Gifts

As both my arms are often full of babies these days I've found that finding time to read has been a bit trickier and audio sources are the best option for keeping my mind occupied and on track.  In case anyone else is on the hunt I thought it would be fun to share my favorites from these last few weeks.

I've so been enjoying this album:


and this podcast. I listened to a few of these Great Books 101 lectures while polishing the airstream, it's been fun to finish up the list now that I'm back on the hunt for audio material. 

Five weeks young

We've been trying to ease back into life, back to work, figuring out our new normal. It's funny how a solo two hour drive south or a picnic by the river or making it to church on time suddenly becomes a major accomplishment. Denver started back on the house build down south last week and while he was out of town my Mom came and helped out for a few days. It was so nice to spend time together and such a relief to have an extra pair of experienced hands around. Denver and I are such newbies at this whole parenthood thing sometimes we'll happen to catch each others eye while were struggling to do something simple, Cas and Alta becoming more annoyed by the second, us looking like we've been on one heck of a 3 week bender and can't help but laugh at the whole situation. The twins never seem as amused by our ineptness.   

We attempted our first overnight camping trip in the Ochocos over the weekend, such a beautiful part of Oregon with some really great mountain bike trails. The overnighter became a day trip by about 10pm that evening though. Once the sun set, the call of my comfy bed and a hot latte the following morning was too strong to resist. I had us loading up and heading home in a hot minute, promising to give it another go next weekend. (Which I'm now sort of regretting as its somehow already "next weekend" and I'm not necessarily feeling any braver then last weekend.)      

You. Me. Us. We.

Welcome 

Caswell Addison & Alta Siobhan 

Born May 10, 2017

It's really amazing how two teeny tiny little people can full your heart so full. They've only been with us a week but they've been the sweetest little additions making this transition far more enjoyable then I could have wished. Recovery is going to be a bit slow as they decided to come earth-side in their own unique ways, Alta with a natural birth and Caswell with an emergency c-section but I'm already feeling better then I've had for months and so relieved to have these babies safe and sound in my arms instead of in my belly. Because of the extra complications with their birth we spent five days in the hospital but the extra time just helped make us feel comfortable (all the nurses and hospital staff really went above and beyond to send us home in the best shape possible) plus how great is that room service! God has been gracious through it all and I couldn't be more thankful for this little family of ours.  

After searching for another remodel project these last six months and just feeling like everything we looked at was overpriced and uninspiring we decided it was time to take the plunge and try new construction. It feels so good to have another project in the works. The plan is to put up a small 1500 sq ft cabin, right where Denver is standing in the first and last photos. The lot is relatively steep which will make for some extra costs and ground work but the view is beautiful and I love how the riverfront aspect makes for an ever changing landscape.

The last month and a half was spent rehabbing a house that we bought back in 2007, when we were blissfully signing papers as the market crashed.  Nothing like your first real estate purchase still being under water 10 years later! The place was a mess when the last tenants finally vacated the property, but after filling two 30 yard dumpsters with junk, and putting in new flooring, new paint and new fixtures it's looking presentable again. The For Sale sign just went up over the weekend, I'm praying, hoping, crossing my fingers that it sells in a reasonable time frame.

It's been good to have these projects to distract from that ever present "waiting on babies" feeling. It's  knowing that your life is about to be completely different but feeling powerless to really prepare.  As I'm driving around in the car I'll catch myself eyeing the backseat trying to wrap my mind around the reality of having two little humans in car seats back there.  I really have no idea what to expect, and no choice other then to wait and find out. And so I wait, patiently of course, because that's obviously a strong point.