Renatah

Over the last 8 months or so Renatah has done lots of growing up - not so much physically but in so many other ways. She will talk your ear off and experiences life with much gusto! On the other side, she is very loving and thoughtful and tender when the time calls for it.
Following are some pictures with little blurbs underneath to sum up some of her life,
...to catch you up a little.
*note: they are in no particular order*

... loves to help around the house, washing dishes, sweeping/vaccuming

... in January, Renatah got her first hair cut, by her god-muma

... she turned 2 and the highlight of the event was
blowing out the candles - over and over and over!

...definitely had some 'terrible two' moments exploring her world and 'wearing' it.
This picture shows her discovery of my make-up but a few weeks prior to that was
Vaseline - half a tub, mostly on her hair but not exclusively.

... has really started to entertain herself with imaginative play with her dolls
and her cooking toys and other such things little girls play with.

... simply adores her little brother and is now in the process of learning how to
share toys and space with this little boy that likes to get into every thing - more on him later!

Some other highlights to include speak to her independence and signs that 'my baby girl' is growing up so fast!

Renatah has been potty trained for some time. Her little quirk ... to the horror of some (and her mother when in public places) she simply drops her 'dacks' when she feels the urge ... and then seeks to find the appropriate place to relieve herself.

Renatah will now ask if she can go to the neighbours house to visit and stay there without a parent for as long as they will keep her!! Chuck and Karen are her favourite!

Renatah will tell me what day of the week regular things happen ... "CBS is on Wednesday", "Church followed by Sunday School is on Sunday" and "Sha-Sha comes on Saturday".

Now that I've shared a little from the past, it will be fun to keep you 'updated' with things of the present, as they happen.

Tim

The biggest news of our family is that Tim has just started his Bachelor Degree online. After about three years of intensive study he will get his Bachelor of Science in Human Services. His goal is to then get a Masters of Divinity or Theology to prepare for ministry in leadership within the church, if the Lord continues to lead us in that direction.

Tim keeps busy with work and has traveled more in the past 8 months than previously. Right before Christmas he was in New Jersey when Portland got hit with a severe snow storm. Weather was terrible every where and he ended up stranded in Chicago for three days on his way home. We were preparing for the possibility of having Christmas without him ... but ... thankfully he made it home in time.

We have just had a month where he has traveled 3 out of the 4 weeks and has two more week long trips coming up (that we know of) before the end of August! It is an adjustment for us all - how to get through our days when we are separated for lengths of time. God is good and is sustaining us.

Back Again

Remember us??

It has been over 8 months since I updated our blog ... shall we blame ...

... computer crash and all that that entails?
... steady flow of house guests?
... adjusting to life with two kids?
... facebook?

I'll blame those and all the other reasons why things get overlooked.

It is my intent to start up again with stories and pictures of our life. I won't attempt to backtrack - we'll be here far too long ... but I will attempt to give a little over view of each of us with some highlights of the past 8 months.

Check back in a day or so and I'll have some news on at least one family member! For now - here's our most recent family picture, taken at our Ohlson Family Reunion at the end of June.



For lots of other pics check out our facebook accounts!!