Well I must say, my drama of last year's move feels a bit ridiculous now that we are back in the very same town from which we moved, but hindsight's always 20/20 right? 2011 felt like a LOOONG year. I feel like we gained 5 years of life experience and perspective in the short 11 months we spent in California, but also feel like the friends we made in that short time will be lifelong.
For those of you in our blog world we don't talk to in person very often, here's a brief synopsis: Dallas had a great opportunity in CA, one that really placed him in a strong position for networking, future employment, and aligned with all of his career/financial goals, so naturally after prayerful consideration, we made the move. BUT, his travel to China became way more frequent AND unpredictable than he'd anticipated. (I think if either of those existed without the other it wouldn't have been so intense). But, had we not made the move with the opportunities at hand, Dallas' desire to jump in ALL the way to the travel, the prestige and the career, the experiences we had along the journey wouldn't have clarified some important personal and professional priorities. After much more prayer and consideration, Dallas consequently found a position with Gerber Knives in Tigard, OR, which has been a great fit so far...and most importantly to me, he ENJOYS. I'm grateful for a man who is willing to fight incessantly for what he feels is right and important. He's a keeper for sure!
All that said...we are back. Not where we started by any means, but back. I can't believe how sad I was to leave Santa Clara since we were there for such a short span of time. The people were some of the most loving, accepting, understanding, unassuming, and genuine people I've met. That sure is a special place. Our landlords there became like family. AND, having the major bonus of being 2 1/2 hours from my family was so fantastic. My favorite part about living close to them was seeing Lincoln bond with my parents and sisters. I obviously benefited majorly as well, but life has so much depth with children in the mix, so being able to share my own flesh and blood with those that did the same for me, just completes the circle.
We now have some more fabulous friends, great memories, and wonderful life experiences that helped us grow closer to God and each other and put a great perspective on what's really most important in our lives.
So...here are some pictures of our lives back in Oregon!
Fun FIRSTS...
Lincoln's FIRST Smashed Finger
Despite our efforts to teach the kid not to slam doors...he apparently had to figure it out on his own. This sad face is classic. Although, I wasn't sure for a while that his ring finger would regain it's shape. He's fine now...as usual.
Lincoln's FIRST Curse Word
Although inadvertent (let's hope it can stay that way...HA), Lincoln discovered The Grinch, but he couldn't figure out how to say it, so I videotaped his version, "I waah watch da Bit*** stole Cismas Mbomby!"
Lincoln's FIRST "Fun" Christmas (actually excited about what was going on)
Our Christmas Eve picture in the new place after Santa Came. (Now that we are back in OR, we'll be going the natural tree route, so I've posted our fake, pre-lit tree on Craigslist for anyone who is interested.)
Lincoln's FIRST Snow Man
It's now been about two months since this picture and Linc frequently asks to build a snow man.
Lincoln's FIRST New Years Celebration
Use your imagination, it's better that way. :)
Lincoln's FIRST Experience With Mommy at the Dr.
Lincoln's FIRST Surgery
Several of you know...the reason I type "Mbomby," when referring to Lincoln speaking my name, is because that's exactly how he sounds...er, soundED. Ever since he was born, the kid sounded like he was suffocating every time he nursed, sucked his thumb or slept. Not to mention his nose was CONSTANTLY running...so after some great medical advice, he got his adenoids removed. Turns out, they were HUGE and ever since he's talked much more clearly, slept well and is SILENT when sleeping/sucking his thumb. (Although I do miss "Mbomby").
Linc's pancake breakfast after his surgery.
And his tattoos.
Dallas' 31ST Birthday
More pics to come of D's party. SO fun. We played games and had a white elephant gift exchange with friends. Not to mention our annual purchase of 5 gallons of Blue Bell ice cream to share. :)
Lincoln's FIRST Time Shoving Something Up His Nose (that we know of)
Lincoln's FIRST Crush
Lincoln's FIRST Fort With Daddy
Lincoln's FIRST Interaction With the Big Boy "Tulit"
Lincoln's FIRST Scripture Reading
Lincoln's FIRST Read: Mr Brown Can Moo
My FIRST "Payback's a Grinch" Experience
I drew on the light switch as a kid and completely lied about it. My brother got spanked for the offense (sorry Heath) and I never REEEEAALLY said that I did it. I went from, "I don't know," to "I can't remember," to "Maybe," to "I think so." Classic. Although Lincoln's response wasn't as ingenious as mine, I was sooo irritated that he accomplished this in such a short amount of time. (Not pictured were the walls on either side of the hallway that were also "decorated").
Lincoln's FIRST Big Boy Bed
Lincoln's FIRST Roller-Skating Session
I have some of the BEST memories of roller skating and playing roller hockey with my family and extended family. I wish this rink was closer, so we could go weekly. :) Lincoln has graduated from these skates to the real deal and trying to adjust accordingly, but seems to enjoy the process!
A few more random pics...
Linc with the Harris boys sitting at the bar (I'm LOVING having an island in my kitchen!!!!)
Just because I think he's cute.
I went to CA a few weekends ago to work a business event for my parents. Grandma Geri took Brooke and I to the park for a picnic on our dinner break. Beautiful women!
Dallas and Lincoln at the arcade at the Family Fun Center. Lincoln's obviously focused.
Daddy makes the best breakfast, especially on Saturdays and Sundays! Here are Lincoln's airplane, car and firetruck pancakes. YUM.
On Valentine's Day, we went bowling as a family and had a blast!
And Lincoln and his friend Hailey made Valentine's cookies for themselves and dad while I made some Rhubarb Jam for Dallas (Sharon, this boy can't get enough!)
Lincoln sporting the lip sucker that Grandma and Papa sent him. :)
And lastly, me at 24 weeks. Interestingly, my belly is the same size in this picture as it was at 30 weeks with Lincoln. HA! If any of you have any boy name suggestions send them our way! :)
Love to all!
For those of you in our blog world we don't talk to in person very often, here's a brief synopsis: Dallas had a great opportunity in CA, one that really placed him in a strong position for networking, future employment, and aligned with all of his career/financial goals, so naturally after prayerful consideration, we made the move. BUT, his travel to China became way more frequent AND unpredictable than he'd anticipated. (I think if either of those existed without the other it wouldn't have been so intense). But, had we not made the move with the opportunities at hand, Dallas' desire to jump in ALL the way to the travel, the prestige and the career, the experiences we had along the journey wouldn't have clarified some important personal and professional priorities. After much more prayer and consideration, Dallas consequently found a position with Gerber Knives in Tigard, OR, which has been a great fit so far...and most importantly to me, he ENJOYS. I'm grateful for a man who is willing to fight incessantly for what he feels is right and important. He's a keeper for sure!
All that said...we are back. Not where we started by any means, but back. I can't believe how sad I was to leave Santa Clara since we were there for such a short span of time. The people were some of the most loving, accepting, understanding, unassuming, and genuine people I've met. That sure is a special place. Our landlords there became like family. AND, having the major bonus of being 2 1/2 hours from my family was so fantastic. My favorite part about living close to them was seeing Lincoln bond with my parents and sisters. I obviously benefited majorly as well, but life has so much depth with children in the mix, so being able to share my own flesh and blood with those that did the same for me, just completes the circle.
We now have some more fabulous friends, great memories, and wonderful life experiences that helped us grow closer to God and each other and put a great perspective on what's really most important in our lives.
So...here are some pictures of our lives back in Oregon!
Fun FIRSTS...
Lincoln's FIRST Smashed Finger
Despite our efforts to teach the kid not to slam doors...he apparently had to figure it out on his own. This sad face is classic. Although, I wasn't sure for a while that his ring finger would regain it's shape. He's fine now...as usual.
Lincoln's FIRST Curse Word
Although inadvertent (let's hope it can stay that way...HA), Lincoln discovered The Grinch, but he couldn't figure out how to say it, so I videotaped his version, "I waah watch da Bit*** stole Cismas Mbomby!"
Lincoln's FIRST "Fun" Christmas (actually excited about what was going on)
Our Christmas Eve picture in the new place after Santa Came. (Now that we are back in OR, we'll be going the natural tree route, so I've posted our fake, pre-lit tree on Craigslist for anyone who is interested.)
Lincoln's FIRST Snow Man
It's now been about two months since this picture and Linc frequently asks to build a snow man.
Lincoln's FIRST New Years Celebration
Use your imagination, it's better that way. :)
Lincoln's FIRST Experience With Mommy at the Dr.
Lincoln's FIRST Surgery
Several of you know...the reason I type "Mbomby," when referring to Lincoln speaking my name, is because that's exactly how he sounds...er, soundED. Ever since he was born, the kid sounded like he was suffocating every time he nursed, sucked his thumb or slept. Not to mention his nose was CONSTANTLY running...so after some great medical advice, he got his adenoids removed. Turns out, they were HUGE and ever since he's talked much more clearly, slept well and is SILENT when sleeping/sucking his thumb. (Although I do miss "Mbomby").
Linc's pancake breakfast after his surgery.
And his tattoos.
Dallas' 31ST Birthday
More pics to come of D's party. SO fun. We played games and had a white elephant gift exchange with friends. Not to mention our annual purchase of 5 gallons of Blue Bell ice cream to share. :)
Lincoln's FIRST Time Shoving Something Up His Nose (that we know of)
Lincoln's FIRST Crush
Lincoln's FIRST Fort With Daddy
Lincoln's FIRST Interaction With the Big Boy "Tulit"
Lincoln's FIRST Scripture Reading
Lincoln's FIRST Read: Mr Brown Can Moo
My FIRST "Payback's a Grinch" Experience
I drew on the light switch as a kid and completely lied about it. My brother got spanked for the offense (sorry Heath) and I never REEEEAALLY said that I did it. I went from, "I don't know," to "I can't remember," to "Maybe," to "I think so." Classic. Although Lincoln's response wasn't as ingenious as mine, I was sooo irritated that he accomplished this in such a short amount of time. (Not pictured were the walls on either side of the hallway that were also "decorated").
Lincoln's FIRST Big Boy Bed
Lincoln's FIRST Roller-Skating Session
I have some of the BEST memories of roller skating and playing roller hockey with my family and extended family. I wish this rink was closer, so we could go weekly. :) Lincoln has graduated from these skates to the real deal and trying to adjust accordingly, but seems to enjoy the process!
A few more random pics...
Linc with the Harris boys sitting at the bar (I'm LOVING having an island in my kitchen!!!!)
Just because I think he's cute.
I went to CA a few weekends ago to work a business event for my parents. Grandma Geri took Brooke and I to the park for a picnic on our dinner break. Beautiful women!
Dallas and Lincoln at the arcade at the Family Fun Center. Lincoln's obviously focused.
Daddy makes the best breakfast, especially on Saturdays and Sundays! Here are Lincoln's airplane, car and firetruck pancakes. YUM.
On Valentine's Day, we went bowling as a family and had a blast!
And Lincoln and his friend Hailey made Valentine's cookies for themselves and dad while I made some Rhubarb Jam for Dallas (Sharon, this boy can't get enough!)
Lincoln sporting the lip sucker that Grandma and Papa sent him. :)
And lastly, me at 24 weeks. Interestingly, my belly is the same size in this picture as it was at 30 weeks with Lincoln. HA! If any of you have any boy name suggestions send them our way! :)
Love to all!
