Let them sink in...

God does not comfort us only to make us comfortable--rather He does it to makes us comforters.

If it is more blessed to give than to receive, then most of us are content to let the other fellow have the greater blessing. --Shailer Mathews

This world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed. --Mahatma Gandhi

Quote of the day...

Dan looking at a picture of Selah saying, "She's a white girl like me..." hahaha!

In other news, Selah has been introduced to the wonderful world of pasta. I love pasta! I could eat pasta everyday, it is so delicious! Must be the Italian in me. Hopefully someday Selah will come to know the same love for pasta that I have. Until then she just likes to stare at it, and then grab a clump full of it with her little hands. Selah also has had the unfortunate experience of tasting daddy's dirty socks after a long day at work. YUCK! This girl really likes socks. Not just her own, but other people's socks as well. In fact, she tried to take the socks off of a week old baby boy at church. She is no longer the youngest at church now, so she was just teaching Cayden how it was done.

Choose Your Attitude!

I started school last Thursday and have completed my first assignment. I have really enjoyed reading the books, and then putting my thoughts to paper. It has been exciting to unlock and unleash the academic side of Sonja. Up until this point my thoughts have been on Selah and her day to day schedule. I guess I have been in a different kind of learning environment in that I have been immersed in motherhood, which is the best life in the world. I am thankful that I still get to stay home with Selah each day, it is beyond a blessing to me to be with my precious daughter all day. However, I was actually going through withdrawals by not being able to challenge myself intellectually.
Our first assignment's theme discusses stepping out of the mundaneness of our day to day tasks and take a risk. Sometimes taking a risk is less risky than if we stay inside our box. God has equipped us with the ability and the know how to strive for more and better ourselves, let us take advantage of that. Another point that the assignment emphasizes is that we can choose our attitude in any given situation. Are we going to be grumpy, disrespectful, or bitter? or are we going to choose to be happy, energetic, caring, and supportive? It is time to stop rationalizing our situation or making excuses for our bad behavior. Choosing your attitude means to not blame someone else for the way we feel, rather take responsibility. Although, outside influences do impact our attitude, we actually choose how we react. It doesn't mean to have a smiling face all of the time, because sometimes sorrow or anger needs to be expressed. We're not robots and we're not perfect. However, be aware of our emotions and the way they reflect on our face or through our body language. Our attitude most definitely affects others! If someone is expressing discontent be supportive and caring, rather than doubt their situation. Realize that everyone goes through difficult seasons in his or her life, don't think you are the only one. So, when you get out of bed each day take inventory of where you are, make a conscious choice of how you are going to feel and the attitude you are going to have around your co-workers and family. I got some great advice from someone before Dan and I got married, but it can be applied to any relationship, "Work more on changing yourself than the other person." The world will not change until we work on ourselves first, and we cannot work on ourselves without the help of Christ. So, this is the challenge for my own life, and I challenge everyone who reads this as well. Have a great Tuesday!

Bed Head

Last night Selah woke up crying just before Dan and I went to sleep. So Dan walked over to her crib to pick her up and calm her down. As she's crying hysterically Dan and I are trying hard not to laugh, because Selah had her first case of bed head. Eventually Selah fell asleep on her daddy's shoulder, and we fell on our bed laughing (trying to do so quietly) after he put her back down. She just looked so cute! By this morning it had calmed down a bit, but I got some pictures in between spoonfuls of her breakfast.

Tulip Festival

Hey everyone! We just wanted to share some pictures with you of our latest outing. Last Saturday, I know I'm a bit behind, we went to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. It was at a farm called the Wooden Shoe. www.woodenshoe.com. Although, not all of the tulips were in bloom it was still beautiful what they did have. They also had a lot of variations of daffodils, which is my favorite flower. There were numerous activities for the little ones, so we'll have to take Selah back when she gets older. There was also a gentleman who was hand carving those wooden Dutch shoes. Very neat! Selah got to try some on too! After walking around the gift shops and walking through the field of tulips we returned and got some food to eat. They had German sausage dogs, and I got sauerkraut on mine. Yum Yum! Then we shared an elephant ear with cinnamon, sugar, and Bavarian cream. Delicious! After our tulip trip we stopped by the Woodburn outlet stores on the way home. We got Selah some new outfits, because she just keeps growing and we're running out of clothes. When she was first born people were very kind to us and gave us tons of clothes for her, newborn to 12 months sizes. So we thought we'd be set for the first year. Actually she's always been three months ahead, so even though she's 8 months now we've had to dress her in 12 months clothes. We got her some cute little outfits for the summer. Dan also surprised me and told me that I could get a few items for myself as well. I lost all of my pregnancy weight really fast, so finding clothes that fit me has been frustrating. I would buy a pair of pants, and then they would be too big. So, I have quite a variety of pants sizes in my drawer. Most people don't understand that even though I've always been thin I still struggle with my weight, with keeping weight on and finding clothes that fit. Everyone has a sore subject that has caused them heartache, and this is it for me. My self image has gotten better in the past few years, thanks to my wonderful husband and my faith in Christ. I know that when God made me He saw me as being beautiful, and also created a husband for me who saw only beauty. So I want to say that it doesn't matter how tall, short, heavy, or skinny you are, because God, your creator, looks at you and sees the most marvelous and beautiful creation. That should be important to us, not the opinions of others. And I think you are all beautiful too! I also know that I need to be a positive example for Selah. Her life has only just begun, but so far she has proven to have the same body type I have, tall and thin. I don't want her growing up being ashamed for the way she looks, as I was. People will make rude comments and judge her for her body stature, but I want her to grow up to be a confident woman and not let the remarks or smirks beat her down. Society places way too much importance on appearance and the weight of a woman. What I don't understand is if being thin is desirable, why do people have to look down upon those who are? I am honestly so tired of hearing comments people make about another person's weight. So, I pray that those Selah is surrounded by, those she grows up with, will help me in teaching her to be comfortable in her own skin. She is a beautiful child of the King, and I want that fact alone to resonate in her life.


On Monday, Selah and I rode up to The Dalles with my aunt to see my Grandpa Heinemann (my mom's dad). He was having surgery on his shoulder, because he tore his rotator cuff after having a bad fall. After him being in pain for a while, he temporarily shed the stubborn nature and had the needed surgery. Thankfully it all turned out ok. However, he has to wear this large, awkward contraption on his arm for 6 weeks. It has a pillow attached to it to extend his arm away from his body. He had a great time seeing Selah, and was able to hold her despite having two bad arms. No matter what, you can't resist holding a baby! Especially one as beautiful as ours!

Zippy and Zany the Duolido

I went to the Cirque Du Soleil show on Tuesday with my mom and aunt. It was amazing! If you ever get the chance to go, you should. I've never been a fan of circus', especially with clowns because they just creep me out. However, this show actually required talent. Unlike any other circus, Cirque Du Soleil tells a story as they act out various skits. It is a mixture of comedy, drama, and just acrobatics with amazing music. The performers are incredibly fit and very good at what they do.
So I couldn't resist getting Selah a souvenir. I got her this toy that is called a Duolido, and their names are Zippy and Zany. It is a two headed, six legged...something, with bright colors and various textures. She loves it, and of course has to slobber on every inch of it.
In other news, our sweet girl is 8 months old. Time has just zoomed by for us since she was born. She can't crawl yet, rather she lifts one leg up and pushes off on the floor, and rolls everywhere. She has even started rolling on the changing table, which makes it really difficult to change her diaper. I guess she just likes feeling the breeze on her naked little buns as they're sticking up in the air. Selah has also really gotten the hang of saying mama and dada. Dan took the day off of work on Wednesday and the three of us went to the park. We put her in one of those infant swings and she just kept saying mama over and over again. Then when we put her back in the stroller she decided to say dada. So adorable! Selah is also getting her first tooth, finally! We can see it a little bit, but mostly just feel it. She's doing pretty well, a bit more fussy than usual, but overall she's taking it like a champ. When it comes in all the way I will post a picture.
I'll update you a bit on what is going on with Dan and I. I got accepted to Multnomah Bible College, and I am thrilled. I really like MBC, the people and the education are wonderful. My last semester was just before Selah was born, and I had no intentions of going back anytime soon. However, God often times has completely different plans than we do. That is ok with me, because He is the author of my life. I feel a great sense of duty and honor to obey the Lord, and not pave my own path. Because my life would be a train wreck if I didn't have the Lord's guidance. Although, I do feel like a dummy for leaving and then coming back. Sometimes we think that we are doing the right thing, but we know that it was not God's plan for us when He leads us back to what we left or somewhere new.
So I will be in the Degree Completion Program and earning a BA in Leadership and Ministry. I have always wanted to work with children, rather as a teacher or counselor. So with this degree I am hoping to be able to lead a children's program of some sort, either in a church or community center. I must say I am a bit nervous, because a big leadership roll would be out of my comfort zone. I have always been the shy, more reserved one around my peers. But what a lot of people don't know about me is that I have the desire to lead and direct something. To foster my creativity and ideas swirling around in my head to benefit those around me, and more importantly for the Kingdom. Dan knows that, and I am so thankful that I have a husband who has confidence in me and helps me break out of my shell. Thank you, honey, for being a wonderful, supportive husband. What is great about this program is that I will only be going to class one night a week for 4 hours. That means that I get to stay home with my wonderful daughter during the day still, and one night a week Selah and her daddy will get to hang out just the two of them. My first class starts April 24 and I will complete the program Feb. 2010. YIPPY! We are also hoping to be able to move back into student housing on campus, this summer. We still haven't gotten confirmation on that, though, so your prayers are appreciated. As far as Dan is concerned, he hasn't applied to PSU yet. He has to complete some prerequisites before starting the engineering program. It is a lot longer road for him, though. We both know that it will be difficult for us these early years, trying to juggle work, school, and family, but it will be worth it in the end. We are thankful we have the support of family and friends, so if we need help we know it's available. We are confident in knowing that God always provides for our needs. He will not test us beyond what we are capable.

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!