Joshua's Bathtime - A Family Affair

Everyone had a job... hold his passy, keep his legs covered, wash his neck, tell him everything is okay... it was a complete success! :o)

Our first outing as a family of four

We went to the Saturday Market, shared a huge tamale for lunch, enjoyed shaved ice and let the kids play in the fountain. Joshua did fantastic too:o) - slept the whole time. It felt so good to be out of the house and in the sun.

Baby Josh is here!

Joshua Iason Noah Paulson ~ September 17th, 2009 ~ 6:44pm ~ 6lbs 8 oz

After 2 hours and 44 minutes of labor he was born so quickly that the nurse delivered him 10 minutes before the doctor arrived.

One Last Family of Four Outing

We decided to take one last trip to the beach ( I know, risky!:o) as a family of four this weekend. It was the perfect way to celebrate what our little family has been for the last 41/2 years. We walked through the town of Cannon Beach. The kids brought their money and shopped for toys (really wanting to find something for their brother - so precious!), and Bryce and I enjoyed just watching them and being together. We visited one of our favorite coffee shops (where we took most of the pictures as it was rather rainy) and just enjoyed each other.

Not sure what she was thinking about this drink - but she downed it:o). Hot Chocolate on a rainy day at the beach is pretty hard to beat!

Of course we had to stop at our favorite dinner place - Camp 18

Our next post will likely be about our newest family member!

Elie's First day of First Grade

September 9th 2009 marked Elie's first day in First Grade! She was so excited, and nervous at the same time. She got the chance to meet her teacher and a few classmates the night before, which was wonderful and I think really helped her in feeling ready. Her teacher is very sweet, and seems to be on top of things. The work she's doing is pretty much a repeat of last year in Michigan - but for now, as Elie adjusts to new school rules and friends that seems to be just fine.

Proud brother and mom - Elie just a tad nervous

Getting more excited as we get to school (Dad not quite ready for this either:o)

Hanging up her coat and backpack

A last minute call from Grandpa Mike - made her day!Settling in just fine.

Right before we left she gave us hugs and told us she would miss us. She also looked like she was ready to cry - which of course didn't help her mama any! But when we picked her up she was all smiles and excitement.

The first week was a short one (Wednesday to Friday) but we were all exhausted! Going all day long is a lot for such a little one. But she's LOVEing it! :o)

Last Days of Summer

The last few weeks and days of summer were filled with a lot of moments spent with cousins and doing all the fun summer time things we could cram in last minute. We went to the zoo, the beach, the fair, played in the yard, had family BBQ's, played in a local fountain, visited the Vancouver Saturday market, ran through the sprinklers, and, of course, continued the un-packing and getting ready for school projects:o).

Prayers

We have been looking for a church to settle into out here, and it's been a hard task, give then amazing church family we left behind in Michigan.

Two Sundays ago we went to one that both kids absolutely loved, and spent the week counting down the days until they could go back. Bryce and I weren't as impressed - not that there was anything we could find wrong. It just didn't feel like "home." The fact that Jadon, who's had the hardest time adjusting to this move, was so excited about going back was enough for me, but Bryce was pretty insistent we visit another church first. When we asked the kids what they thought, both of them were upset and disappointed and adamant that we go back and not visit any more churches. It came down to the four of us praying for an answer and then talking about it before bed.

Elie was excited to share what she'd heard in her time with Jesus, and was the first to speak. "It's okay for us to try out a new church this week. I trust Daddy and we should listen to him."
Jadon was next. "Yeah, it's okay to try a different one. God said it would be okay."

Shocked, Bryce and I could hardly respond. It was a complete change of heart for both kids, and such confirmation for Bryce. I was in total awe.

The new church we tried out this weekend was really good - the kids enjoyed it (though they are still excited about going back to the other one:o), and the message was extremely timely for the two of us to hear. Whether or not this is the "right" church for us to settle into, we don't know - but it was definitely the right week for us to be there.

Friendship

There is something so meaningful about friendships that transcend proximity and time. This weekend we had the privilege of having some amazing people stay with us in our new little home and their presence was such a joy - as it always is. Our oldest girls are 3 months apart in age, and picked up almost right where they left off nearly a year ago. Even the younger two got along really well, and all four played together with only the slightest of childhood squabbles.

The four of us adults also picked up as if no time had passed since we'd seen each other. And to see the work God has done in their lives, how He's brought them through so much over the years, and how they are so willing and able to share that with openness and honesty, was exactly the refreshing lift we've needed. Being able to be ourselves in their presence - no pretense or faking - and be completely accepted, encouraged and loved, was a gift that only God could orchestrate through this family.

I am, again, in awe of God's creativity in weaving together the relationships and people who come into our lives, and of the way He shows His love through those interactions. I am so thankful to be part of this thing called "the Body of Christ."

Clark County Fair

We went to the fair this weekend with family and had a ton of fun. There was a lion, tiger, smaller wild cats, a weird turtle (below), baby crocodile and sharks! As well as as the usual pigs, sheep, cows, ducks... etc:o). We saw a clown act, ate a yummy lunch and watched horses preform as well as monster trucks crash around a course. Jadon was in tears when it was time to go - he had so much fun!
Unfortunately we didn't get many pictures:o(...

Home Sweet Oregon Coast

We decided to take a break from the chaos of unpacking and cleaning and head to the Oregon coast for a day - what a treat! It was in around 68 degrees (perfect for this prego mama:o) and sunny. After some initial fears of sharks, crabs and jelly fish the kids decided playing in the water, hunting for marine treasures and getting sandy was a total blast.

We ended the day eating supper at our favorite place - Camp 18, an old logging pit stop with all sorts of treasures to explore.

Jadon didn't hesitate to get soaked from head to toe - and had a ton of fun "hunting" with Dad

Elie was treated to being picked as the favorite ball thrower of two dogs, who randomly selected her out of all the people on the beach! (their owners were very friendly too:o)

One of the largest muscle shells that we found - among two jelly fish, several crabs and lots of tiny fish. We also had several seal sightings!

Hello to our Michigan friends from the Pacific Coast!!

We decided to make our move West as fun as possible - my parents never having done this particular road trip and our family making this journey for the sixth time.

We started off very early Friday morning (the 17th of July), and arrived at Mackinac Island, Michigan around 10am. We boarded a ferry and found a carriage tour and had an absolute blast exploring the Island. The island is the one tourist destination we haddn't seen in our 4 years living in Michigan. No cars are allowed on the island (with the exception of about 3 emergency vehicles), so the only way to get around is by walking, biking or horses. After lunch and coffee we boarded a ferry back to the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan) and headed west toward Escanaba to see our friend Lonnie for one last good-bye before leaving the State of Michigan.

(Grandpa and Jadon having fun on the carriage ride) We found this amazing hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that had a water slide in the hotel. The kids had a blast that night and we got some good rest in before heading to Rapid City, SD, where Mt. Rushmore is located. We decided on attending the night ceremony where they light up the faces while telling the story of each president and how Mt Rushmore came to be. It was spectacular to see - and none of us had ever been there at night. The next day we played around in Rapid City, stopping in at our family's favorite "pit stop" Bear Country USA - a park that has bears, and other large animals roaming free in different areas and you drive through them. You can also get out and walk through an area that houses smaller and baby animals. Before heading West again we had to eat at our favorite steak joint - a place my neighbor and I discovered on the 3rd time through this trek when she helped me drive our car across the country.

(sleeping cub at Bear Country USA)

(Steaks for supper!)

We made it to Cody, Wyoming for a brief night sleep before heading to Yellowstone. We spent two days exploring both loops in Yellowstone, and for all of the seasons we've been through this national park, July was not our favorite... There were longer lines and fewer animals. But, we had fun and saw things we hadn't seen before. My dad and Bryce jumped out of the cars to see a deer, only to discover they'd been extremely close to a mama bear and her two cubs! (pictures on facebook) We also saw a few buffalow babies (not sure what those are called?? calves?), an eagle in her nest, female elk and a few other odd creatures.

(All six of us waiting for Old Faithful)

After Yellowstone we made it to Spokane, Washington where we spent the night in luxury before making the last leg to our new home, just North of Portland, Oregon (Vancouver, Washington). All in all the trip was about 8 days, and went extremely well. My parents got to see things they hadn't seen before, as did the four of us! We wouldn't have had nearly as much fun without them. And it was good to make our last trip a fun one:o).

Final Moments in Michigan

Our final moments in Michigan were rather surreal. We cannot thank our neighbors and friends enough for all the last minute hard work, cleaning and loading and packing - THANK YOU!

My parents drove in from Tennessee, (not because they live there - but because they were at a business conference there and wanted to road trip it up North), arriving in GR around 6pm. They helped and watched as we packed up the cars, closed up the container and walked around our empty house saying good-bye. We left our driveway for the last time around 10pm.

The six of us spent Thursday night in a hotel down the street from our house and got up in the wee hours of morning (no joke! We dragged ourselves out of bed around 3am and were actually loading the car before 4am!!) to head North to Mackinac Island... but that's another blog:o).

All-time favorite babysitter, Kaylee (her sister Danica is a very close second), Jadon, Elie and the voice of authority in Jadon's life, Camden:o). Some of the best neighbors in the world.
(Several others are not pictured:o)

Our van and the pile waiting to be packed in.

The final closing of our container - Thank you Brett & Tadd!!!

We miss all of you we left in Michigan - SO MUCH. Many tears have been shed.

Officially Introducing: Tuber Sally

Here, finally, are a few pictures of the turtle we found on a walk. Tuber Sally, named by Jadon. When we found "him" he was about a week old, according to the pet store reptile lady. He has quite the personality! A very picky eater... right now he eats baby krill and baby shrimp, and if he gets those two delicacies will also eat the turtle twigs filled with vitamins and calcium. He is a household delight for now :o)!

28 week Belly

The best of week 28! Probably won't have many more belly photos for a while. :o)

Family Camp at Grace Adventures

We had a very refreshing week at family camp again this year - and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time! From staff to accommodations and food to activities, this has got to be one of the best places to vacation as a family.
We had amazing teaching, the kids absolutely loved their groups and made a ton of friends, several of which they made last year and remembered. The food was incredible - where can you camp and have fresh salad bars every day?! The kids loved the food too, huge bonus. The activities were tons of fun too. Bryce and Jadon got to shoot BB guns and bows & arrows, Elie and I did crafts, Jadon was extremely excited to ride the banana boat, Elie loved jumping on the water tramp, playing on the beach with friends, s'mores around camp fires, horse back riding, and Bryce and I even got two dates! Here are a few highlights.

Elie and Bryce on the water tramp

Painting in the craft house

S'mores and stories with friends at campfire

Beach time with lots of friends

Horse rides!

We'll post more pictures on facebook:o)!