Sonya's Halloween Music Concert

My Peoples

After four years of promising, we made it down to Arizona to visit Karren's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bobby. Sonya immediately felt comfortable and took their hand. She would ask every morning, "Where are my peoples?" It wasn't until we returned home that she began calling them by name.

We spent an enjoyable three days visiting with them. They treated us to a dinner cruise on the Dolly Steamboat on Saturday, which was gorgeous!  What's better than great company in gorgeous scenery?

Sunday was very relaxed.  We spent the morning going to church and the rest of the day conversing with our hosts.  Karren made us a delicious meal and Shauna, a good friend of mine from my freshman year of college, joined us to consume the feast.  It was great catching up with her and eating Karren's scrumptious food.

Thank you Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bobby!  We will have to get together again soon.

A Note for Mommy Bird...

It's quiet now.

All of your squawking, and complaining, and singing

is gone.

I loved them too

and my heart sank with yours to discover

the emptiness.

I understand.

And silence- Stillness- is all that I can offer.



may '10, in respect for liz stamps

Miah's One Year Birthday

Miah would have been one year old this last weekend.  She is a very real part of our family, and as such, we celebrated her birthday.  Many of you have sent cards and presents and we thank you for that!  The five days she spent with us will always be cherished.

On Saturday, we attended A Butterfly's Touch's Walk to Remember.  This organization's mission is to share the compassion of Jesus Christ by providing support to parents experiencing infant-loss during their time of need.  We received a memory box much like the one this charity gives away and it is now a prized possession.

The event was very nice.  We met some great people who experienced a loss similar to ours, created a page for a memorial album, participated in the walk, and enjoyed a very touching program.

We also visited Miah's grave and left a sunflower (Miah's flower) and some balloons.

For each night Miah was alive, Karren is lighting five candles in her honor.  Tonight is night four.

We miss you Miah and look forward to seeing you again.  You are beautiful and we cherish the memories we have of you.

Kruger's Farm

We have been receiving email's about deals in Portland from various sources including LivingSocial, Groupon, and Tippr.  Living Social had this deal: Voucher for Two Corn Maze Tickets, Two Pumpkins, Two Plain Caramel Apples, and Two Ears of Roasted Corn from Kruger's Farm and we took it.  We used it last Saturday and had a blast in the rain.  The following photos tell the story.

Sonya vs. Beacon Rock

One thing you may not know about my daughter Sonya is that she loves hiking and insists on "doing it herself."  Today was no different.

Here is today's challenge: Beacon Rock in Washington.

Do you think there was any fear or trepidation?  Absolutely not!  Up she goes!

Another summit is conquered!

Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park

On Saturday, while Karren was keeping her friend Sarah company in the hospital, Karren's dad, Sonya and I made a quick visit to Mount Lassen National Park.

We had enough time to hike Bumpass Hell (3 miles round trip).  The destination featured lots of fumeroles, boiling mud pots, and hot pools.  Sonya's thrill though was jumping off rocks.  She also looked for animals to join the Chipmunk Club.

Sonya hiked most of the way up the mountain, but being tired afterwards, I carried her down on my shoulder.

All that was left was playing at Summit Lake and going to collect Sonya's Chipmunk Club Sticker.