A day of play

Mr. Logan had some fun with cousins Oliver and Miles today while Mommy got her hair colored.

He is so lucky to have so many cousins to play with. 

(and we are so excited to meet baby boy Klumper next month!)

He can join the band...

Oliver- I love pushing you on your swing in the backyard. Your skinny jeans and tiny, sweet voice are just adorable. 

Miles- I could watch you toddle around in your diaper all day. I love your fearless, adventurous attitude.

Love,

Aunt Linds

Change

It has been 4 1/4 months.

4 1/2 busy, full-of-change-and-learning months...

Jeff and I finally landed on a decision to accept a job at the Sandpoint Tennis Center in Seattle. 

(Yay for passing Seattle on the way to work instead of dusty, congested JBLM!) 

We rented out our home and left our friends in Lacey to move into Aunt Wendy's in Burien. 

So, here we are!

It has been an adventure, to say the least. But it's true-

 change IS good,

and there is more adventure ahead of us as we try to find a place to live in Seattle. 

Meanwhile, at 15 months, our sweet Logan is now really starting to get walking down. When we went to the Cheesecake Factory shortly after the move, we walked in the restaurant with a baby and left realizing we now have a toddler on our hands. It was one of those- Oh man, people are staring...and I'll walk around with him while you eat, then we'll trade- kind of experiences. We had to laugh through it. 

He gives excellent "loves", is suddenly climbing EVERYTHING, is obsessed with any kind of light, and his favorite activity is to "drive" in mommy's minivan and honk the horn.

Not only is change good, but it can also be scary.

Despite how blessed we are to have a place to stay and have a great new job, I do have those days that I really miss our life in Lacey.

It was lovely. The people, the area, our ward.

But I have my two best friends here with me and with them everything is wonderful.

Like I taught our young women in Lacey...

I, too, can do hard things.

Love,

Linds  

A 10 1/2 month-old Mommy

I need to start writing more often. When I do take the time to sit down, my brain clears and much needed answers come to my heart and mind- and we could use some answers right about now.
I promise there is more going on around here than an aging baby. Stay tuned.

Today we Celebrated my first Mother's Day as a Mother. And it was also the first day in a while that we spent the entire day as a family. (Wahoo!) At this point in our lives that just doesn't happen very often. Probably one of my favorite moments of the day was when Jeff carried Logan out of Sacrament meeting when he got too chatty. Simply because it was my husband- carrying our baby out to the hall. Yep. :)

Mr. L started consistently sleeping through the night at 9 months. Now, at 10 1/2 months, he still only has 2 bottom teeth, is enjoying the big-boy tub and is such a talker. He welcomes bites of food with an enthusiastic UUMmmm. He crawled! He is a ladies man and is going through a stranger danger phase with mostly men. Favorite activities include rides in the jogging stroller and sitting in a cart at the store (one of which needs to happen more often)...!

Today Logan let me sleep until 9, we sat through (almost) an entire Sacrament meeting (ya know- chattiness), made lasagna and had root beer floats. It was great. :)

I wouldn't be where I am today without the guidance, pure love, and wisdom of my Dear Mama. And I certainly scored in the Mother-in-law department... you are wonderful!

Happy Mothers Day to Moms and future Moms!

8-Month-Old Logan

At 8 months, Logan:

- Shrugs his shoulders and clasps his hands when he's excited.

- Teases us with a very quiet 'Dada'

- Got his first tooth! (Bottom right on February 26th to be exact.)
- Is getting his appetite back after his first nasty cold, but only seems to like food that is mixed with olive oil (a true bambino)!
 

Californ-i-a



In January we joined the Rices in Palm Springs for a week.

It was so refreshing to leave our daily tasks behind and see palm trees and sunshine.

 

 (The Stripes Family {?} before the plane ride of our lives...)

After we packed everything, dropped off Daisy at my sister's, left the car at the mechanic's to be repaired while we were gone, picked up the stroller from the Rice's, spent the night at my parent's, and made it on the plane even though it was leaving a half hour sooner than I had thought (oops), we took a deep breath and relaxed knowing we had made it and were on our way to a carefree week.

The plane ride was a scary one. The mountains that surround the desert make it a big bowl of wind, which made for an interesting landing. Serious turbulence had us holding on tight to each other while others were getting sick and others yelling. I prayed so hard that we would land safe. I truly do not remember a time I have been so scared. But it is experiences like that which we have the choice to pray for help and feel peace and comfort come over us. I know our prayers are heard- every one of them. Thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me how. I never want to experience that kind of plane ride again, but I am thankful for what I learned from it. How great is it that wherever we are, we can call upon Him for help?
Pretty awesome, if you ask me.  
Ooh... and as far as Logan was concerned, it was the best bouncy game ever. While his parents were quietly freaking out, he giggled at every big jump of the plane. That must have been why he cried the entire plane ride home- no turbulence. Bummer.
 

(Do you see cheeks?!)

This was the sweetest thing. We bunked with Mom and Pop Rice. Each morning they would get to Logan before we did, and this is how we would find them- giggling and playing in bed. I think they like being Grandparents? :)

 



 





(Stud!)

 



(After church on Sunday.)

(Watching the craziest Seahawk game ever as they tried to make it to the playoffs. Sad, sad, sad.)

(Look what we claimed at the gate!)

 

The guys played lots and lots of golf, while us girls and baby boy went shopping and found him and Aunt Wendy their wedding outfits. We walked past the flamingos on our way to the spa, ate lunch on El Paseo Drive, walked the big farmer's market and relaxed at the beautiful villas.

 

So thankful my hardworking hubby got a well-deserved break. 

Love you Mr. Rice...and all you other Rices too. :)

With Love from Mom and Dad

Whenever I have to run an errand at Lowes and I hear the saw running and smell the sawdust- my heart does a little happy dance. 

 Growing up, Dad was always building this and fixing that...or constructing a new beautiful woodworking project. Some amazing things have come from that garage including my dresser, jewelry box, and entryway mirror. The latest, though, is my very favorite. 

Just before Christmas, Mom and Dad delivered this beauty... 

(Under the seat)

 (Delivering the chair. Logan loves it too..!)

I am so humbled by the $, hours, stress, and work that went in to this project. 

I am so in love with it.

You are incredible, Dad.

Love you so very much. 

xoxo.

A very Merry First Christmas

Alright, please forgive me while I play catch-up for a moment...


On Christmas Day I found myself emotionally overwhelmed with the true meaning of the day. At church a couple days before, we watched the Nativity, and after experiencing pregnancy and childbirth it touched me in a way different than any year before.
I pondered much more the humility and courage of Mary and Joseph, and the miracle of Christ's birth.
It really is remarkable- the plan that is playing out for us. He is at the center of that plan and I am so very grateful for Him and His perfect love and example.

"I believe in Christ--my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I'll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan's grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above."