started throwing a little temper tantrum at God. "SUCH TIMING! Couldn't You have worked this out a little better....???"

BUT...again, with the amazing-ness that is Miriam, she said she still wanted to see us. Miriam, Max, Julia and Mini Max piled into their car and met us for dinner 36 hours after he was born...


What a blessing it was to see them!

5 Years...I can't believe its already here!

Mark and I celebrated our 5th anniversary this weekend. We celebrated by going to Vegas! SO FUN! We shipped the kiddos off to Nana & Papa's house for three days and took off! It was great! We stayed out late, slept in (well, kinda), went for coffee, walked around and shopped for hours on end, slept by the beautiful pools at the hotel and pretty much just enjoyed being together without our kids for a few days. What a wonderful break it was!

In the mean time, the past five years have been busy and eventful for us. Not only did we get married, but we've managed two job losses (one each through a company sell), Mark finishing his bachelors AND his masters, two surprise babies, three deaths between the two families and six moves in two states.

The best part: I wouldn't change anything. We are happy. We are healthy and we have two beautiful children to celebrate life with.
Just after we got married:

Family pictures with Andrew:

Getting ready for Tori:

Our completed family:

Vegas! Headed home at the end of our vacation:

VEGAS!

More explanation to come, but here are some pics! SO FUN!