Helloooo November!!
Life has been so exciting in the Stahle household! We work hard, we play hard and most of all we are so blessed! Life with Cole in it seems like it has always been this way. I guess maybe that's how it's supposed to be for me. I felt the same when I married Dallas. And then when Lincoln came along. I think it is so fantastic that God can just increase the size of our hearts to accommodate the amount of love that grows inside of them.
I have to be completely honest that this is the FIRST year of my life that I have loved Autumn. Maybe it's the California girl in me that was just too decided that the REAL excitement was in the beauty of the Spring that led into the sunny, outdoor activities of the Summer: Trips to the lake, to the beach, endless salad recipes and predictable running weather. The on-the-go excitement of outdoor activities and never wearing shoes...like ever. Most of my favorite memories growing up are from the summer months. I always used to get sad about the shortening of the days, the cold, the rain and lack of sunshine. Then I moved to Oregon and just let the lack of non-stop sunshine BUG. However, people change. Although I still have a special place saved for the Spring/Summer months, this year I have decided to be just as excited about the Fall. It was kind of an accidental decision, not a really deliberate one. Children have a special way of reminding us about the simple things in life that really matter. A friend and I took our kids to go puddle jumping several months ago and ever since, Lincoln jumps in EVERY puddle he sees now. I love it. I always just plan to have an extra set of clothes and a towel or wipes in the car since I never know what kind of adventure (puddle jumping, poopy pants, ya know...whatever) are in store. There is a part of me that USED to react immediately to such childish and impulsive behavior, thinking about the mess, the laundry and potential bad habits developing. But there is a MUCH bigger part of me that LOVES the childish mindset of finding joy in the simple things...it is so much more meaningful. Lincoln is now starting to make up his own songs and pick out his own clothes as well...completely fascinates me and doesn't bother me at all (that is sort of a lie) that he loves to wear his green sock with his bowling sock, shoes on the wrong feet, no coat and his superman shirt and Lightning McQueen pajamas. Occasionally I make strong suggestions. I recently heard someone make the point that we have the privilege of knowing our children as adults for the rest of forever, but for now and a few precious years, we can enjoy THIS time. So I plan to. Thanks.
That all being said, I think we can enjoy THIS time in a lot of areas of our lives. I started running again a few months ago and decided to not take my Ipod with me for now. I'm sure that idea might change, but for now, it is an hour or less of silence and pondering that helps me think and love and pray. I like to be busy. I actually prefer it. And busy isn't the right word. Productive? Effective? I like effective better. It is a constant question of what is most important and how to adapt to the unexpected events in my life...which happen ALL the time. It is all about perspective. The energy that I have wasted over the years on worry and over things I cannot control is staggering. I still worry sometimes. Usually about people I love that are hurting. But there is so much good to be grateful for, so much beauty to believe in and so many wonderful people to discover, that it seems like an easy decision about where to spend my thoughts...
Which brings me to FALL. We are blessed tremendously with gorgeous views here in the Pacific Northwest. I find myself in awe of the variety in the beauty on a daily basis. The rain will get old when June comes and I still have to wear a coat, but for now...instead of dreading it and feeling lethargic and disappointed that the sun is hiding, I am really set on enjoying this "Precious Present" I have with my boys. All three of them. Life gets busy. Things get hard. My plan always gets interrupted, screwed up or turned upside down. But, it's all part of the process. And I'm grateful for the process...
Here are some pics of our "process" these last few months...
It will probably be another few months before I post more...let's be honest...
Lincoln and Caleb at the Portland Children's Museum painting their own faces. My favorite is the after Museum Costco Run...Lincoln parades himself through the store with his masterpiece face art like a CHAMP.
While separating his string cheese snack, he says, "Look mom, bYu!" His daddy would be so proud...
We had a really fun night partying with the Crozier boys this night. Lincoln ate an amazing amount of meatballs...as did Matthew, the one to his right. Hysterical.
Dallas wanted Lincoln to have some BYU paraphernalia to wear to school, so he sent us a package while he was in China to make sure Linc had everything in time for Preschool. :)
This picture took place right after I scolded Lincoln for climbing in the Pack'n'Play...it sounded something like this, "LIIIIINCOOOOOLN...seriously dude, get OUT of the pack n play. That is Cole's space. You will BREAK it! Wait....stay there. I want a picture! Okay GET OUT!!!" I'm just prepping him for any potential emotional indecisiveness of any other women in his life. No big deal.
We love friends. And snack time. Sometimes in the reverse order. But both are essential for true happiness.
The JEEP. This may not be completely age appropriate yet, but since we got it from another awesome family and it ROCKS, there is no way it's just going to sit in our garage...so, we tend to run over our friends, into fences and fall out backwards due to lack of skills and slow response time, but in time, I'm sure we will master it. Uncle Heath, please come visit and teach us your ways of maneuvering the Pink Barbie Car of your childhood...
My sweet happy baby. Cole is very mellow and very smiley. We love him. We'd love him if he wasn't. I don't anticipate the "mellow" to last, since it was short-lived with Lincoln, but I am enjoying every second of it for the time being.
Cole is starting to scoot, rolls over and laughs all the time. He's pretty tough, since he has Lincoln for a big brother. We are working on maintaining boundaries. I look forward to the day where he can fight back...well...actually I don't, but for his sake, I kind of do.
Izzy (whom I am trying to love) and Cole...Izzy is a relatively well behaved cat. I don't have to feed her or give her water...she does her bathroom thing on her own...pretty low maintenance. She knows she will get thrown across the room if she bites by baby, so I'd say we have good boundaries set. Sorry Selonna, I do not share the Stahle love for felines...but, she is getting to be more cuddly and mellowing out...we've had her for 3 months now...
Dallas and Lincoln caught a fish while camping!
Dallas' mini moto trip with work buddies up and around Mt. St. Helen's.
Linc at soccer practice. Little Big Kicks...he's pretty good. And I consider myself qualified to determine such things...even if I am his mother. :)
Showing off his newly learned skill...
Mom, Dad, Brookie and Grandpa Jay came up for Cole's blessing. Always a treat to have family visit...
Dallas on his Moto Mancation...on the Oregon Coast...check out these views!!
Dallas and I at the Shins Concert at the Keller Auditorium. So WORTH it!!!
This was at Imagine Dragons...also loved them. Not crazy about the venue, but their music was AWESOME.
Dallas and I right before we did Race the Reaper. SO FUN. 10k course with 22 obstacles. Worth it as well!
Lincoln decided he wanted to wear a 24 month costume to take this picture...he fits right in...duh.
Documenting a less than stellar day...we have those too...
Halloween with my Captain America and Clifford!!
Until next time...be well!
