Tumalo State Park - March camping trip

This year Seth and I made a goal of camping once a month, all year long.  Maybe a little ambitious, what with a 2 year old and another on the way, but Mikaiah loves camping and is quite the sport. So, with the help of having plotted out our camping dates all year long, this past weekend we headed out on our third trip of the year at Tumalo State Park (and if it happens to be near Bend, I'm sure it was just a coincidence!)  We arrived on Friday and were planning on leaving Sunday, but after meeting up with Jake and Tammy Bumstead and Evan and Katie Finley in Sisters, OR (they had just arrived) they convinced us to spend the night with them at a cabin at Camp Sherman.  It was well worth it.  The weather had not been bad (dipping into the 20's at night) but sunny with highs of the high 40's/low 50's during the day (which actually feels pretty good) but it was still nice to be in a warm cabin with beds, and some great friends.   So after a weekend full of biking, coffee drinkng, hiking, and more coffee drinking (mostly done by Seth), and hanging out with friends, we headed home to re-cooperate!  Can't wait for more camping as the weather gets nicer and nicer (while I get bigger, and bigger...but it can't be helped!) Oh, you might also notice that I have quickly added two short blogs with pics of our other two trips - I will try to keep up on this in the future, but for now this will have to do.

February Camping

In February we took a break from our tent and stayed in a Yurt at Champoeg State Park.  It was really nice, especially considering it rained all night the first night, and was chilly most of the weekend. Still, we had enough of a break in the weather to provide us with a nice little hike.

Year Round Camping

January 11-13th 2013 marked our first camping trip of the year.  We went to Stub Stewart State Park up near Vernonia, OR and were even joined the second night by Evan and Katie Finley.  It was cold (down to 17 degrees at night) but all around a good time.

Almost Spring

This past week or so has been a full one.   With last thursday being the prettiest day we have had so far this year, as well as being Valentine's day, I really can't complain.  Mikaiah and I worked and played hard in the yard all morning and then went to a fun kids Valentine's party at Norma's house in the afternoon.  That evening Seth and I had a lovely stay at home date where we ordered pizza, relaxed and simply enjoyed one another's company. Perfect! 
    On friday I drove to McMinnville to visit my sister Ardith who was visiting from Seattle, and together with my parents, Mikaiah, and a family friend we drove to Beacon rock to do some hiking.  Unfortunately when we got there we discovered the trail was closed due to a rock slide earlier this year. Bummer.  At least we were able to find a pretty hike to some waterfalls nearby which made the 2 1/2 hour drive worth it, mostly. =)  
      Seth joined us at my parents house that evening and we spent the rest of the weekend hanging out and enjoying family.  My mother even kept Mikaiah with her until tuesday so I could get some projects done around the house, which (with only a little procrastinating) I did do, and it felt good to get some stuff done that I had been putting off.
      And yesterday I spent some time reflecting, as it was the due date of the child I lost last July.  I miss not knowing that child, but I do not have any regrets, for I know he/she is in a better place and I will meet them one day.  I believe it is an extreme mercy that the Lord has given us, and that child, and it is not for me to know from what, but to simply trust that the Lord is good and he knows more than we do and he does what is good for his children, for us AND for that child, and I am grateful.  And with another little one due at the end of June how could I wish for this child to not be?  No, I don't wish that.  I simply wish a happy birthday to the child of mine that I will not know in this life, but I trust that I will know someday.  God is good.  All the time.  And I am thankful.

Unfortuante Circumstance

Another year ends

I have to say that this past year has really been a bit of a mixed bag for me.  Filled with much joy as my baby brother got married to a wonderful woman, my daughter experiencing many firsts, and several trips both near and far (well, at least as far as San Diego.)   We also got to do a lot of camping this year, which we had always said we would do, but never really got around to much. But this year has also held some sorrows for us as well, losing three babies to miscarriage being the biggest of these.  This summer was really a challenge for me, trying to cope with all that was happening, both physically and emotionally. Aside from this we also had the daily trials of life - not having work for a little while, etc. to get through.  Though thankfully Seth has had steady work for a while now. But through all the ups and downs God's grace has abounded in our lives.  There was never a need (physical, mental, or emotional) he didn't fill and he has blessed us in a thousand different ways.  God has really put us in an amazing community, everywhere we look we are surrounded by loving and supportive friends and family.  It's been really awesome to see how strong our family has come though all that has happened. And looking back I really can't say I would change anything, 'cause I know God's plan for me and my family is better than my own, and he never lets me down.
 
 One of my greatest joys this year was simply watching  my baby grow into a little girl. How wonderful to see! Every new experience a life changer for her.  She is simply delightful.  So as we look forward to this June when we will welcome another little one into our number, we really can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
 
 Regardless of what this past year has held for each of you, I really hope that it has been one that has brought an increase of  Faith, Hope, and Love into your lives, and I hope that carries over into this new year.
Much love from our family to yours!

What a lovely snow day we had on Tuesday.  Short lived, but wonderful.  The girls had fun "making" or rather watching their mother's make, a snowman.  Masters of making snowmen with 1/2 an inch of snow, we really did have a fun time.  Hopefully this won't be the last of the white stuff we see this year!

Life these days

     As fall has completely taken over and the leaves now litter the ground, accompanied by drizzling days and gusty winds, Mikaiah and I find ourselves inside much more often.  Probably too often.  I know I've cooped my daughter up too much when (usually around 4 or 4:30) she decides to put on her rain coat and rain boots and plays with the door handle - okay, even I can take a hint!  I have enjoyed our short yet slow walks as she discovers splashing in mud puddles and tries to pick up leaves (as she's stepping on them.)  I forget how different the outdoors looks in the fall compared to the summer, it's so fun to watch her explore it.
    Besides lazing about and taking walks about the neighborhood, this past week my dear friend Amelia got possession of her new house (a sweet mobile home about 100 ft from ours) so we've been busy tearing out carpet, pulling staples and getting ready for new flooring and new paint.  It's been a busy week, but rewarding.  It will be neat to see Amelia and her daughter Elowen installed in their new home!  

    Right now I'm just trying to enjoy this time before the craziness of holiday's begins and looking forward to seeing my niece and nephew, my brother, and sister in law and sister all this weekend in Seattle for my nieces second birthday.  How fun now that Mikaiah and Verity (not to mention Owen) are getting old enough to start playing together!