House of Sawyer's

Christmas 2011

2012-01-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas was crazy-busy for us as usual, but so worth every moment. We started off the celebrating with my parent's in Spokane, Christmas Eve and Christmas morning here at our home, and then finally Christmas afternoon and the day after at Sawyer farm!

Sadly to say my camera charger went missing just a few days before Christmas, so we didn't get many pictures taken... but enjoy what we've got!

We hope you enjoyed a Christ filled Christmas!
H in her new tutu dress for Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer, and new Converse tennies from Daddy.

Reading a Christmas book with cousin Kylie and Uncle Rob!
Like Father, Like Son.
Christmas morning at our house!
Nana and Papa you striked big with your Cupcake Kitchen! Thank you!
Christmas at Nana and Papa's in Spokane!
Her favorite Christmas friend... she played with him the whole Christmas season.
Undies! Merry Christmas Mark! =)
Passing out gifts to Nana, Papa, and Uncle Andy!
Thanks Uncle Andy for the Dora Doll, she is in love!
Thanks Papa for the bath and cuddling with me!

A New Year, New Beginnings, and New Resolutions.

2012-01-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

I realized that I didn't even get to wish you a Merry Christmas! This last month has been crazy with church functions, parties, family time, trips, baking, etc... and I am kinda thankful to now look at the next couple weeks on the calendar and realize there isn't much and that we can actually get caught up on life. But boy, do I love the Christmas season! Mark and I actually just got back this afternoon from a 3 day mini-moon to Lake Chelan. We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary on Dec. 30! But more on that later with some photos!

Well, as I look at the calendar and start filling in the dates all the way up until next December, I was thinking about the fact that I have never really been a person to set resolutions and stick to them, or even set them... so this year I wanted to give it a try.... Here are just a few of my to do's on my 2012 list...

I am in the middle of applying to a couple of schools in order to obtain my Elementary Education Endorsement and a Master's of Teaching... So this year one of my resolutions is to either begin classes this spring and get the ball rolling, or get back in the some part time work. I am subbing right now and if I could do that along with schooling that would be ideal.... pray for God's guidance please! So either hitting the books (picture above) or get back into the working world (picture below).
I keep looking at my pile of pictures and the scrapbooks that need to be updated. My goal is to get Hatley's album completely up to date by her 2nd birthday. That means I have 4 months. I also want to get our wedding album done, as I just mentioned we have been married 5 years! And lastly I have an album sitting here that says Sawyer Family Album, well it is still empty, and again I state we have been married 5 years! Lots of scraping ahead of me!
I continue to get books I want to read, I start them, and then there they sit, on my night stand.... half read, only 30 pages left to be read, or not even started. My goal is to read every single book on my night stand by the end of the year, and that means no more buying until I have reached that goal..... there are probably about 16 books or so, and to be honest I get on a roll, I read for a month or so straight and then I hit a speed bump... and by the time I can read at night after Hatley has gone to bed, I am just too tired... So hoping this resolution actually happens or I may never be buying another book again.
I want to stay up to date on my blog, but as you can see that really doesn't happen. Wish me luck!

What are some of your New Years resolutions? Maybe I could add them to my list! =)

A Year of Change? Prayer's Appreciated.

2011-12-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well, November has come and gone and I didn't, much to my lack of motivation and everything else going on in life, did not complete my 30 days of Gratefulness. However I was and am grateful. Looking forward Christmas is upon us and I am excited to see Hatley's face and excitment this year as she will understand a little bit more of what is going on... but I will get to that later.

Today I am talking, thinking, looking into and researching change. A change for our family. And in the long run, hopefully a fantastic change that will pay off, literally.

My heart still holds true to my Alma Mater, the University of Idaho, but this change will not include them.

No this time it will include the school I never dreamed of going to, the school that I purposely did not want to attend when graduating high school because everyone from Ferris was headed there. But needless to say, it is them now, that I think will be the best fit. Hello Washington State University.

Like I said, I am looking into, thinking about, and researching what it will take for me to go back to school. Since being home from Saipan I have felt lost. And not a relational loss, but a professional loss. I love being home with Hatley more then anything, But I can see the stress it has put on our family, the stress it has put on our finances, and especially the stress it has put on Mark. And I want to free him from that. I mean it is my fault in the first place that we are stuck with all the stinkin' student loans we have. Not his.

But since being home from Saipan a job has not been easy to come by, especially when your degree is Art Education, most art programs are being cut. And after teaching third grade for 2 years I know that is where my heart and passion is professionally. So here were go. I am applying for financial aid to see how this is even feasible, I am apply to WSU and hopefully beginning classes this next spring or summer to obtain my Elementary Education Endorsement and a Masters in Teaching.

I think if we can do this and it is in God's will, that this will be a great change for our family in the long run...

Would you pray about this with me? That this is God's will and if it isn't that he'll show us where to go... will you pray with me that financially we can make this all happen, and that family wise I will be able to juggle having almost 2 year old (once school actually begins), a home, a husband, substitute teach when possible, and go to school full time?

Prayers would be greatly appreciated as we are looking for God's will in my professional life. I love teaching and I know it is where I am supposed to be professionally. I think. God is it where you want me?

30 Days of Grateful... Day 23

2011-11-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Looking back at my last post, I want to reiterate that I am thankful for being back home. I would love a job where I could live in Saipan 6 months out of the year and 6 months here on the Palouse, but I don't see that ever happening =).

But I am thankful to be home. The day before Thanksgiving, we drove up to my parents, where we would be spending the weekend. What am I thankful for today then? The fact that we are so close to family. I calculated it today, we are exactly 62.6 miles from my parents and only 4 from Marks. I am so thankful for the fact that I can just jump in the car and drive either way just for the day. I am thankful that Hatley get's excited when we pull into their driveways =)

I love and miss you Saipan, and am so thankful for our time, and hope there is more. But I am also so thankful that our family is so close now and that we can pop on over whenever we want.

OPERATION.... Get caught up... 30 Days of Grateful... Day 22

2011-11-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

I am so far behind in life. I have dishes needing to be done, 5 loads of laundry in process, Christmas cards waiting to be addressed, Thanksgiving cards needing to be stamped, Christmas presents needing to be wrapped and hidden, floors needing to be swept, mopped and vaccumed, and the list goes on and on. But right now, Hatley is asleep, and tomorrow is the last day of November. So I need to get blogging and catch up on my 30 day's of grateful. So I will try in the midst of everything else stareing at me, get these done and caught up by tomorrow =).

30 Days of Grateful... Day 22.

I was thankful for small job opportunities.

Since being unemployed I am feeling the pressure. I need a job, a steady and permanent job, but no such luck. My eyes are always open and looking, but we are trying to find something that would fit our family and our financial budget... so until then, I have been blessed with small opportunities.

I am thankful for the small job opportunities God has given me these last few months. Subbing, watching my nieces and nephews.... I know there is job out there for me, and I know I need to remember God is in control... lately I have been really frustrated with living in Palouse. I love living here don't get me wrong. But I continue to think, if we had just stayed in Saipan. I would have a job that I LOVED, that paid the bills, that I didn't mind going to each morning. BUT I know God brought us home for a reason, I know he put us in Palouse for a reason, but now I want to know what is my reason. Where am I supposed to be? I want to be home with Hatley, but it just financially isn't possible... but I am not willing to leave her for a job I hate, where I bring home the baggage and frustration. I need to be home when I am home...

But until I find out my reason, I am thankful for the small opportunities God has given me these last few months. And I am so thankful for the time I have had to be home with Hatley.

ps: I would be ever so grateful for prayers about this too! =)

30 Days of Grateful... Day 21

2011-11-22T17:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was thankful for a productive day at home. I am so thankful for days at home, where I can actually get something done and also do a little bit of relaxing and down time. I cleaned all day, deep cleaned, organized and caught up on life... Hatley who never takes more then a 30 minute nap, took a 2 1/2 hour nap! AMAZING! Another thing to be thankful for!

So what did this Mama do in the time frame? Stayed in my PJ's which I had not changed out of, made a hot cup on coffee and caught up on my new addiction - Parenthood. It was a wondeful 2 1/2 hours and I was grateful for that little down time....

30 Days of Grateful... Day 20

2011-11-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I was so thankful to be surrounded by family and delicious food. The Sawyer family are all going seperate ways for thanksgiving, so we had an impromptu thanksgiving together. The food was delicious and abundant... there was laughter, sledding, a fire, and just catching up. It was certainly a day to give thanks for.

And I completely forgot a camera, so no pictures! Sorry.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 19

2011-11-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

My best friends from college! Nicole, Sarah, and Kara. So blessed by these 3!
Christmas 2010, Palouse friends at the 1st annual ornament exchange! the next one is is 3 weeks!
Friends from Saipan. Above, Crystal and I were able to share our first pregnancies together, very special for me. and Below, all the wonderful ladies at one of my baby showers on Saipan. So special to be loved by all of them.

Thankful for friends. Plain and simple. So thankful for the ladies I call friends. The ladies I can call when something is needed, the ladies I can call when I just want to chat. God has blessed me with some amazing friends. Some from the University of Idaho, some from Saipan, some from here in Palouse... some from a little bit of everywhere. Thanks God for blessing me with these women!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 18

2011-11-20T08:47:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for my In-Laws. Mark's parents are amazing and I am so blessed to have become part of such a family. Living close to family is what made us move home from Saipan. I am so thankful that Hatley get's to live close by, growing up knowing her grandparents (my parents are an hour away, and Marks are just 4 miles).

Yesterday we went out to Sawyer Farm just to hang out. Watched some football, ate some popcorn, played with some barbies, and ate a delicious, homemade Turkey soup... mmmm. I am so thankful for our family and so thankful for the family God has blessed me with. Thanks Mom and Dad Sawyer for absolutely everything!

* The picture above was from last Christmas at the Sawyer's. This year we will be adding two more little ones to the family picture!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 17

2011-11-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

Simple and sweet. That is what I was thankful for. I woke up to a fresh pot of coffee made by my husband, with my cup ready to be filled. Simple and Sweet. I am so thankful for his simple and sweet ways that brighten my days. Thanks God for a husband who spoils his girls.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 16

2011-11-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Friday I was thankful for Family Date Nights. Friday night's date was nothing to exciting, but I still love getting out with my family, enjoying our time together and playing. All we did Friday night was run a few errands in town; bed, bath, and beyond (I ruined our perfectly good shower curtain, but replaced it with something even nicer...thanks to bed, bath, and beyond), we ate dinner at Arby's, did some grocery shopping, did a few errands Mark needed done for his upcoming building projects this weeks, and then came home and all fell asleep. Nothing to exciting. But so thankful for our family time.

* During Hatley's 18 month photo shoot with Auntie Angela, we got to snap some family photos.... here is one silly one!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 15 (Just another to slip in...)

2011-11-20T08:27:00.001-08:00

On Thursday after our Financial Peace University Class at the church, Hatley and I were driving home and saw our first house of the year all decked out with their Christmas Lights. I pulled over and rolled down Hatley's window even though it was below 30* outside. Her first reaction was "WOW!" I am so excited for this years Christmas. Yes she had her first last year, but this year she will take part in all the fun and excitement!

This week I have been thankful for the upcoming holidays; with their food, lights, laughter, family, Christ, and love! So thankful for this time of year! Let the Christmas music begin to play!

* The photo above was taken of our living room last year at Christmas.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 15

2011-11-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I was thankful, and everyday I am thankful for this opportunity to be Hatley's Mama and be able to stay at home for the time being. Though the search for a job is always going on, and I know eventually I will have to go back to work, I am soooooo thankful for these days of her and I... Reading, cooking, cleaning, napping, snuggling, crafting, dancing, and laughing. I love my girl. I love being her Mama. I love spending my days with her. I am so thankful for you Hatley Elizabeth!

* The photos above are from Hatley's 18 month photo shoot with her Auntie Angela! Shows Hatley's true personality!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 14 (just another to slip in)

2011-11-18T23:42:00.000-08:00

My first third grade class at Saipan Community School. I sure do miss this kids!
Going into my classroom for the first time, after arriving on Saipan in 2008 and receiving my keys.

Today I am thankful for Christ and his plan for me. When I began college back in 2003, I started off as an Interior design major. Though I still love this area, I knew if I married Mark I would live in a small community, and I also knew, it was not for me, as far as a profession goes. So I transferred to the college of Education, to obtain a degree in k-12 Art education. I received my degree in december 2007.

After graduating, and going through student teaching, I was just floating, subbing here and there. I landed a full time sub position at Washtucna Elementary School in the 3/4 grade. It was instant. I fell in love with teaching elementary, which as a little girl, I had dreamed about. Who knew what God was preparing me for? Not me! When Mark and I called Saipan Community School to find out about job opportunities, guess what position was open? 3rd grade!

Teaching 3rd grade at SCS for two years was amazing! Yes I had bad days, and complained, but I loved teaching; I loved my job. Who gets to say that?

Well since being home I have not landed any dream job.... but today I am thankful that I know what my dream job is... it is teaching elementary education. Maybe someday I will get back there, after some more schooling, but I am just thankful that God put Kahlotus, Washtucna and Saipan in my life, to show me and teach me about my dream.... But as for now, I am thankful I am living one of my other Life long dreams.... being a mommy. I am so thankful for my miracle girl and living this dream come true.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 14

2011-11-14T19:46:00.001-08:00

I miss Saipan pretty much everyday. But when we were in Saipan, I missed the beauty of home too. Today Mark, Hatley and I took a day trip up to Spokane, and Mark was sweet enough to take my favorite way. He calls it the LONG way, even though it only adds maybe 10 minutes to the drive. But it is my favorite way, up through North Idaho, through the farm land, through the pine trees, it is simply gorgeous and a day like today was no exception. The tamarack trees were bright yellow inter-mingled with the green pine. It was gorgeous and I was in awe.

Thank you God for your beautiful and amazing artwork!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 13

2011-11-14T19:43:00.000-08:00

Last night I was thankful for my sweet girl, her smile, her giggles, and Dirty Dancing. Random mix, I know. But as we were cleaning up from dinner, Mark was still at church, and we had pandora radio playing, the song "I had the time of my life" came on. I started dancing around and Hatley thought it was hillarious! Probably because of her Mama's poor dancing skills... Either way, I grabbed her up and we started dancing together. When I set her down she continued to dance and giggle.

I am so thankful for fun time with my girl, even if it involved Dirty Dancing =)

30 Days of Grateful... Day 12

2011-11-12T22:16:00.000-08:00

I LOVED being on vacation, I LOVED being with family, and I LOVED being away from our everyday lives... But at the same time, it is sooooo GOOD to be home!

Today I am thankful for the home God has blessed us with. I am thankful for my comfy bed. I am thankful for the snow that is falling outside. I am thankful for the comfort of being in our home. Our small little home up on the hill in the small and quiet town of Palouse.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 11

2011-11-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

August, 21, 1981

Today I am grateful for my mama and dadda!

There are so many reasons to be grateful for them, that I don't even know where to start. So we will focus on today.

They picked us up from the airport, filled my car with gas, had a delicious dinner ready for us, watched Hatley so we could run to the grocery store to grab some food to fill our empty refridgerator, and most of all, just loved on us and their Hatley-Roo. We are pretty spoiled by them. I am so thankful that God blessed me with such wonderful and loving parents! I hope that someday we can be a blessing to them like they have been to us!

We love you Mom & Dad / Nana & Papa!
August 14, 2011 - Surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary Dinner/Party!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 10.

2011-11-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

Marks Fraternity - University of Idaho - Sigma Chi
My Sorority - University of Idaho - Kappa Delta
Kappa Delta Junior Class - 2006

Yesterday Mark and I were able to drive to North Dallas to catch up over lunch with an fraternity brother of Marks. It had been about 5 years since we have seen Mike, and it was great to finally meet his wife Veronica and their two boys, Brooks and Elliot, which #3 on the way! It was fun to see how Mark and Mike have changed since college, how family and kids are now the center, but yet how they have stayed the same =). It was a great afternoon of catching up!

We are thankful for the opportunities we had in college to be part of amazing fraternities and sororities, even though sometimes it was not so enjoyable. =) Some of our closest friends are from our houses, and we couldn't be more thankful for Gods blessings of their friendship!

30 days of grateful... Day 9

2011-11-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

Late as usual. But, hopefully I will get on track now that we are home....

Day 9:

I was thankful for delicious food! While we are in Texas we were able to try out my families favorite places to eat and that night, well lets just say I walked away feeling so sick because I ate way to much!

Lord Thanks for delicious food to nourish our bodies! Especially MELLOW MUSHROOM. Which at first sound, sounds kinda gross if you are not a mushroom eater... but it was a pizza bakery and OHHHHH My! I wish we could force them to open one in Spokane!

SOOOOO GOOD!

30 days of Grateful... Day 8

2011-11-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for family time and family vacations!

This has been a wonderful week so far, and we still have 3 days left with my sister and her family! We have slept in everyday, have gotten to spend full days with Mark and just sit back and relax... so thankful for the time we have with Mark, as he has been soooooo busy lately. Hatley has certainly missed her daddy these last few weeks and I am thankful she has just been wanting him! =) No changing diapers for this mama! =) hehe. Thanks God for the special treatment.

Today we are headed to the Fort Worth Zoo to show Hatley some animals! Pictures to come later!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 7

2011-11-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my sister took us into Dallas to see some of the sights. We went on a Trolly ride, ate some delicious Gellato, had breakfast for dinner, and saw some old historic areas which were beautiful. However there was one specific part of the day that made my heart full and happy, and soooooo grateful. Mark and I were able to have lunch with a friend from SAIPAN! Ms. Tamiko Winkfield! It was soooooo wonderful and such a blessing to see Tami's smiling face again!

Tami is currently in her last year at Dallas Theological Seminary, will graduate in May and then head back to Saipan to continue teaching at Saipan Community School. She was the 5th grade teacher while I was the 3rd grade teacher there.

It was wonderful to catch up with her; she was super excited to see Hatley and completely shocked at how big she was, and especially when she said, "Tami!"

We certainly do miss our island family and it was soooooo wonderful to have a peace of it, even if it was just for a small time.

Thanks God for making my heart happy and full!

(The picture above was one of the last pictures Tami and I got together while we were in Saipan. I had to steal it off my facebook page for the time being. We did get a picture together yesterday, but I still haven't uploaded any pictures from our trip... soon I will, once we are done enjoying our family Vacay!)

30 Days of Grateful... Day 7

2011-11-07T22:29:00.001-08:00

Each and every day I am thankful for God's direction in our lives. Yes, I do have those days, many days, where I want to be in full control and feel as though I am. But there are those days where I sit back, relax and enjoy God's amazing ride for my life; which I need to do much more often!

One very special instance where I finally sat back and enjoyed the ride was when I knew God wanted Mark and I to go to this little island out in the Pacific Ocean, and I had fought it for so many months before... but when I finally let go.... It was one of the most special blessings!

Saipan was home for two years, and we made some amazing friends, and they turned into family. I see their photos now on facebook and I get homesick. Homesick for the island that changed my life, homesick for the family I made there, homesick for the delicious food, homesick for the weather (espcially now with winter upon us), homesick for my outdoor church, homesick for the job I loved, homesick for the island where we welcomed our miracle baby, homesick for my home away from home.

Saipan will always be home, and I will always miss it. AND I will always be grateful and thankful for God taking over the driver's seat and allowing me to sit back and enjoy the ride to a place I never would have dreams so wonderful.

Thanks God!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 6 (A Day Behind)

2011-11-07T22:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am a day behind, again... but I am on vacation! =) But I am still thankful.

Yesterday I was thankful for the Oliver-side neices and nephews! They crack me up, and I love how they love on their cousin Hatley! So blessed and thankful to come from a family where even though we don't live very close to each other (California, Texas, and Washington), we are still pretty close (relationships). So happy to see Hatley playing and giggling with her cousins, and I can see in many ways how they are related =)

Now don't mind me, but these are not recent pictures... I am using Mark's computer and have yet to upload any of this weeks pictures =)

Emilie & Hatley - 4th of July 2o11 (Emilie has blessed us by coming up the last two summers to Washington and spending a few weeks with us, hope that continues to happen once she heads off to college next year!)
Aaron & Mark ( June of 2007 - only picture I had on this computer.) Glad we snapped a bunch while he and my brother Tom were here in Texas with us!
July 2011, when Emilie and Kristen came up for few weeks to Washington! Hope you both can make it up again next summer!

And I am not leaving cousin Ryan out, I just don't have recent pictures of him on here, and did I mention he is the reason we are here! He got married last Saturday and is now honeymooning! Congratulations Ryan and Katherine, we love you!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 5

2011-11-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Katherine & Ryan Pickop - November 5, 2011
Mark and Brittany Sawyer - December 30, 2006

Today was B-E-A-U-tiful! Today I am thankful for LOVE and MARRIAGES. Today we welcomed Katherine into our family, and boy was their wedding special and beautiful! So glad we were able to come down here and be a part of their wonderful day!

Mark and I are going to be celebrating 5 years of marriage next month, and I am so thankful for each and everyday that I have been able to call Mark my husband. Thanks God, for blessing Ryan and Katherine and thanks God for blessing me with such a man!

30 Days of Grateful - Day 4

2011-11-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

This may be pathetic sounding and I know it is quite materialistic, but I am thankful for it... Starbucks, I love you and your flavor. Thanks so much for your morning goodness. I gratefully appreciate it! =) It is on morning's like these, that you never cease to amaze me. I promise tomorrow, it will be a little bit more heartfelt =) Or deep.

30 Days of Grateful... Day 3 (A day late)

2011-11-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

(Andrew & Brittany - August 2011)

(Tom, Julie & Brittany - 1984)

I apologize, I am running a day late. Yesterday we spent our day getting up at 4 am, getting to the airport at 5 am, flying to Salt Lake and then on to Dallas, jumping in a car and playing and relaxing around my sister's house. This house is crazy and by crazy I mean lot's o' people! My sister, her husband, and their two daughters; my Sister's mom, my mom and dad, Mark, Hatley and I, and then late last night my older brother and his son showed up from California! It is going to be a fun and crazy week here in Texas!

So what am I grateful for day 3? I am thankful for my sibilings. And even though we weren't all in a house at the same time, but we are still close and are able to share our families! Hatley sure loves her cousins, aunties and uncles! So thankful we are able to be here and spend a week with them! Thanks God for amazing family!

30 Days of Grateful... Day 2.

2011-11-02T13:10:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful for my sweet girl.

We had Hatley's 18 month (yes, I said 18 month; don't get this mama started) wellness check-up. She is growing good! She weighed in at 24 lbs and 4 oz. and she is 31 1/2 inches tall. She is the 50% for everything. She now have 11 very sharp teeth, and is getting her mama's curly hair!

There isn't a day that goes by that this little squirt doesn't makes me laugh or smile. And I wonder how many kisses a day she gets from her mama too.
Hatley's Wordage: MOM (she yells it!), Dada, Papa, Nana, bye bye, Hi, Tank oooo (thank you), please, whatcha doin?, uh ohhh, teas (Cheese), one, two, twee (three), and Go! Her vocab is surprising us each and every day!
Hatley Elizabeth, your mama and daddy Love you Oh So MUCH and we hope you know that! You have brought so much joy and giggles into our life and we are sooooo blessed to be your parents! I am sooooo thankful for you Roo!

30 Days of Grateful...

2011-11-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Grateful: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.

It is November 1st. And there are 30 day's in November. The Thanksgiving Holiday falls in November. At Thanksgiving we are thankful, but I think we are more thankful for all the deliciousness in front of us.... So I am here to change that this month....

30 Day's of Grateful....

Day 1:

I am thankful for my hardworking, Christ centered, giving and generous, huggable/kissable, hysterical, handsome, determined, positive, and loving husband.

Mark is so many things. Hatley and I haven't seen Mark much lately as he has been working overtime, with the church, Young Life, building dog houses, sheds, fencing, etc... he is busy (for instance, as I write this, it is 11:20pm and he is currently in Spokane delivering dog houses). Even though 90% of the time I hate the fact that he is never home or always has something on his calendar, or that I just can't have 10 minutes all by myself because a little squirt is at my feet, I stop and remember he isn't with us, because he is working for us. He is taking care of us, and as much as we want him home, I know he wants to be home. So today, I am thankful for my handsome husband. And so excited that we get to spend 8 straight days with him in Texas starting Thursday! We love you Mark, more then you will ever know.

Back to Our Roots, Kentucky!

2011-10-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

In August, My dad was asked by his very first church to come back and be a special guest. I guess each and every year they do a "Homecoming" where they ask all previous members to come back for a reunion... which I think is pretty cool. My dad was super excited about this opportunity and and as an amazing birthday present he asked me and Hatley to come along. I had not been to Kentucky since I was 3 or 4, so really didn't remember much of where my dad grew up or lived in his 20's and 30's. So Hatley and I excitidly went along for the 5 day whirlwind trip back to our families roots. It was also very special because my sister, Julie, who lives in Texas was able to make the trip too, so she met us in Kentucky. It was Dad and his girls, and Julie's first time meeting her neice Hatley-Roo. We got to Louisville on Thursday and didn't need to be to Brandenburg until that Saturday so we had a day or two to explore Louisville and Brandenburg before the churches festivities began...
Our first stop was The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where my dad received his Master's in Divinity back in 1964 (I believe that is the correct year.)
Dad in the Chapel where we met 3-4 times a week, and even heard Martin Luther speak here.
This whole trip was pretty exciting for me. I LOVE history, so to go back, walk in my dad's shoes and see him so excited! I was in heaven!
While in Louisville we were even able to find my dad's old house, and my big brother Tom's first house that they lived in while dad was going to seminary.
In Brandenburg, KY. Standing in Kentucky, Ohio River in the Middle, Indiana on the other side of the river.
Dad and his girls!
Dad in 1965. He had preformed a wedding that day.
My dad looks amazingly young for his age! I hope I get that gene... But these gals were all part of the church when Dad was the pastor there... Salem Baptist Church.
Joyce and Doodle... This was the couple dad married back in 1965!
The Oliver Gals with Pastor Garry Oliver.
Salem Baptist in the background. They have since moved into a new church building across the street, but use this church for big church potlucks, etc. It is essentially their fellowship hall. I was super thankful that they still use it and we were able to go in and see where my dad preached his first sermon as a brand new pastor!
On the Road... the Tobacco Fields.
Back in Lexington, we were able to find the house where Dad, Tom and Julie and their mom Jerry lived when dad was preaching in Louisville after leaving Brandenburg. The tree in the front yard they had planted....
Hatley having a blast in our Hotel room!
Dad mainly grew up in Southgate and Newport Kentucky. When he was in high school they moved to Florence, Ohio, which was just right across the river. This was the grocery store my dad had his first job in. He was a delivery boy... Boy would I love to have my groceries delivered =)
The Barber Shop where Grandpa Ray and little boy Garry used to get their hair cut!
Dad's childhood street. Holds soooooo many memories. The last time I was here I was 3 or 4, and Andy, my little brother, was Hatley's Age. Where Dad is standing in the picture above , is where he remembers exactly standing when everyone in the neighborhood came running out of their houses screaming the War is over, World War Two was over! What an amazing memory to have as a young child.
Dad's Childhood home. See the window on the left hand side of the house, that is the room where dad was born in 1938. And the grate below the deck, just below the window, that is where he used to throw all the coal, bucket, by bucket when the coal truck showed up. I would LOVE to go back in time for a day, to see dad at this age!
The garage and all the stairs my Grandpa Ray built when they bought the house brand new! The house was for sale when we were there. I wish I had enough $$ to buy it as a vacation home =)
Fun to see Hatley play exactly where her Grandpa played 60+ years ago...
Dad is finally home! The tree behind him, he planted as a little boy!
So happy to have had this opportunity with you Dad!

Dads childhood street. When Dad was little he had a pet duck, daisy, who could not fly... she met him everyday after school at the fire hydrant and walked home with him =)
The church in Newport where dad was baptized as a baby.
Dad's elementary school in Southgate. It was built the year he was born, and the same building is still in use. When we were there they were adding onto the building... but it was amazing to see the playground and school where my dad ran as an elementary kid.

White Castle burger for lunch, with Big Red Soda. ONE of my dad's favorite childhood drinks! We drank A LOT of Big Red on this trip!
One of the most interesting things to me this whole trip, and some of you may find it morbid, but it is so amazing to me, was we were able to go and find many grave stones pertaining to our family. Here is Southgate we found my grandma Velma's mother ( Callie Ann Brown), and grandmother (Matilda Vineyard).
Here is dad saying hello to his grandparents, and Hatley in a weird way meeting her great, great grandparents (Andrew & Callie Brown), and great,great, great grandmother (Matilda).

Thanks to my sister's Iphone we were able to look up information on them. Matilda Eveline Vineyard... My Dad's Great Grandmother.
In Newport, KY looking across the river to Cincinnati Ohio.
Buskin's bakery in Florence, Ohio. Dad remember's coming here and getting treats with grandma. Julie my sister was even brought her as a little girl with grandma Velma... Now Hatley was here with her Papa Garry!
SHE LOVED THEIR COOKIES! Grandma Velma was good friends with the owners of buskins and while we were there we were looking through a history book they had and found a picture of Grandma standing at the counter ordering some goodies! It was pretty special to see!
Dad's home in highschool, and the house grandma and grandpa lived in until they passed away. This is where I stayed as a little girl. It had just been purchased by new owners while we were there and we were able to walk around the outside of the house and peak in windows... it was pretty amazing to see things that my grandpa had done to the house and were still there.
Dad planted this tree when he was in highschool =)

Dad was super excited to hit up Dixie Chili while we were in Newport, KY. It was his favorite childhood restaurant. And i must say it was pretty good. So glad we we able to go there and eat some Cincinnati Chili and drink some Big Red!

Our last stop, before heading to the airport was Blanchester, Ohio, where my grandpa Ray was born, and his dad and his dad. We were able to go to the cemetary where all my dad's side of the family is buried AND right across the street was the home (which is now pharmacy, but still looks almost the same) where my grandpa Ray was born, his Dad Henry was born, and his dad. My grandpa's father Henry, passed away when my grandpa was just 2 years old.

Grandma!

a random but beautiful building in Blanchester.
The Oliver home, which is now a pharmacy.

Grandpa Ray.

THANK YOU Dad and Mom for giving Hatley and I the chance to go along and see some true and rich Oliver history. Thanks Julie for being able to come along and join us! This is a trip I will never ever forget, I hope one day I can go back again and show it to Hatley when she is old enough to remember it. Maybe Papa Garry you can come along again and teach Hatley yourself!

September...

2011-10-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

In September we enjoyed another Palouse Days Parade and all the festivities to go along with it. Including family pictures!
We had a family date day and went out to lunch, ice cream and headed over to Washington State University to check out the grizzly bears... Hatley growled the whole time!

Spent quite a few hours in the combine and in the grain trucks... we enjoyed another harvest out on Sawyer farms!

Uncle Rob, Aunt Julie and cousins Mya and Kylie came to visit!
We watched Garfield-Palouse football games from our front yard, on our couches from the garage. GO VIKINGS!

Hatley got to paint her toes just like mamas. She is getting girlier ever day!
Hatley got her first pony tail! It is finally long enough!

In August We...

2011-10-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

Spent lot's of hours riding with Daddy in the Combine or in the Truck, having fun with Harvest!
We spent time outside on the front porch enjoying the heat and eating home-made cantaloupe/Raspberry Popsicles.
Spent a few of the hot afternoons at the aquatics center enjoy time with cousins and cooling off in the water!

Like Mother, Like Daughter.
A group of friends and myself started our Once a Month Cooking Group - we all chip in $100 we buy all the ingredients for 15 meals, spend a Saturday cooking together and then fill our freezer! Has saved our monthly food $$$ alot!
We celebrated my parents 30th wedding anniversary with a surprise dinner at Cedar's Floating Restaurant on Coure D' Alene Lake.... afterwards we went down to the lake to play in the water a bit.... it was freezing!
The Oliver Family
The Sawyer Family
Happy 30th Mom and Dad!
The Whole Gang who surprised them! Thanks so much!
mmmm Mud Pie.
My brother Andrew and I!
My cedar baked Salmon!
Surprise!
August 21, 1981! Happy Anniversary!

The last BIG treat of August was that Hatley and I got to go with my Dad and Older Sister Julie to Kentucky for 5 days! Pictures to come!

Where You At?

2011-10-19T10:54:00.001-07:00

Where am I at? Where do I want to be? Where should we be as a family?

Those are the ever on going questions that I have been dealing with. Time for honesty. When Mark and I moved back from Saipan we thought it was going to be a good move. Now don't get me wrong it has been a good move, we are able to spend time with family whenever we want, we get to let the grandparent's watch Hatley grow up, we get to enjoy 4 seasons instead of 2, we have started Young Life here in Garfield-Palouse and now get to continue watch it grow over the years to come... Life here on the Palouse has been good.

BUT...

There is a but.... I want to know where we are supposed to be at? Where am I supposed to be at? I love being a stay at home mommy, more then anything. I love the time I get to have with Roo, I love the fact that I am the one teaching her about life, I love that I can supply my family with home cooked meals and most of the time a clean house. I love that I can help out Mark with Young Life nad the other ministries he is involved in. I love being part of the ministries that I am involved in, Once a month cooking, ladies craft night, etc. But with all these things I am still feeling lost. Where should I be at?

Since moving home from Saipan, I have held 2 1/2 jobs. One was at the school as a paraeducator in the pre-school classroom. I loved working with that age, but when you have gone from a full time 3rd grade teacher to a teacher's aide it is hard, and financially the pay didn't make sense when we are having to pay for child care... So I found another job as a part time administrative assistant in a financial advising firm, I liked my job. I loved the people I worked with... The hours were good, and the pay was okay... but we needed something more. SO, after 9 months, I took on a full time job with a local hospital as a developmental specialist, best part was Hatley was going to be able to go to the same facility I was at while I worked... this job lasted for 3 days. It was hard, Hatley hated it (I know she would have gotten used to it), and the job, well, the job discription was 100% different then what I was actually doing. IT WAS HORRIBLE. So, now what am I doing? I am a permanent sub in our school district in the Family and Consumer science class while they hire a new teacher. I would apply, but I am not certified in FCS.

So the question as always is where am I supposed to be at? Financially I have to work. Mark and I are currently taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class. Mark has taken it before and we have used alot of the methods throughout our marriage, but this is the first time I have actually gone to a class. AND AM LEARNING SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH. And I want to be debt free. I want to be home with my kids, I want us to own our own home, I want Mark to relax and not be worried all the time. I want peace for our family.

I know this sub job isn't going to last forever, and I will go back to those random calls for a sub, but I am praying God has something in store for us, for me that is coming into our lives SOON. My overall dream is to teach again. I miss teaching, and it is a job that I am okay leaving Hatley each day for, and I think when you find a job like that, it is a good job and a good fit....

How are you feeling? Are you where you are supposed to be at? I would love prayers and if you want some, let me know so I can pray for you.... let's figure this out...

So, okay God. Where you want me?

It may be a CRAZY life, but it's OUR life...

2011-10-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated our blog for a long while. And not because I didn't want to, I thought about it many times, but i felt overwhelmed by all that we had been doing, and didn't even know if anyone looked at this thing... but last night I was looking back at our blog from the day's leading up to Hatley's birth and the months afterwards. And decided that if no one else reads this, atleast I could do it for her and get it printed at some point =). So here we go! LOTS OF PICTURES.

July 2011.. We celebrated Mark 10 year high school reunion. GO POTLATCH LOGGERS!

His Class 10 years later!

We went to Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho. Hatley went on her first rides and LOVED THEM! even the roller coaster with Daddy!

After Shock... no thank you. But I am glad Mark and his sister Suz enjoyed it!

Suz and Mark, and Cousins Hatley and Miles.

Pure Joy!
My two nieces from Texas came to visit us for 2 and 3 weeks! One weekend Hatley and I were able to go to Spokane and take them to Green Bluff, one of my favorite places in the world. We picked strawberry's like we were crazy, but came out with a bunch of Strawberry Jam on our hands!
myself, Kristin, Emilie, Hatley, Dad Garry, & Mom Judy.
the three girl cousins!
She could sit in the strawberry bushes allll day! We had to cut her off =)

We hit up a Spokane Indians baseball game while the girls were still here, and Marks parents were able to come along too!
Grandma Betty & Grandpa John.

I had to post this! I don't know what Mark was doing, but look at that belly! =)

Stay tuned for August!

4th of July!

2011-08-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Well the 4th of July has come and gone. But I am still catching Y'all up! =) And sadly to say I only got a few pictures of our 4th of July! We stayed home for the 4th, and it was nice! However, we did have a bbq, and there were about 45 people at our house! It was a blast! Carpet Ball, Foos Ball, badminton, Bachi Ball, food, food, and more food!

Hatley's favorite part of the day was when Grandpa John let her sweet tooth come out! ICE CREAM!

Our sweet girl certainly had a wonderful 4th of July! That night she had a bath because she was absolutely filthy from playing so hard, and feel asleep without complaint! I say that was a good day!

Tails & Sweet Smiles.

2011-08-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of our sweet girl! Hatley turned 15 months old yesterday! It is amazing to think that 2 years ago, Hatley was a dream of ours, something we longed for, and were heart broken by how hard it was to know that she or he at the time may not be... well a month later that changed! And we are so thankful for our Roo!

Sweet tails! Her First and super cute!

A little mama already!

All ready for her first swim lesson =)

Her favorite word to say other then Mama; Hi!

Swim Lessons...

2011-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hatley and I have had such a fun time going to her swim lessons each Monday night! She has done such a good job! This last week we talked Daddy into doing the lesson with her. He wasn't too keen on it, because he didn't want to have to do all the silly singing in the circle thing; he even asked if we could show up late! Turd. However, we got there on time and Daddy sang with the rest of the class! =)

Learning to jump/

How can you not love this face!

Amberly and Blaise Boone, friends from Palouse! Blaise is 7 months old!

Daddy thouroghly enjoying the singing in the circle =)

Hatley is a jumping fool!

blurry picture but look at the smiles!

For some video take a look at the other posts!

Our Water Jumping Roo!

2011-07-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

One thing she is sure about at swim lessons is jumping off the side into the water! I try to get her to count to 3 with me before she jumps, but she tends to jump at 1 =)

Learning to be okay with going under water!

2011-07-30T11:40:00.001-07:00

Hatley LOVES swim lesson's, however, she is still not quite sure about the whole going under water thing =)

Trust in the Lord with All your heart... something I need to remember.

2011-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

My heart is breaking for my Saipan home today. It has been for almost a week. I have dreamed about going back, but this week i have more often then the last 11 months. We left Saipan almost 1 year ago, and there is not one day that goes by that we don't think about it or talk about it... but this week it has been heavy on our hearts.

We are asking you to pray. Our last year in Saipan we lived in the village of As Teo, and got to know our landlords family very well... to the point we called them family. They were part of our island family. Last Friday I found out that two of the little girls, our neighbors, Faloma(10) and Meleina (9) went missing. Their grandfather, Elbert owned the smoothie stand that we enjoyed each Thursday night at the street market... He also helped sell our car after we left island. A generous family and a loving family.

Faloma and Meleina went missing last Thursday (Saipan time). They were at the bus stop waiting for their school bus as usual. Mark and I waved to them every morning on our way to work, and they waved back with their beautiful smiles. Since last Thursday nothing has been found... That gives me hope, but also breaks my heart. The FBI was also called in this week, which scares me.

I am writing this today, to ask you to pray. Pray for Faloma and Meleina, that they are safe, unharmed, and doing well. Pray for Elbert and his family and his extended family, pray for their peace and health. Pray for all the volunteers and agents that have tiresly been working on this case, searching through the jungles, going door to door. Pray for the island of Saipan... PLEASE PRAY. I know our God is bigger then any of this and I know he can take care of this situation.

Also, please pray for Mark and I as our hearts long to be on our island home... We know God brought us back to the Palouse for a reason, but it is days like today that our hearts long to be with our island family.

Thanks so much for your prayers, we will keep you updated as much as we can.

B.

One Year Photo Shoot

2011-05-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

Again my sister in-law Angela amazes me! A few weeks ago we went out with Hat to take some one year pictures.... Roo wasn't cooperating as she was super tired... so we tried it again a week later, and man was she a twirp! Her personality totally showed! Here are some of my absolute favs from our session with Angela... to see the rest of our adorable girl check out our photo blog: http://markandbrittany.shutterfly.com/

Thank you Ang for another amazing session and absolutely stunning pictures to remember our girl at one! We love you Auntie Angela! To see what other amazing picture Ang has taken, take a peek at her blog: .mom-e-memoirs

Our Birthday Girl!

2011-05-31T23:47:00.000-07:00

Our sweet girl turned 1 on April 30 (Yes, I am a month behind). Not sure how this day should make a mama feel... for the most part I was excited, but at the same time, a piece of my heart was breaking... But as I said for the most part I was excited.. I was excited to throw Hatley a birthday party, and had dreamed about this for a few months coming up to the big day; ask Mark =) It was PINK and Green John Deer theme for our island-farming girl, with cupcakes galore (thanks to my mama for helping me decorate them!), and about 40 people there. It was tons of fun, with a pinata, made by yours truely (which was way fun, it honestly is a relaxing thing for me to do!) We held it in Daddy's shop, our house is too tiny, and daddy was a sweetheart for doing some cleaning before hand... it worked out perfectly. It was a little cold out, but the sun was nice enough to come out for a little bit...Anyway, we will get to the pictures, that is what it's all about right? Pictures of the cute Birthday girl?

Auntie Kara & Uncle Joe - Kara is my BFF from College & Kappa Delta, and also my maid of honor. It was so special to have them here for H's big day!

Our dear friend Shai Ann used to watch Hatley 2 days a week before her sweet little girl Ellie arrived. Hatley loved playing out at their house, and loved Lane... Lane brought H flowers for her birthday! Lane, watch out! Hatley may be coming after you in a few years!

After an early afternoon of fun, our girl was worn out and took a 3 hour nap! It certainly was a fun day! Hatley Elizabeth, I know Mommy doesn't want you to grow up, but your personality is sure coming out and we Love it! It is fun watching your grow as much as it is sad... but we are so glad we get to be a part of it! We love you soooooo much and are so very proud of the lil gal you are turning into! Thanks for making us smile each and every day!

Happy Birthday Roo!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

April 30, 2010 (Saipan Time)

2011-04-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

12:15 am, have to PEEEE! Sat up to go to the bathroom, but right as I sat up, I realized that was not me going to the bathroom... MY WATER BROKE! Woke Mark up... he asked me if he had time to make a sandwich. I responded not very nicely... Contractions coming every 2 minutes.... I don't think so... got dressed and headed to the hospital. Arrived at 12:50 am and started pushing right away.... It was the best morning of my life... 2:56 am. Hatley Elizabeth Sawyer was born... weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and 18 inches long!

We love you Hatley Elizabeth, and couldn't be prouder to be your parents! You are such a joy in our life and our life would not be the same without you! I love your giggles, I love your smiles... We love you.
Thanks for making such a dramatic entrance into our lives, we should have know from the beginning there would be drama with you =) But you are Ooohhhhh so worth the drama!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl, Saipan time!

April 29, 2010 (Saipan Time)

2011-04-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

6 am the doctor comes back to check on me... Contractions have STOPPED! Doctor says I am 6cm dilated, but since I wasn't having contractions, he was going to send me home. If nothing happens come to the doctors office tomorrow... 9 am... finally get to go home to my bed.

We slept from 10am until 4 pm... got up showered, did my hair, watched some TV, went grocery shopping in order to have some food at the hospital to snack on; that's if she ever came. Picked up some Pizza. Watched some more TV. went to bed about 10 pm...

April 28, 2010 (Saipan Time)

2011-04-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Its 1:15 am and I wake up to a contraction. I headed to the couch so that Mark could get some sleep... about 30 minutes into it, I call my BFF Kara back in the states because it is was still just evening... we talked for about an hour, in between contractions. We hang up and I finally fall back asleep. 4 am rolls around and I finally wake Mark up.

We head to the hospital where they admit me and hook me up to a fetal monitor and heart rate monitor... Mark and I watch Chuck Norris and Law and order inbetween contractions. They finally make me get up and walk around... for a good 3 or so hours.. finally I crawl back in bed... 3pm rolls around and my dear friend Jen brings me a delicious Chocolate Milk Shake... so good I wouldn't share it with Mark. More TV, sleeping, walking... even some card playing. 7pm Rolls around they decide to try some pitocin... they said hopefully it will speed things up and let me get some rest too... I slept for a good 3 hours or so... Called families, gave them an update, talked to mom... slept some more... contractions begin to slow down....

Great.

April 27, 2010 (Saipan Time)

2011-04-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

On April 27, 2010, Mark and I went in for my routine weekly appointment. This week I was 37 weeks. I was feeling fine, tired and ready to meet our little girl, but knew she would probably be late so I wasn't stressing... I had had some slight cramping, but didn't think of anything because I had had it throughout my whole pregnancy...

After Dr. Lamar examined me, he asked me if this was really my first pregnancy.. with a puzzeled face and a laugh I told him I was sure... he then proceded to tell me that I was 3 cm. dilated and having contractions! Yah right I said. So he hooked me up to a monitor, and sure enough I was having contractions...

Needless to say, he told me that if nothing happened that night to come back tomorrow for another check up, and to get my substitute ready at school...

37 week table. so Gross. not the belly, the food.

At the doctors office hooked up to a monitor to see if I was really having contractions...

More of the story to come tomorrow....

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T19:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter from the Sawyer Family! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Hatley was sure excited about her new puzzle she got in her Easter Basket! It must have tasted delicious! =)

Happy Girl on Easter Morning!

Our Family on Easter Sunday at Church!

We pray you each had a blessed Easter with family and friends in Celebrating Christ's Resurrection! We had a wonderful day with family and friends at church and thanking him for such a tremendous sacrafice!

Then off the Pullman we went to have a beautiful Easter dinner with our family! It was Yummy! And so great to have most of the Sawyer family together! Oh and below is a video of what Hatley did to surprise us all during dinner =) Good thing we had been keeping an eye out on our girl!

She is growing up WAY to quick!

Hatley Mastering the Stairs.. we are in trouble!

2011-04-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

April so far...

2011-04-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

One tired girl at dinner time...

Hatley's new favorite thing to do when Mommy & Daddy are not watching, and they also forget to close the bathroom door.

A Pretty girl ready for Sunday breakfast and church!

My loves on Sunday morning.

Papa & Nana (Brit's parents) came to visit for a weekend. Hatley sure does love wrestling with her papa...

I think Papa likes it too!

It was 58 degrees here today. Spring just may show up this year on the Palouse!

Daddy had to calm Hatley down one night because of her darn two front teeth coming... Mama wondered why it was so quite in her room =)

Tuesdays, once a month, are Taco Tuesdays for the Sawyer family! We get together with Marks sister Angela and her family, Marks parents and us for Taco Tuesdays Dinner! Then we play for awhile after... just so happens this particular Tuesday we went and played on the school playground, and Cousin Allison thought she needed a lift home too. Cousin Hatley sure didn't mind either!

My first pony tail! Daddy didnt like it, he thought it was too goofy looking!

Our Sweet "little" Hatley

2011-04-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Last November Mark, myself and our sweet girl went to visit Marks sister Julie, her husband Rob, and sweet cousin Mya.

Hatley is almost a year old (9 days to go!) and it is so sweet for me to be able to look back and watch this movie. Hatley still looks the same in this movie, however, there is something missing.... OH YAH! Her MOVING! She is a sweet little girl, but MOVES constantly! not like this movie =).

Today she discovered that it is okay to stand all by herself... without holding anything.... will she walk before her first birthday? We will see... but mama is just fine the way that she is...

Enjoy our sweet Hatley video, and enjoy the loveable giggles!

February & March Replay...

2011-04-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the long post... but here is our February and March in a very brief replay...

Shai Ann & Shyra

In February, 20 women all went out to celebrate one thing, my friend TRICIA! It was her surprise bachelorette party that Shyra and I planned and it went off better then we could have planned it! It was so much fun! We had 20 women show up! Tricia and Robby got Married on March 5! Congratualtions to the Johnson family and thank you for giving me the honor to be a part of it!

Darlene (Tricia's Mom), Nicole, and Brenda

Tina, Teresa, and the Bride to be Tricia!

Shyra, Tricia and I. Thanks Tricia for getting married and giving us a reason to play! hehe!

ALL 7 grandkids! Craziness, pure Craziness.

In March we also got to see Mark's middle - older sister, Julie and her family =) He is the only boy with three older sisters... Its always a fun time for the Sawyer family to get together! There are now 7 grandchildren (the reason we were all together, was Mark's sister Suzanne, had just had a little boy Miles)... Come to find out a week after Julie was here visiting, she is expecting again too! We will be welcoming another GIRL into the family at the end of August!

Auntie Brittany and her newest nephew Miles!

Grandpa John, Uncle Mark, and Nephew/Grandson Miles.

I don't think Mark likes Miles at all =)

Hatley LOVED all the cousin and family time! Loving on her Uncle Rob in this photo.

At the end of February and March we had two huge, well not huge, but big (they felt HUGE after living on Saipan for two years) snowstorms... Mark and I took advantage of a sunny afternoon to get outside and introduce Hatley to sledding. She was a trooper!

Sledding on the Farm!

One evening after Hatley was sound asleep Mark and I took some time to play just the two of us... and since there was so much snow outside and we hadn't really played in the snow since moving to Saipan, we went and played! We built snowmen in our from yard until 11:30 pm! granted we did start at about 10:30 pm =) But I sure did love my snowman family!

A first... this time last year we were writing our names in the white sand!

In February Hatley turned 9 months old, and in March 10 months old! I can't believe how quickly she has grown! She will be ONE before we know it! She is now cruising around the house, and has been since the beginning of February... she holds on to anything and anyone that will keep her up!

H has a special cupboard she can get in... and she loves it... Mommy especially loves cleaning up all the tupperwear about 5 times a day =)

Say Cheese! Her new Cheesy smile!

One afternoon I went into H's room to check on her during nap time, and this is how I found her...

Do you think she was tuckered out?

In March the weather was so on and off, and still is now that we are in April... one day its sunny, the next rainy, the next snowing, the next sunny! So.... On one of those sunny days, Mommy and Hatley took advantage of it and went down to the Palouse Park to play! We love how much Hatley LOVES being outside! Can't wait for summer!


Another Cheese! Look at those two front teeth! She got those the day after Christmas... now we are waiting on her two top to pop through.. maybe they will hold out until her 1st birthday ....

Life is good and busy here in the Sawyer House... and Hatley keeps us on our toes!

Keep posted I am going to try and figure out how to get some videos up here!

A January Replay...

2011-04-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't been very good about updating our blog about our family for one main reason... my computer is junk. For the last few months or so it would constantly start up and within seconds of my doing anything, randomly shut down. So I gave up and was using Marks when he wasn't on it... which was okay, but didn't want to put our pictures on his computer cause his was acting up... So long story short, I have followed Mark and entered into the Mac world (used of course), and am now just caught up on uploading all the pictures off of my cameras and organizing them on my new macbook! So I'll give you a quick replay of our January...

Besides catching up and resting up after the Christmas season, we had something else to celebrate! Mark turned 28! I was so excited to give him his gift this year... For those of you who were at church the Sunday before his birthday heard the story of his blender that he bought, and for those of you on Saipan, most of you probably heard it... but for those of you who haven't... long story short, in college Mark thought he was getting his great deal off of EBAY for a blender... needless to say when it showed up it was only the base and not the pitcher... so when we got married we bought a pitcher for it, and it was horrible... so we hardly used it... when we moved back to the states this summer I made him leave the Blender and HORRIBLE pitcher in Saipan... he was heart broken.... and complained all the way up to his birthday about not having a blender.... So here was his Birthday present...

Needless to say, he was quite excited... However, I have only seen him use it twice since his Birthday =) I love you Mark!

For Marks Birthday Party most of Marks family and my family got together up at my parents in Spokane and celebrated by going to a Chief's Hockey game! Hatley LOVED all the sounds and lights, but by the end was a pooped little girl! Isn't her outfit sooooooo cute? =)

Such a big girl, and totally chill =) Not so much anymore. Love the foot resting on the arm of the chair.

Marks parents Betty and John, and my Dad Garry.

Chiefs!

Hatley also got to meet Boomer! We love Hockey! That was one of the highlights of our Honeymoon in Banff, Canada... we sat in pubs and watched Hockey!

We are still trying to get Hatley swimming on a regular basis! She is still a fish, except she now HATES laying on her back... any suggestions?

Hatley LOVES her Uncle Andy... I think he feel's the same way too =) So glad she has family that loves her SOOOOOOOOOOO stinkin' much!

In January Hatley turned 8 months old.. and she started trying to crawl, which was a huge surprise to us... As her Grandpa John noticed, she hated being on her belly in any way, shape, or form and we never thought she'd crawl... well now at 11 months she is a speed demon on those little sweet chubby bruised knees.

Hatley also got SICK! and I don't mean just a little sick... I'll keep the bodily fluid stories to myself, but our poor girl had the flu for about 8 days! She was sick for about 3 days, then fine for about two and then down for the count again for another 3 or 4 days... so glad that time is over... However the one part Mark and I enjoyed best about this time, and doesn't happen very often was the cuddling... we have a wiggle worm on our hands!

Just Fine and dandy for a day or two........................................................ and then... it hit again......

Stay tuned for a brief replay of February and March coming soon! And then hopefully I'll be caught up and can stay caught up! =)

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star...

2011-04-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

So I have quite the artistic sister in-law. Angela, who also has taken all of Hatley's newborn, 3, 6, and 9 month photos. And for Christmas she made me these super cute paper barn stars for our living room... and I loved where I hung them... plus it gave our tiny little living room a good contrast of shape and color... so it is April and they were still hanging on the 1st. Because I loved them and didnt know what else to hang there...

Luckily, Angela was sweet enough to share her paper star template with me and I ran straight away to Paper Pals, our local scrapbooking store and got inspired by some pretty papers...

So.... here they are... and they were much easier then I had expected... Love the colors...

Have you ever made paper barn stars? If not, you should try!

So Mark Got a New Laptop..

2011-03-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Or new to us. But still we love, I mean he loves it =) It's a mac, just like the ones we used at Saipan Community School. And boy do I sure miss that computer...

But the real reason I am writing this post, is simply for entertainment, at our own risk... I am afraid of posting this for what you might think... BUT we died laughing while doing this, and I thought I would share. Poor Hatley is just a sweet an cute bystander and was drug into this.

Our apologies if you barf =)

I think I look like Bett Midler in this photo, on Hocus Pocus. Oh Vey.

Thank you Photo Booth for the laughs. Thank goodness this is just for fun =)

2011-03-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

Today is my Daddies Birthday...

I love you Dad! Thanks for all that you do, all the love you give us, and the happiness you bring to our family and lives! Hatley is sure lucky to have you as her Papa... and I am pretty lucky too!

Mark and Dad - Priest Lake July 2010

Hatley and Papa, Sept 2010 - Palouse Days

April 2009, Dad visiting us in Saipan

Dad and I - Priest Lake, July 2010

So Long Ol' Buddy

2011-03-10T22:19:00.000-08:00

So two days ago I gave up Facebook. Why? The Lent season has begun, and I have never been one to really give anything up for it.. until this year. This year, I knew that I needed to give something up, I mean come on, look at all the Christ gave up for us... I wanted it to be something to had a hold on me... not soda, not coffee, but something good. I kept having this tug on my heart and knew that I knew exactly what God wanted me to give up... but I fought it and fought it... eventually the Big guy won =) So long Facebook.

So as I was thinking about this time that I would suddenly have free, I began to come up with a sweet list of what I would do during this time of freedom.. .

1. Read more Dr. Seuss and Peter Rabbit to my sweet Roo.
2. Learn and play with Hatley.
3. Spend more cuddle time with the Hubby.
4. Cook up some new Delicous meals.
5. Blog.
6. Try and catch up as much as possible on Hatleys 1st year scrapbook. The BIG #1 is right around the corner.
7. Catch up on some reading, a giant pile of books next to the bed are waiting for me.
8. Give thanks to God for ALL he has done and ALL he has given for me and my family, that we have LIFE.

What are you giving up for Lent? Why?
If you aren't giving anything up, what WOULD you give up if you were?
What has such a tight hold on you that you can't fathom giving it up? I DARE YOU.

So far the last two days have been easy-peesy, I am guessing that within the week or so, I will miss the social aspect... but so far, I am kinda liking this new me =)

Absolutly A-DORABLE

2011-03-10T22:11:00.000-08:00

I have found a new blog in the last few months or so, that I L-O-V-E. Lindsay, has some great ideas and all practical too, and most importantly affordable. She takes the looks that I would love to have, but not willing to pay the BIG BUCKS for and makes something roughly the same, but on a dime. She is quite the Do-it-Yourselfer... and she has suckered me in... check out her blog when you get a moment... Living with Lindsay...

Here is a sneak peak at one of my favorite things.... that hopefully soon I'll get a chance to try...

rosette-embellished-pillow

Fits.

2011-02-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

As my 3rd graders would say back in Saipan, "You get what you get, so don't throw a fit!" LOVED THAT SAYING! And now I am having to practice that with my sweet almost 10 month old. Today H was soooooooooo tired and just would not relax or let me help her... so to the crib she went, where she cried and she played and then finally passed out... and this is what mama found...

Hatley my love, "You get what you get, so don't throw a fit!"

and PS: Mommy Loves You!

Chirp. Chirp!

2011-02-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

For Christmas my mom got me this adorable and vintage-esque metal calendar... I loved it from the moment I saw it at one of my fav. little stores, High Country Orchard, which is located in one of my favorite places in the world, Green Bluff, which is just north of Spokane. Anyway, I loved this from seeing it in the store, and when I opened it for Christmas i was so excited. However, I got the point, where it continued to sit on my dinning table, asking me "When and Where are you going to hang me?"

Now the end of February, I have found a home... however it was with help.

In the center you can see the Metal calendar... surrounding it is other bird decor, which I picked up at Prune Orchard, a sweet little boutique located on Main street in Pullman.

At Prune Orchard I picked up a pack of 4 sweet little gift tags, containing some sweet pictures of different birds, and sweet little canvas print with a bird, of course. My problem though, was what am I going to do with these tags? Well after a trip to the 99 cents store, and a little painting of the frames, my tags were ready.

They look so sweet in these now black frames, with a little green scrapbooking paper behind...

Time to finally hang the Bird Calendar.

See it on the wall with two of the framed Tags?

and two more tags with the canvas bird print on the shelves in the kitchen.... I didn't really have it in mind to go with a bird theme in my kitchen, but I am starting to like it =)

What new ideas and do-it-yourself projects have you been playing with to spice up your home decor?

PS: Thanks mama for the beautiful calendar and the inspiration for a fun new kitchen!

Is it Spring Yet?

2011-02-28T19:17:00.000-08:00

So this last Friday we had a glimpse of Spring, and It was LOVELY! The Sun was shinning, people were out walking their dogs, and there were Robins everywhere! Our trees in the front yard and the roof line of the house was covered... and it was beautiful! They are sooooo chubby!

That was, we had a sign of spring until today.... and today, we have had a dumping of snow. Still beautiful, but what happened to our spring? They said we were going to get about 2-4 inches of snow today, and so far we have gotten about 5 or 6.... will it keep going through out the night? We shall see! Stay warm everyone!

The snow on the railing is what we had received as of 4 pm this afternoon.

A Special Gift.

2011-02-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

A Special gift for a Special Girl, from an Amazing Nana. Hatley is spoiled. My mom is an amazing cross-sticher. I remember as a kid, mom always working away on a special project... I havent seen it to much in the last few years or so, but I guess it just takes a special girl to get her going again. Not only did she cross-stitch it all, but she also did a great job in picking out the frame.

Thanks Nana Judy, for a beautiful gift that a sweet little girl will cherish the rest of her life.

Look at this beautiful Antique finished frame!

So glad my mom has the patience to do this, each little stitch would drive me nuts =)

Its Been a Long Time Coming...

2011-02-24T23:32:00.000-08:00

Blog Stocker. Okay, that makes it sound horrible, I am not a blog stocker... okay, well maybe a little, especially when it comes to a blog that I love, and take fabulous ideas away from... LemonTree3 is one of my favs. A gal that Mark and I went to Slovenija with, back in 2004 with Campus Crusade for Christ, has this blog with a couple of her friends. I first found it on facebook, and have followed it ever since.

One of the things I have come away with from this blog is the project I am about to show you... which I stole from them, which they stole from someone else, which that person stole from someone else, are you following me? Anyway, as a note, this was not my idea or my genius, though I wish I could say it was... The original idea came from this blog site: Living with Lindsey (or atleast I'd like to think the original came from here =)

I started our shopping at the Dollar Store. I already had the Hot Glue, Glue Gun, Ribbon, and some left over paint from college, but all those you can find cheaply at Michaels or Joanne's, probably even Walmart. At the Dollar store I purchased a styro foam 10" wreath, and two books. So really in all this project, if I had purchased them all together, minus the glue gun, probably cost me around $10. Not bad...

When I arrived home, I painted the side of the pages with the paint ( I used a brown, but I am sure you could use any color... it just adds a little pop!) I then ripped out each individual page...

I then began rolling the pages in any which way I could think of and hot gluing them down onto the wreath. (PS: if your thinking making this, go to the tutorial LemonTree3 followed: Living with Lindsey. They have a step by step, detail by detail tutorial =)

Continued to roll and glue, until my wreath was full from the back to the front, from the inside to the outside....

and....

TA DA!

My Book wreath! Now the problem with our house is that it is a small older home, built in the early 1900's. So the walls are small. I intended for this to be hung in our living room, but from whatever way you entered the living room it looked like I giant ball of fluff sticking out of the side... so, I found the perfect, and the only place to hang it in our home. In our bedroom we have a little inlet in the wall, and it worked perfectly, plus I had been wondering what in the world I was going to hang there =)

So, my giant ball of fluff, yes I was disappointed at first, has come and proven itself to me. It was fun to make, took forever, but I do love the end results. Thanks Lemontree3 for stealing the idea and sharing with the rest of us!

Oooofta.....

2011-02-23T22:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Mark and I began the 30 day shred... and all I have to say about today and yesterdays workouts....

OUCH.

My Valentine

2011-02-22T23:38:00.000-08:00

I have always had a Valentine, my sweetheart Mark. However, this year we both got to have another Valentine in our lives... our sweet Hatley-roo, or as her cousin Trent (2 years old) would call her, Hatley-Roo-Roo.

We also have been blessed with a great sister, sister in-law and auntie, who takes some pretty amazing pictures, and has been willing to take pictures of H for her newborn shots, 3 months, 6 months and now 9 month. Yes, I said 9 months... My sweet girl is 9 months old... and as excited as I am about how adorable this pictures are, and how H is learning and exploring EVERYTHING, i get a little worked up when I think of her next photo shoot, 12 months... meaning 1 YEAR! Mommy No Like...

Anyway, here are some adorable and amazing shots, by Marks Sister Angela!

Thanks Auntie Ang & Happy 9 months Hatley Roo!

A Must read for Mommies.

2011-02-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

For Christmas my mom gave me a book... I like reading, but I dont do it very often, because of time, and usually I honestly forget about reading... but the last few nights before I go to bed I have looked at my pile of books sitting next to my bed that I have wanted to get through for a very long time... to show you how long, I have a book by Sophie Kinsella that has been sitting on my night stand since we moved into this house... even longer, it sat on my night stand for the whole last year in Saipan... when did I start reading it? The summer we came home to visit, yes summer of 2009... and to make things worse, there are only like 30 pages left of the book and then I will be done ... sad I know...

Anyway, to get back to the bright side of this post, I was looking at this book mom gave me for Christmas, and I am not really a person for "self-help" books, but I picked it up the other night and gave it a try and it is AMAZING! Here is what the back of the book says:

"As moms were love to serve and nourish our families. But if we don't learn to rest and recieve, we run on empty and end up not being the moms we so desperatly want to be. Taking care of the ME in Mommy will show you how to take care of yourself: spirit, body, and soul."
I just made it through the introduction, and the first point in the book: Your spirit; Breath in God, Exhale his spirit... this point was all about incorporating his word into our daily lives, but not making it another thing to cross off on our to do list... for example, finding a verse about your lips or mouth, and relate that to lipstick. Put this verse on your mirror and as your putting on lipstick in the morning, read it... not only will you see it everyday, but you'll end up memorizing it without even trying...

I know I havent gotten to far into the book, but so far, I am in love, everything I have read so far, I know I can incorporate into my life without making it part of my do list... I am sure I will be sharing more as I read... please pray I keep reading =) hehe.

If your a momma, I recommend this book to you!

If you are going to be a mama, read this, and you'll be on top of it once that little bundle arrives!

and Thanks Mom for such a good read!

IF YOU WANT TO GET THIS BOOK, check out http://www.2ndlookbooks.com/ My mom works here it is a used book store that has pretty much any book you are looking for.. sometimes they are out of stock, but they can put your name on the list and once it comes in, its yours!

I am in LOVE.

2011-02-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

This last weekend Mark, Hatley and I were able to travel to the Tri-cities for another amazing Young Life conference. The last one we were at was 3 years ago, when Hatley was a twinkle in our eye. It was an amazing weekend. We were able to catch up with so many close friends we havent seen since we moved to Saipan, and introduce our little Coconut to them too!

Hatley and I were in and out of the seminars and main talks due to nap times and bordem, on her part. BUT I was so blessed by one of the talks I was able to stay in. Don Myers, who trained Mark and I when we were on teacher staff while living in Kahlotus, gave an amazing talk on belonging. He talked about how teens (and I totally remember the feeling) want to belong, and they will do anything.. He went on to talk about how we are here to help those teens find a place to belong, Gods arms. It touched my heart so much, thinking of all the youth Mark and I have worked with, and how badly they need Christ in their lives. At the end of Dons talk he played this music video by JJ Heller... and WOW!

Not only did this song touch my heart, make me think, and want to reach out even more to the youth, but it also made JJ one of my favorite artists, and showed me a song TOTALLY worth sharing...

I hope this touches your heart like it touched mine. =) ENJOY!

What Would You Do?

2011-02-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

On the way to work this morning, the radio was talking about what moms say they would do if they had one hour (consecutive hour) to themselves. Didn't think much about it, but as I drove home, I began to wonder, if I had one day, that went by SLOWLY, and money wasnt a problem, What would I do for one day? Now, I am the type of person who kinda likes to do the same thing, I love adventure and new things, dont get me wrong, but if I am going to spend my one and only day doing something, You betcha I am going to do something I have done before, that I know I will love and enjoy... so enjoy a ride through My Dream day.....

1. I would wake Mark and Hatley up really early to catch our first flight...

2. Once arriving Saipan, and due to the time change, we would head up to one of the highest points on the island and into the village of As Teo and sleep in our King Size bed, in the middle of the jungle, in our beautiful home.... ( Miss you house)

3. Would meet up with my favorite girls on island and go get a Mani-Pedi at Kira Kira.

4. After the Man-Pedi, Mark, Hatley, and I along with our closest friends on island would enjoy a delicious champagne brunch at the Hyatt.. mmmmmmm. My mouth is watering.

5. After brunch we would run back up to our island house, pick some fresh mangos off of the tree in the yard...

6. We would take these Mangos to Mandi Spa, and eat them while we also enjoy lounging by the 5 pools, soaking in the warm pool over looking the lagoon, and getting a 2 hour massage. Face it, by the time one hour is over, you were just getting comfortable and relaxed. Might as well go for two.

7. After a day at the Spa, the ladies and I would meet up with Mark, Hatley and their men at the Hyatt for Happy Hour on the beach. Where we would enjoy Mai tais, and Mint Margaritas!

8. To finish off my day, we would go dine at my absolute favorite resturant, which non in the states can compare too. ANYONE from SAIPAN reading this, I will pay you to go to the Thai house and ask them for their recipe in making their Cashew Chicken, its horrible here in the states! I really will pay!

That would be my perfect day, a day I can dream about and go to a happy place =)....

What would your perfect day be?

A Mover & a Shaker... 9 months old!

2011-02-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

On January 30, Hatley turned 9 months old! Hard to believe for her Mommy and Daddy... but wether we believe it or not, she is, and she is a mover... No she isn't crawling; she can get up on all fours, thinks about it, then lies down =) We not only have a 9 month old, but we have a stubborn little girl =) She LOVES to stand, with anyone that will hold her hands or anything that will hold her up. I am wondering wether or not we will just skip the crawling and go to walking, we will see soon enough I guess...

Here are some fun pictures of our Mover and Shaker!

Lets just say Hatley's 9th month of life, hasnt started so nicely for any of us, but especially her. On Monday night we got home from church and while still in her car seat she began puking... gross. from there it led to puking on: her first set of PJ's after the carseat (then we took a bath), then her 2nd pair of Pj's, 3rd set of Pj's, Daddies clothes, mommy and daddies bed, Mommy's clothes, 4th set of PJ's, and finally the kitchen sink. Oh poor girl! She puked 9 times in one night! Ugh! Of course I felt horrible for her, but had to snap some sweet cuddle pictures of her, these rarely happen in our house as I said, she is a M & S.

Well to say the least, Tuesday morning rolled around and we had decided to already keep her home for the day, and she was her normal self. Smily, happy, giggling, and MOVING. the only not so normal thing was she really wasnt that hungry, but can you blame her? Either way, since she had made such a mess the night before, she and Daddy spent much of the day folding the laundry that mommy had washed the night before...

Finally she was back to herself and the nastiness of Monday was gone... or so we thought. Today, Wednesday, I got up to get ready for work, Mark was already gone bus driving, and I hear her, she was sweetly sleeping in our bed as I got ready, when I go to check on her, she is PUKING again! and proceeded too two more times! So Daddy is gone for the day, and mama is here... cuddling with my girl... today has been a quite day in the Sawyer house.. Hatley has slept most of the day on the couch next to me... until her bottom wanted to compete with her mouth, yes, diareha, but I am going to leave it at that. So now, she is quitely asleep(again) in her crib... my poor girl. I feel soooooo horrible for her... and at the same time am loving all this cuddle time! Havnet cuddeled with her this much since she was a newborn on Saipan...

Well I guess I should go take advantage of my day home, and a sleeping kiddo and get some things done. Hopeing to get this elegant and beautiful project done that I have been working on for about two weeks, here and there when time allows. Have been wanting to blog about it, but just not ready too. So hopefully tonight I will finally get it finished and ready to share!

Pray for Health in the Sawyer house! We are headed to the Tri-cities this weekend for a Young Life Leadership Retreat, and back to good old Kahlotus, where our family started! We are excited to see friends and introduce hopefully a happy little girl!

We are lost....

2011-01-29T13:15:00.000-08:00

For the last 9 months or so, literally since right after Hatley was born, Mark and I have been watching the tv series LOST. At first we were both kinda iffy on it, but as the episodes rolled on, our love for LOST grew...

We just recieved season 6, disc 3 in the mail today from Netflix... which means we have 3 discs left of the whole series...and we are completely bummed out... We are tempted to watch it all over again, yes, we love it that much... We were thinking we would like to venture out a little bit, since that is pretty much the only thing we have watched in the last 9 months... (which I would do again, and again).

So my question for you... Do you have any TV series favs? that are worth it? I mean really worth it? We are open for suggestions, otherwise, we are going to be hanging out with Kate, Jack, Sawyer, Hurly, Sun, Jin, Charlie, Claire, Saiede, Locke, for another 9 months or so....

Another Goal... REALLY?

2011-01-26T20:37:00.000-08:00

I know, I suck, just say it. =) I have tired blogging each and everyday like I said I would, but I do have two good excuses, well a few more then two.... 1) It was Marks birthday weekend, so we werent even home. 2) I have an almost 9 month old. and finally 3) My stupid, hunk of chunk computer keeps randomly shutting down... So I havent been uploading pictures to it, I have been saving everything on a hard drive, and praying it can hold on just a little longer... do you blame me for not blogging?

Well as my blogging goal has started going down the drain, so has something else, another goal... and I better get better at sticking to my goals, because unlike my blogging goal and not sticking to it, I have no choice in the other.

.... BLOOMSDAY 2011....

Yes, I said Bloomsday, aka Doomsday.

Mark and I have been talking about this for months, and yesterday Mark said, Oh by the way I got the Sunday off of Bloomsday, so guess what we are doing it and there is no way out... yoikes! Guess I am doing it =)

Bloomsday is a 12k (7.46) race... you can walk it, jog it, skip it, whatever your heart longs for, but mine... mine is longing to run it, most of it. I havent run a full mile since highschool... and now I am facing more then 7. Bloomsday takes place in Spokane, WA, my hometown on May 1... which means I have exactly 95 days to get my rear end into gear, on the treadmill, and running 7+ miles... Lord help me.

So today, I ask for encouragment and prayers! I am going to need all I get!

Come to think of it, if I run Bloomsday in 95 days, that means Hatley turns 1 in 94! Oh Lord, I do need your help more then I know =)

Off to eat some cookies, have a coke, and watch The Bachelor =)

100 Days of Blogging...Day 1

2011-01-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

So I have set a goal for myself... to blogg ONE HUNDRED days in a row... I will honestly try, but with a almost 9 month old.... I am a little worried. =) So we will see how this whole thing plays out... And what a better way to start it out, by saying...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the LOVE of my life! Mark turns 28 today! Hatley and I couldnt be any luckier! We have the best Daddy and Hubby girls could ask for! We love you Mark!

Blessed.

2011-01-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

I have been so blessed. Moving from Saipan was a big deal for Mark and I, it meant leaving friends on a beautiful island that we did not just consider friends, but family. I was worried that when we got back that we would not be able to duplicate those types of relationships. And I was right, we have not duplicated any of those relationship, but have made new ones. It was a blessing and so much fun for me to be able to host an ornament exchange in our home at the beginning of December... and as the picture below shows, I have definitly created some amazing friendships here on the Palouse and am so thankful for the women God has put into my life here in our new home. I cant wait until next year for the 2nd annual ornament exchange! It was full of laughter, food, drinks, conversation, stealing of ornaments, and overall friendship! Thank you ladies for your friendship and the joy you bring to my life! I am so BLESSED.

AMP IT UP SOME!

2011-01-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, weird post title, I know. But it is true. I have slacked and really not wanted to do blogging for sometime, hence the reason behind one of my older posts, "Do you read this?" However, I want to blog and not just about my family but about life. What makes me happy, what makes me mad, the cool things Mark and I are doing, the fun things Hatley is learning, and simply what brings me joy... So.... I am going AMP IT UP SOME, and start blogging not just about family but about everything! Stay tuned! Because these up coming posts may have give aways.... May is the key word =)...

Hatley...

2010-12-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

In November Hatley was 6 months old, Decemeber she was 7 months old, we are almost looking at an 8 month old! It is amazing how time flies and how quickly a little girl can change! Even though we are excited to see whats going to happen next in her learning, we are so sad to see her grow up! But it certainly is fun!
Hatley loves to talk, giggle, smile, stick out her tounge and stand up! She has rolled over a few times, but dosent show much interest in it... I am afraid she may go from laying there to running!

Loves helping Mommy wash the dishes, once with her mouth and then again in the actual soapy water =)

Our island girl still is our island girl! She LOVES LOVES LOVES the water... if shes grumpy put her in the bath. Once the water turns on and she sees her bath tub she is alllllll smiles =)

She loves playing hide and go seek with her daddy too!

Her hair is growing, growing, growing! Mommy cant wait for alitte pig tail, but for now Daddy loves her mohawks after bathtime! Look at those blue eyes!

For Hatley's 6 month pictures, we once again hired Marks sister Angela, and once again she amazed us! She also took our family pictures for our Christmas cards! Thanks Auntie Angela for doing such an amazing job! We love every photo!

Hatley will be 8 months on the 30th of December! And Mommy and Daddy will be celebrating their 4 year Wedding Anniversary on the 30th too! We love you H-Roo!

Catching Up.... A Moehman, Minnesota Thanksgiving...

2010-12-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. It is almost Christmas and I am just now posting things from Thanksgiving, but DEAL WITH IT! =) hehe. Life with a 7 month old is busy! But Ill get to her more in the next post or so... I am trying to catch up on blogging tonight. but we will see how I do inbetween Christmas cards, a 7 month old, a husband, and one tired mama =) But I do have Christmas music and lights to help me along.

Alright... So Thanksgiving. Well, lets just say we had a fantastic time! I literally have been dreaming of this trip since Mark and I got married almost 4 years ago! I have always wanted to introduce him to my family and also show him a special place, the hometown where my mom grew up. I have so many wonderful memories here and I couldnt wait to show him! But a bonus to that, was I also got to show Hatley this special place and show her off at the same time...

I tried to choose just a few of my favorite pictures, but as always a few turned into a lot, so enjoy the pics! And the captions will explain our amazing Thanksgiving Vacation!

We started off on our trip driving from the Twin Cities to Menomonie, WI. My cousin and her family live here and it was a great overnighter... look at their amazing back yard! After our night stay in WI filled with cinnamon rolls and coloring with the kiddos we drove another 4 hours to Park Rapids, MN. Home of the Moehlmans, my mom used to be called Judy Kay Moehlman!

Hatley and her second cousins in WI; Javin, Thalia, and Kieren! My cousins kiddos!

My Aunt Joanie and Uncle Jon rented a few hotel rooms for their family so we werent all so crowded at my Aunt Janies home. The Hotel had a pool and we were able to enjoy it too! Hatley has definitly kept her love for water all the way from Saipan!

Park Rapids, MN. A view out my Aunt Janies Window... Breathtaking!

For Thanksgiving dinner there were going to be 18 of us, just missing 5! So my Aunt had a table built and we had Thanksgiving dinner our in my Uncles Shop! It was so much fun!

Nana (my mom) bought Hatley some special PJ's just for her Minnesota trip... isnt she adorable in red! Why are these PJ's so special? Wait for the next picture in her PJ's and you'll see why!

My Uncle Mel. Uncle Mel and I have always been pretty close, so it was very special for me to see Hatley playing with her great uncle!

Already playing piano with her Nana, When I was little and we were visiting MN. I once asked my Aunt if I could play the Plianimal... also known as the piano...

Many hours of our vacation were spent around the dinning room table drinking Hot Cocoa, eating pie after pie, and playing games.... Javin and Thalia shure fell in love with their cousin Mark... I think he liked them too =)

My cousins dog, Girl. Isnt she beautiful!

When my mom was a little girl, my grandfather began purchasing land just north of town... On this land he built a cabin where my mom grew up most of her elementary school years. As time went on grandpa eventually bought all the land surrounding Rose Lake... so the public lake, became private =) When they sold the land and cabin, they sold it to a family that my family became very close too. Lucky for us. To this day we still have a key and are allowed to go back there and enjoy this beautiful place. It is such a special place too... Lots of memories for my mom and her sisters, but also a place that brings my mom childhood and my grandparents alive for me... I was so excited to show Mark this land! Not farming land, but beautiful wooded land with a beautiful lake.

The Cabin...

We got there right at Sunset. and the lake was completely iced over. Mom used to tell me stories and grandpa ice fishing and her and the girls ice skating... what a wonderful place to grow up!

This is my moms tree. As a little girl, she used to sit on the L shaped trunk and read for hours!

Dad, Mom, Me, and Mark in front of moms tree, and Rose Lake.

The Moehlman sisters. =) I am so proud to be part of this family!

Okay, here is Hatley and her red PJ's again... can you see why they are so special? Nana found them for her at Cabellas and the brand name of the PJ's was HATLEY! and it was even embroidered into the neck! So cute!

Hatley got lots of love from her Great Aunties, Uncles and Cousins!

Playing games with Cousin Tracie and Aunt Joanie!

Cousins! My cousin Jay with his wife Jen! So good to finally meet Jen. They got married while we were still in Saipan.

The Moehlman sisters cooking up a storm!

The Sawyer family ready for the scavenger hunt! My Aunt set up a great scavenger hunt through their snowy timberland. The family was split into two teams and you had to go find special clues that led you to the next... at the very end everyone ended up back in my uncle shop eating smores, drinking hot chocolate, and enjoying a nice warm fire. Hatley loved the hike through the woods!

My team! My cousins Todd, his son Josh, Todds wife Tracie with their dog Girl, Schan, and my Cousin Shari!

Mark got stuck on the team with all the kiddos =) They all sure had a blast! Mark with Javin, Thalia and my dad!

Brother and Sister. My cousins Shari and Todd. I just had to post this picture only because Shari got stuck with this Hat and it is sooooooooooo Minnesotan!

On our Scavenger Hunt! I couldnt believe how hot i got walking through the trees and snow!

Another special place. The Minnesoda Fountain Shop. My mom used to come here as a teenager after school to get a treat with her girl friends. THey would play pinball and listen to music on the Juke Box... Who would have though that 45 years or so later that her granddaughter would be sitting in the same place with her daughter enjoying ice cream...=) Mom says not much in the place had changed. Here is Hatley sitting at the same counter mom used too =)

It was a very special Thanksgiving to remember. Here is the Moehlman Sisters with all their hubbies and kiddoes, and grandkiddos!

Happy Thanksgiving! So thankful for my Grandpa Art and Grandma Elizabeth for having three amazing girls and giving us kids an amazing family to be a part of!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I am glad to see you all are reading this blog! I was beginning to think no one was for a minute, so thank you for rebuilding my coinfidence =) hehe!

Wanted to wish you all a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving! We are headed to Minnesota in about 4 hours! We are going to see my moms side of the family! Some of whom have not met Mark and all who have not met Hatley! I am getting excited to introduce them! It has been 4 years since I was there last, and I am sooooooooooo ready to see my family!

Here is a few pictures of the last time I was there, What a blog without pictures righ? =)

My Cousin Shari and I!

All the Moehlman girls!

Me and My Uncle Mel

Standing at the Mississippi Head Waters

Happy Thanksgiving and dont eat tooo much!

Love,

The Traveling Sawyers.... See you in a week or so!

Question...

2010-11-21T09:42:00.001-08:00

Does anyone read this thing?

Please let me know =)

Hatley's first Halloween

2010-11-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

There are many things I don't like about Halloween, and there are only a few things I like about it... I LIKE, carving pumpkins, seeing little kids dressed in sweet fun costumes (once the kids start choosing things like skeletons, etc... not so much), and candy...

This year was extra special for me, because it was Hatley's first. Not that she will remember it, but I will and I got lots of cute pictures to scrap for her scrapbook! Hatley was an adorable cow, and wore her costume most of the day, she didnt even complain! She even went to church as a cow (I figured I might as well get good use out of her costume) and she was a hit!

Overall, if Halloween was all about Candy, sweet costumes, and pumpkin carving fun, I'd say we hit it right on target! But now the real fun beings... the Holiday Season! We are headed to Minnesota in 3 weeks! I know Mark and I have been married for almost 4 years, yes I said 4, cant believe it, but he still hasnt met some of my family! So we are headed back there with my parents to introduce Hatley and Mark! And play!

The Sawyer house...

Loved being in a pumpkin!

Perfect fit!

Mommys fun circle pumpkin, Daddys Idaho Vandals pumpkin, and Hatleys silly face pumpkin!

During Hatleys cow photo shoot she fell over a couple times, and was no to happy... we called her the MAD cow! =)

Happy and Beautiful Cow!

Mommy and her favorite chuncky cow!

Hatley and her pumpkin friend!

Green Beans, NO THANK YOU!

2010-10-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today we tried out some REAL food with Hatley... Not just plain cereal or formula for our little girl now! Today was the first try, and it was Green Beans... She ate them like a champ, but I am not sure she liked them much. =) We are going to keep trying them for a few days and then maybe move onto Sweet Potatoes =) We will see though... We no longer have a little baby anymore! She is still a baby, but getting so big, way to fast! Happy Eating everyone!

Whats this Mommy?

Oh Yuck! What did you just put in my mouth?

Mommy, I ate enough, can we please stop for now? I promise I'll try again later!

A Retreat full of Memories...

2010-10-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

Roughly 15 years ago Mark and I met at Ross Point Baptist Camp, in Post Falls, Idaho. Mark was 13 years old and I was 12. We had mutual friends, but that was as far as it went. It wasnt until the summer before Marks freshman year at the University of Idaho, and my senior year at Ferris High School, that something happened. It was summer camp, and I was so excited to get to camp that year. I pulled up in my subaru legacy, and there was Mark sitting the front porch of the chapel building. To my amazment, he wasnt to skinny anymore (but he really was) and he was looking mighty good. I got out of my car and Mark noticed me right away... weird... But to keep this short, throughout the week we began to hang out more and more everyday, by the end of the week, we had started dating ( through letters we had written each other), had held hands for the first time (at campfire), and had our first kiss (behind Marks cabin after campfire). Needless to say it was a good camp!

Camp has always been dear to both of our hearts, not just because that is where we met and started dating, but because it was where we both gained personal relationships with Christ. I was baptized there. We both went every summer, we made amazing friends... Camp in all is a huge part of our growing up and will be of our growing old.

The last week of September Mark and I were able to go back for two days, this time as adults (not the first time) and as a pastor and a pastors wife (weird). We were headed to a leadership conference, and Hatley got to come too! It was her first time at Ross Point Camp, and I hope the first of many!

During one of the sessions Hatley and I were able to go for a walk together and it was so fun for me. It was a beautiful WARM fall day and it was perfect. I took Hatley around to all my favorite spots at camp, showed her special places and she smiled the whole time.

After the session was done, Mark and I both had some free time, so we were able to go on a walk together as a family and show Hatley where we carved our name into the tree almost 8 years ago, which we had to redo because Mark was the only one still there =). We also showed her where we first kissed, and told her about all the things she will get to do at camp someday, minus finding a boyfriend =).

It was a wonderful two days of great speakers, great food, great relaxation, and great memories to be had and to remember...

See you Soon Ross Point!

The new engraving in the tree.

The old engraving, see how Mark is the only one left...

My first cabin, and the cabin I was in when Mark and I started dating!

Marks cabin.

In the spot where we kissed for the first time, =)

We kissed right by that tree trunk!

The Cabins!

Smiling girl on our walk.

Tha Lagoon and campfire!

First time!

Swinging, Smiling girl with daddy!

By our tree!

Autumn in the Northwest

2010-10-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year, I love all the colors, the jeans and sweaters, boots, hats, mittens, hot apple cider, kettle corn, and pumpkins! I espcially love Green Bluff. Green Bluff is a community just north of Spokane that I grew up each year going to with my parents and brother. And for the last 2 years mom would always call me while we were in Saipan and they were at Green Bluff and say she wished I were there. Well, I WAS THIS YEAR! And this year was extra special for me, because I got to introduce Hatley to it! She was such a trooper, and did great while Mommy and Daddy dressed her up! Get ready Hatley, you'll be going to Green Bluff for the rest of your life, or atleast until your 18 years old. =) Happy Fall Everyone!

Hatley and her friend Pippy! =)

I dont think she cared for the rooster ride much =)

Happy Cows come from Happy Parents! =)

Wag that little tail!

She certainly does love her Papa!

Our little cow. Happy Halloween!

The Sawyer Family!

Uncle Andy even came with us! What a great day!

My Love!

Uncle Andy and his favorite Niece!

One Proud and Happpy Mama!

The Oliver Family!

Andy and Mark, meant for each other!

Picking our pumpkins!

"We are Family!"

2010-09-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons Mark and I decided it was a good time to leave our island home of Saipan and move back to the Palouse was because of family. We probably would have stayed another year on our island, but God presented us with a beautiful gift, Hatley! And what a beautiful gift that we needed to share with our family back home. We deeply miss our island family, but it is so good to be with our family here and the new family we are making.....

Since being home we have been able to enjoy lots of cousin time! Hatley loves her cousins too!

Hatley & Allison

This last weekend was Palouse Days, a celebration for our town! It has been great living so close to both Marks and my parents! My parents were able to come down and enjoy the weekend festivites with us! We are headed to their house this weekend!

Hatley Loves her Grandpa Garry and I think he has a slight crush on her too =)

Grandma Betty and Daddy were in the Palouse Days Parade promoting our Church!

We have made some wonderful friends here both before we left to Saipan and since we have been home... Here is Hatley and her BFF Riesse! Riesse is 7 months old!

Daddy & Riesse, and Riesses Daddy and Hatley!

Thanks for coming to visit G&G Oliver! See you next weekend for GREENBLUFF! (pictures to come!)

As I said before, Hatley has completely enjoyed her cousin time! Last week she was able to go spend a morning with them while I went and cheered on Mark in his triathlon! Here is cousin grant practicing how to feed a baby!

When I first got there to drop off Hatley Cousin Grant asked of Hatley would like a ride in the dump truck? Well thanks to Auntie Angela, her bravery and photography, Hatley got her ride, she loved it, her cousins loved it!

Like I said we dont live far from either of our parents! We live only 4 miles from Marks parents! So we have had lots of Grandpa and Grandma Sawyer time, and we are loving it! I think they are too! =)

Fall is here on the Palouse, which means my favorite season is here too! I havent seen a fall in two years and am so ready for pumpkins, candles, jeans and sweaters, leaves falling, cool breezes! Lots of pictures to come!

Happy Fall!

Domesticated...

2010-09-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Even though Mark and I have been married for almost 4 years now, there are times when I feel a little bit more "Domesticated" then others... Like today.

This morning while Mark was out washing my car, Hatley in the stroller, and I were walking around the house dead-heading the flowers and watering... Then we sat outside with daddy and talked... the rest of today has been full of house hold chores, and mostly chores I do not mind at all, laundry, dishes, folding laundry, catching up on our blog, playing with hatley, baking and discovering tomatoes on our plant!

Some days I feel that I should be doing more as a wife and mother, but then there are days that I feel pretty happy about what I am doing. Yes, I havent gotten dressed, or showered, or left the house, but I have gotten a lot done, made our house beautiful, and made a delicious treat for my hubby...

Yay for being Domesticated... Today.

While in Saipan I dreamed about having my own garden. Even though we did not return to the states in time to plant one of our own, we comprimised with flowers and a tomatoe plant =) And I just love watching them bloom and grow!

Our first harvest =)

A beautiful bird house I bought from some guy selling them off the side of the road in Spokane.

Homemade Banana Bread... mmmmmmmmmmmm.