The Simple Things

Since moving back to Oregon, I have been completely depressed. I see everyone I went to high school with either happily married or in great relationships. It seemed like I was the only one still single, which made me wonder what was wrong with me. Had me in complete depression. I had fun back in Michigan...went out on dates, although nothing was ever too serious, just dinner or a day at the lake so Emily was included. Since being back in Oregon, it seemed like EVERYONE was taken. Last Sunday while browsing around on Facebook, I came across a guy that I met 10 years ago. I sent him an email to see if he remembered me, and ever since, we have talked every day! We got together for the first time this past Wednesday for coffee, and in he walks with these beautiful daisies. Daisies are my absolute favorite flower and I was thrilled to get them. I know it is sad, but it is by far one of the sweetest things a guy has ever done. Who knew that just some daisies, a simple flower, could make my heart melt!

For Those Who Wondered!

I love this website...you just take a picture of you, the father and the child and it tells you who the child looks more like...not sure how accurate it is, but it is kind of fun!

A Few Random Happenings

A night out with a great friend before she moved to San Fran! My parents were so awesome and watched Emily for me while I went out. We went to the casino here and town, had dinner and spent some time wandering around watching people gamble away their money!


Emily had a play date a few weekends ago with one of my friends daughter's. They had fun...interesting to watch how much a child can change in 2 years! My friend's daughter just turned 2...I think I take for granted sometimes how well behaved Emily actually is in comparison to other children.
Nothing else too exciting going on over here. Still doing the relentless job search. Planning a trip to Vegas in the fall (hopefully) with my friend who just moved to San Francisco, and hope to at least go down there to visit so I can say I have been to California! And still planning on a trip back to Michigan in July to retrieve all of my stuff out of storage and be done back there.
Emily is still loving school, however missed 2 days this week because she was sick...which she passed on to me!

Emily's 4 Year Pictures

I have a CD with well over 20 pictures, but these are a few of my favorites. A close family friend does photography now and we asked her to do Emily's pictures since I am now back in Oregon. We spent about an hour at the park taking tons of pictures. I am sure she had tons of fun chasing Emily all over the park trying to get her to stand still for a picture! It was fun and I am thrilled with how they turned out. I think outdoor pictures are so much better than typical studio pictures.

A Day at the Beach

I just loved these pictures
Had to take a picture of us together!
She discovered how to let her feet sink into the wet sand!
We finally got a non rainy and semi warm day to go to the beach last Saturday. Emily loved it. I was attempting to keep her dry by keeping her shoes and socks on...but that lasted only about 20 minutes until I realized it was a lost cause!

My Big Girl

A day at Regatta Park...right on the lake. It was fun to take her there for the first time...it was my favorite park when I was young. Fun to sit back and watch her play and remember how much fun I had playing there...


Getting the mail with papa in the pouring rain!!

Her first Day of Preschool!



Emily had so much fun at school today. The teacher's assistant took her hand and introduced her to all of the high school students and the preschool students. The teacher said she did great today, but was very reserved. I told her not to worry, that would all change by next week! I love the high school preschool...it is such a great experience for the kids and the high school students. I took 3 years of child psychology in high school(which is the program for high school students to study the development of babies and children, and then they get to plan lessons, crafts and snacks for the preschool children.) It is interesting to be the parent dropping of the child now!! Emily goes Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's every week from 8:30am-11:30am. Early mornings means early bedtimes...which I love! I will take pictures of her in class soon...didn't want to take too many pictures today while she was adjusting to everything. More pictures to come of the actual preschool next week!

2009 in Review

January
First trip to Shipshewana, IN. Loved the waterpark!! Has named every pool and large bathtub a waterpark now!

Feruary
First pair of subglasses!

March
First tri-city blackout while I was at work. Luckily, uncle Rob and aunt Jen kept her occupied!

April

Easter and the March for Babies...Emily walked 3 out of 4 miles...I was so proud of her.

May

After 2 years of being stubborn, she was finally potty trained on my birthday! And we took our last trip to Chicago for Mother's Day weekend.

June
Uncle Rob bought the kids a slip n' slide so they could have some fun outside and cool off!

July

Visit from nana and papa!!!

August
Emmy and I finally got our own apartment!

September
Frequent trips to Meijer resulted in many pony rides!

October
Nice weather and living within 1/2 mile of the park, we would walk to the park on my days off and spend many hours there!

November
Reading to nana over the phone!

December


A month of many changes for us: Emily's 4th birthday, moving back to Oregon and Christmas at nana and papas in the morning, and then great grandma and great grandpa's house in the afternoon where she had tons of fun playing with her 3rd cousin.
This year has been challenging in many aspects, but it has been a great learning experience. That which does not kill us makes us stronger so they say. I am hoping that is true! I know the future holds many more challenges for me, but I am ready to embrace them and grow from them. I am so blessed to have Emily in my life. Without her, I am not sure if I would have made it through some of the challenges in my life thus far. She keeps me going and makes me want to better myself. It still amazes me that such a tiny person could make a grown adult melt. Goodbye 2009, hello 2010...let my new journey in life begin.