Spending the Day at Gammie Bernie's

Big girl does an amazing job at the dentist!

Isaac is always incredible at the dentist. It is easy when when you have an amazing, friendly dentist that really loves people, his job and kiddos. It also helps to have a movie on the ceiling, cool toys, balloons and the pick of fun toothbrushes.

I just have to brag about my husband a little more and give him credit for getting Abigail ready for this dental appointment. At the last one, 6 months ago, she was crying and shaking because she was so scared. She wouldn't let the dental hygienist get near her mouth to brush her teeth, let alone polish and clean them. Since then, Chris "plays dentist" with the kids when he brushes and flosses them at night.

His hard work paid off. Abigail got a full cleaning, polish, fluoride, the water, spit sucker, etc. Not only did she not cry, but she was even laughing at times. The only time she really got scared was when Strawberry Shortcake (in the movie on the ceiling) got trapped near a waterfall and was about to go over the edge (Mommy talked her through that drama). The dentist and hygienist kept saying to a girl who was job-shadowing, "This is not normal. Two-year-olds do not normally let you do this. She is doing amazing! Wow, this is not normal. Abigail is doing such a great job!" Yep...thanks to her daddy!

Crazy days!

We have had some crazy days with our rental homes! I cannot even begin...

All that left unsaid, my husband is AMAZING! He has been working so hard an work and spends his days off working more and handling the rental issues. He is so strong. I am in awe of him! I cannot believe God has blessed me with such a handsome, faithful, diligent, patient, prayerful, serving, smart, driven man who loves me so much...and loves our Lord Jesus even more.

Through all of this, he strives to trust God and bring glory to Him. Chris humbles me and reminds me of my hope and joy in Christ! I am MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU!
*This pic is from our dating days...he was just as amazing back at Java n' Jazz. Oh, the fond memories. (Cool side note: the cross I am wearing is now melted down and part of my engagement ring).

Baby on the brain!

Our wonderful, passionate, vocal 4-year-old son, Isaac has a new kick. No, he has not given up his love for trains...but he has a new passion for a new baby brother (or sister).

His best buddies have new baby sisters. He is in awe over them. He is infatuated with them. He wants one of his own. For nearly 2 hours this morning before church he was asking for, planning for and expecting a new baby. He said he wanted Mommy to "get the baby" after we go to Disneyland and the pumpkin patch." Sure thing sir, is there anything I can get for you? Maybe an order of fries?

His passion was so cute, it was nearly (yes...nearly) contagious. He asked what our favorite things are so we can name the baby after that. Between the four of us, the baby would be named Coffee Princess Hiking Train. Isaac decided that that was not a good idea. He has a plan for where the baby will sleep, the room with a crawl through door that we will add on to the house for the baby, and how he and Abigail will babysit. He said, "When we take the baby to Disneyland, we (he and Abigail) will open the window when the baby starts to cry so we (Mom and Dad) can come to take care of it." I don't know why we'd be outside and leave the kids in the hotel room by themselves, but my son thinks that's how it'll be.

We continue to ask him, why he wants a baby. His reply is, "Because they are SOOOO cute!"
We replied, "What if our baby looks like this?" (Then we proceeded to make silly faces at him).
He responded, "No...ALL babies are CUTE!"
...sure

Anyway, we went on to tell him that it is not easy for Mommy to have babies and reminded him that we prayed for four long years before God gave him to us. He confidently responded, "Well, let's pray right now."

Isaac's prayer:
"Dear God,
I...we...really want a baby. I know it is Your will for us to have one...or not.
Please give us a baby.
Amen."

My heart melted. I said, "We'll see, Isaac."
"Yep, we'll see," he said with a dreamy tone and a soft smile. "I think God can do it."

Whatever God plans...will be our plan. ;)

On the way home from church, he says, "Mom, I really want God to give us one baby."
"Not two?"
"No, because I don't want you to cook too much." (Right now I have to make a lot of meals in order to mesh with all the different allergies Daddy, Isaac and Abigail have).
"Okay, son. You can also pray that the baby will not have any allergies."
"I will, Mom...not even to wasp stings!"
"Great idea. I love you my baby."
"I love you too, Mom."***The picture is from today. Isaac was building Disneyland in his room. He is so excited for our trip. Special thanks to the California great/grandparents who sent us the birthday money for tickets to the park for 3 days!!!

Daddy and Son Date

Today I had a great date with my son. I had to drop off a camera flash that I rented for a friend's wedding. The camera store is in NW Portland near my old Starbucks that I ran for 2 years. We left in the later afternoon and just before we arrived at the camera store, Isaac fell asleep. I got him out of the car and he said "I should have stayed with mommy and taken a nap; I'm tired." I lifted him out off the car and he fell asleep in my arms, a special moment with a giant 4 year old resting his head on my shoulder. After returning the flash, Isaac woke up and asked if we were going to McDonalds for our special date (I kept it a surprise). I said no, we were going to my old work. He said that he wanted to go to McDonalds. I was a bit hurt, but shrugged it off. We went 2 blocks to Starbucks. We got in line, were greeted and we I ordered Isaac a soy vanilla steamer and me a hot coco.

We sat down and I told Isaac some stories of when I managed that Starbucks (he loves hearing about my history). I told him after he was born I took off 1 month to stay home and help Mommy out. When I finally got back to that Starbucks, I began to cry. He asked why, I told him it was because I missed him so much. Then I told him that 2 weeks later, I gave my notice to begin my career in real estate. When I gave him his drink he took a sip and said, "I like it, I like it a lot!" After our drinks, we walked all around "exploring" NW Portland.

It was fun to have Isaac to myself. He is starting to make me a little insecure about my intellect though. I was trying to explain to him why there was tracks in the road. I told him that a street car used those tracks. He said that if something rides on tracks, it must be a train not a "car" then followed it up with, "I think I am smarter than you Daddy." I love that kid!

Prince Family Wedding

We had such a wonderful evening at the Prince family wedding. After 13 years of marriage, they wanted to really commit their marriage to one another as unto Christ. They shared really special, meaningful vows. It was also really neat to have their three kiddos there reading scripture. We count it a privilege to have been a part!

The kids had a great time too. The Prince kids are SO GOOD with our kids. With them abound, our kids are happy, entertained, and safe. It's like having a free babysitter with their oldest son, Tjaden. They also had a candy bar tonight. It is no wonder that the kids spent the last hour running up and down the stairs ALL OVER the church. We could hear them laughing three flights up.

Why smile at the lunch table?

Last night was a downpour! It was raining so hard that Chris and I actually stood in the front doorway in amazement, watching the water pour from the sky forming rivers down the streets.

Today after church, on the other hand, there were stunning blue skies and warm sun on our faces at the lunch table. There is something special about the sun after the rain. Everything is so fresh and clean and bright. We admired and discussed the clouds going by, the spiders hanging on their webs as the wind blew, and how thankful we are to have such a wonderful view. It was so special, I just had to document it.

Daddy keeps working!

Just wanted to post this pic of Daddy working with some of the other Arbor staff helping improve the Cedar Mill Elementary (the school right near the homes Arbor is building and Chris is selling). He said it was a lot of physical work, but he really enjoyed the people there (the Arbor team, the principal and the parents of kids at the school).

How does this man keep going and smiling? It is the Lord!!!

Roses

We have been appreciating that Portland is the "City of Roses." They are in bloom and we are loving it.

I wanted to show you some stamp art that we did with the bottom of some romaine lettuce. The kids thought it was fun that they could get a stamp from some food. It is always fun to play with food!

Also, because we know that the weather is changing, we took a sunny morning to go paint at the Rose Garden. It was stunning! The old people there kept doting on the kids and encouraging them in their art...the kids ate it up! We set up right by the water fountain so the sounds were extra wonderful.

We took some closer looks at the color variations in each petal...then the kids ventured into more "modern art." They started painting petals that had fallen on the ground.

Thanks, Daddy, for working unto the Lord!

Colossians 3:22-24

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

My husband has the best attitude toward work. He has been digging into the Word and remembering that he is working to the glory of God. Though he works in submission to his bosses, he remembers that the Lord is his true boss. It is difficult to remember that God provides (even when is through minimal commissions as a realtor in an interesting housing market). At the same time, remembering that it is God that provides takes so much pressure off as one is tempted to worry or fret over cancelled sales or failed offers.

Chris has been putting in an extra 10-15 hours each week. It has been hard on all of us. We are all tired and we miss one another terribly. In addition to those extra hours, Chris spends much of his days off helping clients. He tries really hard to multi-task. The pictures are from his "day off" on Monday. He has one eye on the kids and is working, working, working. I confess, it is very temping to be bitter. I want him to be working less (or, at the very least, be getting sales that come together with all his extra work). At the same time, I know it best helps him to actually be his helper...to encourage, build up, not complain, and be joyful that he works daily to please our great God who has given Chris the privilege of serving Him so diligently without complaining.

***Side note: It was awesome (for me) that Silver Falls had no cell reception. I think I might search for more places with no service so that we can have a few, uninterrupted, hours with Daddy on his "day off."

I love you honey! Thanks for working so hard!

I really hope you make it home in time for Bible study tonight and to take Isaac to Cubbies...if you do not, I know that you wanted to and really are trying to provide for us. I know your heart. I love you!

Pictures cannot begin to describe...

*So sad we took the little camera today, but Isaac was able to take some pictures (he gets credit for the picture of Mom & Dad). If you look very close in the last picture, you can see Chris and the kids sitting on the bench behind the falls where we had lunch.







On a whim, we drove to Silver Falls and hiked for the day. We had an amazing lunch BEHIND a waterfall, saw several others, threw rocks, examined plants, dissected slugs (just the boys) and admired God's beautiful creation. It was one of those days where the immense glory of the surroundings remind you of how small you are. It was great to put like back into perspective and praise the Creator who has all things in the palm of His hands.

Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

All you need for a day of fun is a "handy, dandy...notebook," three paw prints, a thinking chair (or couch) and some costumes (Isaac is Blue and Abigail is Magenta) for a fun afternoon of playing Blue's Clues.

Isaac, on his own, put clues on the couch, the ottoman, and the TV. He drew the pictures of them in his notebook, sang all the songs and "figured out Blue's Clues!" He sat in the thinking chair and said, "Mom, I've got it! Blue wants to watch a video."

My reply, "Awesome job! You figured it out...but no video."

"But Mom, Blue really wants it. That's what the clues told us."

"That's great, Isaac, but tell Blue we're not watching a video today...go play!" :)

Breaking the Bank

Our family has a well used zoo pass. The only unfortunate thing is that the pass does not include the zoo train. One train ticket costs $4.50. That means we watch the train at the zoo and do not ride it. :)

Knowing that we were going to the zoo with Papa and Gramma today, Isaac asked, "Can we PLEASE ride the zoo train?!?!?" I told him he could if he had enough money in his bank. (He has been earning money for staying dry at night). When we asked if he really wanted to use his money to buy a ticket, he was insistent. Right now his money is in a Max Train bank made of paper...thankfully. This morning he eagerly got a knife from the kitchen drawer and cut the bank open. With Daddy's help, he sorted the coins into piles and counted rows of 10 pennies. After collecting enough, he proudly put it in a Zip Lock bag (which was not the most fun for the guy at the zoo selling the tickets, but it worked).He ended the day with a lolly pop (guess which color) and stamps. Papa, sarcastically, told him to stamp his head. He happily obliged.

Welcome Aubree Esther Opferman

What a joy to share in the precious moments where Mommy and Daddy introduce big brother and sister to the new baby. What a joy to meet and hold Aubree Esther! She is such a dainty little girl with soft features, and tiny button nose, long narrow feet and long thin fingers.

Isaac was enamored with her. He wanted to see her, hold her, touch her, and ask more and more questions about her. I think my son more of an auditory learner. He processes everything out loud.
Some of his quotes:
"She is so cute!"
"Her face looks like a peach."
"Why is she so hot?"
"She weighs too much for me."
"Eeewwwwww!" (When we saw her unbilical cord when we unwrapped her)
"Why is her hair like that? It is thin and soft. Mine it thick and rough."
"How do we teach her to talk?"

"Labor" Day has a new meaning!

"Labor Day" will always have more meaning to us than it ever has. It is funny because Isaac was asking about Labor Day. He wanted to know what the holiday meant and what we do for it (like cards for Valentine's or turkey on Thanksgiving). I told him that "labor" means to work. It is a day to give people a day off from their labor (unless, of course, they work retail).

Well, the other meaning of "labor" was brought to our attention as soon as the day started. At just after midnight, we got a call that our good friends, the Opfermans, were having their baby. Beth's water broke and they were heading to the hospital. Their neighbors were watching the kids (Johnny & Kayla), and we got to pick them up in the morning. So exciting!!!!

As Beth was in pain at the hospital, we were having the best day at Gramma & Papa's in Scappoose. They were having a block party and bounce house. It was a blast. Jumping, water gun fights, tea parties, bikes, scooters, more jumping, bubbles, chalk drawing in the street, and more food than we knew how to digest. It was a great labor-free day.

Meanwhile, our friends endured labor long enough to welcome their baby girl, Aubree Esther. She was 5 pounds, 9 oz and 17 inches. We heard her cry over the phone and Mommy saying, in awe, "She is beautiful, just beautiful!"