My babies

I love Selah and Eli's unique personalities. I just wanted to take a moment and write about them so that they can look back and read what they were like as children through my eyes.

My Selah is a clever girl and has proven to be quite independent. If something isn't working for her she keeps at it for a while. Very persistent and a good problem solver. She has a very caring nature. Loves to share with everyone. When she is down to her last bite of ice cream or chocolate treat she insists on sharing it with one of us. She is also a little comedian and loves to be tickled. One thing she has been doing lately is trying to nurse her baby dolls. However, she puts them right at her belly button! So cute! Selah is usually not the cuddly type, but I am thankful for those spontaneous hugs, kisses, and eskimo kisses that she increasingly gives throughout the day. One thing she does like to do a lot is hold my hand.

Selah also seems to have inherited Dan's musical abilities. She often takes the tune to another song and makes up new words. She also loves to dance, use glitter glue, and anything that is pink. Her and I went on a Mommy-Selah date last week, and one thing we always do together is go to Coldstone Creamery. We always share a small scoop of pink ice cream (Strawberry), one mix in (she picked gummy bears last time), and white cream (whipped cream) or chocolate sauce on top.

My sweet girl, I am so happy that God has allowed me to be your mommy. Your smiles, giggles, dancing, and running around bring a smile to my face. I love your humor, talking with you after Papoose and Children's church, and the little ways you surprise me with something new you learned. You are a beautiful and unique creation of God. I love you so very much, Selah! (a.k.a, Bub, Monkey, Se Se, Se J, Cutie Cutes, and Preciosa)

My Eli is now 5 months old! He has had many firsts lately. Today he had his first taste of brown rice cereal. He liked it! He would whimper when I wasn't giving it to him fast enough. At the end there was a minimal amount of rice on his bib. Selah even helped feed him. She wanted to try it, but immediately had a look of disgust on her face. I'm not sure if it was the rice cereal or the breast milk it was mixed with. He is getting his first tooth on the bottom, and has discovered his feet. They are just so fun to grab and put into his mouth. Eli, although he is young, has already proven to be quite the ladies man. The ladies, young and old, just flock to him. Could it be the blue eyes? They are quite dazzling! Could it be the smiles? Who doesn't love a big grin like his?!

Eli has such an easy going, laid back personality. He is quite content no matter where he is at. Whether he is rocking out during the music portion of worship on Sunday mornings or having quiet time with mommy in the evenings. He has plenty of smiles for whoever is holding him, until he gets tired. Very rarely does he fuss when he is tired. Instead he rubs his eyes and has a glazed over look on his face.

My precious son, you are a wonderful and adorable gift from God. I love the smiles you give me whether I am sitting across the room from you or getting you out of your crib in the morning. You are just so darn cute I just can't help but give you ooies and kisses! Your relaxed nature is a breath of fresh air from the busyness that surrounds us. I love you, Eli (a.k.a, cutie bug)

Resurrection Day

Painting Easter eggs with Gramma and Grampa Marion.

At the annual Easter egg outreach. It was soooo cold!

Sneak peak at their Easter outfits.

My Auntie Sonie made Selah's dress. It is beautiful!

We are nearing the end of Holy week, and will commence with the grandest celebration of all. It does not just end with Good Friday, Jesus' death on the cross. A good friend said this on Friday, "It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming!" Amen! This celebration is a time as followers and believers in Christ to remember and rejoice in His resurrection on Easter Sunday! Have a Blessed Easter remembering and praising the One who loves you more than you could possibly imagine!

Eli-4 months

Enjoying the great outdoors in his Bumbo.

Selah and her best friend Samantha.

Hanging out at the Children's Museum. That is my new double stroller I got a ridiculously good deal on. Regularly priced $500 and I got it for $165. Yeah baby!

Just another update for you folks who actually read this. I'm not sure how many of you are out there, but if anything it is a good way to chronicle my kids' childhood. So my blue eyed boy had a check up today. He is now 15 lbs. and 25 1/2 inches long. He is doing well! Dr. Basco was impressed by how strong he is and advised me that he is in the beginning stages of teething. Yeah, already knew that. The kid drools constantly and in high volume! He has yet to be cranky, though. Recently he has found his voice and we frequently hear him in his crib just 'talking' away. Eli is so cuddly, so content, and such a smiley boy!

Selah has been enjoying many play dates with her friend Samantha. Those two munchkins are the cutest together! It won't be long before those two are asking to have sleep overs. I pray it is a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

Last update I briefly mentioned a ministry opportunity that I was going to serve in. For those that do not know already I will be directing the summer program for our children's ministry department. I've been going through the curriculum and am so excited. It is going to be an in depth, challenging, life changing look at God's word for not only the kids, but the adults as well. So, if you remember please pray for me as I take on this huge role.

Our new home

God is faithful and has been revealing himself to us in many ways lately. Through providing a home for us, the incredible amount of help we have been receiving lately, and a ministry opportunity. Praise God for his faithfulness!

We moved into our new home last weekend. It is a cute little 3 bedroom house with a huge backyard. I don't have to share walls with anyone and I can do laundry in my home! I must admit I was a bit nervous moving out of the "Multnomah bubble." We were there so long and it was comfortable and safe. Now in a sense we are in the real world. Real neighbors who most likely are not believers. It's a welcome change, though. Thus far, it has proven to be a quiet neighborhood. There is a lovely little park that is just one block away. We've yet to try it out because (1) it's been raining and (2) it's so nice having our own private, fenced back yard finally.

I mentioned that God has been revealing himself to us and the biggest avenue is through our church family. They helped us after Eli was born and then again when I got sick and couldn't do anything for 6 weeks. Which inconveniently overlapped with moving. However, God always provides, and several people came alongside us to help us with the move and also to help clean out our old unit.

In regards to the ministry opportunity, I won't say too much at this time. But I've always believed that the Lord sent me back to school for a reason, He was preparing me. Not only learning and gaining in knowledge, but also developing my character. After Selah was born I was going to wait until she started school to go back, but God had different plans. Well, a ministry opportunity was proposed to me a few months back that involves exactly what I want to do. Yes, I am scared, because I value children's ministry so much. I also realize it is not all on me. As I learned in my latest class, people are my most appreciable asset. I have the best team to work with! I am excited and ready to rock and roll!

It is finished

I have officially graduated from Multnomah University. Finished my Final Paper tonight and I will hand it in on Thursday during the celebration dinner with my cohort. So excited, proud, thrilled, and sad. Yeah, just a little sad. I'll miss it all...learning, being challenged in a structured environment like that, classmates (although, we are planning monthly get-togethers), professors, and the beautiful campus. Not only have I gained knowledge, but even more so spiritual growth and character development.

*sigh* Wow! It's hard to believe I am finished. Ever since Dan and I met, which was 7 years ago, I have been in school. Only taking breaks when Selah and Eli were born. So, I think he is more excited than I am. Because he has been by my side through this whole journey he has been the greatest encouragement. Often kicking my booty to read and write when I felt unmotivated. Not literally, but he would give me a look that said just do it. Often times the hardest part in writing is just getting started, but once I start I can't stop. He would bring me special treats or snacks, and make me cups of tea as I sat at my computer late at night. A lot of times he would stay up with me, because just having him in the room encouraged me to work and unfold my thoughts and ideas. He also said he couldn't sleep anyways knowing I was downstairs. He has been willing to read all of my papers. Considering I wrote 15-25 page papers every week these past two years he had a lot of reading material to keep up on himself.

Words simply cannot express how greatly I appreciate you, honey. Because you stood by me and encouraged me I have finally made it. I love you!

boys

My boys watching the Super Bowl together. Notice how they have a pink blanket on them. Haha!

My little cutie cutes! Eli at 3 months old.

Psalm 103

He's so "kissable...huggable...lovable...unbelievable!"

I laid him down and went to get some of his toys,

and came back to find him asleep. I was gone less than a minute. I then looked at the clock and saw it was his nap time. He's like clockwork!

Selah likes to lay next to Eli and say, "Eli's holding my hand!" or "Eli's so little!"

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I feel as though I have been in a slump lately, and am finally coming out of it. I struggle with change and there have been a few major changes that have happened to us these past few months. The first change, albeit an exciting one, came with the birth of our son, Eli. He is now almost three months old and just melts my heart each day. After he was born I had a long recovery, and I was okay with that. I had a C-section with Selah too so I knew what to expect. Just as my body was feeling somewhat normal again Dan took me to the ER (Thursday). This was 3 weeks ago. I was in the WORST pain I have ever felt! It was horrendous, and I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. Test after test was ran, and finally my wonderful OB/GYN, Dr. Kean, had a suspicion that it was my appendix. This was not a medical issue that she normally diagnoses, yet the doctors who specialize in internal medicine could not figure out what was wrong with me. Hmmm... Anyways, I am thankful that she took the time to come see me. To back up a bit, the only reason she was summoned was because they thought it was a uterine infection. Okay moving on...she ordered a CT scan, called the general surgeon, and five hours later I was in surgery (Friday night). My appendix had burst and they also found an infection in my pelvic region. Apparently my abdomen was full of this evil pussy infection. My milk also stopped coming in, because my body was going into defense mode. Eli stayed with us in the hospital those few days, but we had to give him formula for about two days until my body decided to produce milk again. The lactation consultant was great in helping us figure that problem out. Since that surgery I have had to go through the recovery process again, and that is when being immobile or limited in certain aspects to mobility were beginning to bother me. I had to rely on others a great deal more than after the C-section, and I was not accustomed to this. It has been quite the humbling experience. Through this health issue I have had a huge amount of help from our family and friends at church. My dear friend, Elaine, deserves an incredible amount of praise and thank you's. Words cannot convey how appreciative I am of her help. She brought us food (along with other folks from church :D), did our laundry (despite the awkwardness of folding Dan's underwear :p), cleaned our house, chauffeured me to my doctor's appointments, and is helping us look for a place to live (which I will get to in a bit). I consider her a super-mommy, as she did all that and took care of her own household with 4 kids. Yikes! Jenni has also been a huge help taking care of the kiddos. The little energy I had was no match for the vast amount of energy my darling daughter has. Thank you ladies for your friendship, support, and help.

Another big change is that I am graduating in two weeks. All I have to do is attend two more classes and write my final paper. I am excited...thrilled...leaping for joy!!! It has also hit me recently that that part of my life is over. Sure, I might go back to earn my MS, but not any time soon. From the time Dan and I were dating until now I have been in school, only to take breaks when the kids were born. We've been together 7 years, so maybe it took me 5 years! Yeah, it took me a while! Anyways, I am excited but also a bit sad. I'm sure I'll get over it quick...hehe. I mean come on...I am graduating!!!

We are also moving. Oy, has this been stressful! We are not able to buy a house at this time, so we must rent a little longer. Dan and I both are done with apartment life. We want a house, with a yard, in a quiet little neighborhood where our kids can grow up and make memories and we can have guests over. We thought about renting a house, but realized that would push us farther away from our goal of actually becoming home owners. It will happen, though, hopefully in 2-3 years. God has always provided a home for us, and this time is no different.

Through all of these big changes we still seek the Lord's hand in it all. But to be honest, for a while there I was not seeking God's guidance. That is why I was in a slump! I was so focused on the pain my body was constantly in, or the stress of moving, and completing my final class. Instead of sitting at His feet I was camped outside. Knowing I should go in, but instead I wallowed in the stress that was overcoming me. I think that we all go through seasons where we wallow in our own self-pity, but no matter what we are feeling we must choose to let the Lord in. It is easy to say the right Christian things during one of these seasons of hardship, but our robotic attempts at faith cannot be fooled for a real heart change. I had to be honest with the Lord and myself. God would much rather have us spew words of discontentment than ignore Him completely. Even then we are acknowledging we need Him. We don't even have to say much at all, but just sit at the feet of Jesus and listen for His words of comfort. So, once again I have learned to just sit, and acknowledge that I need Him. Nothing else needs to be said at that moment, but rest in His unchanging grace and place my issues in the hands of the one who created me. I am reminded of Psalm 103. I won't put it all here...so get out your Bible's.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Who satisfies your years with good things.

So that your youth is renewed like the eagles."

On a lighter note, Selah is doing great with using the potty. She wears underwear all day and a night time pull up during "sleepy time." One of the incentives to sit on the potty is that mommy or daddy will play with the princess' in the doll house with her. We have it all set up in the bathroom. She just loves those princess' and often likes to take them swimming. Now normally I let her take them swimming in the sink. She stands there on her little stool and plays with them in the water. Well I slipped away for a second to go upstairs to change Eli, and she decided it would be a good time to take the princess' swimming. Since mommy wasn't around the only water source within her reach was...you guessed it, the toilet. Yes, I came down and she announced what she did with such a proud look on her face. So, twelve princess figurines were floating in the pee water (because I can't justify flushing her little tinkles every time) with wet toilet paper around them. Oh my sweet girl...*sigh*...the closer you get to 3 the more mischievous you are.

I have been blessed by two babies who like to sleep. It is so important to get them on a good schedule, as sleep is a necessity for their growth and development...and honestly, my sanity. It takes persistence and consistency, but it can happen. Eli basically put himself on a good schedule, and I just stuck with it. I've slowly moved his bedtime back these past few months and he is doing pretty well with it. Started at 11 and now we are at 8:30. He'll lay there for a bit kicking and cooing before he falls asleep. Thank you God for peaceful evenings with my husband!

Wow! That was a long post! See ya later Alligator!