Quote of the day

Dan referring to the many unfortunate events taking place in our home lately..."It's like we're in a freakin' episode of National Geographic!"

Our home is being overtaken by mice (thanks to the neighbors for cleaning out their weed patch), and one made eye contact with me as I was trying to catch it. Also, an infestation of spiders outside which have decided to journey inside. Has anyone else noticed the increase in spiders this season? Our bathroom has become the bug hangout spot at night.
Also, we have a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink and the AC broke. I guess it's a little good bye gift before we move out.

Idaho Trip

Uncle Nick reading to Selah. Everyone helped take care of Selah, so I actually got some time to relax. Thanks everyone!

The view from our cabin, the Payette River.

The cabin. Downstairs was an open living room and kitchen. Upstairs was the three bedrooms, a common sleeping area, and a bathroom. Having the rooms so close did cause some problems, though. Selah got up every morning at 6:00 and then woke everyone else up by talking.

View of the hot springs from the top. We had to cross the river, because the hot springs were on the other side.

Selah and I wading in the river.

We've been back from Garden Valley, Idaho for a week now. We had such a great time! Dan and I realized that we hadn't been on a vacation in two years, and that they really are necessary. Although, the drive was 8 hours (which took us 12 hours) it was worth it. The days were spent outside with the Payette River right outside our back door. On Wednesday my mom, dad, aunt, Nick, and Dan went white water rafting. Then when they came back Dan and I went up the river and floated down a few miles. This was the cause of our only injury the whole trip. It's quite a funny story, but I won't go into details. You'll have to ask me in person if you want to know. Anyways, Dan slipped in the water and sliced his ankle on a rock. We had to go to the little town clinic and he got 4 stitches. He's very proud of his wound, though.
The next night 4 of us went to see an amateur play at the Starlight Mountain Theater put on by young adults, so funny. On Friday we drove to a hot springs and spent about an hour soaking in the warm mineral water. There were different pools, and starting at the top was the hottest pool and they got cooler as you got down to the river. There was even a little pool that Selah could go in.
The rest of the time we played extreme badminton tournaments, which we dubbed "The Crooked Racket Tournament" because the wood rackets were a bit warped. Even my parents and aunt played. There was also a ping pong table inside the cabin in the living room, which Dan and Nick took full advantage of.
Unfortunately the town does not have a garbage service, so we had to take the garbage into town to drop it off at the dump. Well one night we forgot and left our garbage outside, stupid us. A stinky skunk got into it and tried busting through the screen door too. We also saw deer that came right through the yard in the mornings and crossed the river.
Now that we're back we are planning for Selah's 1st birthday party on Saturday. I'm so excited! Except we realized that August isn't a good time for birthday parties, because everyone goes on vacation before school starts up again. On Friday her actual birthday, Dan and I are taking Selah to the zoo and we're going to have a picnic. She's been to the zoo once before, but I think she'll be more aware of the animals this time. Selah knows how to say doggy now, and she definitely loves her dogs (Maya and Sadie). Except she refers to every four legged creature she sees as a doggy. So, I imagine we'll hear doggy over and over again at the zoo. So cute though!

Giddy up horsey

Yesterday was my mom's company picnic. My mom's boss lives on a beautiful farm out in Molalla, OR. We enjoyed fishing (we didn't catch any), volleyball (my muscles paid for it today), eating good food (mmm, cabbage rolls!!!), slip and slide, and horseback riding. Selah went on her very first horse ride. The horse's name was Pee-Wee. I got up on the horse with her, and Jenny (Denise's daughter) led us around the arena. Selah had a blast! She was talking the whole time. Dan also rode a horse for the first time, but I don't think he enjoyed it as much as he said that he was scared he was going to fall off. We also saw some cows, goats, and chickens. The chickens were walking away as we approached them, so Selah proceeded to chew them out for walking away from her. It was a beautiful day, and fun was had by all.
Tomorrow we begin our trek to Idaho, where we will stay the night in La Grande, OR and then on Tuesday travel the rest of the way to Garden Valley, ID. Last October Dan and I bid on this trip at an auction we were helping out at. It's an A-frame cabin that sits close to the Payette River. On Wednesday the rest of the crew will be going white water rafting, and Selah and I will stay back and lounge by the river. Haha! Yeah right, Selah lounging. Ok we'll be exploring. On Thursday four of us are going to a mini Broadway play in the town. The rest of the time is up for grabs. Prayers would be much appreciated for a safe journey.

newest achievements

Selah is standing!!! Yippy!!! I woke up to this beautiful smiling face this morning saying mamamama. Could she be any cuter, I think not!

This looks so uncomfortable, I guess she's comfy though. Selah would be great at gymnastics, she's so flexible. It's the only time she'll be able to prop her feet up on the table, so she's taking advantage of it.

We're moving out!

We got a call on Monday from the housing manager at MBC. She said that somebody had canceled their move in and we were next on the list. So on August 15 we are moving into our new (to us) 2 bedroom townhouse. We are so excited! This is truly an answered prayer, God is so faithful! For a while now we have been praying for a place of our own. Initially we moved in with my parents to save money for a house. Well it is no secret that the housing market stinks. So that really isn't an option right now with a single salary. (Although, we are so thankful for Dan's fantastic job, which enables me to stay home with Selah). So, it is by God alone that we have a place of our own for the three of us. The downstairs will have a living room, kitchen, dining room, and half bath. The upstairs will have a full bath and two bedrooms. That means Selah gets to have her own room! And I am so EXCITED to decorate her room! Continued prayers are much appreciated as we venture on into this new chapter in our life.
Thanks mom and dad for giving us a place to stay for this past year. We are forever grateful to you for allowing the three of us to take over your home, especially the smallest one. We love you!

Before the big move, we have a birthday party to plan for a very special girl who is turning ONE!!!! I am still amazed at how fast this past year has zoomed by. I still remember every moment in the hospital the day she was born. The tiny babe who didn't do much except sleep, eat, and go potty has developed into our speedy crawler, avid climber, talkative, giggly, affectionate daughter. So many wonderful memories this past year, and it has only just begun. I love this life!

baby cousins

Saturday was insanely busy as usual...but I love it. I had class from 8:30-12:30, immediately afterwards we headed out to Estacada for a BBQ and birthday celebration for my cousin's 3 year old daughter. After that we hopped on over to our church for Sally and Bryan's wedding, which was beautiful. My cousin also has an 8 month old daughter named Ayla (2 months younger than Selah). However, Ayla is about 5 pounds bigger than Selah is. Above are pictures of the two of them playing at the picnic. They shared a toy, spray bottle (it was HOT!), and a small tub of water, which Selah kept dumping the water out of. Her newest fascination is filling buckets up and then dumping things out.
Below is a picture of the two of them back at Christmas (Selah 4 months and Ayla 2 months). It is so fun having babies in the family. Dan's cousin is due the end of October, so Selah will have a little boy cousin to play with on that side.

You gotta love the girl

Taking every single toy out of her toy box

Enjoying her cob, without the corn. It was hot this day, so Selah got to be in her diaper.

Pulling herself up onto the coffee table.

Our wonderful 3rd and 4th grade Explorers that we teach Wednesday nights in the Caravan program. I've been with these kids since they were 1st graders, and they mean the world to me. I so enjoy my time with them, watching them grow personally and in their knowledge of Christ. I like the Caravan program because it allows us to teach these kids that Jesus is real in every aspect of their lives, whether they are hiking, cooking, doing crafts, or helping someone out. I thought I should introduce them to everyone, because they are so important to me. I will miss them when they move on to the Adventurers (5th and 6th grade class). The children's department at our church does so many wonderful things, and we are incredibly blessed to be a part of it all. This picture was taken when we went on our hike last Saturday to Balch Creek Canyon in Forest Park. We all had a great time and came home with only one injury. Thankfully just a little skinned shin from playing in the creek.