Thanksgiving 2014

We spent Thanksgiving with Justin's family this year. We were so blessed to not really have bad roads on all four days that we drove, but it was one heck of a long drive. We stayed with Ben and Dana. They were so kind to let us do this and it worked out really well for our children. They loved playing together and Natalie thought the big girl toys were a blast. Thanksgiving dinner was yummy as always. We were able to go shooting after it with some of the brothers and their wives. I haven't completely lost my skill with a shotgun, considering I only shoot about once every year or two. It was great to see family, but we were happy to make it home last night.

 Family Christmas Card Photos 2014

Natalie went with Justin down to the ATV dealer's open house. She was afraid at first of all the machines, but when she saw her cousins climbing on all of them she warmed up. She loves to honk the horn and say "beet, beet, beet."

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Moments

Days seem to be going by so quickly now,

perhaps it is the winter coming on or 

being more busy now with my new calling

whatever it is our days have many fun, neat toddler moments. 

A couple of weekends ago Natalie was more crabby then I have ever seen her.

Poor girl was teething, poor mom and dad had to listen to her scream.

She was humoring us at this moment while we waited to pick up apples in the 

Bi-Mart parking lot from a delivery man.

She probably allowed the hat because she had Dad's phone.

She was kind of spoiled during these four days. 

One night she got to stay up until 11:30 watching Frozen, 

because the other alternative was her screaming her head off in her crib. 

Frozen worked out well.

 

Playgroup at a friend's house who has two little (big) boys. 

She is really enjoying these cars now. 

I was trying to capture the gloves in this photo.

She thought it was so neat that I had her wear them on our walk.

 

This was the longest walk of my life so far. 

Tis the way of a toddler.

She found two leaves on the grass and decided to sit down in the path

and play with them for five minutes. 

  

When she was done with them, she placed them on another sidewalk and away we went,

that is until we met a dog out for a walk....

We made it home in time for lunch and an afternoon nap.

 

 The Oregon rain has returned here. We take advantage of any sun we can get. I have got to figure out a place for us to go so Natalie can run during the long weeks of winter.

 Her new favorite spot while I am doing my hair. It works well and keeps finger prints off the mirror. 

I love that she wants to be wherever I am at in the house. I know it won't be that way forever, and I will miss it when it changes.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Grateful

 After dinner, I told Natalie that we were going to go for a walk. 

She quickly found her shoes, and then grabbed her stroller.

Her friend Ivy likes to push her stroller to the park, and Natalie and her 

had to learn about sharing the stroller last time we went to the park together. 

Tonight Natalie wanted to make sure she was prepared with her very own.

As we walked, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude came over me.

This little pink and black stroller is a reminder of just how much my Heavenly Father

loves me and my family and knows our needs and our wants.

In May I started searching a doll stroller at yard sales for Natalie.

We are on a tight budget these days with not a lot of extra for nice to have items.

I knew Natalie would love having her own stroller to push around 

as that was her favorite toy at any house that had one, 

but I wasn't able to get her one right away.

I didn't have much luck at any of the yard sales.

Then we went to Utah towards the end of June and my generous sister in law 

offered me several of her girls old clothes.

While we were in her basement searching through everything, 

she also offered me some toys.

I asked if she had a stroller.

She did, it needed to be mended, 

but she was actually going to get rid of it and it was all mine.

I brought it home, mended it, and it has worked wonderfully.

It brought so much joy to my heart tonight as I watched 

Natalie proudly push that stroller up the street. 

She clearly felt very 'big' and grown up doing it.

I felt a reassurance that God has a hand in my life.

I am grateful.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Changes

This last Sunday I was sustained as the new Primary President in our ward. I am really excited for this new experience and know I will learn and grow a lot in the coming months and years. Three Sundays ago the Executive Secretary contacted my husband to schedule a time for us to come and meet with the bishop. When my husband told me what the call was about, I knew immediately why we were getting called in. I was definitely nervous at first, but I know that I have been prepared for this calling through previous callings and experiences and I know this is where the Lords wants me. So all I can say now is, here we go! I am exercising my faith and am going to do my best to serve the children and teachers in my ward. My councilors and secretary all seem to be amazing woman that are going to be very good to work with. I had a different vision of how this fall was going to go, but as always, the Lord keeps me on my toes and has shown me 'His vision' for what this fall needs to be. Thank goodness the Primary is the 'happiest place' in the church.
 
Justin and Ruth Blazzard

A Day in the Office

We had an extra fun day last Friday. Natalie and I got to join Justin in his office. The beautiful outdoors. His work had a display up at the Oregon Logging Congress Show.

The beginning of the day was a little rough. We drove out past Molalla only getting lost once and then parked our car and rode a big yellow school bus another 15 minutes up to the mountain. Justin had told me to text him when we were on the bus, but with holding Natalie who was a little afraid of the bus ride, I forgot. When we arrived, we followed the ribbon to the registration tent. I didn't figure that my lack of contact with Justin would be a big deal. I thought the booths would all be in a central flat location. I guessed wrong.

Upon my arrival at the registration tent the women in charge got me started filling out a registration form and proceeded to try and collect $15 from me. I had purposely left my wallet out of the diaper bag to lighten my load and because my husband had assured me it was free. The lady helping me was an ESL speaker and I was having a hard time understanding everything she was saying. The ladies finally agreed that I could come back later with my husband and pay, and handed me two yellow hard hats. One for me and one for Natalie, and no her's was not kid sized. They then told me after it fell off her head twice that she must wear it or OSHA will give me a $300 fine.

I was relieved to get away from the registration booth, and was sure my husband could not be far. Well after another 13 minute hike up hill packing the diaper bag, a goody bag, and the 25lb. 18 month old who's hard hat continued to spin and bounce off her head, my husband was not far. I was a bit flustered when I reached the Pierce Booth. The first person we encountered that was familiar was his boss and all I could say was, "Where is Justin?" He finally appeared and the day got better after that. It was a bit of a frustrating 20 minutes though. I am definitely glad that I work out or I may have died on that hike. :)

The rest of the day was really fun and I learned a few more things about the logging industry. For instance that the spotted owl took the Oregon Timber market from producing over 5 billion board feet of wood to under 1 billion and the market has never gone back over 1 billion. Crazy, huh?

We were both tuckered out on the drive home. Little Nat fell asleep on the bus ride out. She really loved being out in the forest and walking over all the sticks and everyone enjoyed having her there.

Justin's two babies. 

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Change Your Mind

 This little bracelet on her arm is from Hawaii. Our friend brought it back for her in June and she refused to wear it. Just the other day she found it while going through a drawer. Now she wears it every day. I guess it matches her outfits better now. 

 I have been cleaning out our closets and reorganizing some stuff. N found her baby bouncer chair to be highly entertaining. She insisted on sitting in it every chance she got. She even tried to dig it out of the closet today by herself so she could sit in it. Interestingly enough, she didn't really enjoy it all that much as a wee babe. I wonder what it will be like when we have another baby who needs to sit in it? (No, I am not pregnant)

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

18 Months

Ummmm, so where did my baby go? This little girl turned 18 months on the 9th.  

We celebrated with sending her to nursery. She LOVES it in there and is so cute to see sitting on the tiny little seats during snack time. 

She can say several words, is communicating very well what she does and does not like, 

and loves to go outside. 

She enjoys Frozen (side note, every little girl at the park this year that is 3 years of age sings songs from that movie as they swing on the monkey bars) and cookies, 

and giving kisses and loves. 

She is in the 80% percentile for weight and 55% for height. 

I love watching he learn and grow and am grateful she is still laid back and easy going. 

This picture is while we were waiting for the doctor at her 18 month appointment.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard