Sisters .... Kind Of

So Sonya has a couple of great girlfriends that are close to her in age and location. Sydney lives just down the street and they spend a TON of time together. The other day we had Sydney over to play and eat lunch. With a mouth full of Mac and Cheese, the toddler meal conversation took a turn...Sydney declared, "Sonya's my sister". Sonya looked over, paused and said, "Oh Sydney, you're my sister too". It was sooo sweet. It reminded me of one of my childhood girlfriends- we used to tell our friends and neighbors that we were twin sisters (she blond, me brunette. short/tall. thin/ Uber chubby. Odd that anyone believed us!)
Here are some cute pics of Sonya and Sydney growing up together these 2 1/2 years:

Funny girl

My daughter cracks me up.  She has an awesome imagination and incredible analytical skills.

Some thoughts on life

Life throws you curve balls.  In the last year, we have had two large ones.  1) The birth and passing of our 2nd daughter, Miah Rachel Wilde.  2) Karren being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.  Both have made us reflect on our lives and what is really important.  The first consisted of a lot of crying and grieving but also a lot of learning and blessings.  The second caused us to reflect on what is really important and the need to relieve stress in our lives.

Throughout these trials, I have been very grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the strength it gives our family, and especially for the atonement and the doctrine of Eternal Families.  I know that we will see Miah again and that she will always be a part of my family.  I know that my wife will also be together with me for the eternities thanks to the sealing that was performed 4.5 years ago in the Portland Temple.  Trials like we have (and continue to) endured could easily tear a family apart.  I feel closer to my family every day and NEVER want that to change.

I am also very grateful for the talents of Karren.  The greater Portland area has experienced her art through cakes these last four years.  It is sad to have to terminate Karren's Specialty Cakes, but it was necessary to allow us less stress in our lives.  Knowing Karren, she will be baking for the community in one way or another down the road. 

Karren is an excellent mother!  You can tell by the joy in her children's eyes.  I believe Miah stuck around as long as she did because she felt so comfortable and loved in her mother's arms.  Miah knew her mother loved her and didn't want to leave but knew she had work to accomplish in heaven.  Sonya also feels her mother's love and is one of the happiest kids I have ever seen.

Karren is an excellent wife!  I feel her love for me also and know that she will be a devoted and loyal companion forever.  I never want to lose this and thus I want to be the best husband and father I can be.  Karren's love for me makes me a better man.

Despite our trials this past year, we are a very blessed family.  I know my Heavenly Father and his son love me and I hope they are proud of us as we struggle to do what is right here on earth.
 

A Wilde photo lineage for Sonya

Sonya got to play with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandaunts, a granduncle, grandparents, and great-grandparents across 4 generations at Grandpa and Grandma Wilde's 60th wedding anniversary party.

Generation 1: Sonya Brie Wilde (and perhaps even Miah Rachel Wilde)

Generations 1-2: Sonya with her parents Cameron Doran Wilde and Karren Marie Montague Wilde

Generations 1-3: Sonya with her aunts and uncles, grandparents and first cousins.  Some are missing here.

Generations 1-4: Everyone from before plus granduncles, grandaunts, great-grandparents, first cousins once removed, and even a second cousin.

Grandpa and Grandma Wilde's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Grandpa and Grandma (Ken and Elaine Wilde) have been married 60 years! To celebrate the occasion, we threw a party for them on August 7th in Aunt Ilene's backyard. To this point, they have themselves, 7 kids, 24 grand kids, 8 great grand kids and 3 more on the way.  This doesn't even count the wonderful people that married into the family.

39 people showed up to celebrate with them!

The younger grandkids and great grandkids played together.

Distant (in miles) cousins and nieces/nephews/uncles/aunts were reacquainted.

Excellent food (prepared by my gorgeous and very talented wife and Aunt Ilene) was consumed.

In all, it was an excellent time together, one that all will cherish.

Daddy Days

Karren had some large cake orders so I took two days of vacation to watch Sonya. We had a lot of fun yesterday. A local park here in Hillsboro gives free lunches to children. Sonya loves it! Free food, lots of fun, and swings. After about an hour, Sonya and I went to Bonneville Dam and Multnomah Falls. At the dam, we looked at the fish latter, got some stamps, and visited the fish hatchery. At the falls, we had treats and looked at the waterfall. It was an enjoyable day.

Inma

It's been a while since our last post.  We've been busy.  Inma has been staying with us from Spain.  This is the second time we have hosted a student through Andeo and we really enjoy it.  Inma has been great!  She is very helpful and Sonya absolutely loves her.  Activities are provided during the day through Andeo, but we have done some fun things in the evenings and on the weekends with her.

Activities have included:
Making tutus with the Young Women

Hanging out with Sonya

Jumping on the trampoline with you children

Holding new Morgan babies

Hanging out with Sonya even more

Watching 4th of July Fireworks in Tigard

Camping at Cape Disappointment