creation shout-out

On our way to Bellingham we followed roads marked 'tulip route', into Mt. Vernon, toward Washington's tulip farms (plural), and  between old farm houses, barns, silos, tractors, vineyards, and muddy driveways covered in fragrant cedar chips, your vision is overwhelmed by colors -  overflowing acres and rows of tulip flowers of all  colors, varieties and variations. Furthermore, dynamic mountains and clouds surround an area geographically perfect for fostering growth of earth's tangible elements cultivated specifically for outward gifts to show love and appreciation. 

and the bigger picture yet,

what a loving God we have... and what a gift a loving wife is... and what a blessing kids are.

A perfect place to be with Dena and Grey Kahle.

Happy 1st Birthday!

A day for me!!

It's been days, and if I'm honest, weeks (fine, months!) that I've been thinking about the day Grey turns 1. I've been stressed and even had a cry session (can I blame that on pregnancy hormones?) about no one coming to her Birthday and that it would be a sad, pathetic day.

 Now I can't help but to stop right there and say, God is GOOD and full of LOVE for us and His little Grey.

 ...He cared that I was worried about being in a new state, without most of the people that have been with Grey since she's been born, all while also missing family across the country.  He cares for things as simple as us to "have a nice day." Why does He care about this with all else that goes on...I'll never know. It just means He is a father too, and knows what it's like to want the best for children and care about all our little worries/stresses/thoughts completely. I love Matthew 7:11 

"If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?"

Graciously, He gave us the best gift of a house full of friends and family, sunny weather (in the midst of all time low temperatures and heaps of rain) tons of food, and even a good soundtrack. Everyone had fun and I was so proud of my husband and daughter. Love was the theme of her first birthday! I went from running around stressed to absolutely full and overflowing of happiness. I had trouble sleeping. I'll just say that. For a few days! I kept playing the day over in my head...giddy at the thoughts of our awesome family.

   First, helping dad set up

I think she was feeling our excitement as we ran around prepping and getting ready.Okay, Jude stayed cool, I ran around a little frazzled and crazed.

Then, people started showing up. We had more guests than expected show up, which was awesome!

Grey's little buddy, Mae. They are learning to share and play together.
And yes, that is a cupcake wrapper on Grey's head. She is a good sport.

Lots of bubbles, balloons, and balls flying around. Music played and people hung out. We grilled burgers (sunny weather helped with our little spring theme.) and ate treats. There was a "Grey Crossword Puzzle" (created by her pop!) "Grey" games, and a marshmallow toss (random, but we had to have games...) all went over pretty well...

 

 

This was in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard...we got some looks by people passing by. Which was awesome. The twins tied for first place, but I wouldn't be surprised if they cheated.

We set up a photo booth, and made some props. It wasn't used too much. But we had some fun with it.

 Hmmm...notice who Grey wanted to be like in her picture above? Daughter like Father.


Lucky we have such a good man in our life.

Grey and Mae.

 No explanation needed for the rest...

 Jordan Ratliff came by! He was super sweet with Grey, whom he said was the 3rd baby he's ever held. They got along pretty good. Highlight.

 Yeah...the lei didn't last. But at least we got it on her for a quick pic! 

Next was a big moment for us...the cake. I guess it's a big deal for all parents of first birthdayers, but we've been waiting, and waiting for the day we gave Grey sugar. Yes, this was her first taste! My mom and dad tried to convince us to let them give her some, but we held out. The day has come...

Unsure at first, she quickly decided it was good. Proud mommy looks on as she eats the fruit first! 

That's my girl! (Note: I was so busy, I hadn't finished her cake yet...and Jude stepped in and finished it for me. He did a great job! Thanks babe!)

Quick learner, she ditches the time consuming hands and just dives in... And she usually hates food on her face. The smallest amount, in the corner of her mouth, she wipes it off with her wrist. I guess there is always an exception to the rule.

She didn't get into it enough to see that I spent way too long making pretty rainbow layers for her...but that's okay, we all enjoyed our version of the cake.

She did, however, in the middle of all this, say "More" for the first time. She signs it often, but after Uncle Mark gave her the first taste of ice cream, she said "More." Three times she repeated it, till she got a huge scope of orange sherbet from Dad. She should work on the "More please" and see where that gets her.

Next we did gifts. She was, like expected, into the wrapping and packaging...

But once she got to the surprise inside, she was pretty happy. Specially if the surprise had music and lights.

She was happy and smiling all day, but nothing compared to when we sang Happy Birthday to her. She lit up. She looked around the room, all those faces singing just for her...I love that moment. I wish I had it on video to show you. She absolutely loved it.

I think Grey had a good day, I'm sure she was feeling the love around her. But, I think this day - for Jude and I at least, was one of the greatest. I loved it. It was so sweet to see everything and everyone come together. This day was the icing on the cake...

Most of all, we are blessed to have made it through one healthy, happy year.  

Happy 1st Birthday my love!!

Oh....Grey.

She is so sweet!!
Jude and I were lying on the floor watching TV while Grey was playing next to us. Then she crawls over Jude, leans into me, and gives me a smooch. Immediately after, goes for her daddy and gives him a smooch.
Then she goes back to playing.
In a few minutes, she comes back, gives kisses again...then plays.
She did it 3 times! We were melting and laughing over our sweet baby.
Grey, oh Grey...

For the last few weeks she's been doing this new scrunchy smile. Squints up her eyes and shows her teeth. (Um, all two of them.)

She feeds herself some things... But the spoon is new. I put a bean on her spoon, then put the spoon in her hand, the rest she did herself! Then we did it with cheese. Sounds so simple, but these things are a big deal to us to see. She's growing fast.

 

Success!

 

Did you see that?!

 

I'm good. Hee hee.

What else is new...

She loves it when the phone rings. Pretends answering it with a "Gess?!"  which sounds nothing like hello. More like, "Yes?!" 

Talking...She wants to talk so bad! So much gibberish is coming out of this girl. She has the tones, sentence patterns and some hand motions down. That's about it. She does say "Up". I have to get a video, it's the best! And she is just starting to do her signs. I've been signing a few things (hungry, more, all done, sleepy. I think that's all.) since she was a few months old. Now, she is just starting to do them. It's awesome. Bring on communication!

And she loves to make a mess. But that, is nothing new.  

I just looooove picking up after her too. I'm glad she has a few toys. ; )

I guess the only other random things she does is...

Feeling the grass...under our toes!

Just stepped outside because the sun was out...and dad (yes, I'm quite used to calling Jude that) was super sweet to take a couple quick shots of us enjoying some D! (Vitamin D) The grass is super soft, and Grey loved exploring! She just loves being outside...

kept wanting to crawl on the hard stone...why Grey? Why?

(You can see a bit of the baby bump here...it's not so discrete.)

I went on about how nice the grass is, how there is never bugs like Florida...then Grey grabbed something...I though it was another "tasty" pinecone. No, it was a big fat bumble bee! He was just chilling in the sun, I think coming out of hibernation. She wasn't stung! Dad saved the day and moved the bee to a safe place to wake up. Thanks Jude!!

Had fun today, checking out the simple things in life. Unexpected wonders catching our eye. And of course, Grey, tasting everything she can get her hands on. Cheeky!

Time flew.

Hello! We are good! It's been so long I don't know where to begin. Oh... that makes it sound like a lot is going on. Not really. Just distracted. We are spending time with family, each other, doing music, and scrambling to find jobs and settle into wherever will be our next home. We haven't done much venturing out or site seeing as funds are limited. But we are having plenty of time to cherish our Grey as she is growing quickly and doing new stuff EVERYDAY! I'd tell her to slow down but I'm nervous at the answer she might all of a sudden speak out. (the dreaded toddler "No!")

Lets see...to recap some of the last couple of months in Washington, we have played in the snow,

Taken one trip to Vashon Island. About a 10 minutes away to a 15 minute ferry ride...then we meet up with some friends up there and spent the day. We saw lots of deer (that strangely didn't want to eat pancakes...) and hid out in a rustic cabin right next to the water. It was really windy! But the air was clean and the breeze felt good. Short, but fun little trip!

  

We went to a neat little nature center down the street...I think Grey will appreciate it more when she gets older, but we had a good time.

....NOOOO!!!  You thought we sent our little Grey down that slide alone? Dad was with her. Not her first slide, but her first tunnel. Fast and fun.

                                                             Can we do it again?!

Grey used to let us "walk" with her. Now she will have nothing to do with it. If we grab her hands she'll kick her legs in protest, or she'll just try to sit. But we do catch her, on her own, standing. I would think she wants to walk...we'll see when that happens. She'll "stand" on her knees. And then do a little dance. Not quite there, but I think she feels like it's close.  ...Oh we love this girl...

Untill she wants to do it, we'll just keep showing her how it's done.

 

 

Dad helping Grey to new heights. (So cheesy...apologies...)

 

Our Rock Climber!

 

Of course we were there. Don't worry family, we keep her safe!

We have to, this girl is fearless.

Things are good. Probably not as exciting as pictures make them seem...settling is going slow. Hmmm, I already said that, didn't I?! But we have the camera on us when we go out to make it look like our life is exciting and adventuresome. :)

Grey is sleeping well. We are all pretty happy and loving all the new stages we keep finding ourselves in. God to love this life adventure! Love all of you. And especially thinking of you who are far away.

XO