It's Been a While

It has been so long since I last logged in and put my thoughts in writing in this corner of the world that I actually forgot how access my blog.

Again and again I have wanted to sit in front of my computer and share special moments, funny things Sariah says, exciting news, etc. But priorities changed and sitting in front of my computer never really happens as it used to...and that is okay.

My appearance here will probably remain somewhat unpredictable, but what matters the most is that Jesus is still in the driver's seat of my life and He is driving me to new landscapes, inviting me to take his hand and run toward new adventures.

I hope to sit down more often and share bits and pieces of these new adventured with you!

Sariah's Sayings at 24 months

• "Best ever!"
• "What Dada dooning?" - What is Dada doing?
• "I like it!"
• "Sariah blackberry pupe."- Sariah has blackberry poop.
• "Sariah wake up already."

Two Years as a Mommy

My life changed in so many ways two years ago. 

After a fast labor and delivery, I sat in bed with a tiny person on my chest and I fell in love - nothing else mattered. I didn't care that I wasn't wearing make-up or that my hair was a mess. I forgot that a few minutes prior the contractions made me feel like I was being hit by a train again and again...

I held my daughter against my skin and I would not trade that moment for anything else in this world. 

Two years later and that tiny person is bigger, full of spunk and no longer likes to sit still for more than 2 seconds. And I love her just the same. Every day that I get to spend with her is a precious gift. 

I cannot imagine life without Sariah Faith and I so look forward to the adventures ahead! I cannot believe my tiny baby is now a two year old little girl. 

Sariah and I - 30 minutes after she was born.

Two Years Old

In many ways it feels like Sariah has always been a part of our family. However, I cannot believe my little baby is now a two year old toddler.

The toddler stage has been hard and tiring at times, but it has also been so much fun!

I love to have conversations with my daughter. I love that she asks for Dada 20 times a day and talks about him when he is at work. I love to listen to her sing around the house. I love that she runs to me and gives me random kisses throughout the day. I love that we have a rhythm that works well for all of us. I love that she tries to be helpful and wants to do what I am doing.

I love my girl!

To celebrate her second birthday, the three of us packed a picnic and headed to Mt. Baker with no plans other than just having fun together. The photographer in me planned a mini-birthday session up in the mountains and I absolutely love these photos of Sariah surrounded by breathtaking views.

Sariah:

• Went pee pee on the potty for the first time
• Loves mommy's red high heels
• Enjoys morning massages on the changing table
• Likes being around the water during the hot summer days
• Can climb out of the pack n play
• Likes to spin
• Closes doors around the house all day long
• Can reach and open all the door locks
• Talks to everybody
• Loves all the cats
• Is starting to play on her own without requesting mommy's presence
• Likes to walk with her hands in pockets

Just a year ago our little girl looked like this:

Twenty-Theree Months

Sariah:

• Likes to pray and asks mommy to say the words so she can repeat them
• Loves watering the garden
• Plays hide and seek and likes to hide in the bathtub
• Can eat a ridiculous amount of blackberries
• Is not a fan of hiking backpacks
• Jumps all the time
• Likes to drink water with ice
• Continues to be fearless
• Can put 4 word sentences together and talks all day long
• Is fascinated with elephants and asks to watch elephant videos daily
• Plays her piano and sings along
• Favorite words: "I help you!" She is quite the helper

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the Fog

John and I spent the weekend away from Sariah for the first time and headed over to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The weather had been gloriously warm and sunny for many days and we planned on hiking a couple of harder mountains together since we didn't have to carry Sariah along.

By the time we arrived at our condo for the weekend, the clouds had rolled in and there was 100% chance of rain for the following day. But we didn't care because we were childless for the first time in almost two years and we needed the rest.

Instead of conquering new peaks, we headed out in the rain and made our way up to the Heliotrope trail. It didn't take long before we started running into quite a few hikers who let us know that the creeks were looking more like rivers in the miles ahead and everyone was turning around because they couldn't cross them. We continued in order to see exactly what these creeks were like on an extra wet day.

At one point, we removed our already wet hiking boots, tied them to our backpack and prepared ourselves mentally to cross a raging and frigid creek. John crossed first and I planned on going through right after him...but I freaked out. So there we were. Standing twelve feet away from each other, yelling as loud as we could because the creek was so loud we could hardly hear each other's voice. Our feet ached in the cold cataracts that continued to flow down as John encouraged me to take this route and then this other route. He told me he knew I could do it and that it looked scary, but the water was not deep and I could just hold on to these rocks on my right and run as fast as I could. He encouraged me and I loved him as I watched his hands move as he described each step to take at the top of his lungs. I didn't want to cross because I was scared. I didn't want to cross because I knew that if I crossed that creek I was going to have to cross it back. I didn't want to cross because my feet were totally numb. But I crossed because I was with him.

That moment in our hike reminded me of hundreds of moments throughout our 6 years of marriage.

Figuratively speaking, we have hiked many mountains and we have crossed frigid and raging creeks. We have seen beauty like never before and we have been cold, nervous, scared, but also excited. We have encouraged each other and we have been to places we would not want to go alone.

Our anniversary weekend was so different from what we planned, but I know everything happened exactly the way God intended it to be - and I am glad He directs our paths.

Six Years

It has been 6 years since I married the one I love.

In some ways it feels like we have been a part of each other's life since we were born and in other ways it seems like just yesterday he helped me get out of my wedding dress and remove the 60+ pins that held my curly hair up.

I could not have imagined the events that have become a part of our story over the past six years. We giggled every night when we went to bed together and no longer had to say goodbye at the end of a date night. We moved to a new city and discovered what it is like to live without community. We felt our tiny daughter move in my belly and we fell in love with our Creator all over again.

We have hugged. We have kissed.

We have been sleep deprived and we have felt discouraged.

We have laughed. We have cried.

We have apologized. We have prayed.

We have experienced some of our toughest days this past year and we have made a commitment to restore the walls and repair the foundation of our relationship. The last few months have been hard and humbling. Sometimes we feel like we are taking three steps forward and five backwards, but we are trusting that God is leading us to a place we could never arrive on our own.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

We are holding hands, moving toward the promised streams in the years to come!