Staycation: Oregon Coast

We took a much needed vacation this week. We drove out to the coast on Sunday and setup camp. We stayed in a yurt at Nehalem Bay State Park-- that was a wise decision on our part, it rained really hard one night. Aside from the rain at night, the weather couldn't have been better.

We spent Monday in Astoria. We took Bubba up the Astor Column and threw airplanes off the top. A few of our planes made it across the street. As I looked down the grassy hill that the column sits on, I couldn't help but think about ice blocking, it's been years since I have been.

We hit up the Maritime Museum for a few hours. I knew that the area where the Columbia River meets the ocean is dangerous because my grandparents were almost killed in a storm there once, but after reading about all of the ships that have had problems and people who have died in that area, I think I can say I don't have a desire to go boating in that region. It is truly amazing what the Coast Guard does.

We thought it would be fun the drive across the really long bridge that connects Oregon to Washington, so we did. That is by far the longest bridge I have ever been on.

We came across the North Head Lighthouse. Andy stayed in the car with a sleeping Bubba and I ran a quarter of a mile to the lighthouse. I was hoping to get a stamp in my lighthouse passport. I quickly realized that there was no where to get a stamp. I was cold so I snapped a few photos and raced back to the car. It wasn't until later when I was looking at the photos that I realized that this lighthouse had no light-- this has caused me to ponder a lot.

Tuesday we visited Seaside. We tried to make arrangements to go on a helicopter ride, but the helicopter was put away in a hanger in Astoria for several days because they were expecting bad weather. Instead we took you on your first carousel ride, you liked it at first and then you cried. The ride operator stopped the ride, so you could get off. Daddy bought some saltwater taffy and Mommy tried to convince him to ride the mechanical shark. Mommy failed.

We spent a good portion of the day on Cannon Beach. I was finally able to see that famous rock (Haystack Rock). We found two red rock crabs on the beach, we wish we could have kept them but we didn't have a shellfish license.

Wednesday we headed for home. On our way home we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I think being a connoisseur of cheese must be in our blood. Bubba, you ate A LOT of cheese! The cheese curds were your favorite! Daddy took you through the sample line more times than I can count.

The rest of the week was spent at home trying to finish up some never ending projects.

Pumpkin Party

Earlier this year we participated in a parenting group. All of our little ones will be or have turned one recently so we decided to have a party to celebrate. We had a potluck at the pumpkin patch. It was so much fun to get together and see everyone! It was so cute to watch our little ones interact with each other!

A Beacon Of Hope

This past week our family was able to spend some much needed time out at the coast. One day while out exploring, we came upon this lighthouse. This lighthouse was once a beacon of hope to those out at sea. I couldn’t help but notice that this lighthouse no longer had a light, it was worn and beat up. This lighthouse caused me to pause and reflect on life.

Each of us has the light of Christ. Those we come in contact with see that light, that light is a beacon of hope. Just like that lighthouse, if we don’t make righteous choices and nourish ourselves spiritually our light can go out, we can become worn and beat up. My challenge to each of you is to take a moment, pause and evaluate where you on the path of righteousness. Do you need to make some changes? Is there room for improvement? If so, start now to make those changes. Add oil to your lamp so your light can continue to shine bright.

Antibiotics

Who knew that antibiotics would wreak such havoc on your little system, Bubba? I sure didn't. I can't tell you how many explosive diarrhea diapers we have changed this week or how many outfits we went through. You little bum is rashed and you dread having your diaper changed. We have been feeding you lots of yogurt and Pedialyte. We've covered your bum in diaper rash cream and we have had the humidifier running like crazy in your room. I am praying the antibiotics knock out that ear infection and that we don't have to go through another round of antibiotics.

You've been so miserable this past week. The only thing that really seems to calm you down in being outside -- we have spent a lot of time walking. I feel so bad for you, I wish there was more I could do to make you feel better. Hang in there little guy, this won't last forever.

As far as development goes, you are learning to crawl with your legs underneath of you. Sometimes one leg is under you and the other is out to the side. You are really getting to be quite fast!

* I failed in the picture department this week. I didn't take a single one.

Trust In The Lord

We found out today that Andy will be getting laid off in March. This all feels very surreal right now, I feel as though I am in a state of shock. Am I surprised by what is going on? Not at all. I am calm. I am nervous to take a step into the dark, to wander on an unknown path and to travel to someplace I have never been. Is it scary? Yes! But the scriptures say, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30). We have been preparing for this day for a long time, I am just surprised that it is actually here. We have prepared as much as we can and now it is time to put our trust in the Lord. Because with God, all things are possible.

Life's Adventures

This week was a week of tears, Bubba. You cried a lot! One day you puked all over your clothes, the crib, the crib bumper and the carpet. A day or so later the diarrhea started and it has been going on ever since. I felt really bad because I knew you didn't feel very well and there was only so much I could do. The only thing that seemed to calm you down was being outside, but some days you didn't want to be outside and you would continue to cry.

I'm cute, even when I puke on myself.

We tried to watch General Conference on Saturday but quickly gave up, it was too hard with all of the crying. Sunday you seemed to feel a little bit better and we were able to watch both sessions of General Conference.

Story time at the library.

I love my bat!

After General Conference we decided to go walk on one of our favorite trails. We didn't make it very far before I noticed some yellow/brown colored stuff coming out of your ear. I called the doctors office to see if I could get you in the following morning and the nurse I spoke with advised me to take you to urgent care. We turned around, got in the car and headed to urgent care.

We walk way almost daily and the sidewalk was so covered with ivy it was becoming impassable. We were so surprised to see the city cleaning it up!

We came across this snake one afternoon while walking.

Nature's beauty!

My hunch was right, you had an ear infection and your ear drum had ruptured. The doctor gave us a prescription for antibiotics and told us to run across the street to the pharmacy to get your filled as the pharmacy was to close in twenty minutes. We were able to get your prescription filled and start you on your medicine. I sure hope you start feeling better soon! Being sick is never fun!

Waiting to be seen at urgent care.

The funny thing about all of this is you never had a fever and you never pulled on our ears. We didn't know you had an ear infection until we saw the nastiness coming out of your ear.

I love my veggies!

In other news, you have really begun pulling yourself up. You frequently pull yourself up in your crib.