Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Selah helping decorate the house.

Christmas tree hunt 2010!

Selah and Eli painting Daddy's Christmas present.

Eli finishing up my last drop of Chai Tea.

Selah working on Christmas presents for her friends.

Super baby!

Art easel for Christmas!

Warrior baby!

4x4 from Gramma and Grampa Marion.

I have become such the blogging slacker! One month since I last posted something! Oh well, it's not as if I sit at home all day watching soap operas while eating Bon-Bons.

Anywho...we had a lovely Christmas. Selah was completely enamored with every aspect of celebrating Christmas. In the beginning of the month we went and got our Christmas tree up in La Center, WA where Dan's aunt and uncle live. Then, you will not believe this, but I (Sonja) was in a play! I was asked to play the part of the teacher in the Children's musical/drama performance, and I had so much fun! Selah was also on stage singing the songs. Which by the time we had our performance Selah knew all of the songs as well as every person's lines for the drama. Then came my birthday...I am 26! I know, such an old lady! Then we celebrated Christ's birthday. This was the first year that Selah actually understood and could participate in all of the festivities that come with celebrating Christmas. Eli was completely fascinated by the ornaments and lights, and managed to leave the gifts alone. I am having more fun during the holidays with my kiddos than I ever have!

It has been a year of many blessings! The Lord has been working in my life profoundly. I will briefly summarize the key events from this past year.

- I started off 2010 with having an emergency appendectomy. Eli was not yet 2 months old. I was in such horrendous pain, but God helped me through it. I also had a small army, that included family and friends, to help us.

- I graduated from MU!!!!!!!!! With two kids in tow I completed my goal.

- After 8+ months of doctor's visits and test after test, Selah was finally pain free and her intestinal problems were resolved. Praise God!

- In August, almost 7 years to the day since we last spoke, I was called by God to forgive and reunite with my dad. This was huge for me! Really huge!

- I directed the children's summer program! Who would have thought that shy and reserved Sonja could do that?

This year for me has been a living testimony of the transformations that only by the presence of the Holy Spirit living in me can happen.

I pray the Lord's abundant blessings upon you in this new year.

Much Love,

Sonja

Happy Thanksgiving!

Molly joined us for the holiday.

Dan and two of his aunts, Joni and Cindy. We were able to talk to the other one who is in Minnesota with her family on the webcam.

My secret to getting a good picture of her...bribe her with m & m's.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving Day this year. We visited two families, and of course had poor judgement and stuffed ourselves at each meal. Our first stop was up in La Center, Washington where Dan's aunt and uncle live. That was a great meal!

Then we came back down to Portland and visited my family at my aunt's house. We ended the evening by playing the Wii, which was Selah's favorite part. She bowled with us and did really well.

Praise God for the abundant blessings in my life!

Happy 1st Birthday Eli!

My baby boy turned 1 year old today! It was a great day of celebration and rejoicing in this little man that God blessed us with just 1 year ago. We were joined by 18 family and friends. Eli casually bit into his cupcake as if he'd been doing it since he was born. I remember on Selah's first birthday she was shocked and quite excited that I would place such a delicious delicacy in front of her. Not Eli, he took it like a baby man. Then became upset when I took half of it away. Sorry buddy, I didn't want to shock your system.

So what is up with Eli these days? As you may have read from a previous post Eli has been walking since he was 10 months old, and now he's an old pro at it. He confidently strolls around the house, wandering where he pleases, and attempts to climb anything that looks worthy of the feat. He loves to dance! Especially when sister is watching The Wiggles. Woo-wee that gets Eli doing his little booty bounce. Super cute! He loves balls, being outside, bath time, cuddling with mama, adores his sister (lovingly calls her SeSe), playing guitar with dada, going in Molly's house, and unrolling the toilet paper and then ripping it into little shreds so mommy cannot salvage it.

My sweet son,

You have an infectious smile and laughter that bring us so much joy. Your easy going nature is a breath of fresh air. I adore you. You my son, are a beautiful gift from God. I love you!

Love,

mommy

Pumpkin Patch

Okay...Haha! I can't not laugh when I see this picture. No, Selah did not pants him. The kid has the littlest buns and so pants do not stay on him very well.

He is beginning to point at things.

I would like to introduce you to Elly. Just as Selah has Yellow Bear. Eli has taken a liking to Elly the Elephant. You will probably see the lovey in dozens of pictures to come. I'm not sure which is better, a small bear that fits in my pocket easily, but also gets lost easily? Or a large elephant that will not fit in my pocket, but can be found easier?

Selah looking at the baby tiger.

You've heard of sand boxes or maybe ones filled with rice, but this box was filled with corn kernels.

He was quite comfortable in the ball pit.

I look over and see her hauling this big pumpkin over. If they are determined nothing will stop them.

It's been a while since I posted something. There have been many blogworthy moments as of late, but I can't remember them now...Haha! However, we did go to the pumpkin patch this last Saturday. The rain held out just enough for our family outing. We went to Hoffman's Dairy Farm in Canby. Both kids had a great time playing in the ball pit, gathering their best pumpkins, petting the animals, and sliding down the giant slide. They actually had a baby tiger, adult tiger, adult lion, and camel to see there as well. It was pretty wild!

There is no great segue, but Selah is so clever. She says the funniest and most imaginative things. Dan said I need to start writing these things down. Therefore, I will dub them Selah-isms! Latest Selah-ism was mentioned during the downpour we had the other night. Have you ever wondered where the spiders go during the rainy season? Well, according to Selah the rain tickled the spider webs and the spiders went on vacation. Sounds good to me, now if only the house spiders would just stay on a permanent vacation. I'm okay with the fatty spiders, who stay outside and eat other insects. Except the one that was trying to enter uninvited last night. Let's just say she will no longer be on guard duty.

In Eli news, my boy is turning 1 year old in a week and a half. I'm beginning to feel a little sad, which is usual for me so close to a birthday, because they are growing so fast. I pulled out Selah's first year scrapbook the other day and got a little teary eyed at how much time has passed, but I remember the day she was born so clearly. Anyways, enough mushy stuff...Eli is very animated with his facial expressions. Must get that from his daddy and Uncle Nick. I wish that I had a properly working video camera to capture all of this cuteness. Eli walks everywhere he goes, and will climb if given the opportunity. I had the fridge open the other day and turn around to see him climbing the shelves to reach his cup on the top shelf.

Well, that is all for now. You can expect a birthday post for our big boy!

My little explorer

Look at those cheeks! I probably give them close to a million kisses a day.

He has some pretty wild hair most of the time.

Buddies!

I took him out to the garden with me one day, and he decided to pick a tomato off of the vine and start eating it. He's a good eater (praise God!!!).

Eli is about 10 1/2 months old now, and two weeks ago he began taking his first steps. It's very exciting to witness when a baby does this for the first time, and to also see the proud look on their face as well. When Eli realized what he had just done he began clapping, which knocked him on his bum. Although, I am very excited for this milestone I also know that Eli is going to be an active boy. Actually, he already is. He fools you with his constant smiles and giggles. "I can't possibly get in trouble as long as I flash these baby blues and charming smile at mommy." As mentioned in the title of this post, I call him my little explorer. Eli is very curious about everything. If he's not clinging to my legs, which he often does, I will find him rummaging through the toy box inspecting each toy that passes his gaze. Very focused, very intent and determined with whatever the task at hand is. His favorite room in the house is the bathroom. I have learned to put the toilet paper up, because if I don't it will be unrolled and shredded. Eli loves, loves, LOVES his bath time. He squeals with delight as I sit him in the tub. My sweet boy is very good at entertaining himself for quite some time, more so than his sister. The second born just adapts to not having constant one on one time. The firstborn must adapt to the same after having experienced constant attention, though. It is interesting how the dynamics evolve as more family members are added.

Speaking of adding more family members, the latest question asked of me lately is whether we are going to have more children. After conversing with Dan on this subject I realize I have a hard road to walk now. You see I have always wanted a somewhat big family. Maybe 4 kids. Dan, on the other hand, does not want anymore...ever. Now don't get me wrong, I completely adore and affectionately love my children. They bring so much light and joy into my life, and I am so incredibly grateful God has allowed me to be their mommy. So what do I do with this dream or desire of mine? If I have this desire for more children (in the future) is it from God or my own selfishness? All I know is that I must pray, not for Dan to change his mind, but for God to change my heart so that I will be full and satisfied with what He has given me.

Selah's new bed

Selah now has an official big girl bed. She was in a toddler bed, and now she is in a custom made princess twin bed. Super adorable! She has already requested to have sleepovers with her best friend, Samantha.

She gets to use the quilt that her great-grandma made for her.

Wait for it...

...Crash! Tackle Selah!

Look at that red hair!

Trip to Grandpa's down in Florence

"Grandpa's Lake" a.k.a. Woahink Lake

Men at work! Where are the women?...

Oh yeah, lounging on the dock!

I did go for a swim, but those pictures won't be shared.

Molly looks pretty comfy. Her and Maya (mom and dad's enormous dog) had a great time together.

Sun-bathing cutie!

My grandpa

Selah and Daddy in the kayak.

Cousins down at grandpa's house in Florence a couple of weeks ago.