Our Little Emily

December 16, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Our little Emily is 8 Months this week.  Before she was born I honestly wondered if it were possible to love another child as much as I love my first.  With her birth and the growth of our family my heart has known an incredible peace.  We love you Baby Emily, more than words can say.

First Typing Lesson

December 15, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  She has been showing interest in sitting at the desk and interacting with the big screen...so I opened up Word and showed her how to type her name.  Very cool.

15 Minutes Outside

December 14, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  It's rained every day for as long as I can remember and I'm starting to feel cooped up.  So I've resolved to get outside with my girls despite the weather.  I'm working toward 15 minutes a day--inspired by this book.   Today we took a walk to a neighbor's house and it was wonderful to be outside, even with the drizzle.

That Your Burdens May Be Light

December 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I want to remember this quote always:

"Only when you lift a burden, God will lift your burden.  Divine paradox this!  The man who staggers and falls because his burden is too great can lighten that burden by taking on the weight of another's burden.  You get by giving, but your part of giving must be given first."

- Spencer W. Kimball -

Done Shopping

December 12, 2015.  Portland, OR.  It's been a long while since I blogged last; but I've got to start somewhere and today is as good a day as any.  

Look who I found in the book isle.  I guess they're done finding gifts for one another.

Snapshot #1237: Emily's Blessing Dress

June 18, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  On Emily's blessing day countless friends congratulated me by exclaiming, "Oh, that dress!"  It truly is a beauty.  Mom designed it after an antique blessing dress--the dress my Grandmother Anna Laura Petersen was blessed in as a baby.  Our friend, Sue Ormond made it.  She should definitely go into business!    

Snapshot #1236: Pretty in Pink

June 17, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  So pretty in pink.  And doing her favorite thing...sleeping.

Snapshot #1235: Home Preschool

June 16, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Every one else's kid just finished school for the summer, but I'm just now wrapping my brain around (since the baby's birth) some home preschool ideas...so we are working on a few things here and there.  This weeks topics include:  Rhyming, Calendaring, Writing her own name, and Gratitude.

Snapshot #1234: Skinned Elbow

June 15, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hazel fell and skinned her elbow and hand this morning while running along the Heritage Trail.  Poor girl cried and cried, so Daddy came home at lunch to make it all better.  We are so blessed to have him work close to home.

Snapshot #1233: Chicken Jicama Salad

June 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  This was a good one--worth remembering.  Romaine lettuce, spinach, green onion, rotisserie chicken, orange, jicama and candied walnuts topped with a maple balsamic dressing.  Delish!

Snapshot #1232: Emily's Two Month Photos

June 12, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Believe it, she's two months today.  Boy, do I love these girls!

Snapshot #1231: Local Girls

June 11, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  We just discovered Hawaiian Shaved Ice from Local Girls.  The best part is the ice cream on the bottom.  Perfect for a hot summer's day.

Snapshot #1230: Cottonwood Beach

June 10, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  Our first time on Cottonwood Beach since New Year's Day.  We will most definitely be back.

Snapshot #1229: Baby Swing

June 9, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Wait a minute, that's not MY baby in the swing.  More "Hazel Tracks."

Snapshot #1228: Lacamas Lake Trail

June 8, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I'm so proud of these girls--they walked 2 miles today along Lacamas Lake.  I'm so blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful place.

Snapshot #1227: Fresh Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

June 7, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I don't normally post on Sundays, but this strawberry-rhubarb pie was too beautiful to miss.  Tasted pretty darn good too.  Summer is the best.

Snapshot #1226: U-Pick Strawberries

June 6, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  Don't let this photo fool you...she only picked a dozen strawberries the entire time.  We filled 3 buckets in one hour which tonight yielded 16 jars of freezer jam.  Come on over for some freshly-baked bread with fresh strawberry spread...YUM!

Snapshot #1225: Good Morning

June 5, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hmmm...maybe we should have gotten the king-size bed rather than the queen.

Snapshot #1224: Oh, That Face!

June 4, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Oh, that little face.  I just love it.

Snapshot #1223: Sister Hazel

June 3, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Sister Hazel is constantly swooping in to give baby Emily kisses.  

Snapshot #1222: Pre-Ballet Photo Shoot

June 2, 2015.  Washougal, Washington.  Hazel started pre-ballet back in September with Dayley Dance Academy and now has a dance recital in a few weeks.  I'm already nervous for her, haha!  Their little costumes are perfectly adorable.

Snapshot #1221: "The Longest String"

June 1, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Will she get more play out of the soccer ball or the longest string she has ever seen?  I'm betting she'll get more play out of the string short-term, but the soccer ball long-term.  

Snapshot #1220: Homegrown

May 30, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  We worked all morning in the yard--mowing, trimming, weeding, watering.  I really love that we have a small patch of land we can call our own.  I cannot take any of the credit for these roses.  I didn't even realize it was a rose bush in the corner of our yard until I walked outside one day and saw it in full bloom.  

Snapshot #1219: My Girls

May 29, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Snapshots of my girls.  I love saying that...My Girls.  :)

Snapshot #1218: Creative Kids

May 28, 2015.  Portland, Oregon.  We made it to the Portland Children's Museum with friends.  I love that the bike rack out front was just as entertaining as the exhibits inside.

Snapshot #1217: Mini Me

May 27, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I've been told she looks a lot like me; and perhaps she does.

Snapshot #1216: Lullabies

May 26, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I discovered Hazel singing lullabies to baby Emily in her cradle this morning.  How sweet is that.  Often, she looks up to me and says, "Being a big sister is the best."

Snapshot #1215: Hidden Gardens

May 25, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Before she and Dad flew back to Idaho, Mom helped me choose flowers for my new window boxes.  I am thrilled with the results!

Snapshot #1214: Emily's Blessing Day

May 24, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  It was our privilege to bring little Emily to church today and give her a name and a blessing.  We have fought hard for many years to create a family, and here we are.  My heart is at peace.