Fleeting

Summer is fleeting. I always get this feeling around mid-August, but this year it's different. When I look back through pictures of Avery, I realize that she will never live another summer with the same selfless innocence of an almost two-year-old toddler. Of course, we have more exciting times ahead, but these moments, now, where a day in the park is just another jaunt will quickly fade. As Avery adds several new words to her vocabulary each day and begins to new create sentences like, "Look, Mom, watch!", I know my baby is really not a baby anymore. Such a bittersweet felling. I am beyond blessed to have a career where every day in the summer can just be us. I will forever cherish these moments.

Here is a video of Avery learning her Bible verse. This is one of my favorite moments of each day.

The Godwin Family

6 More Weeks...

Photo taken by Erica Sorenson

I can't believe that our "expected arrival date" is merely 6 weeks away. Where has the time gone? I literally feel like I was just standing in my bathroom staring at my home pregnancy test thinking, "Am I just feeling funny, or do I see two lines?" Part of me is so anxious to finally meet Avery, and part of me wants to keep being pregnant. Now, the not being able to sleep, eat properly, or climb stairs I will NOT miss. However, I will miss the intimate time I have with her now. I am the only one feeling all of her kicks and hiccups, and she is always with me - wherever I go. My mind continues to be blown away that she can develop so much in just 9 short months! Seriously, y'all! I will be holding her in just a month and a half - how is that even possible?! I am going to cherish every moment of these next six weeks, as I know they will fly by. I love you, sweet Avery!

Update on Life

OK, I realize it has been 7 months since I last updated my blog, but I believe it is about time to continue posting. Why, you may ask? Well, let's see...we are expecting a baby in 8 short weeks!!! We found out that we were expecting "Baby Godwin" in late February, and my mind has been in a million different places since then. We also found out that we will be having a GIRL! Her name will be Avery Anne, and we are beyond thrilled!! I really want to make it a priority to continue updating this blog as a documentation for all of Avery's development and milestones along the way. I don't think I will ever be able to express in words how much she has already changed my life, but I do not want to lose any memory of my feelings and adoration for her! We are beyond blessed! Now, I will leave you with a few photos of her development along that way!

About 13 Weeks

25 Weeks

30 Weeks

My sister-in-law, Cori and me at 31 weeks. We are pregnant at the exact same time! Our due dates are only 3 days apart, so it has been exciting to go through each stage of pregnancy together!

We are so unbelievable grateful and excited for this new life to enter our family! What a blessing!

Catching my Breath

I have been so blessed with the privilege of having my own Kindergarten classroom while I cover a dear teacher's maternity leave. However, after juggling 50+ students a day, assessments coming out of my ears (report card time), and responding to endless phone calls, e-mails, meetings, and trainings, I am wiped out! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching! I would not trade this job for any other, but I do feel that it is difficult to catch my breath sometimes...in a sweet way. :)

Every morning as I drive to work, I pray that the Lord will allow me to experience humbleness and grace. I am nothing but amazed as I continuously experience the Lord's overwhelming power through everyday classroom endeavors. To be honest, I was not at peace with where the Lord was leading me for quite some time. I did not understand why I was not blessed with a "job" this school-year, or why life decisions had to be SO stressful. It didn't seem fair, and I was constantly comparing my experiences with others. I finally gave up the battle and decided to trust the path I was lead. I can honestly say that I have more peace now than ever before. In fact, I continue to see how each direction and opportunity I have been blessed with are piecing together. Why am I complaining about no job, when I work with students and teach everyday? Why is it so hard to be comfortable with life circumstances, when others would kill to have a loving and supportive husband like mine and a beautiful home to live in?

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be in situations where I can serve you and TRUST you! Please use me, break me, and allow me to be fully immersed in your holiness again this week...even if it's hard to catch my breath!

Busyness

I have heard the saying too many times..."I'm just too busy to update my blog!" Actually, I have been telling myself this over the past two months, and I finally need to put an end to these thoughts. The truth is, blogging, although time-consuming, is such a great way to document life. Life is a vastly moving journey, and I do not want to let moments, thoughts, revelations, or opportunities go by the wayside. It's true, I am busy. But let's face it, who isn't?

Shutterfly Holiday Cards!!!

The holidays are just around the corner, and I have been looking forward to designing our photo Christmas cards on Shutterfly this year! Shutterfly is a wonderful place to order prints of your photos. I have used them to order prints and a fabulous photo book for our anniversary. I also loved receiving baby announcements, wedding invitations, and gifts from Shutterly. They are so personal and meaningful! Shutterfly also has tons of great gift ideas for the holidays! Here are some of the products I like:

I could add several of our new fall pictures and it says Merry Christmas! You can find this card here.

I also love this card. It is folded, so you can write a personal message inside. You can find this care here.

This is a great card to capture one great photo of the family. You can find this card here.

Shutterfly also offers more than Christmas cards. You can also find wonderful calendars, photo books, and wall art.

If you are a Blogger, you can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly!!! Just follow this link to find out how...http://bit.ly/sfly2010 .

OK, OK....It's Been Forever, But I'm Making New Posts!!!

I know it has been WAY TOO LONG, but I want to catch everyone up on our lives the past six months. Bear with me, I promise posts to come!!!

Time For A Change

Those of you who have visited our home in the past three years have read, loved-on, and contributed to our trusty chalkboard hanging in our entry way. Although it looks like a middle school student's notebook, I have never come around to erasing it! You see, there have been several events and special memories that have taken place over the last three years, and this chalkboard stands as a representation of them. I know I am sounding SO cheesy, but it's true! Everything from Blazer victories, family visits, inside jokes, and graduating college is documented on this board! With all of this said, I think it is time I use the chalkboard for practical purposes again. Even though the records will be wiped clean from the slate, I will forever have them in my memory (or a picture for that matter)! :)

Gorgeous Day For A Hike!

Oregon boasted in its first, official "best day of the year" on Saturday! Yes, that's right, a welcoming 85ºF! My dear friend Amy and I already had plans to get together on Saturday, but once we heard of the delightful forecast, we packed a picnic, filled our CamelBaks, and set out for a hike to the top of Multnomah Falls. This gorgeous waterfall overlooks the Columbia River and is the 4th tallest waterfall in the U.S. Even though Multnomah Falls is so close to our home, I never cease to bask in its beauty!


You can't tell in the picture below, but we were being drenched with spray from the falls! Usually this would be a nuisance, but it felt so good on this sunny day!


Amy and I veered off the noted trail a bit and found this beautiful sight right before the drop-off!




Here we are at the top of Multnomah Falls! Look at that view of the Columbia River! What a beautiful day in a beautiful state with a beautiful friend...all knit together by a beautiful God!

The Oregon Zoo

My parents gifted Ivan and me with a zoo membership for our anniversary, and we were ecstatic!!! We both love to visit the zoo, and it is a perfect free date!:) Thanks, Mom and Dad! Evan, Cori, and Brody were also gifted a zoo membership for their anniversary, so we picked a date, packed a picnic, and headed to the zoo on a sun-filled day! This visit to the zoo was extra special, because it was Brody's first time seeing so many animals. However, I don't know if he had more fun looking at the exotic animals, or all the lovely individuals spending the day there! :)

I am having so much fun at the zoo!!! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

What a great family picture! Brody was having lots of fun with Mama's hair too! :)

What a day! I loved the zoo! Can we come back, please?!

Great Mexican Food...In Oregon?

Ivan and I have been trying to find a great Mexican restaurant since moving to Oregon three years ago. We were sure spoiled with delicious food while living in New Mexico and West Texas, so we have learned to enjoy some local Oregonian cuisine. However, we ever-so-often crave some Mexican food that pleases our palette. We were so excited to find that a new Mexican restaurant opened up about five minutes from our home!! We were a little apprehensive to try it due to previous experiences, but we decided to give it a go. Boy, are we glad we did! :) Although the food is not necessarily authentic, it is more of an artistic and fresh Mexican approach. If you live in the area, you really should try Agave Grill!!! You will leave very pleased!!!

I Love My Husband!

So, yesterday I came home from work to vacuumed floors, washed clothes, a cleaned out closet, and washed sheets and linens. What?! Thank you, Ivan!!!! Then, to make it better, I came home from work today to find sparkly clean dishes! :) I truly have the best husband in the world...not just because he cleans, but because he is a modern-day knight!

My dear father-in-law used a program titled Raising A Modern-Day Knight as he guided his three boys through their journeys to becoming a man. Not only was this one of the greatest gifts he could give as a father, but I am forever thankful that I now have the privilege to be married to a knight. The author of this program (Robert Lewis) states that each man should be grounded in four principles: 1. Reject passivity 2. Accept responsibility 3. Lead courageously 4. Expect the greater reward. Throughout the past eight years that I have known Ivan, these principles have only continued to become more apparent. I love the way he challenges me spiritually and leads our lives to glorify the Lord under any circumstance!

In addition to the principles, a knight accepts the code of conduct: 1. A will to obey 2. A work to do 3. A woman to love. I am so abundantly blessed to be his woman to love! I cannot even describe the life experiences, challenges, leaps of faith, and moments of bliss I have encountered the last four years of being married to my knight! Each day is so exciting, because I am not certain what the next may hold. The only thing I am certain of is that it will include my husband and our will to obey! Ivan, thank you for never ceasing to trust our Lord and Savior with EVERY aspect of life. Thank you for continuing to lead our family by accepting your code of conduct and being grounded in your manhood principles. Thank you for being my best friend, partner in Christ, and my KNIGHT! I love you so much!!! Four years already...I can't wait for 44!!! :)

Cowgirl Cookies

My friend Erica just celebrated her 24th birthday, and I had been trying to think of a creative gift for her to enjoy. Well, if you know me at all, you know that I LOVE to bake...probably too much! :) I always loved it when people gave me gifts that had to do with baking, so I thought of making a cookie mix jar. One of my favorite cookies that my mother-in-law Kris liked to make were Cowboy Cookies. Because they are soooo good, I decided to use this recipe in the cookie jar. Also, knowing I was giving the jar to a girl, I named them Cowgirl Cookies. :) I really wanted to add pink (breast cancer awareness) M&Ms to the jar to make it more girly, but I could not find them anywhere! This gift was not only fun to make, but relatively easy as well! I think it would be a great gift for several people around events and holidays as well!

Here is the recipe and instructions for creating a Cowgirl/Cowboy Cookie Jar:

Cowgirl Cookies

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Add

1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated.

Layer the ingredients in like this:

*You will want to start with a 1 quart smooth ball jar.

First: flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt
Second: oats
Third: m&ms
Fourth: chocolate chips
Fifth: brown sugar
Sixth: white sugar
Seventh: chopped pecans

*Be sure to pack in each layer VERY TIGHTLY! If you don't, it will be hard to fit all of the ingredients in. Also, you can add fewer M&Ms, chocolate chips, or nuts if needed.

To Finish

Add a 6"X6" piece of fabric on top of the jar and tie with leather lace. Then add a "Cowgirl Cookies" label on the front. Be sure to also add the mixing and baking instructions. Enjoy!

Lately

OK, it has been way too long since I updated you on the Godwin happenings, so here is a condensed post of about the past three months of our lives.

The picture above was taken at the beautiful Cannon Beach!!! Ivan and I both had a Monday off in April, and we had been anxious to take a small getaway. Well, living in Oregon makes it extremely possible to take a day-long getaway, so we jumped in our car and headed for the beach. However, Cannon Beach is very sentimental to us, because we enjoyed several days here on our honeymoon! :) Every time we come back for a visit, we are reminded of the beginning of our journey as a married couple!

We decided to eat at a famous pizzeria, Pizza a' fetta! The pizza was AMAZING, and it is ranked one of the top 50 pizza joints in the nation! If you ever travel this way, this is a place you must visit for sure! After lunch, we took a nice, long stroll on the beach. I am taken back by the Lord's beauty every time I set foot on sand and hear waves!! After our stroll, we of course had to head to Bella's Cafe to warm up with a latte...even though it was April, the beach was still somewhat cold! We then walked through the charming town, struck up conversations with strangers, and headed home. Overall, a great day to spend together! :)


Ivan surprised me by taking me to see Michael Buble in concert!!! We both enjoy Jazz music, especially Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Michael Buble!!! We had a great time...great seats too! :) Thanks, Ivan!

I was able to travel to Lubbock for Spring Break, and it was the first time I was able to see Isaac awake since the accident! First of all, what a miracle it was witnessing the hand of God! We are forever thankful for HIS faithfulness and glory! During my visit, I saw Isaac and Kristi (Isaac's beautiful girlfriend) interact together for the first time! That was a blessing in itself. You see, Kristi has been by Isaac's side since the accident, and we all waited for the day we could see them talk, pray, and love each other together. In the Lord's perfect time, we did! Praise the Lord! Kristi's mother and sister, Megan were also visiting during Spring Break, so I was able to meet them as well. What a beautiful family the Dormaier's are! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! Here are a few photos from the trip:

Isaac and Kristi!

Isaac and my dear mother-in-law, Kris! :)

One of my favorite photos...Hannah Banana and Isaac

Niece Elizabeth, Hannah, and Isaac

The Godwin Gals! :)

Isn't Elizabeth precious?! She just keeps getting cuter by the minute!

As told in a earlier post, my Grandma June passed away in February. This was extremely hard on our family, but we were so thankful that most of us could be together to attend the celebration of her life. My Great Aunt Vera was also celebrating her 92nd birthday that week, so we were able to stay for that celebration as well! Here are some photos of that trip:

Mom and Vera!

Me, Vera, and my sister, Paige!

Brody was happy to see Aunt Vera too! :)

Paige and Vera! Isn't she tiny!

Most of you know I graduated in December with my Teaching License. For now, I am subbing in the Tigard-Tualatin School District and loving it. However, I am praying that I can find full-time work this coming fall!!! My dear friend, Amy recently graduated as well, so we spend our time preparing our resumes and cover letters for job fairs and applications. Here are some photos of us working away at Coffee Cottage! This is a local favorite, where their scones may be just as good as their coffee! :)

Amy Jo Widmer (Cho)

We are so excited to be teachers!!!!

Lastly, here is a picture of Ivan and me from Grandma June's funeral. The sun was out, friends and family came to celebrate, and the Lord was gracious. Thank you, Jesus, for you never-ending love, forgiveness, and truth!