Birthday: My Mom is 55

This last weekend we celebrated my mom turning 55! She loves this age because now she can say she is as old as the speed limit. I hosted a little luncheon with some of my moms best friends. Friends she's had ever since moving to Oregon around 20 years ago. These woman have known me since I was 5! We shared lots of old memories, went around and told my mom things we loved about her, and just laughed and laughed until our stomachs hurt. We also played a little jeopardy of who knows Linda best. That was fun.

I kept the decorations simple. Lots of red and white, my moms favorite colors. I had some new and old photos dispersed around the table. The photo above is circa 1989 on my mom's 29th birthday with one of her favorite presents, her chocolate lab Bashia. 

We made her feel like a birthday princess complete with a flower crown. (Later on she told me how she wore it all day, even out to dinner that night. That's my mother.) For lunch I made a simple sandwich bar, spinach and artichoke dip, with a fruit salad. It just so happened to be 100 degrees outside so it was good I decided on something cool. 

Happy Happy Birthday Mom! So happy you are my mother and that I got to celebrate you in such a fantastic way! May your birthdays always be special, may you never loose that zest for life, and may your friends always be close! We love you mom and happiest of birthdays. 

xo // leah

Road to Baby: What's Going On

Where do I start. I guess at the beginning. It's been 14 months of wanting, praying, and waiting for a positive. A positive pregnancy test that is. 14 times to see a negative. 14 months of hoping and thinking 'this may be the month'. 

When Cory and I made the choice to start growing our family we didn't think it would take this long. Of course you wouldn't say to yourself yeah lets start getting ready for a baby 'cause you know it will take two years. Um no. Nobody would say that. And neither did I. I was convinced, like 100% convinced we'd have a baby in our arms within the year. But months, a year, went by and still nothing. So after many prayers, probably more tears, and some googling that wasn't helpful, we decided that I should go to the doctors. After some test it was confirmed. I have PCOS. Polyscystic Ovarian Syndrome is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can make getting pregnant difficult. Definitely not what I wanted to hear. But at least a little answer as to why things haven't happened.

We are still wanting, praying, and planning that one day soon we will see those two little pink lines. But I've made some changes in my life that are helping during this time. I've made more time in my day to just be thankful. I'm learning that by rejoicing and identifying little blessings (and big) have made me trust the Lord more. Rejoicing is a way to practice my faith. I know God can do big things. I've seen it. I'm seeing it now. Everywhere I look I can find a promise from the Lord carried out. 

The emotions that come from months of waiting and hoping can be exhausting. There's this line in a Harry Potter movie (I know, but just hear me out) that describes it well. Hermoine is describing to Ron and Harry about how this other girl is probably feeling. Ron's response was "someone can't feel all of that at one time, they'd explode!". Pretty much sums up how I had been feeling over some of those months. So many emotions and sometimes all in one day. With all those emotions doubt was definitely in there. Doubt is bad. It's mean. It's a thief. It robs us of the joy we can be having now. It steals away moments of peace and replaces them with stress. It's not good for my body nor my relationships. 

So I'm practicing. Practicing being thankful. Practicing to fill my body and my moments with the positive thoughts. Filling my spaces with joy and trust and faith. It's work at times but I think it's getting easier. It may take us 14 more months to get pregnant but I'll learn more and I'l have time to practice this. 

I'm going to start these little diaries you can say about our road to baby. I'm learning so much that I don't want to forget. This time has been hard, but a time I wouldn't have changed. 

Here's to embracing the now and the positive // leah

Trip: Central Oregon

This last week were were able to spend some time in Central Oregon. Probably one of our favorite places to be. We spent four nights in Eagle Crest, in Redmond. My parents have had a timeshare there since I was seven, so it's a pretty magical place for me. Cory and I hadn't been able to go for just over two years. It was a trip over due. We spent those first days just hanging out at the pool, lounging in the sun, and reading. The temps were up into the mid- 90's so we had it quite made.  We barbecued a lot and spent a lot of time chasing the sunsets. 

We then spent the last four nights of our week at Five Pine Lodge in Sisters. Another one of our favorite places to be. This time we were were with Cory's parents. The weather was a bit cooler, in the 80's so we spent more time playing games outside. Bocce Ball was our favorite. 

One of our days we ventured to try and hike Black Butte. We got a little late start and with the heat it took us a little while to get to the top. But it was worth it! Such beautiful views. And we had a little friend waiting for us at the top. 

Black Butte is a neat place. Not only does it host some of the most stunning views of Central Oregon, but it also serves as a Fire Lookout station. They had the old fire station still there which was a pretty neat site. 

We ate out every night these last four nights and it was well worth it. From Bend to Sisters there are some hidden gems of restaurants. See Below for a list of our favorites from the trip. 

It was such  

relaxing time with family. We will be coming back to Central Oregon for many years as one of our favorite vacation spots. 

Stay

Eagle Crest Resort, Redmond

Five Pines, Sisters

Black Butte Ranch, Sisters

Lake Creek Lodge, Camp Sherman

Sunriver Resort, Sunriver

Eat

Sisters

The Open Door

Three Creeks Brewing

Los Agaves

Sisters Coffee

Redmond

Niblick and Greenes

Bend

900 Wall

Jackalope Grill

And any of the Breweries

Happy travels / leah

Birthday: Our Nephew Clive

Our Nephew Clive turned one this last week! It is something special to be an Aunt. Being apart of a little ones life, watching them grow up, and rooting them on through life is so much fun! This not-so-little man has been such a joy. He has this smile that never ceases. 

We celebrated Lumberjack style for a little family breakfast. 

He is kind of a little bruiser but it was a sweet surprise to see how gentle he was at eating his little pancake cake. I think he loved the attention too, because every so often he would cheer at us with his huge smile. I think he knew we were rooting him on!

Happy birthday little Clivers! Your Auntie and Unc love you so much. We cannot wait to see what the Lord has is store for your life. You are such a joy to everyone and we pray that your little joyful spirit will just continue to blossom as you grow. We love you little man!

xo / autnie wee-ah