Birthday weekend getaway!

A few weeks ago we had the privilege to go away to Black Butte Ranch which is a favorite place for our family. It couldn't have been better timing, the Valley had been socked in with fog for a couple of weeks, so a weekend in the sunshine perfect!

Friday night Matt, Maryellis and I met our friends who recently moved to central Oregon for dinner at a Brewery. We're not beer drinkers but a nice burger and sweet potatoe fries are a favorite of ours. The atmosphere is generally relaxed as well, making it a great place to take wandering and chattering babies. It was so fun to catch up and see our friends,we're so blessed by their friendship and plan to take a trip to visit them this summer! 

The cabin we stayed at was perfect for our group, 7 adults and 1 baby. We for comfortably.... Anymore though and we'd be a little tight. Maybe grandpa will consider investing in a cabin of his own. (Hint hint)

Saturday morning I went for a bitter cold run, but had a wonderful time doing so. It was my last run at 25, one I will never forget. All alone, surrounded by pure beauty-the white top mountains being touched as the sun comes up, the evergreen trees touched by frost, and the clear sky that was going from blue to pinks & orange. I ran through the meadow as the sun was barley coming up, overwhelmed with emotion, this year has been more then I could have ever dreamed or asked for. God has blessed me beyond my imagination. He knows the desires of our hearts, he is faithful, creating our journey's all so perfectly that we may become more like him. If you haven't put your faith in Jesus, you're truly missing out on a relationship you wouldn't regret. 

We went on a family walk later that morning and then played some games. After lunch my sister and brother in-law joined us on the hike up Black Butte. It was unseasonably warm out, people in shorts and tank tops on the trek up. I don't actually know what the temperature  was, clearly Oregonians are more sensitive to the temperature rising. We did have snow to hike through, it was refreshing on my ankles.., and did make it me a little uneasy on the way down. 

Saturday night we had a Mexican feast, it was wonderful. Played more games and enjoyed conversation by the fire. I also made a "ice cream" dessert for all to share. Maybe I'll post the recipe later. 

Sunday morning I woke up early (how odd?...) Matt joined me on a moon lit walk that morning, it was a special time, I was thankful for his sacrafice of a little more sleep to join me. Later we went to breakfast at the lodge with the family and took the annual family photo by the lake. 

It was a great time, I love my family and am blessed to have been given such a lovely weekend away. Blessings to you, and welcome 26....lets see whats in store for this year!

Emily

This is real

I have to be honest, the last month or so I've had to face the fact that there is a chance of seeing the birth parents when Maryellis is a year old. She will be 8 months soon, meaning that's only 4 months away. It makes my stomach drop. I have nerves I don't know how to explain or really cope with. The Lord is who I have to turn to, praying that any insecurities would deplete. Its not a daily reminder that Maryellis was adopted, from day 1 it was as though she was from us....there was such a connection- a beautiful bond, God knew she was meant to be our daughter, from the first day he started knitting her together. I am so thankful for this, for I truly couldn't imagine our lives without her.

I have had to start mindfully praying that God would take captive my negative thoughts and the "what if's"- for I know they are lies from the enemy. It doesn't do me any good to wallow, or let those thoughts run my mind rapid. I must remember my purpose, to live a life to serve the Lord, my husband and our daughter.

This is our life, we have a daughter whom we've adopted, she is ours, and forever will be. I am her mother, Matthew is her father. We chose to do an open adoption, knowing that in the long run, its whats best for us who are all involved. I have to remember this, that we are putting our daughter first. Our prayer is that she will come to know the Lord at the earliest of age, that she will be a used to further the kingdom. We pray her story will make an impact on the lives of others, that people will come to know Christ, that others will adopt, that she will make a difference.

It may be that we don't see the birth parents at the 1 year mark, the agreement was that when they were ready we would make arrangements and meet them. It could very well be when Maryellis is 3 years old, I think the odds of that are slim, but we shall see. Whatever the timing may  be, God knows, and his timing as we know is perfect. I have to fully put my trust in Him.... letting Him guide us through this life long journey.

I am so thankful to have a husband who is so confident and excited about this- Please pray for us, for  me and my heart, that I can have the peace that he does.

Blessings,
Emily

Our first Christmas

We had such a wonderful time this year on Christmas. Matt had some time off work, which gave us quality time as a family. We decided we wanted to try a new tradition, as our family of three. Christmas Eve-Eve we went out to dinner, and drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was fun, however the light looking was cut short by a teething baby who didn't want to be in the car. How she keeps us on our toes and learning daily to be flexible! :)

As you know Christmas Eve was a big day of the finalization in the courts of our Adoption! A joyous day it was, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and the last step that we had to make in our journey. Christmas Eve service was beautiful, I love the time to be with family, singing Christmas carols with our church family and finishing the evening off with a family dinner at my grandma's house. My heart was so full that day, to hold our baby girl and know shes ours.

Christmas day was so relaxing...I know next few years will be a little different, we will have a little girl running around in excitement! I made my mom's homemade cinnamon roll recipe that she used to make for us growing up, that is a tradition I've loved continuing, cannot believe I've been doing it for nine years now! We didn't get Maryellis much, knowing that she would be blessed by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc. This year the big hit was eating the wrapping paper and the ribbon, as well as going on "rides" in boxes!

We've gotten a little "grief" that we're not doing "Santa" with Maryellis. Let me explain, its not that were abolishing Santa completely, its more that she will know that we celebrate Christmas for its the day of Jesus' birth....not for a big old man in a red suit and white beard to bring her presents for being good. She will know that Santa is fake, but she is free to pretend he is real, like Mickey and Minnie. As she gets a little older we will give her the history of Saint Nichols and legacy that he left.

New Years was a treat, we had some friends over for dinner and we rang in 2014 at 9:00 while playing some good old banana grams and sipping on cider. We wouldn't have had it any other way!

Looking forward to what is ahead this next year, I have a lot of ideas and dreams awaiting, I'm excited to see how the Lord leads us.

Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating!

I forgot to mention that Maryellis got her first tooth on December 27th, just three days shy of being 7 months! Yay! Tooth number two on the bottom is well on its way.