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

Life So Far This Fall

Our fall has started off with a full schedule. This week has been nice to catch our breath and prepare for the rest that is to come before Christmas. Justin was traveling for work the first couple weeks of September and I was busy with my first job of being mom and all the others hats I wear. At that time it was namely putting the finishing touches together for our Relief Society activity. Then we took our trip to Seattle to see Justin's parents and some sights.

Last week was full of helping people move, writing up recipes from the Relief Society Activity, preparing my first adult Sunday School lesson, visiting teaching and home teaching, being scared from the neighbors getting robbed and the questionable neighbors in our apartment complex, a cousins adoption shower and lastly the General Relief Society broadcast. The last event I listed was wonderful. It was very uplifting to listen to the Relief Society General Presidency and the Prophet. It was also a nice evening out with some of my friends.

The being scared part because the neighbors were robbed and the questionable apartment we have noticed was not fun. The neighbors who got robbed lived directly below and to the left of us. I kind of had a panic attack for about two days and wanted to leave this place ASAP. We were right at the deadline for needing to sign a new lease and then this happened along with a lot of interesting visitors coming to one apartment at all hours of the day. Needless to say this momma was worried. Since we have moved into these apartments we have never had nor heard of anything like this happening, until now.

The housing market is very expensive here whether you are renting or buying. I don't know that we would have been able to just find another place to rent for a reasonable expense in one week. Also, we are trying to just stay put until we are ready to buy. You can't put a price on safety though and with Justin traveling quite often for work there was no way I wanted to be here alone at night with the craziness going on.

It was a tricky situation and neither Justin nor I really knew what to do. So we hit our knees and prayed very hard and often for several days. Thankfully our prayers and fasts were answered and we feel at peace about staying put for right now. Things seem to be getting a little better around our apartments and we have added some safety hardware to our front door. I sleep so much better at night and am grateful for that. Losing inner peace is a trying experience.

City living has been quite the new experience for this country girl. I really don't ever recall feeling unsafe in the places I have lived. There are far more people in a smaller area here and sometimes others don't live like I think they should. Maybe I have said this all before, but even when I was little I told my mom that I did not want to live in a big city. Where do I find myself and my little family? The big city, ok, maybe it isn't huge, but for me it is quite enough. There are times that I really love it, but last week I really didn't. It was a good lesson to go through and I know that we are where the Lord wants us to be right now and because of that he will watch over us.


Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Summer Reading Program

Natalie and I participated in the summer reading program through our library this summer. Our card had 3 levels with 12 squares in each level. To fill in a square we had to read a book, sing a nursery rhyme or song together. I normally try to do both, but this definitely helped me make sure I was consistent with this. 

Our library is great at supporting literacy for all ages. They do a baby story time twice a week and Natalie likes to go and sing the songs and watch all the others babies. The librarian who is in charge is also named Natalie which is kind of fun. She has been doing it for 20 + years and is a sweetheart and full of good advice for those raising babies.

 She earned two books and a onesie for the grand prize.

  Mostly she just wanted to eat the chart.

You like my basket of laundry in the background? 

I feel like I always have a basket of laundry to fold these days.

She really likes books and is starting to hold still a little longer while I read to her.

What she really LOVES though is singing songs and nursery rhymes and doing actions with them.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Washington County Fair

Since we have moved here we have made an effort to go support a young man in our ward at the Washington County Fair. He always has pigs and a weaving project he displays at the fair, this year he expanded and showed pigmy goats. Justin was unable to attend with us do to work commitments, but Natalie and I had a great time going during the day and watching Clayton show.

 

His weaving display. Grand Champion!

 

 

Beautiful Clydesdale horses. 

Sometimes I feel like I can relate to these animals. 

Being large in stature.... (don't judge me)

 

 An onion on display. I had to take a picture being the daughter of an onion farmer

 Momma and Baby

 I really liked this wall hanging. 

It was made with yarn that was carefully stitched to create the sheep.

 Pedal Tractor Pulls

Nothing like a county fair in the summer time. I hope that my kids have the opportunity to be involved with them when they are old enough to show in 4-H.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

How to Enjoy a Summer Evening

Since Justin is on the road a lot, Natalie and I spend all day just the two of us. In the evening time she can get a little fussy and wants to be constantly moving. I on the other hand just want to sit down and kick up my feet. We came to a compromise, we go for a walk. It is enjoyable for both parties... well I believe Natalie likes it, she usually falls asleep during it so I would say she is at least relaxed by it.This is what our day looks like at about 7 p.m.

In the beginning....

 This is a big A hill we have to walk up... Well ok,  maybe I choose to walk up it, but it is still hard

A garden that someone has in there front yard, it is sometimes tempting later in the season to pick their cherry tomatoes. Don't worry, I never do.

 We take this road because it is quiet with few cars. That is something we miss about our life in the country. It is always so noisy here. Notice her eyes and we aren't even close to the finish line.

 Beautiful view when we get to the walking park.

 This is the walking park. It is exactly .5 miles around it. We just walk through it because the stroller on the gravel turns poor N into a bobble head.

Exercise stations along the walking path. Justin and I occasionally practice these...lol.

I heart summer evenings and they are even better with a baby.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Aunt Mary

 Aunt Mary came for a visit last weeken. Hair clips for our nieces were made, great food was cooked, a beautiful hike was well, hiked, alot of conversations were had,  and the 74 year old sturgeon was seen. His name was Herman and he was pretty big for a fish.... 10 feet long and 400 lbs.... ok, that is pretty big for any animal, except an elephant. Really all in all it was wonderful to visit, hang out with her and laugh.

Mary is 6 years older than me and when we were children we shared a room. She always made me make our bed a certain way and keep it very clean. She still helps me make everything as nice as it can be when she is around. Like the stuffed french toast we made for Justin for Father's day breakfast and the sandwich she made me for lunch.She is dating someone right now and I asked her the other day, "Does he understand just how awesome you are?" It is true, Mary is awesome, partially because she also gets my humor (to all my other siblings, don't feel bad, I think you are awesome as well:)

 This guy is pretty awesome too. :)

 I love to kiss those cheeks. Isn't she adorable?

  We are excited for the next time she decides to visit.

 Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Memorial Day Weekend

Justin and I are not really great about getting out and doing things. I finally pin pointed that as a weakness for me this year and have decided to change it. I think it mostly comes from being raised in families where mostly what we did was work and our recreational activities were things like wake boarding, snowmobile riding, motorcycles and camping. Since we don't have things like a boat, snowmobile, and motorcycle right now and probably won't for a couple of years we are having to create new hobbies and events we enjoy doing together. Memorial day weekend was one of those attempts.

We decided we would head to the ocean since we hadn't been there in about a year and it is free. We stopped off at Camp 18 on the way there. This is a logger themed restaurant and museum area. I loved the feeling the restaurant created and the food was great as well. Everything was very large, since you know Loggers are usually large men. The historic equipment they had to walk around and look at was also neat, but I don't think I appreciated it quite as much as my husband. He knew about all of it, what it was for and why things were set up that way. I enjoyed listening to him explain it all. Isn't it awesome to hear people talk about their passion? Natalie was not as much a fan of the day because it broke her schedule and required a lot of riding in the car seat. We will keep practicing with her because one day I know she will appreciate going on family trips. Nursing at home is not a big deal at all. However, when you are trying to accomplish something else during that day outside of your home, you come to realize just how much you do it and you wish more places had nursing lounges.

 

 

 

Sunday night we played Yahtzee and both rolled a Yahtzee one right after another. Don't worry, it has only taken us four years of marriage to each get a Yahtzee. Monday we rearranged the bedroom situation at our house. Natalie took over our room. We decided it would be warmer since there is only one window and the rooms positioning in the building design. We moved our Shrek bed to the smaller room with better air flow which will be extremely nice for the summer time. It was a ton of work, and isn't completely finished but was a huge success. Natalie is now comfortably sleeping in her crib and I have no problem feeding her at night in her room. Another huge milestone is sleeping for six hour chunks at night. AMAZING! It doesn't happen every night, but it is getting more consistent. I hope it stays that way. She is also growing and getting pretty strong. As you can see she holds herself up quite nicely in the bumbo for a couple minutes at a time.

 11 weeks old

 Grandma Blazzard's birthday was this week. We sent her a cute picture.

 
Justin and Ruth Blazzard