The lost lion, Horton, and the confused weather

Now that I'm a mom I've realized that there are some innate abilities to being a parent, but also quite a bit experimenting and learning experiences. Before we headed to the mall yesterday I put Selah in her activity center so that I could load her stuff into the car. While I am downstairs I hear her start to fuss and whimper a bit. So I run upstairs and first I see Maya (the dog) with a guilty look on her mud covered face. She has an obsession with digging, like most dogs. Anyways, then I went to Selah and the poor girl has mud all over her face, hair, and clothes too. I was upset with Maya and felt sorry for Selah. But now I kind of have to laugh, because she looked so cute, and even she was smiling. She really likes Maya. She'll follow her around the room and gets excited when she's walking near her. Even so, lesson learned: Don't leave Selah alone with the dogs. Then we went to Lloyd Center mall for a couple hours before Dan got off work, and what an adventurous time we had. As we are walking around the mall Selah's sippy cup comes un-screwed and water spills all over her. But do I have a change of clothes with me? of course not! So I had to dry it the best I could with her receiving blanket. I should have just bought a new outfit for her, but oh well. Later I dried her jacket on the floor of the car with the heater blasting. Lesson learned: Always bring a change of clothes.
Selah's in that phase where she likes to drop stuff from wherever she is sitting and then watch it crash onto the floor. Yesterday, she took her shoulder strap off that goes with the stroller and was playing with it. Once I realized it was gone I had to back track a little bit, and we found it the clothing store we were just at. I had to explain what it was to the Hispanic gentleman that was working there, I think he thought I was stealing it. We continue on our journey, and for one of the toys I brought for Selah to play with was another shoulder strap. A while back I had bought Selah a pair of Lion and Giraffe shoulder straps to go on her car seat. But like everything else she takes them off and gnaws on them. So we gave up and started using them as a toy. She was playing with the lion strap for quite a while at the mall, and then all of a sudden it wasn't there. So we began the search for the lost lion, but came up empty handed. We had a moment of silence for the lost lion and then moved on. Thus, Selah has lost her first toy.
After Dan got off work we had to rush over to McDonald's for a birthday party that was for one of the 3rd graders in our Caravan class. Matthew is a great kid, he has a lot of energy (to say the least) but is very polite and respectful. We got him a shirt that said Torndado Pitch on it, which the Tornado part is very fitting. He loves Selah too. Ever since she was born, I guess he's been asking his mom for a sister. So adorable! We ate in the play area at McDonald's, and Dan said he felt like he was in a prison. Although, he has never been in a prison. Anyways, it allows the kids to be loud and rambunctious, and they definitely take full advantage of it. I think it is important for kids to just be loud, wild, and free sometimes. We could learn a thing or two from the "chilens", we all just need to let lose sometimes! So next time you feel your inner child fighting to get out, don't hesitate, just run a muck waving your hands around and laughing all the way. Then we went to see Horton Hears a Who. We even splurged and got some of their overpriced theater popcorn ($5 for a small bag). And the teenage girl who thought we were so lame and had to roll her eyes at us for wanting 4 water cups (free!) instead of their ridiculously high-priced bottled water put about a drop of butter on the popcorn. Oh well, lesson learned: don't take it personal when a teenager looks at you like your weird. Selah even went (her first movie), and she did pretty well. About half the time Dan and I took turns standing off to the side with her, because it was her bed time and she wanted to be rocked. However, she did get a second wind and wanted to play. Silly girl! Finally she fell asleep. Anyways, it is a good movie and I recommend seeing it. Although, it might not have been intentional but Dan and I saw a few biblical teachings in the storyline.
In other news, what is up with the weather? You'd think that I would be used to this since I've lived in Oregon all my life, but it still boggles my mind. We officially entered the Spring season last Thursday, according to the calendar. But today it began snowing! The weather seems to do this every year. At the very end of winter we get a glimpse of the warm, sunny weather that is to come. Then Spring comes upon us and we get quite a bit more of that Oregon rain. Today was the very first time that I didn't want the snow to stick, though, normally I love it when it snows. But Dan went out of town today for work, so I didn't want him to come across any on his drive. Have fun on your trip honey! I Love You!

baby sniffles

Well, Selah has her first cold. She's gotten a runny nose before, but this is an actual full-blown cold. I feel so bad for her, because she doesn't know what is going on. She doesn't know why she feels icky and can't breath well out of her noise. I think this is the first real test Dan and I have had as parents. Up until this point Selah has slept through the night (except early on when we had to get her up to feed her), and she is a really happy baby (I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom either, she really is). So yesterday the snot started flowing and she had a little cough. Our tools of choice were the suctioning bulb, a receiving blanket, and a cool-mist humidifier. She definitely doesn't like her noise messed with. After a while Selah finally understood that when we had the bulb in our hands or the receiving blanket we were going to do something to her noise. So she would repeatedly shake her head back and forth to avoid it, as I am trying to hurry before the snot drips into her mouth. Last night was the worst, because she cried for two hours straight. I remember my allergist telling me that a chemical (histamine?) is released in your body at night that makes our cold or allergy symptoms worse. So during the day a person may feel ok when they have a cold, but when nighttime comes you suddenly feel miserable. Selah finally fell asleep, I think because she got herself so tired from crying. However, throughout the night, probably every hour or so, she would start crying. So I would jump up and go to her crib, only to realize she was asleep still. Tricksy girl! She woke up in pretty good spirits this morning, even smiling a bit. Eating is difficult for her, because she can't breath through her nose. Surprisingly she would rather breastfeed than eat her solid food, though. I don't mind, it's a special thing to be able to breastfeed your baby. Well hopefully our beautiful girl feels better soon. Gotta go, snufalufagus has just woken up from her nap.

Happy Easter!

Every morning when Selah and I get up to get ready for the day we listen to music, and today was no different. So we turned on the radio to K-Love and the song that was playing was absolutely perfect for today, it was the song "I Am" by Mark Schultz. It is a song that is played quite often, and often times I unfortunately tune it out. However, today instead of hurrying around trying to get Selah and I ready for church I had to pause for a second. The lyrics tell of an indescribable Savior. So, being that today is Easter Sunday, I thought it fitting. It is the day our Lord and Savior defeated death and rose from the dead. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore."
I am reminded of all Christ is to me, although, it should be a daily reminder. He took up my sins and sorrows on the cross, and carried them without burden or regret. He took the pain of the lashings, humility, beatings, mocking, and crucification for me. All of this because He LOVES me. However, now He has risen! He has risen indeed! And I am forgiven for my sins. Praise God!
"He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen."

Matthew 28:6

I am honored to be a daughter of the King. I praise Jesus for allowing me to walk beside Him daily. He is glorious, wonderful, amazing, and beautiful! He didn't just think of me when He died, he thought of all of us. So, today I pray that your hearts are transformed because of everything Jesus is and everything he did and still does. There is no other life except the True life lived with Christ.

Here are the song lyrics I was talking about earlier:
I Am- by Mark Schultz

I am the maker of the Heavens
I am the bright and morning star
I am the breath of all Creation
Who always was
And is to come

I am the One who walked on water
I am the One who calmed the seas
I am the miracles and wonders
So come and see
And follow me
You will know

I am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

I am the spirit deep inside you
I am the word upon your heart
I am the One who even knew you
Before your birth
Before you were

Before the Earth (I am)
The universe (I am)
In every heart (I am)
Oh, where you are (I am)
The Lord of love (I am)
The King of Kings (I am)
The Holy lamb (I am)
Above all things

Yes, I am almighty God your father
The risen son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

____________________________________________________________________

Yesterday we went to the Easter egg hunt that our church puts on at a nearby park. Selah couldn't participate, but we still had fun. It was sooooooo cold and windy. Selah's little cheeks got wind chapped, poor girl. But a little lotion and lots of kisses heal it up good!

Change of plans

So we posted a while back that we were starting to look for a house to buy, well things have changed. Dan and I decided that buying a house and affording the mortgage payments each month would be too stressful. We would have just enough to pay for the house, utilities, and whatever other bills we had, but we wouldn't be able to get Selah the things that she needs. We realized that quality of life is more important than meeting the 'American Dream' of owning our own home. It doesn't matter where we are as a family, as long as we are all together and healthy.
Now, we both are in the process of reapplying to school. I am going to finish my degree in Bible/Theology and Psychology, and Dan is beginning his in Engineering. We're both B.S.'n it! Haha! That was my attempt at being funny. Anyways, we have a long, challenging road ahead of us. It will all be worth it in the end, even if it takes 10 years. By striving to better ourselves intellectually we believe will set a good example for Selah and her future siblings. There is never a time when a goal or dream cannot be completed. Just because it may be tough, so be it. It is that much more rewarding in the end. God didn't promise an easy-peezy life. We all have to endure the obstacles that are put in our way, there are no detours. However, a life lived in a relationship with Christ is a glorious and fulfilling life. He will guide, teach, and mold us. He gave us endless possibilities in this life to grow, so to stay stagnant would be selfish and dishonoring to God and our children.
We also plan on moving back to the Multnomah campus. Our time there was very enjoyable, and we know that the community we are surrounded by are friendly and fun people. Although, we did have one bad experience with the people that lived above us for a short time. Some of you know what I am talking about. I hope I am not too blunt here, but they were obnoxiously loud in the bedroom. That is probably the worst thing about living in an apartment. However, the good outweighs the bad. So, we are off on our next adventure.

Learning to sit on her own

Besides being a little wobbly, Selah is doing pretty well with sitting on her own. Little by little she is on her way to mobility. Keep at it Selah girl! Dan and Nick were discussing the fact that she is very curious and has learned her fine motor skills very quickly, so when she does learn to walk she will be a little trouble maker. So they're going to tape her legs together, haha! They were kidding, of course. We definitely will need to stay on our toes when she learns to crawl and walk. However, it will be exciting all at the same time. Selah has this whole world of sights and smells she's had to observe from afar, but once her legs get coordinated with what her mind wants her to do she will be able to get close up and personal. I can't wait to see the awe and excitement in her eyes when she begins to explore God's glorious creations. Much the same way He, our Lord, looks at us.

Websites to know.

Since beginning our hunt for a house we've been using two websites that have been very helpful in separating the good from the bad. It is especially important for us to find a neighborhood for our children to ride their bikes down the street or for us to take walks with them without worrying about sexual predators, gang, or drug activity. However, neighborhoods that aren't flooded with crime and violence are far and few between in Portland. I think it is important that no matter where you live or who you associate with you need to be cautious when it comes to your children. Better to be safe than sorry, so check out these two sites to make sure that the people that are around your children are safe.
The first link is for the national sex offender registry. You can type in your address and a map will come up that lists any sex offenders within a two mile radius (approx.). It has their name, picture, address, and what their offense was. If you know of a person that may be suspicious you can also type in their name to see if they are registered. The second link is for the Portland Police Bureau, and it lists crime statistics for each neighborhood in Portland.

www.familywatchdog.us/

www.portlandonline.com/police/index.cfm?c=29831

I don't want to scare you, but no matter where you are be careful and aware of your surroundings. We are not invincible and bad things can happen to anyone.

Hugs and Kisses

We just can't help but give Selah hugs and kisses, and say 'I love you' all the time. She is just so darn cute! So as a result she has developed a new skill. Selah has been making the kiss noise, you know the smacking of the lips. She has also tried to give me kisses a few times, however she doesn't understand yet that she needs to close her mouth. I'll be holding Selah and then she will look up at me and open her mouth big and wide, and lean into my face and plant a big slobbery kiss on me. Although she hasn't quite got the hang of it yet it is still cute. Her attempted kisses and hugs just warm my heart.
In other news...as you know she can do a complete roll, well now her mission is to see how fast she can roll across the floor before I catch her. She is very curious, and when the time comes for her to walk she will take off running.
I have a thought on children and babies. How can anyone not like children? I've always enjoyed being around children, but since we've had Selah she just completely lights up our lives. Not just in our family, but our church family as well. I can't help but smile at the thought of her and feel so proud to be her mommy. I feel so giddy just watching and listening to her. After losing our first baby, Dan and I understand just how much of a miracle Selah is. God chose her to be the one to make it and has blessed us immensely with her life. Her name, Selah Joyce, means Peace and Joy, and that is exactly what she is to us. Thank you God for my precious baby girl!

Please mama, no more pictures!