King's Court

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd....

 

This past Sunday our little family of three took a trip up to Seattle to go to a Mariner game; something I think every Bernard boy is destined to love. From the start of the National Anthem to the announcement, "Mariner's win!" Blake was AMAZING.  He was in awe of how many people there were, and how loud they could be when a hit or out was made. By the end of the game though he was a pro, and was clapping along with the crowd.

We have quite the silly little baby boy on our hands...he LOVES people...he will point, wave, smile and 'talk' with anyone until he can get them to give him his full attention. It doesn't matter what they look like, Blake will befriend them, and soon enough have them making silly faces back at him or waving like they were a little kid too. If only we were all still so open to being friendly with others, and letting our lights shine as bright as Blake's does.

It was a quick trip, but so worth it to watch Jason and his little boy get to experience this first together. Who knows if Blake will be a ball-player, but there is no doubt that we have another baseball lover in the Bernard family.

"Working Mama"

This last week Jason and I changed roles, to working mom and stay-at-home dad.  I will be honest, my mama heart was breaking Monday morning when I was awakened by an alarm instead of the cries of my son. I knew that my men were going to be fine, and that they were going to have a blast, but it was strange knowing that I wouldn't be a part of it.  Maybe that's what the struggle was...I didn't want to miss out.

I have been away from my baby before, but there is something different knowing that it is going to be for a few weeks and many days in a row. Granted there are thousands of moms that wake up each morning knowing they will be spending time at work, but for the past year my work has been snuggling, changing, feeding and playing with my gift, my son.

  

"...my work has been 

snuggling, changing, feeding and playing 

with my gift, my son."

As the week went on, I heard stories over the phone about walks to the park, trips to the library and wrestling at home. I realized that my husband was getting the chance to connect with our son in a way he wouldn't be able to do if I was there too. I realized that Blake was getting to learn new things that I wouldn't necessarily be able to teach him on my own. Wow. 

Thankful for a husband that want's to invest in his son's life, who wants to get down on the floor and 'baby-talk.' Their relationship is so precious, and so special. I can see the love in both their eyes when I catch them playing, or when Jason is reading Blake a bedtime story. Thankful for a short-term job for me, that's allowing me to re-awaken my passion for teaching. This 'working mama,' is surely blessed.

Happy SEVEN Months, and Happy New Year!

Blake Denver - SEVEN Months

• He knows his name, and will grin when you call to him.
• He enjoys playing peek-a-boo; has started pulling his blanket over his own face and then pulling it down to play too.
• He can sit up unsupported...this is crazy to think our little baby can do this!
• He is starting to put weight on his legs, and will stand holding onto something.
• He is starting to push with his legs when he is on his tummy.
• He is a chatterbox; he enjoys yelling and making silly sounds.
• He love to play with his toys now; everything goes into his mouth. 
• Favorite Toys: Teething rings, soft books, any toy that plays music, and many more.
• He is working on teeth! Drooling and chewing, but no sign of any popping through yet. :)
• He sat up in the tub for the first time...with mom backing him up.
• He sleeping much better at night (AMEN!): He only eats once; if that during the night.
• He likes "wrestling" and playing.
• He really enjoys 'real' food. Mom and Dad made a lot of it on our own.
• New foods this month: sweet potatoes, prunes, carrots, barley cereal, oatmeal, pears, peaches and green beans. His favorites are the veggies!
• He will hold his own bottle when he eats...the other night he just took it from Jason and fed himself the whole thing.
• He tried drinking juice out of a sippy cup...we are going to keep working on this. :)
• He traveled to the beach after Christmas with the Bernard side of the family; spent lots of play time with his cousin Cayden :) It will be so neat to see them grow up together.
• He is learning how to clap...so close!
• He laughs when tickled, and will try to push away when he is done.
• He rode in the cart sitting up at the grocery store for the first time.
• He has started with a little separation anxiety...hoping that doesn't last or isn't too bad for him, because it is pretty sad for us parents.
• He spent his first weekend at home alone with mom while dad was gone for Men's Retreat with church; we made it! 

After creating the list of accomplishments for this month, and reminiscing with Jason about all the changes, I can't help but get a little teary.  I am one proud mama, and my sweet little boy is only 7 months old. It is hard to imagine being more proud, but I know the moments will come as he continues to grow and develop. At a play date this last month a friend and I decided that we are choosing to rest in the moment now, because our little boys are just growing up so fast. Someday I want to be able to look back on these moments of firsts and remember how they felt.

Loves looking at animals.

Great Grandpa Bernard

Happy Birthday Grandpa Nolz

Blake amazes me, and it is already evident to me that I am wrapped around his little pudgy fingers. When his whole face lights up when I say his name, when he snuggles in, when he is getting sleepy or when he opens his mouth big and wide for some carrots my heart swells. I never knew I could care about and love someone so much. It has been a blessing getting to watch Jason become a wonderful dad, and to live out my dream of being a mom. What an amazing responsibility and gift having a sweet baby has been. Excited to see how Blake and our family will continue to grow and change in 2013.

Happy Seven Months, and Happy New Year!

Bed-and-Breakfast

This spring break was a lot more low key than last year when we went to Hawaii, but it was still a great break.  It started out with a snow day...that's right, not winter break, but spring break.  We ended up with a little over 6" on snow to enjoy for the first few days of break, which was very unexpected.

Jason and I went and stayed in Pacific City on the Oregon Coast in a bed-and-breakfast (The Craftsman Bed & Breakfast).  Staying in one is something that I have wanted to do, and we thought it would be the perfect getaway before our little baby comes into the world.  It was such a cozy home, and our room and bathroom looked exactly like the pictures on their website.  We would diffidently recommend the stay to anyone wanting an escape for a night or two. http://www.craftsmanbb.com/

So cute when we pulled up :)

Our cozy room with robes waiting for us.

My favorite part of the room! I wish I could have taken the whole bathroom home with me.

While we were there, we were able to get out on the beach, and the sun did shine on us for part of the time.  But, you almost can't expect to go to the beach without getting some rain...our second night there there were weather warnings for high winds.  They were right. There were winds up to 80mph all through the night!

24 Weeks 3 Days

We also got out and did some sight-seeing.  We took a longer drive to get to our ultimate destination of the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  It was a much needed break, and really relaxing...perhaps our last getaway before the baby comes? :)

Pacific City, OR

Coach Bernard

Well...we are still waiting on the house....us Bernards are good at waiting.....we have worked on it a lot the last few years....just because we have worked on it though, does not mean that we enjoy waiting.  In a nutshell, we were informed after-the-fact, that the owner of the home had filed bankruptcy.  So we are in limbo, waiting for a judge to say that yes the best interest of everyone is to give us the house, or no it will also fall under his bankruptcy.  Apparently, his listing agent forgot to include this "minor" detail on all the paperwork that we signed....praying that it will all work out smoothly, and quickly.

On a better note, Jason got to be Coach Bernard this fall!  In late August he was asked if he wanted to be head cross country coach in the same week he was offered his position at Straub.  I think he was more excited about the coaching. :)  He ended up having over 70 kids run consistently the whole season! 

His team was AMAZING this year.  

All-City Cross Country Meet 2011

His top two runners, Reece (8th grade) and Brooke (8th grade), finished first in every single meet, and were the All-City Champions this year! I would say that is pretty good for a first year coach? :)

3k Girl's team before the final race: They finished 4th overall

 

3k Boy's Team: These boys were amazing and finished FIRST as a team at All-City

Start of the 6th Grade 2k Run

It was so much fun to watch him coach, and see the passion he has for running rub off on all the kids that were running.  This is a sport that Jason introduced me to almost 10 years ago when I went to watch him run for the first time.  I love watching the strain and the fight it takes to be a quality runner. 

Nice work Coach B.

New JOB!!

It is official...Jason officially has a teaching job!  It came completely out of the air, but what a great surprise it was.  I actually thought he was kidding when he told me since it was Saturday, and who gets a job offer on a Saturday?  Another reason it was so surprising is he hadn't interviewed for a teaching job since May...I think he made a pretty good impression. :) We had just got home from our co-ed softball tournament when Jason checked his messages. . .

He turned to me with tears in his eyes and said that he had been offered a job!  It is a part-time LRC teaching position (Learning Resource Center; special education).  He will actually be at the brand new middle school in West Salem, Straub Middle School. With special education there is always the possibility that it could become full-time, but as for now we are over the moon with what he has. 

Straub Middle School Under Contruction

Now he is officially in the Salem-Keizer School District in a permanent position, what a blessing.  So, if a full-time position opened he could just transfer.  Also, since he will be going to school until March to finish his special education teaching endorsement, part-time might be ideal.

Here is a link to pictures from the construction process: http://www.flickr.com//photos/salemkeizer/sets/72157626372612770/show/

It is amazing how my last post was about resting in the Lord...I honestly felt completely at peace about our whole job situation, and when we least expected an offer it came.  I am so proud of all the hard work Jason has done with school, work and guiding me in patience and waiting.  We are still praying that something will come for me, but as for now we are so grateful, thankful and excited about what this means for us and our future.

God is so good!

Restful.

That is the word that I would describe our summer.  With rest though comes the opportunity to really think about what the future may hold.  Since we both lost our jobs at the end of the school year due to budget cuts our futures are somewhat up in the air.

With all this uncertainty comes the nagging thought of, "Why?"  I am so thankful that God put into Jason and I the desire to teach and to want to impact people, but without teaching jobs set up as of yet, it makes me wonder what we will be doing in the next few months.  But, I did say that 'restful' was how I was feeling...and that is true.

The only way I can describe it, is that I know that we aren't doing anything wrong, it's not that we aren't trying or putting ourselves out there.  The truth is, is that our "perfect" plan for our lives is not the ultimate perfect plan of God.  So, I am resting in that truth.

I am resting in the fact that He has not let us slip though the cracks, but that He is just waiting to let us see the beautiful work He is going to do through us.  I am resting in the fact that I know we will be taken care of, and that we will not be without what we need.  Although we want jobs, something perfectly okay to want, it appears that may not be what we needed this summer.

It appears this summer we needed time to rest, or at least I did.  This summer is giving Jason time to go to school to complete his master's degree in special education; a passion and gift he has that constantly amazes me.  So, as the summer continues, we will not stop working hard, praying hard and will REST in the fact that God's plans are far greater than anything we could have come up with.

Seattle for the Weekend

Jason and I had our first mini-vacation of the summer last weekend up in Seattle.  We drove up Saturday morning and spent the morning wandering around Pike's Place Market. Seattle is such a fun town to visit, with lots to look at and many different things to take part in.  I personally love the many unique shops and vendors, with all their bright colors even on a dreary wet northwest day...Jason and I are considering trading in our "teaching" jobs and opening our own booth :)

Later on that evening, we headed to Safeco Field to cheer on the Mariners...needless to say our cheering didn't help them win, but we had a great time being at the ballpark.  There is something about actually watching the game when you are only a few rows from the field versus watching it at home.  Jason would want me to mention that we were present for Dustin Ackley's first major league home run...actually it was pretty exciting since we were only around 15 seats away from where the ball eventually landed.

It was so good to get away even if it was just for a little bit to escape the reality back at home...this has been a great school year, but also a really hard one.  I know that we have both learned a lot about not only teaching but also ourselves.  It was so good to get away together to remind each other that no matter what happens, we have each other...that support is something I am so thankful for.  So, on to summer...Let's hope it's only good things to come. :)