The Stroller Brigade

The weather was beautiful Saturday, more like summer. We packed up Grace and headed down to the other Stockman's house in the morning for a large breakfast and a trip over to Scotia school. They've got a nice playground that my nieces enjoy playing on. It was just so warm. If only days like this were the norm and fog was the exception around here! We met up with some other friends along the way and ended the afternoon with a treat from Hoby's.

Jenn & little Arabelle. My youngest niece is so adorable!

James & Hugh--remember eating push-pops? I loved those as a kid.

Grammie & my oldest niece, Kylie

Sweet Ava, my second oldest niece. She's such a little ham!

Sunday Morning Snuggles with Dad

5 months old

Grace is 5 months old. At this point, she...

likes to hang out in her exersaucer & play with her toys

rolls around like crazy. yes, even in her crib,
at bedtime & now in the middle of the night!


weighs 15 lbs. 3 oz. & is over 25 in. long

has a mohawk, but at least her hair is growing!


is laughing, smiling, and still talking a lot

reaches for our cups & plates when we eat--she's onto us!
but she'll have to wait a little longer to try real food

sleeps great in her crib at night, but naps in her car seat or swing

wants to sit up on her own, but isn't quite strong enough yet

is very well loved!

Grace seems to love showing us all her new tricks.

We must have gone in to her room 3-4 times last night to find her on her belly (we always put her down on her back), with no room to roll herself back over!

She was happy as a clam though--silly kid!

Happy St. Patty's Day

The day is almost over, but I couldn't resist sharing this!
Hope you didn't get pinched!

GRIEF

It's such a strange thing really.

Over the last few months, I've felt like things have just been hard. Almost harder than just after we lost my dad. It was a very busy time. That first week filled with family, tears, tons of photos, paperwork, packing, making plans and getting all in order. Then moving my mom and sister back to Humboldt and the months of living together, more planning, unpacking, paperwork, tears, etc. Then hurriedly preparing for Grace's arrival and those exhilarating and exhausting first few months of her life and mine as a new mom. Things have become more routine now with Grace and life in general has become a bit more settled. So I find myself with more time to think than ever before.

I think of my dad. Then I think, "he's gone" and my mind recoils. I feel like he just died yesterday, then at other times, I feel like he's been gone forever.

I've lost track of the number of times people have told me, "Aren't you glad your mom moved back? That's great she can babysit for you. It's so important to have family close by". I often have no idea how to respond to that. I've thought of saying, "You're right. It is great that my dad died so my mom can babysit my daughter". But I don't say that because these are people who know me, who love me, who mean well...but just don't know what to say. So I just smile and say how thankful I am that my mom is now living close and does love to spend time with her granddaughter, because in truth, I am thankful. But I would much, much, much rather have my dad still be alive.

Over the last 10 months, I have realized that most people do all they can to avoid death. It's only natural. No one really wants to think about it or experience it. It's because it's not really normal. It's not what God intended. Sin entered the world, and death followed. And suddenly, there was real sadness. There was loss. There was shock and tears, despair and emptiness. A desperate wish that things were different. The hope, the reassurance is that one day things will be different. God will come again. The earth will be redeemed. And, my great hope is that I will see my dad again--in heaven. I hang onto the fact that he did accept the Lord at one point in his life. BJ remembers seeing a video of him on the day he was baptized. "This is the happiest day of my life" was my dad's comment. I take great peace in that. We serve a gracious God who loves to redeem.

I have learned a lot (and am still learning) as I go through this process. I'd like to share some of that with you.

:: Many people don't know what to say. Just say something. It is better to acknowledge the loss, however awkwardly you do it, than to say nothing at all.

:: Realize that your friend may not feel like calling or talking or getting out, so you need to be the one who makes the effort to reach out to them. For many grieving a loss, it is difficult to realize everyone else has moved on but you. For me this was in looking around at a group of friends who I dearly love, watching everyone laugh and enjoy themselves, all the while thinking, "I have nothing to say. I have nothing to give. I used to enjoy times like these". I know it's just a season, but it's still hard.

:: Meals, notes of encouragement, prayer...all of these things are a great help. A little goes a long way. The day my mom moved back, a huge group of guys showed up to help her unload the gigantic u-haul. What would have taken all day was done in rapid speed. That wonderful group of men gave up their morning, but in doing so, blessed our family beyond measure.

:: Listen. Work to draw the person out through good questions and truly listening. I think that often this is one of the best ways to share another's burden. Just be there to listen as the person shares their grief and lightens their load. God calls us to pour out our hearts before him. You can reflect Christ to your grieving friend by allowing them to also do this with you.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

:: Read up on grief. You may not have lost someone yet, but we will all go through this eventually. Most people lose grandparents, parents, some even children. You don't have to personally experience loss to be able to encourage others through it. 


:: Keep pointing your friend back to Jesus. This is very important. Losing someone and all the changes and emotions that come with that can be overwhelming and confusing. It's important to continue to point out God's goodness.

Hey there feet...

It's so fun to watch Grace discover new things.
Her feet are no exception!
She finally realized they were there this week.
We've caught her playing with them a lot.
It's pretty cute.

Surprise...

It's been a LONG week. Wait, make that several months! So, BJ's surprise date was a welcome change last night: a trip to Sweetness & Light for some delicious chocolate covered gummi-bears, dinner out at the brewery, and a movie at home--all while my mom watched Grace.

Thanks babe!

March is NO SODA MONTH

I've done it before. I gave up soda when I was in my late teens for 4 years. After a while, I didn't even want to drink it anymore.

Then after a long backpacking trip, a group of us stopped for lunch at a pizza parlor on the way home. I ordered a Sprite and haven't stopped drinking since.

My favorite is Cherry Coke from Bob's with extra ice. Always extra ice. Soda with crushed ice just tastes so much better to me.

But, I feel that in a number of ways I've been sabotaging my own attempts to lose the weight I gained during my pregnancy. I felt like I took pretty good care of myself during those 9 months. I exercised a lot and watched what I ate. But afterwards, now that's a different story. I don't recommend giving birth just before the holidays hit!

There are three things I love to drink/eat:

1. Soda. Even though I know it's terrible for me and my teeth. I still love it.

2. White Mochas. Sure I usually get a 12oz, non-fat, no whip, decaf one...but still. I mean, c'mon, who are we kidding?!

3. Chocolate. I could eat it all day long, in almost any form. Except with coconut, something about the texture just bothers me.

So, with that said, I'm giving up one thing off the list. And this has nothing to do with Lent. I'm not Catholic, although my background is (one year, as a child, I gave up playing with my barbies for Lent!), but that's a whole other story.

This month, I'm just going to focus on ditching the soda and practicing some self-control. I know at least my teeth will thank me!