Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Confession:

I am very detail oriented and thus easily overwhelmed. Too many details make my mind spin, yet I care deeply about the details. This has caused many a problem throughout my life. I have not blogged simply because I want to share every detail that has happened since we moved here almost six months ago. But each time I think of all there is to share in this neglected blog of mine I get considerably overwhelmed. And as hard as this is going to be for me, I've just decided to get over it and move on and share our life NOW...otherwise I might never blog again! Yes, I also have procrastination issues, but I'll just confess one thing at a time! ;)

So, right now...

We are loving the Oregon fall



and admiring all that God has created.



We are having fun decorating for the season.


We are loving the cold weather that warrants the use of our fireplace.


Brian is busy being SuperDad



while simultaneously getting a lot of hands on training in residency! ;)


We are loving our church here and are growing in the Lord. Our backyard is a beautiful and peaceful place to have some quiet time with the Lord.


We are praising Him for all that He has done and continues to do in our lives.


We WERE spending many days at the park behind our house. The rain has started, so this will just be for memory's sake!





Abigail is eating big girl food.



She still prefers to sleep with a blanket over her face...she does that all on her own now!


Abigail is officially EVERYWHERE! She's crawling and pulling up on anything that will support her. I think Elisabeth was only a warm up to all that Abigail will be! She's feisty and ornery, yet so sweet and tender. She is a blessing beyond measure!



Elisabeth is growing up so fast. She is so quickly approaching four...FOUR!! She loves dresses and loud, "fancy" shoes. She's becoming such a precious little (big!) girl.


I am so proud of the girl she is becoming. It blesses us to see God at work in her life. To see her heart flourishing each day for Him is more than we could ask for.


She loves learning and we have "school" often. We're not regular about it yet, but becoming more so. Her memory amazes me! She is already trying to memorize books as I read them to her so she can "read" them herself later on. She has learned all of the basic sounds to her letters and can write several of her letters well. We have fun sounding out words together, and I've caught her a couple of times sounding words out on her own. She's a smarty pants!


Elisabeth and Abigail spend endless hours playing and laughing together. Elisabeth has already been saying that Abigail is her best friend. I am so grateful they have each other and love being sisters. They are precious together and bring Brian and I more joy than we could have ever imagined!







We cherish having weekly family movie nights. It's always a big deal and involves setting up the air mattress in the living room with lots of pillows and blankets, pizza, chocolate milk, a "special treat", and a thoughtfully chosen kid-friendly movie. We always have so much fun and look forward to this special time with Daddy each week.


We are loving our little family of four and so grateful to be here in Oregon. We love it here! We love the weather, the scenery, the mountains, the forests, the ocean, our new friends, our new church, the abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, the local berry farms and orchards, having our own fruit trees and herb garden, our neighbors, our community...I could go on and on! Now if we can just convince our families to move up here... :)



But, right now...above all, we are THANKFUL!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

True Colors

Sweet smiles,


true colors.


Abundant joy.

Friday, August 27, 2010

So I Don't Forget

Right now some of our very best friends are here. They drove all the way from Southern California to see us. Everyone except Abigail and I are asleep. The windows are open and a cool breeze is flooding the house. Our neighbor has been reroofing his house for several days, and he has been serenading the neighborhood with music from a Braveheart/Gladiator-like soundtrack. The music is dramatic and beautiful, and plays as though it's the soundtrack to my day. The sunshine is intoxicating as I am working on my Bible study on Luke 12. I am reminded that the Lord says not to worry. And that He values me most of all. And He values YOU most of all. Will you remember that today? It is a truth I don't want to forget.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

I love

spending all


of my time


with these precious


smiley,


adorable,


silly,


lovable sisters.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

So I Don't Forget

Right now the windows are open so the autumn-like cool breeze can fill our house with the nostalgia of fall. I have been getting ready, tidying up the house for an afternoon guest, and swaying with my sweet Abigail in my arms who seems to have a love for cuddling. My hot chai tea is waiting on me to begin my Bible study. My precious Elisabeth is filling the neighborhood air with sweet songs. I know that all who can hear her right now can't help but smile. I cannot seem to think of a better word for it, for hardworking is an understatement...but my hardworking husband has the weekend off, and I am joyful in knowing he can have some much needed rest. My heart is so full. And I don't want to forget this.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

For a Love of Reading

I LOVE to read. And I LOVE to decorate, design, and redesign. I am also very indecisive which typically leads me to constantly rearrange and redo things. And working with what I have can be a little challenging sometimes. But I enjoy it immensely. So, what started as a "dance studio" has become a place that I hope will continue to fuel Elisabeth's love of reading...She's already named it "The Reading Spot."



Thursday, July 8, 2010

Family


One of the hardest things about moving to Oregon has been missing all of the people we love. Thankfully we have so many ways to talk to you and "see" you every day! We just wanted you to know that we love you all and miss you tremendously!!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Tiny Dancer

When we first saw this house, it only took me about a millisecond to figure out what to do with the odd space that is our second living room. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be a great place for a playroom. As we surveyed the random recessed rock wall at the end of the room with a recessed light overhead, I thought of Elisabeth and her vivacious and dramatic personality and knew exactly what to do with it...A STAGE!! I even have red curtains to drape on the sides! We set it up on Friday as a little dance "studio" complete with mirrors so she can check her form...oh, wait, she's not that serious! She just likes to watch herself dance! We had some 50's music going and she was loving it!!







She even gave a private lesson!


Abigail joined us after her nap.


I don't think it will be too long before I find them in the playroom together dancing up a storm!

Friday, July 2, 2010