February

The shortest month of the year, but I feel like it has been a little long this time around. I think it is just because I am tired of the winter weather. We had a huge snow storm (especially for this area) the second weekend of the month. Church was cancelled, and while I feel a little guilty saying this, I was celebrating! It was a cold, exciting weekend that we were able to hunker down and pretend like the world didn't exist because no one could get anywhere anyways. By Monday, I had cabin fever being that I had not really gone anywhere since the Thursday before. Luckily the snow melted off on Tuesday morning and we broke out of the house!

Justin has been on the road again for work. The last two weeks he was gone pretty much the whole time with the exception of two days. It was crazy, and some days are harder than others, but this week I have appreciated him being home so much more!

Natalie and I have maintained a pretty consistent schedule with story time at the library, running errands, play dates, and work out class. We will be excited when it warms up a bit and we can get outside to walk and go to the park again. Living here I have had some really neat opportunities to interact with people who have beliefs and cultures that are so different from anything I have ever experienced before.

Last week at story time I talked to a mother who was Muslim and originally from Kuwait. For a small town farm girl, this was really exciting! She was awesome and very kind. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and was simply impressed with how she lives her life and religious beliefs. If there are many more people in the world like that, there is a lot of good being accomplished.

It has been enlightening this last year to find common ground with people that do not share my same beliefs, but are still great people. I have made friends with an atheist, a woman who never wanted to be a mom until she changed her mind when she was older, and some who have moved here leaving there families a long ways a way. All of these people have made me stretch as a person to get to know them and I am so glad they did. The world is a big place full of interesting people and I know God is trying to teach me that day by day.

We tried to go to the temple one time this month. It is about a 35 minute drive there and we definitely have to be organized and planned for such an event with getting a babysitter. Well, everything was worked out with the exception of the checking the temple schedule. Yeh, we got there and they were closed. It was a huge disappointment and reminder to check the temple schedule. We are going to try again this weekend and I am fairly certain we will be successful.

I made some amazing zucchini muffins last weekend for Justin's Uncle's family that was in town. I didn't tell the kids what kind of muffins they were because I wanted them to try them first. His little cousin who is eight asked, "What is that magical green stuff in them, it makes them so yummy!"

When I told him it was zucchini he was surprised! He said, "I don't even like zucchini but those are good." He ate like four more. The recipe is on the 71 toes blog.  We had a great time with the cousins and his aunt and uncle. They came in late Friday night and after touring some waterfalls in the Gorge left that afternoon.

We have been doing some light house hunting. Things almost got pretty serious last week. We prayed about on particular house before completing the paperwork on it and felt strongly not to go ahead with it. So we are waiting, praying and saving for the right one. The housing market here is intense. Meaning expensive (compared to what we are used to) and it is going up.

Valentines Day we were able to go on a date, Hurray! Olive Garden and a trip to Kinko's so I could make some copies for my lesson. It was really enjoyable to be just a couple for a couple of hours.

Last thoughts for February, Justin is amazing. He works so hard at being a good worker so that he can provide well for us. (I hope that makes since) He brought home a completed operator's manual for the product he is in charge of for his company. It is huge and technical and boring, but he helped write it. It has been two years this month since we moved here and he has accomplished so much in not only his career, but also being a great husband and father. I couldn't do what I am doing without him and We could not do what we are doing without the Lord. As this month wraps up I am continually reminded of the Lord's generous tender mercies and guidance in our life.

Sorry this is so long. That is February. Maybe I will get a new computer soon and can be more consistent in the blogging world. Enjoy these pictures of what February has brought for our almost one year old.

Crazy hair after the ponytail falls out because of nap time.

 Playing with her new shoes

 Trying to get the camera from mom.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

11 Months Old

Wow, this post has been on my to do list for a couple of weeks now, but with our college computer dying this is the first time I have been able to really get it done without a computer crashing on me. Here we go. She is 11 months old and on the move!

She took her first consecutive steps on January 29th

Since then she has been very diligent at practicing her walking each day

This week she has walked up and down the hall and through the kitchen without falling. 

I bought her a pair of shoes to wear when we are out and about and she is still getting used to them.

Her hair is coming in thick and red. It is beautiful and ADORABLE in a pony tail.

She is still a social butterfly. Many people refer to her as the "ward" baby because she will go to pretty much anyone and is always friendly to those who approach her. 

She ripped a hymn book page last Sunday. It was just a corner, but I felt terrible. 

She has been obsessed with them since she was like five months old. 

She doesn't really like vegetables. I keep offering them, so hopefully this changes throughout this year.

She has figured out how to open cupboards and gladly unloads them for me multiple times a day.

She is growing in her ability to express her love for us. It is the sweetest thing in the world to have her lay her head on your shoulder and she give you a hug. 

She keeps me on my toes everyday with her curiosity about anything that she can get into. 

Only 11 more days and she will be ONE!

Justin and Ruth Blazzard