Weblog
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
-
Gideon Arthur - 1 month old
Gideon Arthur is officially one month old today! He came for a visit yesterday. We've been gone for ten days so I haven't seen him in two weeks. When last I saw him, he was just barely opening his eyes to peek at the world, far more content to keep them closed, sleep and hang out with mommie. Not so yesterday, he was alert most of the time, content to sit on a lap with a face to look at and look he did. He let his little eyes roam all over the room taking in everything around him without a peep.
On first meeting yesterday, he sported a full-face smile for Grandma and then again for Grandpa. How they put their whole face into it, I don't know, but it was very cute. Baby G is awake and ready to get to know his world. He let both of us hold him to our heart's content. He has a lot of reddish hair, more than his brothers at this age. He's grown and gotten heavier in two weeks. He looks more like a full-fledged infant and less like a little burrito.
His brothers seem to easily embrace their new family member. Lewis was in three months of denial when Evander was born, but now having a brother is a normal part of life. Evander frequently comes over to give his baby a kiss. The very first thing Evander did upon arriving yesterday was go straight to the bookshelf for "book-ahs" which he loves. He had Grandpa on the couch reading before Heather even got settled in. Evander's language skills are increasing rapidly. He loves all kinds of books, long and short. He sat and listened to regular bedtime story length books yesterday. I think he has "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" memorized.
Meanwhile, Lewis headed straight for the new books shaped like bulldozer, fire truck and dump truck to play with and read. He had out all the heavy equipment toys and was excavating first thing. Later in the day, I took the boys across the street where a real back hoe had arrived and let them check it out. We even stopped to ask the workmen what they were doing. Evander is repeating, "Ex-ca-va-tor, Ex-ca-va-tor." Lewis knows more about equipment than I'll ever know. After lunch while little brother naps, Lewis and Grandpa watch Bob the Builder and Mighty Machines together. Well, I suspect that Granpa naps and Lewis watches.
About six, Heather straps in three little guys in her mini-van. Tired Lewis cries because he's had no nap and "wants to sit by the baby." He's only three, even though he's the big brother. It's been a good day at Grandma and Grandpa's House.
Friday, 28 August 2009
-
30 Reasons Why I Love Shannon on her 30th Birthday
Today is Shannon's 30th Birthday, a very momentous occasion and one of life's benchmarks. As she reflected on her birthday, she told me, "I've spent my youth well and I have no regrets. There have been lots of highs."
Since you love words of affirmation and birthday blogs particularly, here you go beautiful darling:
1. I admire and enjoy the woman you've become.
2. I marvel at the beautiful art you create with your photography, how you make every person look full of life and beautiful. How amazing to watch it all unfold in glorious splendor.
3. I am so happy that you invest in everyone around you. You try to include people, encourage people and build them up.
4. I like how much you enjoy your nephews. You've become auntie extraordinaire!
5. I like how you try to bring your family and friends on all your adventures.
6. I enjoy watching you put together "events" and putting your special Shannie touch on them.
7. I have fun on all our walks, talks and little outings.
8. I love that I get to see you so often!
9. I admire how comfortable you are with yourself as a person.
10. I think it's great that you have the freedom and resources to do meaningful missions. I secretly wish I could sneak into your suitcase.
11. I think it's funny that you never let being the middle child stop you from being seen and heard.
12. I love how you love to take people under wing in lots of different ways.
13. I love your singing.
14. I think it's cool that you're taking up the violin.
15. I like it that you have a wide range of friends and healthy relationships with others.
16. I admire the fact that you are usually ahead of the curve on a lot of things.
17. I'm so glad that you love all your family members.
18. I like it that you are not afraid to try to things and go on new adventures.
19. I love your funny stories.
20. I love to hear you speak, you are very captivating and I hope God opens up lots of doors for you to do more of it.
21. There's no end to passion with you.
22. I admire your generosity with your time, friendship, love and finances.
23. I'm so happy that you are a healthy person in all ways.
24. I'm glad that you're an encourager...encouragers like other encouragers....
25. I admire your volleyball skills...fierce!
26. I like the friends you've brought to Portland for short or long term.
27. I think it's fun that you are so dramatic!
28. It's interesting to me that someone else has a "task mode".
29. I love it that I got to be your mother.
30. I very grateful that you love God and bring glory to him in all you do.
I love you!!!
Happy Birthday, Shannon!
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
-
The Oregon Garden with Little Boys
Heather, Shannon and I took Lewis and Evander to the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon yesterday. It's been open about five years and it was our first visit. What struck me was how "Oregon" it was. We live in the nursery capital of the US. Our mild climate is perfect for incubating shrubs and trees. It so cute to see all the baby trees when you drive out in the countryside. The Oregon garden is built on a gentle hillside so there are lots of places for water features like little streams, waterfalls and fountains. There were so many plants and design features to look at. We barely scratched the surface.
The boys got right into the action with some plant and rock touching.
Shannon got to see the boys for the first time in 2 months, so she was lovin' it too. All day long Evander was calling her "Nannie" which is always a big hit with her.
And they love her.
A fountain that dripped water from above was fun for Lewis.
I would love to have this fountain at my house but maybe a smaller scale. What's not to love about a water feature?
When we came to the gazebo, a musician was setting up to do a noon concert with his trombone and euphonium. He graciously took time to show the boys how the trombone worked and then played a couple of tunes. Lewis was enraptured. He was allowed to touch the instruments and hear them played.
The hilarious thing was all three of us had our big mamarazi cameras with us so we were stopping for photo shoots at every cool place. I'll share the amazing flower photos in the next blog.
We stopped at a "Pet Friendly" section and the boys enjoyed touching the sculptures and the water.
Can't you just hear Evander saying, "Rock!"
At the children's garden, the boys played in the Hobbit Hole, the sandbox and rolled down the hill.
And then Lewis found the "Bear Bench" - how cute!
We headed to Silverton for lunch, then had a peak at Heather and J's soon-to-be new home. Quote of the day from Lewis upon entering the garden, "Is that a Japanese maple?"
Friday, 12 June 2009
-
Pacific City Beach Pictures
Check out this facebook link for some fun pictures at Pacific City Beach.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
-
The Varied Life at 1748
So many different things happen in a week here, it's hard to report on all of them. Here's a few pictures of various things for a sample.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a nice lunch/reunion with three Asian women who were in my first English class at FOCUS in 1995. Wendy, is a stay-at-home mom, Lijie has two boys and just got laid off, and Susan, still works at a hospital. Her son just graduated from university. We had a lovely time and ate delicious food.
Two weeks ago, Paul and Maryjane, pastors from Rwanda, came to speak to our Tuesday night Bible study. We met Paul in 2000 at World Salt in Los Angeles and have remained friends since that time. His story of survival in the genocide was every bit as gripping as Hotel Rwanda. However, the miraculous protection and deliverance from God really inspired us. They're seen here with some of the Tuesday night group.
Vic and I took a Sunday drive last week and ended up on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge up in the mountains looking at this beautiful waterfall and river scene.
There were very few people there and sometimes it's so pleasant to get out of the city and look at all the stunning scenery around us.
Lewis and Evander have taken to picking roses before they come in the door at my house to give me and it is so cute. I had to capture the moment. This is the typical scene when they arrive at "Grandma's House".
Evander is changing and growing rapidly right now. The next thing they do is go upstairs to find Grandpa, Lewis first and then Evander climbing up behind. The little rituals are important to little one. And they're important to us big ones too!
strawberry14
-
- Name: Kathy
- Country: United States
- State: Oregon
- Gender: Female
- Member Since: 6/16/2003
Connect
Stories and Poems
About Me
-
I work and live with college age Americans and Internationals. For fun, I've traveled to 35 countries, training teachers in many of them. I'm interested in lots of different things, playing music, home-made crafts, coaching drama, photography, collecting musical instruments, and most of all--my 3 kids and now my first grandson.
Subscriptions
Pulse
-
I had a fun day with Lewis and Evander and parents. Now I'm off to church. Tonight, house dinner with the girls.
-
I'm off to the Molalla Rodeo for the 4th of July!
Chatboard (0)