An Evening with the Meshots

While in San Diego, we got to spend quite a bit of time with our dear friends Adam, Rhiannon and their son Carter. We feel so blessed to call them some of our closest friends. It's rare to find husbands, wives, and kids who all get along so well individually and collectively. I know I can say that I didn't get enough Rhiannon time during the month (when is it really enough?), but understandably so! They are expecting twins (sweet Caleb and Noelle!) in December and Rhi was put on bed rest while we were in town. Nonetheless, we were able to create some great memories... and snap a few fun pictures!

Harper and Carter indulging my picture-taking requests... These two have had a very special and unique bond since they met when they were tiny. They talk about each other all the time, even though we've been moved away for over a year!

Cutie-pa-tuties!

I'm not exactly sure how... but we always manage to get the most amazing pictures of them giving each other kisses. Rhi and I joke that they act like a married couple ;)

Just for the record - Jeremy hates this picture since it does appear that Harper is fully embracing Carter... ;)

Me and my girl... Yes, this tiny, little thing is carrying TWO babies - you are amazing Rhi!

Just had to get a picture of my little guy in here. He loved tagging along with Harper and Carter - although they sometimes wanted their 3-year old space.

Another amazing smooch caught on camera!

He's running away now... but just wait... someday that will change... it always does ;)

Yes, this picture IS what it appears to be. Adam cooks and bakes! Amazingly, I might add. He made us some of the best homemade chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted (not exaggerating... he has a secret I think)!

The kids testing out the finished product...

It's GOOD!!!

We love you Meshot family. We cherished this evening in your home... especially since the next time we do it again, the kiddo count will almost have doubled ;) We can't wait to celebrate your growing family with you and we are so thankful for your honest friendship with our family.

Lehman Love

We have been loving spending time with our friends in San Diego this month... especially getting to see everyone's kiddos - they grow up so fast!

This past week, we were able to spend time with our friends Tatum and Avery...

On one day in particular last week, I didn't have a car so Tatum and Avery, without hesitation, jumped in their car and spent the day at our house. Tatum saved my spirits and Avery thoroughly entertained Harper and Bentley. Thank you Tatum, I am so thankful for friends who understand the joys and struggles of the mom-thing... and the emotional thing ;) We love you guys!

The three kiddos playing together...

Seriously, Bentley and Avery are about the same size (he's one year and she is almost 19 months!). She is ALL girl, and he is ALL boy.

We also got to meet up for a coffee play date in the park in Ocean Beach. The kids played and got out their energy... and then we spontaneously walked over to the library, since we had heard they were having story-time. It was, again, wonderful to spend time with our friends and get to know Avery a bit better. She is one sweet, adorable little girl... and we can't wait to celebrate the arrival of their second kiddo in a few short weeks!

These two were mesmerized when all the kids began singing songs with hand motions between stories... too cute!

My big girl... trying to keep her focus during story time... the girl just wants to go, go, go!

Tatum, nearly full term with baby number two and looking fabulous, with Harper & Bentley at story-time.

Precious Avery, watching all the big kids in awe.

Super Hero Moves!

We love our friend Carter... for many reasons! He and Harper have had quite the little friendship since they were little. Carter is the one friend that Harper asks if we can exchange text pictures with, just so she can see him. So sweet.

Just the other day, we met at the park and we caught a little bit of the "super hero moves" that Carter has been showing Harper. I kinda adore the fact that most of her friends are boys... maybe she can pass on some of these moves to Bentley.

Reflection

Every so I often I do this... I reflect on where we've come from and look forward to where God may want to take us.

As many know, our family is in San Diego for the month of October due to Jeremy's work. So far, it's been a wonderful treat to stay in a house in our old neighborhood, go to the old parks and on old walk routes with the kids, and most importantly see treasured friends.

It's a treat... but yet weird. Weird to walk around a place that is so familiar you could navigate the streets with your eyes closed, but now it's a place where your life no longer belongs. We used to be active participants in this community and now we are merely observers. I'm not down trodden or being negative. It's ok. God has us in Oregon, with our families right now. It's just an odd feeling.

Jeremy and I knew that God was calling us to move to Portland. We didn't know exactly why, but we responded. For a while, we prayed for clarity as to why God wanted us up in the NW. I mean, it wasn't like we left anything bad in San Diego. In fact, things had really come together for us in our last year in San Diego as far as church, community, and spiritual growth. We were pretty settled, happy and content.

But this is where I've seen one of God's biggest answers.

Jeremy and I have grown and learned so much in this past year. Things we might not have if we would have stayed in that "settled, happy, content" place. We have been out of our comfort zone, felt like foreigners, and often felt like giving up on going God's way. We have succeeded in learning some things, and failed miserably in learning others. Change and transition is hard and it takes time. I feel like I sort of (please note the bold and italics!) understand why military life would be so hard. Jeremy has travelled a lot this year so I've seen that doing the mom-thing alone is stretching; and I cannot imagine doing the moving-thing over and over again. God bless those families. But who am I to say "no" to moving again? My heart would go anywhere in order for my husband to fulfill his dreams and, of course, go if God wanted us to go again.

God has been incredibly faithful to sustain us, comfort us and guide us everyday - even when we've been at less than our best. He has blessed our time and our relationships with our families. Our families know and love our kids, and don't merely here about them over the phone. He has brought friends who have been God-sends to us. Miraculously, He has been slowly showing me how the rain can be beautiful. Most importantly, He has challenged us both to take very seriously our growth in our relationship with him. Which means we are actually reading our Bibles ;) and constantly grappling with how we are to actually live-out this Jesus-thing every moment. We mess up constantly but, we are thankful, He is changing us.

Jeremy and I have also been reminded over and over and over again that God does not owe us an explanation as to why He asks us to do certain things. The important thing is for us to seek and obey Him. That's been a hard one to learn... and we are still learning.

I miss San Diego and everything it has brought to our family. I miss our friends desperately... I miss feeling comfortable. But even though I feel and think these things... I am acutely aware and ever thankful that God is loving us, working in our lives and holding our hands through the process. Thank you Jesus.

My Birthday Day

I loved my birthday. There is no better way to spend it, than spending it with my husband and kids in the sunshine. After Bentley woke up (he's our morning snoozer), we headed up to hike Torrey Pines. On our hike, we realized Harper has been away from the ocean a little too long. Every time we came to a viewpoint, she kept saying, "I want to swim in there. I want to go in there". Water to swim in feels like a rarity in Portland ;)

Stretching Bentley's legs before putting him in the Ergo for our hike.

Me and my boy. He is so happy on my back! If my kids would have lasted... I would've requested to hike all day. So beautiful!

But they didn't last... they both fell asleep on the hike in order to get power naps to help them last through our breakfast stop. Jeremy and I melt at these precious moments with our big girl since they are few and far between.

We stopped at Pannikin Coffee & Tea in Encinitas for a little bite to eat. It was the perfect location for two busy toddlers. We sat outside in the yard area, where the kids allowed us to take this picture. They are seriously cute together these days... it warms a mama's heart.

After the kids took naps, we headed down to our favorite park in Liberty Station. We climbed, played on the swings, dug in the sand and raced down the slides. Our kind of family time.

Later on, after the kids were in bed, Jeremy picked up our favorite dinner in Point Loma from Old Venice... foccacia pizza and their ensalada venicia... accompanied by a spicy... yum! We enjoyed some quiet, alone time with each other and got some good sleep. It was a quiet, beautiful, perfect birthday. I felt loved and so, so thankful.

The Perfect Birthday Gift

I couldn't have imagined spending my birthday any differently than combining my three favorite things: my family, exercising and sunshine! Jeremy planned the perfect day for me and part of that included a hike in Torrey Pines, one of my favorite spots in San Diego!

I feel so blessed and loved today.

Harper's Special Medicine

This video is just because... This is a regular type of conversation and moment Harper and I have often. 2 year olds are so creative and persuasive! Here, Harper said she needed hot chocolate... to make her tummy feel better.

Ok, ok... you can have some hot chocolate my girl :)