Crazy June!

I can't believe how fast this month is flying by! I have a feeling, that with our upcoming move in August, this is going to be our new norm. I'm usually terrible at getting pictures up relatively close to when they actually occur, so I'm trying. Here's a quick update of what the Swift's have been up to...

June started with a bang when Jeremy ran the Rock'n Roll half marathon here in San Diego. I was so proud of him - and so was he, I might add - since that's the furthest he's ran since cross-country! He even did it under his goal of 2 hrs! Harper and I were sad we couldn't be there to document the occasion with a picture.

My sister and her friend, Laura, visited us for a week and spoiled Harper with 2 new playmates who indulged her every wish. They jumped on the Swift train for our CRAZY weekend and even blessed us with a few babysitting nights! Us girls spent some time in Balboa Park, Mission Beach and even got Harper to indulge us while we had a "grown-up" coffee time at Cafe Bassam. I loved the company of these ladies as they are so easy to be with and always make me smile.

In between all the hectic-ness, I have tried to keep Harper appropriately busy. We have made it to the park regularly, the San Diego zoo a handful of times and I finally got to take her to SeaWorld for the first time with our friends Carter and Rhiannon! There was an Elmo area there with people dressed up as Sesame Street characters... lets just say it was the highlight of Harper's month (sorry everyone!). They all received hugs, high-fives, kisses and she nearly cried when it was time to say good-bye!
This past Sunday was father's day and I do say it was an amazing day for our family to celebrate Jeremy and God, our heavenly Father. We went to church, spent the day biking around Mission Beach and playing at the park, and then Jeremy and I actually got out for dinner and a movie while Harper went to bed - such a treat!

Now... I'm off to prepare for my parents to fly in tonight for a week and I can't wait!

Changes Ahead!

As Harper is napping and the house is filled with silence, I have a moment to stop and reflect on just what has and is happening with our family these days. I can't help but feel the nagging reminder that "changes are brewing" for the Swift family. This constant reminder makes me pull out my Bible and read some of my favorite verses from the Psalms:

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:20-22)

Life has been a whirlwind lately and I haven't even written about two of the biggest pieces of news in 2010 for us. For starters, we found out that our second baby, who is due in October, is a BOY! We are thrilled that Harper will have a little brother and are so thankful that he is healthy so far. Going from pink to blue will be a change for our household as we have been told there will be more pee, more dirt and much more wrestling! At the same time, Jeremy is looking forward to things like spring training and other sporting events someday, and I am hoping for a "mama's boy". We are now even more glad we bought the blue BOB stroller instead of the pink one I wanted 2 years ago. Yes, we are thrilled about our boy and can't wait to meet him this fall!

Our other news is that we have officially decided to move back to Portland, Oregon this coming August. The decision has been anything but easy, but we feel confirmed that this is where the Lord is leading our family right now. We have described the decision as being bitter-sweet as we will be "gaining" ALL of our family in the Northwest, but "losing" our friends in San Diego. Jeremy and I feel it's the first HUGE decision we are having to make for our family and one that is taking a giant step of faith.

I have already gone through some emotional ups and downs in regard to the move. Some days I am filled with hope and bright thoughts of being near family. Other days I have cried at any mere thought of leaving our friends and San Diego. I know I'll have many more ups and downs as we move toward change... but the verses from Psalms remind me that even when life is uncertain we can be certain that God has got our back, as long as we are putting our trust and hope in Him. As Jeremy and I begin to experience a few "lasts" here in San Diego, we've talked about the importance of truly experiencing the sadness and the joys of what is ahead. We have loved much here in San Diego through the years, and loving much is what draws us to Oregon now as well. We hope that you'll support us through this season and know that we are so thankful for each and every one of you who have loved and touched our family in some way.